Just as there are seven elements in this world, there exist seven corresponding divine authorities.
All across the continent, countless Archons and gods are born knowing this truth—and all covet those seven thrones of power.
But few realize that this entire order, this endless struggle for the seven seats, was long ago devised by the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles herself.
After all, a world overrun by gods is a world out of balance.
Through divine war and selection, she would prune the excess, leaving behind seven who could uphold the world's laws.
That was her plan.
Yet now, in the vision unfolding before her, Gu Chen dared to confer godhood himself!
A mortal dared to act in Heaven's stead—was that not blasphemy, the very definition of rebellion?!
The Sustainer's expression turned dark.
But what troubled her even more was this—
She could not see through him.
Whether the Gu Chen of this current world, or the one in the projected past, both eluded her gaze.
In his first and second lifetimes, at least she could discern his limits—strong, yes, but finite.
But this third lifetime… and the man who now existed in her own reality…
They were shrouded in mist.
As though the heavens themselves refused to reveal his fate.
Could it be—he truly possessed the power to act in place of Heaven?
The Sustainer frowned in thought.
Gu Chen's actions had already derailed her carefully woven designs.
Her past self must have reacted to this upheaval, for that was before Khaenri'ah's fall, when she still held full dominion.
How had that version of her responded?
With that question lingering, she fixed her gaze upon the vision, determined to see how far this Taixuan Sect would go.
"I'll be entering seclusion for a while," Gu Chen said with a faint smile.
"During that time, the Taixuan Sect will be in your hands, Grand Elder."
"Don't worry," Guizhong replied, hugging her knees as she sat amidst the sea of flowers. "I'll keep everything in order."
Gu Chen nodded, trusting her completely. With her intellect and calm judgment, the Sect was safe.
Once he sealed the hall's great doors, Gu Chen raised a hand, and countless radiant objects appeared midair—each shining with a unique light, brimming with profound spiritual essence.
These were no ordinary treasures—they were divine materials used to forge sacred artifacts.
"The Divine Register of Taixuan…" he murmured.
Then, he began his work.
[Kaeya]: Good heavens, each of those materials looks priceless! What kind of terrifying artifact is he forging? (Paimon: shocked)
[Heizou]: Didn't you hear him? "The Divine Register of Taixuan"—a list that can create gods! Try to imagine that! (Paimon: gasp)
A list that could bestow divinity.
Even those who bore Visions—let alone mortals—could not begin to fathom such power.
Even Zhongli and the other Archons of this age fell silent.
[Vortex God]: Let's analyze rationally here—once the Taixuan Divine Register is complete, what god will our great leader make me? I've already decided on my title: Grand Heavenly Venerable of the Seas! (滑稽)
[Azhdaha]: Keep dreaming, Vortex God. If you're the "Venerable of the Seas," then surely I, Spirit Sovereign, would be the God of the Earth! Even Morax acknowledges me as one with the land! Pure logic!
[Dvalin]: I'm already looking forward to the day Lord Gu Chen rules Mondstadt. This barren land should bask in his light! The skies are my domain—surely he'll appoint me the Heavenly Sovereign! (Venti: sparkling eyes)
[Venti]: Have you all forgotten Heaven's feelings on this? (滑稽)
Zhongli frowned slightly.
Surely the Sustainer herself was still in the group chat, silent but watching.
Did Venti truly dare to jest before her like this?
[Gu Chen]: Feelings? I've bled for Teyvat and fought for Teyvat! I'm a loyal subject, through and through! (滑稽)
[Kaeya]:Bold words! (滑稽)
[Paimon]: Hey! Don't take this too literally! This is just the past-life video! (Paimon: panicking)
[Gu Chen]: The Sustainer is corrupt! My friends—stand with me to overthrow her! (Klee: Charge!)
[Zhongli]: …You truly do not fear death.
[Venti]: Uh, just for the record—I'm very loyal to Sky Island! (滑稽)
Sky Island.
The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles nearly laughed in fury.
So, Barbatos claimed loyalty, did he?
Did he think she hadn't seen him lose his own Gnosis?
Ever since the videos began surfacing, the Sustainer had pieced it together—
These so-called Seven Archons… most of them harbored rebellious thoughts.
Only the Raiden Shogun seemed too dense to realize it.
Even so, the Sustainer no longer had the power to punish them.
Maintaining the balance of the world alone already drained her strength.
The twin Travelers—her final gambit—were still following her plan…
But now there was Gu Chen.
The anomaly.
The variable.
And the more she thought of him, the more she seethed.
Three years passed in a flash.
At last, Gu Chen stood before a hovering scroll—its jade-white handles engraved with intricate golden patterns, its body woven from living light.
The Taixuan Divine Register had been born.
Even Gu Chen himself felt a faint tremor in his heart at its power.
"It aligns perfectly with this world's laws…" he murmured. "But it still requires recognition from a higher plane."
Then his eyes hardened.
"The unification of the continent can wait no longer."
He stored away the scroll and pushed open the great doors of his hall.
Outside, among the fields of flowers, Guizhong was bent over a desk, nibbling the end of her pen in thought.
When she heard his footsteps, she turned—and her eyes lit up.
"You're out of seclusion?"
"Mn."
Then Gu Chen's gaze fell upon the small, blue creature curled up beside her. "And what's this?"
Guizhong smiled, scooping the tiny being into her arms.
"A rather curious story," she began.
It was a small, lamb-like being with blue fur—soft and pure.
The tale she told was like something from a mortal folktale:
A young qilin—pure and innocent—had once eaten a mortal's clothing by mistake.
To make amends and avoid frightening him with her true form, she took human shape, walking beside the young herbalist beneath the moonlight.
Under the starlit boughs they wandered, speaking of beasts and immortals, until she vanished—leaving behind a child at his doorstep.
A child of man and immortal.
Unable to raise her alone, the herbalist brought the baby to the Taixuan Sect.
Cloud Retainer took her in as her disciple.
"Her name," said Guizhong softly, "is Ganyu."
Gu Chen looked down at the little one asleep in her arms.
Sensing his unfamiliar aura, the tiny qilin twitched, then curled back up, breathing softly.
"Try offering her something to eat," Guizhong whispered.
With a chuckle, Gu Chen plucked a Glaze Lily, brushing a bit of its dew onto her lips.
A sweet fragrance spread through the air.
The child sniffed, then stirred—her tiny mouth opening to nibble the flower before smiling in her dreams.
[Cloud Retainer]: Haha, yes. Little Ganyu was just as adorable in her youth. (Ganyu: praying emoji)
[Keqing]: So that's the story of her parents… truly a miraculous fate. (Paimon: gasp!)
[Paimon]: She's so cute! I wanna pet her horns!
[Yae Miko]: They're indeed very soft. (Yae: mischievous grin)
[Ganyu]: (Qiqi: 倒)
"By the way," Guizhong asked, "have you finished what you set out to do?"
Gu Chen smiled faintly. "Indeed. Now it's time to spread the Taixuan Sect's light further. Beyond our lands, humankind still suffers. Once the whole of Teyvat is united—then comes the Taixuan Apotheosis."
"The Taixuan Sect will wield the authority of heaven itself. We'll divide that power, confer divinity upon worthy gods. They'll work together for humanity's prosperity, their faith in turn feeding divine strength. A balance between man and god—mutual benefit."
Guizhong's eyes shone like stars.
"Summon the Elders and Guardians," Gu Chen commanded. "It's time to march on all fronts."
Soon, Morax, Azhdaha, and Elder Vortex God gathered once more.
In the three years of Gu Chen's seclusion, the Sect had flourished—its cities prosperous, its people at peace.
A new Archon had also joined their ranks:
The God of the Hearth—God of the Hearth (Guoba)!
Born of sparks struck from stone, he loved humanity deeply.
Taking the form of a great plush bear, he taught men the art of cooking and warmth.
[Xiangling]: Huh?! Guoba?! That's you, Guoba?! (Paimon: shocked)
[Guoba]: "Lu! Lu!" (nodding)
[Xiangling]: …?!
At Wanmin Restaurant, Xiangling stared at her fluffy companion in disbelief.
He was the God of the Hearth?!
[Guoba]: "Lu?" (offering a skewer)
[Xiangling]: …You eat it. (covers face)
[Dusty Cloud Retainer]: His wisdom has diminished, but at least he's happy now.
[Guoba]: "Lu~lu!" (smiling)
Pleased, Gu Chen conferred upon God of the Hearth (Guoba) the title of Elder.
Then, his gaze hardened.
"Once again—hear my decree!"
"Those willing to join the Taixuan Sect—our gates stand open!"
"Those who refuse—die, or flee to the Outer Darkness and rot!"
His voice rolled through the grand hall, cold and absolute.
"By the will of the Sect Master!"
Morax and the others bowed deeply.
The Taixuan Sect moved like a vast war engine, its disciples surging forth.
What had once been eight hundred outer disciples had now grown into legions—many strong enough to slay lesser gods.
As banners unfurled and armies marched, the skies of Teyvat darkened.
Even the heavens turned their eyes downward once more—
toward the coming storm.
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