——Real World
"So that line in the teaser PV was said by Pantalone? No wonder it didn't match Tartaglia's voice." Stelle made the signature Detective Conan pose.
[Detective Stelle-chan has already uncovered the truth.]
[Words spoken by Pantalone, Tartaglia gets the face reveal—miHoYo really does PV bait and switch.]
[Now it's troublesome. The minion wave isn't cleared yet, the enemy has already taken the Dragon King, we can only wait for Jun Bai to come save the day.]
"Shh—" Stelle put her index finger to her lips, "Fewer barrage comments from now on. I have a feeling the next part of the plot is going to be really exciting!"
——Teyvat
Guyun Stone Forest.
The runes above the island dimmed, then scattered into specks of light falling into the sea; crimson crystals continuously peeled off from the mountain; finally, the entire island was covered in cracks.
The seal that had lasted a thousand years ultimately lost its effect at this moment. A pillar of water shot up into the sky, shattering the island that had suppressed the god.
A god exuding an ominous aura burst through the sea, its face appearing on the water's surface.
Covered entirely in pale blue scales, with five heads resembling sea serpents—it appeared in an instant, and massive whirlpools successively formed in the sea.
——The God of the Vortex, Osial.
The whirlpools mercilessly devoured all living creatures in the sea; only the monsters sharing the same origin as the god's aura could resist the influence of the whirlpools.
The Red-Eyed Sea Dragons revived from the leylines roared excitedly toward the sky, respectfully welcoming the return of their god.
The god's aura instantly filled the entire battlefield.
The Millelith, facing an enemy god for the first time, instinctively froze under such an aura.
Fear spread across the battlefield. The situation that had been in their favor instantly reversed the moment Osial appeared.
Osial raised its head and roared, venting the rage and resentment of being sealed for a thousand years.
The central head lifted, and vast Hydro energy condensed in that blood-red maw.
The next moment.
A terrifying pillar of water erupted from Osial's mouth, sounding the horn of revenge toward the Millelith.
The water pillar parted the sea, continuously advancing toward the Millelith on the battlefield.
At this moment, whether they could use elemental power or not, whether they possessed a Vision or not—every Millelith felt the approach of death.
No need to think deeply: if Osial's strike landed, there would be absolutely no chance of survival.
They instinctively wanted to dodge, yet their bodies could make no reaction at all; they could only watch helplessly as Osial's fury drew closer to them.
Guizhong's voice spread across the entire battlefield through all the mechanical creations, but no one could clearly hear what the Dust God was saying.
Some closed their eyes, quietly awaiting death's arrival.
But the problem is, sometimes, the turning point appears precisely when others close their eyes.
A bolt of lightning struck down, blocking in front of the group of Millelith.
"Guardian Yakshas! Follow me, together we fight the god!"
A voice like a great bell—Bosacius's resounding voice echoed through the skies.
Without any hesitation, the moment they heard the voice, Bonanus, Menogias, Indarias, and Xiao all sprang into action simultaneously.
Five different elements erupted in various places across the battlefield, jointly meeting Osial's assault.
The attacks from both sides exploded midway, and the resulting shockwave spread outward.
Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, Streetward Rambler, and Herblord—the five Adepti—unanimously circulated their adeptal energy to erect barriers, shielding the Millelith and Liyue from this aftershock.
The Dust God Guizhong formed hand seals, sending forth a rune that landed on the barrier, amplifying its power.
Looking at the barrier before them that had blocked all the attacks, someone among the Millelith finally reacted: what the Dust God had shouted earlier was—
"Do not be afraid. We are here."
A dull rumbling came from the sky—the Jade Chamber and the Liyue Qixing had finally arrived at the battlefield.
A voice came again from the mechanical creations, but this time it was no longer the gentle tone of the Dust God, but the furious voice of Yuheng Star:
"Millelith! How long do you plan to stand on the battlefield like this!"
"If you grip your weapons tightly yet still only seek shelter behind the Adepti, the Millelith might as well have never existed from the beginning!"
"The meaning of the Millelith's existence is not to cause trouble for the Adepti on the battlefield!"
Cause trouble for the Adepti? But on the current battlefield, was there still any room for mortals to participate? The Millelith looked toward the battlefield.
When the Red-Eyed Sea Dragons attacked the Adepti who were holding up the barrier, the Millelith finally understood what Yuheng Star meant.
Specks of starfire fell into the battlefield at this moment, landing on the Millelith.
"Compared to ability, what the Millelith value more is the courage to face the enemy."
A voice that was usually unserious but now unusually solemn echoed across the entire battlefield.
"Everyone—get down!"
Guizhong's voice rang out. The Millelith, whose duty was to obey orders, instinctively complied.
Crimson light flickered at the edge of the battlefield. In this instant, fire elements within a radius of a hundred li all converged toward that direction.
"——"
A magnificent blade of flame slashed out, instantly sweeping across the entire battlefield. All monsters it touched were reduced to ashes in an instant, returning to the leylines.
Osial locked eyes on the one who was one of the main culprits behind its sealing, rage surging from its heart. Its five ferocious heads roared and bellowed.
Ominous black aura enveloped the battlefield.
Waves surged, and gigantic Red-Eyed Sea Dragons, larger in size, emerged one after another from the whirlpools.
Their numbers were fewer than before, but their overall strength surpassed the previous ones.
Jun Bai walked unhurriedly into the midst of the Millelith. His flame wings spread wide, the armor on his upper body radiating divine light, the skirt below fluttering without wind. On his Phoenix Perch, remnants of fire element still lingered.
He seemed to step on invisible stairs, ascending step by step until he stood above the Jade Chamber.
He looked down at the Millelith, his tone rarely serious:
"Soldiers, there is no need for fear. The god Osial before you now is merely a loser from the Archon War."
"Your predecessors once followed me to defeat It once. What your predecessors could do, you of today can also do!"
"Fear is normal, but it should not be shown to a loser. Your current cowardice is disrespect to the predecessors who fought bathed in blood!"
"Grip your weapons tightly once more, and aim at the god's throat!"
"Millelith! The years of peace have not dulled your edge—prove it to me here on this battlefield!"
The starfire that had landed on the Millelith instantly ignited. Warm flames clung to every Millelith's battle armor, forming brand-new plating.
It was as if boundless power rose from the depths of their hearts. The words of Yuheng Star and the Marshal dispelled the fear.
All the Millelith gripped their weapons tightly and roared in unison:
"The Millelith stand firm—impregnable as layered mountains!"