Above Guyun Stone Forest, golden light now filled the sky.
What should have been a breathtaking sight instead looked, in Lumine's eyes, like a painting of impending death.
Countless replicated Sigils of Permission floated high in the air, spreading out to form an enormous pattern.
Moments later, they sank into the sea, disappearing into the unfathomable depths below.
Only a few seconds passed—
Then the calm ocean surface suddenly erupted into violent waves.
The cloudless sky darkened instantly as black clouds gathered.
The earth trembled, and the rocks scattered across Guyun Stone Forest shook endlessly.
"Ah! Lumine, let's go—now! The demon god's seal is breaking!"
Seeing the world change in such a short span of time, as if the end of days had arrived, Lumine's expression hardened.
"We can't leave. We're the ones who released it—we have to stop it ourselves!"
She had thought they were merely creating a diversion.
She never imagined they were actually unsealing a demon god.
Paimon was frantic, but seeing Lumine standing firmly in place, she could only stomp her foot and stay beside her.
"Fine… then I'll stay with you."
"Thank you, Paimon."
Even now, when Paimon refused to abandon her, warmth spread through Lumine's heart.
She gave the nervous little companion a faint smile.
We'll be fine.
She reassured herself silently.
Yujing Terrace – Yuehai Pavilion
The instant the demon god's seal was broken, Luoli and Raiden Makoto sensed the familiar aura.
Almost simultaneously, they turned their gaze toward Guyun Stone Forest in the Cloud Sea.
The resentment and fury of a demon god, sealed for thousands of years beneath the deep sea, surged skyward.
Even from dozens of miles away, its presence was unmistakable.
"This is… a demon god's aura?!"
Makoto glanced at Luoli's knowing expression. "Do you know what caused this?"
"I have a rough idea."
Luoli pondered briefly. He had initially been surprised by the sudden unsealing, but quickly regained his composure.
After all, with the storyline already altered by his interference, deviations were only natural.
Using Clairvoyance, a skill obtained long ago through countless sign-ins, he easily observed the situation at Guyun Stone Forest.
The demon god had only just been partially released, and its full momentum had yet to spread—there was still some time.
Turning toward Eula, Noelle, and Shenhe, who were still unaware of the situation, he said casually:
"You three—this will be a good opportunity for me to assess how strong you've become.
Later, make sure to put on a good performance."
Eula and Noelle froze.
"…You mean combat?"
Luoli shook his head slightly, smiling as he pointed into the distance.
"Combat against the demon god that was just unsealed."
"?!"
The two of them thought they had misheard.
A demon god?!
Where did a demon god even come from?!
Before they could process this, an urgent announcement echoed from within Yuehai Pavilion.
Moments later, Ningguang and Keqing, who should have been busy with state affairs, emerged together.
Ningguang briefly paused when she saw the unfamiliar Luoli, but the news she had just received quickly overshadowed everything else.
With a grave expression, she spoke rapidly:
"News has just arrived from Guyun Stone Forest—the vortex demon god Osial, once sealed by the Geo Archon, has been released."
Eula: "..."
Noelle: "..."
Aside from Luoli and Makoto, only Shenhe and Ganyu remained calm.
Shenhe, as always, showed little emotion.
As for Ganyu—her teacher was right here. What was there to fear?
With him present, even a demon god was nothing more than a target waiting to be dealt with.
Keqing, though initially pleased to see Luoli, quickly refocused.
"This isn't the time for reunions," she said briskly.
"We must board the Jade Chamber immediately and head for Guyun Stone Forest to assess the situation!
Ganyu—mobilize the Millelith at once!"
Ganyu instinctively glanced at Luoli, wanting to protest.
With Teacher here, why go through all this trouble? One strike and Osial would be sealed again.
But seeing Luoli nod and say, "Follow Keqing's orders. Go," she obediently complied.
Despite everything, she felt the most relaxed of all.
As long as her teacher was present, no problem could truly be called troublesome.
Makoto, seeing Luoli's arrangements, roughly understood his intentions.
Keqing failed to notice Ganyu's subtle reaction, but Ningguang caught it immediately.
She had learned from Keqing that Ganyu's teacher had returned—but not who he truly was.
The legends from two thousand years ago had long faded into history.
Casting Luoli a thoughtful look, Ningguang silently committed his presence to memory.
At a time like this, there could be no wasted effort or distraction.
His identity could be investigated later.
Soon, following Keqing's orders, everyone ascended via the reception platform to the Jade Chamber floating high above.
Eula and Noelle felt nervous.
Fighting hilichurls, Abyss Mages, or monsters was one thing—but battling a demon god?
Even now, it still felt unreal.
Yet when they met Luoli's serious gaze, they realized this might truly be happening.
Standing on the deck of the Jade Chamber, both women took deep breaths, steadying their minds and preparing to face what lay ahead.
At the very least… Mr. Luoli wouldn't send us to our deaths, right?
With that thought, they relaxed slightly.
Seeing their tension, Luoli spoke gently:
"Don't underestimate your current strength.
You may not rival a demon god, but self-preservation will be no problem."
Though Eula hadn't finished drinking all of the Demonic Essence, she had already consumed more than half.
Her mastery over ice was now second nature, enhanced further by her Vision—her strength rivaled that of an adeptus.
As for Noelle, having grasped much of the Flying Sword Art under Luoli's guidance, her growth had been nothing short of explosive.
Compared to before, both of them were at least ten times stronger.
Besides, Osial wasn't fully unsealed—only partially freed.
Once the Sigils of Permission expired, it would be suppressed again.
At best, it could only wield a fraction of its former power.
"We're almost there," Ningguang reminded them softly.
As the Jade Chamber advanced at full speed, the events unfolding at Guyun Stone Forest gradually came into view—
Until they finally appeared clearly before everyone's eyes.