Jade Chamber.
It had been a long time since all the Qixing had gathered together.
This time, the matter was so urgent that even those stationed far from Liyue Harbor had been personally fetched back by Xiao at Zhongli's request. That alone made it clear to them how serious this meeting was.
Some of them had already guessed it must be related to the overwhelming lightning that had shaken heaven and earth not long ago. Yet, with no clear information, they could only furrow their brows in silence, each lost in thought.
The atmosphere in the Jade Chamber was heavy.
As the immortals—guardians of all corners of Liyue who rarely left their posts—arrived one after another and took their seats, that oppressive feeling reached its peak.
Ningguang and Keqing exchanged a glance; their sense of unease only grew stronger.
What exactly had happened?
What was that apocalyptic thunder?
Why had the Geo Archon himself chosen to bypass dream-messages and directly convene the immortals and Qixing in person?
This scale of meeting… in all of Ningguang's memories, it had never happened before.
The records showed only one similar event in the three thousand years since Liyue's founding—five hundred years ago.
That time…
The heavens collapsed, the earth cracked apart, and Khaenri'ah fell.
All seven nations were ravaged by endless black beasts.
According to the records, more than a dozen immortals died in that war. Even the mightiest among the Yakshas, the Bosacius, vanished without a trace.
As for the Millelith…
The archives didn't even dare record the exact number of dead.
They simply described it with two phrases—corpses strewn everywhere, ten households with nine empty.
Of more than a million Millelith soldiers, fewer than ten thousand survived. Indirectly or directly, millions of Liyue's people perished.
Even several of the Seven Archons fell in that calamity.
The wealth and power Liyue had accumulated over more than a thousand years since the end of the Archon War were wiped clean.
Almost nine-tenths of Liyue's immortal strength was gone.
Even now, the black beasts had not been entirely eradicated from Liyue's lands.
And now… Zhongli was summoning such a meeting again.
How could Ningguang not think the worst?
Her usually unreadable expression tightened, the worry in her heart plain to see.
Liyue might be prosperous and strong now, but compared to those days, its top combat strength was sorely lacking.
If such a disaster struck again… it would be the end.
She felt a flare of frustration. She had only been the Tianquan Star for a few short years, just starting to make bold plans for Liyue's rise—and now this?
Why did such misfortune have to happen on her watch?
The more she thought, the more her anger simmered. But with so many immortals present—each with expressions heavier than hers—she couldn't simply blurt out questions.
"Don't worry, little Ningguang."
An amiable voice spoke beside her. Granny Ping lightly patted her shoulder.
"If there's any danger, we old ones will handle it. What you shouldn't face, we won't let you face."
"Trust the Geo Archon. Trust in Liyue."
Ningguang's heart softened a little. "Granny Ping…" she murmured.
"Keep your composure. The Archon will be here soon. Do you want him to think the Tianquan Star of this era can't shoulder her responsibilities?"
Granny Ping's eyes crinkled in a smile as she gave Keqing a pointed glance, her tone carrying hidden meaning.
"You want to entrust your envisioned future to someone. Let the Archon see it's worth entrusting."
Ningguang's chest tightened.
Last year, during the Rite of Descension, Keqing had openly questioned the Geo Archon about how many more years he intended to lead Liyue. That was near-blasphemy. The immortals had not forgiven her, and even many in Liyue Harbor thought she had gone too far.
But… without Ningguang's tacit approval, Keqing would never have acted so boldly.
Keqing had only dared to speak out because she believed Ningguang quietly supported her ideals.
The likes of Cloud Retainer might not see through this little maneuver, but Zhongli and Granny Ping certainly had.
And in fact, they approved.
Zhongli valued Ningguang's calculating mind. Without such foresight, how could she bear the weight of Liyue's helm?
As Liyue's leader, she had to be willing to account for everyone—including the Archon himself—if it was for Liyue's good.
"Don't worry, we don't blame you. Only by this mindset can Liyue flourish after the Archon steps down."
Granny Ping's voice was warm but resolute.
Ningguang exhaled in relief, but asked softly, "Granny Ping… does that mean the Archon truly intends to abdicate?"
"He did," Granny Ping sighed.
"He once told me that after all these years, the wear and tear have sunk deep into his very soul. He may not be able to hold on much longer."
"He said himself… his strength is waning."
"So when you had ambitions for Liyue's future, he was willing to support them. Stepping down would ease his burden."
"But now…" She shook her head, her expression conflicted.
"I don't know. Teyvat has changed. This urgent summons may be due to a difficult decision—not necessarily a war."
"Listen well, little Ningguang."
For the first time, Granny Ping's voice was solemn.
"Liyue belongs to its countless people—and to your generation. It is not our Liyue."
"No matter what happens, we will give our all to resolve it for you."
"After that… how Liyue grows will depend on you. I hope you can keep moving forward, never looking back."
The almost last-will-like tone made Ningguang's chest ache.
The immortals had fought and bled for thousands of years. Now, would they again be called to lay down their lives without ever seeing the peace they deserved?
She clenched her fists, unwilling.
If only they had a few more decades—no, even just a dozen years—she could make Liyue so strong it would no longer need the immortals.
Then the immortals could truly retire in peace.
But fate had chosen this moment.
It was too soon.
The time was too short.
Yet faced with the reality before her, she was powerless to change it.
After a long moment, she sighed.
"Granny Ping… I will not disappoint you. Nor Liyue."
"That's right. Everyone dies eventually—even immortals."
Granny Ping smiled faintly, as though letting go of a burden.
"To spend our final strength prolonging Liyue's life is, for us, a return to our roots and an honor."
"Don't worry, little Ningguang. Walk boldly forward. We will always be watching from behind."
Ningguang turned her head, quietly wiped away a tear, then once more assumed the regal bearing of the Tianquan Star.
No matter what was coming, Liyue could not stop moving forward.
She bore too many people's hopes to waste time on grief or pretense.
As long as Liyue could advance, it would all be worth it.
Her resolve had barely settled when…
Outside the Jade Chamber, Zhongli finally arrived with Xiao and the others.
The immortals and the Qixing rose together.
"Archon!"
Zhongli gave a slight nod, offering no more words as he strode with the poise of a dragon to take the main seat.
The others sat as well.
His gaze swept the room—seven stars present, though some immortals were still abroad.
"Where is Mountain Shaper and the others?" he asked gravely.
"After your summons," Granny Ping replied, "we contacted them by immortal arts. But they are far afield—it will be tomorrow at the earliest before they can return. Shall we wait?"
Zhongli paused, then shook his head.
"There is no time. When they return, pass on this message."
"Now… I ask everyone to listen carefully."
"This concerns not only the future of all Liyue, but of all Teyvat."
"The meeting has one purpose—"
"The Liyue Cultivation Plan."
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