The Vacant Eternal Throne

Toga snapped back to reality, swallowing hard in awe as he looked at the short immortal standing only waist-high compared to him.

He had initially believed that, even if the opponent was far stronger than him, he could at least hold his own for ten or twenty exchanges. But now, seeing the effortless destruction of the Leopard Cat Lord, he realized a chilling truth—this immortal could have obliterated him in a single strike.

If he had let his pride as a daiyōkai get the better of him and spoken out arrogantly, would that spear have already pierced through him?

"So this is a true immortal..."

While many powerful yokai claimed the title of "immortal," in reality, they had no connection to true celestial beings. They merely possessed abilities that mimicked those of the immortals.

Take, for example, his friend Hosenki, whose body was as hard as diamond, impervious to any blade, and who possessed the ability to forge black pearls capable of opening pathways between the Netherworld and the mortal realm.

Or Bokuseno, the ancient tree demon who had lived for over two millennia, surviving from the time when gods frequently descended to the earth. The items made from his branches could absorb demonic energy and create barriers. Toga's own Tessaiga's scabbard was crafted from Bokuseno wood.

With the death of the Leopard Cat Lord, the remaining yokai fell into disbelief, followed quickly by sheer terror.

Their confidence in warring against the Dog Demon Clan had stemmed entirely from their leader's formidable presence. But now that their chieftain was dead, what could a horde of lesser yokai possibly do?

"H-he's dead! The boss is dead!"

"Run for your lives!"

Without their daiyōkai leader, the weaker yokai completely lost their will to fight and scattered in all directions.

"Chase them down! Exterminate every last one of these filthy leopards!"

"Awooohhh!"

Some of the Dog Demon Clan warriors transformed into their massive true forms, towering dozens of meters high, and lunged at the fleeing leopards.

The battle quickly turned into a one-sided slaughter. The towering dog demon warriors crushed the fleeing yokai under their powerful claws and shredded them apart with razor-sharp fangs.

Though the battle had been brief, the skirmish involving tens of thousands of yokai had left the surrounding mountain ranges in ruins. Entire peaks that had served as the Leopard Cat Clan's lairs were reduced to rubble, and the dark clouds of demonic energy that once blotted the skies gradually dissipated.

...

After the battle, Toga's commanders, Kujaku and Seiten, led the yokai forces back to the Western Lands.

Meanwhile, Xiao escorted the rescued villagers to Himeji City, accompanied by Toga and Princess Inukimi—two of the most powerful yokai in the West, who were now bound by their contract with the Geo Archon.

Though the sight of the towering yokai among them made the villagers uneasy, they remained calm in the presence of the Three-Eyed Five-Manifestations Immortal, who had saved their lives.

Toga and Inukimi paid little attention to the humans. It was only natural for humans to fear yokai.

As Toga walked, his mind was preoccupied with the contract he had signed with the Geo Archon.

"There was a clause about receiving the cultivation method for immortal power... right?"

Curiosity burned within him, and he couldn't resist asking the solemn immortal beside him.

"Lord Xiao, your power is overwhelming. Is it because the Sovereign granted you the method to cultivate immortal energy?"

Xiao, understanding the true intent behind the question, replied calmly.

"Yes. Immortal energy is a weakened form of divine power, refined to be wielded by non-divine beings. Alongside it comes the techniques to harness it—what mortals refer to as 'immortal arts.'"

He cast a sidelong glance at Toga before continuing.

"From my perspective, demon power is indeed formidable, but it lacks refinement and technique."

"A daiyōkai like yourself stands at a similar life level to a divine servant like me."

"The difference lies in the fact that I wield immortal energy, which surpasses demonic energy, and I have been taught divine techniques directly from the Sovereign himself."

Toga's heart pounded with excitement. If he could master immortal energy and divine techniques, wouldn't he be able to defeat other daiyōkai with a single strike?

If he could become this strong, what did it matter if he went from a wild dog to a domesticated one? After all, being a god's dog was completely different.

From now on, Toga, the great leader of the Dog Demon Clan, is Rex Lapis' loyal hound. Woof, woof!

With Xiao's assistance in channeling his immortal energy, the hundreds of malnourished villagers quickly arrived within the bounds of Himeji City.

Vast fields stretched out before them, craftsmen busily constructing waterwheels, and farmers tilling the land that the immortals had cultivated.

Though the land had only been prepared a few days ago, the rice had already begun to sprout and ripen.

This was because the region had become the domain of a high celestial god. The influx of people—whether from nearby towns, villages, or those who had journeyed from afar with their families—had surged beyond expectation.

With the rising population, food shortages became an urgent issue. Given that even nobles in this era sometimes went hungry, what chance did commoners have?

The immortals had thus used their techniques to accelerate crop growth, allowing for a harvest in just a few days.

The villagers, who had never seen such prosperity and peace, fell to their knees and prostrated towards the majestic and almost unimaginable sight of Himeji City.

"Ahh, the divine realm! This must be the domain of the gods!"

"Blessings of the gods, blessings of the gods!"

"Can we live here?"

Xiao patiently replied, "As long as you abide by the Sovereign's contract and the laws of Liyue, whether human or yokai, all may live under the Sovereign's protection."

The malnourished villagers kowtowed to Xiao in gratitude before being led by the Millelith to the administrative office of Himeji City for registration.

Inukimi marveled at the land suffused with divine blessings, astonished.

"Truly incredible. The Sovereign is indeed a great deity—his divine might does not reject yokai at all."

Xiao glanced at her and replied, "Once a yokai has signed the contract, they are part of Liyue. The Sovereign treats all under his rule with fairness. To him, you are also beings to be protected."

Inukimi was even more astounded. Her inherited memories from her bloodline did not contain any accounts of such a fair and just deity.

Himeji City had transformed—its architecture and prosperity now rivaled Liyue Harbor itself. Pavilions and towering structures were everywhere, and the once modest city now covered an area larger than Kyoto.

Under Ningguang's leadership, Liyue's caravans had already begun trading with surrounding cities.

Though only a few days had passed, the foundations of Liyue had firmly taken root in this world.

In anticipation of future commercial prosperity, the roads of the city were constructed wide enough to accommodate ten carriages side by side.

Even Inukimi, who had seen the most prosperous human cities, was dazzled by Himeji City's flourishing state.

...

Xiao led Toga and Inukimi to the Geo Archon's divine palace.

The two daiyōkai, both formidable and powerful, found themselves feeling an unfamiliar emotion—nervousness.

"Nervous?" Toga mused. Before the Sovereign had descended to this world, such feelings were unknown to them as daiyōkai.

Xiao led them inside the grand hall, then knelt on one knee.

"My Lord, the divine decree has been carried out. The daiyōkai of the Western Lands who have honored the initial contract have been brought before you."

A voice, ancient and sacred, filled with both majesty and the warmth of a father, echoed through the hall.

"You have done well, Xiao."

Toga and Inukimi instinctively raised their heads, gazing toward the divine throne at the hall's pinnacle.

What they saw left them utterly frozen in shock.

Seated leisurely upon the resplendent divine throne was a god whose entire being emanated an aura of ancient sanctity.

This ancient presence was overwhelming.

With merely a single glance, countless images flooded into their minds.

These images depicted everything this ancient god had experienced, all of which were woven into His timeless aura—

The era when gods and demons were indistinguishable, protecting humanity that teetered on the brink of extinction amidst the war of gods and demons.

Subjugating the daiyōkai of the untamed wilderness, bestowing upon them the knowledge of the divine.

Guiding humanity in building civilizations and establishing nations, and ultimately, emerging victorious in the War of the Archons, defeating and suppressing all gods and demons to become the ruler of a triumphant kingdom.

Finally, He was granted dominion by the supreme Creator.

Toga and Inukimi awakened from the overwhelming ancient aura, feeling as if their souls had embarked on a journey through the distant past.

Previously, they had wondered why they had never heard of the god known as Rex Lapis.

Now they understood—this god had existed since an era far more ancient than that of the Three Noble Children.

After all, He was personally granted the authority of the victor in the war of gods and demons by the Creator Himself.

To have seen the Creator—was this not the very definition of an ancient primeval deity?

In myth and legend, it was said that only the Lord of Takamagahara, Izanagi, and the Lord of Yomi, Izanami, had ever gazed upon the Creator.

None of the other high gods of Takamagahara had ever been deemed worthy of such an audience.

This was a god on the same level as the Lord of Takamagahara.

Toga and Inukimi, realizing this, hurriedly prostrated themselves in reverence.

"Toga of the Western Lands pays respects to the Supreme Lord, Rex Lapis."

"Inukimi of the Western Lands pays respects to the Supreme Lord, Rex Lapis."

From his golden eyes, Zhongli gazed down at the two daiyōkai bowing before him and nodded.

"Toga, Inukimi, since you have entered into a contract with me, I shall now fulfill the terms of our agreement and grant you the status of my retainers."

"Only by becoming my retainers can you cultivate immortal energy."

With those words, Zhongli raised his hand, and two divine gifts—fragments of divine consciousness and seeds of diluted divine power—manifested before them and merged into their foreheads.

Instantly, Toga and Inukimi were enveloped in a soft golden light.

Toga felt the divine power enter his body, and in his mind, countless techniques for cultivation surfaced. His immense demonic energy, befitting a great demon, was rapidly transformed into immortal energy.

So powerful! So this is immortal energy?

At that moment, Toga truly grasped the fundamental difference between immortal energy and demonic energy.

If both were water, then demonic energy was merely ordinary water, whereas immortal energy was molten iron.

No wonder he previously thought the immortal Xiao was only somewhat stronger than him, yet he could annihilate a daiyōkai in a single strike.

With the same volume, how could molten iron and ordinary water possibly be the same?

Moreover, the divine knowledge granted by Rex Lapis was a simplified application of the rules of heaven and earth, transformed into techniques that even yokai could wield.

Zhongli's voice echoed through the divine hall once more:

"Toga, Inukimi, from this day forth, I entrust you with the duty of safeguarding Liyue."

"If your contributions to Liyue are significant enough, becoming deities is not beyond your reach."

Since the Heavenly Principle sought to expand the Teyvat pantheon, it was only natural for Zhongli, as the chief god, to cultivate subordinate gods under his rule.

Of course, he harbored his own intentions—his loyal Adeptus, the Conqueror of Demons, Xiao, would be the first to ascend to divinity.

Toga and Inukimi were overjoyed, their monstrous hearts nearly leaping from their chests.

Now that they had become the retainers of Rex Lapis, they no longer doubted his words.

After all, their Sovereign was a great god who had personally met the Creator, an existence on par with the Lord of Takamagahara.

Naturally, He had the authority and power to bestow divine status upon his subordinates.

"Yes, Lord Sovereign! We shall devote ourselves to the duty of protecting Liyue!"

Even a fool would understand the gravity of this opportunity—to ascend as a high-ranking god.

Toga felt a surge of exhilaration, dispelling any lingering doubts from his heart.

He wasn't merely becoming the dog of an ordinary Takamagahara god; he was to be the loyal hound of the Supreme Lord Himself.

And in the future, he too could ascend to the ranks of the heavenly gods.

At this thought, he couldn't wait to prove himself and establish his worth before Rex Lapis.

He hurriedly spoke up:

"Lord Sovereign, regarding the signing of the initial contracts among the yokai, I believe I can contribute!"

"My friend, Hosenki, is a daiyōkai of equal strength to myself. I can have him sign the contract immediately. Additionally, there's Bokuseno, the ancient tree spirit over two thousand years old, as well as the renowned swordsmith, Totosai, who forges demon swords..."

Toga rattled off a list of notable daiyōkai.

Zhongli nodded, knowing full well that a top-tier daiyōkai like Toga would have connections with many other powerful beings.

"Your dedication is commendable. Very well, I shall entrust you with the task of securing contracts with the yokai."

With confidence swelling in his chest, Toga declared:

"I will not disappoint you, Lord Sovereign."

His friends and other friendly yokai would surely accept—wise ones would know when to submit.

As for those who refused to comply, well... his Fang of Tessaiga would be their only answer.

Submit or perish—two choices.

Now that he had just become an immortal, he was confident he could obliterate ten versions of his former self with ease.

...

Meanwhile, as Toga and Inukimi became the divine retainers of Morax—

In the world of Teyvat...

Celestia

Noah's eyes suddenly snapped open as he sensed the influx of world rules and faith energy from the Human Realm.

Rising abruptly from his throne, his golden eyes gleamed with a hint of astonishment.

As his emotions fluctuated, the Primordial Law Ring and the Abyss Law Ring manifested behind him.

"So that's how it is... I see now! The world of Inuyasha... No, this isn't just the world of Inuyasha at all, is it, System?"

The mechanical voice of the system responded:

[Ding! Affirmative, Host. The world you recall as Inuyasha and Nurarihyon no Mago exist within the same overarching world framework.]

Feeling the delicate strands of world rules drawn from the Inuyasha world, Noah was struck by disbelief.

"System, you've really handed me something grand this time. I thought I was dealing with just the Inuyasha world, but it's an entire unified world framework?"

Noah's astonishment wasn't just due to the merged worlds of Inuyasha and Nurarihyon no Mago, but because that world had produced an Eternal Throne—an entity on par with his own level as the Heavenly Principle.

And most crucially, this Eternal Throne was unclaimed.

"I see... so that's why. No wonder all the gods of that world vanished without a trace—this is the reason!"

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