Inside Liyue Harbor, the debate between Cloud Retainer and Keqing had reached a critical point. Both the adeptus and the mortal were trying to convince the other. Seeing that Cloud Retainer showed no signs of stopping, Xiao and the others exchanged glances and decided to intervene.
Normally, the adepti would have found this debate quite entertaining. But now they could sense the power of the Hundred-Eyed Talismans. If they didn't stop soon, Rex Lapis's plan might be derailed.
"Liyue has grown under our protection for a thousand years, Cloud Retainer. It's time to let go and entrust Liyue to mortal hands."
Mountain Shaper reminded Cloud Retainer, who finally noticed the distant power of the talismans. She let out a cold snort.
"Hmph. I wonder if these ordinary people can truly govern Liyue well."
Cloud Retainer's words brought relief to everyone present. It seemed the adeptus would no longer make things difficult for them. But before Ningguang could exchange pleasantries, the calm sea outside Liyue Harbor suddenly churned. A terrifying pressure emanated from the water.
Under this pressure, all the birds and beasts in Liyue Harbor trembled on the ground. If the adepti's pressure was merely intimidating, this one was filled with brutality and killing intent.
"Guoba, Guoba, what's wrong?"
Inside Wanmin Restaurant, Xiangling shook Guoba, who had frozen in place. Guoba snapped out of it and let out a few "Lulu" sounds. But Xiangling couldn't understand him. She thought he was scared and patted his head comfortingly.
"Don't be afraid, Guoba. I'll protect you. Just stay inside the restaurant and don't go out."
"Lulu! Lulu!"
Meanwhile, the adepti who had been confronting Ningguang and the others were already preparing for battle. Feeling the familiar pressure, Xiao suppressed the restless karmic debt within him and summoned his Primordial Jade-Winged Spear. Even with Rex Lapis ready to step in if things went wrong, Xiao felt uneasy. Something told him trouble was brewing.
The other three adepti, still in their original forms, didn't draw any weapons. They simply gathered their adeptal energy, ready for battle.
"Prepare to fight. The Vortex God Osial has broken free from his seal. If we don't act quickly, there could be a catastrophe."
"Yuheng, you said that mortals could protect Liyue with their own strength. Now's your chance to prove it. Let's see how you protect Liyue."
Before flying toward the sea, Cloud Retainer made sure to needle Keqing one last time. Keqing gripped her sword tightly, silently vowing to prove Cloud Retainer wrong.
At Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli set down his teacup and gazed toward the sea. Beneath those turbulent waves lay the final trial he had set. Whether he could lay down his burdens and enjoy retirement or continue governing Liyue depended on their performance.
"Please don't disappoint me."
"Say, Morax, are you really that confident letting these mortals and those weakling adepti take on Osial?"
"Not to be harsh, but even holding Osial back would be a challenge for them."
Azhdaha sensed Osial's aura. Though weakened, the Vortex God was still far from being stalled by a few amateurs.
"I've considered that. Don't worry. As long as they can buy some time, Osial will be sealed again. I made sure to tamper with the Hundred-Eyed Talismans Childe had."
Zhongli had a clear understanding of his adepti's capabilities. He knew they couldn't defeat Osial on their own. That was why he had made preparations.
"Just don't mess this up, or I'll have to clean up your mess."
Azhdaha stared into the depths of the sea. Osial had awakened from his slumber and was stretching his slippery body. If she could, she'd cut off a piece and shove it into Zhongli's mouth just to see his reaction.
Back in the Golden House, Su Bai watched the talismans fly out. His unease grew stronger. He had a feeling that something bad was happening in Liyue Harbor.
What troubled him even more was the unusual activity of Hydro energy around the Golden House. Though the distance between the Golden House and Liyue Harbor wasn't great, the surrounding mountains should have shielded it from any disturbances.
"Childe, what the hell did you do?"
"Hahahahaha! I can feel that Hydro energy. Looks like I succeeded. Cough, cough, cough."
Childe tried to laugh but was interrupted by a coughing fit from his chest wound. Facing Su Bai's murderous glare, he knew he wasn't leaving alive. So he decided to spite Su Bai one last time.
"Looks like you're dying to know what I did, Adeptus Su Bai."
"Too bad I'm not telling you. All I can say is that my plan is complete. If you really want to know, go check Liyue Harbor yourself. If you hurry, you might still make it in time."
"Wait any longer, and you might only find ruins."
Su Bai scoffed at Childe's words. Whatever Childe had done with those talismans, there were four adepti in Liyue Harbor right now. There was no way the city would be destroyed.
But Su Bai didn't bother arguing with a dying man. It would be a waste of breath. He drew his sword, its blade glinting coldly. Childe was in no condition to resist. Now was the perfect time to finish him.
"Since you won't talk, I'll just kill you and see for myself. It won't take long anyway."
As Su Bai closed in with his sword, Childe felt a surge of despair. Dying for the Tsaritsa was an honor, but his younger siblings hadn't grown up yet. He didn't want to die here.
Childe wanted to dodge, but the strain of Foul Legacy and his chest wound made even moving a luxury.
(A/N: For those who don't know Childe's backstory, here's a quick summary. At fourteen, Childe ran away from home on some ill-advised adventure and ended up falling into the Abyss. His master found him and trained him. When he returned home, he quickly became the strongest kid in his neighborhood.
His father couldn't handle him anymore and sent him to the Fatui recruitment camp, hoping the military would straighten him out. Instead, Childe single-handedly chased an entire battalion of recruits around the camp. Coincidentally, Pulcinella happened to visit the camp that day. Seeing Childe chasing a battalion of recruits, he was intrigued.
After learning more about Childe, Pulcinella took him under his wing. With Pulcinella's guidance, Childe's strength skyrocketed, and he eventually became the youngest Fatui Harbinger.)