"Huff! Huff! Huff!"
Slowly descending from the sky, Keqing landed on the Jade Chamber, leaning on her sword while surrounded by the stunned gazes of everyone.
"Is this the power you gained from that chat group?" Ningguang looked at the now calm waters of Guyun Stone Forest, feeling as if she was dreaming. The Vortex God Osial, carrying overwhelming divine might, had been defeated in just a single strike from Keqing.
"Don't let your guard down. The power I just used wasn't enough to kill a divine-level enemy." Keqing opened the chat group and felt warmth upon seeing her friends' concerned messages. After replying to reassure them, she checked her status panel.
Keqing, Lv 26 [16500/18500] [Demi-God]
Strength: 113
Constitution: 113
Agility: 114
Intelligence: 114
Mana: 22800
Innate Ability: Thunder Judgement Realm [Minor World Lv 6], Rule of Thunder Lv 1 [Special Divine Skill Enhancement]
Abilities: Yunlai Sword Technique MAX, Vision of Electro Lv 1 [Internal Origin Absorbed]
Thunder Judgement Demi-God Physique: Lv 2
Thunder Judgement Origin Soul: Lv 2
Seeing the experience bar with no increase, Keqing looked up at the sea. The waters were now calm, and beneath the blue surface, a huge shadow remained motionless.
Suddenly, bubbles rose from underwater, and a shadow grew closer to the surface.
With a loud splash, the scarred and charred dragon head emerged, towering into the sky as it gazed down at Liyue's people below.
"Despite how much I overestimated you, I didn't think a mere human could wield such power!" The Vortex God Osial's massive dragon eyes stared at Keqing calmly. "But since you refuse to submit to me, I have no choice but to destroy you. That power of yours is far too dangerous."
Without a sound, a blue beam of light suddenly shot from the dragon's mouth, reaching the Jade Chamber in an instant.
"Qianyan!"
With a roar, a rocky peak suddenly appeared above the Jade Chamber, blocking Osial's attack.
Holding the Qianyan Spear, Fengshi's aura surged, blending with the thousand Qianyan Guardians behind him as they formed a unified formation.
Surrounded by immortal energy, Fengshi planted his spear on the ground, elevating his spirit as he stood as a shield for everyone.
"Please, my lords, focus on recovering! We, the Qianyan Army, will buy you time!"
Blood trickled from his eyes, and Fengshi gazed at the dragon's head spewing blue energy. He let out a roar, slamming his spear into the ground, forcing his weary body to stand tall once more.
Behind him, Xiao and Keqing watched as the Qianyan Guardians burned their lives to protect everyone, silently channeling their power to recover.
Surrounded by celestial light, Granny Ping's wrinkles deepened as she looked at the Qianyan soldiers below. She spoke softly, "They are all good children, brave young men. Granny must put in more effort as well."
In Liyue Harbor, Hiroshi watched Granny Ping and the Qianyan Guardians fighting with all their might and couldn't help but stand up.
"No! Keqing, Ningguang, and the other immortals have exhausted their energy, and Osial's seal has been mostly broken. If this continues, everyone will be in danger!"
"I have to help them. After all, this situation is partially my fault! If not for the temporary breaking of Osial's seal, Keqing and the others wouldn't be struggling against him!"
"No." Zhongli, looking out at the battlefield on Guyun Stone Forest, shook his head. "Though the breaking of Osial's seal is partially due to Klee and Kazuma, this is still my trial."
"Keqing has already begun stepping into the divine realm. Even if Osial has broken free, this remains part of the test, which is why I allowed the seal to be weakened in the first place."
"So, Zhongli, did you deliberately let Klee and Kazuma damage the seal?"
"No." Zhongli sipped his tea, glancing at Klee, who stood by the window, eager to help. "Klee's bombs are impressive, and they did indeed create a large crack in the mountain that sealed Osial."
"So!" Zhongli's eyes glowed gold as he looked at Hiroshi sitting beside him. "Now that the Vortex God has escaped, shouldn't the core of the seal appear?"
With a resounding boom, the former Guyun Stone Forest that once stood tall in the sea had vanished, leaving only a tranquil ocean. Suddenly, a golden beam shot out from the sea, soaring into the sky.
The golden light circled twice in the sky, just about to head towards Liyue Harbor, before suddenly pausing. It then abruptly changed direction, heading towards the Jade Chamber.
Under the solidified mountain, Fengshi's once-black hair had turned completely white, blood dripping from his mouth as he kept his eyes fixed on the dragon above.
His family, his child, his friends, his comrades—all that mattered lay behind him. How could he retreat?
As a human, unable to wield elemental power, he had trained his martial arts and spirit, battling dangerous creatures in the wild to grow stronger.
He had become the captain of the Qianyan Army at a young age, reaching the peak of martial strength.
But now, on this battlefield between gods and demons, he realized his weakness.
Despite the immortal blessings, the trust of his comrades, and even burning his own life force, all he could do was buy time.
That was all. Even when faced with a weakened Osial, he felt powerless.
"I wish to become stronger! Strong enough that no god or demon can harm those I want to protect!"
"Then hold this tight."
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind, and Fengshi looked up. His blurred vision saw a golden light enveloping him.
The figure of a warrior wielding a spear appeared before him, extending a black and gold spear towards him.
Fengshi lifted his right hand, grasping the spear.
Feeling divine energy coursing through his hand, the light in Fengshi's eyes brightened.
"Since you vowed to protect, then protect well."
As the figure began to fade, Fengshi bowed deeply. "Yes, Rex Lapis!"
In the outside world, golden light surrounded the exhausted Fengshi. Under the divine power, his life-threatening injuries rapidly healed, though his once-black hair remained white.
Lifting his arm, Fengshi reached into the golden light above him, pulling out a spear.
Having faced death and returned, new power emerged within him.
With the light fading, Fengshi wielded the Staff of Homa, his aura returning to that of a pure warrior.
Above, Osial growled upon seeing the weapon below.
"Morax!!!"
"This is the first strike I've learned after touching the divine. I hope you, a god, can appreciate it."
Fengshi swung his spear calmly, turning to gaze at the vibrant Liyue Harbor under the sunlight, a faint smile on his face.
"I wonder if Chunxiu has taken care of Xiaobao well, considering how timid the child is."
Clenching his fist, Fengshi shouldered the Staff of Homa, muttering to himself, "Still not strong enough. Just one strike and I'm already out of strength."
Behind him, in the split sky and sea of Guyun Stone Forest, the Vortex God's colossal dragon head was cleaved in two, crashing into the divided sea.
Only the sound of crashing waves and disbelief remained.
"A mortal achieving martial godhood?!"
Crack!