The Conqueror of Demons Xiao's figure emitted a faint glow in the dim cave, his gaze beneath the nuó mask sharp as a blade.
Andrius, or rather, The Wicked Dragon disguised as Zhongli, saw the shock on his face gradually turn into a snarl.
"You knew all along? And you were just acting with me?!" Andrius's voice carried suppressed fury.
Xiao slightly rotated the primordial jade winged-spear in his hand, the spear tip pointing directly at The Wicked Dragon: "From the first time you approached me in Zhongli's guise, I sensed something was wrong... How could a wretched beast like you hope to imitate him?"
"You couldn't even finish the line following 'I would like to buy osmanthus wine and bring it with me,' yet you dare call yourself Zhongli?!"
Tears shimmered in Hu Tao's eyes, her voice trembling: "What did you do to Consultant Zhongli? He still owes the WangSheng Funeral Parlor three months' salary! (Strikethrough)"
Andrius sneered: "Heh, that erudite Caretaker of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? He's slumbering in a place you'll never find, but soon, you'll be joining him!"
Before he finished speaking, a startling Geo element power erupted from Andrius, and the entire cave began to vibrate violently.
Azhdaha struggled to lift his head and roared: "Watch out!"
Everyone exchanged glances, their eyes filled with fighting spirit.
Keqing and Beidou were the first to launch an attack, sword light and a giant blade slashing toward Andrius simultaneously. However, The Wicked Dragon simply waved a hand, and a stone wall rose from the ground, easily blocking their assault.
"Ignorant!" Andrius laughed maniacally, "Did you really think I would lead you here without any preparation? Ridiculous!"
He formed hand seals, and the ancient runes on the cave walls suddenly lit up with a piercing red light.
Chongyun's expression changed: "This is bad! These runes aren't a seal; they're some kind of Conversion Array!"
Before he could finish, the Talismans in his hand instantly flew out: "We must stop him!"
Shenhe suddenly lunged forward, his spear piercing toward Andrius's heart like a silver dragon, only to be deflected by an invisible barrier.
Andrius was unscathed and instead laughed even more wildly: "Too late! The array has already been activated; the entire mountain will become my Altar!!"
"Jie jie jie!!"
Ningguang's expression was grave as the magic circle he summoned constantly shifted: "Everyone, let's join forces!"
Ningguang's voice pierced through the deafening roar as a golden magic circle rapidly expanded in his hand.
"Beidou, Keqing!" Ningguang tapped his fingertips, and countless gem-like shards condensed in the air, "Cover Xiao!"
Before the words fell, Xiao's figure had already turned into a streak of teal light, ghostly fire igniting in his eyes beneath the nuó mask.
The primordial jade winged-spear sliced through the air, stabbing directly at Andrius's vital points on his chest—
"Futile!" Andrius laughed wildly as he raised his hand, Geo element condensing into a shield in his palm.
Yet at that very moment, Hu Tao's figure appeared behind him like a ghost.
The Staff of Homa, wreathed in scorching flames, cleaved straight down: "The 77th Director of the WangSheng Funeral Parlor is sending you to the afterlife!"
"An ant trying to shake a tree—overestimating your own strength!" With a wave of his hand, Andrius blocked all of their attacks.
He stomped his foot hard, the ground churning violently as countless stone spikes erupted like bamboo shoots after rain, covering the entire cave floor indiscriminately!
"Do you see? This is the fate of those who oppose a god!" Andrius spread his arms, enjoying the rush of power as rocks began to crumble from the cave ceiling, the entire space feeling as though it could collapse at any moment. "Your struggles are but an opening dance for the feast!"
The group was forced to dodge clumsily; Xiao barely avoided it thanks to his aerial advantage, but seeing his companions in peril below, the gaze beneath his nuó mask grew increasingly anxious.
At this critical juncture, a steady voice suddenly echoed in the cave: "Andrius, you are still as impatient as ever."
Before the words finished, Andrius's smile froze on his face.
At the cave entrance, a figure slowly walked in. He looked almost identical to the Andrius who had disguised himself as Zhongli, but the amber eyes held something entirely different.
"Consultant Zhongli!!" Hu Tao cried out in surprise.
The real Zhongli nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Andrius: "Using my appearance and imprisoning my friend... have you ever considered the consequences?"
Andrius gritted his teeth: "As a mortal, how could you possibly..."
"...How could I possibly escape your trap?" Zhongli finished calmly. "That is because I am the true Geo Dragon King."
He slowly raised his hand, his voice steady and majesty: "The three-year term has arrived; as the Dragon King, I have naturally returned. (Welcome the return of the Dragon King!)"
"Any Geo element seal is as good as nonexistent to me."
He lightly raised his hand, and the Geo element cage trapping Xiao instantly disintegrated; at the same time, the stone chains binding Azhdaha snapped.
Azhdaha let out a deafening roar and stood up: "Zhongli, leave this arrogant fool to me to handle!"
Andrius's face darkened as he suddenly stomped his foot: "In that case, let's all be destroyed together!!"
Suddenly, the entire cave began to collapse, with massive boulders falling from the ceiling.
Ningguang hurriedly directed everyone to take cover while shouting: "We must stop him! Once the array is complete, all of Liyue will be in danger!"
Zhongli and Xiao exchanged a look and struck simultaneously with perfect coordination. The primordial jade winged-spear and Jueyun Chili Spears crossed in the air, aiming straight for Andrius's vitals.
The Wicked Dragon roared, his body suddenly swelling, tearing through his human disguise to reveal his true form.
It was a massive dragon-shaped monster covered in dark stone armor.
"Is this... The Wicked Dragon's true form?" Xingqiu looked at the gargantuan creature in shock.
Keqing shouted: "Everyone, be careful! His aura is several times stronger than before!"
Andrius opened his massive maw, dark red energy gathering inside: "Feel the wrath of the Dragon of Misfortune!"
A beam of energy shot out, turning all the rocks in its path to dust.
Zhongli stepped forward, and a massive stone pillar rose from the ground, forcefully blocking the devastating blow.
"Everyone, please lend me your strength." Zhongli's voice remained calm, though fine beads of sweat had formed on his forehead.
Xiao immediately understood his intent, a flash of determination in his eyes beneath the nuó mask: "I'll create an opening!"
The Conqueror of Demons turned into a streak of teal light, circling to Andrius's side like a gale. Then, the primordial jade winged-spear struck repeatedly, leaving cracks in The Wicked Dragon's stone armor.
Seeing this, Ningguang immediately ordered: "Everyone, attack with all your might!"
Beidou gave a great shout, his giant sword striking Andrius's hind leg with the force of thunder. Keqing moved like lightning, sword light flashing around The Wicked Dragon. Shenhe's spear aimed for The Wicked Dragon's eyes, while Hu Tao swung the Staff of Homa, flames spreading across Andrius's body.
Azhdaha roared and charged at him, his massive dragon claw slamming hard onto Andrius's back: "This strike is for the honor of the dragon race that you defiled!"
Under the collective assault, Andrius finally showed a weakness.
Zhongli look for the opportunity and formed hand seals:
"This is The Way of Heaven!"
Countless rocks fell from the sky, slamming into Andrius's body like rain. The Wicked Dragon let out a pained howl as his massive body crashed to the ground.
The cave's vibrations gradually subsided, and the array's light dimmed. Andrius lay on the ground, breathing with difficulty, the red light in his eyes slowly fading.
Zhongli walked up to him, his expression complex: "A thousand years of grievances shall be settled today."
Andrius struggled to lift his head, a mocking smile pulling at the corners of his mouth: "Geo Dragon King, even if you win, misfortune will not end... As long as there is desire and deceit in the world, I shall eventually return..."
His voice grew weaker and weaker until finally, his massive body turned into specks of light and dissipated into the air.
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