Seeing Apep lower his head, all the soldiers below instantly grew tense.
What was it going to do?!
The Five Yakshas all wore grave expressions, each mentally preparing for a fight to the death.
But what no one expected was that after Apep lowered his head, a familiar snow-white ferret stepped down.
"Relax, everyone. This ferret lord is here to support you!"
Little White puffed out his chest, striking a dignified, self-important pose.
"L–Little White?!"
Pervases cried out in surprise. As one of the Five Yakshas, he had naturally seen Little White countless times—usually curled around Jiang Yan's neck.
That cute appearance had once made Pervases and Indarias utterly unable to resist; every time they met, they'd have to give him a good rub.
"Exactly—your Ferret Lord, me!"
Little White lifted his chin proudly, looking extremely smug.
"Little White… then this is…?"
Fushe pointed at Apep behind Little White, his voice uncertain.
"Oh, him? He's my little brother—also sworn to serve my big brother!"
"Hey! You damn white rat—don't spout nonsense! I'm not your little brother!"
Apep bared his teeth at Little White.
"Th–this is also under the Immortal Lord's command…?"
Fushe and the others stared wide-eyed, then quickly let out a breath of relief.
Since this was reinforcements sent by the Immortal Lord, then everything was fine.
"That's right. The Immortal Lord sent us to support you. You're safe now!"
Little White said with a grin. Then suddenly, he was lifted into the air and pulled into a soft, warm embrace.
"Aww~ It's been so long! Little White, you're still just as adorable!"
Once she learned that Apep was on their side, Indarias instantly dropped all restraint. Unable to suppress her urge to cuddle, she hugged Little White tightly and began rubbing him enthusiastically.
"Let go of your Ferret Lord! I—hey! I'm not someone you can just pet whenever you want!"
Little White roared, his short limbs flailing wildly. But Indarias, clearly used to his protests, didn't stop—in fact, she rubbed him even more enthusiastically.
It was that unmistakable feeling of the more you resist, the more excited I get.
"Apep! Save me!"
Buried in overwhelming softness, Little White wailed desperately for help.
"Serves you right."
Apep snorted coldly and turned his head away.
Elsewhere, at Mt. Aocang.
As Jiang Yan stepped out of the cave dwelling, he could already see Apep's colossal silhouette towering between heaven and earth in the distance.
"Looks like Apep's been holding in a lot of anger,"
Jiang Yan chuckled softly.
"Heh… seems the Abyss Lord is really putting a lot of thought into Liyue…"
A dense killing intent flickered in Jiang Yan's eyes. Through the coverage of his cosmic perception, he could clearly sense monsters invading Liyue's borders from all directions.
"Tsk, interesting."
"But the monsters around Liyue can be left to Apep."
Jiang Yan's focus shifted toward Inazuma.
After all, Ei should already be on her way to Khaenri'ah.
Inazuma's defenses would definitely be under immense pressure.
In the original timeline, Kitsune Saiguu died in this disaster, and though Chiyo survived, she later went mad due to Abyssal corruption.
Makoto herself died in Khaenri'ah.
"Time's a bit tight."
Jiang Yan expanded his cosmic perception to its maximum. The situations in Inazuma and Khaenri'ah unfolded clearly before his eyes.
Makoto was still safe for now—injured, but nothing critical.
"I'll go to Inazuma first. At my speed, I won't delay things."
After a brief assessment, Jiang Yan made his decision.
Outside the Chasm, Little White and Apep simultaneously received Jiang Yan's transmission.
[Little White, Apep—after dealing with the Chasm, move quickly to support other battlefields.]
[Have the Lisha Army secure the Chasm area and ensure no further monster incursions.]
"Got it, Boss!" ×2
After receiving the order, Little White turned to the Five Yakshas.
"By order of the Immortal Lord!"
"All personnel—immediately clean up the Chasm battlefield and station yourselves outside to guard against further monster invasions!"
"Apep and I are heading out to support other fronts!"
The Five Yakshas exchanged glances, their expressions solemn.
"Yes!"
Little White then leapt back onto Apep's head. Apep's massive body coiled and lifted into the sky, flying toward other battle lines.
At the same time, Mt. Aocang.
After issuing his orders to Little White and Apep, Jiang Yan turned his gaze toward Liyue Harbor.
"Heh, a bunch of homeless strays—and they dare act up at a time like this?"
A cold glint flashed in his eyes as seven-colored light burst forth around him.
With a thunderous boom, Jiang Yan shot into the sky, transforming into a streak of radiant light that tore through the heavens.
Liyue Harbor.
Guizhong stood atop the Yuehai Pavilion, her eyes fixed on the sea.
At this moment, Azhdaha was fighting alone against multiple gods east of Guyun Stone Forest. The shockwaves of that battle were clearly visible even from Liyue Harbor.
The citizens stood in the streets, eyes closed, praying silently.
The tremors of battle echoed from afar. The people were no fools—they knew exactly what was happening.
As the pressure of war mounted, some citizens finally broke.
They cried out loudly in the streets, calling the names of the Immortal Lord and the Geo Archon.
Begging them to appear.
Begging them to save Liyue.
Watching the unrest below, a flicker of emotion passed through Guizhong's eyes.
How could she not wish for Jiang Yan and Morax to appear?
But Jiang Yan was asleep. Morax had been summoned away by the Heavenly Principles.
If even Azhdaha failed… then the only option left would be the super-massive god-killing bomb hidden beneath the Yuehai Pavilion.
The final trump card Jiang Yan had left for all of Liyue.
Just then—
A massive roar echoed from the horizon.
Everyone was startled and instinctively looked up.
Guizhong turned sharply, like a startled bird, her eyes filled with tension.
That sound…
The Dust of Purification appeared beside her as she prepared for battle.
And then—
From the heavens came a voice she knew all too well. A voice she had longed for beyond words.
"Fear not. I'm here."
Guizhong's eyes flew wide open. Her body began to tremble violently.
"Jiang Yan…"
Her voice broke, tinged with tears.
"Sorry for the trouble, Sister Guizhong. Leave the rest to me."
The gentle voice seemed to sweep away the fear weighing on her heart.
Then, amid the thunderous cheers of the citizens below, a streak of seven-colored light cut across the sky—racing straight toward Guyun Stone Forest.
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