Chapter 144

Liyue Harbor, Chihu Rock.

Inside Wanmin Restaurant, a bright light pushed back the darkness, illuminating the surrounding space. With a glimmer in his eyes, Hiroshi looked at the massive vortex demon swimming below the sea in Guyun Stone Forest, furrowing his brows as he turned to Zhongli.

"Why has that thing broken out? Wasn't it supposed to be temporarily unsealed?"

Taking a sip of tea, Zhongli calmly glanced at Hiroshi without uttering a word.

Seeing Zhongli's gaze fixed on him, Hiroshi scratched his face awkwardly and said, "Why are you looking at me like that? Don't tell me you think I did this?"

"The rock peak that was part of the seal for Osial, the Vortex Demon, was cracked by the explosives used by your friend Klee, causing part of the stored power of the sealing talisman to be consumed for repair," Zhongli explained.

"Also, Sato Kazuma, who was invited by you to fish, threw a hook with a strange, disruptive energy into the sealed space and ended up hooking the demon itself. The line broke, leaving the hook in Osial's mouth."

"Uh…" Hiroshi turned his head to glance at Klee, who was with Qiqi, both pressed against the window watching the enormous water dragons rise from the distant sea. He turned back to Zhongli, embarrassed. "I didn't expect them to create such a mess in such a short time. Should I go out now to deal with it?"

"No need." Zhongli gazed into the distance. "Currently, Osial's body has not completely broken free. He remains within the test I have set."

"I see." Hiroshi nodded.

**

Boom!

Xiao rolled to avoid the charging dragon head. Surrounded by winds glowing with cyan light, he raised his spear and transformed into a streak of light, heading directly toward the dragon.

Thump!

The cyan light pierced through the massive blue dragon, and Xiao hovered mid-air. He looked at the dragon, crashing back into the sea, regenerating its injuries with alarming speed.

Nearby, Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper each battled a dragon head in intense combat.

On the battlefield below, where the morale of the Liyue army was high, Fengshi, wielding a spear, faced a descending dragon head. With an angry roar, he thrust his spear forward.

"Rock Strike!"

Following Fengshi's momentum, the Yaksha Guardians lifted their spears in unison, channeling their power. A golden spear of rock shot forward, slicing off the massive dragon's head.

"Roar!"

From beneath the waves, a furious roar echoed out. The four severed dragon heads emerged again, surging with energy as they regenerated at an astonishing rate.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The four massive heads gathered together, opening their jaws toward the sky. Streams of blue energy converged at their center.

"This is bad, Osial is tapping into his godly powers," Mountain Shaper warned, his voice echoing through the air. He soared toward the converging dragon heads, trying to interrupt the vortex demon's next move.

Cloaked in an azure glow, Xiao produced a mask, one he'd worn countless times in the line of duty.

Taking a glance back, he brought the mask up to his face.

Boom!

A dark aura engulfed Xiao as the sins of millennia wrapped around him. The mask, crackling with blue flame, merged with his being, transforming him fully into the Conqueror of Demons.

Raising his spear stained with countless defeats, Xiao roared as he launched himself at the dragon heads.

Energy rippled from their clash, causing a blue vortex to appear in the sky, forming a new ocean.

Turning back briefly, Moon Carver yelled to his allies, "Is it ready?!"

"Almost there, almost!"

With their hands moving skillfully, Cloud Retainer worked to complete Grandma Ping's device.

Blue talismans flashed in the air as she pieced together the mechanical construct, forming three completed Guizhong Ballistas.

Boom!

Xiao, battered and bruised from the encounter, looked up to see the vortex spinning above him, radiating blue energy. His eyes burned with determination as he resumed his assault, impaling the demon dragon with blackened spear strikes.

Yet, despite his furious attacks, the dragon continued to heal, bolstered by the godly power swirling around it.

"Return! It's ready!"

Hearing Cloud Retainer's call, Xiao fired one last volley before transforming back into a streak of light and returning to the Jade Chamber.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao removed his mask, a trace of exhaustion flashing across his eyes. He turned to the three Guizhong Ballistas on the platform, now complete and glowing with golden light.

"Xiao, are you alright?" Moon Carver asked, concerned as he approached.

"I'm fine," Xiao replied, shaking his head. He looked back at the glowing water dragons. "We should activate the ballistas; without interference, Osial will soon complete its assault."

"Alright. Xiao, rest now. Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, and I will take over operating the ballistas."

Moon Carver rushed to the center ballista, stepping onto the platform. Channeling his energy into the mechanism, a series of golden arrays formed before the three Adepti.

Hum!

The Ballistas, shaped like ancient cranes, spread their wings. Golden beams condensed and formed arrow-like projectiles that shot towards the water dragons.

Like a rain of meteors, the arrows tore through the dragons, leaving them riddled with holes filled with the Adepti's powerful talisman energy.

"Roar!"

Below, Osial roared furiously. Inside his body, energy surged violently—he had reserved his power to guard against Rex Lapis, but so far only his former subordinates and mortals had come forth to resist him. He hesitated no longer.

From the sea below, the water dragons let out a furious roar, then exploded!

As the blue energy splattered across the sky, the resulting glow grew stronger. Water columns akin to meteor showers began descending towards the Jade Chamber.

Gritting her teeth, Ningguang looked upwards. Gathering all of her power, she spread her arms as a new geo-formation took shape, forming a massive golden shield over the Jade Chamber.