Keqing watched the battle at the docks below, which now seemed to have a decided victor, and her mouth hung open reflexively.
The contrast between before and after was simply too overwhelming.
Four Adepti had struck out together, only to be pushed back by that invader, showing frequent signs of collapse. Yet, after Su Ming took the stage, it had taken less than five minutes to completely bring the intruder under control.
Not only that, but at most, Su Ming only had a bit of dirt on his clothes. Not a single injury existed on his body.
Recalling the aura Su Ming had unleashed earlier, even from the heights of the Jade Chamber, Keqing had felt a distinct sense of pressure. How could she not be shocked?
In the traditional view of the people of Liyue, the Adepti were lofty and omnipotent. Yet, a problem the Adepti could not solve had been settled by an Adeptus's disciple. An enemy the Adepti could not withstand had been blocked by a human.
At this thought, Keqing's eyes shimmered with a complex light. As she looked at that back belowa figure that seemed to have everything under controlher heart was tossed by crashing waves.
The other Adepti, with the exception of Cloud Retainer, shared a similar reaction.
Moon Carver shook his head, feeling both gratified and helpless. "Sigh... I truly am getting old. To think that just a moment ago, this nephew was calling me 'Martial Uncle' and begging me to teach him some of my signature tricks, and in the blink of an eye, he has reached such a height."
"Humanity truly possesses limitless potential... If Liyue Harbor had a few more figures like Su Ming, then even after Rex Lapis passes, Liyue's future would be guaranteed for at least a thousand years of peace."
"And we Adepti would not have to worry ourselves to this extent."
Mountain Shaper also nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Those means of controlling ice and snow are something even we Adepti cannot achieve."
"That kind of power is far beyond what any Vision can compare to."
"I see that this lad has quite a few trump cards... though it seems reasonable enough when placed in his hands."
Moon Carver nodded upon hearing Mountain Shaper's words. "True. Didn't Cloud Retainer mention it? Rex Lapis told her that Su Ming..."
Moon Carver did not continue. He glanced at the surrounding Millelith and Keqing of the Liyue Qixing and chose to keep the secret.
Madame Ping, who had changed back into her elderly form, laughed heartily. "Cloud Retainer's mouth is still the same; she can't keep any secret."
"It's a good thing Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper are tight-lipped. Otherwise, wouldn't the secret of your precious apprentice be known to the whole world?"
Cloud Retainer gave a huffy snort and turned her head away without a word. However, the awkward expression on her face could not be hidden.
Seeing Cloud Retainer in such a state, Madame Ping did not say much more, only sighing with emotion. "Each generation brings forth its own talents... I wonder how much effort he actually exerted to achieve this?"
Everyone nodded in agreement. Indeed, exactly how much strength had Su Ming used?
They couldn't guess.
But looking at Su Ming's calm, relaxed, and elegant expression, it was likely he hadn't exerted much of his true power. If that was the case, just how strong would he be at full power? They couldn't even imagine it.
However, having such an outstanding junior in Liyue made them, as mentors and elders, feel a natural sense of shared glory. Gratified smiles hung on the corners of the Adepti's lips.
Meanwhile, Su Ming intended to take the final step.
After subduing Xiao, he quickly entered a meditative state to calm his mind.
"Supreme celestial stars, respond without end."
"Expel evil and bind enchantments, preserve life and protect the body."
"Wisdom shines bright and still, the mind finds peace and tranquility."
"May the three souls be eternal, and the seven spirits never falter."
"As swift as the law commands!"
Once the Heart-Cleansing Incantation was finished, Su Ming raised his right index finger. A drop of clear dew condensed at his fingertip. This was not a gathering of the Hydro element, but a manifestation of the soul power Su Ming had condensed.
"Go!"
With a flick of his finger, the dew flew out, heading straight for the center of Xiao's brow.
Drip.
The dew blossomed upon Xiao's forehead and quickly merged into it. Immediately, the color of madness in Xiao's eyes began to fade.
In the next moment, the Abyssal Power within Xiao, and even a portion of his Karmic Debt, began to be expelled from his body.
Seeing this, Su Ming quickly arranged an exorcism array to purify the Karmic Debt. As for the Abyssal Power that could not be purified, he used the array to seal it, locking it away within solid ice.
"It actually worked, and the effect looks quite good."
Having used the Heart-Cleansing Incantation for the first time, Su Ming was quite pleased after seeing its results. After all, this meant he now possessed a means of purification. Although he didn't yet know the limitations of the incantation, it was more than enough for the situation he currently faced.
Zhongli, who had been observing the battle all along, breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Su Ming suppress Xiao and use a method he himself could not have imaginedcondensing soul power to help Xiao regain his senses.
Fortunately, he wouldn't have to expose his identity. In this way, his retirement plan could still proceed.
Zhongli looked up toward Guyun Stone Forest, sensing the disturbances there. The Abyssal aura there had not diminished. Furthermore, the seal he had placed was gradually being broken under the influence of those counterfeit Sigils of Permission made by the people of Snezhnaya.
"The Abyss? It seems the situation will be a bit tricky, but... it remains a non-issue."
Zhongli murmured to himself, then glanced at Su Ming. "I wonder what other surprises you can show me."
"Can Liyue Harbor withstand the trial..."
"And has Liyue, the land that has walked with a god, truly made the resolve to bid that god farewell?"
Zhongli reached out his hand, and a Gnosis appeared within it, surging with majestic divine power.
In terms of pure combat strength, the Gnosis didn't provide him with much of a boost. However, after over six thousand years of time's passage, even Zhongli could not escape Erosion. With his strength no longer at its peak, if he wanted to ensure nothing went wrong, he could only rely on the vast Power of Faith accumulated within the Gnosis over thousands of years to return himself to his prime.
Back then, Osial had been suppressed by his spear; it could be done again now. Even if the beast had gained the help of the Abyss, it would be the same.
Zhongli did not leave. Instead, he continued to watch from nearby.
He could feel it... Osial was about to break free from the seal.
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access 400+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).