Seeing the scene below, Ningguang's heart steadied a little. When she saw everyone had taken shelter indoors, she sharply shouted out:
"Qianyan Formation! Activate!"
Her voice echoed high above Liyue Harbor, overpowering the roaring thunder, the howling wind, and the raging downpour.
Golden radiance erupted forth, and a massive formation disk rose into the sky over Liyue Harbor.
"Millelith! Assume positions!"
"Yes!"
The resounding clang of spears striking stone echoed from the Jade Chamber, ringing with firm conviction, drowning out even the violent storm, reverberating throughout the harbor.
The ocean trembled violently, colossal whirlpools surging upward from the depths.
With an earth-shaking roar, Osial emerged from beneath the sea!
Gigantic serpent-like heads opened jaws bristling with horrific fangs. He roared skyward, venting millennia of imprisoned rage.
The immense pressure of a revived ancient god exploded forth unrestrained.
A suffocating sensation engulfed everyone, like slowly drowning in deep waters, crushed inch by inch beneath immeasurable weight. The Millelith, who had pressed forward against the fleeing crowds, had never witnessed such terror before. Many soldiers could only keep from collapsing by leaning heavily on their spears.
Changzao raised his head with enormous difficulty to stare at the monstrous god out at sea. Even from such a vast distance, the deity's sheer presence alone made breathing almost impossible.
Under a god's gaze, they were nothing more than ants.
His hands shook uncontrollably, his legs felt like lead, heavy beyond bearing. Just taking a single step seemed impossible.
But he refused to give in!
Their emperor was gone—if even the Millelith faltered here, what would become of their children, their families, and the city they swore to protect?
When they joined the Millelith, they'd sworn an oath at Yujing Terrace to defend Liyue Harbor. They would fulfill it no matter the cost!
"Solid as bedrock, unwavering as mountains!"
He roared, forcing himself forward against the pressure—one step, then another!
"Solid as bedrock, unwavering as mountains!"
Behind him, soldier after soldier echoed his fierce cry, gripping their spears and stepping forward through the overwhelming dread. They trembled in fear, yet their feet never stopped moving.
Some things mattered too much. No matter how frightening, no matter how terrifying, they had to be done.
To spare their families from trembling beneath a god's threat, they would willingly become a wall, standing strong against the storm with their very bodies.
As each Millelith soldier took position at their formation points, a huge shield gradually formed over Liyue Harbor, steadily sealing away the overwhelming divine pressure, blocking out the violent storm.
The terrified citizens hiding behind closed doors clasped their hands in prayer, shivering helplessly.
In this moment of crisis, powerless to help directly, all they could do was pray—desperately hoping their faith might somehow lend strength.
"May the Lord of Geo protect Liyue!" Even though the emperor had passed, he remained a symbol of hope; just the thought of their Archon granted boundless strength.
A young woman clutched a jade amulet, praying fervently for her lover. "Lord of Geo, please keep him safe!"
A hunched old man begged desperately for his son's return. "Lord of Geo, please, let my boy come home safely!"
A crying child wiped away tears, declaring bravely, "Papa, I'm not scared! Not one bit! The Lord of Geo will protect you!"
"Lord of Geo, please watch over Liyue Harbor!"
"..."
Voices rose everywhere in fervent prayers, individually tiny yet collectively deafening.
Listening to each desperate prayer, Zhongli fought bitterly to block them out, to ignore them. The Geo Archon was no more; the child must endure trials to grow.
Facing this resurrected terror, they could rely on no one but themselves. No one could intervene this time.
Point after point lit up within the formation. Soldiers stood ramrod straight at their stations, directly facing the overwhelming might of a god, each of them like a carved statue.
They were just ordinary soldiers. No [Visions], no extraordinary power—yet even mortals held the unbreakable will to protect their home, facing gods with mortal flesh and steely resolve!
Their bodies formed an unbreakable wall, firmly sheltering Liyue within.
Liyue had no city wall. The Millelith themselves became that unyielding barrier!
...
Far away, Xiangling stared toward the distant Guyun Stone Forest, where a giant god had risen to blot out the very heavens. Even separated by miles of ocean, the pressure made her tremble deep in her soul.
"Master and the others fought something like this, back then…" Xiangling murmured.
Even someone like her, blessed with a [Vision], felt the chill of fear—let alone ordinary folk.
Guoba tugged gently at her hand, silently comforting her.
Xiangling patted its head reassuringly, shaking her own. "I'm not scared."
She raised her gaze toward a gap in the protective barrier high above, gently patting Guoba once more.
"Guoba, it's our turn now."
Though she wasn't especially fond of Ningguang, Xiangling had to admit—the Tianquan was indeed impressive.
She'd anticipated this moment long ago and meticulously prepared for it.
Whether Millelith or [Vision] holders like herself, they'd all carefully followed Ningguang's guidance, combining efforts to create this earth-shaking formation that guarded Liyue Harbor.
Guoba nodded seriously. Girl and bear stood atop Wanmin Restaurant's roof. Golden light rose beneath their feet, and the [Pyro Vision] at Xiangling's waist shone brilliantly. In an instant, the gap over Chihu Rock sealed completely. Those sheltering inside Wanmin Restaurant felt the overwhelming pressure lift immediately.
The surging waves grew more massive. A towering tsunami surged, threatening to swallow Liyue whole.
Xingqiu, Chongyun, Yunjin, Xinyan, Yanfei...
One after another, [Vision] holders stepped into their formation points, their [Visions] blazing brilliantly. The protective barrier finally enclosed all of Liyue Harbor.
The towering tsunami crashed down like a collapsing mountain, unstoppable in its sheer destructive power, trying to shatter the harbor into oblivion.
Yet the barrier held firm like a mountain peak, resolute amid roaring waves, never wavering an inch.
Witnessing this, Zhongli finally smiled in relief, worry vanishing entirely from his brow.
...
Meanwhile, far away in Guili Plains, Hu Tao also sensed the terrifying commotion emanating from Guyun Stone Forest. Ignoring the three companions trying to stop her, she halted immediately and rushed atop Wangshu Inn, anxiously gazing out toward Guyun.
Across the vast distance, she could clearly see Yunlai Sea utterly shrouded in dark clouds, heavy rain hammering relentlessly downward.
On the ocean's surface, a massive, horrifying god stretched multiple monstrous heads, casually stirring up towering waves with every movement.
"Not good—Liyue Harbor's in danger!" She gripped the railing tightly, her heart racing with dread.
The Archon was dead, a sealed god resurrected, the Fatui wreaking havoc—Liyue faced unprecedented peril.
She desperately wanted to rush back immediately, yet reason told her clearly she'd make no difference. One person was insignificant before a disaster of this scale.
Hu Tao took a deep breath, forcibly calming her racing heart.
"The adepti and the Qixing are there; Liyue Harbor will surely stand firm. I must go somewhere I'm truly needed now."
---
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