"This Adeptus specializes in the art of mechanics, and I have plenty of good items on me. I'll let you, a sinister and cunning brat, fully experience this Adeptus's strength right now!"
After saying this, Cloud Retainer once again took out the same Black Array Disk from before.
Seeing this scene, even Madame Ping beside her couldn't help but want to complain. This is the "plenty of good items" you're talking about?
Isn't that just one item?!
Of course, Madame Ping also knew that this was the first time Cloud Retainer had focused on the art of mechanics to counter souls. If she hadn't encountered Chen Feng before, she might not have been able to produce a single item.
At this moment, Cloud Retainer shouted at Chen Feng.
"Chen Feng, you brat, do you dare answer when this Adeptus calls your name?!"
Seeing this, Madame Ping wanted to complain even more. Hadn't this trick already been used on Qi Shu? How could Chen Feng possibly fall for it?
"Okay."
However, Chen Feng directly answered.
Never mind Madame Ping; even Cloud Retainer was stunned for a moment, then excitedly spoke to Madame Ping.
"See, I told you Chen Feng would definitely answer!"
Then Cloud Retainer poured her remaining Adeptal Energy into the Black Array Disk, aiming it at Chen Feng. A mysterious pulling force acted upon him.
"Ping, help me!"
Hearing Cloud Retainer's words, Madame Ping without hesitation poured her own similarly low Adeptal Energy into the Array Disk, and immediately the Black Array Disk's suction power greatly increased.
Chen Feng silently watched the actions of Madame Ping and Cloud Retainer, showing no intention of stopping them.
The suction force acting upon him only caused his surrounding phantom to flicker slightly at first, after which it had no other effect.
"Cloud Retainer, is this all your mechanics amount to?"
Hearing these words, Cloud Retainer became enraged.
"You may look down on this Adeptus, but you must never look down on this Adeptus's mechanics!"
After speaking, Cloud Retainer once again took out a green Array Disk and fully unfolded it, and the next second, a grotto-dwelling filled with ethereal Adeptal Energy appeared before everyone.
This was already Cloud Retainer's trump card. She immediately controlled all the anti-soul mechanisms within the grotto to activate, and in an instant, Chen Feng's location was swallowed by various types of energy.
Unfortunately, when these mechanisms were being created, they had not been designed to target souls. Otherwise, they might have at least caused Chen Feng some trouble.
Of course, Cloud Retainer did not completely lack means in this regard. She knew some formations that could suppress souls, but her talent in this area could only be considered average, so she would only use them when success was absolutely certain, like now.
Seeing that Chen Feng seemed too preoccupied to notice her next move, Cloud Retainer immediately threw out several Compasses, placing them at critical nodes in all directions. Finally, she poured the last trace of Adeptal Energy from her body into the formation, and soon the formation took shape, sealing Chen Feng and the phantom behind him completely within several layers of cyan light screens.
At this moment, the phantom behind Chen Feng seemed to have grown larger and more solid. Immediately after, a giant transparent hand punched the newly appeared grotto-dwelling, and instantly countless magnificent buildings collapsed, and even the cyan Array Disk developed several cracks.
Cloud Retainer somewhat distressedly retrieved the Array Disk. To repair this Array Disk, she would have to spend at least a hundred years searching for all kinds of precious materials.
But thankfully, her formation had already trapped Chen Feng. Next, she just needed to buy as much time as possible to wait for reinforcements.
Of course, Cloud Retainer was not naive enough to think that she and Madame Ping could defeat Chen Feng by themselves; from the very beginning, her purpose had been to delay him.
However, what Cloud Retainer had not expected was that suddenly countless black whirlpools appeared at the locations of the Compasses she had thrown, and in the next second, they were devoured one by one. The massive cyan barrier that had originally trapped Chen Feng thus vanished.
"This has to be cheating!"
Cloud Retainer cried out, losing her composure. In her senses, all the Compasses had lost their connection, as if they no longer existed in this world.
At the same time, Chen Feng's aura suddenly surged violently. Soon after, the Black Array Disk also trembled, and imperceptible cracks continuously appeared on its surface before it, too, was shattered by Chen Feng.
"Mechanics are indeed quite interesting. Do you have any more?"
Hearing Chen Feng's calm words, Cloud Retainer's expression darkened.
Over the years, she had indeed crafted many mechanisms, but almost none of them could cope with the current situation.
Dense beads of sweat appeared on Cloud Retainer's forehead. She feared Chen Feng would strike down both her and Madame Ping in the next second, so she could only steel herself and continue speaking.
"Hmph, of course I do!"
"Since you are so eager to experience them, this Adeptus will give you more than enough this time!"
"Just you wait, let this Adeptus find something!"
After she spoke, Cloud Retainer began rummaging around, feigning a search.
Chen Feng, however, seemed to take her act at face value. He simply watched her in silence, an action that placed immense pressure on Cloud Retainer.
Fortunately, shortly afterward, a grand and luxurious pavilion drifted into view from the distance. Chen Feng turned his gaze toward it, slowly raising his immense hand, which seemed large enough to blot out the sky, and pressed it down.
As Chen Feng moved, the piercing alarm on the Jade Chamber immediately sounded. After a series of violent tremors, it began to slowly descend toward the ground.
"Lady Ningguang, the Jade Chamber's load has exceeded its maximum capacity threefold! We can't hold on, it's falling!"
Upon hearing the Millelith's urgent report, Ningguang immediately commanded without hesitation.
"Manually lower the altitude to reduce the pressure! Everyone, find cover!"
If the Jade Chamber had sufficient energy, Ningguang could have activated its defensive barrier to hold out for a while, but that was clearly impossible now.
Ningguang met Chen Feng's heterochromatic black and white eyes from afar, her heart feeling heavy.
Her worst-case plan had been to once again perform the "Descending Jade Chamber" to suppress Chen Feng, but he refused to give her the chance.
The previous battle had already exhausted everyone. With a single scapegoat, Chen Feng had outmaneuvered all of Liyue's top combatants. This level of achievement was terrifyingly impressive.
Of course, in such a situation, they had no other choice. Even a second's hesitation could mean the loss of a living life. They were completely at Chen Feng's mercy.
Just before the Jade Chamber struck Mt. Tianheng, Ningguang ordered all remaining energy to be used to activate the defensive barrier. Everyone on the Jade Chamber then endured the massive impact head-on, causing chaos as people were thrown all over the place.
Even with the defensive barrier's protection, nearly half of the buildings on the Jade Chamber had already collapsed. Fortunately, the shelters were well-designed and Ningguang's response was correct, so there were no casualties.
Such a conspicuous scene was clearly witnessed by the people of Liyue. The Jade Chamber, the stabilizing pillar of their hearts, had now been so easily suppressed by Chen Feng's single hand. In an instant, countless people's hearts filled with panic.
The previous Qi Shu had already forced the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti to use all their tricks, and in the end, they barely managed to win. Now, facing Chen Feng, an even more terrifying existence, Liyue was likely to meet a grim fate this time.
On the other side, finally recovering from the massive impact, Keqing held her Lion's Roar as a clap of thunder sounded. The next second, her figure appeared on Mt. Tianheng.
Immediately after, Keqing teleported several more times and finally arrived not far from Chen Feng, confronting him face-to-face.
Looking at the now completely unrecognizable Chen Feng, Keqing pointed her Lion's Roar at him, her face filled with anger after being deceived, and loudly questioned him.
"Chen Feng, why are you doing this?!"
"To save more people, of course."
Chen Feng spoke calmly.
At that moment, Ningguang arrived, supported by Ganyu. Her complexion was pale, as controlling the Jade Chamber earlier had been a significant drain on her strength.
"Sacrificing the few to save the many?"
"That is indeed the style of your organization."
"But you have no right to decide who must be sacrificed."
Ningguang had previously investigated this recently active faction. She knew their goal was to save Teyvat, yet the uncertain future had driven them to become radical.
"Miss Ningguang, you are right."
"But I have no choice."
Hearing Chen Feng's words, Ningguang's heart sank.
This was the exact situation she had feared most. Chen Feng had already made his decision. He knew his actions were wrong, yet he would resolutely carry out his plan.
What kind of enemy would Teyvat face in the future? Even an existence like Chen Feng was being pushed to such an extreme.
At this moment, Ningguang couldn't help but think of the Fatui's recent efforts to collect the Gnoses. They were also using any means necessary to achieve their goals. It seemed Snezhnaya had also learned some of the inside story.
Just then, the other Adepti finally arrived on the scene.
"Cloud Retainer, Little Ping!"
"Are you all alright?!"
Moon Carver, seeing that Cloud Retainer and Madame Ping were not in good spirits, hastily rushed to their side to ask about their situation.
Meanwhile, Mountain Shaper and Xiao took positions on Chen Feng's left and right, staring vigilantly at his every move.
"What's wrong with Director Hu Tao?"
After confirming that Cloud Retainer and Madame Ping were out of danger, Moon Carver breathed a sigh of relief. He then noticed Hu Tao, whose eyes were glazed over.
"Alas, the child has probably suffered too great a shock in a short period of time," Cloud Retainer sighed softly and shook her head.
Although Cloud Retainer did not understand emotional matters, she could roughly tell that Hu Tao harbored feelings for Chen Feng. After such an incident occurred, one could only imagine the blow Hu Tao must have suffered.
At this moment, Moon Carver also sighed softly before speaking.
"Will Rex Lapis still not make a move?"
This made him feel somewhat strange. By all accounts, now that Liyue had fallen into such a critical situation, Zhongli should have taken action.
Even though they hadn't formally fought yet, the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti had not fully recovered, making them no match for Chen Feng.
The spiritual pressure Chen Feng emitted even filled the Adepti with deep dread.
Without a doubt, Chen Feng's soul strength had already reached the Archon-level. Even ordinary gods would be powerless against this special kind of god, let alone the Adepti, who were still a considerable distance from that level.
Although Qi Shu also emitted a powerful aura, after a brief exchange, they realized his strength was somewhat superficial. But against Chen Feng, they had no chance of victory.
What exactly was Zhongli waiting for? This was the main question troubling the Adepti.
Even Chen Feng couldn't help but speak up.
"Even now, does Rex Lapis still refuse to appear?"
"Hmph, why would Rex Lapis need to intervene to deal with you? We are more than enough!"
Although Cloud Retainer knew they were completely no match for Chen Feng, she refused to lose face in a war of words.
The other Adepti weren't very good at chatting, so the heavy burden of verbal sparring fell upon her.
Upon hearing Cloud Retainer's words, Chen Feng's gaze swept over the Adepti one by one, instantly causing them to feel a wave of chills followed by an overwhelming sense of crisis.
Finally, Chen Feng's gaze lingered on the crestfallen Hu Tao for a moment before he withdrew it.
"It's a pity your opponents aren't me."
"In fact, I have already prepared opponents for all you Adepti."
As Chen Feng finished speaking, several distorted vortices suddenly formed around him, and shortly after, figures stepped out from within.
When they saw the figures clearly, the Adepti could no longer maintain their composure.
Especially Xiao, looking at the figure standing not far in front of him, his body began to tremble slightly, and his eyes instantly turned red.
"Bonanus, Indarias, Menogias, and... Big Brother Bosacius!!"
Looking at the brothers and sisters before him who had long since died, Xiao finally couldn't hold it in anymore, and tears rolled down his cheeks.
"Yo, Alatus, I didn't expect you to hold out so long!"
"Not bad, not bad, you've gained some face for us 'Guardian Yakshas'!"
Bonanus spoke in a casual tone, and that familiar tone made Xiao burst into tears again.
"Alatus, how come you've become a crybaby after so many years of not seeing each other?"
Indarias saw Xiao's reaction and spoke in a teasing tone.
"But this is good. This way, I won't be the most embarrassing one among the 'Guardian Yakshas'!"
"Get lost, you coward. You're the most shameful one among us, without exception!"
Menogias laughed and swore, then looked at Bosacius, who was standing somewhat silently to the side.
"But I didn't expect Big Brother Bosacius to fail to hold out either. Since I haven't seen Big Brother Bosacius all these years, I thought you and Alatus were both still alive and well."
Hearing this inquiry, Bosacius looked at Xiao and slowly spoke.
"Five hundred years ago, I could no longer suppress the evil power within my body and completely lost myself. I briefly regained my senses halfway through, but I also lost my memory."
"Just then, the evil spirits erupted in large numbers, and I suppressed them together with a human cultivator beneath The Chasm. We were also forever trapped in that small space."
After briefly explaining his situation, Bosacius let out a soft sigh.
"Not long ago, I seemed to have met Alatus once. I thought that was our last meeting, but I didn't expect someone to have such heavenly abilities, easily bringing me out of the seal, and even cleansing all the effects that the evil power brought upon me. I have never felt my body so light."
"It's such a strange feeling. I should be dead, right? But I feel even better than when I was alive.
"It seems Liyue is in trouble this time.