Hearing Jiang Yan's words, Apep hurriedly nodded.
The man before it truly seemed to hold power over its life and death!
Apep was completely subdued.
Not only could this man restore it to its peak state,
even then, it still had no power to resist him.
Naturally, Apep attributed the mysterious force—the system's power—to Jiang Yan himself.
Which was understandable.
After all, the system resided inside Jiang Yan's body; calling it Jiang Yan's power was not wrong.
[Done. The rest is up to you.]
After setting up a master-servant contract, the system once again disappeared.
"Mm, get some rest,"
Jiang Yan said in his mind to the system.
At that moment, the Great Lord Rukkhadevata approached.
"You two… what happened?"
She looked back and forth between them, confused.
Jiang Yan didn't answer. He only stared quietly at Apep.
Apep stared at him as well.
After a long silence, Apep slowly lowered its head, placing it obediently before Jiang Yan.
"You really subdued it?"
The Great Lord Rukkhadevata froze at the scene.
Jiang Yan grinned, leaped lightly, and landed atop Apep's head.
Then he turned, extending a hand toward her.
"Come on—hop on. I'll take you for a ride!"
His voice snapped her out of her daze.
"…Alright."
She covered her mouth with a gentle laugh and placed her hand in his, stepping onto Apep's head.
"I really didn't expect you could even subdue the Dendro Dragon King."
Standing atop Apep, she looked out across the landscape, sighing in amazement.
"Heh, stay low-key, stay low-key."
Jiang Yan's invisible tail was practically wagging in the air.
Seeing how proud he was, the Great Lord Rukkhadevata couldn't help laughing again.
This guy… serious when he should be serious, mischievous when he shouldn't…
"Now that you've subdued the Dendro Dragon King… you're heading for Natlan next?"
she asked.
Jiang Yan nodded. According to his route, after finishing his visit to Sumeru, he was to head to Natlan, then Fontaine and Snezhnaya.
Finally, from Snezhnaya to Mondstadt, and back to Liyue.
A full visit of the Seven Nations.
The Great Lord Rukkhadevata's eyes dimmed slightly, though she still smiled.
"Then… travel safely."
Jiang Yan looked at her and moved closer with a mischievous grin.
"What's wrong? Gonna miss me?"
For some reason, her cheeks flushed faintly. She turned her head aside.
"Who would miss you? If you're leaving, then hurry up!"
Truthfully, she had thought about asking him to stay in Sumeru.
But she had no reason.
In terms of status, public faith, even geography—Sumeru simply could not compare to Liyue.
Here, Jiang Yan would never be accepted by all as second only to the Archon.
But in Liyue?
Jiang Yan shared the same level of faith and reverence as Morax.
The people believed in the Geo Archon—
and they believed in the Wood Spirit Adeptus just as deeply.
"Hahaha, don't be mad. Just joking."
Jiang Yan laughed and brought her back to Sumeru City with him.
Because Apep's true form was far too huge, Jiang Yan used the Monkey Talisman's power to shrink it into a little emerald-green serpent, coiled around his wrist.
Now, Jiang Yan not only had the little white snake around his neck but also Apep around his wrist.
Combined with his Tianquan mantle and handsome appearance—
He looked stylishly roguish.
Returning to Sumeru City, the next day's departure for Natlan was confirmed, and that night, the Great Lord Rukkhadevata held a farewell ceremony in his honor.
This time, unlike back in Liyue, there were no Rex Lapis or Yakshas forcing him to drink under contract.
So Jiang Yan had an absolutely wonderful time.
And indeed—
the dancing of Sumeru's people was truly impressive.
Jiang Yan sipped his drink, eyes fixed on the performers.
Amid the joy and laughter, only the Great Lord Rukkhadevata sat quietly, watching Jiang Yan, lost in thought.
The next day, with the arrival of the Millelith Minlin troops, Jiang Yan and his party departed Sumeru under the Great Lord Rukkhadevata's gaze, marching grandly toward the desert.
The Guili fleet stationed at Port Ormos withdrew upon the Millelith's arrival, returning to Liyue to rest.
(To avoid being contradicted by future canon, the author chooses not to write details about the three unreleased nations.)
Over the next two years, Jiang Yan fully experienced the scenery of the remaining three nations:
Natlan's Ashen Sea,
Fontaine's Court of Justice,
and Snezhnaya's frozen world.
Upon first arriving at the Ashen Sea, Jiang Yan even led the Minlin Millelith in a formal mock battle against Natlan's warriors.
A friendly diplomatic exchange—just a test spar.
Natlan revered war, and Liyue's land army was famous for its elite discipline.
Naturally, Natlan wanted to see for itself.
But on land, the Millelith's battle formations had never lost.
Unless a god-level being joined the fight, the Millelith's strength was, in this era, a form of dimensional reduction strike.
He saw Fontaine's Hydro Archon of justice,
stood atop the Court of Justice,
and personally interrogated the crimes of the guilty.
In Snezhnaya, Jiang Yan felt the greatest sense of awe.
The first Cryo Archon had been among the most compassionate toward humanity.
Even Snezhnaya's frigid land could not freeze the people's love for their Tsaritsa.
In the Winter Palace, the Cryo Archon warmly welcomed Jiang Yan.
He spoke with her amicably, and with the help of the General Affairs Bureau, signed a friendly trade agreement between Snezhnaya and Liyue.
A few days later, after all Snezhnaya-related matters were handled, Jiang Yan led his group from the northern port established by Snezhnaya and departed—
Heading toward the final destination of this six-nation tour.
Mondstadt!
"Lord Tianquan, we will see you off here."
At Qingfu Harbor, Snezhnaya's diplomatic envoy bowed respectfully.
Behind Jiang Yan, the Millelith disembarked from the ships and lined up with the staff of the General Affairs Bureau.
Jiang Yan nodded and smiled.
"Thank you for your hard work."
The envoy hurriedly waved his hands.
"You are an honored guest of Snezhnaya. Helping you is our duty."
"Now that you've reached Mondstadt's borders, we'll take our leave!"
Jiang Yan nodded, waving.
"Safe travels!"
After seeing off the envoy, Jiang Yan spread his arms, feeling the cool breeze on his face.
Finally—
The last nation.
The land of wind—
Mondstadt!
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