It was often said that the Crux Fleet's captain, Beidou, had a close relationship with the Tianquan, Ningguang. Some claimed Ningguang was the true power behind the Crux Fleet, secretly funding it.
Both women firmly denied such rumors. Ningguang maintained that she had merely chosen to invest in Beidou as an individual, while Beidou insisted theirs was simply a partnership—there was no superior or subordinate between them.
That said, their relationship was undeniably good.
Still, for Beidou to disembark without heading off for drinks and instead go straight to the Jade Chamber was exceedingly rare.
Ningguang understood her temperament well. If Beidou came directly to the Jade Chamber after docking, it meant something urgent had happened.
Coincidentally, Lu Lin was present as well. The three of them shut themselves in a room and spoke at length.
…
Two more days passed. At last, the day of the Rite of Parting arrived.
The ceremony itself was not grand, but the crowd was enormous. Rex Lapis held an unparalleled position in the hearts of Liyue's people, and everyone wished to see him off one final time.
If not for the limited space at Yujing Terrace, even more would have attended.
Zhongli maintained a solemn expression, completing the entire ritual with Hu Tao and Ying assisting him. Watching from the crowd, Lu Lin couldn't help the twitch at the corner of his eye.
Organizing your own funeral and looking so calm about it… Old Master, you really are one of a kind.
The Adepti present felt similarly. Ordinary people might not recognize Zhongli, but the Adepti had known him for thousands of years. There was no mistaking him—especially since they never truly believed he had been assassinated.
Now they understood. The old Geo Archon simply wanted to retire.
The Rite concluded smoothly. The Exuvia was escorted once more by the Millelith back to the Golden House.
The Golden House was the only mint in all of Teyvat, heavily guarded. Storing the Exuvia there was indeed secure; it had been Ningguang's original hiding place.
Not long after the Exuvia was returned, an orange-haired young man entered the Golden House.
It was none other than the Eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui—Childe, Tartaglia.
He had been searching for the Exuvia's location for some time, but Lu Lin's deliberate suppression of Fatui activity had made it nearly impossible for him to gather information.
Only during the grand Rite, when the Exuvia was publicly displayed and then transported back, did he finally track it down.
"So that's why I couldn't find it—it was hidden here. But such an important place… no guards?" Childe frowned as he stepped inside, ignoring the piles of Mora scattered around.
All Mora in Teyvat originated here. This should have been Liyue's most heavily defended site.
His instincts warned him something was off. But he had seen the Exuvia enter this place with his own eyes. To obtain the Gnosis, even if it were a dragon's lair or tiger's den, he would venture in.
"You've come, as expected, Harbinger of the Fatui—Lord Childe."
A clear, confident voice rang out.
A strikingly handsome young man stood calmly in the center of the hall. Beside him lay the Exuvia Childe had been seeking.
"You? We met at Yujing Terrace. Who are you?" Childe recognized Lu Lin but knew nothing about him.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lu Lin. I've heard Lord Childe enjoys 'battle,' so I've come to seek your guidance."
"Oh? Even that you know? It seems you understand me quite well." Alarm bells rang in Childe's mind.
It was dangerous for an enemy to know so much about him while he knew nothing in return.
"I know you've been searching for the Exuvia. It's right here. If you want it, come and take it."
"Good! Just as I hoped!"
Childe, ever battle-hungry, drew his weapons immediately.
Lu Lin's blade flashed from its sheath as he lunged forward. The two collided fiercely.
This battle had been intentional—Lu Lin sought to test the results of his recent special training.
Though Keqing and Ganyu had sparred earnestly with him, they were close allies. It had never been a true life-or-death struggle. To accurately gauge his strength, he needed a real opponent.
Childe was perfect.
After the Rite, Childe coming to the Golden House was inevitable. As a Harbinger personally tracking the Exuvia, the Millelith could not completely conceal their movements.
Lu Lin had decided to fight him head-on.
With the system's enhancements, mastery of Cryo, Pyro, Geo, and Electro elements, and training from both Ganyu and Keqing, he was no longer the same as before.
But Childe was a Harbinger, disciple of the mysterious Skirk. His combat prowess was formidable.
The clash was intense.
At first, Lu Lin was inevitably at a disadvantage. He lacked real life-and-death combat experience. Against Childe, a seasoned warrior, merely holding his ground was already impressive.
But the disadvantage was temporary.
With [Innate Insight], Lu Lin's comprehension was unparalleled. Every strike that failed to kill him became fuel for growth.
After nearly half an hour of battle, Childe began to sense something was wrong.
Why is he getting stronger?
Realizing he couldn't drag this out, Childe launched a fierce offensive to force Lu Lin back, then seized the opportunity to dash to the Exuvia and reach inside.
Nothing.
The Gnosis he expected was not there.
He spun around sharply. "You're playing games with me?"
"I'm not. The Exuvia hasn't been touched. It simply never contained what you were looking for," Lu Lin replied calmly.
"Ha. As if I'd believe you!"
Childe sneered and activated his Foul Legacy transformation.
It was his final—and most dangerous—measure.
Lu Lin showed no fear and advanced with his sword. Their clash resumed.
This time, however, it was no longer one-sided. They fell into a stalemate.
Lu Lin lacked experience—not power. Now that the gap in experience had closed, he no longer feared Childe's transformed state.
Foul Legacy placed tremendous strain on the body and couldn't be sustained long. Eventually, Lu Lin seized an opening and struck decisively, forcing Childe back to his normal form.
"Well, well. I didn't expect Liyue to have someone like you. This trip wasn't wasted," Childe said, breathing heavily.
"You flatter me," Lu Lin replied lightly.
"But do you think this is over? I never intended to drag innocents into this… but at this point, Her Majesty's mission must be fulfilled."
Childe raised his hand. Five counterfeit Talismans of the Exorcising Seal appeared.
"My original backup plan was to use a large batch of counterfeit talismans to awaken Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex, sealed at Guyun Stone Forest.
"I didn't expect you to destroy the Yanshang Teahouse and confiscate them all. Only these five remain—insufficient to break the Geo Archon's seal alone.
"Fortunately, I have another method. Have you heard of Baqiu?"
"Baqiu… the wife of Osial, the Vortex Overlord?" Lu Lin frowned.
"Exactly. I contacted Baqiu in the deep sea. With the two of us combined—and these five talismans—it will be enough to break the seal."
With a flick of his fingers, the talismans dissolved into the air.
At the same time, an ominous, violent aura surged from the direction of the deep sea.
The demon god Baqiu had arrived.
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