Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Sword Light Like Me, Cutting Through the Chaos
Snezhnaya.
"Your Majesty, we've received new intelligence from our Liyue outpost. It seems there's been a sudden development in Liyue," said the Ninth Harbinger, Pantalone (The Regrator).
He had just received an urgent encrypted message from the Northland Bank's Liyue branch. After nearly a century of peace, a figure known as the "Divine Sovereign" had suddenly emerged in Liyue. And this wasn't just some rumor—it was officially recognized by Morax himself.
"Present it."
"Yes."
Pantalone respectfully handed over the encrypted letter. The Tsaritsa opened it and read its contents. Her usually calm expression showed a hint of interest.
"How intriguing. I didn't expect Morax to be the first to make a move."
"It seems the Geo Archon is preparing to step down. The Divine Sovereign is his chosen successor. To bestow such a title, Morax must hold him in extremely high regard."
Pantalone felt a surge of anger. Why? Why should some unknown figure receive Morax's recognition? Why?!
"Your Majesty, should we seize the opportunity to take the Gnosis while the new Geo Archon is ascending?" Pantalone gritted his teeth, proposing a plan to the Tsaritsa.
"Seize it? No. That person's strength is likely not weak. Unless I personally intervene, there's no need to provoke two god-level beings."
"Pantalone, I know of your grievances, so you need not involve yourself in this matter. I will instruct the newly appointed Eleventh Harbinger to investigate the Divine Sovereign," the Tsaritsa said calmly.
"But, Your Majesty!" Pantalone wanted to argue further, but the Tsaritsa raised a hand to silence him.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Pantalone reluctantly stepped back, but in his heart, he vowed not to let this matter rest.
After Pantalone left, the Tsaritsa flicked her hand, and the encrypted letter turned into shards of ice, scattering across the floor. The shards reflected the sunlight, adding a dazzling touch to the crimson carpet. After a long while, she softly murmured.
"That battle at Guyun Stone Forest... an elemental force unlike Teyvat's rules... a new Descender?"
"Mr. Zhongli, don't you have anything to say?"
Three Bowls Over the Wall.
Yun Fan looked at Zhongli, who was leisurely sifting tea for himself, with a slightly displeased expression.
"Ah~" Zhongli calmly picked up his teacup, gently blowing on the steaming tea, and spoke unhurriedly.
"From a universal perspective, no."
Yun Fan: My fist is clenched.
He wanted to punch that annoyingly smug face of Zhongli's and give him a black eye.
This Zhongli was clearly causing trouble for him. Theoretically, the title "Divine Sovereign" was even higher than "Emperor." If anyone with ill intentions decided to investigate, it would inevitably lead to complications. Someone like Yun Fan, who had suddenly appeared in Liyue Harbor with no prior history, would undoubtedly be the prime suspect.
"This matter is already settled. The title of Divine Sovereign has spread throughout Liyue Harbor and will soon reach all of Teyvat. And I have not violated the contract between us."
"Typical of you." Yun Fan was at a loss for words. Since things had come to this, he could only think about his next steps. Originally, he had planned to live peacefully in Liyue Harbor for two years, but now that plan seemed to be falling apart.
"I do have an idea."
"Oh? Do tell." Yun Fan was curious to hear Zhongli's suggestion.
"You could temporarily retreat to Mt. Aocang. I have already informed the adepti about the Divine Sovereign matter. You can lay low there, and at the same time, the adepti have much to teach. You could learn some adeptal arts from them."
"That's not a bad idea. Alright, I'll set off for Mt. Aocang tomorrow."
"Good."
There was one thing Zhongli didn't mention to Yun Fan: the adepti were quite displeased with the sudden appearance of the Divine Sovereign. They didn't believe anyone in the world was worthy of such a divine title. Among them, the most radical was Cloud Retainer, who had already decided to teach the Divine Sovereign a lesson once he showed himself.
Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper also agreed with Cloud Retainer's stance. Only Streetward Rambler and the Three- and-a-Half Inch Adeptus remained neutral.
Zhongli silently allowed the adepti's actions. To wear the crown, one must bear its weight. Yun Fan would need to earn the adepti's recognition through his own strength.
On Mt. Aocang, Yun Fan was hiking on foot. Since he had come to Liyue, he wanted to fully enjoy the pristine, pollution-free natural scenery, which was rare to find on Earth. It would be a waste not to savor it.
The sound of flowing water, the lush green peaks—looking up, the mountains stood tall among the clouds, majestic and awe-inspiring, as if reaching for the heavens.
"Those who soar high look at the peaks and calm their hearts; those who are busy with worldly affairs gaze into the valleys and forget to return. The ancients truly did not deceive me!" Yun Fan sighed in admiration. The feeling of being immersed in nature, becoming one with it, was truly intoxicating.
As he walked, Yun Fan didn't encounter any other seekers of the adepti. Perhaps it was because the wilderness was dangerous, teeming with monsters.
Those without Visions found it difficult to protect themselves, while those with Visions mostly didn't pursue the elusive path of the adepti. They preferred to rely on their own strength, like Diluc and Keqing.
In fact, Keqing had tried several times to destroy her Vision, but each attempt ended in failure.
'Boom...'
The ground trembled slightly. An earthquake? No, with Morax overseeing Liyue, how could there be an earthquake? It must be a monster—one with a massive size or strength capable of shaking the mountains.
"I'll go take a look." In the next moment, Yun Fan was gone, leaving only faint footprints on the damp soil as evidence of his presence.
"All soldiers, retreat at once!" Keqing, wielding the Lion's Roar, slashed at the monster's chest, but only left a shallow scratch on its rock-hard skin.
"Why is an Ancient Geovishap at the foot of Mt. Aocang?!" Keqing tightened her grip on her sword, staring at the purple patterns on the Geovishap's body. She had no intention of retreating. If she did, the Millelith soldiers behind her, who lacked Visions, would surely perish.
"Lady Keqing, we won't leave you alone! Charge—!" A Millelith soldier raised his spear and charged at the Geovishap's head.
In the next moment, this brave warrior was sent flying over ten meters by the Geovishap's fist, his fate unknown.
"Nonsense! Millelith squad leader, follow orders and lead everyone to retreat. I'll hold it off. Execute the command!"
With that, Keqing didn't hesitate and launched another attack on the Geovishap. The Geovishap was massive, with extremely high defense and attack power. Keqing could only rely on her speed to gain an advantage.
Watching Keqing and the Geovishap clash again, the Millelith squad leader knew he couldn't be of help and could only follow Keqing's orders.
"Lady Keqing, you must hold on! Everyone, take the unconscious soldier and retreat with me at once!"
Seeing that all the Millelith soldiers had retreated, Keqing breathed a sigh of relief. Once they were far enough, she could find an opportunity to retreat as well. Then, she could gather more forces to deal with the Geovishap.
"Swift as lightning!" Keqing threw her hairpin, activating Stellar Restoration to teleport above the Geovishap, stabbing her sword into its watermelon-sized eye.
"Roar!" The Geovishap roared in pain, its massive arms flailing wildly, launching indiscriminate attacks in all directions.
"Sword light like me, cutting through the chaos!" The Vision at Keqing's waist burst with dazzling electro light, which then merged into her sword. In an instant, dozens of sword slashes rained down on the Geovishap.
"Still... no damage?"