Qunyu Pavilion.
The seven stars had a long-awaited reunion.
This situation was urgent. Even the seven stars who were far away from Liyue Harbor were brought back by Zhongli's arrangement through Xiao.
Now, the seven stars finally realized the importance of this meeting.
They even guessed that it was about the previous thunder.
However, they were still confused, and everyone frowned in thought, saying nothing.
The atmosphere on Qunyu Pavilion was somewhat oppressive.
This oppressive atmosphere reached its peak as the immortals who were stationed in various parts of Liyue and could not leave at will returned one after another, taking their respective positions.
Ningguang and Keqing exchanged glances, their anxiety growing.
What had happened? What was the reason for the previous overwhelming thunder?
How could the Rex Lapis even abandon the dream and send immortals directly to convey the message and call a meeting?
Moreover, this scale of meeting had never happened since Ningguang could remember.
According to the historical records, since Liyue's establishment over 3,000 years ago.
Only 500 years ago, Zhongli had called such a meeting.
That time...
The sky collapsed, and Khaenri'ah perished.
The seven nations were ravaged by the disaster of the dark monsters.
According to the records, over a dozen immortals died in that battle.
Even the strongest combat force among the Yakshas, the Great Marshal, Tengshe, was missing.
As for the casualties of the Qixing...
The records in the books didn't even dare to mention the specific numbers.
Only two idioms were used to describe it.
Corpses littered the battlefield, nine out of ten houses were empty.
It was said that out of millions of Qixing troops, only tens of thousands remained, and the number of civilians who died directly or indirectly reached millions.
In that war, even several Archons perished.
Liyue Harbor's foundation accumulated over a thousand years after the Archon War was completely depleted.
Liyue's immortal foundation was also decimated by nine-tenths.
Until now, dark monsters have not completely disappeared from the land of Liyue.
Now, Zhongli has urgently convened such a large-scale meeting again.
It was difficult for Ningguang not to overthink.
Thinking of this, Ningguang, who was always composed, tightened her brows, her worried thoughts hard to conceal.
Liyue is indeed prosperous now, but the top-tier combat power is far inferior to what it used to be.
If it happens again, the entire Liyue will be waiting for its destruction.
Ningguang was somewhat annoyed.
She had only taken over as the Tianquan Star for a few years, and she was just about to flex her muscles and lead Liyue to a new level of prosperity.
How could she encounter such a thing?
Why did all the bad luck fall on her?
The more she thought about it, the angrier Ningguang became, but with so many immortals present, each more solemn than the next.
Ningguang wasn't comfortable asking anything.
"Don't worry, little Ningguang."
Ping Laolao, with a kind face, sat beside Ningguang and gently patted her shoulder.
"If there is any danger, we old folks are here. We won't let you face anything you shouldn't."
"Trust the Rex Lapis, trust Liyue."
Ningguang's heart was touched, and she muttered softly:
"Ping Laolao..."
"Relax, the Rex Lapis will be here soon. Do you want the Rex Lapis to think that the current Tianquan is incapable of carrying the responsibility?"
Ping Laolao glanced at Keqing with a smile, then said meaningfully:
"The future of the person you have in mind, the Rex Lapis needs to find it worthy of entrustment, right?"
Ningguang's heart tightened.
Last year, during the Rite of Descension, Keqing publicly questioned the Rex Lapis, asking how long he intended to lead Liyue.
This was simply outrageous, and the immortals still had no good feelings for Keqing to this day.
Many people in Liyue Harbor even felt that Keqing had gone too far.
But...
Without Ningguang's tacit approval, no matter how radical Keqing was, she wouldn't have done so.
It was simply that Keqing felt her dreams were secretly supported by Ningguang, so she acted as a scapegoat for Ningguang.
This trick, while Cloud Retainer and the others couldn't see through it, didn't mean that Zhongli and Ping Laolao couldn't see through it.
However, they didn't think that Ningguang was too scheming.
On the contrary, Zhongli was satisfied with Ningguang's calculations.
If Ningguang didn't have this ability, how could she shoulder the heavy responsibility of Liyue?
As the helm of Liyue, she had to calculate everyone in.
Everything was for Liyue's sake, even if the Rex Lapis obstructed Liyue, Ningguang had to find a way to solve the problem of the Rex Lapis.
This is what a true ruler should do.
"Relax, we don't blame you. Only in this way can Liyue become even more prosperous after the Rex Lapis leaves."
Ping Laolao smiled and comforted her.
Ningguang breathed a sigh of relief and then said again:
"Ping Laolao, does the Rex Lapis already have the idea of abdicating?"
"He did before."
Ping Laolao sighed and said wistfully:
"The Rex Lapis once told me that his wear and tear has become deep within his soul, and he may not be able to hold on for much longer."
"The Rex Lapis also said clearly that he is now somewhat powerless."
"Therefore, since you have ideas, the Rex Lapis is naturally willing to support them. Abdication might be a good thing for the Rex Lapis's wear and tear."
"But now..."
Ping Laolao shook her head with a complex expression.
"I don't know... Teyvat has changed. The Rex Lapis urgently summoned us, it may be a difficult choice, not necessarily war."
"Listen, little Ningguang."
Ping Laolao suddenly looked at Ningguang with unprecedented seriousness.
"Liyue belongs to countless Liyue citizens, and it's yours, but it is definitely not ours."
"No matter what happens this time, we will do our best to help you solve it."
"After that, how Liyue develops depends on you. I hope you can lead Liyue to continue moving forward, never looking back."
Ping Laolao's entrusting tone made Ningguang feel uncomfortable.
The immortals fought bravely for thousands of years, but now, they couldn't enjoy the good life after all. Were they going to sacrifice their lives again?
Ningguang clenched her fists, feeling a little unwilling.
If only it were a few decades later...
Even a dozen years.
She was confident that she could make Liyue so strong that it wouldn't need the immortals. Then, the immortals could finally enjoy their retirement.
But why...
Why did things have to happen at this critical juncture!
It was too rushed!
Time was too tight!
However, facing the current situation, Ningguang truly felt powerless.
This was not something she, or the people of Liyue, could solve.
After a while, Ningguang sighed in dejection.
"Ping Laolao, I won't let you down! Liyue won't let you down!"
"That's right, people always die, and immortals are no exception."
Ping Laolao smiled, somewhat relieved.
"To be able to continue extending Liyue's life at the end of our lives is also a kind of glory for us to return to our roots."
"Don't worry, little Ningguang. Go ahead boldly, we'll be watching you from behind."
Ningguang turned her head and secretly wiped away her tears, regaining her noble aura as the Tianquan Star.
No matter what happened.
Liyue cannot stop.
As the current Tianquan, she carried the will of too many people.
She didn't have time for sentimentalism, nor did she have time to grieve.
As long as Liyue can continue to move forward, everything will be worth it.
Just as her belief was rekindled.
Outside Qunyu Pavilion, Zhongli finally arrived with Xiao and the others.
The immortals and the seven stars all stood up.
"Rex Lapis!"
Zhongli nodded slightly, not responding, and strode to the main seat.
Others also took their seats.
Looking around, he confirmed that the seven stars were all present, but some immortals were still traveling and had not returned.
"Where are Liyue and the others?"
Zhongli asked in a deep voice, and Ping Laolao replied:
"After the Rex Lapis's decree was issued, we contacted others through immortal techniques. But they are far away, and it will take them until tomorrow at the earliest to arrive."
"Do we need to wait for them?"
Zhongli fell silent for a moment, then shook his head:
"We don't have time. When they arrive, you will convey these messages."
"Now, please listen carefully to me."
"This is a major meeting concerning the future of Liyue, and even the entire Teyvat."
"There is only one purpose for the meeting: the Liyue Immortal Cultivation Plan!"