Beneath the Guyun Stone Forest, a powerful presence slumbers.
During his time in Liyue, Fu Ning had traveled extensively, becoming acquainted with many of the immortals.
He could also sense the presence when he was near the Guyun Pavilion.
But Fu Ning paid it no mind. After all, nothing in Liyue truly interested him.
In any case, it posed no threat to his precious Fu Fu.
What he didn't expect… was that it would awaken.
Fu Ning looked up at the sky. It was dark and heavy, as though a storm was brewing.
Three massive water pillars shot into the heavens. Within them, a figure stirred—a colossal being gradually regaining its strength.
That being could summon a tsunami with a single movement.
Fu Ning went to Zhongli and asked, "What is that thing over at Guyun Pavilion?"
Zhongli remained composed. "It is the final trial I have left for the people of Liyue: the vortex god, Osial."
Fu Ning was momentarily speechless. "A Demon God? You know better than anyone how far beyond humans Demon Gods truly are."
He probed the aura from afar—Osial's power had been severely diminished.
He was at Fu Ning's fifth sequence level, but the difference wasn't massive.
Even at sequence five, such a being could easily destroy an entire city with time.
Could the people of Liyue really withstand this?
"So, let me guess. You think I'll intervene when Liyue's on the brink, right?"
Zhongli shook his head. "No. Your existence is an anomaly. I never expected you to act. But if you do, I won't stop you."
"I will carry out my plan, whether you act or not."
Fu Ning turned his gaze toward the vortex. "The Vortex Demon God… he controls Hydro?"
He felt the elemental talent within him respond—Sequence Nine: Power of Water surged restlessly, as though exhilarated.
Zhongli nodded.
Fu Ning curled his lips into a smile.
"Osial's body belongs to me, then. Perfect—I can channel the power of water for Fu Fu's sake."
"…Whatever. I hate seafood," Zhongli added with uncharacteristic distaste.
"Fu Fu… heh, you really do have a close relationship with the Hydro Archon," Zhongli muttered. He thought of Guizhong.
Back then, he had moved too slowly. He hadn't understood what death truly meant.
That memory remained his deepest regret…
…But Fu Ning had mended even that scar.
He was grateful.
Above the clouds, the Jade Chamber began drifting toward Osial's location.
In Fu Ning's perception, among the Liyue Qixing were not only mortal strategists, but also battle-ready immortals—members of the adepti like the Three-Eyed Five-Manifestation Immortals, True Lord Xueyue Zhuyang, True Lord Liuyun Jiefeng, and True Lord Lishan Dieshui—beings even greater than them.
"It seems that, in the face of a common enemy, even old rivals have joined forces," Fu Ning sighed.
He remembered a man—back during a battle against monsters, that man had struck at him for his own gain.
Compared to these defenders of Liyue…
Fu Ning shook his head and turned to Zhongli. "You're not going? On the surface, you're still one of Liyue's top combatants."
Zhongli smiled faintly. "By now, the immortals likely suspect my true identity. It's not appropriate for me to appear."
Fu Ning nodded. "Too stuffy to just stand here. I'll go watch in person."
Zhongli gave a calm nod. "Then I am relieved."
Fu Ning's face darkened. "So you do think I'll interfere, huh? Morax!"
Zhongli chuckled. "At the very least, don't kill Osial too quickly."
With a few blinks, Fu Ning suddenly stood high in the sky, securing the perfect vantage point.
"Sequence Six: Spatial Talent."
He cloaked himself in invisibility.
"Sequence Nine: Knowledge Talent."
A blue scan rippled through the air as Fu Ning activated screen recording.
This kind of spectacle was rare. He wanted to show it to Fu Fu later.
She was so timid—surely, when she saw such an enormous and grand battle, she'd throw herself into his arms out of fright.
Claiming she was scared, she'd bury her head in his chest… but still sneak glances from between her fingers. Heh heh heh…
"Phew… traveling is so tiring…" Paimon panted. "If we hadn't seen the Jade Chamber flying overhead when we left the Golden House, we'd be completely lost by now!"
"Did we make it in time? That vortex demon's still in the sea, right? It hasn't reached Liyue Harbor yet?"
Xiao seemed surprised upon seeing Lumine and Paimon. "Why… are you here?"
Lumine and Paimon turned around and gasped. "Huh? Ah! The adepti? You're here too? We heard you'd argued with the Qixing—did you make up?"
Ningguang stepped forward to explain.
"The adepti believe that, in this moment of crisis, the Seven Stars and the immortals must set aside their differences and face the enemy together."
True Lord Xueyue Zhuyang snorted coldly, clearly being a tsundere.
Paimon nodded in understanding. "So that's how it is. Then, what's the current plan for defense?"
"Ugh… just seeing that vortex demon from a distance makes it hard to breathe."
Keqing stepped forward, her expression grave.
"Some of the newer Qianyan Army recruits can't even stand straight."
"The ancient Demon God's pressure is extremely damaging to ordinary people."
"—But precisely because of this, we cannot allow that monster to approach the civilians of Liyue Harbor!"
Paimon shivered. "So scary… Were the enemies during the Archon War 2,000 years ago all this terrifying?"
"With the Qixing, the Qianyan Army, and the present adepti… can we defeat a Demon God at sea?"
Ningguang sighed. "The adepti have discussed this. The answer… is uncertain."
Paimon was shocked. "No way! But… but you're the adepti who protect Liyue! And the Qixing too! Can't you think of something?"
Keqing was silent for a long time.
"Realistically… if the Dark Demon God Fu Ning from Fontaine were willing to act, he could probably finish it quickly."
"Among the Demon Gods, Fu Ning is likely one of the strongest."
"…But it's unlikely he'd get involved."
True Lord Liuyun Jiefeng scoffed and turned away. "You Qixing rely too much on others. Back then, with the reconstruction of the Guizhong Ballista, you were all eager to meddle."
"And now, I, the creator of the original Guizhong Machine, happen to be here."
"What do mortals know of adeptal craftsmanship? With just a slight enhancement from me, this old ballista will evolve beyond your wildest expectations."
Ningguang smiled faintly, unfazed by the sarcasm.
"Haha. Let's call it fate, then—an immortal fate."
"With the updated Guizhong Ballista, and the combined adeptal power of those present, we may stand a chance."
"There's no time to lose. The decisive battle begins—activate!"
***
Ningguang condensed Geo elemental power and formed a platform above the Jade Chamber.
Three returning machines were placed on the platform, and three Adepti boarded the machines.
From atop the Jade Chamber, the Adepti controlled the devices and launched an attack on Osial.
Although these machines were enhanced by Adepti techniques and had some effect, they were still not enough to seriously harm Osial.
After all, he was a Demon God—far beyond the strength of ordinary Adepti.
Osial's body was colossal, with multiple tentacle-like heads.
Even the Fatui took advantage of this crisis to launch an assault on the Jade Chamber.
Paimon cried out in disbelief, "It's the Fatui! They're heading straight for the Jade Chamber!"
Keqing and Lumine drew their one-handed swords, landed on the platform, and charged toward the incoming Fatui.
"The three Adepti are controlling the final strike! Don't let the Fatui interfere with them!" a Qianyan Army soldier shouted.
Keqing gestured to the soldiers and commanded, "All Qianyan Army members who can still fight—follow me!"
Cloud Retainer sighed. "It has been thousands of years since the Adepti last fought a Demon God."
"Hmph! Come, let me see what strength you still possess!"
The Guizhong Ballista unleashed a massive energy blast toward Osial—with remarkable results.
Osial appeared enraged by the attack and condensed a huge mass of Hydro energy, then launched it into the sky.
Paimon shouted in horror, "What… what is that?!"
Xiao's expression was grim. "Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex… That is his divine power. I know it well."
Massive Hydro shells rained down upon the Jade Chamber.
Boom!
The Demon God's attack was terrifying. Everyone on the platform was knocked down by the immense force.
Many Qianyan Army soldiers were injured.
"And the Fatui—they're attacking even harder now!" a soldier yelled. "Brothers! If you can still move, drive them off!"
Ningguang forced down her anger. "Heh… You're bold indeed. Once this is over, none of the Snezhnayan diplomats will be able to escape accountability."
Osial gathered energy again, this time more fiercely than before.
"The Demon God is attacking again!" Paimon shouted.
"There are so many Fatui… We're going to—!"
Fu Ning hovered silently in the air, observing the chaos.
He wanted to act.
After all, these Qianyan Army soldiers were ordinary people.
Whose husbands were they? Whose sons? Whose fathers?
Unknown.
***
Granny Ping, Ganyu, and Xiao shared a portion of their Adeptal power with Lumine.
Empowered, Lumine leapt into action and attacked the Fatui without hesitation.
"In that case… I may as well lend a hand," Fu Ning thought silently.
"As for Osial… this is Liyue's battle. For now, I'll wait and see."
"Support Talent: Sequence Five."
Fu Ning stretched out his left hand slowly, and rainbow-colored light scattered from the sky.
The light enveloped the Qianyan Army soldiers, filling them with newfound strength.
Even the injured recovered swiftly.
Lumine, too, felt this power—but assumed it came from some Adeptus.
She had already received the combined powers of three Adepti, and the immense energy placed strain on her body.
But under the radiant light, her burden eased.
Xiao glanced upward, puzzled. "Whose power is this?"
Ganyu shook her head. "I don't know. But… it's the power of an ally, at least."
"Everyone, be careful!" she warned. "Osial's power may be reaching its peak!"
Keqing shook her head. "Don't lose heart. If we endure this, it'll only get easier from here."
After a prolonged battle—despite Fu Ning's support—fatigue crept in.
It wasn't just physical. The mental toll was worse.
After all, the strongest support talent was no joke.
Then, Keqing noticed something.
"Everyone! The number of Fatui reaching the Jade Chamber is decreasing!"
"Hold the line! Once the Fatui are cleared out, the Adepti can focus fully on the Demon God!"
Eventually, the Fatui soldiers were wiped out.
Moon Carver nodded solemnly. "The interference is gone. We can finally focus."
The three Adepti combined their strength, launching a powerful strike straight at Osial.
BOOM!!!
Even Osial reeled under the force of the attack.
He roared, clearly wounded.
Paimon was thrilled. "It worked! If we keep this up—"
But Ningguang's expression turned grave.
Something felt wrong.
Osial was fully enraged now. He gathered overwhelming Hydro energy and launched it into the heavens.
Even Fu Ning was surprised by the sheer force released.
Countless Hydro shells bombarded the Jade Chamber and Liyue Harbor.
Each blast could kill. No one could defend against so many.
"Defensive Talent: Sequence Seven."
Fu Ning raised his shield and turned toward the Jade Chamber.
Water bombs slammed into the chamber, shaking it violently.
Eventually, the platform gave way and crumbled.
Lumine plummeted through the air—
But Xiao caught her mid-fall, landing her safely on the remains of the Jade Chamber.
"Be careful," Xiao warned.
"The Guizhong Ballista is destroyed. Without its suppressive fire, we'll struggle to fight back," Cloud Retainer's voice echoed, drawing everyone's attention.
Ganyu's eyes narrowed with resolve. "But the Jade Chamber is our last stronghold. We can't give in…"
Ningguang stood at the center of the Jade Chamber, her tone resolute. "I… have one last method."
Ganyu understood instantly. "Lady Ningguang, you don't mean—"
Ningguang nodded. "I'm going to sacrifice the Jade Chamber."
"What do you mean?" Cloud Retainer asked, confused.
Ningguang issued a command. The Jade Chamber began to move, flying directly toward the recovering Osial.
Xiao donned his mask. "Understood."
Ningguang looked to Lumine. "Traveler—please help me."
Everyone focused their strength on Lumine.
Ningguang's voice was tinged with sorrow. "Farewell… my old friend."
"This goodbye is for the sake of a future reunion."
Lumine summoned all her strength. Immortal power surged around her blade.
She tried to drive her sword into the Jade Chamber—but it wouldn't pierce.
The sky, just beginning to brighten with dawn, suddenly darkened.
Even the skies over Guyun Stone Forest were shrouded in gloom.
This abrupt shift caught everyone's attention.
Lumine stepped back, stunned. "What… what's happening?"
A low, rumbling voice echoed from all directions:
"The Dark God… is coming!"