Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

With Morax and Xuan Yue guarding the area, the situation on the coast gradually improved. After launching dozens of probing attacks of varying sizes, the demons of the sea stopped showing themselves, and everything returned to calm.

"Ugh...cough cough!" In the few days after the guard was established, for some unknown reason, Xuan Yue's aura began to become unstable, which made all the immortals very worried.

"Heavenly Lord, what's wrong with you?!" Liu Yun's voice was several times louder with worry.

"It's nothing, it's just...maybe...the change in environment...cough cough!" Xuan Yue's face was pale and her breath was weak, but she still didn't say what the reason was.

"Is it Xuanqing?" Morax finally asked.

Xuan Yue paused, then fell silent. The immortals knew the Emperor had guessed correctly. Something had happened to Xuan Qing, which had affected Xuan Yue, who controlled the body.

"Can you hold on? Let's go get Gan Yu to come and check on you," Xiao Yue asked worriedly.

"No need... cough cough! cough!" Before Xuan Yue could finish speaking, she started coughing violently again, her face turned even paler, and cold sweat poured down her forehead, making her look seriously ill.

Morax used his power to alleviate Xuan Yue's pain, but it was only a temporary solution. He sensed the violent power within Xuan Yue's body, which, although suppressed by Xuan Yue, was also preventing the spread of his power.

"Xuanqing... has gone out of control!" Morax exclaimed in shock. Xuan Yue also gave a wry smile and shook her head.

"It's alright... he'll be fine in a bit. This guy... well, he's been suppressing his injuries... so this counterattack... was... expected." Xuan Yue finished speaking haltingly, and the immortals understood the situation.

"Let's go out and inspect the situation. Your Majesty, stay here with the Heavenly Lord," Li Shui suggested. They were still on the front lines and needed to remain vigilant at all times, and they couldn't afford to be leaderless.

"Okay, be careful." Morax didn't refuse.

After the three immortals left, he increased his energy output to help Xuan Yue deal with this force.

Three hours later, Morax was also slightly out of breath. With his breathing finally steady, he helped Xuan Yue, who had fallen into a deep sleep, lean against a tree, while he stood guard beside her with his spear.

"Ugh, phew~, I finally made it through." Xuan Yue opened her eyes, her face still looking exhausted.

"How's it going."

"Fortunately, he is asleep. His sudden illness this time is also my fault for using my power too frequently, and he didn't have enough power to suppress it."

"Why is Xuanqing like this? Could you tell me in detail?"

"Yes, it wasn't exactly a secret. When Joavis fell into a deep sleep, it was partly due to excessive grief and an attempt to escape reality, and partly because... someone broke the rules."

“Rules are part of order. If Yavis himself can sense changes in order, he will naturally be affected by it. That’s why the disease was transmitted to him at that time. When he was asleep underground, it didn’t matter. But now… sigh, I’m starting to miss life underground.”

Xuan Yue laughed at Morax.

“You did not sign a contract with me, so you can leave at any time.”

“You really are a blockhead, making such an obvious joke sound so serious. But it’s true, we need to leave Liyue for a while to find the medicinal ingredient.” Xuan Yue revealed the truth: “I’ve already sensed that I won’t be able to control Xuan Qing next time he loses control, which means…” Xuan Yue’s expression was very dejected, “I must devour him during this period of time.”

“I see…” Morax murmured, “So you went to find the medicinal ingredient to make these preparations?”

"Of course not, I did it to suppress his condition! How could I... devour him? I'd rather he lose his mind and assimilate me... that way I wouldn't have to make such a difficult choice." Xuan Yue's voice trailed off.

"Take a few days to rest first. We can't guarantee you'll be able to come back safely in your current condition."

"I know, I'm aware of it."

"What are some medicinal guides? Perhaps they can be of some help."

"Of course you'll get a share, because of our original nature, we need the blood or flesh of a dragon or phoenix to compensate, at least seven kinds are needed. If not, the essence blood of a demon god of the same attribute can be used as a substitute."

"A dragon? There are quite a few ancient rock dragons in Liyue, possessing some dragon blood, but the only true dragon is probably Rota. Take some of my essence blood first, and then go find Rota." After saying that, Morax made a cut on his hand, put a few drops of blood into a white porcelain bottle, and handed it to Xuan Yue.

Xuan Yue was somewhat surprised.

The essence of a demon god is linked to the strength of the demon god. Even a demon god like Morax, who has reached the mid-stage of a top-tier demon god, would probably drop to the peak of a high-level demon god after consuming his essence. However, this essence is enough to allow a low-level demon god to advance to the ranks of a high-level demon god. Therefore, some demon gods devour each other for this essence.

The essence of the demon god is extremely important to the demon god, which is why Xuan Yue was shocked by Morax's actions.

"It's just some blood; saving Xuanqing is a good deal."

"Some! This is a whole bottle now!" Xuan Yue took out the porcelain bottle, opened it, and was stunned again.

"So much blood, and you... wait! You're still only at the mid-stage of a top-tier demon god!"

"I am over 3000 years old. Before Liyue was established, I honed my martial skills everywhere. Later, I realized the secret of the Demon God's blood essence and refined it myself, which is why I am Morax now. In addition, I usually suppress my realm, so you cannot sense the change in my strength."

"You must have refined your own blood to be able to say that."

"That's right, that's how my old friend found out."

"No wonder you always put a shield on yourself!"

"Haha, my old friend is joking. The battlefield is ever-changing. The Jade Peak Shield is not only a means of protection, but also a powerful weapon."

"Alright, alright, I can't argue with you." After chatting with Morax for a while, Xuan Yue's condition improved considerably.

"I'm going to find Ruoduo now. Remember to use a communication talisman if anything happens in Liyue. I'll be there soon."

"Yes, you should also be careful in everything."

"Do you need me to pass on a message to Gui Zhong?"

Why pass on a message to her?

"I shouldn't have had any expectations of you, you blockhead." Xuan Yue looked at the clueless Morax with a headache. Oh well, it's better not to get involved in their affairs.

"I'm leaving. Take care." Xuan Yue tore open a portal and teleported back to Li Yue.

"Take care." Morax's voice came from behind. Xuan Yue smiled slightly and disappeared into the darkness.

It will reappear in the face of the end.

"Hey! Xuan Yue, you startled me. Why are you back? How's it going at the front? Are you alright? Is it a shortage of supplies or weapons?..." Before Xuan Yue could even speak, she was overwhelmed by Gui Zhong's barrage of questions.

"Don't panic, the situation at the front is good, the battle is basically stable, and there haven't been any major casualties. I came back to find Ruoduo."

"Looking for me?" Ruoduo, carrying a pile of bamboo slips, walked over and heard this.

“Yes, Xuanqing has fallen ill. I need to find a medicinal ingredient for him and borrow your dragon blood.”

“Xuanqing is having an attack! What’s wrong?! Go and call Ganyu over to take a look! No, last time Ganyu said you were possessed by a spirit, so we still need to write a letter to the Great Compassion Tree King and take some time to see her…” Seeing Guizhong muttering to himself and about to go write the book, Xuanyue sighed (this scene seemed familiar…) and hurriedly went to stop Guizhong from writing the letter.

“The Great Tree King truly cannot cure Xuanqing’s illness. I need to leave Liyue for a while to gather the necessary medicinal ingredients to suppress Xuanqing’s condition.”

"Use my blood as a medicinal ingredient?" Ruoda asked in confusion.

"Yes, the main body requires dragon blood or the essence blood of a powerful demon god."

"That's it! Simple, take it." Without saying a word, Ruoduo cut his hand, just like Morax, letting the golden blood flow out until the wound healed.

"Here, is that enough? If not, I'll cut another one."

"That's enough, thank you."

"Don't be so polite with us, we're all friends. We've been through thick and thin together. This vial of blood can save Xuanqing, it's not a loss, it's a win."

“I also…” Gui Zhong was about to reopen his wound when Xuan Yue stopped him again: “No need. I appreciate your kindness on behalf of Xuan Qing. I plan to go to Mondstadt, the nearest city, tomorrow at dusk. Do you have any news?”

"Mondstadt? I recently received news that the old Mondstadt has been overthrown, the Gale Demon God Dekalbian has perished, and the new Mondstadt is ruled by the newly born wind spirit Barbatos. He has inherited Dekalbian's power. With the change of Mondstadt, it's best if you don't reveal your identity as a Demon God in the past."

"I see, I understand. Take care." With that, Xuan Yue turned to leave.

"Xuan Yue!" Xuan Yue paused, but didn't turn around. "You and Xuan Qing will both return safely, right?" Gui Zhong's eyes were still filled with worry.

"Yes, I'll be back. I'm leaving." Xuan Yue replied and stepped into the black hole.

"Remember to come back and visit!" Ruo Tuo shouted, but could no longer stop Xuan Yue from leaving.

Liyue Border -

"Ugh—as expected, long-distance teleportation is too difficult now." A few beads of cold sweat appeared on Xuan Yue's forehead.

“Xuanqing, I know you’re awake now. Please do me a favor. It would be best if we entered Mondstadt using human identities.”

“…Hmm…” A faint response came from his mind, indicating that Xuanqing’s condition had not recovered much.

The next second, Xuan Yue, dressed in white robes, concealed her aura, appearing completely human to outsiders. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her robes changed to the gray gowns commonly seen in Liyue.

"As expected, we still need to rely on you. I'll lend you another eye, and then you can get some rest."

"You...are you planning to...walk over there?"

"correct."

"Okay..." Xuanqing finished speaking and then fell silent.

Xuan Yue's eye turned into Xuan Qing's unique purple, and the contrast between blue and purple gave him a different kind of charm.

(Now we're sharing the same view. Hey, Xuanqing, are you still there?)

(...)

(Okay, I won't bother you anymore, I'm leaving.)

Xuan Yue was rather happy, and walked towards the snow mountain while waving his fan. Little did he know, five Yakshas stood on a cliff behind him.

"What the Emperor said is true, the Heavenly Lord is leaving Liyue." Mi Nu's previous joking expression disappeared, and he became much more serious.

"It seems the Heavenly Lord's condition is truly dire; even the Emperor can't help him this time." Fu She shook his head helplessly.

"Will Lord Tianjun... ever return?" Xiao asked.

"Of course, the Emperor said that the Heavenly Lord is just sick and is going to find medicine." Yingyi patted Xiao's head.

"Don't touch me!" Xiao slapped away the hand that had responded.

"Alright, that's a response. Stop fooling around. Seriously, the Emperor wants us to look around Liyue for any other demon gods, preferably those with elemental authority."

"Hmm, the Yaksha on patrol mentioned it to me before; it seems they were collecting the essence blood of demon gods." Fushe scratched his head. "Could the essence blood of demon gods be the Heavenly Lord's medicine?"

"His Majesty has his own profound intentions; we should simply carry them out," Xiao said earnestly.

"Easier said than done. The essence blood of a demon god is linked to one's own strength. Even if we find it, they probably won't be willing to hand it over, and might even fight to the death." Mi Nu said with some distress.

"I believe the Emperor will find a way. Let's focus all our efforts on finding the demon gods still within Liyue and then send messages to other immortals. At least this is what we can do to help the Heavenly Emperor right now." Fa Nan looked again at the white figure, watching him gradually disappear into the distance.

The five of them just watched, until they could no longer see him...

Morax stood on the beach at the front lines, eyes closed, feeling the direction of the wind.

Take care, old friend.