"God of Dust… Guizhong…" Morax murmured her name.
"Yes. And what is your name?" she asked.
"God of Geo, Morax."
"I'm curious. Since you are not a martial god, how have you managed to survive in this chaotic age while protecting your people?"
Morax couldn't help voicing his doubts. This land was far too quiet, unsettlingly so—as if some terrible force lay dormant here, keeping all others away.
And this grassland… if developed, it would make an excellent place for settlement.
It was certainly more suitable than Liyue's current location.
While Tianheng Mountain shielded Liyue from floods, the land itself bordered the sea. In times of peace, maritime trade had been possible. But now, during wartime, with ports sealed, being near the sea was more curse than blessing.
The ocean was the cradle of gods—especially powerful high-ranking ones whose mere presence could overturn the world, stirring ceaseless tsunamis.
"Who told you I'm the only god here? Besides me, there are two others."
Morax blinked in surprise at Guizhong's words.
What the…
Three gods sharing one territory!?
That was even more outrageous than his partnership with Elliot!
And wouldn't that make them a target for countless gods?
"Two others…? Are they strong?" Morax immediately grew more alert.
As expected, no god who could settle here was simple.
"One is the God of the Stove, Marchosius. He's not very strong and isn't a combat-type god. But he's an excellent cook—his food is delicious."
"The other, I've never met. I don't know his name. But I know he exists. He's powerful. He has been silently watching over this region all along."
Morax frowned, a strange unease rising in him.
He thought deeply for a long time, then recalled Elliot's words when he sent him here:
"Morax, expanding territory doesn't mean slaughter. Head north. There lies a grassland blooming with Glaze Lilies. Perhaps you'll find your answer there."
Now, combined with what Guizhong had just said, realization struck him.
The one keeping this vast land so peaceful and harmonious… could only be his Brother.
After Azhdaha had arrived in Liyue, Elliot rarely stayed at Tianheng Mountain. He was often away, without explanation.
So this was where he'd gone.
"So Brother has set his sights on this region?"
Morax remembered clearly—Elliot had once told him that when the Archon War was nearing its end, they would seize the neighboring land, ensuring both could rise as gods among the Seven.
And indeed, this land seemed the perfect choice.
A vast grassland, ideal for human settlement, and so close to Liyue it was practically a neighbor.
"If that's the case, why did Brother send me here? Am I supposed to find a way to expand territory without war?"
"Does he mean to secretly protect a land until its god willingly submits?"
"But that would only work with non-combat gods. For the warlike ones, it would never succeed."
Morax frowned, carefully weighing Elliot's intentions. But no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't see the full picture.
"What are you thinking about?"
Seeing Morax lost in thought for so long, Guizhong waved a hand in front of his face, her clear eyes full of curiosity.
"I'm wondering why I was able to set foot in this land without being noticed—or struck down—by the god secretly guarding it," Morax explained.
"Perhaps you are the chosen god," Guizhong said with a soft smile.
"The chosen god? What do you mean?" Morax asked, startled.
"Though I've never met him, he once said clearly: if an outsider god can step into this land, it means that god is worthy of trust. At that time, he will leave entirely, no longer protecting this place."
Guizhong told him everything she knew, word for word.
"So, you're saying I'm the god he deemed trustworthy?"
Morax hadn't expected Elliot to have already chosen this land in secret. And from his words, it seemed he even wanted Morax to help protect it.
"Of course."
"You're not worried that something might happen to him, leaving him unable to protect this place… and giving me the chance to take advantage?"
To Morax, this god named Guizhong seemed far too naive. She didn't appear to understand the cruelty of war.
"If it were another god, I might think that way."
"But since it's you, I have nothing to worry about."
Guizhong gazed into Morax's eyes, as if trying to pierce through his cold mask to see what lay within.
"Why?" he asked.