Liyue Harbor, Chihu Rock.
Inside Wanmin Restaurant, a bright lamp dispelled the darkness, illuminating the surroundings. Hiroshi, with a glimmer of spiritual light in his eyes, looked at the massive Vortex God beneath the waters of Guyun Stone Forest, frowning as he turned to Zhongli.
"Why is that thing out? Wasn't the seal supposed to only be temporarily loosened?"
Zhongli took a sip from his teacup, calmly looking at Hiroshi without a word.
Seeing Zhongli staring at him, Hiroshi scratched his cheek and asked awkwardly, "Why are you looking at me? Don't tell me it's my fault?!"
"The stone spear that sealed Osial, the Vortex God, was damaged by a bomb thrown by your friend Klee, creating a large crack. The Hundred Unforged Talisman used part of its stored divine power to repair the damage."
"Then your fishing friend Kazuma Satou tossed a hook with a strange foreign dispelling property into the sealing space, hooking Osial's body. He ended up breaking the line, leaving the hook in Osial's mouth."
"Uh, well..." Hiroshi turned to glance at Klee and Qiqi, who were lying on the windowsill watching the water dragons rising far away in the sea. He looked back at Zhongli, embarrassed. "I didn't think they'd cause so much trouble in such a short time while I was gone."
"Should I just step in now?"
"No need." Zhongli gazed into the distance, speaking softly. "For now, Osial's true body has not fully escaped the seal. It's still under my trial."
"Got it."
Boom!
With a quick twist, Xiao dodged the lunging dragon head, his body surrounded by blue wind as he lifted his spear and transformed into a streak of light that pierced the massive blue dragon.
Thud!
With a muffled sound, the green light pierced through the dragon's body. Suspended in mid-air, Xiao looked down as the dragon fell back into the sea, quickly healing its wounds, a heavy expression on his face.
Nearby, Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper each engaged one of the dragons, their battles relentless.
Below, amidst the rocky mountain formed by the combined aura of the Nightwalker Army, Fengshi raised his spear, roaring as the huge dragon head swooped down. He thrust his spear fiercely.
"Rock Strike!"
The soldiers of the Nightwalker Army, who were synchronized with Fengshi's aura, thrust their spears simultaneously.
Thousands of spear lights merged into one, transforming into a golden glow that instantly severed the dragon's head.
"Roar!"
A furious roar echoed from beneath the sea, and a tremendous wave of energy erupted from the downed dragons, instantly healing their wounds.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
One after another, thunderous noises rang out as the four dragon heads converged, their mouths wide open, gathering blue energy above them.
"This is bad, Osial's beginning to use his divine power," Mountain Shaper said, transforming into a streak of light and rushing toward the converged dragons, trying to interrupt Osial's next move.
Blue light glowing, Xiao pulled out a mask. Holding it in his hand, Xiao glanced back, then put the mask on.
Boom!
Green and black energy surged into the sky, Xiao's body enveloped in centuries of slaughter's karmic debt.
The Yaksha mask, swirling with dark resentment, glowed with teal light. Eyes focused on the enemy, Xiao fully transformed into the Conqueror of Demons, the Guardian Yaksha.
Lifting the blood-soaked spear, Xiao roared as he charged at the water dragons.
Massive energy waves radiated from the battlefield, and a blue vortex began forming in the sky, resembling a new ocean hanging overhead.
Seeing Xiao and Mountain Shaper fighting desperately to interfere with Osial, Moon Carver turned back and shouted, "Is it ready yet?!"
"Almost! Almost!" Cloud Retainer's eyes shone brightly as she rapidly assembled various parts that Granny Ping had created.
Symbols and talismans condensed in the air, imprinting themselves on the nearly assembled Guizhong Ballista.
Amidst the glowing light, three Guizhong Ballistae finally took shape.
Bang!
Xiao, once again attacked by the two dragon heads, looked up at the expanding blue vortex above, his determination growing stronger.
Wielding his spear, a series of dark energy imbued slashes shot out, riddling the dragons with holes.
However, with the continuous divine power flowing from below, the dragons' wounds kept healing, and the energy in the sky grew stronger.
"Return now! It's ready!"
Cloud Retainer's voice called out, and Xiao, after launching another spear strike, turned into a streak of light and returned to the Jade Chamber.
Raising his arm, Xiao slowly removed his mask, his eyes showing fatigue. He turned to look at the newly assembled Guizhong Ballistae.
"Xiao, are you alright?" Moon Carver approached, concerned.
"I'm fine. It's just a minor matter." Xiao shook his head, then looked toward the glowing blue water dragons. "We need to activate the ballistae quickly. Without our interference, Osial will complete his attack soon."
"Alright."
"Xiao, rest for now. Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, and I will operate the ballistae and fight back!"
Nodding, Moon Carver turned and rushed toward the central ballista.
Hovering over the Guizhong Ballista, a steady flow of celestial energy began to pour into the device. Golden light emerged, forming three massive formations in front of the three Adepti.
Hum!
The ballista, resembling a crane, spread its wings, as streams of golden light coalesced into arrows, launching towards the four water dragons in the distance.
The golden rain of arrows bombarded the four dragons, tearing their bodies apart. Golden arrows shot through the dragons, leaving wounds filled with Adepti energy and talismanic power.
"Roar!"
Beneath the water, Osial roared in anger. The divine power that had been gradually healing its body surged up, and Osial, wary of Zhongli, had not used much of its true power before.
But now, with Liyue in turmoil and no sign of Rex Lapis, Osial decided it was time. Only former subordinates and mortals were here to oppose him.
Earlier that day, Osial had faintly heard Liyue's people bidding farewell to their Geo Archon.
No longer hesitating, Osial gathered all its power and unleashed it, the four water dragons roaring in unison before exploding!
Exploding blue energy scattered, rapidly coalescing into a massive magical formation in the sky. A tremendous disturbance spread through the heavens and the earth.
Whistling down from the vortex-like formation above, blue orbs resembling meteors rained down, enveloping the entire Jade Chamber.
With narrowed eyes, Ningguang's golden aura shone brightly, a new formation rapidly forming above the Jade Chamber. She raised her hands, casting a Geo shield that enveloped the entire structure.