[Transcendent Chat Group]
[Vortex God]:Hold on—I'm a demon god! How dare he?! (Kamisato Ayaka·shocked)
[Kaeya]:White robes, striding across the sea… that's style. Absolute style! (applause)
[Dvalin]:I'm betting ten moves before Vortex God's on his knees! (Venti·throws confetti)
[Venti]:Eight moves!
[Furina]:Six!
[Raiden Ei]:One strike kill. (nods solemnly)
[Vortex God]:Do any of you mortals have even a shred of respect for a demon god? You think anyone can just seal me under Guyun Stone Forest with a single spear like Morax did?! (Xinyan·furious)
[Vortex God]:Fine then, open your eyes wide and watch—see how I put Gu Chen in his place! (Paimon·leave it to me)
In the video—
Gu Chen advanced swiftly, his figure reflected on the waves.
Vortex God's many eyes turned upon him, the god immediately sensing danger.
Neither spoke.
The battle erupted in an instant.
Five torrents of elemental energy blasted toward Gu Chen,
and beneath his feet the sea began to twist, forming a massive whirlpool.
Gu Chen's expression remained calm.
He walked the waves as if on solid ground—
Then in a flash, his silver spear darted out.
Pchhk!
The tip pierced one of Vortex God's heads clean through—
like stabbing into tofu. Not an ounce of resistance.
With a swift horizontal sweep, Gu Chen's spear tore the head from its neck,
sending it crashing into the sea below!
Before Vortex God could even react, Gu Chen spun around—
and his spear pierced another head, severing it just as easily.
[Venti]:@[Vortex God] I saw it! Both your heads—gone! One thrust per head! Beautiful execution!
[Kaeya]:Why so quiet now? Cat got your tongues? (smirk)
[Azhdaha]:Tch. That's it? I clearly overestimated you. (facepalm)
[Paimon]:Wait… it's that easy for Gu Chen? Vortex God doesn't even look like he's fighting back!
[Vortex God]:Tsk, caught off guard, that's all. My heads are elemental constructs—they can reform! No big deal!
[Dvalin]:Ha! Spoken like a true sore loser. I'm an elemental dragon myself and even I wouldn't say losing my wings is 'no big deal'! You've got guts, I'll give you that.
[Tartaglia]:So uh… Vortex God's not all that, huh? (confused)
At this point, even those who once trembled at Vortex God's name began to question if he'd been overhyped.
Before Gu Chen, he seemed utterly helpless.
Writhing in fury and fear, Vortex God's remaining heads lunged again.
Gu Chen sidestepped, thrusting his spear—another skull impaled.
The god howled in agony.
Shhhk! Another spear strike followed, each blow carrying elemental power so concentrated that the sea itself split apart.
Vortex God's strength began to falter; his presence grew weaker and weaker.
"Go back where you belong."
Gu Chen's voice was calm, almost cold.
He pulled his spear back and plunged it straight into the ocean depths.
BOOM!
The silver spear stabbed deep into the seafloor—
and the demon god's true body hidden beneath.
The impact pierced clean through.
Vortex God's towering form slackened,
his head collapsed one by one as his body sank slowly back beneath the waves.
[Paimon]:Wait—Vortex God's dead?! (Paimon·shocked)
[Dvalin]:No, I doubt it. Gu Chen doesn't strike me as the type to kill recklessly.
[Vortex God]:See that? He couldn't kill me! (smug shrug)
[Zhongli]:Or… perhaps Gu Chen refrained because slaying you outright would have unleashed corruption upon the sea—pollution born of divine essence.
It's likely he spared you deliberately, merely resealing you instead.
[Vortex God]:...
Would it kill you not to say that out loud?!
Can't a demon god keep a little dignity?!
[Furina]:Five moves! I counted—five! Just one off from my guess, I win! (Venti·celebrates)
[Kaeya]:Five moves, yes, but the last one was worth a whole Tartaglia! (grin)
[Tartaglia]:Excuse me?! Why am I a unit of measurement now?! (Qiqi·collapsed)
[Azhdaha]:Setting Gu Chen aside, it seems Liyue's overall strength is rather… feeble.
Honestly, that makes me more confident in conquering it myself! (Azhdaha·roar)
[Lumine]:Or maybe… the Geo Archon never truly died?
[Azhdaha]:Huh?
[Vortex God]:Ha! I don't buy it. I almost reached Liyue Harbor myself—
if not for Gu Chen, the city would be drowned in blood by now!
If Morax were alive, would he really let his people suffer so?
[Ningguang]:Keep watching. You'll see.
In the video—
After resealing Vortex God, Gu Chen returned to shore.
The people of Liyue erupted in cheers for their hero.
Escaping the crowd's enthusiasm, he, Lumine, and Paimon made their way to the Northland Bank.
But the moment they stepped inside, they froze.
Tartaglia and the Lady were arguing heatedly—
and beside them stood Zhongli, calm as ever.
"It seems your acquaintances have arrived," the Lady said coolly.
"It's Zhongli and Tartaglia—wait, you're one of the Fatui Harbingers!" Paimon pointed, aghast.
"The Lady!" Lumine's eyes narrowed.
"Ah, so you remember me," she sneered.
"We met in the bard's city, didn't we?
Unforgettable, I'm sure—
watching your friend lose something precious while you stood helpless."
Her voice dripped with contempt.
Tartaglia said nothing, looking oddly tense.
Shh—
The sound of steel cutting air—
Gu Chen's silver spear pressed against the Lady's pale neck.
His voice was low and dangerous.
"Just because Venti showed you mercy doesn't mean I will.
Next time you speak, try using that brain the fire didn't fry."
Feeling the sting of the spearpoint, the Lady's face darkened with fury and fear.
"Fine!" she snapped.
Gu Chen withdrew his weapon.
The Lady turned toward Zhongli.
"No point wasting words.
Per our agreement, I'm here for your Gnosis… Morax."
"W-What are you talking about?!" Paimon gasped.
Zhongli raised his hand, voice calm.
"The contract is fulfilled.
As promised, I grant you the agreed-upon reward."
A faintly glowing yellow chess piece appeared in his palm—
the Gnosis.
"Wha—?! You're the Geo Lord himself?!" Paimon's jaw dropped.
Lumine's suspicions were confirmed, her eyes widening.
When she looked to Gu Chen, however, he only smiled faintly—
as though he had known all along.
[Hu Tao]:???
[Tartaglia]:???
[Ningguang]:So it's true! We suspected as much—but now it's certain.
The Geo Lord only faked his death!
[Keqing]:But… Why would he do that?! (Kamisato Ayaka·confused)
[Vortex God]:@[Azhdaha] Don't contact me again. I… I don't want Morax to misunderstand.
[Gu Chen]:Coward. (smirk)
[Venti]:Brother, you're losing your touch! (teasing grin)
[Azhdaha]:Pathetic! Why don't you stand up and fight Morax like a god should?! (snorts)
[Azhdaha]:@[Zhongli] You deceitful coward! When I break free,
I'll make sure your death isn't just an act next time! (Xinyan·furious)
[Zhongli]:I'll be waiting. (shrug)
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