"Taro, what do you plan to do?"
After solidifying the model before them, Zhongli cast a curious glance at Taro.
Was he intending to do a sand-table simulation with Keqing?
Surely not—the model was far too small.
"You still have time to surrender—half-loss only."
Taro gave Keqing a kindly reminder.
"Hmph. Bring it on."
Keqing snorted, showing not the slightest sign of retreat.
She'd played sand-table strategy games before.
Not as skilled as Ningguang, true—but far from incompetent.
The conditions looked simple, but she refused to believe she'd lose.
"Well then…"
Taro sighed. Good advice unheeded. Hopefully after this, the girl's willpower won't collapse.
As the others waited curiously to see his move, Taro raised his right hand. A faintly glowing ring shimmered back onto his middle finger.
"Super-Grade: Heroic Spirit Trial!"
Zero frames wasted. With just a lift of his hand, a super-grade spell burst forth.
If this didn't break her confidence, he'd change his name.
Before anyone could react, the spell activated. The world around them warped. A new trial space opened, enveloping all four completely.
When awareness returned, they stood high in the skies. Clouds swirled, blue waves shimmered across Guyun Stone Forest below, and Liyue Harbor stretched vividly at their feet.
"This is…"
Madame Ping blinked, startled.
"An external cave-dwelling technique?"
"Not only that!"
Zhongli's brows furrowed, sensing deeper complexity.
"It resembles it, yes—but the inner workings are completely different. This feels like an independent realm."
"Good eye."
Taro grinned, giving a thumbs up.
"This place is a separate little world. I can't claim ownership—just borrowing it."
Super-Grade Spell: Heroic Spirit Trial.
Think of it as the budget version of the World-Class Item, Mountains and Rivers Map.
One fixed arena. Summons three level-85 Seraphic Spirits. The space itself reshapes to the user's will. Normally, it's a raid utility—stall enemy DPS or peel off assassins.
Exit conditions? Either defeat the Seraphs—or break out with a higher-tier item like a World-Class tool.
The ring recharged once a day, no stacking. Might as well use it now…
Perfect opportunity to give Keqing a lesson.
"So… you're a celestial?"
Keqing's eyes widened, complicated.
The "Three-Eyed, Five-Manifested" immortals—three "eyes" referring to Vision, five "manifestations" to divine arts and merits. This outer-realm worldcraft was one of them.
She'd only read of such things in records.
And here it was, alive before her.
"I'm no immortal."
Taro calmly shook his head.
"Just a mere traveler—planning to live out retirement here in Liyue."
"Retirement…?"
Keqing stared. If he wasn't immortal, how could he say that?
But seeing he wouldn't reveal more, she didn't press. She looked down at the Harbor below.
"Fine. Then how do you plan to test me?"
Even if she didn't understand this "trial space," it looked like a giantized sand-table.
If she could grasp the rules, maybe she could play.
So what if he was an immortal? Unless he was omniscient, victory wasn't impossible.
"Imagine this," Taro pointed to Liyue below. His voice grew low.
"The Archon has died. The Adepti vanish into seclusion. Liyue is left to itself.
You are still one of the Qixing. I'll grant you five thousand troops, equal in strength to Millelith. Command them, and repel the disaster to come."
"Survive, and you win. Fail, and you lose. Simple."
"…"
Keqing's brows knitted. "…Fine. A deal."
She didn't know his angle, but she'd accept.
"Down you go."
Taro flicked his finger. Keqing's figure shifted instantly, appearing at Liyue's northern docks.
Then Taro lifted his hand again. A Legion Summon roared to life:
"Seventh-Tier Summon: Archangels!"
In an instant, the docks filled with shimmering wings.
Five thousand low-tier Archangels, each level 20—stronger than present-day Millelith.
Keqing froze.
This… to conjure an army with a gesture…
Even Zhongli and Madame Ping twitched brows. Individually weak, but five thousand? Terrifying. And this was only seventh-tier.
"Ready?" Taro's lips curled.
"I… am."
Keqing inhaled, nodding, though her heart thumped uneasily.
An army stronger than Millelith. What test awaited next?
"Good. Begin."
Taro snapped his fingers. One of the Seraphs appeared. Its level-85 might thundered out, suffocating.
"Your opponent is this…
Imagine it as an ancient demon god breaking free from its seal. Its name—Osial, Vortex Demon God."
"What—?!"
The oppressive aura nearly bent Keqing in half.
This was cheating! How could she fight this?!
"Oh, right. One more."
Another Seraph emerged. The pressure doubled.
"This one's an Elemental Dragon King, escaped from its chains. Its name—Azhdaha."
"And also—"
"Stop!"
Keqing, face flushed, could barely straighten her back.
"This isn't right! This…"
Zhongli and Madame Ping exchanged looks, unable to bear watching.
Osial—fine, perhaps winnable with Adepti aid.
But Azhdaha? Even Zhongli himself, leading all Adepti, had only fifty-fifty odds—and only if Liyue's land itself wasn't to be shattered.
You want Keqing to fight that? Zhongli nearly facepalmed.
"What's wrong?"
Taro tilted his head innocently.
"Isn't this exactly what Liyue may face? Instead of whining, shouldn't you be thinking of countermeasures?"
Harsh medicine, perhaps. Could Keqing endure?
"…"
But Zhongli and Madame Ping frowned.
Taro's "foresight" was known.
If so… did this mean these threats were real?
Zhongli's calm cracked.
Osial could be suppressed. But Azhdaha… if the seals faltered, it'd be disaster.
Best to be safe.
After breakfast, he'd have Madame Ping and the Adepti check Nantianmen's seals immediately.
(End of Chapter)
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