Chapter 304

Because of the ceremony of inviting immortals, many people from Guiliyuan chose to return to Liyue Harbor. The opportunity to meet the emperor once a year was something many still cherished. They came back to seek good fortune and the emperor's blessing for prosperity.

Due to this, when Takumi, Hu Tao, and the others were strolling around Liyue Harbor, they encountered many familiar business owners who had returned for the occasion.

After walking around, everyone found a spot to sit and watch a performance. For the next two days, Takumi and his friends enjoyed their time together. During this time, Xingqiu and Chongyun finally returned.

Xingqiu, in particular, was extremely excited when he learned that Yae Miko was his editor-in-chief. However, his excitement quickly faded when he was immediately urged to submit his manuscript. Having not written anything at all, he could only stammer his way through excuses.

On the morning of the ceremony, Hu Tao arrived at Takumi's house bright and early, calling out from outside, "Takumi, are you up yet?"

Hearing Hu Tao's loud voice, Takumi sighed. "Do you have to be this excited so early in the morning?"

Klee, who had already woken up, heard Hu Tao's voice and eagerly ran outside. "Sister Hu Tao, good morning! Have you had breakfast?"

Hu Tao grinned. "Good morning, Klee!" Then, turning to Takumi, she said, "Hurry up and eat! After breakfast, take me to Yujing Terrace. I need a good seat!"

The emperor was going to appear at the ceremony, and she wanted to get the best view. This time, she planned to make a wish for the emperor to bless her business with prosperity.

If Takumi had known about Hu Tao's wish, he would have been speechless. A booming funeral business? Was she trying to jinx Liyue? If business at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor thrived, it would mean disaster had struck Liyue, something Zhongli would definitely not be pleased about.

After leisurely finishing breakfast, Takumi took everyone to Yujing Terrace. Upon arriving, he found a good spot for them and then left alone, letting Yae Miko, Kamisato Ayaka, and the others enjoy themselves.

Takumi made his way to the area guarded by the Qianyan Army, where Ningguang, Keqing, Ganyu, and Uncle Tian were already waiting. Yelan was absent, likely on a mission assigned by Ningguang.

"You're here," Ningguang said upon seeing Takumi. "Take a moment to rest, and then we'll begin."

Takumi nodded and turned to Keqing. "Keqing, how are you handling the power?"

Keqing gave a confident nod. "Everything is fine."

For the past few days, she had focused entirely on training, barely even seeing Qiqi. She had asked Qiqi to help her refine her Gu Yun-style swordsmanship, incorporating the power of the Heart of God. As a result, her strength had increased significantly.

Seeing that she was ready, Takumi was satisfied. "Good."

The others in the group, however, were somewhat confused about their conversation.

Soon, the time arrived. Ningguang stood up and said, "It's time. Let's go."

Everyone followed her outside. The square was already packed with people, and at its center stood an altar with a large incense burner used for summoning the emperor.

Takumi scanned the crowd and spotted the Fatui Harbinger, Childe, among them. However, Zhongli was nowhere to be seen. He must have anticipated the upcoming chaos and left early.

Ningguang looked at the sun in the sky before stepping forward. Two attendants approached and lit the incense before stepping back. "The auspicious time has arrived!"

As soon as Ningguang finished speaking, the elemental energy around her flared. Stones condensed from elemental power materialized around her. She formed a hand seal, and the stones merged into the incense burner.

Under the gaze of thousands, a pillar of golden light shot up from the burner and into the sky. The clear sky darkened as storm clouds gathered, forming a massive vortex above.

Ningguang's face turned grim as she called out, "Retreat!"

A loud crash resounded as a massive dragon descended from the sky, landing directly on the altar.

The sight caused widespread panic. Some people screamed in fear.

The dragon, covered in wounds, weakly lifted its head and, with its last breath, spoke: "The Qixing, heed my words! From this moment, Liyue shall be led by Takumi. He shall become the second Geo Archon. Beware of the Fatui."

With those final words, the dragon succumbed to its injuries, its lifeless body collapsing onto the altar.

A golden chess piece—Liyue's Heart of God—floated out of Zhongli's body and drifted toward Takumi.

Takumi, standing in the distance, was utterly shocked.

What the hell?! The second Geo Archon?!

Was this some kind of joke?

Sir, this is not the script we agreed on!

Zhongli had set him up!

Takumi glanced at Ningguang and noticed that she did not seem surprised. She had known about this all along!

The entire crowd stared in stunned silence at the unfolding events. The realization dawned upon them—Rex Lapis had died, and a new Geo Archon had been chosen before their eyes.

Breaking the silence, Ningguang suddenly shouted, "The emperor has been assassinated! Seal off the area! Arrest the Fatui!"

Upon hearing her command, the Qianyan Army immediately sprang into action.

The Fatui agents in the crowd were thrown into disarray. Panic spread among them.

Childe, in particular, was at a loss. The way things were unfolding, he was being framed for Rex Lapis' death.