The Jade Chamber hovered above Osial.
Lumine gripped the Sword of Dawn and took a deep breath.
Including Ganyu, Guizhong, and Jun Bai, a total of thirteen adepti formed a circle around her at the center, channeling their Adeptus energy and bestowing blessings upon her.
The power of the thirteen adepti converged into one body. Golden light rose from Lumine's form. She raised the Sword of Dawn in her hand and thrust it toward the Jade Chamber.
A beam of light shot skyward. In an instant, every array on the Jade Chamber was completely destroyed.
Deprived of its power source, yet bolstered by the adepti's energy, the Jade Chamber began to plummet toward Osial.
Physics sometimes still applies in Teyvat.
Thus, as its falling speed gradually increased, the structures on the Jade Chamber began to shatter bit by bit. Then…
Lumine and Paimon stared wide-eyed as the adepti around them each used their own methods to take to the air one after another.
But the two of them—no, more precisely, Lumine, who couldn't fly—could only fall along with the Jade Chamber.
The world… has rejected me…
Lumine silently said in her heart, then prepared to open her Wind Glider mid-air to fly back up toward the Jade Chamber.
At that moment, a true phoenix appeared and silently caught Lumine, who was in free fall.
The true phoenix descended and landed at the harbor of the Guili Assembly.
Seeing this, Lumine leaped down from the true phoenix and executed a perfect single-knee landing.
The true phoenix reverted to human form: "Guizhong, your turn."
Guizhong stepped forward and tossed out pre-prepared talismans toward the sea surface.
Driven by Adeptus energy, the talismans transformed into seals and flew toward Guyun Stone Forest, ultimately landing on the Jade Chamber. The fully loaded Jade Chamber, bearing the seal, continued its descent toward Osial.
Unable to resist, Osial was finally suppressed by the Jade Chamber and once again sealed within the waters of Guyun Stone Forest.
This disaster, instigated by the Fatui in their pursuit of the Gnosis, had finally come to an end.
"With this, everything is over."
Guizhong stretched her petite body: "Finally, I can get some proper rest."
Jun Bai looked toward Guizhong—or rather, toward the adepti standing behind her: "Ningguang said Liyue Harbor will also implement human governance. Do any of you have thoughts on that?"
Cloud Retainer glanced around to confirm no one else was nearby, then dropped her formal tone: "To be honest, it's difficult. Even if we agree, the people of Liyue Harbor may not necessarily agree."
"Their dependence on the Lord of Geo is something even I can't match."
Madame Ping smiled: "That's exactly why we need to delegate power. Otherwise, implementing human governance will only become even harder."
"Those we once needed to protect have now grown to this extent."
After Madame Ping spoke, the adepti fell into silence.
In this moment, what appeared in the minds of the adepti was Keqing roaring in anger atop the Jade Chamber; the Millelith standing guard in front of the array despite their weakness; and…
That pitch-black giant who had battled the god on the sea.
The answer was already clear to the adepti.
"Although their strength is still lacking, in terms of spirit, they are already mature enough." Cloud Retainer stated, making her stance clear.
"Now that the Guili Assembly practices human governance, Liyue Harbor must learn to stand on its own as well." Moon Carver said. "The Lord of Geo must have had the same idea when he chose to fake his death."
"The Lord of Geo is very important, but Liyue should not come to a standstill just because the Lord is gone. Mortals will understand this sooner or later." Herblord said nonchalantly.
The adepti each expressed their views—some agreeing, some neutral, some abstaining—but not a single one opposed.
"Then, it's decided?" Guizhong finalized the conclusion. "Liyue implements human governance and delegates power to the Seven Stars."
The adepti nodded.
"Since the decision has been made, it's time for us to return to Jueyun Karst." Mountain Shaper said and prepared to ride the wind away.
"Please wait, esteemed adepti!"
A vigorous voice rang out. Xuanjian, supported by Yunshang, stepped forward.
"With your current condition, you should be lying in a sickbed, not coming to seek help from adepti." Herblord spoke bluntly.
"This matter truly requires my personal presence to show sincerity." Xuanjian said with a smile.
"Now that the Osial incident has concluded, and the Guili Assembly practices human governance, is there still something requiring our intervention?" Menogias stepped forward in place of Bosacius to ask.
The current Bosacius had his lips tightly pressed together, his body trembling nonstop.
He could only let Menogias speak for him—because the moment he opened his mouth, he would lose control.
"It's nothing too important." Yunshang explained, then gave Xuanjian a look.
"The manager of Fengdeng Lou has prepared a victory banquet for the Millelith. I would like to invite all the esteemed adepti to attend and formally express our gratitude." Xuanjian extended the invitation to the adepti.
The adepti very much wanted to refuse, but… it was Fengdeng Lou!
"…We appreciate the kindness of Ziwei Star, but we adepti bear karmic burdens, so this…" Menogias hesitated.
Jun Bai walked over, slapped Menogias on the back, and said: "Going to Fengdeng Lou but not the third floor—you still want to celebrate with the Millelith? Are you pretending I'm not here?"
"Ah? Marshal, I didn't mean it like that…"
"Do me a favor. On the day of the victory banquet, everyone must be present. Is that alright?" Jun Bai looked at the group.
"Since the Sky Phoenix has personally spoken, this Adeptus naturally has to give you face." The tsundere adeptal crane was the first to respond.
"When the Marshal extends an invitation, others may not dare say so, but I naturally must go." Mountain Shaper said respectfully.
"Will there be musicians performing at the victory banquet?" Madame Ping picked up her guzheng and smiled.
Herblord's snake-like pupils swept over everyone present before finally settling on Bosacius: "I'll have to see the situation. If this guy—who looks like he's about to cry out in pain—recovers well enough, I'll bring him along."
The five Yakshas naturally needed no further mention—they were the most loyal under the Marshal.
Of course, the heavily injured Bosacius still required his attending physician's permission to participate.
As Cloud Retainer's disciple, Ganyu naturally had to attend with her master.
"In that case, everyone is going together!" Guizhong said happily, then slung an arm around Madame Ping's shoulders. "Since that's settled, why don't we all stay in the Guili Assembly until the victory banquet ends?"
Moon Carver opened his mouth but failed to produce any sound. Before he could speak, his opinion had already become irrelevant.
Fine—either way, no loss.
And so, the adepti who had originally intended to return to Jueyun Karst all transformed back into human forms and were led away by Guizhong.
Now only Jun Bai, Lumine, and Paimon remained.
Lumine walked up to Jun Bai, took out his military token along with a dimmed Vision, and said: "Your military token, and the elder from the Golden House asked me to pass this Vision to you."
"Thank you for taking good care of them during this time." Jun Bai accepted the military token and the Vision. "Storm… even you have no way to respond to me?"
As soon as the words fell, a strand of cyan flowing wind emerged from within the Vision and circulated inside.
Lumine and Paimon showed joyful expressions: "Jun Bai, this is…"
"It seems his luck is still as good as ever this time." Jun Bai smiled, then put away the military token and Vision.
"For this battle, thank you all for your help. Otherwise, the Jade Chamber might not have held out until Xuanjian arrived with reinforcements."
Paimon waved her hand: "No need to thank us. After all, during our time in Liyue, you've taken very good care of us too, Jun Bai."
"If we really want to thank someone, can you bring us along to the victory banquet at Fengdeng Lou?"
That's all you're good for. Lumine gave Paimon a trashy look but didn't voice any objection.
She was craving Fengdeng Lou's food too.
"There were seats reserved for you from the beginning. After all, this great victory in the war owes much to your contributions." Jun Bai laughed.
"Speaking of which, do you two have any other plans next? There's one more thing—I hope you'll accompany me."
"?" Lumine and Paimon looked at Jun Bai in confusion.
The war was already over—was there still more?
"The war has ended, so…"
"The time for reckoning has come."
A cluster of flames ignited in Jun Bai's eyes. The gaze he directed toward Liyue Harbor was filled with coldness.