The Rite of Descension had begun.
Golden light descended from the heavens as Rex Lapis revealed himself, and alongside him, three Adeptus manifested in unison.
Ganyu instinctively turned her gaze toward Cloud Retainer. Her expression grew unusually complicated. From yesterday afternoon until this very morning, she had searched everywhere for her—yet found nothing. And now, at the very moment the Rite commenced, Cloud Retainer appeared without warning.
A faint chill crept into Ganyu's heart.
At present, all she could do was silently pray that Cloud Retainer would not recount her childhood "anecdotes." If that mercy were granted, she would remain grateful for a lifetime.
"Waaah!!!! Are those the Adeptus?!!!"
Klee stared wide‑eyed at Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, and Moon Carver hovering above the plaza.
Her crimson eyes sparkled with unrestrained curiosity. Though she had often heard tales of Liyue's Adeptus back in Mondstadt, this was her first time seeing them with her own eyes.
To think that the legendary Adeptus would appear at the Rite of Descension itself—coming along with Brother Albedo had truly been the right decision.
"Yes. Those are the Adeptus," Albedo replied calmly.
He observed the figures in the sky and spoke evenly. "This year's Rite of Descension features not only Rex Lapis, but other Adeptus as well. The journey was well worth it."
As he spoke, Albedo subtly glanced at Futsu Mitama and the others beside him.
Their expressions were remarkably composed.
After all, whether it was Futsu Mitama, Aila, Kuki Shinobu, or Shenhe, all four had already seen both Rex Lapis and the Adeptus at Mt. Aocang—and even earlier, yesterday morning.
Naturally, they would not display the same astonishment as the surrounding crowd. Across Liyue Harbor, citizens familiar with the Adeptus excitedly called out their names.
"Mountain Shaper!"
"He appeared in Liyue Harbor ten years ago!"
"Moon Carver! Cloud Retainer!"
Names long etched into legend once more echoed through the harbor.
The Adeptus were never strangers to Liyue. Throughout the land, countless people—seeking blessings—would travel to the dwellings of the Adeptus, hoping to gain something without effort.
There were even those who, confident in their own extraordinary talent, believed themselves destined for greatness. They would ascend Mt. Aocang or other Adeptal sites, attempting to obtain guidance or favor.
In the end, all returned empty‑handed. Only those possessing both exceptional talent and the proper constitution could truly cultivate under an Adeptus. Alternatively, one might obtain a talisman of everlasting morality—issued by Rex Lapis in ages past—to gain an audience with an Adeptus.
Below, the crowd surged with excitement.
No one had expected that this year's Rite of Descension would feature not only Rex Lapis, but multiple Adeptus as well. Though the reason for their appearance remained unknown, to the people of Liyue, this was unquestionably a blessing—a great blessing.
Foreign visitors attending the Rite were no less thrilled.
They had come to witness the Rite of Descension, yet never imagined they would see the Adeptus themselves descend in person.
At a nearby stall, Tianquan Ningguang observed the scene with a faint smile. This year's Rite of Descension was indeed extraordinary. And precisely because of that, she felt that the Rite she herself would host next year could not be inferior to Keqing's.
This was not a matter of competition.
Rather, as Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, Ningguang believed that the Rite she presided over must be worthy of her title—splendid and unforgettable.
After all, if the Yuheng Star had performed so well, then the Tianquan Star could not possibly fall short.
From Futsu Mitama's perspective, the Chat Group's live broadcast was equally lively.
[Azhdaha: "The Rite of Descension—ah~ what a pity~~~"]
[Guizhong: "What is there to pity? Watching an old friend still alive through the group livestream—that's a good thing." Guizhong: "But where is Ping? She should enjoy this sort of occasion."]
[Azhdaha: "No idea. Perhaps she'll appear later. I just wonder whether that boy, Xiao, will show himself. In the past, the Five Yakshas always appeared together on such occasions. If they still had lingering souls, the Group Leader might have found a way to pull them in."]
[Yae Miko: "Then you'd probably need even more special husk dolls."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Still—the Rite of Descension truly is lively. The people's faith in the gods is deep."]
[Azhdaha: "Hahahahaha."]
[Raiden Makoto: "What are you laughing at?"]
[Azhdaha: "Nothing. I simply remembered something amusing. I wasn't laughing at you."]
[Raiden Makoto: "…"]
[Guizhong: "Enough, enough. You really do enjoy teasing others."]
[Azhdaha: "No such intent. I merely find Liyue's prosperity genuinely admirable."]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "None of the events hosted by the Yashiro Commission in recent years can compare to the Rite of Descension. And this isn't even Liyue's most lively festival."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "It's said the Lantern Rite surpasses even this. Once things here conclude, shall we visit Liyue together?"]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "If no urgent matters arise, I would be glad to accompany you."]
[Raiden Makoto: "(Spits soul)"]
[Yae Miko: "Lady Makoto! Please hold on!"]
[Azhdaha: "Hahahahaha."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "@Zhongli, Mr. Zhongli, where are you? I don't see you."]
[Guizhong: "Oh? Mr. Zhongli is also here? How curious~ I would very much like to see what he looks like."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Indeed. I, too, am quite interested in this all‑knowing consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."]
[Azhdaha: "I wasn't at first—but now, I'm curious as well."]
[Azhdaha: "@Zhongli, where are you? Should I have the Group Leader ask the Millelith to bring you over?"]
[Albedo: "Mr. Zhongli likely has matters to attend to. He probably cannot come."]
[Futsu Mitama: "Yes. He mentioned accompanying an old friend recently. Last night, he only returned briefly to check whether the parlor required his services."]
[Guizhong: "~~~~~"]
[Zhongli: "I am at the Rite of Descension, merely accompanying old friends. Should an opportunity arise, I will let you see me. My vantage point is somewhat elevated, but the entire panorama is clearly visible."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "An elevated spot? The teahouse, perhaps? That's not bad. You can watch the Adeptus while drinking tea. The only drawback is not hearing the gods and the Qixing clearly."]
[Zhongli: "Even so, it is quite suitable."]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "If one does not mind missing the speech, then it is indeed ideal."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "But someone as knowledgeable as Mr. Zhongli—would he truly ignore Rex Lapis's address?"]
[Zhongli: "Whatever is said will spread through Liyue Harbor within half a day. I will know then."]
[Azhdaha: "As expected of Zhongli."]
[Yae Miko: "Efficient indeed."]
[Guizhong: "Yes."]
As the chat continued, the three Adeptus descended from the heavens.
Cloud Retainer landed first. Folding her wings, she gazed calmly at Keqing—the Yuheng Star—and the gathered citizens.
"This Adeptus is Cloud Retainer."
Mountain Shaper followed, his voice carrying quiet authority. "This Adeptus is Mountain Shaper."
Moon Carver descended last, surveying the sea of people below. "This Adeptus is Moon Carver."
With the three Adeptus present, two additional figures appeared.
One was an ordinary‑looking elderly woman. The other, a handsome young man.
Neither spoke. They simply stood in silence. Yet among the knowledgeable citizens of Liyue, recognition spread rapidly.
"A Yaksha mask?! Is that the legendary Yaksha Adeptus?!"
"An unassuming old woman—could that be the Streetward Rambler, hidden within the city?"
"My Lord of Geo—five Adeptus! Five Adeptus have descended upon the Rite of Descension!"
"Has something major occurred?"
"I heard the Millelith suffered heavy casualties recently, and monsters have been rampant beyond the harbor."
"That's right! My nephew serves in the Millelith—he said ancient ruins were uncovered, releasing terrifying entities!"
The crowd buzzed with speculation.
At that moment, Keqing, host of the Rite of Descension, stepped forward and bowed respectfully toward the Adeptus.
Because, in the unseen corners of this land, it was precisely the Adeptus who had borne the greatest burden in recent times, silently safeguarding Liyue beyond the awareness of ordinary people.
Without their intervention, the casualties suffered by the Millelith would have been far graver.
Keqing's gaze then rose toward Rex Lapis in the heavens, her expression tinged with complexity. In the past, she had harbored prejudice toward the Lord of Geo. Yet amid the succession of thorny incidents over these few short days, she had come to a stark realization—
They humans were still children. Children sheltered too well by Rex Lapis, their guardian.
Merely Il Dottore incident reported by Yelan last night had taught Keqing a profound lesson. Forcing Il Dottore's slice into retreat, compelling him to abandon his plans in Liyue, and even challenging the Tsaritsa across nations without fear of war with Snezhnaya—
Such influence did not originate from the Liyue Qixing, nor from humanity itself.
It was the authority of Rex Lapis.
If this matter had fallen into Keqing's hands alone, she knew she would have been plagued by endless dilemmas. Whether Il Dottore could be captured was already an insurmountable problem.
In her eyes, the strength of Shenhe and Futsu Mitama was already formidable beyond most standards. Yet even with the two of them working in perfect coordination—Futsu Mitama exhausting himself to the brink—they had only managed to drive Il Dottore's slice into a dead end.
And that was merely a slice, not Il Dottore's true body.
Could a fragment truly possess such terrifying power?
As Yuheng Star, Keqing knew well the extent of Liyue's current strength. And yet now, she could not help but feel that she had once viewed the world too simply.
Still, it did not matter.
Even so, she had already found the path most suitable for Liyue.
Under her gaze, Rex Lapis—Morax—slowly descended from the heavens. As he landed, his golden form radiated solemn authority. He looked at Keqing and spoke slowly,
"Regarding the policies to be enacted in Liyue Harbor in the coming year, I have several thoughts—"
Morax began to expound upon matters concerning Liyue's future—policies beneficial to the harbor, directions for governance—while the officials beside him swiftly recorded his every word.
Merchants listened with rapt attention, afraid to miss even a single phrase spoken by the Lord of Geo.
Time flowed quietly on.
From overarching policy to the mundane yet vivid happenings of the past year, Morax spoke of many things—of Xiangling from Wanmin Restaurant and the novel delicacies she had created, of the Shopkeeper's Daughter of Guiyan Assembly who had boldly sacrificed her own interests to secure the right to trade Primo Geovishap scales, earning both prestige and renown.
Those mentioned by name were overcome with joy; those omitted sighed inwardly, lamenting their lack of merit. Some merchants criticized outright felt their faces drain of color, already foreseeing the decline of their businesses.
Those in positions of authority pondered each policy carefully, considering how best to implement them.
At last, Morax fell silent.
The Rite of Descension was nearing its conclusion.
Ganyu quietly released a breath she had been holding. Cloud Retainer and the other Adeptus had not spoken at all—clearly, their appearance was meant only as a deterrent, a silent warning against hidden turmoil.
As long as Cloud Retainer remained silent, everything was fine.
Once the Lord's address ended, the Qixing would formally announce the close of the Rite.
"Lord."
At that moment, Keqing spoke. She lifted her head and looked directly at the golden dragon before her, her expression solemn beyond measure.
"There is something I wish to say—but I do not know if I should."
The Adeptus turned their gazes toward her, curiosity flickering in their eyes. What could this Yuheng Star wish to say, at the very brink of the Rite's conclusion?
Morax inclined his massive head slightly, his voice resonant and majestic.
"You may speak."
Hearing this, Keqing drew a deep breath. She could feel the weight pressing down upon her, heavier with every heartbeat.
Countless eyes were fixed upon her now—but Keqing knew exactly what she must do. And she believed, with unwavering conviction, that only this path could grant Liyue a future.
She looked at Morax and spoke clearly, firmly:
"Lord, I implore you—and all the Adeptus—to entrust the responsibilities you bear to us, the Liyue Qixing."
The moment these words fell, shock rippled through the crowd.
Faces changed, murmurs erupted, and many citizens stared at Keqing in disbelief.
Entrust…responsibility?
The responsibilities borne by the Lord and the Adeptus?
Interpreted lightly, it could mean easing their burden, allowing the Qixing to shoulder more governance. But interpreted otherwise—
Was this not a challenge to divine authority?
"Presumptuous!"
Before Morax could respond, Cloud Retainer spoke, her gaze sharp and her tone severe as she fixed it upon Keqing.
"You Qixing wish to bear the Lord's responsibility?"
"Yuheng Star—do you even understand what you are saying?"
Though her words were harsh, her intent was otherwise. Cloud Retainer was shielding Keqing, subtly signaling to the other Adeptus that this human spoke out of ignorance, not rebellion.
"I understand perfectly."
Keqing grasped Cloud Retainer's intent, yet she did not lower her head. Instead, she met Morax's gaze steadily.
"Because the Lord and the Adeptus have protected us too well. No matter what befalls Liyue, you shield humanity from wind and rain. Many believe this is natural—our fate as mortals."
"But I do not."
"Gratitude must be learned. Your protection has lasted too long, and it has bred complacency in human hearts. They believe that as long as the Lord and the Adeptus remain, Liyue will never fall into chaos. They enjoy this peace greedily, unaware of the sacrifices made to uphold it."
A hush fell over the crowd.
Shame surfaced on many faces—because her words rang true.
With Rex Lapis and the Adeptus watching over them, why should mere mortals worry? Why not simply live in comfort and count mora?
The Adeptus looked at Keqing in surprise.
In their eyes, the people of Liyue were their children. Bound by ancient contracts, they had watched the Harbor rise from nothing, had fought and bled through the Archon War, some nearly perishing.
Even now, they silently intervened whenever disaster beyond human reach appeared. This had become habit—both for them, and for the people who benefited. Yet today, someone questioned that very arrangement.
"Hmm."
Morax inclined his head slightly, signaling Keqing to continue.
Encouraged, she pressed on.
"Therefore, I ask that the Lord and the Adeptus share these responsibilities with us—the Liyue Qixing. Let us assist the Conqueror of Demons in purging remnants of fallen gods. Let us face the Primo Geovishap, the Abyss, and other looming threats."
"Lord, you have protected Liyue for far too long. I hope—sincerely—that you may rest, and no longer need to descend every year to worry for us."
"The era of the Adeptus has passed."
"What Liyue must face next…is an era of coexistence between humans and Adeptus."
Her words rang out clearly.
She faced Rex Lapis and the five Adeptus without hesitation, her resolve unshaken.
"Arrogant."
Mountain Shaper's voice rumbled with restrained displeasure.
"The era of the Adeptus has passed? Coexistence, you say?"
"Yuheng Star, you misunderstand."
"The beings we face are not foes you can contend with."
"You have witnessed the terror of Demon God remnants. Even now, exorcists can only seal them—never erase them."
Keqing fell silent.
Moon Carver shook his head, disappointment evident.
"The burdens we bear are not yours to shoulder. To attempt it without understanding is arrogance indeed."
Cloud Retainer said nothing, her gaze lingering on Keqing, complex and troubled.
"Enough."
Madam Ping intervened gently.
"She walks a difficult path, but it is not without reason."
Xiao spoke next, voice cold and resolute.
"My contract stands. I will continue to eradicate evil and protect Liyue."
The stance of the Adeptus was clear.
Save for Madam Ping, all rejected Keqing's proposal.
Because they knew the truth: without strength, ideals meant nothing.
Only those like Shenhe or Futsu Mitama could truly stand alongside them.
Morax remained silent, watching Keqing calmly.
"…."
Keqing clenched her fists.
Defiance burned in her chest.
Futsu Mitama was human. Shenhe was human.
They had walked this path step by step.
Liyue could not remain forever as it was.
She drew a breath, eyes blazing with resolve.
"Then tell me—"
"If not now, then when? You have protected Liyue for a thousand years."
"But what of the next thousand? Ten thousand?"
"Will you protect us forever?"
The moment those words were spoken, the air froze. Shock spread like wildfire. This was no longer implication. It was a direct question—one that pierced straight to the heart of divine eternity.
The Adeptus stared at Keqing, displeasure evident.
Ganyu's expression changed as well. She had known Keqing's thoughts—but not that she would voice them here.
Uncle Tian sighed softly.
"Things have escalated…"
Kuki Shinobu watched with admiration. Such courage was rare.
Shenhe nodded faintly.
Even the Adeptus understood—erosion spared no one.
Klee's eyes sparkled.
"So cool!"
Albedo silently raised his sketchbook. This—
This was history.
At that moment, Morax let out a hearty laugh, his voice resonant as he spoke:
"I understand. From this day onward, the Liyue Qixing shall assume a portion of My 'responsibilities.' You are correct—the era of the Adeptus has indeed passed. Yet that does not mean an era of humans and Adeptus must follow."
"I will entrust these 'responsibilities' to you. In return, the Liyue Qixing must present Me with an answer that satisfies Me."
Upon hearing this, the joy on Keqing's face was impossible to conceal. She nodded repeatedly, her voice firm and sincere.
"We will never disappoint Rex Lapis."
"Mhm." Morax inclined his head slightly, then continued calmly, "As for what you mentioned earlier, I can give you an answer now."
"Thousands of years from now, even if I am no longer here, My successor will appear. He will protect Liyue and guide it toward a new path."
Before Keqing—or anyone else present—could properly process this astonishing declaration, Morax rose once more into the heavens.
The Adeptus exchanged glances with Keqing, then cast rather peculiar looks toward Futsu Mitama. Without another word, they too vanished from the Rite of Descension.
"?!"
Futsu Mitama stood frozen in place.
What was going on?! Was he being dragged into someone else's grand scheme?!
Zhongli—what are you doing?! This hint is far too obvious! In all of Liyue, only Zhongli and I possess your inheritance!
"Successor—?" Ganyu stared at Futsu Mitama beside her, shock evident in her eyes.
Keqing also seemed to realize something. She turned her gaze toward Futsu Mitama, her expression growing increasingly complicated. After all, he was both a retainer of the Raiden Shogun and a bearer of Rex Lapis's inheritance.
"This is truly—" Uncle Tian turned to look at Futsu Mitama, his expression equally strange. He had never expected matters to develop in this direction.
Across Liyue Harbor, an uproar erupted.
Rex Lapis had a successor?
Compared to talk of eras and responsibility, this revelation was utterly explosive.
Who was Rex Lapis's successor? Why had there been no hint of this for thousands of years? Was Rex Lapis simply too adept at keeping secrets?
Then again, perhaps he had foreseen this day long ago and begun cultivating a successor in advance. Keqing's words merely provided the opportunity for him to reveal it.
The citizens of Liyue were abuzz with excitement—and within the Chat Group, chaos reigned just as fiercely.
[Guizhong: "A successor… If Morax truly said this, then that successor's cultivation must already be exceptional."]
[Azhdaha: "Well done, Morax! Well done indeed!"]
[Raiden Makoto: "Pah! Morax! So this is what you meant by 'not stealing him'?! Lies, all lies!"]
[Raiden Makoto: "@Yae Miko, hurry and tell Ei! If she doesn't come soon, our promising young talent will be snatched away by that fellow!"]
[Yae Miko: "I'm already on a ship to Liyue."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Huh? You actually came? Ei let you leave?"]
[Yae Miko: "I did. The special husk doll is of great importance—I had to come."]
[Raiden Makoto: "YOU…fine! Anyway, the Raiden Shogun will arrive in a few days. Make sure she knows about this."]
[Yae Miko: "As you wish~"]
[Azhdaha: "Hold on—that's not fair. Why can't Futsu Mitama be Morax's successor? He's not truly the Raiden Shogun's successor. The Electro Authority was forced on him by that little fox."]
[Azhdaha: "They're cultivating him as an Eternal Guardian, not an Archon."]
[Raiden Makoto: "And Morax? He merely passed down part of his inheritance, which Futsu Mitama happened to cultivate successfully. That's not even as thorough as what I did. My inheritance was personally passed down."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "I have a bold thought—could it be that Futsu Mitama isn't the only one who possesses Rex Lapis's inheritance?"]
[Futsu Mitama: "That's correct. I'm not the only one. My inheritance was obtained from someone else."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Then that must indeed be the case."]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "What about Mr. Zhongli? He also possesses Rex Lapis's inheritance, is a Liyue citizen, and even holds a Geo Vision."]
[Albedo: "…"]
[Raiden Makoto: "@Zhongli, come explain yourself."]
[Zhongli: "It is not I. What qualifications would I have to be Rex Lapis's successor?"]
[Guizhong: "Then it seems it isn't Mr. Zhongli."]
[Aila: "Mr. Zhongli's aura doesn't seem that strong. It probably isn't him."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Then what exactly is Morax planning?"]
[Zhongli: "Perhaps Azhdaha would know. I do not understand Rex Lapis."]
[Azhdaha: "Hahahaha! If you ask me, Morax simply saw Futsu Mitama's potential and wants to cultivate him as Liyue's next Geo Archon."]
[Raiden Makoto: "I refuse!"]
[Futsu Mitama: "I refuse as well! Retiring in Liyue is fine—no overtime!"]
[Aila: "I support Young Master. No overtime."]
[Raiden Makoto: "?????"]
[Guizhong: "Overtime? What does that mean?"]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "In short—probably my current state."]
While the Chat Group buzzed with excitement, the same was true outside. With Rex Lapis and the Adeptus gone, the Rite of Descension was effectively concluded.
Yet it was still noon, and Liyue Harbor would remain lively well into the night. As the crowd gradually dispersed from Yujing Terrace, discussions filled the air—Liyue was clearly on the brink of major change.
Futsu Mitama, meanwhile, felt a growing headache. The fervent gazes around him were hard to ignore.
"Futsu Mitama—"
Ganyu reached out and grasped his hand, her expression a mixture of surprise and disbelief.
"Are you…Rex Lapis's successor? Yelan mentioned this morning that you might possess his inheritance, but I thought it was only a fragment passed down from the Archon War."
"I didn't expect you to have truly mastered it."
It was clear that Ganyu now firmly believed Futsu Mitama to be the successor Morax had spoken of.
"It's not me. I don't have it. Don't say nonsense."
Futsu Mitama immediately denied it. To be honest, he had no idea what Morax was thinking. Becoming the next Geo Archon?
Absolutely not. He valued freedom far too much. With hundreds of millions of mora already earned, he wanted a leisurely life—not endless responsibility.
"If not you, then who?"
Keqing approached as well, her expression serious. Rex Lapis's words were impossible to ignore.
"A successor was no trivial matter."
"Mr. Zhongli of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Futsu Mitama answered without hesitation.
"He also possesses Rex Lapis's inheritance. He's a Liyue citizen, knowledgeable, and his way of thinking closely resembles Rex Lapis's. It must be him."
Ganyu and Keqing froze.
Mr. Zhongli…had Rex Lapis's inheritance?
Albedo opened his mouth, then closed it again. He wanted to say that Futsu Mitama had already been targeted—that he was indeed the successor Morax referred to.
But he could say nothing.
On one hand, Zhongli's identity had to remain hidden. On the other, Futsu Mitama's resistance was all too clear. Albedo couldn't help but wonder—what method would Rex Lapis ultimately use?
"We're leaving!" Futsu Mitama quickly interjected. "The Rite may be over, but it's still lively below. We're heading to Wanmin Restaurant for dinner!"
Without giving Ganyu or Keqing time to react, he led everyone away from Yujing Terrace. He knew that if he stayed any longer, things would only become more troublesome.
Watching his retreating figure, Ganyu and Keqing both hesitated—then stopped themselves. This matter was far too important and required careful consideration.
If Futsu Mitama truly was the successor, then everything made sense. But if he wasn't, future encounters would be unbearably awkward. Moreover, his identity as a Raiden Shogun's retainer and an Inazuman did make the idea questionable.
By contrast, Mr. Zhongli was widely praised for his knowledge and insight. Though some disliked him—after all, he was notorious for criticizing Rex Lapis, often quite harshly.
Admiration and displeasure coexisted.
And so, beneath Liyue's bustling skies, uncertainty quietly took root.
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