Guyun Stone Forest.
Beneath the dark depths of the sea, a vast shadow slumbered in silence.
Just then, a faint blue meteor streaked across the water's surface and descended into the deep.
It drifted quietly through the gloom until it reached the enormous shadow below, then gently attached itself to the creature's surface.
The Fake Peace Star began to flash rhythmically, its light seeping into the shadow as though it were strengthening it.
In the pitch-black sea, that eerie glow shone brilliantly.
Moments later, a rough, ancient voice rumbled through the water— a sound that seemed to echo from another age.
"What… is this?"
Osial's tone was full of confusion.
"It seems… to be weakening my seal?"
The realization filled him with wild delight.
How many centuries had it been?
Even he could no longer remember how long he'd been pinned beneath these waves by the Geo Archon.
He had tried, again and again, to break the seal by force.
But Morax's bindings were far too powerful— no matter how he struggled, he could never escape.
With time, his rage dulled, his power waned, and at last he had fallen into slumber.
He had long since stopped hoping for freedom.
Yet now—something strange had arrived, something mysterious that was helping him recover, weakening the seal's grip on his body.
And that was all he needed to know.
"Hahaha! Morax—wait for me! I will come for you soon!"
Feeling the restraints around him slowly loosening, Osial's massive form trembled with excitement.
Soon—perhaps in a day or two— he would be free from this dark abyss.
The Vortex God would rise again over Teyvat!
As his laughter echoed, violent ripples surged outward from the seabed.
The surrounding waters of Guyun Stone Forest churned and boiled, whipping up waves that pounded against the cliffs.
It was the calm before the storm.
Liyue Harbor.
Strolling leisurely through a side street, Zhongli suddenly stopped mid-step.
His brows furrowed as he looked toward the distant sea.
"The seal… is weakening?"
His expression grew thoughtful.
He knew that signature all too well— it was his seal, the one that bound Osial beneath the ocean.
For it to falter meant something had gone very wrong.
"The Fatui?" he murmured.
"But the Rite of Descension has yet to begin… their plans shouldn't have moved this soon."
He paused, then another possibility crossed his mind.
"Could it be… connected to Boss Han's store?"
After all, the manga shop had appeared in Liyue only this very day— and mere hours later, Osial's seal had begun to weaken.
The timing was too perfect to ignore.
Perhaps someone had received an unusual reward there, and inadvertently triggered this chain of events.
It wouldn't be impossible.
Zhongli had already witnessed the miraculous nature of that shop.
He sighed softly.
"So, Ningguang's worries were justified after all."
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Still, as he gauged the disturbance from afar, he estimated the situation calmly.
"Judging by the aura, Osial should need another day or two before he can break free.
Likely just after the Rite concludes.
A troublesome development… but within expectations."
He saw it as a test— a test of Liyue's people.
Would they stand strong in the absence of their god?
Would they prove ready for a new era?
No matter how events unfolded, Zhongli would be watching.
And if things truly went awry— he was still here.
Even if Osial broke loose, he would not be allowed to wreak havoc again.
He had crushed the Vortex God once.
He could do it again.
Such was the unshakable confidence of the Geo Archon.
Back at the Manga Shop.
The store was still bustling with energy and chatter.
At that moment, Cloud Retainer finally closed the manga she had been reading.
"To think that after so many years as a wandering immortal, I would find something so fascinating again."
The story she had read followed a humble slime, who eventually grew into a mighty Demon Lord.
The creature's hardships and determination had stirred memories of her own battles long ago— of fighting side by side with Morax in the age of gods and monsters.
"If Master enjoys it so much, you should come more often," Ganyu said gently.
"Experiencing mortal life once in a while is better than staying secluded in the mountains."
"Indeed," Cloud Retainer nodded approvingly.
"Henceforth, you shall accompany me here more frequently."
Then she smiled faintly.
"Come—let us see what kind of reward this wondrous shop will bestow."
She had heard from Ganyu that her disciple's own reward was a clone technique that could split her into several identical selves.
The immortal had been impressed by the idea, and curious to see what miracle she might receive in turn.
"I've finished mine as well," said Madame Ping, closing her book with a satisfied smile.
"Let's go together."
And so the two adepti approached the counter side by side, their immortal presences filling the room with quiet power.
Both Cloud Retainer and Madame Ping observed Han Feng closely.
They had long wondered what kind of man could create such a mystical shop— a place that could bestow divine-like powers through mere books.
Now that they finally stood before him, they found him… ordinary.
Yet beneath that ordinary facade was something they couldn't quite perceive.
A subtle depth.
A mystery they couldn't unravel.
"He appears to be a simple mortal," Cloud Retainer thought,
"and yet… there is a veil I cannot pierce.
Perhaps that, too, is what makes him extraordinary."
Madame Ping silently agreed.
"Boss Han, what did my master and Madame Ping get as their rewards?"
Ganyu stepped forward eagerly.
Han Feng glanced at the system interface as it refreshed.
[Customer: Madame Ping — Read Mr. Vampire]
[Reward: Peachwood Sword]
A Taoist ritual weapon said to ward off evil, bring fortune, and protect a home.
[Customer: Cloud Retainer — Read That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime]
[Reward: Slime Seven-Day Trial Card]
Upon activation, the user temporarily transforms into a slime for seven days, then automatically reverts to their original form.
Note: The transformation does not affect the user's original strength or abilities.
"A Peachwood Sword—that's fairly normal," Han Feng murmured.
"But… a Slime Experience Card? Really?"
His expression twisted into something between amusement and disbelief.
First, Dainsleif had gotten a Role-Play Card, one of which let him transform into a slime— and now, here was another one, except this time lasting an entire week!
"So Cloud Retainer's going from a majestic crane immortal… to a slime?"
Just picturing it made Han Feng want to laugh.
The great Cloud Retainer, ancient adeptus of Liyue— reduced to a squishy bouncing blob for seven whole days.
That was going to be hilarious.
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