Inside the Golden House...
Paimon: Wow! Is this the Golden House?
Qixuan: Lumine, don't let your guard down.
Paimon: Mhm, Qixuan-jie is right. It looked impressive from the outside, but I didn't expect it to be even more luxurious inside!
And... and there's Mora everywhere!!!
Qixuan: After all, besides the very first Mora in the world, all Mora originates from here.
Paimon: Since all the Mora in Teyvat is made here, then... wouldn't it be hard to notice if a little more or a little less was taken?
Lumine: Don't reach out; you'll be caught if you do.
Paimon: Oh, it's a bait trap! That was close! Thanks for the reminder!
But even if I can't take it, there's no harm in looking at it up close, right?
If I could, I'd even want to lie down and sleep in it! Using Mora as a blanket would make my dreams even sweeter, hehehe...
Qixuan: Lumine, have you been withholding Paimon's pocket money?
Lumine: *cough cough*... Let's just go check on the Exuvia first.
Paimon: Oh, right, right, business first.
Isn't it... too quiet here? The Exuvia is such an important item; there's no way it would be left unguarded, right?
Paimon suddenly noticed something.
Paimon: Hey! Lumine, look at that!
Lumine: It's the Millelith... but they all seem to be knocked out.
Paimon: Hmm... This doesn't feel good at all!
Qixuan: Let's go, let's confirm the Exuvia's condition first.
Just as Lumine and the others were observing the Exuvia...
As the Traveler, your mission was clearly accomplished, so why are you coming here to cause trouble?
Paimon: Huh? Who's there!
Qixuan: Childe Tartaglia, come out.
Childe: Miss Qixuan is truly perceptive.
If you were Fatui, perhaps you could receive a generous reward from the Tsaritsa.
But unfortunately, now you are just worthless obstacles.
Qixuan: Oh? Are all Fatui Harbingers this confident?
Lumine: How did you know about this place?
Childe: Where to begin? It's not my style to take detours, but who knew that as soon as I arrived in Liyue, the Geo God would die mysteriously, and the Exuvia would be hidden.
If it weren't for the information I gained by using your Farewell to Sefarer Ritual preparations, it would have been even more troublesome.
Heh... To stop the casting of Mora just to hide the Exuvia... The Qixing truly went all out.
Paimon: So, so you really wanted to find the Gnosis within the Exuvia?
Qixuan: (I think I remember Zhongli mentioning he put that thing in a coffin board at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor when we had tea the day before yesterday...)
Childe: As the Eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui, I must carry out the will of the Tsaritsa.
If the Tsaritsa wants it, we will take it.
Lumine: I won't allow it.
Childe: The question isn't who will allow me, but who can stop me.
The time for transactions and schemes is finally over... Actually, I hate those petty tricks too, but for the Tsaritsa, I can endure it.
Next, we can enjoy something pure and joyful... (Remember what Laoya said)
Childe: That is—conflict!
Paimon: Conflict? Are you the type who likes to pick fights?
Childe: Hahaha, you could say that.
In Mondstadt, Signora offended the Gods outside the cathedral and then rushed away after succeeding.
She preferred a peaceful exit rather than an immediate battle with you, to avoid the commotion attracting the Knights.
Facing a strong opponent, she only prioritizes calculating benefits, considering victory or defeat, and the impact of her actions...
But my greatest joy since becoming a Harbinger is being able to throw my fists at more powerful opponents.
Paimon: What happened in Mondstadt won't happen again!
Childe: Good, then let's try it? I won't kill you, Traveler.
I just want to enjoy the thrill of battle, so please just play with me.
As for this one... I can feel that you are also a strong opponent. I will challenge you after defeating her!
Qixuan: Me? Heh... Forget it. I'm afraid I won't be able to control my strength. You should win against Lumine first.
Childe: Hahaha, alright! Don't disappoint me then.
Childe understood Qixuan's power, but Qixuan said he truly didn't understand. Ever since she came to Teyvat, she had been holding back every day, except for showing a bit of her strength during the God War.
Lumine unleashed a Wind Blade, and after Childe instantly dodged it, she quickly ran over for close-quarters combat with her sword.
Starfall!
After breaking the Starfall with one strike...
Childe: Very good, you have this kind of strength. No wonder Signora was wary of you.
Then I can go all out too. Let me see what you can do against a Harbinger's clearance!
Saying this, he unleashed his Delusion, gaining an increase in power and all aspects.
Lumine immediately felt some pressure and was then sent flying to the ground.
Childe: Not bad, your insight is indeed interesting.
But... this is as far as you go. Saying this, he was about to throw the long spear in his hand.
After Lumine used a Wind Blade combined with Geo element to break free...
Childe quickly flew to the side of the Exuvia.
Paimon: He actually used his disadvantage to get closer to the Exuvia...?!
Childe: Don't make such a fuss, like a new recruit.
This kind of thing is child's play for someone seasoned in battle!
Saying this, he concentrated the power of the Delusion in his hand and blasted it towards the Exuvia.
With a 'boom,' Childe's hand pulled back, but there was nothing there...
Childe: So that's how it is, quite unexpected... It seems you were the one who 'got there first'?
Saying this, he charged towards Lumine.
After Lumine rolled to dodge, Childe emitted a terrifying aura from his entire body.
Devantart unleashed...
Qixuan flashed in front of Lumine.
Qixuan: Can't find what you're looking for, so you're losing your temper?
Childe: Heh, did you act faster than me? Or... was the information about the Golden House intentionally leaked to me?
Qixuan: Sigh, I didn't expect a Harbinger of the Fatui to be this foolish.
Childe: Hmph, everything has a price, so...
Saying this, Childe raised his long spear and charged towards Qixuan and Lumine.
Paimon: Waaah!
Lumine: Qixuan-jie! Be careful...
One second... two seconds... Childe stood frozen in an attacking pose with his long spear in front of Qixuan.
Paimon: What... what's going on?
In that instant, Qixuan had sealed the space around Childe and paused him.
Of course, Childe's consciousness was preserved.
Childe: You... what did you do to me?
Qixuan: Guess? Then, a gaze filled with endless oppressive force surged towards Childe.
The surrounding space emitted a cracking sound of collapse, and half of Childe's mask was already shattered, his face twisted.
Qixuan: Scram!
Immediately, Childe's Devantart was forcibly dispelled, and he was sent flying, his entire body embedded in the wall, clearly having been 'lulled to sleep.'
Childe: Believe me, kids, I'll be back.
Paimon: Wow! Qixuan-jie is so amazing!
Lumine: (So strong... No, this probably isn't her full power...)
Just when everyone thought it was over.
Childe's laughter echoed. Heh heh... Hahahaha, I didn't want to go this far. Saying this, he raised his only movable arm and activated the talisman of ubiquity.
Paimon: What... what's happening?
Qixuan: You woke up so fast? Don't you want to sleep a little longer?
Childe: Heh... *cough cough*, you make me feel even more... *cough cough* than the Tsaritsa, but heh heh...
Outside, the ground shook, and strong winds rose from the sea, creating many water whirlwinds.
Childe: Hahahaha, just wait and see. Will a nation without its God be swallowed by ancient malice once more?
Qixuan: Hmm? Heh... You don't actually think releasing that seafood that's been submerged in the ocean for who knows how long can threaten Liyue, do you?
Childe: How did you know? Heh... There's no need for that now. Just think about how to deal with it next, hahaha.
Childe disappeared after speaking.
Everyone also walked out of the Golden House.
Paimon: What... what is that!
Several snake heads made of water element emerged from the sea, the sky was overcast, and a storm was brewing. Then, the Jade Chamber was seen flying into the sky.
Qixuan then directly connected with Zhongli remotely.
Qixuan: You're so confident?
Zhongli: They need to be given a chance. If not, don't I still have you?
Qixuan: Have some shame, 'old man'!
Then everyone rushed to the harbor...
Paimon: Huff... huff... I'm so tired from rushing...
If we hadn't seen the Jade Chamber flying in the sky just as we left the Golden House, we wouldn't even know where to run right now...
Did we make it in time? The Vortex God is still in the sea, it hasn't landed in Liyue Harbor yet, has it?
Qixuan: No, it will be soon.
At this moment, Xiao and the Adepti walked over, followed by the Qixing.
Xiao: Why are you here?
Paimon: Huh?... Oh! It's the Adepti! Why are you on the Jade Chamber? I heard you were arguing with the Qixing earlier... Are you done arguing?
Ningguang: The Adepti's intention is that in this time of crisis, the Adepti and the Qixing should temporarily put aside their disagreements and face the enemy together.
Moon Carver: Hmph!
Qixuan: Xiao, where are Bosacius and Guizhong?
Xiao: Reporting, Lord End, my elder brother and the others have gone down to organize the Millelith to set up formations against the enemy. Lord Guizhong as well.
Qixuan: Sigh, she went wild after I gave her the Valkyrie Armor.
Paimon: End... End? Xiao just called Qixuan-jie 'End'?!
Ganyu: So that's why she looked familiar. My master, Cloud Retainer, told me about the God of End who fought alongside the Geo Archon many years ago. There are even a few households among the common folk who have her portrait to ward off evil.
Qixuan: I have that function too?
Lumine: (So Qixuan-jie is an ancient God, but the Anemo Archon said she was also an outsider...)
Lumine then thought of a possibility: the Geo God was not dead.
Lumine looked at Qixuan.
Qixuan naturally knew what she was thinking and nodded.
Lumine's expression immediately became a bit 'resentful.'
Paimon: So that's how it is. So, what's everyone's defense plan now?
Ugh... just looking at that Vortex God from this distance, I already feel a little breathless.
Keqing: Some new recruits in the Millelith can barely stand anymore.
The pressure from an ancient God seems very harmful to ordinary people's bodies.
—But precisely because of this, we absolutely cannot let that monster approach the civilians of Liyue Harbor!
Then everyone looked at Qixuan, as she was the only one present who had followed the Geo Archon for the longest time.
Qixuan shook her head, indicating that she would act at the critical moment, and as for the plan, they were to decide it.
Liyue needs to be protected by its own hands.
Paimon: So scary... Was the God War two thousand years ago fought against an enemy like this?
So, with the combat power here, can we defeat that God in the sea?
Ningguang: The Adepti have already discussed it, and the answer is... not necessarily.
However... she looked at Qixuan, with her here, the success rate might be higher.
Paimon: No way! But... but you are the Adepti who protect Liyue, and the Qixing who protect Liyue! Can't you think of a way?
Qixuan-jie, you quickly think of a way too!
To this, Qixuan told a lie.
My power is not as great as before, and erosion is also affecting me.
At this moment, Cloud Retainer said: That is certainly possible.
Paimon: Huh?
Previously, the matter of the Guizhong Ballista had piqued the Qixing's interest, prompting them to investigate.
Then Guizhong also remembered the Guizhong Ballista, and entrusted this Adeptus to repair it. It has now been brought over. And with a slight improvement, it will possess power incomprehensible to mortals.
Ningguang: Hehe... It can be considered a kind of 'Adeptal blessing.'
In this way, we can use the new Guizhong Ballista to fight against the God, and all the Adepti present can also inject their Adeptal power into it.
Without further ado, the decisive battle is now—begin!