Above Mt. Tianheng, inside the Jade Chamber, Ningguang and Keqing were hosting the four adepti who had come to Liyue.
"Esteemed adepti, we have shared with you all the information we have gathered regarding the Emperor's demise," Ningguang said as she gave a slight bow. She looked towards the direction of Mondstadt, her expression serious. "Currently, the Fatui from Snezhnaya have been making various suspicious moves across Liyue, and we have also heard that the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt has recently lost his Gnosis to the Eighth Harbinger, La Signora."
She paused, her eyes narrowing. "Not long ago, the Eleventh Harbinger, Childe, also arrived in Liyue Harbor. I believe the Fatui are unlikely to be innocent in the death of Rex Lapis."
"Indeed," Cloud Retainer agreed, turning her gaze towards Liyue Harbor. She sighed softly. "When I first heard of the Emperor's fall, I had resolved that, even if I had to rally all the adepti to suppress Liyue Harbor, I would find the culprit who dared harm him."
"However, today's Rite of Parting made me realize a profound truth. The era of gods and adepti is fading, and the contract between Rex Lapis and us has ended with his departure. Therefore, our way of coexisting with Liyue must change along with the times."
Cloud Retainer looked towards Keqing and Ningguang. "Though you Qixing have not swiftly captured the culprit, you have managed to stabilize Liyue in a very short time, ensuring that the three thousand seven hundred years of effort between us and the people of Liyue did not unravel. We, the adepti, have lived in seclusion for many years and do not fully understand the current Liyue."
Turning back to face her fellow adepti, Cloud Retainer spoke solemnly, "Thus, during our investigation into the Emperor's assassination, we shall follow the reasonable suggestions of the Qixing and avoid acting recklessly, which may destabilize Liyue once more."
"Thank you for your understanding, esteemed adepti." Keqing and Ningguang exchanged glances, a trace of relief visible on their faces. They bowed slightly to the adepti. "In that case, we will return to Liyue Harbor first. We Qixing will do our utmost to assist you in finding the assassin."
"Very well," Cloud Retainer said, nodding in satisfaction. She turned to the other adepti. "Do any of you have other concerns?"
Moon Carver, whose appearance resembled that of a crane with mysterious blue markings, spoke up, "I only hope the Qixing can apprehend and interrogate the Fatui within Liyue as soon as possible. Beyond that, I have no further requests."
Ningguang frowned slightly as she faced Moon Carver. "I hope you can understand, esteemed adeptus. As of now, we lack crucial evidence that links the Fatui directly to this incident, and thus we cannot arrest them. However, I have already ordered the Millelith to monitor every Fatui agent in Liyue Harbor. The situation is beginning to stabilize, and I assure you that we will gather the evidence necessary to bring them to justice."
Moon Carver's wings quivered, and she glanced at Cloud Retainer before sighing softly. "Very well. In light of the efforts you have made to keep Liyue stable amidst the chaos, I shall give you more time."
"Thank you for your patience, adeptus." Ningguang let out a small sigh of relief. "We will return to Liyue to formulate a detailed search plan."
She raised her hand and pointed towards Liyue Harbor, commanding the Jade Chamber to move. The magnificent structure, resembling a giant whale, began to glide gracefully through the sky towards Liyue Harbor.
Suddenly, ominous black clouds formed over Liyue, covering the once-clear sky in a shroud of darkness. Thunder and lightning crackled as bolts of lightning shot towards the Jade Chamber from within the storm.
"What's happening?!" Keqing's eyes flashed with lightning as she sensed the incoming danger. With a wave of her hand, she shattered the oncoming bolts with her own electro power.
Summoning her sword, Keqing turned to Ningguang and the adepti, nodding before striding outside.
Boom!!!
With a creak, Keqing pushed open the door of the Jade Chamber, and the deafening thunder filled her ears. Her rose-colored eyes scanned the surroundings, and all she saw was a sky consumed by dark thunderclouds.
"What's going on?!" Keqing muttered as she stared at the darkened Liyue Harbor below.
"This is Osial, Overlord of the Vortex!" Cloud Retainer's voice rang out beside Keqing. Her gaze was fixed on the colossal water spouts that had formed over Guyun Stone Forest, filled with an unmistakable divine energy. "How is this possible? Wasn't Osial defeated and sealed beneath the sea by Rex Lapis' stone spear two thousand years ago? How could he break free now?!"
"It must be due to the situation over there." Xiao, wielding his Primordial Jade Winged-Spear, was gazing towards the golden glow that surged up from the direction of the Golden House. He frowned. "That is the aura of Rex Lapis' Sigil of Permission. But why is it so intense? The Sigils were always few in number and should have almost all been used up over the past millennia."
"The Sigil of Permission?!" Keqing's eyes widened in realization. She recalled the ancient texts she had read as a child, then turned her gaze towards the Guili Plains.
"It's the Fatui!" Keqing exclaimed. "I remember now! My friend Hiroshi mentioned that when he arrived in Liyue, Klee ended up breaking into some ruin in Guili Plains and captured a Ruin Hunter."
She quickly opened the chat group and found the record from that time. The Ruin Hunter that Klee had captured bore a mark that matched the Sigil of Permission she had seen in her childhood.
"The Ruin Hunter that Klee took a picture of had the Sigil of Permission's marking on it, and I have also recently learned that the Fatui had been seen in that ruin!"
"It truly is the Fatui." Ningguang's gaze shifted towards the Golden House, where new powers were rising. "That's the power of the Eleventh Harbinger, Childe."
Crack! Boom!
With the golden and blue lights surging from the Golden House, the storm clouds grew even darker, spreading rapidly across the sky, descending ominously upon the land.
At Guyun Stone Forest, the seal created by the stone spear thrown by Rex Lapis was rapidly crumbling. In the depths of the ocean, Osial's massive eyes glowed with excitement. Within the golden seal, chains of geo energy began to materialize, binding the enormous form of Osial.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With bursts of the same divine energy mixed with Snezhnaya's icy power raining down from above, the chains restraining Osial temporarily loosened. Filled with excitement, Osial let out a deafening roar. Magic circles originating from another realm appeared, optimizing the power of his divinity and wisdom to completely shatter the weakened chains.
A blue light gathered in Osial's mouth as he released it against the golden seal, causing it to collapse entirely. As the seal shattered, the final remnants of the Sigil of Permission combined with the leftover sealing power, forming four thick chains that clung desperately to Osial as he surged upwards.
"Roar!!!"
Above Guyun Stone Forest, the area began to collapse. Water-elemental dragon heads formed out of the sea, each turning to gaze towards Liyue Harbor. Below the surface, Osial's massive shadow, bound by the four golden chains, swam beneath the waves, gathering his strength for whatever was to come.