The Jade Chamber had launched into the sky?
Wasn't this construction speed a little too fast?
Before Fang Qiu could even react, the Jade Chamber — vast as a dark cloud — soared right overhead under her gaze, flying off toward the far side of the sea.
Hm?
Watching this scene, Fang Qiu couldn't help feeling a bit puzzled.
Why was it flying out over the sea?
Surely it wasn't that some engineering oversight had caused the Jade Chamber's steering to go out of control?
Just as Fang Qiu was puzzling over it, the wind and weather between heaven and earth suddenly shifted.
"BOOM!"
A peal of thunder cracked through the heavens. Black clouds swept across the sky in a single sweep, instantly enveloping the entirety of Liyue Harbor.
Furious winds rolled through; thunder roared and lightning flashed.
Fang Qiu froze for a moment, then it clicked.
The steering hadn't gone out of control — there was an enemy out there on the sea!
The big one was here!
Fang Qiu no longer cared about her meal. She rushed off down the road toward the docks.
By the time she reached the docks, the sea surface was already heaving with violent waves. Surging seawater smashed against the wharf, and the ships moored on the water swayed wildly, ramming repeatedly into the docks as the tides drove them in.
The few people who had previously been standing on the docks declaring "no one knows the sea better than I do" were now scrambling in a panic back toward shore.
Just as they were fleeing, a wooden crate tumbled down from one of the ships, hurtling straight toward one of them.
It was moving terrifyingly fast — the man hadn't even had time to react.
But Qiqi had already darted forward, leapt into the air, and with a single sword stroke had cleaved the crate in two.
In an instant, splinters of wood flew everywhere.
"Run, quickly."
Qiqi said.
Even as she spoke, another wooden crate rolled down from the ship.
Qiqi spun the long sword in her hand and was just about to strike again — when a sword of deep azure ice came tearing through the air and slammed into the crate, instantly shattering it to pieces.
The deep azure ice sword's momentum didn't stop there — it drove on and stabbed clean into the hull of one of The Crux Fleet's merchant ships.
"Qiqi, it's too dangerous over there — fall back first."
Without time to even worry about the merchant ship she'd accidentally hit, Fang Qiu shouted between gasps for breath.
She'd run all the way back to the docks, and her stamina was nearly spent.
On top of that, given the urgency of the situation just now, she hadn't dared to hold back.
As her words trailed off, she instinctively raised a hand to shield her eyes and looked out toward the sea.
What enormous winds and waves.
"Mm."
Qiqi nodded, and retreated back to Fang Qiu's side.
The docks were empty by then. The two of them fled the wharf together, retreating toward higher ground.
Only once they'd cleared the docks and reached somewhere safe did Fang Qiu finally lift her eyes to look out at the far side of the sea.
Even from a distance, she could see two waterspouts had appeared out at sea, and at that moment, a massive whirlpool was churning madly across the surface.
A monstrous creature shaped like the body of a dragon thrust itself up out of the whirlpool, letting out an earth-shaking roar.
"So this is what a god is...?"
Fang Qiu couldn't help swallowing. Fear flickered in her beautiful eyes.
The portion of this monster that had broken the surface was already nearly as tall as the Jade Chamber — so how massive must the part still beneath the sea be?
A creature of this caliber was far, far beyond what she could handle...
And it was at that moment she understood everything.
She finally understood why, the instant construction of the Jade Chamber was complete, it had flown straight out over the sea.
According to her memories, the last time they'd dealt with the Overlord of the Vortex, Miss Ningguang had sacrificed an entire Jade Chamber, slamming it down to drive the Overlord of the Vortex into the depths of the ocean.
Rushing the Jade Chamber to completion this time, it seemed, was so they could drop another one.
Only — there was still one thing she didn't understand.
Why was the timing so perfect?
The Jade Chamber had only just been finished, and that monster had appeared right on cue.
Fang Qiu narrowed her beautiful eyes and looked toward the direction of Guyun Stone Forest. Just as Fang Qiu thought the Jade Chamber was about to plummet, countless beams of gold light suddenly burst forth above it.
In that instant, countless sharp golden rays of light shot like arrows toward the monster.
At the same time, from Guyun Stone Forest itself, and from a single ship as well, more golden light erupted and blasted toward the creature.
The battle dragged on for a long time.
The monster let out an earth-shattering roar.
Accompanying the rumble of thunder, the sea instantly heaved up into waves that seemed dozens of meters high, surging in to slaughter the ship near Guyun Stone Forest and the Jade Chamber both.
The color drained from Fang Qiu's face in a flash, leaving it deathly pale.
This monster was just far too strong, wasn't it?
Heaven and earth had changed color; titanic waves rose to swallow the sky.
Back in her past life, by any measure this would have been on the level of Gatanozoa.
Waves of this scale crashing down on Liyue Harbor — most of Liyue Harbor would surely be destroyed in a single stroke.
Just as she was about to turn and pull Qiqi away with her toward higher ground, a sky-spanning ice storm came sweeping out, and the dozens-of-meters-high waves were instantly frozen in front of Guyun Stone Forest. The next moment, the frozen waves crumbled apart into nothing.
Once again, countless beams of golden light poured out, slamming into the monster's body. Unable to bear the assault, the monster bored its way back down into the depths.
"What kind of power is that..."
Fang Qiu couldn't help but be astonished.
Such tremendous Cryo elemental power... to actually freeze tidal waves on that scale solid...
Before long, the roaring waves and howling winds gradually subsided, and the dark clouds that had blanketed the sky slowly dispersed.
Revealing a clear, clean sky.
"Is it over?"
Fang Qiu murmured.
Qiqi's grip on her long sword also relaxed, just a little.
Only after the Millelith arrived and confirmed the danger had passed —
Did Fang Qiu finally let out a breath of relief. She delivered Qiqi back to Bubu Pharmacy, then headed off down the road toward her own home.
She was feeling rather tired...
She wanted to go home and lie down for a while...
When she reached the foot of her own building, Fang Qiu glanced at the now-calm sea, and her pale hand unconsciously clenched.
It seemed she'd need to hurry up and start preparing her next book.
She had to grow stronger as quickly as possible...
The projection of Sword and Fairy 1 and Prelude to Water Melody had both done practically nothing for her growth in power.
Although she didn't know the underlying principle, it seemed only writing novels could make her stronger.
She was tempted to just go ahead and write a book titled Reborn in Teyvat: Writing Novels Is the Only Way to Get Stronger.
Back in her past life, a novel like that would absolutely have been a bestseller.
Fang Qiu stretched lazily and climbed the stairs.
First she'd go home and take a nap, then think about the new book later...
Just as she reached her door, she saw a figure crouching outside it.
"Hu Tao? What are you doing here?"
Fang Qiu blinked, surprised, and asked.
Besides — why was Hu Tao all soaking wet?
But the words had barely left her mouth before Hu Tao, who'd had her head bowed low, abruptly jerked her face up.
Before Fang Qiu could even react, Hu Tao had sprung to her feet and come charging straight at her.
"Eh?"
Fang Qiu froze in place.
What was happening?
Then a chill shot up her spine — hadn't Hu Tao gone off to catch that little boy's ghost?
Surely she hadn't lost that fight and gotten possessed by the ghost?
This was bad — she needed to find Shenhe for help right away.
But the moment she went to turn around, Hu Tao had already rushed up right in front of her.
Too fast — there wasn't time!
Fang Qiu's Vision flared abruptly with light — and then went dark just as quickly.
No — she couldn't bring herself to strike Hu Tao.
But in that moment of hesitation, Hu Tao had already barreled right up to her.
It was over.
Fang Qiu's pupils shrank.
Just as she thought everything was finished — Hu Tao threw her arms tight around her in a hug.
Unable to absorb the impact, Fang Qiu was forced back two staggering steps, until Hu Tao tightened her arms slightly, steadying her in place.
Hm?
This ghost even knew how to protect her?
No, wait... what ghost.
This was Hu Tao herself.
"Hu Tao... what's all this..."
Fang Qiu instinctively asked.
But she'd only gotten halfway through the sentence when she realized — Hu Tao's body was trembling, ever so slightly.
"Thank goodness... you're okay..."
Hu Tao's voice was choked with tears.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
Though she had no idea what had happened, Fang Qiu still reached up and gently patted Hu Tao's back, speaking softly.
A long time passed before Hu Tao's body finally stopped trembling.
"What happened?"
Hu Tao didn't want to let go, and so Fang Qiu, with no other choice, simply held Hu Tao back as she asked, "How did you end up like this?"
It was only after speaking that she noticed — right there where Hu Tao had been crouching, an ice sword was lying quietly on the ground.
Looking at the shape...
Hm... it kind of looked like hers...
Hu Tao let out a soft breath and told Fang Qiu what had happened.
As it turned out, when Hu Tao had seen the sky and earth change color, she had rushed straight to Fang Qiu's home to find her.
Only to find that she wasn't home.
So Hu Tao had gone asking around for any news of her, and when she learned Fang Qiu was at the docks, she'd been scared half to death. She'd run all the way to the docks — but by then, Fang Qiu had already retreated elsewhere with Qiqi.
Naturally Hu Tao had come up empty. All she'd found, lodged in the side of one of the ships, was the ice sword Fang Qiu had fired to save Qiqi.
"So that's what happened."
Fang Qiu said.
Deep down, she was deeply moved.
The moment Hu Tao had learned something was happening out at sea, she'd come running to find her.
Hu Tao clearly knew the docks were dangerous — and still she'd thrown caution to the wind and gone to look for her there.
"Mm. I thought... I was going to have to hold a funeral for someone important to me again..."
Hu Tao's voice trembled slightly as she spoke.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
Fang Qiu said gently.
Though she couldn't see Hu Tao's face, Fang Qiu knew Hu Tao's expression had to be in a sorry state right now.
She'd heard Hu Tao mention it before — the very first funeral Hu Tao had presided over after taking on the role of Director Hu had been her own grandfather's funeral...
Though Hu Tao always carried herself with cheerful detachment, Fang Qiu knew — Hu Tao was a person of deep feeling.
And a very lonely person, too.
She'd also once heard Qiqi mention Hu Tao.
Though she'd found it both funny and pitiable when she'd heard Qiqi describe how Hu Tao had been planning to bury her, when she'd heard Qiqi's actual impression of Hu Tao, the laughter had died on her lips.
High temperatures, fake smiles, and death.
Fake smiles...
Fang Qiu went on holding Hu Tao like that, and Hu Tao went on holding Fang Qiu, until the sound of footsteps echoed up from the stairs.
Fang Qiu instinctively turned her head — and saw Shenhe and her group standing at the head of the staircase, staring at the two of them with utterly dumbfounded looks on their faces.
The atmosphere — abruptly — fell into silence.
It was only then that Fang Qiu became fully conscious of Hu Tao's burning body heat, and the soft, delicate sensation of her touch.
Fang Qiu's pretty face flushed scarlet in a flash, and she hurriedly released Hu Tao from her embrace.
"Traveler, it's... Fang Qiu, how can there be two Fang Qius?"
Hu Tao very discreetly wiped away her tears, ready to greet them — but the moment she caught sight of Shenhe standing beside Lumine, she froze.
Seeing Hu Tao stunned in place, Fang Qiu didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"My name is Shenhe."
Before Hu Tao could react, Shenhe spoke.
"Shenhe?"
Hu Tao gave Shenhe a careful look-over, then glanced back at Fang Qiu, and said, "There do seem to be some differences. But — how on earth can the two of you look so alike?"
"I'm not sure either."
Shenhe shook her head and said, "The Traveler and I returned to my old home today, and I asked about this matter, but there was no answer. Later, at Guyun Stone Forest, I asked my master too, but she didn't know either. Still — she's very curious about you, and intends to come see you herself."
"Shenhe's master? Where is that venerable elder, then?"
Fang Qiu blinked.
"You, little girl, are at least somewhat polite — not like a certain little fellow who dares to call this immortal 'that woman.'"
A cool, distant voice rang out.
Fang Qiu instinctively followed the voice with her gaze — and saw, perched on the neighboring rooftop pavilion, a bird.
What an enormous bird!
Fang Qiu's pupils contracted slightly. She nearly blurted her inner thoughts out loud.
"Master."
Shenhe greeted her respectfully.
"Hehe, ahaha, no need to hold a grudge like that."
Paimon scratched her hair sheepishly.
"You must be Shenhe's master, then. This humble junior is Fang Qiu — greetings to... um..."
Halfway through, she suddenly got stuck.
"Cloud Retainer."
Paimon whispered.
"Greetings to Cloud Retainer."
Fang Qiu hurriedly said.
"Just as Shenhe said — the two of you are remarkably alike in appearance. Even your souls are very similar, and bear some connection to each other. By all reckoning, you should be twin sisters separated long ago. And yet your physical constitutions cannot be lumped together — one of you has exceptional aptitude, the other is sickly and frail. Truly strange..."
Cloud Retainer studied Fang Qiu carefully and said, "However, this is not my area of expertise. Just by looking, this immortal also cannot be certain. If I were to bring the two of you back to Jueyun Karst, an answer should be possible to obtain. But since you have already found your reason for remaining in Liyue Harbor, I shall consult others on this matter and not disturb you further."
"Yes, Master."
Shenhe nodded.
"You — your name is Fang Qiu, correct?"
Cloud Retainer asked.
"In reply to the Realm Lord — this humble junior is Fang Qiu."
Fang Qiu said respectfully.
"This child Shenhe I shall entrust to you. In return, this immortal shall also extend you due care."
Cloud Retainer said.
Before Fang Qiu could quite understand what Cloud Retainer meant, Cloud Retainer seemed to remember something, and continued:
"Ah, yes. During my recent stay in Liyue Harbor, I've heard that you write books exceptionally well. Ningguang even arranged projections of your works, and even Shenhe carries a copy of one with her. Ever since the matter of my automatic cooking... well, never mind, best not to bring that up. In any case, this immortal has been finding things rather dull of late. Might I have a copy of every single book you have written? Don't worry — this immortal shall pay you in Mora."
"Ah?"
Hearing this, a cold sweat broke out instantly on Fang Qiu's brow.
An Adepti... wanting to read her books?
Sword and Fairy 1 and Sword and Fairy 2 had no shortage of unflattering portrayals of immortals and gods...
Especially in Sword and Fairy 2, the storyline of the sisters at Shennong Cave who became immortals...
But an Adepti was asking — she couldn't very well refuse.
So Fang Qiu and Hu Tao turned and went inside, and came back out from the room carrying an armful of books.
Cloud Retainer flapped her wings once, and all the books in Fang Qiu's and Hu Tao's hands vanished in an instant.
"Very well. If they prove to be a good read, this immortal shall come find you again. Oh, and — if you're interested in stories of Shenhe's childhood, you may come to Jueyun Karst to find me. I can tell you about them. This immortal shall now take her leave for Jueyun Karst. Shenhe, when you have time, go visit your senior sister Ganyu as well."
With that, Cloud Retainer flapped her wings and flew off.
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