"Impossible! This can't be..."
The malevolent spiritual entity cried out in disbelief, unable to fathom how its proud rock-like scales were utterly useless against the golden flame fireball.
Yuanbao: How quaint! This is no ordinary flame, but a soul-purifying golden flame with innate armor penetration!
Her primordial golden flame could nurture souls, enlighten minds, and create all things!
It could also transform into the Golden Phoenix Flame, which burned the very essence of life!
The malevolent spiritual entity's condensed and thick rock-like scales, with their extremely high elemental concentration, were indeed a regrettable waste if not used as fuel.
Using the malevolent spiritual entity's energy as fuel, burning it until it was completely extinguished.
The malevolent spiritual entity channeled its energy, attempting to extinguish the golden flame, only to discover it was utterly futile.
It never understood, until its death, why this tiny golden flame fireball possessed such immense power.
Witnessing the scene of the malevolent spiritual entity being burnt to death by the golden flame, the benevolent aspect of the Dragon King Azhdaha beside them couldn't help but swallow its saliva. Was it that ferocious?
Who would have thought that the seemingly cute Yuanbao could be so terrifying!
Zhongli, standing nearby, also fell into thought. As far as he knew, even Yuanbao's mother, Phoenix, did not possess such outrageous flames.
The phoenix's flames possessed both self-sustaining and attached burning effects.
Phoenix, relying on its inherent nature, would continuously be reborn from ashes, reducing its wear and tear.
When engaging enemies, the phoenix flame's attached property, with its inextinguishable effect, would cause considerable trouble for the opponent.
But Yuanbao's golden flame, on top of this, had added armor penetration and parasitic burning effects.
Even Zhongli was unwilling to casually encounter such outrageous golden flames.
Zhongli could foresee that in the near future, Yuanbao would become renowned throughout Teyvat and top the list of those least willing to provoke!
"Grandpa Earth Clod, this is Yuanbao's golden flame seed, quickly eat it!"
Yuanbao, with a small golden flame emerging from her mouth, placed it in her palm and offered it to the benevolent aspect of the Dragon King Azhdaha.
Dragon King Azhdaha's Benevolent Aspect: While it's embarrassing to say, I'm truly afraid of this thing!
Especially after witnessing the malevolent spiritual entity being completely consumed by the golden flame, the benevolent aspect of the Dragon King Azhdaha feared it might disappear accidentally.
Trusting Yuanbao, the benevolent spiritual entity, with the resolve of a warrior cutting off his own limb, reached out to touch the seemingly fragile flame.
If it sensed anything amiss, it would immediately sever its arm from its body.
To the benevolent spiritual entity's surprise, the golden flame that had just incinerated the malevolent spiritual entity moments ago felt not hot at all, but rather warm and comfortable.
Truly miraculous!
The heavy stone in the Dragon King Azhdaha's heart finally lifted as he swallowed the golden flame seed.
He could feel his spiritual body gradually strengthening; the golden flame seed was indeed effective!
"Thank you, Yuanbao, this flame seed is truly useful!"
The Dragon King Azhdaha nodded in gratitude.
"No need to be polite, Grandpa Earth Clod. Yuanbao is just fulfilling her promise! Grandpa Zhongli, the matter here is resolved, let's hurry and leave!"
Yuanbao waved her hand. She had made a deal with Grandpa Zhongli earlier and expected compensation!
"Indeed, the matter has concluded. It is time to depart."
Zhongli nodded and gently tapped the void, parting a vortex before him. Just as he was about to lead Yuanbao out of the Dragon King Azhdaha's sea of consciousness, the Dragon King Azhdaha called out to them.
"Azhdaha, is there something else?"
Zhongli, seeing the Dragon King Azhdaha's hesitation, felt a pang of confusion. This was not like his usual demeanor.
"Mor... Zhongli, yes... and Yuanbao, before you leave the sea of consciousness, there are some things I must tell you. During the time you were in my sea of consciousness, Feng Yi and I made some pacts..."
The Dragon King Azhdaha thought it best to inform Zhongli in advance. Otherwise, the contrast would be too great upon their reunion outside, leading to extreme awkwardness.
"Working for her in exchange for the opportunity to repair your soul? From a general rational perspective, the terms of the pact between the two parties are quite reasonable..."
Although the Dragon King Azhdaha was his subordinate, Zhongli did not intend to restrict his freedom.
As long as the Dragon King Azhdaha could reduce his corrosion and restore his damaged soul, Zhongli, as a friend, would be content.
Zhongli did not care what the Dragon King Azhdaha would do after being unsealed, as long as he remained well in the world.
Zhongli expressed his understanding and prepared to leave with Yuanbao again, only to be stopped once more by the Dragon King Azhdaha.
"Wait..."
"Is there anything else?"
"That... at Feng Yi's request, I have assumed human form..."
The Dragon King Azhdaha stammered for a long time before finally speaking.
"Yes, I am aware!"
Zhongli did not grasp the emphasis of the Dragon King Azhdaha's statement. He merely felt that Feng Yi's consideration was quite thorough.
Assuming human form would allow for better integration into Liyue life.
As for what the Dragon King Azhdaha's human form looked like, Zhongli did not pay it much mind.
Zhongli trusted that this old comrade, who had fought alongside him for many years, had his own sense of propriety.
This time, without waiting for the Dragon King Azhdaha to say more, Zhongli directly pulled Yuanbao into the vortex and departed.
Dragon King Azhdaha: ...
The preceding was merely a prelude. I haven't said the important part yet!
The Dragon King Azhdaha's mood was complex. He could already foresee the impending social death he would face.
"Azhdaha... you... *cough*... *cough*..."
Upon returning to the underground, Zhongli was stunned to discover that the Dragon King Azhdaha, confined within the sealing stone pillar, had transformed into a cute little loli.
Zhongli's shock surged like churning rivers, yet, for some reason, he couldn't help but chuckle.
Noticing the Dragon King Azhdaha's transformation into a little loli, who was glaring at him with shame and anger, Zhongli quickly coughed a few times, feigning composure.
"Morax, if you want to laugh, go ahead. I won't be angry!"
The Dragon King Azhdaha snorted. He wasn't angry, but he would hold a grudge!
"No, no, Azhdaha... you look surprisingly adorable like this! Yes... very interesting!"
Zhongli's years of cultivated composure were completely shattered by Azhdaha's adorable appearance at this moment.
"Grandpa Earth Clod... oh no, Sister Azhdaha, you're so cute!"
Yuanbao's eyes lit up upon seeing Azhdaha's cute loli form. She stepped forward and pinched his little cheek, which felt so bouncy!
"Sister Azhdaha?!"
The Dragon King Azhdaha felt that meeting Feng Yi once had ruined him for life. His lifelong reputation had been destroyed by Feng Yi.
Although "Sister Azhdaha" sounded a bit better than "Grandpa Earth Clod," it still sounded rather peculiar.
Feng Yi: It's okay, listen a few more times, and you'll get used to it!
"Sister Azhdaha, when we go out later, Yuanbao will treat you to roast rabbit. My dad's roasted rabbit is very fragrant!"
Yuanbao was always generous with her new friends.
Zhongli released the sealing stone pillar of Feng Yi that bound Azhdaha and led everyone to the surface. With a "whoosh," he vanished.
He needed to find a place where no one was around to have a good laugh. Holding back laughter was simply too difficult.