Jade Chamber.
"Rex Lapis has responded.
He says he understands the situation—and is already on his way to Jueyun Karst."
Ningguang opened her eyes, relaying the Archon's message to everyone present.
"He's already gone…? I wonder how this will end…"
For reasons she herself couldn't explain, a faint unease swelled within Keqing.
Not because she doubted the strength of the Geo Archon—but because of what Jean had described.
That white-haired girl was terrifyingly powerful, defeating Barbatos without even using her full strength.
No such opponent could be taken lightly.
If Rex Lapis were to fall… Keqing didn't dare imagine what Liyue would face.
"We must trust in the Archon's might.
But… Keqing, go prepare evacuation plans for the civilians."
Ningguang's voice was steady, but her brows were tense.
"Jueyun Karst is some distance away, but I'd rather not take chances."
"And you? What are you planning to do?"
Keqing asked sharply.
"Me? Regardless of anything else, this is Liyue's common enemy.
I cannot allow the Archon to face danger alone.
I'm going to witness the situation myself—and, if necessary, signal you when to begin evacuations."
"Since when have you become someone who personally takes risks?" Keqing frowned.
"Don't tell me you don't know your own limits. What can you even do there?"
"Taking risks is not my habit," Ningguang admitted calmly.
"But in a crisis like this, I refuse to sit and wait for news.
I prefer to grasp control with my own hands.
I know I'm insignificant compared to the beings involved…
but the outcome of this battle will determine Liyue's fate.
I must see it with my own eyes."
Keqing clenched her fists.
"You think you're the only one who feels that way? I also—"
"Please… both of you, calm down."
Jean stepped between them, desperate to prevent another argument.
"Even if your Archon loses, that girl may not necessarily harm Liyue.
She seems… interested in the battle itself, not destruction.
She didn't harm Mondstadt civilians."
Her voice softened the tension for a moment.
"Seven Stars—what calamity has befallen Rex Lapis?
Why did he command us to assist you in guarding Liyue?
Where is he now?"
A deep voice boomed from afar.
Keqing froze.
She recognized that voice immediately—Moon Carver.
Turning, she saw Moon Carver descending from the sky… and behind him, Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, and a line of Adepti.
"The Adepti…?"
"You mean to say Rex Lapis did not tell you anything?"
Ningguang asked, surprised.
"No.
He merely commanded us to gather in Liyue at once—
to aid the Qixing in defending the region.
He said… we must not trouble the Qixing,
and that a new order would one day arise."
Cloud Retainer's tone carried rare unease.
It was as if the Geo Archon had been… giving final instructions.
But they could no longer contact Him afterward.
So the Adepti had rushed here immediately.
Jean and her group exchanged uneasy glances.
This situation was far worse than they'd expected.
"We learned the details from the Mondstadt envoy."
Ningguang explained.
"A girl of immense power attacked Mondstadt.
Even their Anemo Archon fell to her.
After defeating him, she demanded they relay a challenge to Rex Lapis.
She waits for him now—at Jueyun Karst."
"Outrageous!
To dare challenge the Lord of Geo!"
Moon Carver's anger erupted instantly.
He had followed Morax for countless years; never had he heard of such arrogance.
"Do not be careless," Cloud Retainer warned.
"If she defeated Barbatos, her strength is no trivial matter.
And Rex Lapis's message… was strange."
"Indeed."
Mountain Shaper nodded.
"The Archon War ended a millennium ago.
The Seven emerged as victors—
the defeated were slain or driven into the dark seas.
How can such an adversary still walk Teyvat?"
"There must be something more."
"Enough speculation," Mountain Shaper declared.
"I propose that the Conqueror of Demons and Moon Carver go to Jueyun Karst first.
The rest shall remain here to aid the Qixing,
lest our absence be exploited."
Ningguang saw the moment and spoke:
"My honored Adepti, I have a proposal…"
Mondstadt attacked.
Barbatos defeated.
A mysterious girl…
A dragon battle…
The Mondstadt envoys arriving at Liyue.
The Adepti summoned.
Chaos brewing everywhere…
Inside the Northland Bank, Childe stared at the intelligence reports one after another, brows knit.
These were not ordinary events.
Each one alone could shake nations—
but now they all happened together.
They had to be connected.
Meaning… the mysterious girl had come to Liyue.
And yet Liyue Harbor remained strangely calm.
If she's here… then perhaps…
A wicked thought flashed through his mind.
"Lord Childe, new information."
"Speak."
"The Jade Chamber has left the skies above Liyue Harbor.
It's flying toward Mt. Tianheng.
Destination unknown."
"…I see.
Prepare to depart. I'll follow it myself."
The perfect opportunity.
If Rex Lapis faced this mysterious girl…
and both sides were wounded…
he might just seize the Geo Gnosis.
Dangerous? Certainly.
But for Childe, danger was half the fun.
"Lord Childe," his agent added carefully,
"Lady Signora of Mondstadt has begun preparing to steal Barbatos's Gnosis amid the chaos. Should we—"
"Why do you think I'm leaving?"
Childe grinned sharply.
He had no intention of missing this feast.
"Yes, my lord. My apologies."
"Keep gathering intel.
If you perform well, the credit will be yours."
The agent bowed deeply.
Childe stepped out of the bank.
Achoo!
"…Who's cursing me?
Or is Bella thinking about me?
Wait—why am I even sneezing?"
Standing atop the highest point of Jueyun Karst, Sumor suddenly sneezed and frowned.
"Queen, I have something to report."
Bella's voice echoed in Sumor's head.
"What is it?"
Sumor kept Bella locked in combat with Barbatos and Dvalin—
the less witnesses for his fight with Morax, the better.
"There is a human skulking nearby, spying on us.
Please give your command."
A human? Mondstadt again? Or someone from Liyue…?
"Ignore him."
Sumor waved dismissively.
"Just keep those two busy.
If the human interferes, beat him senseless."
"As you command, my Queen."
Sumor cut the connection—
—and immediately sensed it.
A powerful aura, ancient and vast, had arrived.
"Oh?
Finally."
…He truly came.
Zhongli—clad not as "consultant" but in the ceremonial, hooded attire that mirrored his own statues—stood below, looking up at the white-haired figure atop the peak.
Long-buried memories stirred within him.
It was as though he was seeing the ruins of Khaenri'ah all over again.
Why… does that "Morax" feel familiar…?
Sumor frowned slightly.
He didn't recognize the face—
but something about him felt like déjà vu.
"This matter concerns me alone," Zhongli said quietly.
"No other in Liyue is involved."
"Indeed.
This has nothing to do with anyone else.
The rest are but insects—
not worth a single glance."
Sumor found it ironic that even now, Morax thought about his people.
But he had no interest in them.
Only Morax was qualified to fight him.
"I am prepared."
Zhongli exhaled.
The Adepti would arrive soon—he could not reveal Teyvat's forbidden truths before them.
If anything, he was grateful the "Heavenly Principle" chose this place.
"Your weapon?"
Sumor tilted his head.
"You intend to fight me bare-handed?
Or do you believe yourself superior?"
Zhongli: "…"
By rational standards, he had heard the words correctly.
Yet… this was not at all what he expected Heaven's Will to say.
What in the world was Teyvat's overseer plotting?
"Hurry up—stop standing there dazed."
Sumor's voice chilled.
Morax hadn't even drawn a weapon—
did he look that easy to defeat?
His finger twitched—
—a rain of Void Lances erupted from the air, sealing every direction of escape.
Each spear carried the power of dimensional distortion.
Simultaneously, Sumor vanished and reappeared above Zhongli, heel crashing down.
BOOM—!
A massive crater split open the earth.
Sumor floated up from the pit, hands clasped behind his back, looking down coldly at Zhongli, who now stood far away.
"I heard mortals call small, filthy creatures 'rats,' yes?
Is that what you're imitating, Morax?"
He hadn't expected the Geo Archon to evade so swiftly—
sinking the ground beneath him to slip through the barrage.
"Heavenly Principle.
Your meaning is…
if my battle satisfies you,
you will not pursue the matter further?"
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