The massive wave surged forward, and the Adepti soared into the sky, quickly forming a barrier that enveloped the entire harbor, hoping to hold back the tide.
But this time, the wave was summoned by the combined might of Osial and Beisht, far more powerful than any previous assault.
The deep blue waters roared like an unstoppable beast, crashing against the golden barrier with thunderous force. The barrier trembled, on the verge of shattering at any moment.
The Millelith had already followed orders to evacuate civilians to the inland regions. Now, only Lumine, Ningguang, and the Adepti remained, standing as the final line of defense for Liyue Harbor.
Without the Jade Chamber and the Guizhong Ballista, even those blessed with Visions—like Ningguang and the others—found themselves too weak to challenge the might of a God. With the Jade Chamber gone, they couldn't hope to defeat Osial, let alone get close enough to try.
Wave after wave crashed against the Adepti's defensive barrier, and even though they combined their powers, cracks began to form on the surface of the shield.
Standing at the harbor, Ganyu turned to look at Ningguang and the others, her eyes resolute.
She lowered her longbow, cold determination flickering in her gaze. A blue light began to radiate from her fingers, spreading across her entire body. In the next moment, her form began to shift, growing larger at a rapid pace.
As the light faded, a majestic azure qilin stood before them.
"Ganyu... you foolish child..."
Above, Cloud Retainer watched, a hint of sadness in her eyes.
For as long as Ganyu had lived among humans in Liyue, she had carefully concealed her Adeptus identity, attributing the horns on her head to a family heirloom whenever someone asked.
Almost no one in Liyue knew that Ganyu was a half-Adeptus.
But now, revealing her true form to protect Liyue meant that she had chosen the path of the Adepti, distancing herself from humanity. It was a choice that would inevitably create an invisible barrier between her and the people she had long served.
The qilin that Ganyu had become galloped across the surging waves, freezing everything in her path.
With her Vision amplifying her powers, Ganyu's control over Cryo surpassed that of the Adepti, allowing her to manipulate vast amounts of ice. The towering wave froze solid, forming an icy barrier to slow the oncoming tide.
But it didn't take long before another wave shattered the frozen wall, crashing once more against the weakening barrier.
Ganyu knew that defense alone would not be enough. She leapt from the ice, dashing towards Osial.
"Ganyu, stop! Do you have any idea how long it's been since you've assumed your true form? How can you be so reckless?"
Cloud Retainer's voice was filled with worry, but she couldn't move from her position, bound by the need to maintain the barrier. All she could do was watch anxiously as Ganyu drew farther away.
At the harbor, the silver-haired Shenhe stood firm, watching the qilin engage Osial. A flicker of understanding crossed her usually expressionless face.
She had always struggled to grasp human emotions, but seeing Ganyu transform and charge toward Osial, she felt like she was beginning to understand.
"Senior Sister..."
Shenhe glanced down at her open palm. A moment later, she pushed off with her toes and charged into the waves.
A surge of Cryo energy gathered beneath her feet, freezing the broken ice wall once again.
The Adepti were granted a brief respite.
Meanwhile, back on the rocky outcrop overlooking the battlefield.
Luo Qing and Zhongli observed the clash on the sea, each with their own thoughts.
Ever since Beisht had emerged from the depths to assist Osial in repelling the Jade Chamber's strike, Luo Qing's expression had grown more serious.
This wasn't what they had planned.
Wasn't there supposed to be only one boss, Osial?
Where had Beisht come from?
Did Childe seriously summon Osial's wife just to provoke Zhongli into action?
Did he really need to go that far?
Beside him, Zhongli appeared calm, but seeing Ganyu reveal her true form as a qilin had stirred something deep within him.
He clasped his hands behind his back, fingers tapping thoughtfully against each other.
It seemed he was debating whether to step in.
"Thinking about making a move, Zhongli?" Luo Qing asked quietly, noticing the subtle tension.
"Indeed," Zhongli admitted with a nod.
The current situation had been brought about because he allowed it, and it was the actions of the Fatui that had led to this confrontation.
As the former God of War, he recognized that if this continued, the Adepti and the Qixing would be the first to falter and fall.
He had seen Ningguang's determination in her decision to sacrifice the Jade Chamber, and he could feel the combined resolve of the Adepti and Ganyu, who fought with everything they had to protect Liyue Harbor.
But the crisis had grown beyond what they could manage alone. He couldn't allow needless sacrifices.
Just as Zhongli took a step forward, ready to intervene, Luo Qing held out a hand to stop him, his voice calm.
"If you step in now, Zhongli, have you thought about what comes next?"
"What do you mean, 'next'?"
"Deep down, you've already made up your mind to step down and leave Liyue's future to the mortals, right? If you step in now, you'll be forced to continue playing the role of Rex Lapis. You'll have to keep handing down your divine decrees, won't you? But that's not what you want, is it?"
"I have already seen the will of the Qixing and the Adepti. Their actions have exceeded my expectations..."
Zhongli's tone was pensive. "But this situation has gone beyond their capacity to handle. Since I am the cause, it should end with me."
"If that's the case, how about letting me handle this in your place?"
Luo Qing's eyes drifted to the two sea monsters in the distance, facing off against Ganyu. His voice was light, but firm.
"You?"
Zhongli's brow furrowed with doubt.
"Yeah, me."
Luo Qing chuckled. "I carry Liyue's blood, and I'm still human. If I'm the one to take action, wouldn't that count as the people of Liyue handling their own problems?"
"Hmm... I suppose that's true."
Despite Luo Qing being a Fatui Harbinger, his lineage was Liyuean, and his conduct reflected the culture and values of Liyue. Compared to the likes of Childe or La Signora, Zhongli found him far more relatable.
After all, if Zhongli didn't see him as a kindred spirit, he wouldn't have agreed to all those fishing trips.
Luo Qing's offer to act in Liyue's stead was, in many ways, a valid solution.
But could he handle it alone...?
Zhongli glanced at Luo Qing again.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Zhongli? Do you think I'm not up to the task?" Luo Qing teased, eyes glinting with a playful smile as he glanced toward Ganyu, still fighting in the distance.
"How about this? Let's make a deal. If I solve this problem for you, you'll owe me a favor."
"A favor...?"
Zhongli hesitated, then stepped back, giving his silent agreement.
"Alright then, I'll remember that, Zhongli. Consider it noted," Luo Qing said with a grin, his eyes flashing with golden light.
In an instant, he vanished from sight.
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