Genshin Impact: The God Incarnate

Seeing Morax's concern, Vorthis smiled and said,

"Yes, I've come out of seclusion."

"This time, I've roughly estimated that my strength has increased by at least one-fourth!"

?

Morax froze, then slowly let out a questioning hum.

Did he hear that correctly?

What Vorthis just said... was it really that his strength increased by one-fourth?

Morax confirmed he hadn't misheard, and there was no reason for Vorthis to lie about such a thing.

He had never heard of any God increasing their strength by one-fourth in just ten years. At least, not before Vorthis.

Once again, Morax witnessed the disparities in the world.

Perhaps this was the difference between one God and another.

Thankfully, he did not have to face such a fast-growing, high-potential, and already top-tier God as an adversary.

"Is something wrong?"

Seeing Morax suddenly freeze, Vorthis was puzzled.

"Ahem... no, nothing at all."

"Zennos, your rapid progress is indeed a blessing for all of Liyue," Morax said as he recovered his composure.

Vorthis stroked his chin and glanced at Morax.

Why did it seem like Morax was startled just now because of what he said?

Was it because his rate of growth was too fast?

Was ten years really so rapid?

No, wait—he was a God now, not a human.

As a human, he'd only be 16 years old—ten years would be enough to complete middle school.

But for a God, a decade is nothing. Their time spans are measured in centuries, not years.

Cough. Judging by this, his growth was indeed a bit on the fast side.

"Ah, thank you," Vorthis said with a smile.

"By the way, how has Liyue fared over the past ten years during my seclusion?"

Vorthis was curious.

Though ten years may seem fleeting to a God, they are incredibly long for humans. Over such a span, significant changes could occur.

What would Liyue, shaped by his and Morax's joint efforts, look like today?

"Rather than hearing it from me, it's better to see it with your own eyes," Morax suggested.

Vorthis nodded.

Morax was right—it was best to witness it firsthand.

Accompanied by Morax, Vorthis flew above the entire Liyue Palace. The palace itself was perched atop a hundred-meter-tall mountain, making it the highest vantage point in Liyue's territory.

Vorthis then ascended higher from the Liyue Palace, looking around.

The entirety of Liyue unfolded before his eyes.

The changes are astonishing, Vorthis thought.

The buildings that once clustered tightly around the Liyue Palace had expanded significantly in all directions. The structures themselves had become more elaborate, resembling the architecture of Liyue from a thousand years later.

Beyond the city's borders, farmlands stretched to the base of the surrounding mountains, cultivated by Liyue's diligent citizens.

"Not bad, Morax," Vorthis remarked with a smile.

"In just ten years, you've brought such prosperity to Liyue. But I assume it came with its fair share of challenges?"

Vorthis turned to look at Morax, grinning knowingly.

With just one glance, Vorthis had already discerned the underlying issues hidden behind Liyue's prosperity.

The lands within the protective mountain range were now fully utilized. The mountains, once providing safety and shelter, had become an obstacle to further development.

"Indeed, many problems have arisen," Morax admitted with a wry smile.

Vorthis chuckled.

He had expected as much.

"Alright, let's discuss this further down below. Maybe we can brainstorm a solution," Vorthis suggested.

Morax nodded. "Of course."

Descending from the sky, the two sat in a pavilion. After ten years, Vorthis poured himself a glass of cola once more.

Tea still didn't suit his taste—perhaps he wasn't old enough to appreciate it yet.

Sipping the cola in small gulps, Vorthis listened attentively as Morax explained.

Morax described the major reforms and changes that had taken place in Liyue during Vorthis's ten-year retreat, as well as the problems the region now faced.

"In the past decade, Liyue's development has been remarkable. The city's buildings and farmlands have expanded severalfold, with fields stretching all the way to the base of the surrounding mountains.

"Currently, nearly the entirety of Liyue's territory has been converted into farmland.

"However, with Liyue's growing population, pressures on housing and food supplies continue to mount. Yet, constrained by the limited territory, further expansion of farmland is impossible. If this continues, shortages are inevitable.

"Although I've stopped accepting refugees, the root problem remains unresolved."

Morax summarized Liyue's current situation succinctly.

Vorthis rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

As expected, Liyue had indeed run into territorial constraints.

The solution, in Vorthis's eyes, was straightforward:

Move Liyue's people to the Guili Plains and establish the Guili Assembly!

This would align with the course of history, albeit prematurely.

"Indeed, this is a tricky issue," Vorthis admitted.

"I understand your character well, Morax. You're not the type to wage war for the sake of territory."

"But the Gods around us have already carved out their domains. The lands surrounding Liyue have long been claimed by other Gods.

"The remaining unclaimed regions are merely buffer zones left between God territories. Even if we annex these areas, they'd only sustain Liyue's development for another thirty or so years. Moreover, much of this land is hilly and unsuitable for development."

Morax nodded. He had the same concerns.

Launching wars to expand territory was not something Morax would consider.

Vorthis stroked his chin again, then spoke with deliberate thought.

"In that case, there's only one solution left!"

"One solution?" Morax asked curiously.

What was this final solution Vorthis had in mind?

He knew Vorthis often came up with astonishing ideas, so he eagerly awaited his response.