Then another question arose.
Thinking about it, Lumine suddenly recalled the Anemo Archon, Barbatos—also known as Venti—and a puzzled expression appeared on her face.
Paimon, who had also connected the dots to Venti, looked equally confused.
Venti had once said that a god's power came from the faith of their people.
Only by fulfilling their divine duties could a god accumulate divine power.
But according to Ningguang and Zhongli, that foreign god had no followers at all.
Without followers, how could there be faith?
Yet despite that, the foreign god had fought Rex Lapis almost evenly.
There was clearly a logical contradiction.
Unless…
Gods themselves simply varied in strength.
Perhaps the Anemo Archon was on the weaker side—
While the Geo Archon was overwhelmingly powerful?
"Beneath those stone spears lie the defeated enemies of Rex Lapis."
"Ancient gods who failed to claim one of the Seven seats."
"Gods can die."
"And even the Seven Archons have changed over the past two thousand years."
"Rex Lapis' death is a catastrophe that Liyue cannot even imagine."
"But the system of the Seven will not collapse."
"Sooner or later, a new Geo Archon will appear."
"But how could we ever forget Rex Lapis?"
"When that day comes, the relationship between Liyue's people and the gods will certainly be different from before."
Ningguang continued, still gazing toward Guyun Stone Forest.
"Even in the new era, the Liyue Qixing are still Rex Lapis' former people."
"To raise a blade against him…"
"Do you think we could bear such a crime?"
"Or do you believe that the Qixing alone could assassinate Rex Lapis?"
Ningguang turned and looked at Lumine and Paimon.
"That does seem unlikely…"
"After seeing that stone forest, it's hard to imagine any mortal killing the Geo Archon."
Lumine shook her head.
"Exactly."
"Perhaps only that foreign god could have such power."
"But he disappeared countless years ago."
"Whether he's even alive now is another question."
Ningguang nodded.
"Then why hide the Exuvia?"
Paimon asked.
"Hehe…"
"That day at Yujing Terrace, everything happened suddenly."
"I was completely unprepared. You were there—you saw it yourself."
"The Qixing's enemy had already infiltrated Liyue Harbor."
"If we did nothing, we would fall behind."
Ningguang explained.
"Hiding the Exuvia was necessary."
"Only by doing so could I move from the light into the shadows—and observe quietly."
After saying that, Ningguang turned again toward Liyue Harbor below.
"Who exactly is this enemy?"
Paimon asked.
"Haha… isn't it already obvious?"
"The enemy in question is none other than the Fatui, including their Harbinger Tartaglia."
Qiu Nian answered with a light chuckle.
"Correct."
Ningguang nodded approvingly.
Lumine wasn't surprised either.
Just then, the wind grew stronger.
"The view outside is wonderful, but the wind at this altitude is quite strong."
"Please, the three of you—everything inside has been prepared for guests."
"Follow me."
Ningguang led them into the Jade Chamber.
Inside, they found an enormous reception hall, lavishly decorated.
"W-wow!"
"This living room is huge!"
"I've never seen such a luxurious place!"
Paimon exclaimed.
"Haha…"
"This way, please."
Ningguang continued guiding them.
After descending a spiral staircase, they entered an elegant room.
"Please make yourselves comfortable."
"You may treat this place as your own home."
Ningguang said politely.
"Really?!"
Paimon stomped excitedly.
"I invited you here as friends."
"And when friends visit, enjoyment comes first."
Ningguang nodded.
Meanwhile, Qiu Nian quietly observed the room.
"By the way, Qiu Nian—why did you say the Qixing's enemy is the Fatui?"
Paimon asked.
"I think the Fatui are not only enemies of the Qixing…"
"But enemies of all Liyue."
"The reason is simple."
"I've heard that the Fatui are secretly plotting to seize the authority of the gods."
Qiu Nian explained.
"Oh!"
Paimon suddenly remembered what happened in Mondstadt.
Back then, the Fatui Harbinger La Signora had ripped the Gnosis from Venti.
"It's the Gnosis…"
"So this time their target is the Geo Archon?"
Lumine realized.
"Yes."
"Mr. Qiu Nian's deduction is correct."
"I ordered the news sealed and the Exuvia hidden partly to stabilize the situation…"
"And partly to prevent what happened in Mondstadt from happening again."
Ningguang nodded.
Jean, the Acting Grand Master of Mondstadt, had already warned her.
Only the upper leadership of both nations knew the truth.
Ordinary citizens of Mondstadt and Liyue didn't even know what a Gnosis was.
But why…
When Qiu Nian heard the words Gnosis—
His expression didn't change at all.
Even if he had only heard rumors about the Fatui stealing divine authority—
He shouldn't know that this authority referred to the Gnosis.
Ningguang glanced at him thoughtfully.
But the next thing he said dispelled her doubts.
"A Gnosis… what exactly is that?"
"Is it what the Fatui call the authority of a god?"
Qiu Nian rested his chin in his hand as if thinking deeply.
"It seems I may have just learned something quite shocking."
"Combining it with what Lady Ningguang said earlier…"
"Could it be that the Gnosis of Barbatos, the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, has already been taken by the Fatui?"
Qiu Nian speculated.
"My goodness…"
"You guessed all that just from these clues?"
"Qiu Nian, you're incredibly smart!"
Paimon stared at him in shock.
[Not just close—he guessed it perfectly]
[Barbatos really embarrassed himself all the way to Liyue]
[International embarrassment LOL]
[Poor Venti]
The livestream chat burst into laughter.
"Haha…"
"So my guess was pretty accurate?"
Qiu Nian smiled.
"Not just accurate…"
"It's completely correct."
Lumine looked at him with amazement.
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