Chapter 30
"The ancient walls of Mt. Tianheng once housed a Guizhong mechanism left over from antiquity. We have recently restored it and made it available for the adepti to use."
"Restored a Guizhong mechanism? You mortals actually managed to restore an adeptal contraption?"
"Let this immortal take a look. With just a few improvements, it will evolve into something beyond your imagination. The Guizhong mechanism at Mt. Tianheng was crafted by my own hands to begin with."
When it came to mechanical arts, Cloud Retainer's tone was supremely imperious.
"Then we are most grateful, Immortal!"
Ningguang formed a hand seal and called out sharply: "Open!"
A massive luminous platform materialized above the Jade Chamber's plaza, with three Guizhong mechanisms retrieved from the ancient walls of Mt. Tianheng arranged in a triangular formation.
Cloud Retainer glanced at them and said in surprise, "What impeccably orthodox craftsmanship — they truly have been fully restored?! Whose handiwork is this?"
She had never imagined that among humans, someone could possess such profound mastery of adeptal mechanical arts!
"Cloud Retainer, are you saying these Guizhong mechanisms are ready to use?" asked削月筑阳.
"They are nothing short of perfect. There is no time to waste — let us begin!"
The three adepti mounted the Guizhong mechanisms, channeled their immortal power into them, and unleashed a barrage toward Osial rampaging in the distance!
To be honest, the three adepti did not believe that three Guizhong mechanisms alone could defeat two Archons. Against one Archon there might be a chance, but against two it was hardly realistic.
Yet they were not worried, for they knew Rex Lapis was still present and would never allow Liyue to fall.
They would simply do their best!
But what happened next shook even their convictions!
With a series of mechanical clicks, two more rows of Guizhong mechanisms appeared on either side of the Jade Chamber's platform!
At the hastily constructed fortifications along Liyue Harbor, Keqing commanded the elite Millelith troops in tight formation, and they too had a row of Guizhong mechanisms at the ready!
Out at sea, a fleet of elite ships advanced into the waves in a single line, each warship equipped with Guizhong mechanisms!
Cloud Retainer's eyelid twitched uncontrollably. "Where did you get so many Guizhong mechanisms?!"
"These are an improved version I designed and built myself. They can use ore infused with Elemental Power as fuel, or Vision holders can channel Elemental Power directly into them.
Their output is somewhat weaker than mechanisms powered by immortal energy, but they make up for it in sheer numbers!" Lu Lin stepped onto the Jade Chamber and explained.
These were the Guizhong mechanisms Lu Lin had commissioned Ningguang to gather every craftsman in Liyue to build, working day and night without rest — and every last one of them was here now!
Cloud Retainer had no time to be astonished, for the first wave of attacks from Osial and Beisht had already arrived!
They were Archons who had dominated an entire era, and they could sense the enormous threat posed by these mechanical constructs. Without hesitation, they struck first!
"Engage!" With Cloud Retainer's resounding cry, Lu Lin, Ningguang, Ganyu, Lumine, Granny Ping, and Xiao each took control of a Guizhong mechanism and took aim at the targets ahead.
Columns of elemental light erupted from the mechanisms, blasting toward the two powerful Archons rampaging in the sea from every direction!
The sheer density of the barrage not only shattered the enemy's attacks but also dealt considerable damage to them.
The Archons' massive bodies were imposing and full of pressure, but that was also their weakness — they simply could not evade such concentrated fire coverage!
A few more volleys like this would be enough to destroy them!
ROAR!!!
At that moment, Beisht's enormous body leapt from the sea and positioned herself in front of Osial, intercepting every single attack.
She was Osial's wife and his last remaining follower — even in this decisive battle, she did not lack the courage to sacrifice herself!
Countless attacks rained down upon her. The columns of light pierced through her massive body, and her life force rapidly faded away...
Beisht used her life to buy Osial the space to counterattack. Osial seized the opportunity to summon towering waves that capsized the South Cross fleet and swallowed the Millelith troops on the shore.
Finally, the luminous platform of the Jade Chamber was shattered by Osial's tentacles, and every Guizhong mechanism was destroyed!
Fortunately, the adepti each used their Divine Abilities to dodge the tentacles and rescue the others, and there were no casualties.
Beisht had traded her life to give Osial the chance to destroy all the Guizhong mechanisms. Now it was a gravely wounded Osial against the exhausted group atop the ruined Jade Chamber.
"This is bad! Without the Guizhong mechanisms, stopping him will be extremely difficult!" Cloud Retainer said gravely.
"I still have one contingency plan. I am going to... sacrifice the Jade Chamber!" Ningguang exchanged a glance with Lu Lin. He could see she had already made up her mind.
At that moment, something suddenly occurred to him, and he activated the time freeze!
The three minutes of [Critical Moment] passed quickly. Lu Lin returned to his original position, and time resumed its flow.
"There is no time to waste — let us begin!"
Ningguang formed another hand seal and piloted the Jade Chamber directly above Osial's head. Everyone channeled their power into the Jade Chamber together.
That magnificent aerial palace came crashing down like a falling meteor!
BOOM!!!
At Liyue Harbor's docks, the adepti carried Lu Lin, Ningguang, and the others down to the pier.
Everyone gazed into the distance. The sea had calmed, the waves stilled, the wind gentle.
The massive waves from moments ago had sent many Millelith soldiers and South Cross fleet sailors into the water, but now that the waves had subsided, everyone organized rescue efforts and quickly pulled all those who had fallen in back to safety.
The crisis had caused considerable material losses, but there were no major casualties — a stroke of fortune. All in all, they had navigated this crisis perfectly.
Lu Lin had already received the system notification that the quest was complete.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the quest "Save Liyue." Rewards: 1,000,000 Mora, 3,000 Points, 1,000 EXP, one Soul Bead, Residence Entries: Lotus Steps, Crystal Clarity]
[Soul Bead]: A bead condensed from pure soul energy. Can be used to strengthen the soul and repair remnant souls.
[Lotus Steps]: The holder moves with light, graceful steps and nimble footwork, enhancing the flexibility of the feet.
[Crystal Clarity]: Enhances the holder's insight, grants a comprehensive grasp of the overall situation, and ensures no detail is overlooked. Additionally increases the holder's capacity for understanding.
Seeing the rewards the system had given him, Lu Lin was overjoyed. The restoration progress of Guizhong's remnant soul had been stalled for a long time, precisely because he had not found a way to repair it.
The Soul Bead was undoubtedly a crucial item for restoring Guizhong's remnant soul — he just didn't know how many would be needed to fully restore it.
The two Residence Entries were just as he had expected: proper on the surface, yet with an improper undercurrent. Lu Lin pondered who would be best suited to receive them.
"Now that matters here are settled, the Qixing have proven they can protect Liyue with their own strength. It is time for us to depart!" 削月筑阳 let out a long, quiet sigh.
They had originally come to lay blame, convinced the Qixing could not be trusted, and had been prepared to emerge from seclusion and take over the duty of protecting Liyue themselves.
Yet through Lu Lin's arrangements, they had observed the lives of ordinary people, witnessed the tremendous changes sweeping through Liyue day by day, and seen the Qixing's flawless strategy foil the Fatui's conspiracy and overcome the Archons who had broken free from their seal.
It could be said that in this trial Rex Lapis had set for the people of Liyue, the Qixing had delivered a perfect answer.
The adepti knew Rex Lapis had not perished, and with no further worries, it was time to return.
"This immortal has not set foot in the mortal world for a thousand years. After so long in stillness, I feel the urge to move about. I plan to stay a while longer and will not be leaving with you." Only Cloud Retainer shook her head.
The other adepti said nothing more, bid their farewells, and departed one by one.
Cloud Retainer then called out to Ganyu: "Since this immortal intends to remain in Liyue Harbor, it would not do to keep staying at your home indefinitely. When you have time, accompany me around Liyue to find a place to stay."
"Of course! Let's go right now!" Ganyu responded with unusual enthusiasm and immediately pulled Cloud Retainer along.
In the past, she would certainly have invited Cloud Retainer to stay at her home for a few more days. But now things were completely different — Cloud Retainer had been staying at her place for days, leaving her absolutely no opportunity for private moments with Lu Lin. She had truly run out of patience.
Cloud Retainer noticed that her little protégée seemed somewhat eager to be rid of her, and felt a flicker of puzzlement in her heart.
Why does Ganyu seem like she doesn't want me around? That shouldn't be the case at all.
Lu Lin exchanged a few words with Lumine, and she and Paimon departed as well.
After everyone else had left, only Ningguang and Lu Lin remained.
Lu Lin looked at her with a half-smile, saying nothing.
"I... I still have loose ends to tie up. I won't be keeping you company!" The formidable woman who had just moments ago, without a second thought, brought down the Jade Chamber she had spent her entire life building — now faced Lu Lin's gaze and became flustered, tossing out those words before fleeing in a hurry.
Lu Lin knew she genuinely had many things to attend to, so he did not press her further. Instead, he activated his mark and returned to the Serenitea Pot.
He had plenty of things to do as well.
First was to use the Soul Bead he had just obtained. Lu Lin retrieved a crystal-clear bead from the system's storage — he could distinctly feel the pure soul energy contained within it.
He pressed the bead against his own forehead. The green point of light in his mind began spontaneously absorbing the soul energy within it.
One Soul Bead was fully consumed, and the panel for Guizhong's remnant soul changed.
Soul Fragment Integrity: 20.01%
Seeing that number, Lu Lin was elated. One Soul Bead could restore one-fifth of the soul — four more, and Guizhong's soul would be completely recovered!
The only problem was that Soul Beads were extremely difficult to obtain. It seemed they only appeared as rewards for higher-difficulty quests.
Simple quests like healing Lumine's injuries had not included them in the rewards.
He wondered if the exchange shop could provide them.
After a thorough search, Lu Lin did indeed find them — five thousand Points each, which was not terribly expensive, but the System had to be upgraded to Level 3 before they could be exchanged. For now, they were locked.
Since he couldn't exchange for them yet, Lu Lin wasn't in a rush. As long as he kept inviting characters to reside in the Serenitea Pot and completing Conquest Progress, EXP would come, and so would Points.
In fact, his current Points balance was already quite substantial — maxing out Xiangling's Conquest Progress, daily interactions with residents, and system quest rewards combined had already accumulated roughly twelve thousand Points.
So he made a sweeping gesture and purchased something he had long wanted to buy, then spent time carefully arranging it.
By the time he finished, it was nearly evening. Lu Lin left the Serenitea Pot, returned to Liyue Harbor, and gathered Hu Tao, Zhongli, Lumine, and Paimon for a dinner together at Wanmin Restaurant.
Under Lu Lin's guidance, Lumine had gone to the North Land Bank and witnessed Zhongli complete the transaction of the Gnosis with Lady, and learned of Zhongli's true identity.
She took the opportunity to ask about her brother, though of course the outcome yielded little in the way of answers.
After dinner, the others left, leaving only Xiangling and Hu Tao. The latter looked at Lu Lin with a grin and said, "My, my, someone seems to be in a very good mood today~"
"Liyue has survived its crisis. Isn't it perfectly natural for me to be happy?"
"Is that all there is to it? I just paid a visit to the Serenitea Pot and saw something quite remarkable. We won't disturb you two then! Give it your all tonight~"
Hu Tao fluttered away like a butterfly, dragging a thoroughly bewildered Xiangling off to go window-shopping.
Lu Lin smiled and made his way toward Yujing Terrace.
With the Jade Chamber gone, Ningguang's office had been temporarily relocated to a building on Yujing Terrace.
Inside the office, Ningguang sat at her desk, her mind elsewhere.
Over the course of the afternoon, she had already arranged all the loose ends and set everything in motion to be handled in an orderly fashion — there was no need to work overtime tonight.
Though the Jade Chamber was destroyed, her wealth was vast and her assets intact. Finding a place to stay would not be difficult. Yet she had remained in the office without leaving, as if waiting for something.
At that moment, a tall, strikingly handsome young man walked into the office.
"Everyone's off work. Why are you still sitting here in a daze?" Lu Lin smiled warmly.
"It's nothing. What are you doing here?" Ningguang saw him and instinctively averted her gaze.
"You haven't gone home yet, so I came to take you home."
"What nonsense. I have my own home. I'll go back to my own home just fine."
"Are you sure you don't want to come back to the Pot with me? There's a surprise waiting~"
Ningguang was about to refuse, but Lu Lin caught her hand. "This surprise — I guarantee you'll love it!"
"Then... then I'll go take a look with you."
These past days, Lu Lin had exhausted himself for Liyue's sake, foiling the Fatui's conspiracy to destroy Liyue and overcoming the Archons who had broken free. His contributions were immense. Just accompanying him to take a look inside the Pot — surely that was fine, wasn't it?
Ningguang quietly gave herself a mental pep talk.
In truth, over these days of working together to handle one matter after another, the relationship between Lu Lin and Ningguang had long since shed the tension of their first meeting.
His dedication during this time had not gone unnoticed by Ningguang — she had seen it all and taken it to heart, and her opinion of him had completely changed.
Of course, she still considered Lu Lin a scoundrel and a lecher. It was just that, on this particular point, she no longer felt quite so resistant.
And then there was the contract the two of them had made...