Throne of Heavenly Principles

Compared to the composure of the two ancient Demon Gods, the God of Wind and the Geo Archon, Furina, the Hydro Archon, withdrew from the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale with an unpleasant expression.

"Who was it that spoke with the world just now?"

"Who has returned? Heavenly Principles?"

Furina was merely a young Demon God. What she had experienced was far less than the other Demon Gods.

Back then, Egeria had hastily made her succeed to the throne. Not only had this left her weaker than the other Archons, but she knew very little of the various hidden secrets as well.

"Why did something like this have to happen just as my plan was about to officially begin?!"

Furina raised her head and gazed into the distant sky, her face grim as a sense of helplessness welled up within her.

"Forget it! I should go to Sky Island and take a look. If Fontaine is destined to be destroyed, then let me fall at the hands of Heavenly Principles first!"

Although Furina feared that Fontaine would be completely ended by a Cold Nail falling from the sky, she was not someone indecisive.

The Hydro Archon Furina, who could devise such a self-destructive plan, was fundamentally no coward.

Though she was merely a young Demon God, her decisiveness did not pale beside anyone else's.

Inazuma.

Above Narukami Island, a bolt of lightning stretched across the heavens like a Thunder Dragon that would destroy all things.

Within Tenshukaku.

The Raiden Shogun, who had been sitting in meditation with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them. Strands of lightning flickered around her.

"A message from Sky Island, and..."

"A change in the world!"

Raiden Ei's low voice was somewhat hoarse.

Just now, within the Sanctum of Euthymia, she had not heard Greater Lord Kusanali's voice.

But Raiden Ei's power was not something Furina, who had ascended in haste, could compare to.

Compared to before, Teyvat's lightning seemed to have become more... lively?

Then, immediately afterward, Sky Island's message arrived.

Raiden Ei's feelings toward Sky Island were complicated.

It was because Sky Island had ordered her sister to go to Khaenri'ah that she had fallen on that battlefield.

Yet Raiden Ei also understood that on the battlefield of Khaenri'ah, it had not only been her sister who fell. Every one of the remaining Seven Gods had been injured.

Even Sky Island had suffered severe damage. Under such circumstances, Raiden Ei could not bring herself to harbor resentment toward Sky Island.

Forget it!

No matter what, Sky Island, which had been silent for so long, had issued a summons. She had to go and see for herself.

Mount Yougou, Grand Narukami Shrine.

Yae Miko frowned tightly as she watched the figure transform into lightning and soar into the sky, her heart full of confusion.

"Did something major happen again?"

Every time Sky Island gathered them, it marked a time of great upheaval.

Five hundred years ago, it had happened once as well.

That time, Inazuma had nearly been destroyed by the Dark Beast Tide, and even the Thunder God had fallen...

So what about this time?

Compared with the decisiveness of the other four gods, the Cryo Archon and the Pyro Archon were far more conflicted.

Of these two Archons, the Cryo Archon was a rebel, while the Pyro Archon had risen from humanity. Her experience was even less than Furina's, and she had only heard of Sky Island...

Still, after hesitating for some time, the two Archons ultimately set out for Sky Island.

As for Lesser Lord Kusanali?

Buer watched Nahida from afar, feeling both annoyed and a little heartbroken.

That Little Guy was still shutting herself away?

No matter how much of a child Little Guy was, if she truly wanted to leave, there was no way she could be trapped to death within the Sanctum of Wisdom.

Sure enough.

Although Nahida was her other half, they had ultimately become two independent individuals. Their personalities had already developed clear differences.

Soon.

The four Archons who had set out first met on Sky Island.

"It has been a long time, Morax. Your bearing remains as impressive as ever."

Barbatos, appearing as a youth, narrowed his eyes and smiled as he greeted his old friend beside him.

"It has been a long time, Barbatos. It has indeed been five hundred years since we last caught up."

Morax felt rather nostalgic upon seeing his old friend, whom he had not met in a long while.

For him, there were not many people left who could truly be called friends.

Even the Immortals of Liyue were, in truth, more like subordinates than friends.

"Morax, tell me honestly—is it truly Heavenly Principles who summoned us this time?"

Barbatos opened his eyes, faint divine might surging within them, and asked skeptically.

As one of the rulers who had personally experienced the Khaenri'ah war, he knew very well that even if Heavenly Principles had not fallen, it must surely have been gravely wounded.

"...That is difficult to say. However, Greater Lord Kusanali should be on Sky Island right now."

Seeing Barbatos discard his carefree facade and become utterly solemn, Morax spoke meaningfully.

With Greater Lord Kusanali's current power, even if Heavenly Principles was still at the height of its strength, it was difficult to say who truly held authority now.

After all, Phanes of Heavenly Principles was an outsider, a Descender. In terms of legitimacy, even the primordial Dragon Sovereigns fell short of Greater Lord Kusanali, the incarnation of the World Tree.

It was simply that—

Phanes of Heavenly Principles had seized the Throne through absolute strength back then.

But Greater Lord Kusanali's current power was already enough to leave even Morax in awe.

At this point, Greater Lord Kusanali possessed both legitimacy and power. No matter how one looked at it, she did not seem like someone who would remain beneath Phanes of Heavenly Principles.

Catching the deeper meaning in his old friend's words, Barbatos did not ask any further questions. He had a rough idea of the situation now.

"Beelzebul, you've arrived as well! And this must be Furina of Fontaine?"

The four gods gathered together and exchanged brief greetings.

"Barbatos. Morax."

Raiden Ei nodded, considering that her greeting.

"Greetings, Barbatos, Morax, and Beelzebul."

Furina stepped forward calmly to greet them, showing none of the panic one might expect from someone whose plan had collapsed and who might face the punishment of Heavenly Principles.

She was someone even more ruthless than ruthless people.

Even her personality incarnation, who possessed not the slightest bit of power, had been formidable enough to make the Hydro Dragon Sovereign work for her in Fontaine while bearing the identity of the Hydro Archon!

"Pleased to meet you, Furina."

"This is my first time visiting Sky Island. May I ask why Sky Island suddenly summoned us this time?"

Furina asked calmly.

Raiden Ei also turned her gaze toward Morax and Barbatos.

Compared to her seclusion within the Sanctum of Euthymia, these two should know more, shouldn't they?

"Perhaps it has something to do with Greater Lord Kusanali's return."

Morax spoke in a speculative tone.

While the four rulers were exchanging pleasantries, the Cryo Archon and the Pyro Archon caught up from behind one after another.

Since Furina and the others were unfamiliar with Sky Island, Morax and Barbatos walked ahead, leading the way with practiced ease.

Until they arrived before a magnificent Divine Palace.

By now, no matter how complicated the thoughts in their hearts might have been, the rulers had largely calmed down. Under Morax's lead, they walked one by one to the Thrones of God corresponding to the Seven Gods of old.

Well, except Nahida's seat was empty...

Morax and the others suddenly raised their heads, staring in shock at the majestic, sacred figure seated upon the Throne of Heavenly Principles above!