"N-No way! You are the Qixing and the Adepti, the protectors of Liyue!"
"Isn't there something you can do?"
Paimon was stunned by Ningguang words. Clutching her chest, she anxiously pressed on.
"There is a way."
Cloud Retainer lifted her crane-like head and glanced at Paimon.
"Previously, the matter of the Guizhong Ballista piqued the Qixing's interest, prompting them to investigate it."
"And now, as its creator, I just so happen to be here."
Her proud tone carried a trace of mockery as she turned toward the Qixing.
"A mortal attempting to study Adepti mechanisms? What could you possibly hope to learn?"
Cloud Retainer let out a haughty snort before continuing.
"As long as I make some minor modifications to these old ballistae, their power will reach levels beyond your imagination."
She looked at the numerous Guizhong Ballistae surrounding them and explained.
"In that case, we can use the newly enhanced Guizhong Ballistae to fight the god."
Ningguang voice was calm and firm.
"And the Adepti here can infuse them with their divine energy."
She paused, then clasped her hands together, closing her eyes.
"There is no time to waste. The final battle is now."
"Activate!"
Ningguang golden eyes suddenly flashed open.
She extended her arms, and in an instant, a colossal Geo-infused golden radiance surged around her.
In a blink, she ascended into the sky, raising her jade-like hand.
Before her, a massive golden lotus array bloomed in the air.
Three enormous overlapping blue magic circles formed, fusing into a translucent light-blue platform.
With a swift motion of her fingers, several colossal Guizhong Ballistae materialized upon the magic array!
Watching from a distant mountain, Qiu Bai couldn't help but smile at the sight.
"I still don't get why Ningguang is only a four-star in the game."
"A nation's leader should have combat power on this level."
With his hands clasped behind his back, Qiu Bai admired the scene.
Despite the torrential storm raging around him, not a single drop of rain touched him.
The raging winds, like mere breezes, only gently lifted the hem of his robes—completely at odds with the apocalyptic battle unfolding.
Mountain Shaper, standing mid-air, leapt onto the Guizhong Ballista with his four hooves.
Cloud Retainer and Moon Carver spread their wings and landed atop the ballistae as well.
One after another, the Adepti began to channel their divine power into the Guizhong Ballistae.
The ballistae roared to life, unleashing terrifying energy that struck the massive shadow lurking in the sea!
Osial let out a deep, thunderous roar as the attacks landed—
but they still failed to inflict fatal damage.
"What… is that?"
Paimon eyes widened as several black portals suddenly appeared in midair above the platform.
One by one, Fatui soldiers emerged, charging toward the Guizhong Ballistae.
"This is bad! Traveler, the Fatui are trying to destroy the ballistae!"
Paimon cried out in panic.
Hearing this, the Traveler tightened their grip on the dull blade in their hand and dashed forward without hesitation.
Keqing, who was nearby, heard the commotion and immediately rushed forward!
At that moment, a small girl with blue hair wielding a sword also dashed out. Judging by her aura, she seemed to be an Adeptus as well.
"You… You're Qiqi?!"
As Lumine and Paimon ran, they suddenly noticed the little girl beside them.
Qiqi turned her head to look at them.
"Traveler… and Paimon…"
"Qiqi remembers you."
Her soft voice reached their ears.
"Wait, Qiqi is an Adeptus too?"
Paimon looked at the little girl in surprise, somewhat uncertain.
"Qiqi… was not originally an Adeptus."
"It was Big Brother Qiu Bai who made me an Adeptus…"
"He brought me to Sister's side and taught Qiqi the ways of the Adepti."
Qiqi explained softly, looking at Paimon and the Traveler.
"Big Brother… Qiu… Qiu Bai?!"
Paimon covered her mouth in shock as if she had just heard an incredible secret.
Lumine also furrowed her brows in surprise. Qiu Bai could turn people into Adepti?!
And the "Sister" Qiqi mentioned—could it be Granny Ping? But she's just an old lady!
However, now wasn't the time to dwell on these questions. They had to deal with the Fatui first. They could question Qiu Bai afterward.
Lumine and Paimon had too many questions about him.
"Protect the Adepti! Do not let the Guizhong Ballista be disturbed!"
The Millelith captain behind them led a group of soldiers into battle.
"All Millelith who can still fight, follow me!"
Keqing waved her hand, gritted her teeth, and charged forward.
"The Adepti and the gods of old have not fought in thousands of years."
"Hmph, come then, let me see how much strength you still have."
Cloud Retainer slightly mocking voice echoed in the ears of the Millelith.
All who could still stand rushed into the fray!
"Th-That… what is that?!"
Paimon looked into the distance at Osial, who had been bombarded by the Guizhong Ballista for a long time.
Suddenly, another head rose from the sea—five heads in total, all converging a terrifying divine power toward the sky.
The heavens themselves trembled under this immense energy, lightning flashing as Osial completed its attack.
It unleashed its godly power skyward, the resulting shockwave dispersing the clouds around it.
"The Vortex God, Osial… I know this power well."
"Be careful and evade!"
Xiao, while dealing with the Fatui, shouted toward Paimon from afar.
A massive water cannon shot down toward the platform, violently knocking several Fatui soldiers off!
"Stay alert! The Fatui are becoming more aggressive!"
A Millelith soldier, locked in combat with the Fatui, shouted toward the others.
"Quite bold... Once this matter is settled, not a single diplomat from Snezhnaya will escape!"
Ningguang calm yet commanding voice resonated through the air as she continued to maintain the platform.
Beside her, Ganyu was drawing her bow, channeling Adeptus energy while eliminating the Fatui.
Lumine was surrounded by a group of Fatui soldiers. Just as she was about to counter, a Thunderhammer Fatui soldier charged in and smashed his hammer down.
The impact sent Lumine flying. As she fell, she forcefully drove her Nameless Sword into the ground, bringing herself to a stop.
"Hah..."
She panted, her gaze fixed on the endless waves of Fatui approaching, her stamina running low.
"I... I can't..."
Just as Paimon turned to Lumine, about to speak, a gentle voice interrupted.
"Silly child, were you about to say you can't hold on?"
"Take this."
The warm voice of Granny Ping came from behind.
"This is Adeptus power!"
"It's Granny Ping's shockwave—Granny Ping is so strong!"
Paimon shouted in amazement.
At the same time, Qiqi channeled her Adeptus energy into Lumine.
"Qiqi?!"
Paimon turned toward Qiqi, who was performing Adeptus arts from a distance.
"The name of the Yaksha signifies swiftness."
A pure Adeptus energy, free of karmic corruption, flowed into Lumine body.
"Whoa, it's Xiao!"
Lumine flexed her legs, realizing she had become significantly faster.
But it wasn't over yet.
"The blood of the Qilin shall protect you from evil!"
"Let go of your fear of pain—fight with all your might! This is how I fought during the Archon War!"
Ganyu Adeptus power also surged into Lumine.
"I never expected Ganyu to have such a side during the Archon War."
Paimon watched Ganyu, fascinated as she cast her Adeptus abilities.
"Oh? Everyone is granting their power."
"If I don't… wouldn't that be a little rude?"
A familiar, playful voice suddenly echoed in Lumine and Paimon minds.
"Qiu Bai!"
Lumine and Paimon glanced around with smiles, searching for Qiu Bai figure.
"Don't overthink it. Just focus on the battle."
"Heh~"
Suddenly, a misty black-and-white aura enveloped Lumine body.
Feeling the overwhelming power coursing through her, she was certain at this moment, she could probably defeat Childe in his Foul Legacy transformation with a single slash.
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