I, the Geo Archon Morax with 2.1 Billion Mora, Have Joined a Chat Group [228]

Crack—! Crack, crack—!

Under the searing heat of crimson flames, the towering ice pillar before the Traveler finally shattered completely.

"This should be the third one," Guizhong reminded them.

"…Blizzards covered the skies, and the pillars of heaven shattered into three…"

"The inscription said as much. I believe that once these three ice pillars have been fully destroyed…"

Before she could even finish, the howling gales that had roared across the snow-capped summit suddenly began to fade.

Like snow melting under the sun, the wind barrier gradually dissipated.

The relentless storm was no more, leaving only a gentle breeze, carrying with it the chill of lingering frost as it brushed against their cheeks.

"Looks like there’s no need to explain further," Guizhong said with a small smile.

"Let’s go, let’s go! No time to waste!"

Paimon shot forward without hesitation, almost brimming with excitement as she headed up the path toward the mountaintop.

Lumine, just as eager, quickly followed after her.

Zhongli and the others naturally kept pace behind them.

It took them about two hours.

Moving far faster than ordinary people, the group finally arrived at the summit of Dragonspine.

Standing before them were three massive pillars—identical to the ones they had just destroyed.

Although the sight was somewhat puzzling, Lumine had already grown accustomed to these patterns.

She swiftly scanned the area, locating three Scarlet Quartz deposits scattered nearby. She shattered each one with precise strikes, then turned her attention back to the ice pillars.

One strike per pillar—shattering them completely.

As the ice crumbled, the structures within were finally revealed: three fragmented, ancient stone slabs.

"What are these?" Paimon leaned in, rubbing her chin in curiosity.

"They're celestial pillars," Lumine murmured, furrowing her brows at the sight.

Paimon floated closer, circling around the mysterious slabs. She scrutinized them for a while before speaking.

"They just look like ordinary stone pillars to me. Are you sure these things can really destroy an entire kingdom?"

"Yes. I’ve seen them before."

There was a distant look in Lumine’s eyes as she stepped forward, reaching out toward the surface of the pillars.

Before her fingers could touch them—

A sudden burst of cyan light erupted from the stones.

In an instant, the entire sky was dyed in that ethereal blue hue.

The three fractured pillars began to rise. Slowly at first, then higher and higher, drawn together by an unseen force.

Within moments, they had fused into one, forming a single, complete structure—suspended high above the peak of Dragonspine.

Lumine lifted her gaze, staring at the celestial pillar as it floated above the mountaintop.

"This… is a Nail from the heavens."

She spoke in a whisper, her brows knitted in contemplation.

"You’ve seen these before? Where?"

Paimon sensed something significant and hurriedly pressed for answers.

"It was a long time ago."

Lumine's voice was quiet, laced with an unspoken emotion.

"It was right before my brother and I were about to leave this world."

She closed her eyes briefly, recalling the distant memory.

"When we fought against that god—the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles—these pillars were floating all around her."

"Wait… what?"

Paimon narrowed her eyes, tapping her chin as she mulled over the information.

"So these Nails… they fell from the sky, right? And when we talk about things in the sky, there’s no avoiding that place—Celestia."

"Celestia, the place that bestows Visions to the people…"

"Wait, wait, wait! So does that mean the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles—the one you fought—is actually the god of Celestia?!"

"Yes."

Lumine nodded slightly.

But she said nothing more.

Her expression darkened, the weight of memories pressing heavily upon her.

Clearly, seeing the Nail had resurfaced thoughts of her long-lost brother.

"Enough."

Zhongli’s voice suddenly broke the silence, pulling Lumine out of her thoughts.

"It seems there’s nothing else of importance on this peak. However…" His gaze shifted downward. "On our way here, I noticed a sealed cave. There’s a chance it contains more information about the ancient kingdom of Dragonspine."

Lumine lingered for a moment, her golden eyes still locked onto the celestial pillar in the sky.

Then, finally, she nodded.

"Alright. Let’s go."

Even Paimon, ever chatty, remained quiet this time.

She didn’t keep up her usual energetic banter—because even she had noticed the sorrow and longing in Lumine’s eyes.

Thus, in silence, the group made their way toward the cave.

It took less than twenty minutes.

Before long, they arrived at the entrance of the sealed cavern Zhongli had mentioned.

Just as expected, a large mechanism blocked the way forward.

The stone gate bore three square-shaped indentations—each clearly meant for a missing piece.

"Looks like we’ll have to find some key items again," Paimon muttered, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.

Her gaze then shifted to Guizhong.

"Miss Guizhong, did you happen to read anything useful about this door in your ancient texts?"

"You’re treating me like some kind of all-knowing walking archive," Guizhong sighed, rolling her eyes. "But… as it happens, I do recall a story about this particular entrance."

"Follow me."

With that, Guizhong led the way, guiding them down the mountain.

Before long, they arrived at an old, snow-covered gravestone.

With a simple wave of her hand, the accumulated frost and dust were instantly wiped away, revealing the ancient inscription beneath.

The characters were unlike modern script—arcane symbols that were difficult to decipher.

"Traveler," Guizhong turned to Lumine.

"Do you have any fresh flowers in your inventory?"

"I do have some."

Lumine looked at Guizhong with curiosity. "You need flowers?"

"Offer three bouquets of fresh flowers to this soul that perished two thousand years ago," Guizhong instructed without further explanation.

Sensing something significant, Lumine didn’t ask further. She reached into her inventory, carefully taking out three Cecilia flowers. Tying them into a bouquet, she placed them in front of the ancient tombstone.

The flowers swayed gently in the icy wind, emitting a faint, shimmering light that intertwined with the glow gradually awakening from the tombstone’s inscriptions.

Moments later, a small ornate box appeared in front of the bouquet.

"This should be one of the three," Guizhong said as she stepped forward, picking up the box. She turned it over, revealing an inscription on the back.

May the heavens that cast this snow and ice burn until no life remains in this world.

May we turn to ash and ride the winds, chasing after the forsaken foreigner who abandoned the princess and never returned.

May the black dragon of her dreams, dark enough to blot out the sun, stain this accursed land with crimson poison.

I am the last one. There is no longer any need for a watchman.

They say that somewhere, a land without gods is being built. Perhaps… they, too, hold the power to defy this world.

"...This is…"

Paimon gasped aloud as she read the words.

"I… I actually got part of my theory wrong?! I can’t believe it! The great adventurer Paimon, making a mistake?!" She huffed, crossing her arms in frustration. "But the biggest surprise is that this so-called foreigner turned out to be a traitor! I thought he failed while trying to save the princess… but nope! Turns out, he was just a coward who ran away. Ugh, disgusting."

Paimon spat in contempt, clearly looking down on the foreigner.

"Haha, Paimon, you’re quite the emotional one," Guizhong teased, blinking playfully. "But what if your guess still isn’t entirely correct? That would be quite the slap in the face, wouldn’t it?"

"Eh?" Paimon turned to look at Guizhong, eyes narrowing.

"This is a firsthand account! How could it be wrong? If it is wrong, then I'll eat this box right now!" Paimon declared, completely confident in her judgment.

Guizhong chuckled. "You said it, Paimon. No backing out later."

With that lighthearted exchange, they continued their search.

It took them about half a day, but eventually, they found the remaining two boxes.

One was called the Ritual Box, with the following inscription:

I once thought our descendants would thrive like the white tree, ever unyielding.

But the white tree is withering. "They" no longer speak to us. My hopes, our people’s hopes, are crumbling.

I shall ascend to the peak once more, seeking guidance. By the time I return, my daughter’s second mural should be complete.

I pray her third painting will depict a world where the snow has melted.

The third was named the Princess’s Box, and it bore these words:

The mural may never be finished.

I have not seen clear skies or green fields for so long. I no longer remember what shade of blue, what shade of green, could capture the world my father wished to see—the world after the ice and snow have faded.

When he returns, surely everything will go back to the way it was. But it’s so cold. I don’t think I can wait any longer.

I’m sorry, Father. I’m sorry, Ukko, for making you watch over us in such disgrace.

Imunlaukr… I wish I could see you one last time…

After reading all three, both Paimon and Lumine fell into a daze.

Paimon, in particular, found herself growing more and more disgusted by this so-called Imunlaukr.

"This guy… what a piece of trash! He toyed with the princess’s feelings, took the legendary sword meant for her, and ran away? Never came back?! That’s horrible! If only the princess had given the sword to someone else—maybe her kingdom could’ve been saved!"

Lumine nodded in agreement, her expression darkening.

Guizhong studied their reactions for a moment, then sighed softly. "Alright, I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. There’s actually another version of this story—one known by the bards of Mondstadt."

She clapped her hands gently. Then, with a soft, melodic voice, she began to sing.

When the lush capital was swallowed by mist and mountain fog,
Endless blizzards veiled the moonlight above.
Life, and every tale that was left unfinished,
Were pierced by the long nails that fell from the heavens…

The priestess’s daughter forged a sword of Starsilver,
And entrusted it to a warrior from afar.
Through the howling winds, her words were lost—

"The fourth mural shall be painted for you.
Your image will be forever etched upon these walls."

"For this mural… for everyone… I will wait here, praying for your return."

But as the daughter of the Snow-Buried City withered away,
As the silver grafts bore no fruit,
The destined warrior wielding the sword marched on, seeking answers beyond the mountains.

Like moonlight, gentle yet distant,
Her final thoughts never reached the one who left.

"It has been so long since I’ve seen clear skies or green fields.
I no longer know what shades of blue or green to use,
To paint the world my father longed for—one without ice and snow."

"And if only… I could see you one last time."

This was the answer he found—

The foreign warrior’s fruitless journey finally ended.
Dark, tainted blood dripped from his blade.
His weary steps traced a path back through the unfamiliar snowfields.

But when the exhausted traveler finally returned to the mountain kingdom,
Only an empty echo remained to greet him.

"Even here… there is nothing left for me to protect."

As the song faded into silence, the full picture of the story took shape before Lumine and Paimon.

For a long while, neither of them spoke.

After a pause, Lumine let out a quiet sigh.

"I don’t like this story," she murmured. "And I don’t like this ending."

"Yes," Zhongli agreed, nodding slightly.

"It’s disgusting," Fu Hua muttered, her gaze drifting to the floating Skyfrost Nail. A hint of frustration flickered in her eyes.

Paimon, lost in thought, suddenly tensed as if remembering something.

She glanced around nervously, making sure no one was paying attention to her. Everyone was still absorbed in the weight of the story and the history embedded within the texts.

Only then did she quietly exhale in relief, placing her hands behind her back and whistling as if nothing had happened.

Guizhong, however, had already noticed her reaction.

She waited patiently until Paimon had completely let her guard down—then suddenly leaned in close.

A sly smile curled on her lips.

"Paimon… do you remember what you said earlier?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Paimon feigned innocence, glancing left and right. "I don’t remember saying anything!"

"Oh? You forgot already?"

Guizhong pulled out the Chronicler’s Box and waved it teasingly in front of her.

"Do you remember what this is?"

Her smile grew even brighter. "Need me to remind you?"

"Uh… uh…" Paimon clutched her head, immediately launching herself onto Lumine’s shoulder. "Oww! My head! I think I’ve lost my memory! Did something attack me?!"

"Hahaha!" Guizhong burst into laughter.

Stowing the box away, she smirked. "Nice try, Paimon. But this is an important key—you won’t be eating it anytime soon."

"Who even wants to eat a box?!" Paimon fumed.

Amidst the laughter, Lumine’s lips finally curved into a faint smile.

Zhongli clapped his hands lightly. "Alright, everyone. Logically speaking, it’s time to unlock the final mechanism."

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This is a fan translation of 我，21亿岩王帝君加入聊天群 by 大一统. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!