"Yuheng Xing! There's someone up there—awaiting your command!"
"What? Someone?!"
At the shoreline, Keqing was directing the Millelith as they assembled the modified Guizhong Ballistas.
Upon hearing the report, she immediately raised her head.
A lone figure hovered in the air before the Demon God.
Who is that? A transformed Adeptus?
The white-haired girl floating before Osial didn't resemble any familiar face.
And yet—Keqing felt an inexplicable pressure swelling in her chest the moment she saw her.
The girl's presence was dangerously overwhelming…
even more oppressive than the aura radiating from the Demon God itself.
The golden, eye-shaped patterns at the hem of her dress made Keqing's skin crawl.
Wait.
Could she be… the white-haired girl who killed the Geo Archon?!
Keqing suddenly recalled Acting Grand Master Jean's description—her heart tightened.
Jade Chamber…
In the distance, the floating palace approached through the fog.
"No one fires without my order."
"Yes, Yuheng Xing!"
She chose to hold position.
She needed to observe—before acting.
Jade Chamber
"Honored Adepti, let us halt here.
It appears her target is the Vortex Demon God.
Rather than provoke her, let us watch a moment and determine the situation."
Ningguang brought the Jade Chamber to a stop at a safe distance.
She was now certain—the white-haired girl was the one who killed Rex Lapis.
Jean's description left no doubt.
But what unsettled her most was that…
the girl paid zero attention to Liyue.
Her gaze—was fixed on Osial.
"What a terrifying aura…"
Moon Carver murmured.
Even after centuries of battle beside Rex Lapis, he had never encountered such presence.
Now he understood why even the Geo Archon had fallen to her.
Osial's own aura was being suppressed—like prey cowering before its natural predator.
Such a being… existed in this world?
Yet even so, Osial refused to back down.
It had waited too long for this day.
It would not retreat.
"Ai… it seems we cannot avenge the Emperor after all."
Moon Carver sighed bitterly.
"Moon Carver, don't let despair take root.
We all understand the gap—but Rex Lapis entrusted Liyue to us.
And right now, her attention is elsewhere.
We must evacuate the citizens to Jueyun Karst while we still have the chance."
Cloud Retainer remained calm.
"And I will—"
A sharp whistling tore through the sky.
Before Ganyu could finish, something like a spear broke through the air straight toward them.
The Adepti reacted instantly—barriers, elemental strikes—
but every attack passed straight through the object…
as if hitting a ghost.
Even their shields didn't register impact.
"Move!"
Someone shouted.
Everyone scattered—
BOOM—!!
A spatial spear punched a hole straight through the Jade Chamber's deck…
and returned to float neatly behind Su Mo.
"It… it was real…?"
Ganyu stared, stunned.
Her arrow had gone right through it.
So had the Adepti's strikes.
Even the shield showed no ripples.
So she had assumed it was an illusion.
But clearly—it wasn't.
A chill ran down her spine.
"Heh. A swarm of ants daring to posture before me?"
Su Mo turned, hands clasped behind her back, staring coldly at the Jade Chamber.
"Don't flatter yourselves. Engaging you would only waste my time."
"Then, may I ask what your purpose is?"
Ningguang stepped forward.
Rita had once said the white-haired girl's goal was not Liyue.
Now was her chance to confirm it.
"My purpose?
Do you think you're qualified to—"
Su Mo suddenly sensed movement behind her.
Osial was attempting a sneak attack.
"Ridiculous trick."
Before the energy blasts could reach her, several portals opened behind Su Mo, absorbing every strike.
Moments later, matching portals opened behind Osial—
BOOM BOOM BOOM—!!
The Demon God roared in pain, struck by its own attack from behind.
"Incredible… she manipulates space itself."
Madam Ping whispered, shaken.
"Even my teapot is a closed world—but this… this is on another level entirely."
She had never believed such manipulation was possible—
not until witnessing it with her own eyes.
Not one of the Seven… yet power surpassing the Archons.
Who is she? And why did she kill Rex Lapis?
Her heart brimmed with unanswered questions.
"Look! Down below—what's happening?!"
Ganyu's alarmed voice snapped everyone's attention downward.
A massive whirlpool appeared beneath them—expanding rapidly.
Now larger than the entire Jade Chamber, the swirling abyss seemed ready to swallow everything…
even Osial itself.
Just what…
was happening?
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