On a mountain peak somewhere in Liyue
At this moment, standing atop the peak was a young man with short teal hair streaked with lighter highlights. His expression was solemn, his sharp gaze fixed solely on the turbulent sea below.
His eyes were keen, and the adornments around his brow and eyes gave him an aura unlike that of ordinary beings.
His attire was composed primarily of close-fitting battle wear. The upper garment was white, adorned with cloud-pattern motifs, featuring wide sleeves, flowing tassels at the front, and a trailing hem at the back. He wore dark trousers and dark boots, echoing the ominous, baleful power that clung to him.
Jade like ornaments and ancient patterned trinkets decorated his legs, sleeves, and shoulders. Light armor protected his wrists. Around his neck hung a Bane of All Evil talisman. An illuminated beast tattoo was etched along his right arm. A small incense burner rested at his left hip, while a Yaksha mask hung at his right. At his waist was a snake-patterned amulet.
In his hand, he gripped a green spear. Its blade gleamed with deadly sharpness, and just beneath the spearhead was a structure resembling small wings. Floating near those wings were six shard-like fragments, suspended in midair.
Even a single glance told any mortal that this weapon was anything but ordinary.
This man was one of Liyue Harbor's guardian adepti—one of the Three-Eyed, Five-Manifested Adepti.
The Yaksha General.
Xiao.
Of course, those were nicknames from a past life's game. In this world, no one dared bestow such casual titles upon an adeptus.
The name Xiao was granted by the Geo Archon himself. His true name was Alatus, meaning "Golden scales transform into a dragon; a lone roc soars the heavens."
In Liyue, there were ancient legends about him—stories passed down through millennia in dusty scrolls. But aside from the elderly, few people had ever seen Xiao… or even remembered him.
Xiao's Titles:
Vigilant Yaksha
Conqueror of Demons
Golden-Winged King
One of the Three-Eyed, Five-Manifested Adepti
"Again…"
Xiao could clearly sense who was approaching.
That aura was unmistakably familiar—but hostile.
His brow tightened. It wasn't only that presence; he felt that something else would happen today as well. Whether it would be good or ill, he could not tell.
But judging by the state of Liyue Harbor…
That strange premonition was almost certainly bad.
"Of all times…" Xiao said quietly.
The Lantern Rite was approaching. The sea, once calm, now hid swirling vortices beneath its surface—arrogant, violent, and threatening the mortal realm.
To the adepti, such arrogance was laughable.
Simply put—a clown.
After all, Rex Lapis still presided over Liyue. To dare strike at such a time meant either boundless overconfidence or sheer foolishness.
Bahu was the younger brother of Beisht.
And among their kin, Bahu was the weakest.
His power paled in comparison to Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex, or Osial's consort, Beisht, the lingering might of the vortex.
And Rex Lapis' strength among the Archons was beyond question.
For a single sea monster to attack alone—
Either he was blinded by arrogance, or his head had been smashed against a rock.
Still, Xiao would not underestimate him.
It was possible Bahu had obtained power capable of threatening Liyue.
And more importantly—this was no ordinary foe.
Even diminished, he was still a god-born beast.
---
Osial: Overlord of the Vortex
Beisht: Residual Power of the Vortex
Bahu: Arrogance of the Vortex (Original Character)
---
"The Lantern Rite comes but once a year," Xiao murmured.
"You're not here to admire the sky lanterns… are you?"
The Lantern Rite was the one festival that eased the torment of karmic debt—if only psychologically. Xiao would never tolerate someone disrupting it.
Though he often complained that mortals "filled the sky with glowing junk," in truth, he liked it.
He simply did not understand how to express it.
After speaking, Xiao fell silent.
He stood there, unmoving, rain pounding against his body as if it meant nothing.
He waited.
He would hold the line until the other adepti arrived.
And if the worst came to pass—
Even alone, he would defend Liyue to the end.
---
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
"Ah! This is bad! I can't sell a single discount coupon today!"
Hu Tao stood beneath the eaves, propping her cheek with one hand as she watched rain splash violently against the stone ground.
Truth be told, rain or shine, coffins rarely sold themselves. There were no funerals lately—and no one bought coupons for fun.
"Mr. Zhongli, why aren't you saying anything?" Hu Tao puffed her cheeks and looked at the refined consultant seated across from her.
Zhongli remained silent, calmly sipping his tea.
What a shame. He had planned to listen to a storyteller today… then catch an opera performance… then do some shopping… and perhaps meet a few acquaintances from Snezhnaya.
But an uninvited guest had ruined his schedule.
Still, Zhongli was not displeased.
Unless his people were truly endangered, he would not intervene.
"Mr. Zhongli! Say something!" Hu Tao sighed.
Then, licking her dry lips, she hopped over and sat beside him, grabbing his arm and shaking it vigorously.
"This rain feels wrong—it's full of killing intent! Do you think there'll be business?"
She shook him like a daughter pestering her father.
If he wouldn't answer—
She'd keep shaking.
The tea spilled.
Some splashed onto his trousers.
There went the last of the tea he'd managed to acquire for free.
Perhaps it was time to visit Madame Ping again.
"There is no need for alarm," Zhongli said calmly.
"The adepti—and the God of Contracts—will handle this."
He set the cup down and gracefully produced a handkerchief from nowhere, dabbing at his trousers.
"Oh? If you say so, then it should be fine," Hu Tao nodded seriously.
She trusted Zhongli completely.
Returning to her seat, she propped her cheek again and stared off blankly.
Rain, please stop already! I still need to go out and promote Wangsheng's services… those millions of Mora won't pay themselves…
Of course, she wasn't truly worried. Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was wealthy.
After all—monopoly business was their specialty.
Zhongli, the mysterious consultant invited by Wangsheng, was elegant, knowledgeable beyond measure, and impeccably mannered.
Though his origins were unknown, he understood ritual, law, and cosmic order.
His one flaw—
Every debt he incurred outside was charged to Wangsheng's account.
Which gave Hu Tao constant headaches.
Money wasn't the issue.
Wastefulness was.
---
The Waters Outside Liyue Harbor
ROAR—! ROAR—! ROAR—!
A colossal figure burst from the sea.
A massive, serpentine monster with four heads rose from the depths, its furious roars echoing across Liyue Harbor.
The sound carried pure hatred.
Fear gripped the hearts of the people.
Merchants and civilians near the docks finally saw the creature clearly—
This was no being mortals could confront.
Yet, they did not flee.
Because Liyue had Rex Lapis.
The Millelith formed ranks at the harbor. Though they knew they stood no chance, they would still offer what strength they had.
Another unit evacuated civilians through wind and rain, guiding them away from the battlefield.
Back on the mountain peak
"So you finally show yourself…"
Xiao crossed his arms.
"Bahu, Arrogance of the Vortex."
"To leave the shelter of darkness… you do have some courage."
"But this path ends here."
With those words, Xiao leapt.
He descended from the mountain like a falling star, striking the sea and sending waves skyward.
Yet he did not sink.
He sprinted across the water as though it were solid ground.
Rain lashed against his face, but his gaze never wavered.
Bahu noticed him.
The four heads gathered power, condensing a foul mass of energy in the sky.
Xiao felt no fear.
His left hand swept across his face—
A fearsome Yaksha mask appeared.
Black, blue, and gold.
Brilliant yet solemn.
Eyes wide, fangs bared, horns curved.
The third eye upon the forehead symbolized true sight.
Flame-patterned brows radiated intimidation.
Fifty paces from the beast, Xiao roared—
"Vigilant Yaksha!"
"General Alatus!"
"ENTER THE FORMATION!"