The state that Zhongli created for his manifested dragon form was one of being struck by a heavenly tribulation, failing to overcome it, and falling into critical condition—on the verge of death.
In simpler terms...
He was dead, but not completely.
For a moment, Ryen didn't even know how to begin ridiculing Zhongli's actions.
What the hell was this "Three Calamities Heavenly Tribulation"?!
Wasn't that just something storytellers made up?
With so many immortals in Liyue, who had ever been struck by a heavenly tribulation?
No wonder Zhongli had been asking about cultivation novels from Ryen's original world, especially showing keen interest in various forms of tribulation.
Ryen had simply thought Zhongli enjoyed listening to stories, so he told him all about the Ninefold Thunder Tribulation, the Celestial Nine Heavens Tribulation, and the Five Decays of Heaven and Man...
So that's what he had been scheming for!
Three calamities raining down? Nonsense!
Even if Ningguang and the others didn't understand, how could Ryen not see through it?
There were no such things as heavenly tribulations in this world.
Wind, fire, and lightning—those so-called three calamities?
Aren't they just elemental powers?
And if it's elemental energy, then it's under the control of the Anemo, Pyro, and Electro Archons. How would they dare strike Zhongli with a tribulation?
If there truly is a "heavenly tribulation" in this world, then Teyvat has only one kind:
The erosion imposed by Celestia upon all living beings.
Ryen sighed and shook his head.
"You really… came up with this nonsense, huh."
Zhongli, however, seemed quite satisfied with the current situation. He didn't care about others.
As far as he was concerned, after throwing his manifested body out there, he felt completely relaxed, and his mood had improved immensely.
As for whether abandoning a manifested body would weaken him—
Don't make him laugh.
He was the mighty Morax, and over thousands of years, how many avatars and incarnations had he created?
Men, women, old, young—all kinds of manifestations.
The dragon form was simply the one most familiar to Liyue.
Losing a manifestation was like dropping a wave into the sea.
It wouldn't affect him at all.
In fact, considering the relief it brought and the reduction in erosion, it might even have a positive effect.
So really…
Morax has always been powerful, not because of any Gnosis, or his divine form, or faith-based empowerment…
"This is the best possible outcome."
Zhongli took a sip of tea and said meaningfully:
"The concept of the Three Calamities Tribulation started circulating recently in Liyue. According to the storytellers, it's a law ordained by the heavenly order."
Ryen's heart stirred—he began to understand Zhongli's intent.
In a low voice, he said:
"So… you wanted to use this grand occasion of the Rite of Parting, and your 'near-death' state, to rally the hearts of Liyue's people?"
Zhongli nodded slightly, and Ryen couldn't help but admire the deep schemes of this 6,000-year-old dragon.
Right now, the people of Liyue didn't know that Celestia had a conscious Second Throne.
But they did know one thing: the heavenly order struck down their Geo Archon.
Right now, they only felt sorrow—but what if one day, they learned that Celestia was a personified, intentional existence?
Hatred!
The people of Liyue, who had been protected under Morax's guidance for 3,700 years, wouldn't hesitate to declare a blood feud against Celestia.
When Ningguang and the others one day declare their intent to fight Celestia, Liyue's people will be the first to rise up.
Ryen would never underestimate the reverence Liyue held for their Archon.
Even centuries into human governance, the people would still carry a deep longing for Morax.
And now, by staging a harmless fake death, Zhongli had gained the unified will of Liyue to oppose Celestia.
A huge win.
Ryen shook his head, sighing.
"You really are a master of calculation…"
Zhongli pursed his lips, eyes deep and dark.
"She destroyed my friends, countless civilizations, and five hundred years ago, she almost destroyed Liyue too."
"So why shouldn't I destroy her in turn?"
"In the past, I had to consider Liyue's survival. I had to ensure my people lived on. That's why I could only secretly support the Cryo Archon."
"But now, Liyue has the strength to defend itself—and in the future, may even turn the tides. So, I don't mind laying some groundwork early."
"You don't know the secrets of this world yet, but when you see the Primordial Ones of Celestia—when you see what my former people suffer through as Primordial Gods now…"
"You'll understand—she and I, the Seven and her, can never coexist."
"She's draining the lives of our people…"
A hint of fury trembled in Zhongli's voice. Ryen also sighed quietly.
He could already guess parts of what was happening in Celestia.
But he couldn't do much either.
It was a relationship rooted in the very laws of Teyvat. No matter how strong his fists or how destructive his power, that wasn't something brute strength could solve.
"We'll take it step by step. Tch… but you really made a huge move this time."
Ryen patted Zhongli on the shoulder and stood up, heading down.
"A critical illness needs strong medicine."
Zhongli replied with a calm remark, then followed quickly to join Ningguang and the others.
At this moment, the Qianyan Army had sealed the area so tightly not even air could slip through.
But everyone already sensed it—
A great storm was brewing in Liyue Harbor.
Ningguang and Keqing were crouched by the dragon's head, carefully inspecting the damage to the dragon's body.
"Ningguang, how is it?" Lumine asked anxiously from the side.
"Not great… The Emperor is severely wounded. He's completely unresponsive."
Ningguang shook her head, then glanced at Zhongli. Seeing the calm, collected look on his face, she grew even more puzzled.
The moment the dragon fell, Ningguang had looked to Zhongli.
Once she confirmed that he was perfectly fine, she became even more confused.
Why had Zhongli suddenly staged something like this?
That heavenly tribulation was definitely fake—Ningguang knew some of the hidden truths.
So that grandiose "Three Calamities Heavenly Tribulation" was most likely Zhongli's own fabrication.
But…
What was he trying to achieve?
Knowing her plan, is that why he refused to step down—choosing to make a statement this way?
That can't be right!
Not to mention, Zhongli's attitude lately had already shown he was ready to let go.
And now, with everyone watching, the Geo Archon is critically injured and on the verge of death—this clearly shows he can no longer fulfill his role as Archon.
So then… was he just eager to retire and decided to go all-in?
That's not like him.
To make such a humiliating exit for himself—Geo Archon Zhongli shouldn't have any mental illness, right?
Fortunately, Zhongli didn't bring Xiao and Cloud Retainer today because he felt their acting wasn't convincing enough.
Otherwise, this place might be in total chaos by now.
"Why… Why would the Archon suddenly suffer a heavenly tribulation?!"
"And he didn't even survive it?!" Keqing's fists clenched in distress.
Though she pursued rule-by-man, she never imagined Zhongli would step down like this.
In her heart, she had always wanted the Geo Archon to peacefully retire, enjoying his elder years while watching the people he raised grow stronger and more capable.
But now…
What is this?
Ningguang and the others didn't answer, only giving Keqing a complicated look.
She really was too straightforward.
Everyone present—even the newcomers from Mondstadt like Lisa—had mostly figured out that Zhongli was the Geo Archon.
Yet ironically, Keqing, who had been here from the start, still didn't know.
Ningguang sighed and shook her head.
"Whatever the case, let's bring the Archon to the Golden House to recover."
Just as she was about to call someone over, Keqing suddenly raised her head in urgency.
"No—there's still a way!"
She turned to Ryen.
"Ryen! The Enchanted Golden Apple should work, right? That thing's so powerful—it has to be able to heal the Archon!"
"..."
Instantly, both Ryen and Zhongli froze awkwardly.
Ryen glanced at Zhongli—he was clearly irritated.
He had forgotten about that!
How unlucky!
After all that effort faking his death, now Keqing wanted to bring him back at full health?
What a disaster!
What would people say—that the Geo Archon bungee-jumped without a rope during the Rite of Descension?
Where was his dignity?
He absolutely could not come back to life!
Zhongli quickly gave Ryen a reassuring look, in case he panicked and impulsively destroyed the body.
"Actually, it won't work. The Geo Archon's constitution is unique—he's a being made of laws and principles. I tried letting him eat the Enchanted Golden Apple before, but it had no effect."
"Besides, in his current state, he probably can't even eat anything."
This was Ryen's first time telling such a massive lie in his life—and all for Zhongli's sake.
How tragic.
Keqing paused, about to say something else, but Ryen quickly added:
"If the Golden Apple doesn't work, then Healing Potions definitely won't either."
"What about the Totem of Undying?" Keqing followed up.
Ryen fell silent.
Zhongli looked at Keqing with a complex expression.
Last year, she'd been urging him to retire. Who would've thought that this year, she'd insist on bringing him back to life?
Too straightforward!
Why couldn't she just let him stay half-dead in peace?
Ryen was getting stressed too.
He had finally come up with excuses to ban the Enchanted Apple and Healing Potions, and now Keqing pulled out the trump card—the Totem of Undying.
That thing…
He really couldn't think of a good excuse for it!
Everyone knew how effective the Totem was.
Even Venti carried several with him at all times. It was absolutely effective—even for Archons.
For a moment, Ryen didn't know what to say.
Luckily, Zhongli remembered this was still his own fake death drama, so he patched it up himself.
"Why don't we give the Geo Archon a Totem of Undying. Right now, he's severely wounded but not dead. If he truly can't pull through, the Totem will activate and restore him."
This was the best excuse Zhongli could think of.
If Keqing insisted on attaching the Totem to the body and then killing the body to force a full revival…
He would have to act fast and destroy the body before that could happen.
Fortunately, Keqing wasn't that bold. She nodded and looked expectantly at Ryen.
The latter sighed helplessly but still pulled out a Totem and placed it in the paw of Zhongli's draconic body.
Seeing this, Keqing finally let out a breath of relief.
"Thank you, Ryen…"
"When the Archon recovers, he'll definitely thank you himself!"
Zhongli remained silent.
If Keqing really did revive that body, he'd have to "thank" her personally…
"Keqing, please lead the Millelith and move the Archon's body to the Golden House to recover—be discreet."
Seeing Zhongli's troubled look, Ningguang didn't want Keqing hanging around any longer and found an excuse to send her off.
Lumine and Paimon exchanged glances and raised their hands.
"Ningguang, we'll go too!"
Ningguang paused and then nodded.
"Alright—be careful."
As they watched Keqing and the others carry away the Geo Archon's body, only Ryen and a few others were left on Yujing Terrace.
Jean pressed her lips together and sighed.
"Ningguang… my condolences…"
"..."
Ningguang looked slightly exasperated and just shook her head, not replying to Jean.
Instead, she looked over at Zhongli.
"Archon, was this really necessary?"
"Archon?"
Jean blinked, looking at the calm Zhongli—then at Venti and Lisa, who seemed unsurprised.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"Mister Zhongli? The Geo Archon?!"
~~----------------------
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