"So, um…how exactly are we supposed to fight a god?"
On the Jade Chamber's platform, Paimon nervously glanced at the adepti around her, scratching her head uncertainly.
"With this adeptus' newly forged Guizhong Ballista, of course," Cloud Retainer declared confidently, flapping her wings as she landed gracefully onto the platform.
Her newly-made ballista was already complete. With a wave of her wing, the device instantly linked into the Jade Chamber's existing weapon systems.
"But…can we really win?" Paimon still sounded unsure.
Ningguang shook her head slightly. "Not necessarily."
She stepped forward, gazing at the distant beast rising from the ocean. "It's been two thousand years since the Millelith and Qixing last faced a god. Even with the adepti's assistance, defeating this deity may still be beyond our power."
"But even so, we can't simply wait for death to arrive!"
The Jade Chamber swiftly soared toward the open sea, positioning itself before Osial.
At this close distance, the god's presence became terrifyingly intense.
Jiang Bai and Millelith soldiers quickly assembled. Ningguang rose into midair, golden radiance swirling in her hands, spreading out to envelop the entire Jade Chamber.
"Activate!"
At her command, mechanisms atop the Jade Chamber sprang to life, creating a massive platform. Several extraordinary Guizhong Ballistas emerged upon it.
"Esteemed adepti, please lend us your divine power!"
Several adepti soared upward, landing atop the ballistas, while others stood in place, steadily channeling energy into the devices.
Dark clouds blanketed the sky, monstrous waves churned violently. In front of the towering deity, the Jade Chamber appeared as insignificant as a tiny bird.
Yet this tiny bird shone with brilliance strong enough to force even a god's attention.
Under Ningguang's control, arrows formed from adeptal energy fired unceasingly from the ballistas, striking Osial's massive body.
Feeling sharp pain, the god's multiple heads screeched angrily. Its march toward Liyue Harbor halted, countless eyes focusing fiercely upon the Jade Chamber.
"Yes! It's working!" Paimon pumped her tiny fist in excitement.
Sitting exhausted beneath the eaves, Jiang Bai sighed in relief. After two intense battles, he had no strength left to help.
If the ballistas worked, great—but he feared things wouldn't be this simple.
He worried the Fatui might interfere. After all, they'd freed Osial specifically to force out the Geo Archon. If the Jade Chamber successfully suppressed Osial, their entire plan would fail.
But then again, maybe he was worrying too much.
The Jade Chamber hovered high above; even the Fatui couldn't stop it now, could they?
Just as Jiang Bai reassured himself, dark whirlpools suddenly appeared across the Jade Chamber's platform. Armed Fatui soldiers poured out, weapons blazing!
"What the heck?! They can even do this?!"
Jiang Bai's jaw nearly hit the floor from shock.
I knew you Fatui were strong—but how did you manage to teleport up here?! Isn't this teleportation nonsense a bit too unreasonable?!
"Oh no! The Fatui are headed for the ballistas!" Paimon shouted anxiously.
"All Millelith soldiers, follow me into battle! Protect the ballistas at all costs!" Keqing's sword flashed coldly as she charged directly toward the nearest Fatui.
Aether also drew his sword, immediately joining the fray.
Xiao calmly observed everything, continuing to channel adeptal energy into the ballista without moving.
The other adepti similarly held their ground. They had built and empowered the new ballistas, but the rest was now up to the people themselves.
Liyue wished to govern itself—so now they'd see exactly how far mortal strength could reach.
Fatui soldiers continuously emerged through the portals, relentlessly attacking the ballistas without hesitation.
After unleashing a god against Liyue, their diplomatic facade was completely shattered. Disguises were pointless now.
Keqing's blade danced mercilessly, each stroke deadly.
Anyone obstructing their battle against this god was now an enemy of all Liyue—deserving no mercy!
The Millelith clashed brutally with the Fatui soldiers. Neither side held back, blood staining the Jade Chamber's platform red.
"After this is over, not one diplomat from Snezhnaya will leave here freely," Ningguang's expression turned chilling as she surveyed the bloody chaos below.
Jiang Bai watched clearly—faced with Fatui wielding elemental weapons, the spear-wielding Millelith struggled greatly.
The heavy rain further empowered the large Cryo Fatui gunners, their ice attacks devastating amidst the storm, slowing Millelith troops wherever they struck.
Jiang Bai snapped his fingers, golden shields forming around every Millelith soldier on the platform.
The shields couldn't block everything, but at least they'd reduce casualties somewhat.
After shielding the troops, Jiang Bai's already scarce mental strength utterly drained away. Fatigue surged through him, nearly overwhelming him with the urge to collapse right there.
He forced himself awake, continuing to monitor the battlefield.
With shield protection, the Millelith offensive became noticeably fiercer.
Combined with Aether and Keqing's immense power, the Fatui were momentarily driven back.
Osial, however, cared little for the petty conflict atop the small insect before him. Opening massive jaws wide, divine energy gathered in the air, and an immense blast surged straight toward the Jade Chamber.
"Careful! It's Osial's divine energy!" Xiao warned sharply.
Ningguang quickly changed hand gestures, activating a huge protective barrier around the Jade Chamber.
Boom—!
The shield trembled violently under the god's devastating assault, rippling like water—but ultimately holding.
Ningguang's face turned grave. The shield could withstand only so many strikes. A few more, and it would surely shatter.
The ballistas' attacks continued nonstop, adeptal energy endlessly surging within.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Powerful shots battered Osial relentlessly. In response, the enraged god's gathered attacks became even more horrifying.
The sea churned violently, waves climbing ever higher, yet each tsunami that threatened to submerge the entire harbor was blocked entirely by Liyue's protective shield.
Protected safely beneath their barrier, the people of Liyue Harbor watched enormous waves roll harmlessly overhead, like a city trapped securely inside a giant glass dome.
Outside the barrier, the Jade Chamber clashed violently against a god.
This breathtaking scene would forever remain etched in the memories of every Liyue citizen.
...
Far away, Zhongli and Venti stood beside an upper-story window, silently watching the distant battle between the Jade Chamber and Osial.
Venti leaned his elbow against the window ledge, chin resting in his palm, tilting his head slightly toward Zhongli. "Old man, do you think the Jade Chamber can really suppress Osial once again?"
"I cannot say," Zhongli replied quietly.
"And if they fail?"
Hands clasped behind his back, Zhongli gazed calmly toward the distant struggle, betraying no hint of anxiety.
"The seal at Guyun Stone Forest is not destroyed, merely temporarily opened. Once the seal restores itself, Osial will naturally be restrained again. Of course, that assumes the Jade Chamber can hold out long enough for the seal to recover…"
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