The moment Shenhe leaped into the whirlpool, Paimon flew over to Lin Mo and Lumine, asking anxiously, "Traveler, Diplomatic Envoy, should we go after her and help?"
Without a second thought, Lumine immediately rose from Lin Mo's embrace, stepped onto the icy surface, and sprinted toward the whirlpool on the sea.
A flash of determination crossed Lin Mo's eyes.
In this era of Liyue governed by its people, what did the opinions of the masses matter?
Shenhe's safety should be the foremost priority in his heart.
Thus, Lin Mo quickly followed. The instant after Lumine plunged into the vortex, he too leaped down without hesitation.
Beneath the whirlpool, on the coral platform.
The three heads of "Beisht" swayed in the depths of the sea, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Shenhe stood alone facing the three heads, her eyes showing not a trace of fear.
At that moment, Shenhe sensed something and looked back. "Why did you all come down?"
"We couldn't let Shenhe take the risk alone~!" Paimon said as if it were the most natural thing.
Shenhe shook her head gently. "It's hardly a risk. The people of Liyue Harbor were prepared. It's already severely wounded, just clinging on stubbornly."
As she spoke, Shenhe raised the long spear in her hand—"Calx."
"Although my own stamina is nearly spent," she continued, "when it comes to life-or-death struggles, I am likely more adept than it is."
"With me here, there's no need for reckless sacrifice."
Just then, Lin Mo's voice reached the seabed.
Spreading his Wind Glider, Lin Mo descended from outside the whirlpool and landed beside Shenhe.
"You... you're injured. Why did you follow me down?" Shenhe couldn't help but voice her concern.
Lin Mo merely smiled slightly, a long blade formed of Geo energy already grasped in his hand.
Shenhe's gaze shifted subtly.
Only then did she notice.
Lin Mo actually wielded elemental power.
Before Shenhe could fully process this—
"ROAR!!!"
Beisht let out a piercing shriek that stabbed at their eardrums.
She recognized him.
The Lin Mo before her eyes.
Was the one who had sealed and slain her husband, Osial.
At that moment, Lin Mo stood before Shenhe, Geo blade in hand, shielding her from the onslaught of the deafening sound wave.
"While... I admire your devotion, even to the point of death," Lin Mo spoke as he slowly raised his Geo blade, his tone calm, "you are far too noisy."
"ROAR!!!"
Beisht roared again.
Simultaneously, three spheres of Hydro energy coalesced before her three heads.
The rapidly spinning, highly concentrated Hydro spheres were so powerful they caused three massive black whirlpools to form on the surface of the Sea of Clouds.
Just as Beisht was about to unleash her attack—
"Lin Mo! Danger!"
Shenhe urgently tried to pull Lin Mo behind her.
But in that instant, Lin Mo's sword arm moved.
"Alas..."
"Falling Leaves Adrift."
A soft sigh.
As his arm swept through the water.
The three charged Hydro spheres were instantly sliced apart and dispersed.
Following the Hydro energy scattering into the depths...
So too fell Beisht's three heads, which had been held high just moments before.
"It's... it's over...?"
Shenhe's eyes were filled with disbelief.
Even a weakened god was still a genuine god.
How could a mere mortal like Lin Mo slay Beisht with a single strike?
Yet... the evidence was right before her eyes, leaving her no choice but to believe.
"It's not dead," Lin Mo stated plainly. "It's a god formed of Hydro energy, an elemental incarnation. It cannot be slain so easily."
"Ah~! It's getting away!" Paimon suddenly shouted, pointing into the deep sea. "Should we chase it?"
A three-headed sea serpent could be seen fleeing into the depths, swimming toward the distant, unknown abyss.
Lin Mo shook his head. "This area is unstable. Pursuing further carries too great a risk. If it collapses, the consequences would be unthinkable. We should return for now."
Shenhe and Lumine nodded in succession.
With a current summoned by Lin Mo, they soared together out of the whirlpool, landing gently on the shore.
"Hmm..."
Shenhe's eyes were closed, one hand lightly pressed against her chest.
Her expression seemed somewhat uncomfortable.
"Shenhe, are you alright?" Lin Mo asked with concern.
"Just a bit overexerted. It's nothing," Shenhe replied, shaking her head. Her gaze turned to Lin Mo, tinged with bitterness. "I originally intended to handle that creature alone. I didn't expect... to be protected by you instead."
"Don't worry. It won't dare return for now," Lin Mo said with a slight smile. "With injuries that severe, it will likely take decades to recover. It has probably fled elsewhere."
"How was the situation underwater just now?"
Ningguang's voice reached the group.
She approached Lin Mo's side, accompanied by Ganyu and Keqing.
"Dealt with," Lin Mo replied with a smile. "It was already heavily wounded before submerging. We didn't need to expend much effort."
"That's good," Ningguang said, smiling faintly. "Regardless, we have weathered this crisis. Please come to the Jade Chamber later; I will ensure you are properly hosted."
Just then, a squad of Millelith soldiers approached Ningguang, reporting solemnly:
"Lady Ningguang! The fleet reports that the sea monster has left the vicinity of Guyun Stone Forest. The surrounding waters have returned to normal."
"You've worked hard. What are the Millelith's casualties?" Ningguang inquired with concern.
"Thanks to the medicinal preparations Lady Ningguang provided and Lady Keqing's command on the front lines, we managed to keep casualties to a minimum," the Millelith soldier said. He then looked toward Shenhe, clasping his fists sincerely. "We must also thank this young lady for intervening at the critical moment."
"You halted the tsunami, minimizing Millelith casualties. On behalf of all my brothers in the Millelith, I extend our deepest gratitude!"
"I..."
Shenhe was momentarily at a loss for words.
It was the first time she had received such sincere thanks from others.
"Shenhe protected us just like a hero in the operas~!" Paimon chirped happily from the side.
Shenhe smiled in reply. "Then... next time I listen to Ms. Yun's operas, perhaps I can accept such praises with more ease." As she spoke, she glanced toward Lin Mo beside her, her gaze profound. "Though I never sought to be a hero. I only wished to protect you. That is all."
Observing the two locking eyes, Ningguang couldn't help but interject, "Have the soldiers rest well, but they must not grow complacent. Maintain strict vigilance against the sea monster's potential return."
"Understood!" the Millelith soldier promptly responded.
At that moment, Ningguang glanced sideways, asking pointedly, "Having observed for so long, have you reached a conclusion?"
The group then noticed that the Cloud Retainer had been standing upon a mountain rock for some time, her gaze fixed upon them.
Seeing everyone look her way, the Cloud Retainer spoke coldly:
"Hmph!"
"You ask for my opinion?"
"Had Shenhe and Lin Mo not intervened, this matter would not have concluded so smoothly."
"I do not deny that," Ningguang replied with a slight smile. "However... it would merely have been a more arduous process. Ultimate victory would still have been ours."
As she spoke, Ningguang's eyes lifted toward the Jade Chamber in the sky, her tone confident.
"At worst... I can just smash another Jade Chamber~"
"Tsk..."
Lin Mo couldn't help but be taken aback by Ningguang's audacity.
Did she think the Jade Chamber was like his "Planet Befall"?
Something to be smashed on a whim?
He'd heard that thing cost billions of Mora!
...
The Millelith soldier, having received his orders, saluted and departed to carry out his duties.
Ningguang then turned her attention back to the group, her expression softening into a more diplomatic smile. "Now, shall we adjourn to the Jade Chamber? The crisis has passed, but the aftermath requires discussion. And you all deserve proper refreshment and recognition for your efforts today."
She gestured gracefully toward the floating palace above. "I've instructed the staff to prepare. The view from the chamber is particularly clear this evening—a fitting backdrop to review today's events."
Lin Mo exchanged a glance with Shenhe and Lumine. The immediate danger was over, but the political and strategic implications of Beisht's attack—and its connection to Osial—would need addressing. The Jade Chamber was as much a seat of power as a sanctuary.
"Lead the way, Lady Ningguang," Lin Mo said, nodding. The group followed as Ningguang, with Ganyu and Keqing at her sides, began making arrangements for their ascent.
High above Liyue, the Jade Chamber awaited, its lights beginning to twinkle like early stars against the darkening sky.
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T/N:
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