Mondstadt lay to the northeast of Liyue, a land forever blanketed in snow.
The world there was bone-white and deathly still.
Blizzards howled through the skies, and the frigid winds bit through flesh and bone—if one lingered too long, frost would crystallize upon their very faces.
In such a frozen wasteland, even humanity could only struggle to survive.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this harshness that few gods dwelt there—only three, according to Morax's understanding.
The first was the God of Tornadoes, God of Tornadoes—an eccentric deity whom the locals called the Lord of the Fierce Winds.
The second was unlike any other god—he neither ruled nor sheltered mankind, only taking in abandoned infants. He was the Wolf King, Wolf King.
The third was but a newly risen god—a mere Barbatos once, but after granting sanctuary to humankind and receiving their faith, he had ascended into godhood. Weak, perhaps, but approachable.
Morax made no effort to conceal his presence as he crossed into Mondstadt's lands.
His first destination was the Decarabian's city under the God of Tornadoes's rule.
What he saw there left him silent.
The storm-wracked city was buffeted by gales so fierce that mortals could hardly stand upright.
Was this so-called Lord of the Fierce Winds… truly a tyrant?
Morax ascended the tower without ceremony.
God of Tornadoes greeted his arrival with both alarm and disdain.
"By order of the Gu Chen," Morax declared evenly, "you are given two choices:
One—join the Taixuan Sect.
Two—die.
…Of course, you may also flee into the dark outer seas and cling to life there."
"Humph!" God of Tornadoes snorted coldly.
The name of the Taixuan Sect had already spread throughout all of Teyvat.
There was no force that could stand against it.
The legend of Gu Chen slaying eight gods with a single strike still lingered in every god's heart.
But the God of Tornadoes was proud—a king.
How could a king bow his head to another?
He knew there were benefits in joining, yet pride would not allow it.
Morax sighed.
"Then that is… unfortunate."
He would give the god a clean death.
Moments later, the two clashed upon the frozen plains.
Three blows—and God of Tornadoes fell, his divine form scattered upon the ice.
Morax left behind a fragment of his power to stabilize the region, then turned northward—to where the Wolf King roamed.
Wolf King met him without hostility.
"I will join the Taixuan Sect," said the Wolf King, "but I will not take part in anything that violates my principles."
"Rest easy," Morax replied with a faint smile. "The Gu Chen compels no one to act against their will."
Next, Morax sought out the young Barbatos, Barbatos.
"If we join this Sect," Barbatos asked hesitantly, "will the people still have freedom? Will they be respected?"
Morax laughed.
"It seems you've been isolated too long. The lands under the Taixuan Sect are peaceful—no war, no starvation, no fear of beasts or calamity. Everyone lives in harmony."
After a long silence, Barbatos nodded.
"Then… I shall join the Taixuan Sect."
"Welcome," Morax said, smiling faintly before looking skyward.
"An elemental creature watches from above. It seems we shall soon have another Guardian within the Sect."
He raised his gaze to the heavens—there, a vast dragon soared.
A few words were exchanged, and the dragon, too, bent the knee.
[Group Chat – Taixuan Sect Inner Circle]
Dvalin: Great. I hesitated for one second and got punched in the face. Morax, you really know how to negotiate! (Annoyed)
Zhongli: I was more impatient in my youth. (Sigh)
Venti: Mondstadt has joined the Taixuan Sect! Hooray! (Klee. Yay!)
While Morax marched north, the Dragon King of the Depths, Azhdaha, had already entered Sumeru.
Half rainforest, half desert—the land of wisdom.
There he met the Rukkhadevata, Rukkhadevata.
She already knew well of the Taixuan Sect's benevolent governance. Without hesitation, she joined.
Next came the Scarlet King and the Flower God.
The Flower God, once Celestia herself and goddess of love, joined readily upon hearing of Gu Chen's vision.
The Scarlet King deliberated, then followed suit.
But as they prepared to march onward, the desert trembled—something vast stirred beneath the sands.
"The Dragon of the Sands—Dragon of the Sands!" said the Scarlet King solemnly.
An elemental dragon—ancient beyond reckoning.
"Leave my domain," Dragon of the Sands's voice rumbled across the dunes, each word crushing the air.
"Join the Taixuan Sect—or die," the Dragon King said flatly.
"Hah! How arrogant!" Dragon of the Sands sneered.
"That is mercy," came the calm reply.
Their battle shook the desert.
Two dragons—both masters of elemental law—clashed with world-breaking power.
Even with the Flower God and the Scarlet King aiding him, Dragon of the Sands's might was overwhelming.
Azhdaha: Hmph, that old lizard's tough for his age. (Picking nose)
Venti: Longevity has its perks. (Grin)
Zhongli: …Are you implying something?
Dragon of the Sands:Heh. Pathetic creatures who side with gods—they've forgotten what dragons once ruled.
But Dragon of the Sands's pride soon turned to despair.
The Dragon King halted mid-battle, raising his hand to the heavens.
"I shall invite Gu Chen."
The sky darkened.
A will far beyond their comprehension descended from above, vast and cold.
A figure in azure robes appeared in the air, hair like silver threads dancing in the wind.
Gu Chen.
He looked down upon Dragon of the Sands, eyes calm as still water.
Then he lowered his hand.
The heavens quaked.
Dragon of the Sands roared as an invisible force crushed her body, shrinking her vast form until she was but a small emerald serpent resting in Gu Chen's palm.
"Go to Fontaine," Gu Chen said lightly. "We'll speak further within the Sect."
His silhouette faded.
The dragons and gods below bowed deeply.
"The Gu Chen grows ever more terrifying," murmured the Dragon King in awe. "Even a mere projection wields such power…"
The gods of Sumeru exchanged uneasy glances, hearts filled with relief that they had chosen the right side.
In less than a year, all of Teyvat fell beneath the Taixuan banner.
Even Natlan and Inazuma yielded, their gods joining through diplomacy or quiet submission.
For the first time since the birth of the world—Teyvat was united.
The people prospered. The gods served not as rulers, but as guardians.
The vision of Gu Chen—the unification of gods and men—had become reality.
High atop the Taixuan Sect's sacred mountain, Gu Chen stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
He looked toward the distant heavens.
"Is something wrong?" Guizhong asked softly.
"She can't hold back any longer," Gu Chen said with a faint smile.
Guizhong followed his gaze. Far above, beyond the sky itself, a crimson gate slowly unfurled—a doorway to the realm of the divine.
A woman descended from it—hair of pure white, eyes of gold, divine power radiating like the sun.
The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles.
The disciples of the Sect trembled, gazes filled with dread.
"You've committed heresy," she said coldly, her voice ringing across the skies.
Gu Chen's smile deepened.
"Heresy? No. I've merely done what the strong must do."
He took a step forward, his aura rising, voice echoing like thunder.
"For all of history, it is the strong who make the rules.
And now that I stand at the summit—
My will is the law.
Under my law, I am the Heavens themselves!"
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage