Under the suppression of the Jade Chamber's power to control all things, Osial, who had drilled half of his body out of the seal, was slammed back in. The gap in the seal instantly healed, and the sturdy seal firmly imprisoned the demon god who had just revealed himself.
In the outer sea of Liyue, sensing Osial's disappearance, a giant beast rose from the depths of the sea, roared towards Liyue, and then disappeared into the sea.
Not far away, a huge ship was moored, witnessing this scene perfectly.
Beidou frowned, recognizing the identity of this giant beast.
"The remnants of the vortex, why would they appear here?" Beidou pondered silently, then gestured to the others, "Set sail and return to Liyue!"
Liyue Harbor
Under the protection of the immortals, those who fought on the Jade Chamber safely returned to land.
Paimon breathed a sigh of relief, patting her little chest, "Is it finally over like this?"
Moon Carver nodded beside her, "That fierce and ominous aura indeed disappeared. The effectiveness of the Banishment Decree is not permanent. It has been repressed back under the Jade Chamber, hasn't it?"
Then, they looked towards the direction of the Jade Chamber and felt the tranquility that followed the fall of the Jade Chamber.
"Even the demon god of the vortex should not be able to stir up trouble again!"
After receiving the confirmation from the immortals, Ningguang finally showed a hint of a smile, "Thank you, fellow immortals, for your great help. If it weren't for your intervention, the future of Liyue Harbor would be difficult to predict..."
However, Ningguang's flattery did not please the immortals.
Cloud Retainer, snorted coldly, "Hmph, why flatter at such a time? Besides, we didn't just happen to be here. Have you forgotten our purpose so soon?"
Cloud Retainer's words caused the atmosphere to freeze again, and the issue between the immortals and the Qixing remained unresolved.
"Cloud Retainer, there's no need to be so confrontational!" said Granny Ping, who had lived among the common folk for a long time and knew the Qixing best among the immortals, without any hostility.
"I heard that when Ningguang first started doing business, she had already started using her very limited income to prepare for the construction of the Jade Chamber!"
"At first, it was just the size of a room, but with continuous expansion, it has become such a magnificent palace."
"This is her as a merchant, as the spiritual pillar of the Qixing of Liyue, and it is also a portrayal of her life."
Granny Ping's words were slow and powerful, reminding the immortals of the now disappeared Jade Chamber, the miraculous building. Several immortals also showed a hint of regret and lamentation.
"The destruction of the Jade Chamber is significant for Liyue. I think such a level of effort and sacrifice should at least earn a word of appreciation."
Upon hearing Granny Ping's words, Ningguang's face lit up with a smile. She didn't mind the dissatisfaction of the immortals towards her, nor did she regret sacrificing the Jade Chamber. What she wanted was bargaining power in her dialogue with the immortals.
"No, at this point, it should be said, 'At least it can be used as a bargaining chip in negotiations,' which is more in line with my intentions!"
"Ha..." Granny Ping didn't expect Ningguang to say these words.
Ningguang saluted Granny Ping, "Thank you for speaking up for me. In fact, we are all very clear about the intentions of the immortals, but forgive us, we cannot compromise!"
Ningguang's words attracted everyone's attention, and everyone looked at her.
"For three thousand seven hundred years... according to records, the immortals and the emperor signed a covenant to protect Liyue, and it has been three thousand seven hundred years!"
"Until now, Liyue's mountains and rivers are as stable as they were a thousand years ago, which is commendable!"
"But this does not mean that Liyue is still the same as a thousand years ago." Ningguang changed her tone and looked at the immortals, her eyes firm. "Please don't just focus on guarding this piece of land, also look at this city, look at every person here!"
With a meaningful look in her eyes, Moon Carver's voice turned cold, "Are you questioning our way of guarding Liyue?"
The other immortals also looked at Ningguang, wanting to hear how she would respond.
Ningguang shook her head, avoiding Moon Carver's questioning, "There is absolutely no offense meant. I just hope that the seniors can consider Liyue once more."
"Heh, addressing us as seniors? You, the juniors of the Qixing, in front of me, are not even worthy of being called seniors!" Cloud Retainer, sneered.
Ignoring the provocation of Cloud Retainer, Ningguang's gaze was sincere as she spoke slowly, "This morning, I dreamt of the emperor."
"Hmm?" Upon hearing the emperor's name, Cloud Retainer's name, immediately became interested, forgetting to provoke Ningguang.
"In the dream, I wanted to tell him that although we, the Qixing, are mortals, we also have a 'covenant' on our bodies. Throughout the generations, the Qixing have left behind items worthy of inheritance under your guidance."
"I also wanted to tell the emperor that the Qixing of the past have been striving to survive in the human world under your guidance, and have already constructed a network of 'trade' covenants."
"But I didn't say any of that. I just watched him silently until I woke up."
Ningguang had a natural talent for leadership and eloquence. Her emotional recounting left the immortal crowd somewhat silent.
"Ningguang..." Even Paimon was moved, softly calling Ningguang's name.
Lumine added, "Actually, everyone feels the same."
Cloud Retainer, turned his gaze to Lumine and Paimon. She had already begun to retreat, but her natural pride made her unable to step down.
"As the saying goes, 'Onlookers see clearly.' What do you want to say?" Lumine thought for a moment and said, "Once the guardians and the protected have conflicts, it becomes very difficult to salvage the situation."
Paimon nodded, "Yeah, that's what happened in Mondstadt recently. Teyvat's one of the Four Winds, Dvalin, just like that. Fortunately, things ended relatively well."
"At that time, the Anemo Archon personally intervened to try to stop their confrontation, because he believed
that confrontation would only leave scars in both sides' hearts, and there would be no benefit."
Lumine also nodded in agreement, "That's right. That's what I learned in the 'City of Freedom.'"
Xiao noted, "It seems that every nation in the world has its own difficulties."
Mountain Shaper said, "What you said is indeed a simple truth. As immortals, we shouldn't let foreigners who have helped us see our jokes."
Seeing the loosening of several immortal figures, Granny Ping, who knew the Qixing best among the immortals and had already sensed what was happening, advised again, "Alright, Ningguang just said, 'Please take a careful look at this city, at every person here,' right? I have tried such observation myself. Why don't you give it a try too?"
At this moment, one of the surviving soldiers from Millelith couldn't help but interrupt, "Fellow immortals, forgive me for still being in armor and unable to show full courtesy."
Moon Carver impatiently asked, "Who are you?"
"I am the drillmaster of the Millelith, Feng Yan. I came here specifically to thank the immortals. I thought this battle would be our last. It was thanks to the intervention of the fellow immortals that we were not completely wiped out."
"The immortals showed great power. I am just an ordinary soldier, but I will also uphold the front line in the future and not let down the kindness of the immortals."
Moon Carver was speechless for a moment.
At this moment, whether it was arranged by Ningguang or the power of destiny, a seven or eight-year-old girl suddenly appeared from somewhere. Clearly, the people of Liyue had already left Liyue Harbor long ago, and the power of the aftermath of their battle was not something a little girl could withstand.
"Huh? Why does everyone seem so downcast? Didn't you just defeat the big monster?" The innocence in the little girl's words softened the hearts of several immortals once again, dissipating the anger they had just felt.
Granny Ping's expression changed, but instead of saying anything, she deliberately guided, "Hehehe, aren't you afraid? Little girl, it was so dangerous just now."
The little girl innocently said again, "Changchang isn't afraid, because Uncle and Auntie Millelith are here, and there are powerful adults with Visions And everyone in Liyue is here!"
"When it's dangerous, everyone protects Changchang. Normally, everyone plays and eats together, and they'll make the harbor more and more beautiful." The little girl recited her lines naturally.
"Big brother over there, thank you for protecting Liyue Harbor! Come as a guest next time during the Harbor Lantern Festival!"
Xiao retorted without thinking too much, "There's no way to come!"
The little girl asked in surprise, "Huh?"
Xiao regretfully turned her head, "There's no way, because I'm an immortal."
"Is that so? Being an 'immortal' is really not easy." Seeing Xiao's regretful turn, the little girl innocently exclaimed.
After a moment of silence,
Granny Ping said, "Everyone, look, this is what this era looks like. The kingdom of the covenant still appreciates the immortals, but over the years, many of Liyue's problems, large and small, have not necessarily needed the intervention of the immortals to be solved."
"The people we call 'mortals' have fragile bloodlines, but they are also strong. The covenant between gods and Liyue has lasted for more than a thousand years, and now it is the era of the covenant between Liyue and humans."
"Enough, look around. We are already standing in this harbor, seeming to be somewhat out of place with Liyue. What do you say, Cloud Retainer?"
Cloud Retainer, replied, "Why ask me? I'm not the one leading the way to the Liyue Harbor to hold you accountable."
On the other side, Paimon was very sensitive to the atmosphere and immediately sensed that something was different, "Huh? The atmosphere on the immortals' side seems to have changed."
Lumine nodded, "Indeed, they seem to have been swayed. "
Finally, Xiao eyed everyone and then looked towards the distant pavilion, laughing lightly before saying, "Forget it, let's go back."
Moon Carver heard Xiao's words and turned his head, only to see Xiao walking away, and couldn't help but call out.
"Conquer Of Demons?"
Granny Ping smiled and chuckled, "Hehe."
Mountain Shaper said, "Well, I understand the meaning of the Conquer Of Demons. It's been a long time since I've seen Liyue. It's quite different from what I remember. I'm afraid that after we understand the new 'covenant' here, you humans will have created a new atmosphere in Liyue. Well, let's go back. Let's go back."
Compared to Xiao who left without looking back, Mountain Shaper was more decisive. As an immortal born from a crane, he directly flapped his wings, and soon everyone below could only see a black dot disappearing into the distance.
Moon Carver said, "Enough, since the fellow immortals are of the same mind, I have nothing to insist on! But after the immortals leave, whether the Qixing of Liyue can dominate the situation, in my opinion, is still uncertain."
Before the negotiations formally began, their own people had already left halfway, so what's the point of talking? I'm out too!
Cloud Retainer's threatening words left, and he turned around and walked away. Moon Carver also left in a very chic manner.
Granny Ping said, "Alright, alright, Moon Carver, you old man, don't worry so much about it. I think the supervision authority should also be handed over to the people of Liyue."
"???" Cloud Retainer, who was most angry about the death of the Geo Archon, was dumbfounded. You're just leaving like this? Was the
Geo Archon's death in vain?
She turned her head to look at everyone. Except for Ganyu, who had always been mixed in with the Qixing, there was only one immortal left here. What a mess!!!
"Hmph!" With a disdainful snort, Cloud retainers proud wing flapped and flew away extremely dissatisfied.
After the immortals left.
Paimon said, "Phew, the crisis of a great war between humans and immortals has ended peacefully, hasn't it?"
Lumine said, "Yes, it seems so."
On the distant pavilion,
Wang Daoyi watched as the immortals left, then turned to look in the direction of the Northland Bank, wondering if the Emperor would be satisfied with this answer!
Dispelling the distractions in his mind, a hint of inexplicable meaning appeared in his eyes.
So, from now on, Liyue will be an era ruled by humans!
I wonder how Ningguang will deal with those who spread rumors when the Emperor 'fell.'
(End of this chapter)