Because such efforts did not yield any substantial returns.
It was far more efficient to continue hunting and gathering. After all, in this era, wild beasts and forageable food sources were still abundant.
Aether smiled as he looked toward Morax.
"That's only because the methods are wrong. Farming itself is a discipline, you know."
"First, we need to find suitable plants that can serve as staple foods, not just fruits."
"Second, cultivation has many techniques. Different plants have different growth habits, so naturally, different planting methods must be used."
"Ahem… as for the specific techniques, I only know a little myself. The rest will have to rely on the mortals' wisdom to figure out."
To be fair, it wasn't that Aether was unwilling to teach them farming methods—it was simply that he had never worked the fields himself. How could someone who had never farmed possibly know the detailed techniques?
Obviously, he was not cut out for agricultural labor.
But Aether believed in human ingenuity. Perhaps the early stages would be crude and inefficient, but as experience accumulated, people would naturally refine their methods, generation after generation.
What Aether needed to do was simply fulfill the role a demon god ought to play.
And what was that role?
To guide humanity from primitive hunting and gathering into an agricultural civilization.
After listening to Aether's explanation, Morax felt as though Aether had said a lot—yet also said nothing at all.
"You have neither concrete methods nor identified a suitable staple crop," Morax said.
"By your reasoning, how exactly would this be promoted?"
Aether's long explanation had circled around only to return to the original problems.
Long growth cycles. Low yields. Insufficient food supply.
With conditions like this, how could Morax possibly promote farming? If people spent an entire year cultivating fields only to harvest enough food for less than a month, wouldn't that be pushing his people straight into disaster?
Heh.
While Aether might not know the full agricultural process, he did have seeds.
As the Demon God of Manifestation, he could naturally manifest high-yield seeds—rice, wheat, and the like.
However…
There were no rivers near Liyue's current territory, so rice cultivation was impractical.
Wheat, on the other hand, required grinding into flour before it could be made into food, which was inconvenient for the current era.
So what could provide high yield, strong satiety, and easy cultivation?
Of course—
Potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Aether decided that whether it was wheat, potatoes, or sweet potatoes, he would plant them all.
Balanced nutrition was the goal.
After settling on the crop choices, Aether looked at Morax, folded his arms across his chest, and deliberately put on a mysterious expression.
"Hehehe. As for what to plant, that's naturally something I can handle."
"Have you forgotten what kind of demon god I am?"
"When spring comes next year, we'll issue the orders and start implementation. As for this winter, we can begin by gathering stone and felling trees, using them to build a new batch of mixed stone-and-wood houses."
"I've already designed everything. When the time comes, I'll manifest a model house so everyone can use it as reference and build freely from there."
As Aether spoke, he seemed to already see Liyue's future flourishing before his eyes.
Yes—Liyue was going to thrive.
Morax gave a slight nod. "Do as you see fit. I have no objections."
The people of Liyue, blessed by divine protection, already lived in a relatively safe environment.
In this age, survival alone was no easy feat.
From that perspective, they were already uniquely fortunate.
"Lord Feather God, you've summoned us—what are your instructions?"
Aether was the type who acted the moment he made up his mind.
He immediately gathered all of Liyue's people together and used divine power to dispel the cold from the open ground.
The title "Feather God" was one Aether had personally spread.
He knew full well that in the future, the people would invent all sorts of honorifics anyway—just like Morax's many titles.
So he might as well give himself a pleasant-sounding one from the start.
"Feather" came from his own name.
It sounded rather nice, didn't it?
Although it vaguely sounded like some kind of bird god, he was in truth the Demon God of Manifestation. Perhaps that contrast itself counted as an unexpected twist.
Aether looked over the gathered crowd and nodded.
"I hope that in your spare time, all of you will go to the surrounding areas of Liyue to fell trees and collect stone. Bring these materials back so we may undertake large-scale construction."
"This is the reference house. You may build according to its design."
Empowered by divine authority, Aether's voice carried effortlessly to every corner of the gathering.
With a casual wave of his hand, a surge of white light flashed across the open space. In the next instant, a beautifully crafted traditional-style residence rose from the ground.
The crowd immediately felt their hearts stir.
Could they… could they really live in such beautiful houses one day?
Yes.
As long as they relied on their own efforts and their own hands, following the Feather God's example, they would surely be able to build homes just like this.
"We obey the Feather God's command!"
The people responded in unison.
Compared to the elegant residence Aether had manifested, their current thatched huts instantly felt shabby and crude.
Even Morax's own residence—a cold, unadorned structure of piled stone—seemed somewhat dull by comparison.
Such was the charm of traditional architecture.
Without contrast, there was no impact.
The appearance of this house instantly ignited the people's enthusiasm.
They wanted to live in homes like this too.
Desire transformed into motivation, and under Aether's guidance, the gears of Liyue's grand construction plan began to turn.
Even Morax was not spared.
Aether would still continue traveling to the Sword Demon God Qingxu's domain to study swordsmanship.
Thus, the responsibility of protecting the mortals while they gathered stone and felled trees naturally fell upon Morax.
Half a month later, as the first brand-new house rose upon Liyue's land, the people's passion was fully ignited.
They had proven one thing—
Through their own hands, they could also create miracles worthy of gods.
At the same time, two entirely new professions emerged during this massive construction effort.
Stone masons.
And carpenters.
They would accumulate techniques and experience across generations, passing them down without interruption.
And with those precious inheritances, future generations would craft an even more brilliant and magnificent tomorrow.
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