At noon, Morax prepared what he would say and slowly descended from Mt. Tianheng with the adepti.
Two adeptal cranes and two adeptal deer flanked Morax on either side.
At the sight of this strange procession, everyone in Liyue turned to look.
"Rex Lapis is here!"
"Rex Lapis is here!!"
All of Liyue erupted with excitement. Those who had been at home, unaware of what was happening, rushed outside the moment they heard the cries.
Hovering high above them, Morax waited until most of the people had come out before slowly speaking to issue his orders.
"Effective immediately, the entire nation will enter a state of wartime emergency. The harbor will be completely closed, and fishing at sea is forbidden."
"Unrestricted mining will also cease. Mining will be permitted only in the middle of each month, and I must lead every expedition. Going out to mine alone is strictly forbidden."
Everyone froze upon hearing these two orders, stunned as though struck by a thunderbolt.
They had assumed that Rex Lapis's appearance today meant he would announce something joyous, like the Lantern Rite.
They had never expected him to bring such terrifying news.
War!
A word that struck terror into the heart.
Now they also understood why they had so often seen Rex Lapis fighting other Demon Gods lately. The world was no longer at peace.
"The four adepti beside me will be granted the title of [Three-Eyed Five-Manifestation Immortal]. Together with me, they will safeguard Liyue. You need not worry. As long as we live, Liyue will remain safe!"
Seeing his people gripped by fear, Morax immediately introduced the four adepti at his side.
The reassurance did little to comfort them. After all, the brutality of war was horrifying.
But something like this could not be concealed. Rather than hide