"It's you!" La Signora's expression changed drastically as she glared at the young man before her. Unpleasant memories resurfaced in her mind.
Overwhelmed by anger, La Signora lashed out at Akio, but he swiftly pinned her down and gave her a firm slap on her well-rounded bottom.
"Uh… do you two know each other?" Zhongli was taken aback, puzzled as to how this Fatui Harbinger could be connected to Akio.
"We do!"
"We don't! Akio, you jerk, let me go!" La Signora struggled. As the 8th Harbinger of the Fatui, being humiliated like this by Akio was utterly mortifying.
Zhongli gave Akio and La Signora a strange look but decided not to dwell on it. He continued fishing and munching on the grilled squid in his hand.
"Akio! You… let me go first," La Signora struggled for a while but eventually gave in, speaking softly.
"I kind of liked your defiant attitude earlier," Akio chuckled as he released her. "I've been sitting for too long, and my shoulders are a bit sore. Give me a shoulder massage."
"You!" La Signora was about to explode with anger at Akio's demand, but when she saw his calm gaze, she swallowed her rage and reluctantly stood behind him.
Her delicate hands rested on Akio's shoulders, pressing down with force.
"Hmm, not bad. It seems you have some talent," Akio closed his eyes, enjoying the massage. He leaned back, his head resting against the softness of her chest.
"!" La Signora's face flushed slightly, then she glared at the face resting on her chest. She really wanted to slap him, but she didn't have the courage.
While Akio was enjoying this comfortable atmosphere, Liyue was in a much less pleasant situation. The invasion of the god was undoubtedly a catastrophic disaster for Liyue, which had already lost the protection of the Geo Archon.
Lumine and Paimon had rushed to the Jade Chamber, where Ningguang, the adepti, and the Millelith were gathered.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the distance, where a massive blue creature, seemingly composed of Hydro energy, loomed. Its aura was ancient and oppressive, its serpentine heads glaring at the Jade Chamber with hatred.
Osial, the Vortex God, had reappeared after more than three thousand years, showcasing the divine might of a god.
The moment Osial appeared, the sea churned violently, and all of Liyue felt like a small boat in a storm, on the verge of being swallowed by the waves.
The life essence of a god far surpassed that of adepti and mortals. Under Osial's divine pressure, mortals felt as if their hearts had stopped beating, and even the adepti found it hard to breathe.
"Roar~" The ancient god let out a furious roar. Still disoriented from his awakening, he roared at the city, driven only by the desire to destroy it and ruin the legacy of Morax, who had sealed him away for millennia.
"Is… is this what a god is like?" Keqing stepped forward, staring at Osial. "Some of the new recruits in the Millelith can't even stand after just looking at him! The pressure of an ancient god seems to have a severe impact on ordinary people."
"But that's exactly why we can't let that monster get close to the civilians of Liyue Harbor."
"It's so terrifying! Is this what a real god is like?" Paimon said fearfully. She and Lumine exchanged a glance, realizing how effortlessly Akio had defeated Tartaglia. Their earlier battles seemed like child's play compared to the power of a true god.
"So, with the Qixing, the Millelith, and the adepti here, can you hold off the Vortex God?" Paimon asked.
"The adepti have discussed it, and the answer is uncertain," Ningguang shook her head, her expression grave.
"N-no way! You're the adepti who protect Liyue and the Qixing who guard the nation! If even you can't…" Paimon didn't finish, but everyone understood what she meant.
"The Geo Archon has passed away, and all of Liyue is now… Shouldn't we ask Akio for help? He's a god! He can definitely fight Osial," Paimon scratched her head, troubled.
"Paimon! Have you forgotten what Akio said?" Lumine glared at Paimon. "He won't interfere in Liyue's affairs."
"We, the people of Liyue, must protect our own nation. How can we rely on the power of an external god?" Keqing declared loudly.
"That's right. We must not depend on outside forces," Ningguang nodded. How could it make sense to have a foreign god protect Liyue?
"At least you understand the situation," Cloud Retainer snorted, somewhat satisfied with the Qixing's stance.
"Ningguang, let's begin," Keqing said, looking at Ningguang.
"Alright," Ningguang nodded, forming hand seals. In the next moment, the adeptal seals unfolded, and the new Guizhong Ballista appeared.
The adepti—Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and Cloud Retainer—flew up and infused the Guizhong Ballista with their adeptal energy.
The Guizhong Ballista erupted with a dazzling golden light, and countless arrows of adeptal energy shot toward Osial's massive body.
The intense pain only enraged the already frenzied Osial further! His divine power transformed into meteors that rained down on the Jade Chamber.
Not far away, several gates opened, and Fatui skirmishers emerged from them.
"The three adepti are maintaining the Guizhong Ballista! Everyone, follow me! Prevent the Fatui from destroying the ballista!" a Millelith captain shouted, leading the soldiers forward.
"We'll help too!" Lumine charged forward with her dull blade.
Compared to Lumine's modest weapon, Keqing wielded the majestic "Lion's Roar" sword as she rushed into battle.
With the combined efforts of the adepti and the Qixing, the Fatui were quickly dealt with.
"The interference has been eliminated! We can now focus all our efforts!"
The three adepti poured their full power into the Guizhong Ballista, which glowed with an intense light. In the next moment, a massive beam of golden light shot toward Osial.
"Boom~" The golden light struck Osial, causing him pain but only further enraging him.
Osial gathered all his divine power, transforming it into a beam that shot into the sky. Meteors of divine energy rained down on the Jade Chamber, shattering the protective barrier in an instant. Everyone on the chamber began to fall.
"Ah!" Keqing and Lumine screamed in panic. Falling from such a height would mean certain death!
At the critical moment, just as Xiao and the other adepti were about to act, a flash of golden light appeared. A white-haired figure appeared beside Lumine and Keqing, catching them in his arms. In the next moment, they were back on the Jade Chamber.
Seeing this, Xiao and the other adepti quickly rescued the falling Millelith soldiers.
"Phew…" Still in Akio's arms, Keqing and Lumine were shaken but safe. They looked up at their savior and exclaimed in unison, "Akio!"
"Be careful," Akio smiled, supporting the two women whose legs were still weak.
"Mm," Lumine and Keqing nodded, leaning on Akio as they regained their strength.