There is a strategy even in restraint. Sometimes, not taking action is the better move—it creates a sense of urgency, reminding them not to grow complacent in an age of war.
To be vigilant in times of peace is essential—especially for the Adepti who stand as Liyue's guardians.
In the end, Ganyu successfully led the children away from Liyue, heading toward Guili Plains. Meanwhile, the Adepti charged toward the gods' followers.
They had fought for seven days and seven nights, their bodies completely drained. But Elliot had replenished their strength with divine power, restoring their energy and vitality to their peak. Most of their injuries had already healed.
The gods' followers, however, weren't nearly as fortunate.
After a week of nonstop battle against the Adepti, while also contending with the mechanical traps, they were utterly exhausted. When they finally broke through, expecting to claim victory, the mountain they sought to destroy suddenly became impossibly strong.
They had wasted even more energy pounding against Tianheng Mountain, yet it refused to fall. Now, with their strength nearly spent, even without the aid of mechanisms, the Adepti could fight them on equal ground.
"That mountain must be a barrier set by the God of War! We can't destroy it! Stop wasting your strength!"
The god leading the horde of followers finally realized something was wrong. Even when he struck with his full might, he could only leave faint black scorch marks on the mountain's surface. Bringing it down now was impossible.
Under the Adepti's protection, Ganyu made three trips in total, finally evacuating most of Liyue's people.
When she first reached Guili Plains, Guizhong and Marchosius had wanted to come to her aid, but Ganyu refused.
After all, they had little combat capability and relied entirely on mechanisms, which took time to prepare. Setting them up in advance was one thing—but trying to construct them mid-battle was pure fantasy. Their enemies weren't fools who would simply watch while traps were laid before them.
After Ganyu's firm refusal, Guizhong and Marchosius relented and instead took on the responsibility of sheltering the people of Liyue.
"Looks like we'll have to initiate the second plan…"
The god leading the assault murmured softly when he saw Ganyu carrying the last group of Liyue's people toward Guili Plains.
BOOM!!!!!!!
In that instant, his body erupted with violent thunder. Purple lightning surged wildly around him, crackling through the air.
After gathering energy for some time, he hurled a massive orb of violet light into the sky.
As it soared upward into the clouds, it exploded, scattering the dark storm clouds in a single flash.
"That's… a signal, isn't it?"
Seeing the display, Elliot murmured instinctively.
He stood midway between Liyue and Guili Plains, his divine sense expanded wide enough to perceive both fronts at once.
At the same time, the three gods battling the Azhdaha also noticed the sight.
"Did that bastard actually take Liyue?"
"He must have. It's been over a week—they couldn't possibly still be fighting there."
"Exactly. We've been holding off that damn turtle here, and there's constant movement on Aelios's side too—he must be keeping the God of War busy. Still, to take so long with all those followers? Pathetic."
"No kidding. Those two gods on the grasslands were useless. The only ones worth anything were those two birds, two deer, and that shape-shifting qilin. And even with that, it took him a week to conquer Liyue? What a joke."
"Once Liyue falls, he'll use the Chi to flood the grasslands. After that, everything will be set. The God of War and that turtle will have nothing left—no people, no nation. Just rulers without subjects, soon to be swept aside."
"After dragging this out for so long, it's finally coming to an end. What a tedious ordeal."
The three gods battling Azhdaha spoke with smug satisfaction, already preparing to celebrate their supposed victory.
At that moment, Eliog—locked in fierce combat with Morax—also noticed the signal.
He glanced at the sky, and his lips curled into a manic grin, his expression twisting with savage delight.
"What are you laughing at?" Morax wiped the blood from his lips and asked coldly.
"I'm happy, Morax. Can't you see? I'm overjoyed."
"Happy? Are you happy because you're about to die?" Morax growled in irritation.
He could defeat Eliog—of that he was certain—but the enemy's overwhelming numbers left him trapped and without an opening.
"Do you know what that means?" Eliog pointed his thumb toward the sky behind him.
Morax glanced in that direction. A massive bolt of lightning had just torn through the clouds.
"What?" he demanded.
"It means your precious Liyue has fallen."
"And…"
"…it seems your allies will soon be dragged down with you."
Eliog's voice dripped with cruel satisfaction, every word steeped in vicious pleasure.