"Be careful, dodge it!"
With his vast combat experience, Xiao quickly judged that the Jade Chamber's defensive shield would not be able to withstand the God's energy breath. Holding his spear with one hand, he unleashed a surge of spear intent and a powerful gust of wind simultaneously.
Just before the God's breath could strike the Jade Chamber, Xiao hurled his spear. It transformed into a green dragon, clashing head-on with the Vortex God's attack.
Though Xiao was immensely powerful, he was still somewhat lacking when facing a being of godly level. After a brief stalemate, the spear was eventually overpowered and deflected.
Xiao summoned his spear back to his hand.
At this point, the Vortex God's breath struck the Jade Chamber's defensive shield. The barrier held out for a moment, but eventually shattered. The extended formation platform outside the Jade Chamber crumbled instantly.
"Ahh, we're going to fall!" Paimon shouted in panic. Everyone standing on the platform began to fall toward the sea below like dumplings being dropped into a pot.
Nolan glanced at her, amused. She could fly using magic, so even if everyone else fell, it wouldn't affect her. Yet, she was the one screaming the loudest.
As wind currents blew upward, Nolan himself began falling. However, he remained calm. Suddenly, a large, semi-transparent thread appeared beneath him, giving him a solid footing.
The same semi-transparent threads appeared beneath the others as well.
Keqing, Ganyu, Shenhe, Lumine, and Xiao easily found their balance on the translucent tendrils. Some of the Millelith deployed their wind gliders, slowing their fall and managing to land safely.
For those who, either from panic or being out of reach, continued to plummet toward the sea, Moon Carver intervened with his adeptal power, saving them from falling into the water.
After confirming that no one had been missed, Nolan moved the semi-transparent threads, guiding everyone back onto the platform in front of the Jade Chamber.
"Phew, good thing you were here, or we would've all fallen," Paimon sighed in relief, patting her chest as she hovered beside Nolan.
"That wouldn't have happened. With the adepti here, they would've saved everyone easily," Nolan replied with a smile and a shake of his head.
"Is everyone alright?" Ningguang descended from the air, landing gracefully on the platform as she surveyed the group.
"We're fine, but the 'Guizhong Ballistas' have been destroyed by Osial," Moon Carver said, shaking his bird-like head. "Without them, we have no way to suppress Osial anymore."
Despite the presence of so many adepti, none of them were powerful enough to defeat a god-level entity like Osial.
The only means of counterattack, the "Guizhong Ballistas," had been destroyed by Osial in the previous attack. It was clear that this was Osial's intent all along.
"Now, we are the last line of defense against the Vortex God. No matter what, we cannot let him reach Liyue Harbor," Ganyu said, her pale face showing a hint of concern beneath her blue hair.
For a moment, the atmosphere grew heavy. Everyone understood the gravity of the situation, but without the Guizhong Ballistas, there was no way to stop Osial, even if they fought to the death.
Ningguang crossed her arms, the front of her cheongsam fluttering slightly in the sea breeze, the fabric gently clinging to her pale right leg.
She pondered for a moment before saying,
"I have a plan. I intend to abandon the Jade Chamber."
"Lady Ningguang?" Everyone, except Nolan, looked at her with confusion—especially Ganyu and the others.
"The Jade Chamber requires a massive amount of energy to power both its defensive barrier system and its propulsion devices—much more than the 'Guizhong Ballistas'. If we use it to bombard the Vortex God, it should be enough to seal him back into his prison."
Ningguang explained her plan simply.
"Wait, hold on—Ningguang, are you serious?" Keqing's eyes widened in shock, her pale purple pupils becoming even more distinct.
She knew how much effort and years of work Ningguang had invested into the Jade Chamber. Losing it would certainly cause her great pain.
"We have no other choice. The Jade Chamber can be rebuilt, but if the Vortex God reaches Liyue Harbor, the citizens will lose their lives, and that cannot be undone."
Ningguang smiled calmly, showing that her mind was made up.
"Haha... Ningguang, we understand. If that's the case, let's proceed as you suggested." Granny Ping chuckled, clearly impressed by Ningguang's willingness to sacrifice the Jade Chamber for the people of Liyue.
"Now, I'd like to ask the adepti to help send the Millelith back to the harbor. The Jade Chamber will soon move directly above Osial, and we will need everyone's help when the time comes."
Earlier, the Millelith had been useful in defending the Jade Chamber against the water elemental creatures and the Fatui. But now, with the "Jade Chamber Bombardment Plan" in place, the Millelith, with their limited strength, wouldn't be of much use.
"Of course."
The adepti agreed without hesitation, and Moon Carver used his adeptal arts to transport the Millelith back to the harbor.
Afterward, the Jade Chamber began its slow, steady approach toward Osial. Though Osial wasn't sure what they were planning, the god instinctively sensed danger and launched several attacks in an attempt to stop the Jade Chamber's approach.
Ningguang and the others, of course, wouldn't let Osial attack unchallenged. The previously broken defensive barrier was repaired and fully charged, reactivating to protect the Jade Chamber.
Meanwhile, Ganyu and the adepti unleashed a barrage of attacks against Osial. They weren't aiming to deal serious damage, but rather to disrupt his concentration, preventing him from targeting the Jade Chamber.
Perhaps due to his earlier injuries from a direct hit to his weak spot, Osial's vortex attacks faded, and his subsequent strikes lacked their previous power.
As a result, despite the onslaught, the Jade Chamber continued its slow but unstoppable approach toward Osial.
"The Jade Chamber has an incredibly powerful floating mechanism. To bring it down and crash it heavily onto Osial, we'll need to use a greater force to counteract the lift provided by the floating stones."
Ningguang's tall, snow-white legs became visible through the slit in her cheongsam as she spoke. Her vermillion eyes gazed directly at Nolan.
"Hmm? Do you need me to do something?" Nolan asked, a bit confused.
He remembered that in the original story, everyone gathered their power, and then Traveller stabbed the Jade Chamber with her/his sword to destroy the floating stone, causing the chamber to fall like a catapult.
Could it be that this task was now being handed over to him? It seemed possible, and he couldn't help but wonder if crashing the Jade Chamber would knock Osial out.
If it did, would that count as him defeating a god? The thought made Nolan feel unexpectedly excited.
"Honorary Knight, after we channel our power to you, please use it to crash the Jade Chamber down. We'll transfer our strength to you for this."
Ningguang had her eye on the convenience of Nolan's semi-transparent threads.
(End of Chapter)
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