Just minutes ago, Beisht had been roaring across the sea.
But now, before everyone's eyes, she dissolved into pure elemental energy, returning to the ocean.
From start to finish, not a single adeptus had made a move. The Qianyan Army hadn't lifted a finger either.
Under the coordinated assault of the dragon flock, Beisht hadn't even gotten a chance to fight back.
Though the dragons' attack was sudden, that didn't mean Beisht would've been able to launch a proper counterattack even if she'd been prepared.
At most, she might have lasted a little longer.
A single dragon, on its own, might not have been her match— After all, she was a being bordering on the level of a demon god.
But as the saying goes, "enough ants can kill an elephant."
And these dragons? They were no ants.
Under such overwhelming assault, Beisht couldn't even make a ripple.
The dragon flock returned to the skies surrounding the Jade Chamber, resuming their majestic formation.
Even those like Ningguang, who had already speculated on the dragons' power and seen some of it in action, were still stunned.
Let alone those who had never before witnessed their fury.
Mooncarver gazed at the varied forms of the dragons in awe.
"Besides the four familiar elements, the other four... I don't understand at all. I've never seen anything like them." "These dragons are simply too powerful… Even during the ancient Archon War, they would've been top-tier forces among the adepti."
At the very least, Mooncarver didn't believe he could survive an attack from so many dragons at once.
"Good… truly good…"
Madam Ping remained silent for a moment, then began clapping, her eyes filled with genuine satisfaction.
"Liyue now has its own supreme power—its own ultimate strength. Looks like we old folks can truly relax and enjoy our retirement."
Ningguang chuckled softly and said warmly:
"Come now, Madam Ping, don't say that. You're still young at heart!" "But if you really do want to enjoy life in peace, once this whole affair is over, you should come with us. The Geo Archon will be there too."
That had already been part of Madam Ping's plan, so she naturally did not refuse Ningguang's invitation.
Seeing the elder adepti agree, Ningguang exchanged a pleased glance with Ryen.
The expansion of the MC world needed to continue into new regions.
But relying solely on Ryen and his companions was too slow.
Ningguang had already planned to recruit others: some would guard the base, while others would lead the Qianyan Army to expand their reach.
If the adepti were willing to help, that would be even better.
Beidou, still in a daze, stared at the dragons circling overhead. After a moment of silence, she turned to Ningguang.
"Ningguang… these dragons…"
Ningguang smiled knowingly—she had expected this question.
These were combat forces on par with the adepti, and there were over twenty of them at once.
Even if all the adepti in Liyue returned at once, there probably still wouldn't be as many as these dragons.
And among the adepti, not all were extremely powerful. Only a few could battle a dragon one-on-one and come out victorious.
Ningguang gestured gently, and the Aether Dragon she had contracted changed direction and swooped down, landing in the middle of the Jade Chamber plaza.
She stepped forward and gently patted the Aether Dragon's head.
The dragon's huge eyes were filled with affection.
"Ningguang! How can you treat a being like that—like it's just a pet…!"
Beidou moved to intervene. After all, these dragons were akin to divine creatures. To treat them like pets in front of the adepti—it felt like an insult.
Even Mooncarver and the others looked a little awkward.
But Ningguang simply laughed.
"These dragons aren't adepti. They aren't particularly intelligent—they're just incredibly strong." "They're our raised companion dragons. In other words, all of us are… dragon riders."
She pulled out a fish and fed it to the Aether Dragon, who happily wagged its massive tail, stirring up powerful gusts of wind.
Once the dragon finished eating, Ningguang patted its side, and it took off again, soaring away from the Jade Chamber.
In recent times, these dragons had been fostered in Teyvat, and perhaps due to the world's nourishing laws, they were growing even larger.
Ningguang turned with a bright smile toward the adepti.
"Oh, and if any of you would like, you can raise one as well. Obtaining dragon eggs is no longer that difficult."
Moon Carver's eyes lit up.
A sudden image entered his mind—him riding a dragon nearly equal to his own strength.
The excitement was immediate.
"Is… is that true?"
He blurted out, and Ningguang smiled and replied:
"Of course. It's standard now. Venti is already raising two dragons."
Hearing his name, the already half-drunk Venti let out a hiccup.
"Hehe! Draaagons~! They're so well-behaved! My Big Dragon and Little Dragon are much more obedient than Dvalin ever was!"
Seeing Venti in full drunken mode, Jean and the others sighed quietly.
This is our Anemo Archon…
"Well then, we won't refuse. Honestly, riding a dragon does sound like a wonderful experience."
Mooncarver laughed heartily, but then unexpectedly sighed with sorrow.
"If only we had these dragons during the Archon War… So many of our old friends wouldn't have had to die…"
As he spoke, he glanced at the Totem of Undying strapped to his waist, his face darkening.
Forget dragons.
If they had even just Totems of Undying back then, many of the adepti could've survived.
The Archon War wouldn't have dragged on for centuries.
With immortality in hand, even an adeptus would've dared to challenge a demon god.
After all… you couldn't die.
The group didn't linger too long on such a heavy topic.
With laughter and casual conversation, they urged the Jade Chamber to continue flying toward Osial.
Beidou couldn't help but look enviously at the dragons flying overhead.
Sure, she'd always walked the path of the sea captain…
But hey—no one ever said a captain can't ride a dragon!
With a dragon like that by her side, the Death Omen Star's voyages would become far safer.
Still, Beidou said nothing further. Given her relationship with Ningguang, as long as she asked, Ningguang would almost certainly bring her to that mysterious world.
The scene of the dragon flock crushing Beisht had been precisely broadcast by the Tianyan System.
The whole of Liyue Harbor watched it unfold.
Only then did people realize: These dragons were each on par with the adepti.
"So... are these dragons hidden adepti from Liyue?"
Tartaglia frowned slightly. He had to admit, the dragons' combat strength even made him feel uneasy.
And the key part? These dragons could coordinate and attack in groups.
"Not necessarily."
Rosalyn shook her head gently and replied:
"These dragons seem to resemble the wolves we encountered before. They're not native to Teyvat. If anything, rather than adepti… they're more like pets."
"Pets?!"
Tartaglia was stunned.
"These dragons… are pets? Is there a way to get one? No—two! One for me to ride, and one to send home to protect Teucer and the others!"
Rosalyn gave him a side-eye, her voice dripping with disdain:
"What a ridiculous fantasy. Why would Liyue ever give something like this to you?"
"Still gotta try, right?"
Tartaglia chuckled and spread his hands casually.
"Isn't Her Majesty the Tsaritsa arriving soon? If a real collaboration gets going, maybe we'll have a shot."
Rosalyn didn't respond further.
The power of the dragon flock had genuinely startled her. But sea monsters, the Fatui vanguard, even Beisht...
None of them were the real threat this time.
The true problem… was always Osial.
Out at sea—
Perhaps enraged by Beisht's death, Osial exploded into fury.
The ocean, which had gone eerily still, now churned as an overwhelming tide of elemental energy surged into him.
And then, in the depths of every heart, came the sound— A faint, eerie shatter.
Osial… had broken free!
The next moment, the entire sea heaved upward.
Sky-piercing waves roared toward the heavens. From the once-still waters, whirlpools swirled into a frenzy, attempting to swallow the warships whole.
But because of the laws of the Minecraft World, even if those whirlpools could engulf the Jade Chamber…
The warships beneath remained steady as ever.
"Morax! Liyue!!"
Osial's furious roar echoed across the horizon, shaking all of Liyue Harbor.
The aura of a true demon god warped the very heavens.
On the Jade Chamber, the mood turned somber.
They could scoff at sea beasts. They could dismiss Beisht.
But this was Osial—a lifeform beyond conventional measure. An ascended being. A true demon god.
Even a horde of dragons, no matter how powerful, could barely scratch him.
A demon god is always a demon god.
Even those who approached godhood… could never defy one.
Everyone rose and moved to the edge of the Jade Chamber, gazing solemnly toward Osial.
"The final battle…"
Keqing murmured, eyes hardening with resolve.
"We must usher in the Age of Mortal Rule. Osial… must die!"
The adepti exchanged glances, their expressions bitter.
"If Osial were still sealed… we could help suppress him. But now…"
"If the Geo Archon does not intervene, then you must kill him yourselves. We… can't help much."
So long as Osial remained sealed, even while resisting the seal and lashing out with power, he could still be suppressed— After all, Zhongli's seal wasn't weak.
But now?
It was simple: Either Osial dies… Or Liyue fails its trial, and Zhongli intervenes, voiding the mortal rule.
Would Liyue be destroyed by Osial?
Unlikely.
Let's not forget—on the Jade Chamber were both Ryen and Venti.
Both of them could easily suppress Osial.
But if they intervened, it would be no different than Zhongli stepping in.
It would prove that Liyue still lacked the power to stand on its own.
Killing a demon god… without any demon god-level fighters on your side…
Was no small task.
Yet Ningguang remained full of confidence. She raised her hand.
"Liyue's rise to mortal rule is inevitable. Nothing will stop it!"
"Qianyan Army, hear my order! Redstone Cannons — activate! RPGs — target lock engaged!"
On the warships below, the Qianyan soldiers straightened, their faces serious.
Since setting out on this mission, this was the first time they were finally about to unleash their true strength.
If the enchantments, potions, beacons, and even the dragons were considered mid-tier weapons...
Then the Jade Chamber and the Redstone-powered warships were the true trump cards.
One after another, launch handles were locked into place. The Qianyan troops swapped their gear for RPGs and light machine guns.
The Jade Chamber slowly adjusted its position.
Two Redstone Siege Cannons, and four long-range multi-barrel Redstone bombardment launchers, were all aimed directly at Osial.
Osial, controlling a massive whirlpool, hurtled toward them with terrifying speed.
Back in Liyue Harbor, everyone held their breath, hands sweaty, eyes locked on the surveillance screens.
Ningguang didn't panic. She recalled everything Liyue had achieved over the past two months.
There was no unease in her heart. Liyue… was strong enough now.
All that remained was to kill Osial, and forge unshakable confidence in Liyue's mortal-led future.
Her thoughts ran deep— But Osial was even faster.
In the blink of an eye, he had closed to 300 meters from the Jade Chamber and the warships.
They were now within his range.
And likewise—
He was within theirs.
Ningguang's eyes narrowed sharply. She raised her hand and gave the command.
"FIRE!!"
~~----------------------
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