Ningguang stood atop the Jade Chamber, her fingertips shimmering with faint light as a formation activating the Guizhong Ballistas rose beneath her.
The three adepti each took their positions on the ballistas and began operating them. The ballistas contained immense energy, their barrels forming intricate mechanisms before transforming into streaks of energy that bombarded the distant demon god.
Osial, the demon god, let out a mournful howl as several of its tendrils converged toward its center. There, a massive sphere of water, condensed from divine power, suddenly transformed into a beam of light that shot straight into the sky.
"Take cover!"
Xiao's warning rang out just as countless hydro projectiles rained down like a storm upon the formation above the Jade Chamber. The adepti pooled their spiritual energy together, forming a massive protective barrier.
The sound of relentless impacts echoed against the shield, cracks forming but never fully breaking.
The Guizhong Ballistas finished their second charge and unleashed another volley at Osial. This time, the demon god's aura grew feeble, as though it might collapse at any moment.
"Hmph, let this adeptus see how much strength an ancient demon god, suppressed by the Lord of Geo, still possesses!"
Cloud Retainer flapped her wings and scoffed at the demon god before her.
Yet, what happened next left everyone present in utter disbelief—several Abyss Mages appeared above Osial.
"Come, Osial. Your power alone is not enough to destroy Liyue."
"You will not refuse the power of the Abyss."
The Abyss Mages whispered among themselves before chanting in unison. The same black mist that Abby so despised seeped into Osial's body.
In moments, Osial's tendrils turned pitch-black, and the sea around it began to churn violently. In the distance, a colossal tsunami surged forth with overwhelming force, its height enough to submerge all of Liyue.
The sky darkened further as countless waves spiraled around Osial, forming a massive storm over the ocean.
The violent winds made it impossible for anyone to keep their footing. Aether gritted his teeth, bracing himself against the gale. In his vision, the blackened tendrils swelled monstrously, as though a single strike could shatter the Jade Chamber.
But it didn't end there.
The clouds continued to churn as furious lightning suddenly flashed, transforming into a blinding streak that struck the barrier. Just one strike was enough to force the adepti to grunt in unison, blood trickling from their lips. In the distance, Osial's six tendrils all gathered energy.
The first black laser shot forth.
Ningguang reacted swiftly, maneuvering the Jade Chamber to the side—but half of it was sheared off in an instant. The formation shattered, and the adepti barely managed to catch the falling Millelith soldiers and Aether in midair.
Among the frontlines of the Millelith, the demon god's oppressive aura had already crushed their spirits. Despair flickered in their eyes.
This demon god… is simply impossible to defeat.
Even Ningguang and the others could only feel insignificant before such a monstrous entity. For a brief moment, her mind went blank—until she saw the second black laser charging up once more.
Helplessly, she watched as the deadly beam prepared to strike the Jade Chamber.
Then, suddenly—
Rover appeared.
He glanced at the Qixing upon the Jade Chamber before turning to face the terrifying black laser.
At that moment, the wind howled against his clothes, lightning flickered ominously in the darkened sky, and the tsunami continued its devastating advance toward Liyue.
Rover extended his right hand, palm outward, and pushed forward slowly.
In an instant, the power of Spectro unfurled in full force.
The black laser collided with a translucent golden barrier. Rover felt his energy draining rapidly. He raised his other hand, bracing against the laser with both arms—until, finally, he blocked it.
Staggering back, Rover crouched low, teeth clenched, before forcing himself back up.
His expression was calm as he surveyed the apocalyptic scene before him. For the first time, he felt the fragility of life.
He turned his head slightly—Ningguang had already led the others to retreat.
Then, he sensed countless gazes upon him.
The people of Liyue. The Millelith. The Qixing. The adepti. And Aether.
All of them were on the ground, watching him.
Now, he was the only one left who could oppose the demon god.
But he knew—after the previous battles, his strength had yet to fully recover. Blocking that single laser to protect Ningguang and the others had nearly exhausted him. Even Abby, within him, had let out a muffled groan to shield him from the Abyss's corruption.
Then, Osial fired the remaining four lasers straight at Rover.
In that instant, Rover's vision was filled with nothing but overwhelming darkness.
Yet, he still raised his arm, gazing at the two glowing emblems of Anemo and Geo—his last resort.
It seemed he would have to use them now.
"Rover!!!"
Aether's desperate scream tore through the air as he tried to rush forward, only for Paimon to yank him back.
Zhongli set down his teacup. He rose to his feet, the white robes of the Archon War somehow already draped over his shoulders.
Abby emerged, hands on his hips as he patted Rover's shoulder.
"Don't worry. I can absorb it. I'll just need to sleep a little longer this time."
Then—
Silence.
The world fell utterly still.
No more thunder. No more crashing waves. No more howling winds tearing through everything.
Rover turned his head in confusion.
Abby stood before him, just as he always did.
Aether's mouth was open, his hand outstretched as though trying to grasp something.
Below, the Millelith were still locked in combat with the monsters crawling out from the sea.
In their eyes—despair. Defiance. Conviction.
Under the frozen time, the emotions of all living things were laid bare before Rover.
"Rover… long time no see."
At some point, the temporal vortex above the Jade Chamber had formed a black hole.
And from it, a familiar girl stepped forward.
Her white brows arched gently, her eyes curved into crescents as she clasped her hands together, tilting her head with a soft smile.
"Jinhsi?"
"Mhm. The Sentinel awakened Hsi and told her that you had been swept into another world by the temporal currents. So, while recovering, Hsi took it upon herself to build a small house where you disappeared… and waited for your return."
Jinhsi brushed aside a strand of her white hair before lifting her gaze, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Rover as they both looked at Osial.
"Has Rover encountered such a formidable enemy?"
Rover nodded.
Jinhsi smiled again, then took his hand in hers.
Rover could feel the warmth in her palm—the sincerity of her emotions.
The power of Time flowed ceaselessly into his body. To his surprise, this energy felt familiar—as though he had wielded it many times before.
"Do you remember what happened at Mt. Firmament? Back then, you were the Witness who chose to help Hsi. This time… let Hsi be your Witness, and watch your story unfold."
Slowly, Jinhsi released his hand, clasping hers behind her back like a mischievous girl.
"After all… Hsi has always believed in Rover."
Rover froze for a moment, staring at the power of Sequencing in his palm.
Then, he clenched his fist.
Lifting his head, he looked toward the demon god still roaring in the distance—and his lips curled into a calm smile once more.
"I said it before… I will personally send it to its grave!"