Childe was still stalling for time.
The power of the talismans was slowly being unleashed.
"Resorting to the power of an ancient god at this stage is already tiresome... It doesn't align with my beliefs."
"But when I think about that Geo Archon... and the Adeptus..."
"Even you will have to deal with this. Now that's interesting."
With that, Childe released the talismans' energy around him, and a swirling mass of Hydro began to envelop him.
"Just wait and see! A nation without its gods..."
"Will it be swallowed once more by ancient malice?"
He stretched out both hands, raised his head to the sky, and laughed.
The sphere of water then carried Childe into the air.
"But if you want to drown alongside the people of Liyue..."
"Then by all means, enjoy yourselves!"
With those words, Childe vanished.
Lumine and Paimon stood there, bewildered, struggling to grasp what had just happened. The only thing on their minds was rushing outside to see for themselves.
"Go, Lumine."
"I'm fine. Do what you believe is right."
Qiu Bai smiled as he spoke to Lumine, who was still supporting him.
Lumine hesitated for a moment, staring at his face before giving a firm nod.
With Paimon in tow, she dashed toward the exit.
Qiu Bai watched as they disappeared from sight, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Then, he stood up. With a flash of light, his clothes returned to their pristine white state.
The so-called wounds on his body vanished, and his limp leg returned to normal.
He flicked his hand, sending several beams of white light into the unconscious Qianyan Army soldiers scattered across the ground.
After taking a final glance at his surroundings and the fallen soldiers, Qiu Bai gave a small nod before his figure disappeared.
...
The scene shifted.
Qiu Bai now stood atop a mountain, gazing into the distance with a calm expression.
From here, he had a clear view of the sea directly in front of Liyue Harbor.
The ocean churned violently as towering columns of water surged toward the sky.
Dark clouds rapidly swallowed the heavens.
Fierce winds howled, carrying heavy rain as thunder and lightning tore across the sky—an apocalyptic scene unfolding before his eyes.
At that moment, high above Liyue Harbor, a massive structure began to rise into the sky.
It was none other than the Jade Chamber.
Meanwhile, deep within the ocean, the shadow of an enormous being loomed.
As it passed by a small island, the landmass seemed pitifully insignificant in comparison.
Then, at last, the colossal creature began to emerge from the depths.
Like an enormous waterborne serpent, four gigantic, eel-like heads slowly lifted themselves from the sea.
Its pale blue body radiated an overwhelming aura—the divine pressure of an ancient god.
As the creature fully raised its heads, the storm clouds above twisted and swirled, parting just enough for light to break through and illuminate its form.
It fixed its gaze upon Liyue Harbor, a place that, to it, appeared utterly insignificant.
The sheer enormity of its body exuded an oppressive force unlike anything else, causing some Qianyan Army recruits and citizens of Liyue to tremble, struggling to stay on their feet.
There was no mistaking it—this towering being was none other than the Vortex Archon, Osial.
"Osial's body is still pinned beneath the ocean."
"Right now, only a few of its heads have surfaced."
Qiu Bai swept his spiritual sense over Osial, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.
So, the Doctor hadn't made a move yet.
What was he waiting for?
"System, scan Osial."
Qiu Bai commanded.
A mechanical chime echoed in his mind.
"Ding!"
Identity: Vortex Archon, Osial
Status: A former god suppressed beneath the sea. Under the influence of the Hundred-No-Taboo Talismans, the suppression on its heads has been temporarily lifted. However, its body remains pinned in place by the Geo Archon Morax's stone spear, preventing it from moving.
Strength: Mid-tier Archon (Suppressed)
Note: Archon strength is classified into Normal, Low-tier, Mid-tier, High-tier, and Top-tier. The gap between each level is immense.
"Mid-tier Archon level? Osial is stronger than I expected."
"I thought it was just a low-tier Archon."
Qiu Bai stroked his chin, murmuring to himself.
He wasn't the only one witnessing this impending disaster. Every citizen of Liyue Harbor—common folk, nobles, the Fatui, and even Zhongli and Hu Tao within Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—had their eyes fixed on the unfolding crisis.
...
Meanwhile, atop the Jade Chamber, Lumine and Paimon had just arrived.
"Phew, that was exhausting..."
"If we hadn't seen the Jade Chamber flying in the sky when we left the Golden House, we wouldn't have even known where to go!"
Paimon exhaled deeply, clearly worn out, as she glanced at Lumine.
"Did we make it in time? The Vortex Archon is still in the sea—it hasn't reached Liyue Harbor yet, right?"
Xiao, standing behind them, looked at Lumine and Paimon with a hint of confusion.
"You... Why are you here?"
His voice was calm and distant.
Lumine and Paimon turned around, only to see not just Xiao, but also Madame Ping, Ganyu, Keqing, Mountain Shaper, Moon Carver, Cloud Retainer, and finally, Ningguang, who was slowly approaching.
"Huh? The Adepti?! Why are you all here on the Jade Chamber?"
"I heard you were arguing with the Liyue Qixing... Is that over already?"
Paimon, full of curiosity, looked between the Adepti and Ningguang, asking tactfully.
"The Adepti have agreed that, in this time of crisis..."
"The Qixing and the Adepti must set aside their differences and face the enemy together."
Ningguang explained calmly, her gaze steady on Lumine and Paimon.
"Hmph."
Moon Carver let out a displeased huff.
"I see... So what's the plan for defending Liyue?"
"Ugh... That Vortex Archon Osial... Even looking at it from this far away makes it hard to breathe."
Paimon shuddered as she stole a quick glance at the colossal creature in the sea, her voice trembling slightly.
She had traveled alongside Lumine for so long, yet never had she encountered an enemy of this scale.
"Some of the Qianyan Army recruits can barely stand."
"It seems that the pressure of an ancient god is incredibly harmful to ordinary people."
Keqing stepped forward, addressing Lumine and Paimon.
"But that's exactly why we can't let that monster get any closer to Liyue Harbor."
She crossed her arms, her tone resolute.
"This is terrifying... Is this the kind of enemy people fought against during the Archon War two thousand years ago?"
Paimon's fear only grew after hearing Keqing's words.
Xiao remained silent, arms crossed, as if lost in thought.
"...So, with the Qixing, the Qianyan Army, and the Adepti all here, do we have enough strength to defeat that thing?"
Paimon hesitated, looking at the gathered Adepti and Qixing.
"The Adepti have already discussed it."
"And the answer is... Not necessarily."
Ningguang didn't sugarcoat her words as she delivered the unsettling truth.
Even with the combined strength of the Qixing and the Adepti, they might not be able to defeat Osial—not while its body remained pinned beneath the ocean.