Boom!
A colossal stone dragon, granted sight in both eyes by Morax himself, soared into the heavens.
An overwhelming pressure rolled out like waves, shaking the very earth. Its massive body was like a living mountain, radiating the unyielding might of the earth itself.
This dragon—an earth spirit, a sovereign of elemental stone—had willingly pledged allegiance to the Taixuan Sect as its Guardian Spirit Beast.
Out of respect, Morax addressed him as Azhdaha, the Spirit Lord.
The title clearly pleased the dragon.
[Azhdaha]: Hmph, this version of Morax seems acceptable. "Spirit Lord" doesn't sound as majestic as "Dragon King," but it does carry a touch of immortal grace. (nods solemnly)
[Cloud Retainer]: Oh? Is Dragon King Azhdaha beginning to acknowledge the Geo Lord? (Ganyu: That's… progress!)
[Mountain Shaper]: It's not about acknowledgement. Forgetting the past and letting go of hatred is already a form of reconciliation. I only hope that one day, he'll remember everything.
[Azhdaha]: Heh… think what you will.
[Venti]: Ah, here it comes! The classic "I'm not admitting anything" act! (Hu Tao: smirk)
[Kaeya]: I'm beginning to respect you, but I'll never admit it! (mischievous grin)
[Azhdaha]: …Speechless. Once I'm unsealed, I'll deal with the two of you first. (deadly smile)
Azhdaha truly had no patience to "acknowledge" anyone.
At this moment, his consciousness was wracked by contradiction and pain. It felt as though invisible chains bound his very mind, twisting and distorting his sense of self.
[Dvalin]: Just Morax joining the Taixuan Sect is already terrifying enough—but now Azhdaha too?! That combination will be unstoppable! Wait a second… The Sect plans to unify the continent and advance humankind, right? From Liyue, the next land northward is—Mondstadt! (Paimon: shocked!)
[Kaeya]: So, Archon of Anemo, what's your plan, hm? (grin)
[Venti]: What do you mean "plan"? Isn't joining the Taixuan Sect a joyous occasion? Opportunities to bask in the Sect Master's divine brilliance don't come often! Hopefully, the me of that era had enough sense to join before they marched north! Barbatos! Quickly—swear fealty to the great Sect Master! (Klee: Charge!)
[Jean]: …As expected of you, Lord Barbatos.
To be fair, Venti's words weren't entirely wrong.
After all, the Taixuan Sect had become so powerful that if it ever decided to unify the continent, no nation could resist.
Since resistance was futile—why not join?
And more importantly, the Taixuan Sect wasn't some malevolent force.
[Furina]: When will they come for Fontaine?! (Venti: eagerly awaiting!)
[Neuvillette]: Though the thought is unsettling… rationally speaking, Fontaine under the Taixuan Sect's guidance would likely flourish beyond imagination.
Indeed, at this point in time, the Seven Nations were thriving. The Archon War had long ended millennia ago. While minor conflicts still existed, the world remained largely peaceful.
But in the video, it was clear—the Taixuan Sect was preparing to expand from its Liyue heartland to influence the rest of the continent.
If it truly succeeded in uniting Teyvat, humanity would enter an age of cultivation.
As Sect Master Gu Chen once said:
"Frailty, disease, calamity, short life—these shall no longer be humanity's flaws."
Of course, empowering humankind would inevitably bring new risks—conflicts between humans themselves.
Yet even that, the far-sighted Sect Master had foreseen and resolved.
With just an introductory scripture, the potential for chaos could be greatly curbed.
The Taixuan Sect was destined to become the pillar of the world—the anchor of peace.
That day, Morax approached yet another Archon.
The poor god sighed in despair—unable to fight, unable to flee—he could only agree to join the Taixuan Sect.
After departing that domain, Azhdaha rumbled curiously:
"A contract can truly guarantee his obedience? I sensed deceit in that one's heart…"
Morax merely shook his head and smiled faintly.
"If he breaks the contract, our next visit won't be so civil. Even if the heavens fall, a contract must be fulfilled—unless I can no longer act.
But even if I cannot, the Sect Master will see to him personally."
Azhdaha burst into laughter.
"That's good enough for me! Let's go find the next one—let me give them a good scare! Maybe the Sect Master will reward us afterward…"
The Taixuan Sect was known for its fairness—clear rewards and punishments.
And Azhdaha was already imagining what kind of reward that far-sighted Sect Master might bestow.
"Come. The next is… the God of Salt, God of Salt."
"Same element as you?" Azhdaha blinked.
"Not quite—mine is rock, hers is salt," Morax explained.
"Salt? What's that?"
"A mineral. Humans need small amounts of it to stay healthy. God of Salt's power allows her to create salt in abundance—and she possesses a treasure that can generate it endlessly."
"Sounds like a fine prize! Shall we seize it for ourselves?" Azhdaha asked eagerly.
Morax chuckled.
"There's no such need. The Taixuan Sect is one that values reason."
"Reason? You just told me to intimidate her first," Azhdaha replied dryly.
"Sometimes, showing strength is the only way to speak reason," said Morax.
Azhdaha nodded slowly, half-understanding.
Morax's tone grew reflective.
"In this great age of strife, countless gods will fall beneath the wheels of history. But with the Taixuan Sect's arrival, humanity shall find hope.
Those who join us will have nothing to fear—no exile, no loss of freedom. Only the sect's tenets must be obeyed."
By the time he finished speaking, they had reached a small island amid the sea—what future generations would call the Sal Terrae.
"This land's tiny," Azhdaha remarked, crouching down as waves crashed against his stone scales. "Not half the size of the others' domains."
"God of Salt is a gentle god," Morax sighed. "Too kind, too yielding. Even if the Sect did not exist, she would still fall in this war of Archons."
"She is the god of love—unable to bear seeing mortals suffer. But her compassion turned to weakness. Her people grew resentful of her endless retreats."
"Why?" Azhdaha asked, puzzled.
"Perhaps she believed that if she surrendered before battle, the war would spare her and her followers."
Morax shook his head.
"But when gods clash for dominion, can retreat truly bring peace?"
[Keqing]: Some people still claim the Geo Lord killed the God of Salt for her endless salt-creating power—ridiculous! (angrily)
[Ganyu]: Over three thousand years, I've never heard of any conflict between them. Salt's death was… strange, but not at the Geo Lord's hand.
[Ningguang]: The ignorant cannot comprehend the divine. So they hide in the dark and slander what they fear.
[Venti]: So… how did the Salt God die? @Zhongli
[Zhongli]: She was slain—by her own people.
[Venti]: …What?!
[Kaeya]: Excuse me, what?!
[Heizou]: Mortals… killed an Archon?
[Navia]: Her own followers murdered her?! (Paimon: shocked!)
[Kaveh]: But why?!
[Gu Chen]: It's… ironic, but simple. During the Archon War, the world was chaos. Her followers saw her constant retreat and weakness as hopeless. Perhaps they thought siding with Morax would bring them a future. So—they killed her, then joined the Geo Lord.
"The slander that followed was from their descendants—those who still worshiped Salt and could not accept the truth." (wry laugh)
[Keqing]: So their ancestors were traitors… no wonder they keep defaming the Geo Lord.
[Kokomi]: Then, if the Taixuan Sect had existed then, and Morax and Azhdaha went to her first—she might have lived. (thoughtful)
Indeed, God of Salt was far too gentle.
Anyone could argue her methods were naïve—but her followers' betrayal was unforgivable.
Morax and Azhdaha arrived openly, their auras shaking heaven and earth.
God of Salt, feeling their overwhelming presence, panicked. Trembling, she stepped forth.
A petite figure cloaked in crystal-like robes that shimmered like salt under the sun—her delicate face was pale, anxious.
"You are… God of Salt, the Salt God?" Azhdaha's thunderous voice boomed.
The sound alone made her knees buckle.
"I—I am…" she stammered.
Azhdaha turned wordlessly to Morax.
Morax smiled faintly, then spoke gently,
"God of Salt, have you heard of the Taixuan Sect?"
"The… Taixuan Sect…"
Her eyes widened slightly.
In those days, the name "Taixuan Sect" was known across the land.
To the gods—it meant dread.
To humans—it meant hope.
Its disciples taught survival, cultivation, and the spark of civilization.
For every mortal who revered the Sect, there was a god who feared it.
"I suppose… killing me alone should suffice?" she asked weakly, her voice trembling.
Morax: "…"
Azhdaha: "…"
The two exchanged looks, speechless.
At last, Morax sighed.
"You have two choices: join the Taixuan Sect—or be cast out."
"Eh?!"
God of Salt blinked in shock. She had expected an execution, not an offer.
And the Taixuan Sect—who had once annihilated eight Archons with a single stroke—was extending her mercy?
It didn't take her long to decide.
"I… I am willing to join the Taixuan Sect!"
"A wise choice," Azhdaha rumbled approvingly.
Morax nodded.
"Then come with us. Two more Archons await our visit."
"What about my followers?" she asked softly.
"Do not worry. Sect disciples will handle it. But be warned—those with corrupted hearts will not be sheltered by the Sect. They shall be cast out."
"I understand."
"Good. Let's go."
Soon, they reached a high seaside cliff.
"There's another god here?" Azhdaha asked, scanning the horizon.
"Not here—there." Morax's gaze turned to the endless ocean. "The Vortex God, Vortex God."
"He's in the sea? How am I supposed to reach him?"
"You needn't go. I'll handle this."
With that, Morax's figure flickered—and in the next moment, he was standing high above the ocean.
Thousands of floating stone spears hovered around him, humming with power.
The sea below stirred. Massive whirlpools opened, and a deep rumble echoed from the abyss.
Five enormous serpentine heads rose from the waves—Vortex God, the Vortex God—staring warily at the figure in the sky.
Morax's voice rolled like thunder.
"Vortex God—you have two choices.
Join the Taixuan Sect… or die."
The countless spears glowed ominously.
Vortex God hesitated only a moment before lowering all five heads.
"I am… willing to join."
"Wise decision." Morax smiled faintly. The stone spears dissipated, his voice softening.
"Welcome to the Taixuan Sect. A brighter future awaits you."
"Let us hope so," Vortex God muttered bitterly.
Just moments ago, this man had been ready to kill him—and now he greeted him like a friend. Truly, masterful psychological warfare.
[Gu Chen]: God of Salt surrendered because she's softhearted, but you, Vortex God—what's your excuse? (grinning)
[Venti]: Yeah, where's your dignity, man?! (laughs)
[Vortex God]: Sect Master, what do you mean?! I—I merely yearned to bask in your divine radiance! To listen humbly to your benevolent teachings! (Sucrose: behaves adorably)
[Tartaglia]: …You, sir, are a man of great wisdom. (Hu Tao: mischievous grin)
[Vortex God]: Young man, remember this—those who know how to adapt are the true heroes! (toothy grin)
After all—refusing would have meant death.
And besides… following the Great Sect Master? Even Morax had grown stronger.
Not following would've been sheer stupidity.
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