"Golden-Winged General! Enter the formation!"
The shout thundered across the battlefield.
When it came to presence alone, Xiao had it completely under control. He charged straight toward Arrogance, killing intent surging without restraint.
Xiao tightened his grip on Primordial Jade Winged-Spear, preparing to launch the first wave of attacks.
He did not dare lower his guard in the slightest.
Even though this was a fallen demonic beast, its strength was still not something to be underestimated.
As Xiao drew closer, Bahu unleashed the power it had been gathering all along, firing it directly toward him with a deafening blast.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Violent explosions erupted beneath the water's surface, sending towering waves skyward like the bloom of mushroom clouds. Seawater crashed violently against the surrounding mountains.
"Ha!"
Xiao shouted sharply. His movements were lightning fast—just as the attack was about to strike him, he leapt upward in a single bound, reaching the same height as Arrogance.
After waiting only a brief moment, he vanished in a flash and reappeared atop one of Bahu's four heads.
The Primordial Jade Winged-Spear plunged down viciously.
Boom!
The instant the spear pierced through, Xiao's adeptal energy erupted in full. With a thunderous explosion, the head he struck detonated in a burst of pale green light.
Roar! Roar! Roar!
The attack was highly effective.
Bahu howled in agony, its cries shaking the heavens as searing pain tore through it.
But it did not fall.
All four heads opened their massive jaws, each condensing a different kind of power before launching their attacks simultaneously toward Xiao.
Because the four energies were not fused together, their destructive power was significantly reduced—but even a single hit would still be devastating.
"Futile resistance!"
Xiao bellowed. His agile form twisted and dodged through the air, narrowly avoiding the attacks.
Seizing the opening, he struck again.
This time, his spear did not target the head, but the area below it.
Xiao poured both adeptal and elemental power into the strike, dragging the spear downward with tremendous force.
The Primordial Jade Winged-Spear carved straight down Bahu's body, ripping open a massive gash beneath one of its heads.
The blow inflicted serious damage—but it was far from enough to defeat Arrogance outright.
Splash!
After tearing open the wound, Xiao sprang back onto the water's surface, instantly retreating to a distance of over twenty body-lengths.
"Huff… huff…"
Xiao breathed heavily. That exchange had drained him considerably.
As expected of a god's kin—even weakened, this monster was not something he could easily handle.
Wiping rainwater from his face, Xiao clenched his teeth and charged once more, spear in hand.
"You will pay for this!"
The battle fell into a deadlock.
All he could do now was hold on until the other adepti arrived.
Before that… he could only hope his adeptal energy did not run dry.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The battle raging across the sea was ferocious.
On land, however, the army could do nothing but watch.
Though they were not directly involved, the Millelith still suffered from the aftermath.
Massive waves generated by the explosions slammed into the harbor, scattering their formation. Fortunately, there were no casualties—only minor injuries.
Keqing clenched her teeth as she commanded the Millelith.
They could not enter the water to fight the beast… and the ships were rendered useless by the surging waves.
This helplessness infuriated her.
After this battle, research into weapons capable of countering such threats would have to be accelerated—no matter the cost.
Just as Keqing frowned and reorganized the formation, a Millelith soldier rushed over and shouted:
"Lady Keqing! The adepti have arrived!"
Hearing this, Keqing looked up.
Above Liyue Harbor, an elevated platform had appeared at some point, upon which stood two cranes and one stag.
They were:
Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and Cloud Retainer.
Before the three adepti stood three immensely powerful Guizhong Ballistae, weapons capable of fully channeling adeptal energy.
---
The Adepti of Liyue (Five Noted Here)
(Excluding the Yaksha and other adepti, these five are introduced first)
Sea Gazer — Perished during the Archon War
Sky Bracer — Perished during the Archon War
Cloud Retainer — One of the Three-Eyed, Five-Manifested Adepti. Fought alongside Rex Lapis a thousand years ago to defend Liyue. Currently resides at Mt. Aocang. (Crane form)
Mountain Shaper — One of the Three-Eyed, Five-Manifested Adepti. Guardian of Liyue. Resides at Mt. Hulao. One of the three adepti who sealed Azhdaha. The stone tablet beneath the Dragon-Queller Tree was erected by him. (Crane form)
Moon Carver — One of the Three-Eyed, Five-Manifested Adepti. Guardian of Liyue. Resides at Jueyun Karst. One of the three adepti who sealed Azhdaha. (Stag form)
---
Seeing the adepti arrive, Keqing felt a trace of dissatisfaction—but with their help needed, she said nothing.
Though she was the least reverent of gods and adepti among the Liyue Qixing, these beings were still protectors of Liyue.
"All Millelith units! Secure the perimeter! Do not allow any suspicious individuals to interfere!"
As for who those "suspicious individuals" were—those who knew, knew.
The Jade Chamber
Ningguang maneuvered the Jade Chamber above the sea, keeping it in constant motion to prevent unforeseen incidents.
Ganyu stood atop the chamber's roof, Amos' Bow in hand, its string drawn to the limit—ready to fire at any moment.
The instant she had summoned the adepti, she had rushed to the Jade Chamber.
Her mind was uncharacteristically clear—nothing like her usual drowsy state.
---
On the Adepti's Platform
"Esteemed Adepti, the Conqueror of Demons is doing his utmost to restrain the arrogance of the vortex. We must cast our arts at once."
Moon Carver stepped forward as his words fell, standing before the Guizhong Ballista and releasing his adeptal energy.
Mountain Shaper and Cloud Retainer followed suit, each moving to their respective ballistae and channeling power into them.
They required several minutes of charging time to unleash the Guizhong Ballistae's full might.
---
In the Distance
The battle upon the sea raged on.
"Huff… huff…"
Xiao gasped for breath, his movements visibly slowing. His adeptal energy was nearly exhausted.
Sensing this, Arrogance prepared to strike again—intent on dragging Xiao into the depths, never to rise again.
But just as it gathered its power, a terrifying aura from afar seized its attention.
Looking up, it saw them.
The Guizhong Ballistae.
Arrogance was shaken.
Its strength was not fully depleted, but more than half had already been drained by the short adeptus before it.
If it were to take a direct hit from those enhanced, fully-powered ballistae…
Death—or at best, catastrophic injury—would be inevitable.
Ignoring Xiao entirely, Arrogance gathered its remaining strength, intent on a final clash with the three adepti.
"Not good!"
Xiao's expression changed instantly.
This monster was going all out.
If that power slipped past the Guizhong Ballistae and struck the civilians behind them—
The explosion would be unimaginable.
It was only because Xiao had been restraining it that Arrogance had failed to attack Liyue Harbor earlier.
But now—
His strength was almost gone.
Damn it.
The three adepti clearly sensed the danger as well—but the Guizhong Ballistae were still charging. They could not fire yet.
Rumble—!
Before Xiao could react, Bahu released its final attack.
Though it was its last, it still retained a small reserve—meant for escape afterward.
Staring at the oncoming devastation, Xiao froze.
His eyes widened.
He had failed…
He had failed to protect Liyue.
Just as everyone believed the attack would shatter the adepti's platform, strike Liyue Harbor, and trigger a catastrophic explosion—
A slender, elegant girl suddenly appeared before the attack.
Judging by her stance—
She intended to take the full force of it head-on.