Keqing rushed over to assist. "Leave him to ."
She was not an Adeptus and lacked the special power needed to channel energy into the formation. She could only do what was within her capabilities.
anwhile, Lumine had more important matters to attend to.
Carefully, Lumine handed the unconscious Mu Yang over to Keqing. Pushing herself up against the wall—though it had been thoroughly shattered—she seed unfazed by any pain.
She glanced at Mu Yang.
"Don't tell ... in the end, it was you who protected again..."
Lumine knew her earlier actions had been reckless. She had a mission to fulfill—dropping the Jade Chamber was her responsibility. Her body was special, capable of simultaneously containing multiple Adeptal energies, including the full power of the Jade Chamber.
But when she saw Mu Yang, too exhausted to dodge Osial's full-force strike, sent flying backward—her body moved before her mind could react. Riding the wind beneath her feet, she leaped and caught him.
Yet, in the end, it seed he had helped her once more...
By now, the Jade Chamber had flown above Guyun Stone Forest. Osial struggled, but having been grievously wounded by Mu Yang and expending his full strength in that last attack, he could do nothing but stand helplessly.
Ningguang and the Adepti completed their formation.
"Traveler, we need your assistance!"
Lumine had no more ti to dwell on Mu Yang. Gripping the Dull Blade, she hurried back to the center of the formation.
"Farewell, my old friend. This parting today is for the sake of a future reunion..."
With those words, Ningguang gathered the entire energy of the Jade Chamber and channeled it into Lumine.
The Adepti, stationed at key points of the formation, unleashed their power. Lumine raised the Dull Blade, now brimming with energy—
And struck the ground.
Heavenly Jade Chamber's Descent!
The overwhelming force exceeded what the floating stones could withstand. The Jade Chamber plumted straight toward Osial's seal.
With his last remaining head, Osial let out a final, mournful roar—
BOOM————
A mushroom cloud rose from the sea. The battle was over.
[Lumine: Taste my road roller!]
[Osial: ORA ORA ORA!]
[Damn, Ningguang's been secretly advancing her tech and playing with nukes?]
[This is the power of money!]
[So hype! So hype!]
[Osial: You're right, it's so hot in here—I'm literally cooked.]
[Ah, so the "Footprints" artwork foreshadowed these two pulling off a massive stunt.]
[Diluc: Is that really what it ant? Unbelievable.]
As the Jade Chamber fell, the Adepti each employed their divine arts.
Ganyu, in a rare display, assud her true form and carried Mu Yang, Keqing, and Lumine on her back. Everyone returned safely to the ground.
[Wow, what a beautiful Cocogoat!]
[Is this Yangu's true form? So gorgeous!]
[Don't change back—I'm totally into this.]
[Furry enthusiast?]
Mu Yang woke up and leaped down from Ganyu's back. Keqing moved to support him, but he waved her off.
"I'm fine."
The group turned their gaze toward Guyun Stone Forest. The flas had died, leaving only thick, billowing smoke. The dark clouds in the sky had dispersed, and sunlight glimred over the now-calm sea.
Paimon, still shaken, murmured, "So... is it finally over?"
The elderly stag, Mountain Shaper, stared at Guyun Stone Forest.
"That sinister, ominous aura has indeed faded."
"The Sigil of Permission's power was never permanent, and now, with the Jade Chamber resealing it beneath Guyun Stone Forest..."
"Even the Vortex God Osial should no longer be able to stir the seas."
Ningguang stepped forward to thank the Adepti for their invaluable aid.
"Had you not coincidentally been here, the future of Liyue Harbor would have been unimaginable..."
Her words were carefully chosen—using "coincidentally" to steer the conversation.
But Cloud Retainer was having none of it and scoffed.
"Cloud Retainer, there's no need to be so confrontational..."
Mada Ping, who had long lived in Yujing Terrace, diated.
"I once heard that when Lady Ningguang first began learning business, she used her very limited inco to fund the construction of the Jade Chamber."
"At first, it was only the size of a room, but through continuous expansion, it beca the grand palace we see today..."
"For her, as a rchant and as a Qixing, it was her spiritual pillar—a reflection of her life's journey."
By bringing this up, Mada Ping emphasized that Ningguang had sacrificed sothing deeply aningful to her for the sake of Liyue. Such a sacrifice surely warranted recognition.
"At the very least, it could have been a bargaining chip in negotiations—that would've been more to my taste."
Though Ningguang phrased it this way, she still thanked Mada Ping for speaking on her behalf.
"Thank you, esteed Adeptus, for your kind words."
"However, we are well aware of the reason for your presence today... and we must still stand firm."
The Adepti hadn't expected Ningguang to remain so resolute. Their attention fixed on her.
"Three thousand seven hundred years... According to records, the contract between the Adepti and Rex Lapis to protect Liyue has lasted over three millennia."
"To this day, Liyue's mountains, rivers, and land remain as unshakable as stone, unchanged from a thousand years ago—a truly remarkable feat."
"But this does not an Liyue is the sa as it was three thousand seven hundred centuries ago."
Ningguang urged the Adepti to shift their protective gaze beyond the land itself—to look closely at the city and its people.
Mountain Shaper was displeased. "Are you questioning our thods of safeguarding Liyue?"
The other Adepti remained uncharacteristically silent.
Truthfully, only Mountain Shaper and Cloud Retainer were particularly vocal.
Moon Carver rarely voiced his opinions.
Xiao remained silent throughout.
Mada Ping, who had watched generations of Liyue's people grow, understood the state of the mortal world and chose a gentler approach.
As for Ganyu—she was the Qixing's secretary, bearing both Adeptus and mortal blood. Silence was her best option now.
And Mu Yang?
Mu Yang: Why ask ? I'm from Chenyu Vale.
Facing Mountain Shaper's pressure, Ningguang stood firm.
"I an no disrespect. I only hope our esteed seniors will reconsider for Liyue's sake."
The great crane spread her wings.
"Hmph. To still address us as 'seniors'—you Qixing juniors are hardly worth ntioning in terms of seniority before ..."
Ningguang did not turn around. Instead, she said quietly:
"This morning, I dread of Rex Lapis."
"Oh?"
"In the dream, I wanted to tell him: 'We of the Qixing, though mortals, also bear a contract.'"
"'Each generation of the Qixing leaves behind sothing worthy of inheritance.'"
"I also wished to tell him that under his guidance, successive generations of the Qixing have strived to survive in the human world, weaving a web of contracts known as 'comrce.'"
Finally, Ningguang said:
"But I said none of this. I only watched him until I awoke..."
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