Ganyu: I'm Stunned!
Ningguang: I'm Stunned Too!**
Almost the very instant Ningguang announced the start of the Rite of Descension—
The Millelith stationed in all directions immediately sealed off their positions, then took their places beside each incense altar where prayers were to be offered.
As the presiding host, Ningguang stepped forward until she stood before the central altar.
She glanced to either side, then respectfully lit three sticks of sandalwood incense at the ritual table.
Next, she formed a hand seal with practiced ease, guiding the drifting smoke straight up into the heavens.
Smoke that should have dispersed with the slightest breeze instead remained凝聚不散—coiling upward in delicate spirals, drawing the gaze of everyone present.
At the same time, the surrounding altars began to glow with the unique radiance of Geo energy.
The deep golden-yellow light was heavy yet gentle, not dazzling at all—rather, it gave people an indescribable sense of reassurance.
Finally, the deliberately arranged altars formed a flawless Seven-Star formation, merging into a perfect array.
From its center, a massive pillar of light burst skyward, piercing the clouds.
With the divine summoning technique activated, the sky began to change almost instantly.
Thin clouds gathered. Wind and thunder followed.
It was said that clouds follow dragons.
When Morax descended, he often appeared in a half-dragon, half-qilin form. Because of this, the changes in the heavens did not alarm the crowd—instead, anticipation grew stronger.
After all, even if gods loved humanity, demon gods themselves were still calamities to mortals.
Their actions were never purely benevolent, nor were their effects always divine blessings.
"It's coming, it's coming! Lumine, look! There's something moving in the clouds—like a divine carriage or a figure!"
Paimon pointed excitedly at the dark clouds, shouting at the top of her lungs.
The excited little creature bounced in midair, tugging at Lumine's hair.
"I can see it! Stop pulling!"
Suppressing the urge to squash Paimon flat, Lumine also raised her head.
Faint dragon roars echoed from within the clouds. It seemed that before long, they would finally learn whether the Geo Archon was the one responsible for separating her from her brother.
But then—
Ten full minutes passed.
And the Geo Archon still did not reveal himself.
Instead, strange, unfamiliar screeches could be heard from within the clouds.
Slowly, the once-eager crowd grew confused.
Whispers began to spread.
Lumine and Paimon's excitement drained away as well. Listening to the murmurs around them, they too sensed something was wrong.
By all logic, how could something go awry during an event as important as a god's descent?
On the High Platform
A shadow fell over Ningguang's heart.
A bad premonition grew stronger by the second.
Last year, the Geo Archon had descended almost immediately.
This time, nearly an entire incense stick had burned.
Noticing the confusion among the Millelith guards, she said coldly,
"Silence. His Excellency may be delayed by other matters. There is no need for panic."
With Tianquan's authority as reassurance, the crowd and soldiers temporarily calmed down.
But this calm relied purely on her personal prestige.
Once reality revealed itself, words alone would be meaningless.
Among everyone present, the calmest person was undoubtedly Luo Li, standing in the pavilion above.
Ganyu had been a little anxious too—but seeing her teacher standing beside her, utterly composed, her unease completely vanished.
If Teacher is here, what is there to fear?
Noelle glanced at Ganyu and whispered,
"Was it like this before?"
Eula had wanted to ask the same thing, but held back. She silently approved of the maid knight, deciding to postpone revenge for interrupting her time alone with her teacher until ten years later.
Ganyu shook her head blankly.
"It's never been like this before."
As she spoke, she instinctively looked to Luo Li for reassurance.
What use is looking at me?
This is Morax's performance—I'm just here to watch.
Luo Li offered hollow comfort instead.
"Don't worry. There's probably no real danger."
The words hadn't even fully left his mouth when—
A piercing dragon's cry tore through the sky.
Immediately afterward, a massive shadow burst from the clouds, plummeting downward and slamming into the ritual platform.
Tables and offerings were smashed apart.
The ground cracked violently.
Luo Li: "..."
You really chose your timing, huh.
Ganyu covered her mouth in shock, her face draining of color.
"That… that's His Excellency?!"
In that brief instant, she clearly saw the fallen form.
There was no doubt—it was the Geo Archon's incarnation.
Half dragon. Half qilin.
But… how could the Geo Archon fall like this?
Luo Li spared a glance at Ganyu's expression—shock, confusion, disbelief… and a faint hint of denial.
Yujing Terrace Plaza
Ningguang's expression was no better than Ganyu's.
But as a member of the Liyue Qixing, the moment she realized something had gone terribly wrong, she also realized the crushing responsibility now resting on her shoulders.
Suppressing her inner shock, she issued orders instantly.
"The Geo Archon has been assassinated! Seal the area!"
No matter the truth, the scene had to be controlled first.
Whether this was murder or some other cause, the immediate priority was to stabilize the situation.
Without the Geo Archon shielding them, the entire weight of Liyue now pressed down upon the Seven Stars.
Countless problems surged into her mind.
These were matters that never needed consideration when the Geo Archon was alive.
But if he was truly gone… what were they supposed to do?
Ningguang's face darkened—but when she turned back, she reined in all emotion.
"Issue orders to all Millelith! Seal Liyue internally and externally!
Convene the Qixing immediately!
The news of His Excellency's death is to be sealed!
Everyone present is to remain here—no one leaves!
Detain and investigate all recent outsiders to Liyue!"
"Place the entire nation under Level-One Alert!
Anyone who resists—detain them all!"
At a moment like this, only decisive action could minimize chaos.
As for what came next—she would deal with it step by step.
Once the Qixing convened and reached consensus, they could slowly handle the aftermath.
As Ningguang watched the Millelith suppress their shock, herd the crowd, and carry away the Geo Archon's remains, she drew a deep breath and forcibly pushed aside the storm of thoughts growing in her mind.
The Fatui are lurking outside.
The Geo Archon is "assassinated" at this exact moment.
How could such a coincidence exist?
Coupled with reports from Mondstadt—that the Anemo Archon Barbatos's Gnosis had been seized by the Fatui—Ningguang couldn't help but suspect them.
"This truly is… a troubled time."