Kapitel 67: Where’s My Dragon? Why is it a Loli? Turn it Back!

Atop the Jade Chamber, Tartaglia dropped a shocking statement!

"The crisis in Liyue is far from over!"

The Qixing, who had been pondering the reason for Tartaglia's request to meet the Dragon Lord, were all taken aback by his words. Ningguang furrowed her brow, tapping her gloved fingers lightly on the table with a serious expression.

"While Liyue may be open to negotiating with Snezhnaya, that doesn't mean anything can be said freely!" she declared, her tone sharp. If Tartaglia couldn't provide a proper explanation for his claim, even as a Harbinger, it wouldn't be tolerated.

Tartaglia didn't take offense. He had made his statement for a reason, not to provoke Liyue.

"During the Archon War, Liyue sealed away many gods," he began. "It wouldn't be surprising if, in times like these, one of those gods managed to break free!" He then explained the information he had gathered.

"While passing near Qingce Village, I sensed a dark presence," he said. "Whether or not it's true is up to you to determine." As he made his way to Liyue from Snezhnaya, Tartaglia had felt an ominous aura around the Qingce Village area.

Initially, he thought it was some powerful foe, but after following the trail, he discovered a strange cave near the village. He hadn't investigated further, for two reasons.

First, he had received new orders and needed to stay on task. Second, seeing such places in Liyue usually meant they were sites where Morax had once slain or sealed gods. If he recklessly meddled with it and accidentally unleashed one, things could go very wrong.

The Fatui were already stretched thin by their pursuit of the Gnosis, and having already secured Liyue's Gnosis, Snezhnaya had no desire to stir up further trouble unnecessarily. Dealing with Liyue's sealed gods was, after all, Liyue's problem.

By sharing this information with the Qixing, Tartaglia hoped to curry a small favor.

After revealing the situation at Qingce Village, Tartaglia smiled and added, "Do you think this news is worth a meeting with the Dragon Lord?"

The Qixing were surprised. As high-ranking officials, they were privy to information most others weren't, and it seemed that there might indeed be a sealed god near Qingce Village. They had only heard rumors of its existence, but after so many years, none of them could recall the specifics of this god's identity.

"It does seem like Qingce Village is home to a sealed god," one of the Qixing mused after some thought.

"Since... certain events, it seems many of the seals left behind by Morax have started to loosen," another added. Whether it was Osial, Azhdaha, or now this newly-emerging god, all signs pointed to one fact: the various sealed gods in Liyue's land were starting to fight back.

"So Tartaglia's information is likely accurate?"

...

The Qixing quietly discussed among themselves, evaluating the credibility of Tartaglia's report. In the end, they concluded that the information was highly plausible.

After all, it was a lead they could easily verify. If Tartaglia wanted to use this information to gain an audience with the new Archon, he wouldn't present them with false intelligence.

However, while they couldn't make the final decision regarding a meeting with the Dragon Lord, in the spirit of reciprocity, they decided to pass Tartaglia's request up the chain. Ningguang smiled and said to him, "Thank you for the information, Lord Tartaglia. However, whether or not the Dragon Lord wishes to meet someone is not for us to decide."

"We will report your request for a meeting to the Dragon Lord. Whether or not the meeting will occur will be decided by the Dragon Lord," Ningguang replied with poise.

"Hahaha, that's more than enough!" Tartaglia laughed heartily. He had achieved both of his objectives in this meeting with the Qixing. The alliance discussions were essentially complete, and the prospect of meeting Liyue's new Archon, the Dragon Lord, was now on the horizon.

In high spirits, Tartaglia decided not to linger any longer. He addressed the Qixing, "Then I won't take up any more of your time. I shall take my leave!" As he turned to go, he added, "If there's any news from the Dragon Lord, kindly inform me at the Northland Bank." With that, he turned and departed.

Ningguang gestured for Baishi to escort Tartaglia from the Jade Chamber. Once he was gone, the remaining members of the Qixing resumed their discussion about the mysterious god near Qingce Village.

"Does anyone recall the beasts that invaded Liyue before Azhdaha's appearance?" Ningguang asked, producing her white jade cigarette holder and twirling it in her hand as she recalled past events.

At the time, Liyue was under simultaneous attack from both Azhdaha and Beisht. Those beasts were insignificant compared to the two great foes, so after some investigation, they had concluded the creatures were likely summoned by Beisht and paid them little mind. But now, in hindsight, something about those creatures seemed off.

"You're saying those beasts weren't connected to Beisht?" Ningguang nodded, feeling more and more uneasy the more she thought about it.

"Yes, back then, those creatures carried the same karmic taint as Beisht, but now that I think about it, for a sea demon like Beisht to summon land creatures is strange," she mused. "If there's another force behind it…"

Ningguang trailed off, but the other Qixing understood what she was getting at. If another god had summoned the beasts, then why did Beisht have the same taint as those creatures? The implication was clear: Beisht's appearance might also have been influenced by this mysterious force.

"I've heard storytellers say that while sea demons trouble the waters, evil serpents lurk in the mountains..." Keqing said, her brow furrowing. Keqing was known for mingling with the common people, often immersing herself in Liyue's various affairs, and she had heard many of its legends.

"Could it be that the god sealed in Qingce Village is this 'evil serpent'?"

"Very likely. If it's true, and its reputation matches Osial's, then its power must be... formidable," another member of the Qixing added, their tone filled with concern.

While it was just a legend, any god whose name was mentioned alongside Osial's in the same breath was bound to be dangerous. From the clues they had pieced together, it became clear that this evil serpent was not like Osial, who was reckless and headstrong. This god, it seemed, was patient, calculating, and capable of exerting some influence without immediately breaking free of Morax's seal to directly attack Liyue.

A god that lurked in the shadows, weaving schemes, and harboring a deep-seated grudge against Liyue—what kind of destruction could such a being unleash?

As that realization sank in, a chill ran through the hearts of the Qixing.

"I will report this to the Dragon Lord. It is up to the Dragon Lord to decide how to deal with this god," Ningguang declared calmly but with a firmness that reflected the gravity of the situation. "In the meantime, we must delve into the historical records to confirm the identity of this sealed god."

Whether the god was truly the evil serpent was yet to be confirmed, but one thing was certain: to prepare for whatever might come, they needed to gather as much information as possible. Only by knowing their enemy could they hope to prevail.

"If we can uncover the abilities or weaknesses of this god, it will help us even more!" Ningguang's voice was steady as she looked at the others. The Qixing all nodded in agreement with her decision.

At Fuao Vale.

After Zhongli completed the final touches to Ruotuo's stone dragon form, the statue radiated an intense light. The beam of light shot upward through the fissure in the valley, almost becoming a solid pillar.

A powerful aura began to spread outward from Ruotuo, with Lin Yuan, Zhongli, and Lottie being the first to face its impact. However, all three were either current or former powerful beings, so the pressure on their minds had no effect. Even the physical pressure was neutralized by Lin Yuan's shield, rendering the aura harmless to them.

But the Qianyan Army stationed outside the valley felt the full brunt of the pressure. Even though Ruotuo wasn't consciously trying to intimidate, the aura of a top-tier god was too overwhelming for the soldiers to withstand. The moment it burst forth, most of them were forced to the ground, unable to move.

Lin Yuan frowned, realizing this was an outcome he hadn't anticipated. With a wave of his dragon claw, a surge of energy formed into a rock wave, enveloping the Qianyan soldiers and moving them safely away from Fuao Vale.

"Do not approach this area until everything is over!" Lin Yuan commanded as he sent the Qianyan Army away, then returned his attention to Ruotuo's transformation.

The pillar of light shot far beyond the highest peaks of Liyue, catching the attention of many. Those residing nearby, including the adepti dwelling close to Fuao Vale, immediately noticed the phenomenon. They, too, recognized the aura of Ruotuo.

"Is that Ruotuo? I thought the Dragon Lord had reverted it to its original form?" one adeptus wondered aloud. "Could it be reforming now? Will it pose a threat to Liyue?"

However, after sensing Lin Yuan's involvement, their worries faded. And when they also detected Zhongli's presence, any remaining concerns vanished completely.

"Is the Dragon Lord reawakening Ruotuo?"

"Just like in the old days..." An adeptus sighed, and the adepti ceased their discussions, returning to their silent observation.

Meanwhile, across distant lands.

Just as before, other powerful beings across Teyvat seemed to sense something stirring once more. Many turned their attention toward Fuao Vale in Liyue, their curiosity piqued.

"Another god emerging?" several of them thought. However, after feeling Ruotuo's aura, they dismissed the idea. While its power was indeed immense, it wasn't the aura of a new god. This only made them more curious. Since the end of the Archon War, no new gods had arisen, apart from the Seven. Could this be the revival of something ancient?

Shaking their heads, most of these powerful entities withdrew their attention. Ruotuo's presence stirred up old memories, especially when they recognized the faint traces of Lin Yuan's power within its aura. They had heard of Lin Yuan and his recent actions across Teyvat. From what they had observed, Lin Yuan appeared to be a peaceful god, one uninterested in causing trouble.

While others let the matter rest, Lottie and the others were much more focused.

"How powerful!" Lottie exclaimed, her voice filled with awe. Every time she encountered Ruotuo, her perception of it changed.

"It is indeed strong, and rightly so. I poured much of my strength into its new form," Lin Yuan said, nodding as he assessed the energy he had expended in Ruotuo's rebirth—nearly 40% of his power. Watching the aura around Ruotuo continue to grow, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He had invested considerable effort into ensuring Ruotuo's revival was a success.

"This level of power is only the beginning!" Lin Yuan added.

"By any reasonable measure, Ruotuo's strength is now almost on par with what it was at its peak," Zhongli observed. However, Ruotuo had only just been reborn, and if it already matched its former strength, one could only imagine how powerful it would become once it matured into its full form.

As the three continued their discussion, the pivotal moment arrived.

The brilliant pillar of light began to fade, and in its place, a golden cocoon enveloped Ruotuo's form. Inside, a dragon-shaped silhouette moved gracefully within the cocoon of light.

"Oh, oh, oh, here it comes—the majestic dragon!" Lin Yuan's excitement grew, but then he sensed something wasn't quite right.

The dragon-shaped shadow should have condensed into a solid form, completing Ruotuo's transformation into a powerful dragon. However, reality had other plans. After a brief flicker, the shadow vanished, and—boom!—the golden cocoon shattered into fragments of light that dissipated into the air.

"Whoosh!"

With the cocoon's collapse, the remaining energy scattered outward in a shockwave, sending loose stones flying. Yet, for Lin Yuan and his companions, the impact was akin to a gentle breeze. All three remained focused intently on where Ruotuo had stood, eager to see its final form.

As the golden light slowly faded, Lin Yuan realized something unexpected—Ruotuo hadn't taken the form of a dragon as he anticipated. Instead, it was... human-shaped?

"So cute!" Lottie's voice echoed in Lin Yuan's ear, and as the golden light fully dispersed, Ruotuo's new form was revealed.

Lottie was right—it was cute.

Standing before them was a little girl, reminiscent of the form Ruotuo's malevolent manifestation had taken in the game, though with notable differences. Instead of the familiar blue dress, Ruotuo now wore a brownish-gold outfit adorned with intricate golden patterns and multi-colored embellishments.

The brown hue symbolized Ruotuo's connection to the Geo element, while the four colored markings represented the other elemental powers Ruotuo could control. The gold, however, came from Lin Yuan—the power of the dragon god flowing through her.

On top of her head were two golden horns, blending perfectly with her regal yet delicate attire. Together, the outfit and her dragon-like features should have conveyed a sense of majesty, but with her childlike form, it all gave off an endearing and overwhelming sense of cuteness instead.

Lottie's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Hmm..." The freshly reborn Ruotuo seemed confused as she opened her golden-brown eyes, scanning her surroundings. It was as though she couldn't comprehend where she was or why she was there. Then her gaze landed on Lin Yuan.

Instantly, Ruotuo felt a strong sense of familiarity and connection from Lin Yuan, likely stemming from the fusion of their powers.

Boom!

Lin Yuan felt like he had just been hit by a boulder. Ruotuo had vanished from her spot and reappeared by his side, hugging his draconic form tightly.

"Mm!"

"Is she unable to speak?" Lottie asked curiously.

"Speak!" a clear voice suddenly rang out, startling Lottie.

"It seems her intellect is intact, but her previous memories and consciousness have faded, making her temporarily forget certain abilities," Zhongli explained, his hands clasped behind his back, his tone filled with a mixture of complexity and nostalgia.

"However, for Ruotuo to take on a human form so soon after her rebirth... Her starting point is much higher than before," he added thoughtfully.

Lin Yuan, struggling to pry the small girl off him, sighed. "But I sculpted a dragon, not... this!"

"You must understand, elemental beings naturally lack fixed forms," Zhongli said calmly, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "It's only natural for one to be able to take human form."

"Even the adepti, who aren't elemental beings, have the ability to shift into human forms once they reach a certain level of cultivation," Zhongli continued, casting a curious glance at Lin Yuan.

"Come to think of it, Lin Yuan, shouldn't you also be able to transform into a human? Why do you remain in this form all the time?"

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T/N:

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