Everyone stared in disbelief, eyes wide. How could someone so young know things that happened thousands of years ago?
Just then, Qiu Bai suddenly turned around—he had sensed something.
A cloud-like black mass was speeding toward them!
Everyone it passed through collapsed to the ground—everyone except Fanan and Qiu Bai.
"Immortal Lord, what happened to them?!
Are the mortals going to be alright?!"
Fanan stepped back to dodge the black cloud's attack, shouting toward Qiu Bai.
"They're fine. Just temporarily asleep."
"But this black cloud... is definitely strange."
Qiu Bai swept his divine sense over the group. Confirming there was no real harm, he replied, then rubbed his chin as he watched the cloud darting around erratically.
"Hahaha, not bad, you two mortals."
"In that case, let me see... what you fear most."
The black cloud's voice was piercingly sharp as it lunged toward Qiu Bai.
"What I fear most?"
"Can't say there's anything."
Qiu Bai scoffed at the remark, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
He didn't move an inch, simply watching as the cloud slammed into him...
...
Suddenly, the scene shifted. Qiu Bai now stood high in the sky.
Looking around, he realized he was above Guili Plains.
Opposite him, floating in the air, was none other than the Geo Archon—Morax, one of the Seven!
But this "Morax"... his eyes were ice-cold.
Fanan had also been pulled into the illusion, now standing behind Qiu Bai, dazed as she stared up at the imposing figure in the sky.
The sun was blinding, the clouds drifted above, and a stream flowed below—everything felt startlingly real.
"Interesting. So it dragged me into a dream?"
"Still, if I wanted to, I could break out anytime."
"But... this dream isn't half-bad."
Qiu Bai chuckled, gazing at the illusion of Morax in his prime.
Suddenly, a massive black maw opened in the sky, blotting out the sun.
Above it, two enormous white-glowing eyes glared down at him.
"I didn't expect it—you're a Archon too!"
"I may not be able to read your memories, but I know enough about this era!"
"Morax ended an entire age! Don't tell me you aren't afraid of him!!!"
The black mouth howled with fury and resentment.
"So noisy. Shut up already."
Qiu Bai rubbed his ear lazily with one finger.
With a flick of his hand, a blast of yin-yang energy shot out, sealing the giant black mouth shut.
"Mmgh..."
The massive eyes spun in bewilderment, struggling to speak, but no sound came out.
"Lord Emperor, why is he here...?"
"Immortal Lord, what's going on?!"
Fanan stood in mid-air, dumbfounded, glancing between Qiu Bai and the distant Morax illusion.
She still hadn't fully processed what was happening.
"We've been pulled into a dream by the Archon of Dreams."
"But don't worry—I've already shut it up."
Qiu Bai pointed at the massive dark face in the sky, then turned to Fanan with a relaxed smile.
"This 'Morax' is just a conjured illusion—likely its strongest form."
"And it looks like he's not too friendly with us."
Qiu Bai chuckled, watching the illusory Morax looming above them.
"T-Then what should we do?!"
"Let's get out of here, Immortal Lord!"
Fanan's face was filled with panic as she hovered in the air, shouting toward him.
"Fanan... do I really look that weak to you?"
"Have a little faith in me."
Qiu Bai's mouth twitched at her words, but he smiled at the worried Fanan.
"But... didn't the Immortal Lord lose to the Lord Emperor a thousand years ago?
And you've been asleep ever since—how could you possibly defeat him now?"
Fanan shouted anxiously. She wasn't mocking him—she just didn't want to see Qiu Bai die.
"Don't worry, Fanan. This Archon of Dreams..."
"Even if I die in this dream, all I'll get is a splitting headache."
Qiu Bai chuckled and waved his hand casually. Looked like it was time to show a little strength.
"Immortal Lord..."
Fanan looked at Qiu Bai with a deep sense of unease. Still, she nodded obediently.
"System, scan this so-called Morax."
Qiu Bai spoke silently in his mind.
Ding!
Name: Morax
Title: Geo Archon, one of the Seven, God of Wealth, Lord of Rock, God of Contracts, Ancestor of the Immortals, Emperor of Stone!
Divine Power Level: Half-step into peak Archon
Overall Strength: Initial-level peak Archon
Note: The Archon of Dreams has smuggled fragments of dreams from many Liyue citizens to construct this dream-version of Morax—indistinguishable from the real one.
Due to being nearly destroyed by Morax during the Archon War—when the real Geo Archon summoned a Star of Judgment with a single finger—the Archon of Dreams has simulated his full strength in this illusion.
The dream simulation continuously drains divine power, forcing the host—also a god—to experience equivalent strain and pain.
Estimated duration of this "super dream": Two hours.
"'Initial peak Archon'?
That's basically my level... but wow, this Morax guy sure collects titles like trophies."
Qiu Bai muttered internally, rubbing his chin with a slightly exasperated look.
"Two hours, huh? Might not be enough..."
"Hey, buddy! If you're running low on divine power, I can help top you off!"
Qiu Bai suddenly looked up toward the Dream Archon, calling out with mock concern.
The massive glowing eyes of the Dream Archon blinked in confusion, staring down at Qiu Bai, who was grinning at him.
Dream Archon: Ω Ω?
"Immortal Lord, please be careful!"
"The Lord Emperor's strength is terrifying!"
Fanan had flown to what she considered a safe distance, gathering her immortal power while shouting up at Qiu Bai in the sky.
"Heh, relax, Fanan.
I'll be just fine."
Qiu Bai replied with a smile, his voice resonating with divine energy.
Still, Fanan couldn't help but worry. She had witnessed the Archon War—she knew just how terrifying the Lord Emperor's power truly was.
All she could do was clasp her hands in worry, her eyes fixed on Qiu Bai.
Qiu Bai, meanwhile, stepped forward—walking through the air, one step at a time, toward the illusion of Morax.
With each step, his form began to shift. Divine energy of a dark white hue began to radiate from his body.
His torn clothes shimmered with that same energy, drifting away behind him.
His glowing face cracked like shattered porcelain, reforming into the visage of the Immortal Lord of Ying and Yang.
The Tai Chi disk at his waist gleamed with radiant light, and with a flicker, the Chaos Sword appeared in his hand.
Step by step, he walked through the sky toward "Morax."
"Come, Morax.
Let me see what your prime truly looks like!"