Chapter 69: Despair

Compared to the lighthearted chatter at the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the situation elsewhere was grim and tense.

Out on the sea, the Overlord of the Vortex—Osial—faced off against the Overlord of the Abyss—Baqiu.

Their colossal forms dominated the entire ocean, vast enough to blot out the horizon.

Even more unnerving was the presence of the God of Dreams—Harpas—lurking nearby, watching with malicious interest.

The sea roared violently, as if heralding the prelude to an impending war.

Dark clouds loomed across the distant sky, thunder crackling like the war drums of the heavens.

Waves surged and crashed, building the stage for an epic clash of titans.

Osial's five heads let out a deep, rumbling roar, each one stirring up massive waves as it moved—every motion radiated an aura of terrifying might.

All five heads turned in unison, their eyes filled with suspicion and vigilance.

Baqiu's serpentine body swayed gently through the water, his gleaming scales catching the sunlight and sending dazzling flashes across the sea. Each motion stirred the ocean like a beast growling in its sleep.

And Harpas, high atop a distant mountain range, stood shrouded in mist. His figure flickered in and out of view, enigmatic and unfathomable.

A faint smirk played on his lips—he showed no intention of acting. Instead, it looked as if he was merely enjoying the spectacle unfolding before him.

Osial's central head slowly opened its mouth. "Baqiu. Harpas. Why are you aiding me?"

Harpas shrugged with a smile. "They say the Overlord of the Vortex—Osial—is the most cautious among us. Looks like the rumors were true~"

"I remember a saying from this land… what was it again… oh, right!"

"'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.'"

Paimon tugged lightly on Lumine's sleeve, whispering.

"Lumine, what do we do now?"

Lumine didn't know either. This was already far beyond anything she could comprehend.

Worse yet…

It was clear these three didn't see them as a threat at all.

"So, Osial? Baqiu? It seems Morax truly is gone. Otherwise, our seals wouldn't have weakened—let alone vanished entirely."

"Now, the three of us can destroy his kingdom together. Take our revenge. Divide his land and people among us. Doesn't that sound delightful?"

Baqiu suddenly added, "And what about the one in the Sky…?"

Harpas spread his hands casually. "Who knows? But if they haven't shown up yet, maybe they've already given us their tacit approval~"

Ningguang and Keqing exchanged a look—and in each other's eyes, they saw the same flicker of sorrow.

One God—Liyue might barely be able to handle.

But now, another God, and a beast that rivaled one…

The heavens themselves seemed to have forsaken Liyue—

Could this truly be… a nation abandoned by the gods?

Yet quickly, determination returned to their eyes.

Keqing's Vision surged with lightning. Her voice rang clear and firm.

"Even Gods cannot stop us from defending Liyue!"

"We are the people of the Geo Archon—we are not cowards!"

She plucked the hairpin from her head. Lightning gathered around it in an instant. With a fierce swing, she hurled it like a thunderbolt straight at Osial and Baqiu.

At the same moment, Ganyu nocked an arrow forged from ice onto her bow. The crystal-like shard gleamed like glazed glass, whistling through the air as it shot forward.

Ningguang summoned a flurry of floating jade—her Jade Screens formed rapidly around her, channeling her power through the gemstones to create an impenetrable wall, sealing off Harpas.

But Harpas showed no sign of resistance. Instead, a mocking grin crept across his face.

He looked amused—almost entertained—as if wondering what their next futile move would be.

Suddenly, the Adepti soared into the sky, shouting furiously.

"You who were defeated a millennium ago, dare raise your head again?!"

A barrage of divine arts rained down upon Harpas like a torrential storm.

Yet with a single finger, Harpas pointed forward.

A beam of deep violet light flashed from his fingertip—instantly erasing every incoming spell.

His voice dripped with scorn.

"This is the strength you boast of? Laughable."

A smirk tugged at his lips as he spoke louder.

"Do you see now? This… is the suppression of realms."

The moment his words fell, the skies above roared violently. Thunder cracked, and a massive violet beam tore down from the heavens, crashing toward the forces of Liyue.

They barely managed to evade it—but many of the Millelith were grievously wounded in the blast.

Suddenly, a green flash streaked through the air beside Harpas—a figure cloaked in karma, plunging the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear directly at Harpas' face with wind-wreathed force.

Xiao spun through the air, eyes blazing with defiance.

"Harpas, you may be powerful, but Liyue's soil is not for you to defile!"

Harpas swatted Xiao aside with a single gesture.

He touched the wound on his face—a streak of blood.

His voice trembled with fury.

"Xiao… you…"

"You dared…"

"To mar my face?!"

Elsewhere, Keqing and Ganyu's attacks hadn't even managed to break through Osial and Baqiu's defenses—only scratching the surface of their scales.

Overwhelming strength. Unreasonably strong.

If only the Guizhong Engine still functioned, they might stand a chance.

But now, the Adepti no longer had the strength to operate it.

Was this… truly the end?

Ningguang stepped forward, placing herself at the front of the line. She shouted toward the three Gods.

"We, the people of the Geo Archon, will not retreat."

"We fight not just for ourselves—but for the glory of Liyue. For the will of the Geo Archon!"

"Today, all of Liyue stands united to face you in…"

"A battle to the death!"

Her words surged with power and resolve, igniting the hearts of every warrior behind her.

"To the death!!!"

The cry echoed across the skies!

The clouds thickened. Thunder rolled louder than ever, like a war cry for the coming storm.

The warriors of Liyue gripped their weapons tighter, ready to meet this fate head-on.

_

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