Lu Lin didn't bother with Childe anymore. He left the Golden House and looked toward Guyun Stone Forest in the distance.
Dark clouds blanketed the sky. Malevolent energy surged upward like a black pillar piercing the heavens. Massive tentacles thrashed across the ocean surface as two godlike monstrosities emerged from the sea.
The Overlord of the Vortex, Osial — and his wife, Baqiu.
During the Archon War, Osial had been sealed beneath Guyun Stone Forest by the Geo Archon Morax with a colossal stone spear, suppressed for thousands of years. Baqiu had fled to the outer seas and never returned.
Now Baqiu had quietly come back from the deep ocean. Working together with Childe, she helped pry open the seal at Guyun and successfully freed Osial.
After thousands of years of imprisonment, the hatred festering within Osial was unimaginable. Today, that boundless fury would be unleashed upon Liyue's people.
The situation was dire.
Standing behind Lu Lin, Childe spoke with faint satisfaction.
"I don't know whether you took the Gnosis or if the Geo Archon never died in the first place. But facing a crisis capable of destroying Liyue, either the Geo Archon must personally suppress it — or you must use the power of the Gnosis. You have no other choice."
Lu Lin remained calm.
"Why do you think I sent people to destroy your research base at Yanshang Teahouse? Did you think that was an accident?"
Childe's heart tightened.
"You already knew the talismans were meant to awaken Osial?!"
"If I knew you planned to awaken Osial, do you think I'd stop at just destroying the research site?"
With composed steps, Lu Lin walked away. His voice drifted back on the wind.
"Dartaglia, watch carefully — and see the resolve and strength of Liyue's people when defending their homeland."
Tianheng Mountain
The moment Baqiu appeared at sea and the seal broke, the Jade Chamber had already begun moving toward the battlefield.
On the Jade Chamber, Ningguang stood at the front, robes fluttering in the wind. Behind her stood the Adepti and Ying, all wearing grave expressions.
"So that's the Overlord of the Vortex… I can barely breathe just looking at it," Paimon whispered in fear.
"The pressure of an ancient god is not something ordinary people can endure," Ningguang said gravely. "Even among the Millelith, only seasoned elites remain unaffected. This battle will be harder than imagined."
Cloud Retainer observed carefully.
"You all seem unusually prepared."
Since Baqiu's appearance, the Qixing showed no panic. The Millelith moved in disciplined formations, as if expecting this war.
"With the Archon's death, we prepared for potential crises," Ningguang replied. "But we will still need the Adepti's assistance."
"Speak."
"At Tianheng's ancient ruins lie Guizhong Ballistae from ancient times. We repaired them recently. They are ready for your use."
"You mortals repaired Adepti mechanisms?" Cloud Retainer scoffed proudly. "Allow this one to inspect them. With slight modifications, they may evolve beyond your imagination. After all, the original designs were mine."
Moments later, the Jade Chamber's platform unfolded into a luminous combat array. Three Guizhong Ballistae appeared in triangular formation.
Cloud Retainer was stunned after one glance.
"Flawless restoration… Who accomplished this?"
She hadn't expected a mortal to achieve such mastery over Adepti machinery.
"Are they functional?" Mountain Shaper asked.
"Perfect. There's no time to waste."
The three Adepti took control of the ballistae, channeling Adepti energy into them and firing upon Osial.
None of them believed three ballistae alone could defeat two demon gods. One might have been possible. Two was unlikely.
But they were not afraid.
They knew Morax still lived. He would not allow Liyue to fall.
They only needed to try their best.
What happened next shook even them.
Mechanical sounds echoed as two additional rows of ballistae unfolded along both sides of the Jade Chamber.
At Liyue Harbor's shoreline, Keqing directed elite Millelith troops — and behind them stood another line of ballistae.
Out at sea, the Crux Fleet formed a battle line. Each ship carried mounted ballistae.
Cloud Retainer's eyelid twitched.
"Where did you get so many Guizhong Ballistae?!"
Lu Lin stepped onto the Jade Chamber.
"These are my improved designs. They can be powered by elemental-infused ores or directly by Vision holders. Their power is slightly weaker than Adepti-infused versions — but they make up for it in quantity."
All of Liyue's craftsmen had worked day and night to forge these weapons under Lu Lin's direction.
There was no time for further shock.
Osial and Baqiu launched their first attack.
As ancient gods, they sensed the immense threat posed by the mechanical artillery and struck preemptively.
"Engage!" Cloud Retainer shouted.
Lu Lin, Ningguang, Ganyu, Ying, Madame Ping, and Xiao each took control of a ballista.
Brilliant beams of elemental light erupted from every direction, raining down upon the two demon gods.
The dense barrage shattered the incoming tidal assault and inflicted heavy damage.
Their colossal size gave them terrifying presence — but also made them easy targets under such overwhelming firepower.
A few more volleys, and they could be destroyed.
But then—
ROOOAAAR!!!
Baqiu leapt from the sea, shielding Osial with her massive body.
She was his wife. His final follower.
And she did not lack the courage to sacrifice herself.
Countless beams pierced her enormous form. Her life force plummeted rapidly.
With her life, she bought Osial a moment.
Osial seized the chance.
Towering waves surged forth, capsizing the Crux Fleet and flooding the Millelith onshore. His tentacles shattered the Jade Chamber's platform, destroying every ballista.
Thankfully, the Adepti shielded the people in time. There were no casualties.
Baqiu had given her life to eliminate Liyue's greatest weapon.
Now a grievously wounded Osial faced an exhausted group atop the Jade Chamber.
"This is bad," Cloud Retainer said grimly. "Without the ballistae, stopping him will be extremely difficult."
"I have one final contingency plan."
Ningguang met Lu Lin's gaze.
"I will abandon the Jade Chamber."
At that moment, Lu Lin suddenly remembered something.
He activated time stop.
Three minutes passed in frozen silence.
Time resumed.
"No time to hesitate," Ningguang declared.
She maneuvered the Jade Chamber directly above Osial.
Everyone poured their remaining power into the floating palace.
The magnificent sky palace plummeted like a falling star.
BOOM!!!