At the beginning of the following year—Liyue Year 316—
Jiang Yan stood at the harbor, gazing at the warship Guili before him.
After more than ten years of development, Liyue's Navy now had three major fleets:
the Guili Fleet led by the Guili, the Qingce Fleet led by the Qingce, and the Tianheng Fleet led by the Tianheng.
Each fleet was equipped with one flagship and over ten escort ships.
Every vessel carried ten Guizhong Ballista and one Guizhong Ballista—
all cannons designed by Guizhong specifically for naval use!
Though the equipment might appear primitive, for this era, this level of military strength was terrifying.
Given the limitations of the age, maintaining such fleets was only possible thanks to Liyue's overwhelming financial power.
The Air Force still had no concrete progress, remaining in the research stage—
but with Jiang Yan around, these warships could be flown through the sky if he wished.
Hmm… half an air force, really.
"Are preparations complete?"
Morax approached him and asked.
"Almost. We should set sail around noon," Jiang Yan answered softly.
"Mm. On this diplomatic mission to Inazuma, be cautious.
I met the Raiden Makoto once—she is a gentle god. It shouldn't be difficult."
"I know," Jiang Yan replied.
Of course he knew.
This wasn't the era when the "country bumpkin Raiden" ruled—
The twin Raiden Gods existed now, Martial and Civil.
Raiden Makoto was far smarter than Raiden Ei.
Gentle, yes—but not easily deceived.
Not long after, noon arrived.
With a long, resonant horn blast, the Guili Fleet set sail, gradually disappearing under the watchful gazes of Morax and the others.
Jiang Yan stood at the bow of the Guili, wearing a dark-cyan robe with a snow-white cloak draped over his shoulders.
Across the cloak, the large characters Tianquan flowed like dragons, radiating sharpness.
He had even asked Mingbo to tailor it specially.
For no other reason than—
style!
Around his neck, Little White lay draped like a fur collar, covering his nape.
"Boss! Are we going to a new place to find treasure chests this time?"
Little White asked excitedly.
Jiang Yan laughed, nodding—equally thrilled.
Finally!
He could finally search for treasure chests in other regions!!
"Inazuma!!"
"Little treasure chests~"
"I'm f*ckin' coming!!"
While Jiang Yan was still daydreaming, a soldier stepped up behind him and saluted.
"Lord Adeptus! The spotters report countless sea beasts roaming ahead.
Should the entire fleet prepare for battle?"
Jiang Yan turned toward him, thought for a moment, then said:
"No need. Everyone continue with your usual duties."
He stepped forward to the very edge of the bow.
"Come to think of it… it's been a long time since I last stretched my limbs."
"This time, I'll handle it myself."
The soldier nodded, excitement appearing on the faces of those nearby.
Their Adeptus Lord was going to make a move!
A rare chance to witness his power up close!
"…To be honest, ever since I obtained my Binary Star State, I haven't fought seriously at all."
"I've only used it for traveling… Isn't that a huge waste?"
Muttering to himself, Jiang Yan's body began to glow with seven-colored light.
"This time… let me show off a little…"
He rose into the air, eyes closed.
Behind him, the white cloak fluttered violently under the outpouring radiance.
Suddenly—
Jiang Yan's eyes snapped open, and star-like brilliance erupted from within them.
The space around him twisted, producing cracking sounds as if it could barely withstand the pressure.
"ROAR!!!"
From the distance, the sea beasts occupying the waters between Liyue and Inazuma spotted the approaching fleet and surged forward like a living tsunami.
"Heh… a bunch of rabble."
Jiang Yan sneered, drawing back his right fist.
The sailors behind him stared nervously at the oncoming tide of beasts.
How would their Adeptus Lord deal with such numbers?
"Starshatter!"
His cold shout cracked like thunder in everyone's ears.
As Jiang Yan punched forward, blinding light swallowed the entire sea, forcing the fleet's soldiers to shield their eyes.
BOOM!!!
A deafening explosion ripped across the ocean.
Winds howled.
The sea boiled as though set ablaze.
When the light finally faded, Jiang Yan stood calmly at the bow, unchanged—cloak fluttering, posture steady.
For a moment, time itself felt frozen.
Every soldier stared ahead, dumbfounded.
The vast ocean had been—
torn open.
A deep abyss-like corridor split the sea in two.
With just one punch, Jiang Yan had blown a hole through the ocean itself.
As for the sea beasts?
They had vanished without a trace.
Only now did the sailors truly understand the terrifying power of this Adeptus who had lived since the Archon War.
The sea soon rushed back, crashing violently.
Then came Jiang Yan's calm voice:
"Continue forward."
"Yes, sir!"
The soldiers snapped back to attention, standing tall—pride shining in their eyes.
This was their Lord Adeptus—
the man who could punch a hole through the ocean!
Inazuma's Side
Inazuma was busy as well.
Just earlier, a message arrived from Liyue that their diplomatic fleet had departed.
Upon receiving news that representatives from Liyue—the nation founded during the Archon War—were coming, Inazuma immediately began preparations.
After all, Inazuma had only been established for a few years.
A friendly visit from another nation required proper formality.
And this visitor was none other than Liyue's Grand Administrator, the leader of the Seven Stars, the Tianquan himself!
A major figure.
Liyue's Tianquan was known as the First General under the Geo Archon—
the Wood-Spirit Adeptus, whose power could rival even Morax.
Naturally, Raiden Makoto, the ruler of Inazuma, took this very seriously.
She personally brought Raiden Ei and Kitsune Saiguu to Narukami Island to wait for the arrival.
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