Chapter Summaries

Lin Feng followed Zhongli to Wanmin Restaurant, where Xiangling began experimenting with his unusually potent vegetables. Zhongli revealed that Guoba was Marchosius, the weakened God of the Hearth, and asked Lin Feng to help restore his old friend.

• Lin Feng considered offering help with the Chasm, Guili Plains, and Azhdaha in exchange for Zhongli's Gnosis, then followed Zhongli to Wanmin Restaurant.
• Xiangling greeted Zhongli and Lin Feng, and Zhongli persuaded her to cook with Lin Feng's rare vegetables.
• Lin Feng gave Xiangling his ingredients, and she hurried to the courtyard kitchen to experiment with them.
• Lin Feng recognized Guoba as an extraordinary being and asked Zhongli about his identity.
• Zhongli identified Guoba as Marchosius, the God of the Hearth, and asked Lin Feng to help restore his lost power.

Lin Feng agreed to help Zhongli restore Guoba by reclaiming the Adeptus power scattered through Liyue, but he insisted the work be publicly authorized and properly recognized. Zhongli chose the Rite of Descension as the occasion to welcome Lin Feng and formalize the two nations’ agreement, leaving Lin Feng to consider what form to take.

• Lin Feng examined Guoba and learned that power loss had caused his physical atrophy and the decline of his intelligence and memories.
• Lin Feng proposed replacing Guoba’s dispersed power in the land with divine power of another element, then gathering and returning Guoba’s original power to him.
• Lin Feng told Zhongli that the large-scale restoration work would require Liyue’s approval and a public explanation of his role as a Sumeru deity.
• Zhongli promised to arrange a formal welcome for Lin Feng and said he would teach him the Incarnation Technique.
• Zhongli proposed that Lin Feng appear at the Rite of Descension, where the gods of Liyue and Sumeru could also sign an important contract.
• Lin Feng was relieved he could appear in beast form, but began wondering what form to choose.

After Xiangling impressed Lin Feng and Zhongli with her cooking, Zhongli explained that the seasoning he gave her came from Havria and revealed his plan to reward Lin Feng with fragments of Geo Element Authority. He left Lin Feng anticipating a series of commissions that could help him assemble an unprecedented Sovereign Authority, while the two turned their attention to the upcoming Liyue–Sumeru alliance.

• Xiangling served Lin Feng and Zhongli her dishes, and Lin Feng praised her cooking as masterful.
• Xiangling tried to return Lin Feng's Glaze Lily powder, but Lin Feng and Zhongli persuaded her to accept it along with Zhongli's gift.
• After eating with Xiangling and Guoba, Lin Feng and Zhongli walked back toward Bubu Pharmacy, and Zhongli explained that his gifted salt had been created by Havria, the Salt Archon.
• Zhongli showed Lin Feng fragments of Geo Element Authority, including remnants associated with Havria and an Adeptus, and proposed using them as rewards for future commissions.
• Zhongli said the commissions might let Lin Feng gather enough Authority to reach an extraordinary level, then shifted their focus to preparing the Liyue–Sumeru alliance for the Rite of Descension.

Lin Feng continued his quiet routine while Keqing reviewed reports about him and reflected on Liyue’s administrative problems. After hearing that Aranana had traveled and helped a god, Keqing decided to visit Lin Feng at Bubu Pharmacy to ask about Sumeru’s governance.

• Lin Feng fed Xiao Bai, then headed toward Bubu Pharmacy while thinking about the upcoming Rite of Descension.
• A secretary told Keqing that Lin Feng had returned to Bubu Pharmacy and Three Bowls Are Not Enough, and Keqing ordered the observation assignments canceled out of courtesy to him.
• Keqing worried that Liyue’s inefficient administration and reliance on Rex Lapis could leave the nation unprepared for change.
• Aranana appeared in Keqing’s office and said that it and its companions had traveled, grown stronger, and helped a god.
• Keqing connected Lin Feng’s ties to powerful beings with Sumeru’s recent improvements and planned to visit him at Bubu Pharmacy after finishing her documents.

Keqing visited Bubu Pharmacy to thank Lin Feng and seek answers about her views on human rule. After sharing a meal that restored some of her strength, she was invited to discuss her questions with Lin Feng, Zhongli, and Venti.

• Keqing went to Bubu Pharmacy to find Lin Feng, and Baizhu remarked that her informants had been watching the clinic.
• Lin Feng welcomed Keqing, invited her to dinner, and suggested that Zhongli and other guests might offer advice.
• Keqing joined the pharmacy’s unusual gathering for a meal and was amazed by Zhongli’s cooking, which eased her fatigue.
• After helping clear the table, Keqing met Lin Feng, Zhongli, and Venti, who asked whether they could listen to her questions.

Lin Feng explained to Keqing why he considered gods more trustworthy than humans, arguing that gods such as Rex Lapis served their people without seeking personal rewards. He rejected complete Human Rule in a world with gods, warning that a nation denying its own god could be destroyed by an unexpected crisis.

• Keqing invited Lin Feng, Zhongli, and Venti to hear her questions about gods and whether humans could govern Liyue themselves.
• Lin Feng said he considered gods more reliable than humans because they generally protected their people without pursuing personal interests.
• Lin Feng contrasted Rex Lapis’s long service to Liyue with the personal interests of human leaders, and Keqing acknowledged his reasoning.
• Keqing asked Lin Feng about Human Rule, and he said limited human governance with gods as a safeguard could work.
• Lin Feng warned that a human nation that rejected its own god while other nations had gods might be torn apart by a sudden crisis.

Lin Feng argued with Keqing that Liyue was not yet strong enough to abandon divine protection, while Keqing insisted humanity must keep seeking its own path. After Keqing left, Zhongli used a communication talisman to arrange for two gods to be welcomed at the Rite of Descension.

• Lin Feng told Keqing that relying on pure Human Rule in a world threatened by overwhelming dangers could lead Liyue to ruin.
• Keqing explained that she wanted Liyue’s people to develop their own strength, and Lin Feng warned that gods acted as a dam against threats humanity could not yet face.
• Venti and Zhongli urged Keqing not to see her ideals as opposed to the gods, and Zhongli assured her that Human Rule might become possible in the future.
• Keqing thanked Lin Feng for his guidance, promised to keep seeking a suitable system of governance, and left after he blessed her.
• Venti asked Lin Feng for a blessing, and Lin Feng explained that he hoped Keqing would not overwork herself.
• Zhongli revealed that he had used a communication talisman to alter a tradition and arrange for the Qixing to welcome two gods at the Rite of Descension.

The Liyue Qixing met to discuss Rex Lapis's unprecedented Divine Decree ordering them to welcome Sumeru's God of Authority at the Rite of Descension. Keqing accepted responsibility for organizing the ceremony and proposed commissioning Zhongli, an expert in ancient rituals, to help recreate the lost traditions.

• Ningguang convened the Qixing after Rex Lapis sent a Divine Decree ordering Liyue to welcome a god from Sumeru at the Rite of Descension.
• The Qixing questioned how to interpret the order, and Uncle Tian explained that ancient ceremonies had once hosted allied gods and witnessed important contracts.
• Keqing revealed that she was responsible for organizing this Rite of Descension and pledged to continue leading the preparations despite the lack of precedent.
• Keqing told the Qixing that she knew an expert in ancient ceremonies who could help reproduce the lost ritual.

Keqing recruited Zhongli to advise the Qixing on the Rite of Descension, and he began gathering ceremonial supplies with Lin Feng. After obtaining perfume ointment from Ying'er, Zhongli asked Lin Feng to borrow the Cleansing Bell from an old friend at Yujing Terrace.

• Keqing visited Bubu Pharmacy and invited Zhongli to serve as the Rite of Descension's arrangement consultant, and Zhongli accepted the commission.
• Zhongli used the Qixing's advance funds to buy two portions of expensive Eternal Incense, worrying Lin Feng about how quickly the money might run out.
• Zhongli explained that the ceremony needed contributions from Liyue's people, so Lin Feng took him to Spring Fragrance Kiln to ask Ying'er for perfume ointment.
• Ying'er made three portions of perfume ointment with Lin Feng's help and teased him throughout the process.
• Zhongli asked Lin Feng to go to Yujing Terrace and borrow the Cleansing Bell from one of his old friends.

Lin Feng visited Madam Ping at Yujing Terrace to borrow the Cleansing Bell for the Rite of Descension, where he met Yanfei and Yaoyao. After promising to return the bell and help ease Rex Lapis's regrets, he left to finish preparing for the ceremony.

• Yanfei brought Yaoyao back to Madam Ping and asked what she knew about the Sumeru deity invited to the Rite of Descension.
• Madam Ping said the deity was wise and loved his people, then suggested Yanfei might meet him herself.
• Yaoyao welcomed Lin Feng with warm rice cakes, and Lin Feng explained that he had come to borrow the Cleansing Bell.
• Madam Ping lent Lin Feng the bell and asked him to keep Rex Lapis from dwelling on painful memories tied to it.
• Lin Feng promised to return the bell, gave Yaoyao white jade radishes, and headed to the ceremony's final venue.

Pantalone learned that Liyue’s people believed the Rite of Descension would mark an alliance with Sumeru, complicating the Fatui’s plans, and he dismissed Yun Jin’s Vision as undeserved. At Yujing Terrace, Lin Feng returned the Cleansing Bell, confirmed he had mastered the Incarnation Technique, and chose to appear as a wood-elemental qilin at the Rite.

• Pantalone spoke with a wonton vendor, who said people expected the Rite of Descension to announce an alliance between Liyue and Sumeru.
• Pantalone worried that the rumored alliance would disrupt the Fatui’s plan, then watched Yun Jin perform opera and disparaged her Vision.
• Pantalone threw away one portion of wontons intended for a colleague and headed to Northland Bank.
• Lin Feng returned the Cleansing Bell to Zhongli, who said the Rite of Descension’s preparations were complete and asked about Lin Feng’s practice of the Incarnation Technique.
• Lin Feng told Zhongli he had encountered no difficulties and chose a wood-elemental qilin form to represent Sumeru at the Rite.

As the Rite of Descension began, Fatui Harbingers Pantalone and Tartaglia watched events in Liyue while Ningguang and Yelan focused on the ceremony. Instead of proceeding as expected, the rite summoned vast golden and green elemental forces across Liyue, leaving its people stunned.

• Pantalone warned Tartaglia not to cause trouble in Liyue before their mission was ready.
• Ningguang declined Yelan’s offer to target the Fatui Harbingers and decided to prioritize the Rite of Descension.
• Keqing began the ceremony as the Liyue Qixing, officials, and citizens prayed and the Cleansing Bell played.
• Golden clouds spread across Liyue as a green vortex appeared over the Lisha Outskirts, and vague divine beasts emerged within both displays.
• The people of Liyue stood frozen as the unprecedented display revealed the immense power of Rex Lapis and another god.

Lin Feng and Zhongli used the Rite of Descension to spread Lin Feng’s power throughout Liyue while concealing their plan to transfer the divine throne and announce an alliance. As the ceremony moved toward the gods’ decree, Keqing concluded that Liyue should grow strong through the joint efforts of gods and humans.

• Lin Feng and Zhongli used the Rite of Descension to saturate Liyue’s land and ley lines with Lin Feng’s power, helping him become half a local god in the ley lines’ perception.
• Pantalone questioned why Rex Lapis’s display contradicted the Fatui’s expectations, while Tartaglia celebrated the chance to witness such power and hoped to fight a godlike opponent.
• Ganyu watched the ceremony from Yuehai Pavilion, wondered why the Adepti were preparing to return to Liyue, and reflected on her place between humans and Adepti.
• Keqing reconsidered her pursuit of Human Rule after witnessing the gods’ power and resolved to help Liyue grow strong under their protection.
• Lin Feng and Zhongli completed their alliance contract, and Keqing bowed before them to request their Divine Decree.

Keqing proclaimed the Sumeru–Liyue alliance and Rex Lapis’s plans to seal off and address several dangerous regions, signaling a major new era for Liyue. After the Rite of Descension, Zhongli and Lin Feng set out for Chasm’s Maw to open a land route between the nations.

• Keqing accepted the Divine Decree and announced the alliance treaty’s provisions for trade, travel, education, and public construction.
• Keqing read the gods’ plans to seal off The Chasm, the Guili Plains, and an uninhabited area at Mt. Tianheng while compensation was arranged for those affected.
• Liyue’s citizens celebrated the gods’ intervention, while the Qixing considered what Rex Lapis’s renewed involvement might mean for their authority.
• After the ceremony, Zhongli and Lin Feng met at a floating island above Qingyun Peak and agreed to finish opening a land route between Sumeru and Liyue.
• Zhongli and Lin Feng departed for Chasm’s Maw to connect the route and complete the final step of the Rite of Descension.

Venti cleared Treasure Hoarder camps in Chasm's Maw while Lin Feng and Zhongli prepared a land route between Liyue and Sumeru. Lin Feng discovered Abyssal Power hidden among the Treasure Hoarders, leaving the group to plan to investigate The Chasm later.

• Venti captured more than a hundred Treasure Hoarders in Chasm's Maw and asked Lin Feng and Zhongli for extra wine.
• Lin Feng learned that the Treasure Hoarders had come seeking the rumored Wishstone, then sensed Abyssal Power concealed in one of their possessions.
• Lin Feng removed and contained the Abyssal Power, and Zhongli concluded that unwelcome Abyssal guests might be hiding in The Chasm.
• Lin Feng and Zhongli reshaped the mountains between Chasm's Maw and Mt. Tianheng into a broad, natural-looking road.
• Lin Feng and Zhongli left Venti to hand the unconscious Treasure Hoarders over to the Millelith and transferred to Bubu Pharmacy to prepare for what came next.

Lin Feng reflected on his plan with Zhongli to transfer the divine position and prepared to meet him the next day to receive a Geo Element Authority. He discovered Ganyu tending his flower beds at night, so he left her a basket of vegetables as thanks, and she took it after struggling with her diet.

• Lin Feng reviewed how he and Zhongli would use their similar Authorities and Abyssal Power to conceal the transfer from Celestia and the other Archons.
• Lin Feng spotted Ganyu outside his home and realized she had been caring for his plants while admiring their vitality.
• Lin Feng left Ganyu a basket of Qingxin, Sweet Flowers, tomatoes, and bamboo shoots with a note thanking her for tending the garden.
• Ganyu found the basket and hesitated over accepting it, but took it to keep the harvested vegetables from going to waste.
• Lin Feng watched Ganyu leave with the basket and looked forward to meeting Zhongli the next day for his first subsidiary Geo Element Authority.

Lin Feng and Zhongli traveled to Sal Terrae so Lin Feng could begin collecting the God of Salt’s Authority. There, Zhongli revealed that Havria had chosen to die herself, and Lin Feng assembled her intact authority before beginning his analysis.

• Zhongli brought Lin Feng to Sal Terrae and explained that the Salt Archon’s authority was unusually intact and suitable for his attempt.
• Lin Feng inspected the salt relics and realized the God of Salt’s authority had lost none of its power, making her death seem inexplicable.
• Zhongli explained that Havria had willingly let her consciousness disperse after her followers betrayed her, choosing death rather than resisting them.
• Lin Feng combined the three relics into a single crystalline salt aggregate and asked Zhongli to guard him while he studied it.
• Lin Feng teleported with Zhongli to the place where Havria had fallen, closed his eyes, and began his first attempt to collect another Authority of Geo.

Lin Feng awakened the Authority of salt by analyzing Havria’s memories, while its resonance caused a Salt Flower to sprout from the remains of the God of Salt. He decided to give the flower the original salt Authority so it could become Havria’s successor, leaving its future in Zhongli’s care.

• Lin Feng resonated with the salt Authority, and the Salt Statues in Sal Terrae collapsed as their memories flowed toward him.
• Strange power gathered around the salt remains and produced a seed that sprouted into a Salt Flower.
• Zhongli sensed that the flower was a new life resembling a weakened adeptus, but it was not Havria reborn and had no Authority of its own.
• Lin Feng received Havria’s memories and learned how she had used the salt Authority during the Archon War.
• Zhongli explained the Salt Flower’s potential, and Lin Feng chose to give it the original salt Authority as payment for Havria’s memories.

Lin Feng tested the Salt Element Authority, then agreed with Zhongli to travel to The Chasm the next day and address the damage there before dealing with Azhdaha’s erosion. Venti delivered an entire Ruin Guard instead of just its eye, and Lin Feng sealed the Eye of the Plow with help from Zhongli and Venti.

• Lin Feng discovered that the Salt Element Authority could slowly convert even his Authority-created plants and statues into pure salt at little energy cost.
• After breakfast, Lin Feng scanned A Gui and found that the pharmacy clerk had become strong enough to rival a Hilichurl Brute in an arm-wrestling match.
• Lin Feng proposed dealing with The Chasm’s damaged ley lines and Abyss forces before helping Zhongli’s old friend, and Zhongli agreed to leave the next day.
• Venti fell from the sky atop a Ruin Guard, and Lin Feng safely lowered them both before paying Venti extra wine for bringing the whole machine.
• Lin Feng removed the Eye of the Plow and helped Zhongli and Venti seal it, then wondered how Abyss Aether planned to take it from him and Xiao Bai.

Liyue evacuated the Chasm and activated a beacon that sealed the mining area, while Lin Feng and Zhongli prepared to resolve its dangers by filling in the deep regions. The chapter ended with Zhongli agreeing to the backfill plan and asking Lin Feng to help drive out outside forces and repair the ley lines.

• Miners evacuated the underground tunnels as black mud, monsters, and other abnormalities made the Chasm increasingly dangerous.
• Munin documented the threats, confirmed the Snezhnayan personnel had withdrawn, and ordered the evacuees gathered at Chasm's Maw.
• Keqing activated the beacon, raising a barrier around the Chasm and expelling Lin Feng's hidden intruders to the waiting Millelith.
• Lin Feng told Zhongli that he was surprised Zhongli had agreed to fill in the Chasm's deep regions.
• Zhongli approved the plan, saying he would move the underground veins closer to the surface and asking Lin Feng to help repel outside forces and repair the ley lines.