[Ding! The system has detected a strong wish nearby. The host will be temporarily awakened!]
"Ugh… my head hurts!"
"I feel like all my strength is gone… Did the system wake me up early?"
Qiu Bai sat up, clutching his head.
"This is my cave dwelling… Why is it in such a mess? And what's happening outside? An earthquake?" he muttered.
"System, what's going on?"
[Ding! Reporting to the host—500 years have passed. A disaster caused by Khaenri'ah has swept across Liyue. Outside, the immortals and great demons are engaged in battle!]
"I see… So I can only stay awake for an hour?" Qiubai murmured.
Just then, he sensed another presence inside the cave. Turning toward it, he nearly dropped his jaw in shock.
"T-this is Qiqi!"
Qiu Bai immediately teleported to her side. At that very moment, the battle outside suddenly came to a halt.
Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, Ganyu, the other Adepti, and the great demons all stopped fighting simultaneously.
Dark, sinister energy radiated from the great demons, exuding an eerie presence.
"Is this the power of a Vision? What's happening? That location… That's the The Immortal Lord cave dwelling" Mountain Shaper murmured.
Inside the Cave
"Qiqi still has a breath left, but my core is damaged. How can I save her…?"
Looking at the frail Qiqi, Qiu Bai expression showed deep concern.
Suddenly, he seemed to sense something.
"Wait… the presence outside… It's Cloud Retainer and the others. I know what to do!"
As the immortals and demons stared at the cave entrance, it suddenly exploded.
From within emerged a man dressed in black and white robes—his appearance so breathtaking that it could captivate all who beheld him.
"It's the Immortal Lord!"
Ganyu was the first to exclaim in delight.
Cloud Retainer and the others were equally astonished and overjoyed to see Qiu Bai.
"Immortal Lord, why have you awakened? Have you recovered from your injuries?!"
Mountain Shaper gazed at Qiu Bai in excitement.
If the Immortal Lord had truly recovered, then the crisis in Liyue would be resolved.
A being capable of fighting Rex Lapis, combined with the presence of Azhdaha, meant that neither the demonic beasts nor the great demons posed any threat.
This was the thought that crossed the minds of all the immortals.
Qiu Bai looked up at the Adepti and demons in the sky, his voice steady as he spoke:
"Hold your hands for now. What does this war between Adepti and demons have to do with the little girl inside my cave?"
The great demons were inwardly shaken as they gazed at Qiu Bai.
"A God… A truly powerful one!"
Having once been followers of God, they understood the depths of such power better than anyone.
"All of you so-called 'great demons,' come down. Let's go see that little girl together."
Qiu Bai tone was calm, but his words carried an undeniable weight, one that none could refuse.
His golden eyes scanned the great demons, immediately identifying the sinister black aura surrounding them.
Then, he turned to the immortals.
"Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, Ganyu—you come along as well."
"Understood, Immortal Lord."
Though the Adepti were puzzled, their doubts quickly faded, and they complied.
Inside the Cave
As both the Adepti and demons gazed at the dying Qiqi, a sense of pity arose in their hearts.
Even the great demons did not bear hatred for mortals.
They, too, had once had their own people, those they had sworn to protect, the lands they had fought to defend.
Looking at the small, frail girl before them, how could they stand idly by and let her perish?
Especially upon seeing the glowing Vision beside her, their compassion deepened.
They had come only to avenge their fallen God. Their target was the Adepti and Morax.
But what did this young mortal girl have to do with their grudge?
"Let us call a temporary truce and save this little girl."
Cloud Retainer spoke softly, gazing at Qiqi, who had been gravely injured by the battle's aftermath and was now barely clinging to life.
The great demons felt guilt well up in their hearts. Even in her weakened state, Qiqi still struggled to survive.
Overcome with remorse, they decided to pause the conflict. No matter what, they had to save this innocent life.
Both the immortals and the great demons simultaneously channeled their divine and demonic energies into Qiqi's body, pulling her back from the brink of death.
However, Qiqi was unable to control the Vision's power and the immense energy flowing through her.
The next moment, she lost herself to madness, unleashing a frenzied, indiscriminate assault on everything around her.
Qiu Bai furrowed his brows. Raising his hand, he channeled pure Yang energy into Qiqi, suppressing the chaotic force raging within her.
Immediately, Qiqi fell into a deep slumber.
"What should we do now? Immortal Lord, this child cannot withstand such power. It would take at least several hundred years for her to fully adapt."
The Adepti and demons all turned their gaze toward Qiu Bai, awaiting his decision.
Without a word, Qiu Bai waved his hand, lifting Qiqi into the air before stepping out of the cave.
"She will be sealed in amber."
Turning his palm, he infused both Yin and Yang energy into Qiqi's body, encasing her in a protective amber shell before adding another layer of sealing power.
Then, without hesitation, Qiu Bai began walking toward the cliffside.
The assembled Adepti and demons exchanged glances, then quickly followed after him.
"This war between immortals and demons shall end here."
Standing at the edge of the cliff, Qiu Bai spoke calmly, his back turned to the gathered forces.
"But Immortal Lord—!"
Mountain Shaper stepped forward, his voice filled with urgency.
Qiu Bai lips twitched. Good grief… do they still think I'm at my peak? I barely have even one percent of my strength right now.
Turning around, he looked at the great demons.
"You so-called 'great demons' are not truly demons. You were simply tainted by the darkness beyond the Dark Sea, corrupting your minds."
Qiu Bai golden gaze swept over them, his voice steady.
"During the Archon War, countless Gods fought and fell, yet even in victory, Morax never harmed your people. On the contrary, he took them in, granting them a place in Liyue as its own citizens."
"But now, here you stand fighting this war, dragging innocent mortals into your vengeance. The people of Liyue, they are the very ones you once swore to protect."
Silence fell over the battlefield.
Qiu Bai raised his hand, releasing pure Yang energy into the great demons' bodies. Slowly, the dark miasma surrounding them began to fade.
"Have we… been wrong all along?"
As the corruption dissipated, their true forms were finally revealed.
Qiu Bai gazed at them with satisfaction.
They were no longer "great demons."
Among them stood majestic beings—some resembling unicorn-like creatures, others bearing wings like a celestial butterfly.
No longer monstrous, they now radiated an aura closer to that of sacred beasts than demons.
One by one, the newly purified beings took human form and turned to Qiu Bai, their eyes filled with gratitude.
Then, in unison, they bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Immortal Lord, for cleansing the darkness from our souls."
Qiu Bai studied these beings, his expression calm.
Though there was no strict distinction between "Adepti" and "demon" in Liyue's lore, he knew what they truly were.
They were powerful spiritual beasts, not quite immortals but not mere monsters either.
Similar to Yae Miko, who was a fox spirit and likely a type of youkai.
"You may remain in Liyue or find a place to live among the mortal world."
"But do not return to the Dark Sea. Your strength is still too weak to resist its corruption, and you will be tainted once more."
Qiu Bai voice was firm, but there was warmth in his words.
The once-demons now spirits fell silent, contemplating his guidance.
After a moment of reflection, they gave their answer.