Chapter 29: Throne of Tianli

Compared to the calm demeanors of the Wind God and the Rock God, the Water God, Fucalos, emerged from the Oracular Judgment with a grim expression.

“Who just spoke with the world?”

“Who has returned? Tianli?”

Fucalos was a young god, and her experiences paled in comparison to those of the other gods.

When Egorlia hastily installed her as successor, it not only left her power inferior to the other Regents, but also left her ignorant of many secrets.

“Why must this happen now, just as my plan was about to be executed?!”

Fucalos looked up at the sky, a sense of helplessness rising within her.

“Enough! I’ll go to the Sky Island. If Fontaine is doomed to destruction, let me fall first at Tianli’s hands!”

Though Fucalos feared Fontaine might be utterly ended by a freezing nail descending from the sky, she was never indecisive.

The Water God Fucalos, who devised such a self-destructive plan, was never a coward.

Though she was merely a young god, her decisiveness was equal to any other’s.

…

Inazuma.

Above the Narukami Island, a lightning bolt spanning the heavens resembled a thunder dragon annihilating all.

Inside the Tenshukaku.

The Thunder General, who had been sitting in silent meditation, suddenly opened her eyes, flickers of lightning dancing within them.

“The message from the Sky Island… and…”

“The world’s transformation!”

Raiden Shogun’s voice was hoarse with depth.

In her Pure Land of Single-Mindedness, she had not heard the voice of the Great Benevolent Tree King.

Yet Raiden Shogun’s power was incomparable to Fucalos’s, who had been hastily elevated.

Compared to before, the thunder of Teyvat seemed… livelier?

Then, immediately after, the message from the Sky Island arrived.

Raiden Shogun’s feelings toward the Sky Island were complex.

It was precisely because the Sky Island had ordered her sister to go to Khaenri’ah that her sister perished on the battlefield.

Yet Raiden Shogun also knew deep down that in the Khaenri’ah war, it was not only her sister who fell—the remaining seven gods were all wounded.

Even the Sky Island had been severely damaged; under such circumstances, Raiden Shogun could not harbor resentment toward it.

Enough!

No matter what, the Sky Island had issued a decree after centuries of silence—she had to go and see for herself.

Mt. Kujou, Narukami Shrine.

Yaoyao, frowning deeply, watched the figure transform into lightning and shoot into the sky, filled with confusion.

“What major event has happened now?”

Every time the Sky Island summoned them, it was during a great upheaval.

The last time had been five hundred years ago.

That time, Inazuma nearly perished under a tide of black beasts, and even the Thunder God fell…

What about this time?

…

Compared to the decisiveness of the other four gods, the Ice God and Fire God were far more conflicted.

Of these two Regents, the Ice God was a rebel, and the Fire God had ascended from humanity—her experience was even less than Fucalos’s, and she had only heard rumors of the Sky Island…

Yet after some hesitation, both Regents ultimately set out for the Sky Island.

What about the Little Benevolent Grass King?

Buer gazed far off at Naxida, feeling both anger and pity.

This little one was still in self-imposed isolation?

No matter how young, if she truly wished to leave, she could never be trapped to death inside the Pure Good Palace.

Of course.

Though Naxida was her half-self, they had become two distinct individuals, their personalities now clearly divergent.

Soon.

The first four Regents to arrive met atop the Sky Island.

“Long time no see, Morax. Your presence remains as ever.”

The youthful Baalbos, eyes half-lidded in a smile, greeted his old friend beside him.

“Long time no see, Baalbos. Indeed, five hundred years have passed since we last spoke.”

Morax, seeing his long-absent friend, felt a pang of nostalgia.

For him, those he could truly call friends were few.

Even the immortals of Liyue were more subordinates than companions.

“Morax, tell me honestly—was it truly Tianli who summoned us?”

Baalbos opened his eyes, divine authority stirring within them, and asked with suspicion.

As one who had personally experienced the Khaenri’ah War, he knew well: even if Tianli had not perished, it must have been gravely wounded.

“...It’s hard to say. But the Great Benevolent Tree King should be on the Sky Island now.”

Seeing Baalbos shed his carefree facade and assume a solemn expression, Morax spoke with deep implication.

With the Great Benevolent Tree King’s current power, even if Tianli were still at its peak, it was uncertain who truly held authority now.

Tianli Phanes was an outsider who descended from beyond; in legitimacy, even the primordial Dragon Kings were inferior to the World Tree’s incarnation, the Great Benevolent Tree King.

Yet.

Tianli Phanes had seized the Throne through absolute power.

Now, the Great Benevolent Tree King’s strength filled Morax with awe.

At this level, the Great Benevolent Tree King possessed both legitimacy and power—it was inconceivable that it would submit beneath Tianli Phanes.

Sensing the weight behind his friend’s words, Baalbos ceased questioning; he had a rough idea now.

“Baalzeb, Itachi’ve arrived too! And this one must be Fucalos of Fontaine?”

The four Regents gathered, exchanging greetings and introductions.

“Baalbos! Morax!”

Raiden Shogun nodded slightly in greeting.

“Greetings, Baalbos, Morax, and Baalzeb.”

Fucalos stepped forward calmly, showing no sign of panic despite her shattered plan and the looming threat of Tianli’s punishment.

She was a person even more ruthless than the ruthless.

Even a personality with no power at all had, as Water God, turned the Water Dragon King into her servant in Fontaine!

“Pleasure to meet Itachi, Fucalos.”

“This is my first time on the Sky Island. Why has it suddenly summoned us?”

Fucalos asked calmly.

Raiden Shogun turned her gaze toward Morax and Baalbos.

Surely they, unlike her who had secluded herself in her Pure Land of Single-Mindedness, knew more?

“Perhaps it has to do with the return of the Great Benevolent Tree King.”

Morax speculated.

While the four Regents exchanged pleasantries, the Ice God and Fire God arrived shortly after.

Since Fucalos and the others were unfamiliar with the Sky Island, Morax and Baalbos walked ahead, guiding them with ease.

Until, at last, they arrived before a magnificent divine palace.

Now, no matter how complex their inner thoughts, all the Regents had calmed themselves, and under Morax’s lead, each took their place upon the thrones once belonging to the Seven Regents.

Well, except for Naxida’s seat—still empty…

Morax and the others suddenly looked up, stunned, gazing at the towering, sacred figure seated upon the Throne of Tianli.