We traveled through time together, but I'm the only dragon? The others are all beautiful girls?

However, Akalion's reaction and Xiao's gait were clearly different from before.

Ying suddenly remembered that the spiritual connection established by the [Mind Link] was still there.

Akalion, did you do it?

【...】

There was no response.

Sometimes, silence is the most definite answer.

In Ying's mind, countless 'threat' schemes had already been devised to use this information to make Akalion obedient—'You don't want Artoria, Eleanor, Saintess, and Lan Shi to know what you've been doing here, do you?'

This can be considered a unique kind of mood.

That was just an accident! Really! I'm not that kind of dragon!

Akalion finally managed to calm his conscience, which had been somewhat chaotic due to his guilty conscience. After offering this weak and feeble explanation to Luminous in his mind, he immediately shifted his attention to Kurumi, attempting to use official business to cover everything up.

"Speaking of which, it's already late, Master Hu—"

“Prince Akalion, no need to be so polite, just call me Walnut!” Walnut’s bright, plum-blossom eyes seemed to have already noticed something from the clues just now. She winked playfully at Akalion, “Of course, you can also call me ‘Sister Walnut’.”

We can't call out. If we do, wouldn't that be tantamount to confirming some of her suspicions?

As long as Akalion doesn't openly admit it, Xiao's reputation for protecting Liyue for a thousand years still carries significant weight in the hearts of the people of Liyue.

Akalion maintained his expressionless dragon face, and unless one knew him well, it would be impossible to discern anything from it.

"—Hu Tao, it shouldn't be long until dawn. Don't you have to work tomorrow?"

"!"

This sentence precisely struck at the weakness of the head of the Rebirth Hall.

Instantly, Hu Tao's face froze, but she quickly waved her hand, feigning composure.

"It's alright! I've worked so hard for so long, taking a day off now and then is no big deal!" She paused, then quickly found a way to back down, "However, what the Prince said makes sense. Since the matter is over, let's go back first!"

"How can someone who is a hall master be working so hard?" Paimon sighed, hands on his hips, puzzled. "Even Ying, except for that period when she was rushing to Sumeru and Fontaine, was not usually this tired."

“Without Akalion—” Luminous glanced at Paimon beside her and said softly, “I think I might be much more tired than Kurumi, right?”

"How is that possible!" Paimon was completely incredulous. She looked at Luminous and made a muscle-flexing gesture, saying, "With your strength, Luminous, you could easily complete a single quest and earn enough Mora to keep us comfortable for months, right?"

“No, the biggest expense is the replacement and maintenance of weapons,” Ying patiently explained. “Without the indestructible Echo of Eldra provided by Akalion and sufficient funds, the expenses for the long journey, lodging, and intelligence purchases alone would cost an unimaginable amount of Mora. Otherwise, if we get into trouble, we will be in big trouble.”

"..." Paimon touched his little head, feeling that it was getting a little too hot. "Hmm... This is so complicated, I don't quite understand it."

"In short, all Paimon needs to know is that Akalion is extremely, extremely, extremely important to us, that's all." Ying smiled and ruffled Paimon's soft little head.

“From the very beginning, I have considered the [Savior Dragon] very important!” Paimon said, then flew to Akalion’s cheek and began to affectionately nuzzle it.

"Speaking of which, why does Paimon call himself Akalion [Savior Dragon]?" Hu Tao asked curiously as she watched this scene.

"That's because Akalion is the true savior of a world!" Paimon released her grip, and with a proud look on her face, she began to introduce Akalion and his world, which was already shrouded in ice and death. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was praising herself when they saw her proud expression!

"So... that's what the world of Akalion is like. Eternal ice and deathly silence... at least Winterland still has a third of its land where spring lasts for a few months each year."

After hearing this, Hu Tao looked at Akalion with pity. Living in that kind of world, having to grin at the snow all day long, she couldn't possibly get used to that kind of life.

“But Ansersheen? That sounds like a very nice name. Maybe I could go and see it sometime?” She looked at Akalion expectantly.

“Okay.” Akalion nodded slightly. Paimon’s information was a bit outdated; it seemed that Luminous hadn’t told her yet.

"But not yet. Let's wait a few more months until the first batch of magical plants bear fruit. Otherwise, making you eat those magical rations that have been stored for ten thousand years would be a terrifying torture."

"That's awesome!" Upon hearing this, Hu Tao cheered like Paimon and tried to go up and touch Akalion. However, he subconsciously raised his head slightly to avoid her.

This made her heart sink slightly.

Then, a huge dragon claw covered in grayish-white scales slowly landed on his head and gently touched it.

Despite their powerful claws, the touch they emitted was surprisingly warm, especially the center of the claws, which felt like...

"Eh!"

Suddenly, Akalion gently lifted Hu Tao with its dragon claws and placed him steadily on its back.

"Okay, we should go."

The other dragon claw also controlled the demon with a gentle yet sustained force.

Although she had no intention of hiding, Xiao in his current state was someone Akalion needed to pay close attention to.

In case Xiao, in his current state, encounters some enemy on his way back from Dantu.

Although her strength, along with the offensive talismans and pills she carried, were sufficient to handle most situations, Akalion didn't want to see Xiao Fairy meet a tragic end because of her current condition.

With the enhanced rock element crystal, the power of the Elemental Crown was further enhanced. With just a thought, the entrance that had collapsed due to the eruption of the Salt God's power was quickly restored to its original state under the effect of the rock element power.

Having done all this, Akalion's dragon-tail-shaped crystalline structure suddenly unleashed a torrent of azure energy. With the Elemental Crown in hand, he could confidently push his speed to its limit.

First, send Xiao back to Wangshu Inn. Her grotto-heaven is located inside the giant tree at the inn.

Xiao spoke very little. After a brief farewell, her figure, like wisps of smoke merging into the moonlight, quietly disappeared into the depths of that ancient tree and returned to her own grotto-heaven.

Then came the walnuts.

As Akalion escorted her back to the entrance of the Hall of Rebirth, he could clearly feel a calm yet profound gaze sweep over him.

That gaze held a hint of helplessness, a hint of understanding, and a complex emotion that even Akalion couldn't fully comprehend.

Is this because of Xiao?

Most likely, yes.

That seal can unlock all the Emperor's seals on Qiongji Wilderness... However, there's no need to rush this matter.

After Master Zhongli's name rang in Akalion's mind, that stable and weighty aura, like a rock, completely disappeared.

"Akaleion!"

Hu Tao had already closed the door, but then, with a creak, she pushed it open a crack again and peeked out her little head.

"Next time there's a funeral procession of demon gods, be sure to call me! As a reward, I'll tell you the exciting stories of how Lord Rock personally defeated those evil demon gods!"

"no problem."

Akalion nodded slightly.

Adding walnuts to the mix wouldn't be a bad idea.

After all, he was craving walnuts while playing the game.

On the other hand, this can also be used to establish contact with Liyue Harbor.

"Luminous! Paimon!" Walnut turned her gaze back to Luminous and the white floating object. "You're welcome to come visit me at the Hall of Rebirth anytime!"

"Yes, Master Hu!" Paimon waved vigorously to Hu Tao.

"If I have free time, I will." Ying nodded silently.

Then, satisfied, Hu Tao closed the door completely.

"Alright, it's our turn."

As the night deepened and all was quiet, Ying's courage grew.

Once again, she took out the small Dust Song Pot, her eyes filled with anticipation that was almost tangible.

“No, we need to get back to Mondstadt first.” Akalion glanced at Paimon, who was rubbing his sleepy eyes, and shook his head. “You don’t want Paimon to be sleeping soundly on the street in the dead of night in Liyue Harbor, clutching his Dust Jar, do you?”

"Yes! Ying, you...you can't do this to me." Paimon immediately sobered up a bit. She glanced at the empty surroundings and thought it would have been better to squeeze in with Hu Tao earlier.

"Then let's go to your [Cave Heaven]!" Ying's eyes flashed with a dangerous light. "Or... have you already been completely drained by that Xiao Fairy—"

“How could that be?” Akalion immediately interrupted her speculation, which was full of personal attacks against him.

Without another word, he instantly transformed back into his massive dragon form, using his wings to lift Ying and Paimon, placing them securely on his back. Then, with a sudden leap, he soared into the sky.

"Let's talk about it when we get back to Mondstadt."

"...Hmph, I'll agree to you for now! But you're not allowed to stop until I tell you to."

After hesitating for a moment, Ying finally chose to compromise. Holding the already drowsy Paimon in her arms, she lay back down on Akalion's broad and warm back.

Akalion naturally wouldn't listen. At that point, he could only be asked to stop if Ying's physical abilities were far superior to his.

"Luminous, it's bedtime now." Paimon nestled in Luminous's arms, adjusting to a comfortable position, and asked indistinctly, "What exactly do you want to do with Akalion?"

“It’s just ‘sleeping,’” Ying’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. She lowered her head and gave Paimon’s cheek, which smelled of milk, a light 'smack'. “Paimon, you can go to sleep now.”

"That's strange." Paimon wiped the drool off his face onto Luminous's clothes without any hesitation, then closed his eyes contentedly. "Alright, Luminous and Akalion should get some rest too. Goodnight."

Goodnight, Paimon.

Throughout the journey, Akalion focused intently on flying.

In his view, the development of Qiongjiye was a long-term project requiring meticulous planning. At least until Zhongli completed his final test of human governance on the people of Liyue, he did not intend to quickly eliminate all the remnants of the demon gods.

Otherwise, when the vortex demon god Oser, who was sealed beneath the Guyun Pavilion, breaks free, will his first target be the heavily guarded Liyue Harbor, or his newly established Qiongji City on the Guili Plain, which is in dire need of reconstruction?

It should be noted that the prosperous city on Guili Plain, which was jointly established by Guizhong and Zhongli, the Demon God of Dust and the Emperor of Rock, two thousand years ago, was completely destroyed because this guy joined forces with several demon gods.

To avoid unnecessary losses, it's best to hold off for now.

Currently, we should focus our main efforts on the construction of Mingguan City.

Moreover, in his plan, the entire Qiongjiye region was to simultaneously, or rather, in stages, construct five cities with different functions.

First, based on the islands of salt in the earth, establish a city called [Golden Roc City], which is mainly based on mining, salt industry and fishing, supplemented by agriculture.

Secondly, the long-abandoned Mingyun Town will be restored and expanded to become another major mining town – Mingyun City.

Third, establish a core city—[Qiongji City]—at the center of Guili Plain, responsible for agriculture, trade, and logistics distribution.

Fourth, establish a sister city, Guili City, on the southeastern highlands of Guili Plain, responsible for industrial production and directly connected to Liyue Harbor.

Fifthly, in Luhua Pond, establish a town primarily for tourism, while also serving as a gateway to the immortals of Minlin—[Xihua Town].

The construction of each of these five cities was a massive undertaking.

Although there are ancient ruins in various places that can be used, they have long been eroded and dilapidated by time, except for some facilities directly under the control of the demon gods.

Unlike the Wind Dragon Ruins, which are protected by the divine power of Dekalabian, the central tower in Qiongji Wilds still stands as it always has. If it weren't for the destruction caused by the world's first tractor and Alice of the Witch Society, the outer walls of the tower would not have been damaged.

To be honest, Akalion has always had some questions about the Liyue Seven Stars.

I don't know if it's because this land was directly allocated by the Rock King Emperor.

To date, the Liyue Sept have not sent them a single official document regarding the development of the Qiongji Field and Guyun Pavilion areas.

It seems to be an implicit acceptance that this place will become an independent prefecture not under the jurisdiction of Liyue, except for the Thousand Rock Army's garrison, which will be responsible for the most basic security.

They even proactively announced that they were disciples of the Rock King Emperor... Do they really not want to care anymore?

Once Qiongji City is completed, Liyue Harbor's economic control over the entire north will decrease significantly. Given its advantage in water transport, Liyue Harbor's economic advantage will only be able to maintain its dominance over the south.

Brightcrown will thus become the economic center of Mondstadt, since the Cider Lake waterway where Mondstadt is located is the same as that of Brightcrown. Mondstadt also needs to consider the water quality of Cider Lake, as it is used for brewing, so its development cannot be too advanced.

Even alchemy carries risks.

Thinking of this, Akalion felt a surge of strength as he flapped his wings.

Mora was only less attractive to him than gold.

Volume 1 Snowfield Dragon Lord: Chapter 113. A New Question from Artoria

As a greedy and lustful dragon, Akalion's favorite things to do are to roll around in piles of gold and mate.

Now that the gold pile is gone, only the latter remains.

Perhaps due to the accident involving Fairy Xiao, or perhaps to maintain the flow of fairy power, Akalion's violent nature has become somewhat gentler.

But this is only relative.

When the crimson holy sword, symbolizing the foundation of life, was completely pierced to the bottom of the pure white, flawless valley that was open only to him.

The whole world seemed to quiet down in that instant.

Everything lost its original color at this moment.