"The Vortex Demon God…? How could this happen?"
Standing at the terrace of the Jade Chamber and staring toward the far-off Guyun Stone Forest, Ningguang murmured with a heavy expression.
She had only stepped outside to take a breath—yet the moment she looked up, the sky had changed color. Storm clouds roared over Liyue Harbor like an incoming tide. Instinctively, she rushed to the edge of the Jade Chamber…
and what she saw nearly stopped her heart.
The Vortex Demon God had broken free.
But what baffled her was this—
Just last night, she and Beidou had scouted the entire surrounding sea and found nothing unusual. Not even the slightest omen.
So why… today?
Unless…
The person plotting against Liyue… and "the thing beneath the sea"—were never two separate issues to begin with.
Someone had released it.
Ningguang instantly recalled what Rita had said.
And at this moment, she understood—no, she knew—that the maid's information was very likely true. She hadn't been lying at all.
Only then did everything make sense.
But that raised an even larger question—
Who exactly were Rita… and the "young master" behind her?
To know even this…
To foresee that the killer of the Geo Archon would not return…
To warn them of the sea's danger…
Could it be—
They know each other?
Then what was that mysterious young master's goal?
Would a person like that really hand out information… for free?
Ningguang pressed a hand to her forehead and let out a quiet sigh.
The water in this story ran too deep—perhaps deeper than even a Tianquan Star could swim.
For all her wealth and all her influence…
a human could not compare to a god.
And the mysterious girl who killed the Archon was a being who stood above the divine.
"Humans… truly are insignificant, after all."
She turned, gazing toward her own magnificent Jade Chamber with a strange, bitter emotion.
Even the omniscient Tianquan had things she could not see.
"Ningguang! The Vortex Demon God, it's—"
"I already know."
Ningguang cut Keqing off gently.
"Come. We'll meet it head-on. We have preparations—though not for this foe.
But they'll do."
For the dreaded return of the mysterious girl, Liyue had mobilized everything they had—
including the long-stored Guizhong Ballistas.
Under Cloud Retainer's improvements, they had been deployed all across Liyue for emergency use.
"And the evacuation?"
"Already finished."
Keqing nodded.
"All citizens have been moved. The ballistas are being positioned."
"Good."
Ningguang stepped onto the Jade Chamber's command altar.
"Then let us go greet the Demon God.
With Rex Lapis gone, only the Qixing and the Adepti remain to shield Liyue."
So that's the Vortex Demon God?
Honestly… Rita doesn't look like she could beat that thing…
Standing on a mountain ridge near the coast, Su Mo watched the enormous serpent-like head rising from the sea.
Rita Rossweisse…
Fifty–fifty with everyone she fights.
Still gets folded by Raven.
Still gets folded by Ana.
So…
Time to swap discs!
If he wanted to complete the mission—and keep that monster from crawling onto shore—Rita wasn't going to cut it.
[System, cover me. I'm swapping discs. Henshin!]
Jade Chamber
"Esteemed Adepti, the ground ballistas are being deployed by the Yuheng.
The airborne ballistas aboard the Jade Chamber will depend on your strength."
"That goes without saying."
"And the people?"
"All evacuated. Now all resources can be directed toward confronting the Vortex Demon God. Even without the Archon…
The Qixing and the Adepti together can still repel it."
The Adepti nodded.
But just as Moon Carver was about to continue—
"I sense it."
Xiao's voice cut through the wind.
"The one who slew Rex Lapis…
She is here."
"What?!"
Ningguang's expression changed instantly.
Her composure—normally flawless—cracked as she rushed to Xiao's side and looked in the direction he faced.
She completely slipped my calculations…
Everything pointed to one thing:
A storm far larger than she had anticipated.
Rita lied to us?
No…
That made no sense.
If the killer wished harm to Liyue, she would not need deception.
Her sheer power alone could level the harbor.
Then what was her aim?
Was she here for the Demon God?
Was it coincidence?
Were the two connected?
Or…
Were they working together?
Countless possibilities flashed through Ningguang's mind—
but none could be confirmed.
One thing, however, was certain:
Nothing that appears in this world appears meaninglessly.
Not Rita.
Not her young master.
Not the reawakened Osial.
Not the murderer of the Archon.
All pieces existed for a reason.
But the truth…
seemed to be beyond her reach.
"I see…" Cloud Retainer murmured as the overwhelming aura drew nearer.
"So she comes."
Without Rex Lapis, they stood no chance.
Yet duty demanded they try.
What is she doing…?
Observing from afar, Zhongli quietly watched the figure approaching the sea.
Then—
"…Anemo?"
A faint breeze brushed the hem of his robe.
A familiar presence approached from a different direction.
Barbatos.
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