He changed Tiwat

With a gentle wave of her hand, her posture was elegant, yet she possessed an indescribable sense of power, as if she were commanding a vast army—in fact, the Jade Pavilion was indeed comparable to a vast army.

At Ningguang's command, the iron chains holding up the Qunyu Pavilion on the construction site all came loose. Amidst the slight tremors, the height of the Qunyu Pavilion began to slowly rise.

This was the first time most people had seen the Jade Pavilion ascend into the sky, and many guests requested to witness it. Ningguang readily complied, leading the guests to the deck of the Jade Pavilion, where they looked down at the land receding into the distance.

The Jade Pavilion traverses the Tianheng Mountains and quickly heads towards Liyue Harbor, with breathtaking scenery along the way.

As the guests were marveling at the sight, the clear blue sky suddenly turned into a thick cloud cover, and a waterspout rose from the sea with astonishing force.

The sea was surging with waves, and a whirlpool appeared on the surface of the sea without warning, as if the sea had a hole. Then, a huge figure, like a dragon or a snake, emerged from the seabed, roared to the sky, and the sound was like thunder.

"It's...it's the Whirlpool Demon God Oser! Quick, run!"

The attack by Oser two months ago left a deep impression on many people in Liyue. Upon seeing the scene, some people lost their balance and fell down.

At this moment, Ningguang spoke, her tone calm yet commanding—"No, this is Oser's wife, its last follower, 'The Remnant Power of the Vortex,' Bache."

She turned around and said to all the guests, "Ladies and gentlemen, please return to your seats in front of the stage. This is just a warm-up act before Mr. Yun takes the stage!"

Chapter 103 I'm Cosplaying as the Rock King Emperor

As if in response to Ningguang's words, a bolt of lightning suddenly flashed from the dark clouds, striking the Jade Pavilion with a "crack"!

Although the Jade Pavilion was protected by a defensive array, it still could not stop the lightning bolt; it only weakened the lightning's power considerably.

The lightning bolt, like a silver snake, shot straight at Ningguang, who was standing at the edge of the deck!

Ningguang neither flinched nor dodged, letting the lightning strike her feet by a hair's breadth, leaving a charred mark.

There was even a smile on her lips.

"The lingering effects of the vortex are nothing more than that."

Logically, the Qunyu Pavilion and Ba Che were quite far apart, and Ba Che should not have been able to hear Ning Guang's words. However, Ba Che seemed to have heard Ning Guang's provocation and roared angrily at the Qunyu Pavilion. Instantly, wind and thunder arose, countless flashes of lightning lit up the clouds, and thunder roared like war drums resounding through the sky!

It can even summon thunder!

As Ba Che moved, lightning bolts fell from the clouds like rain, enveloping the Jade Pavilion like a legendary lightning storm!

Although the defensive array of Qunyu Pavilion was fully activated, it was already teetering on the brink of collapse under the attack of the Thunder Forest, and seemed to be about to be broken at any moment.

The guests gasped in alarm, and many began fleeing towards the main building of the Jade Pavilion. But many more remained seated, awaiting their fate. They understood that if the Jade Pavilion were to fall, those within it, no matter where they hid, would be buried with it.

Just then, a man suddenly stepped forward from the crowd.

This man was dressed in the blue uniform of Yuehaiting, with a gentle and scholarly demeanor. He had previously blended into the crowd of guests and was inconspicuous, but now he was surrounded by a faint golden light that was impossible to look at directly.

This person was none other than Han Fulai.

He walked forward with his hands behind his back, as if strolling leisurely, the intervals between his steps seemingly conforming to some mysterious rhythm—in fact, with each step he took, the immortal power in his body circulated through his limbs and bones.

And he was reciting words that no one else could understand: "The rock is drawn together by the six directions to form its bones; the stone is hidden within the eight directions to shine brightly; the jade tablet remains undiminished even in darkness; the yellow jade tube remains unbroken even when broken; the blue jade disc is used to forever illuminate the principles of heaven; gold and jade are bestowed upon the four directions of heaven and earth!"

As he chanted, the golden light around him suddenly materialized, forming a barrier that surrounded him without any blind spots. Even ordinary people who were not skilled in martial arts or immortal techniques could intuitively understand, just by looking at this golden light, that it was a shield that could withstand a thousand blows and still remain strong.

If immortals like Gan Yu or Liu Yun Zhenjun were present, they would surely exclaim in surprise, for this is the "Jade Shield" that Yan Wang Dijun relied on to remain invincible in the war between demons and gods!

But Han Fulai's intentions went beyond mere self-preservation. He clasped his hands together in front of his chest and loudly chanted:

"Green hills beyond the bridge in the rain, a lamp before the road in the cold forest; may I be like a star in the clouds, illuminating the path for the night traveler."

As soon as he finished speaking, a huge jade shield suddenly rose up, surrounding the Qunyu Pavilion and protecting the entire pavilion completely.

The lightning storm summoned by Ba Che struck the jade shield, but it was like an ant trying to shake a tree; it couldn't even cause the jade shield to ripple.

The Jade Pavilion continued its flight unwaveringly amidst the lightning, steady and resolute.

On the beach position of Guyun Pavilion, Ke Qing and Gan Yu were lying in ambush with a squadron of Qianyan soldiers, waiting for the attack signal from Qunyu Pavilion.

Upon witnessing Ba Che's terrifying lightning attack, Ke Qing's heart was already in her throat, but the sudden appearance of the jade shield shocked her even more.

"...Ningguang's Jade Pavilion has actually grown to such power, and she's been keeping it from me," Keqing murmured.

“This is not the power of the Jade Pavilion,” Gan Yu said softly from the side.

"What happened?" Ke Qing asked curiously.

With the bloodline of a celestial beast, the cultivation of immortal arts, and the eyesight training of an archer, Gan Yu's vision far surpasses that of ordinary holders of the Divine Eye. What Ke Qing cannot see, Gan Yu can see clearly.

A familiar figure was reflected in Gan Yu's purple eyes.

“It’s him,” Gan Yu replied.

"Who?" Ke Qing tilted her head.

"Han Fulai."

Gan Yu kept a secret, recognizing it as the Emperor's shield. From the moment she summoned Han Fu to Liyue, she had always believed this secretary was incredibly powerful, and now she was even more certain of her opinion—Han Fu had even received the Emperor's immortal arts, and in the future, he could even claim to be the Emperor's disciple, like the True Lord of the Moonlit Pavilion. Perhaps, Han Fu might become Liyue's first Human Immortal!

With the guests looking up at him from behind, Han Fulai walked to Ningguang's side with the air of a master and said a few words softly, "Hurry. You can't hold on any longer."

Ningguang nodded solemnly, made a hand seal, and began to convert all the energy of the Qunyu Pavilion's defensive array into the attack module.

In fact, maintaining this massive jade shield was consuming Han Fulai's immortal power every second.

Ever since he used the immortal power given to him by Zhongli in the cave of the Minghai Qixia Zhenjun, Han Fulai has been pondering a question—why he can't use this immortal power normally.

If the immortal power given to him by Zhongli was like the initiation and transfer of skills in a martial arts novel, then logically, the immortal power should have been his own power, which he could use at will. But in reality, he only used it once when facing the guardians of the ruins. After that, the immortal power was like a physical enhancement buff, which had no other practical function except to keep him from getting too tired when working overtime at night.

Surely this divine power isn't some passively triggered skill that can't be used unless it encounters an enemy? Is this divine power so intelligent that it automatically identifies and analyzes the situation to decide whether to activate?

Therefore, Han Fulai conducted an experiment based on the "control variable method" in physics experiments.

He tried to recall the battle with the guardians of the ruins, or to imagine himself fighting a terrifying enemy, but his celestial power remained unresponsive.

He tried cutting his finger with the office paper cutter, but it hurt and bled, and the magic power didn't help.

He also tried reciting the poem "Twenty-Four Self-Inscribed Small Portraits" that he had recited while fighting the Ruins Guardian, but his divine power had no effect whatsoever.

Yesterday, he borrowed the Disaster-Suppressing Spear from Shen He to experiment with, but even with the gun in his hand and the blessing of the "Perfect and Sudden Cessation and Contemplation" realm, he could only sense the flow of immortal power within his body, but had no idea how to apply it.

As he held the book of ancient poems and recited them one by one to the Disaster Relief Spear, when he came to Du Fu's "My Thatched Hut Is Broken by the Autumn Wind," and the line "How can I obtain thousands of mansions to shelter all the poor scholars of the world and make them rejoice?" suddenly triggered a reaction from the immortal power, which surged within his body.

Han Fulai immediately had an idea, and found several border poems about protecting the border and ensuring the safety of the people, and sure enough, the immortal power responded to them.

Han Fulai came to a conclusion—isn't this just about "I have no intention of vying for power, but I know the suffering of the common people, and I only wish to cleanse the world and protect a corner of this floating world"?

So this divine power can only be used by someone cosplaying as the Rock King Emperor!

Chapter 104 The First Step: Creating a Human Hero

This immortal power was less a gift from Zhongli and more an item entrusted to him, which he was merely keeping safe.

To use this immortal power, one must use it according to Zhongli's wishes.

In other words, Zhongli can only use his power under certain circumstances.

Zhongli used his power always to protect the people of Liyue.

When Han Fulai fought the Ruins Guardians in the Qixia True Lord's Grotto in Minghai, he was full of vigor and clarity, feeling that everything was within human control, which unconsciously resonated with Zhongli's heroic spirit when he founded Liyue. Moreover, Shen He was trapped behind him by the Mind Magic Array at that time. His battle with the Ruins Guardians was not only for himself but also to protect Shen He, which aligned with Zhongli's desire to protect all living beings.

This is the power of the Rock King, and only the Rock King can use it. Therefore, in order to use this power, Han Fulai must temporarily become the Rock King and protect the people of Liyue—this is a power used to protect others!

Furthermore, the so-called "temporarily becoming the Rock King" isn't something you can do simply by shouting Zhongli's move name or wearing Zhongli's clothes. You must reach the highest level of cosplay—becoming the Rock King in mindset. It's like Yun Jin striving to truly become the character in a play when acting.

The poems Han Fulai just recited were all expounding Zhongli's philosophy, with the aim of temporarily adjusting his mindset to be similar to Zhongli's. The more aligned he was with Zhongli's philosophy, the more effectively he could unleash Zhongli's divine power.

However, the immortal power Zhongli gave him was limited. He had not undergone immortal cultivation and could not generate an inexhaustible source of immortal power like the Liyue Immortals and Zhongli. Therefore, the Jade Shield relied entirely on the immortal power left to him by Zhongli and could not last long.

As for Zhongli's ultimate move, Heavenly Star, Han Fulai is completely unable to use it right now. He speculates that it would probably require cosplaying the Rock King Emperor from the Demon God War era, who fought with "boundless killing intent." However, Han Fulai's current experience in killing enemies, aside from killing chickens and fish in the kitchen and dismantling a single Ruin Guardian, makes this cosplay far too difficult for him.

Although Ningguang didn't know his background, she was at least clear that Han Fulai was not some kind of demon god. Even the Liyue Immortals would find it difficult to use such powerful energy, so it was obviously unsustainable. Therefore, she made a decisive move to unleash the full power of the Jade Pavilion.

Ningguang's hand gestures shifted, summoning a jewel-encrusted "Xuanji Screen" from behind her. On the Xuanji Screen, the phantom image of the "Jiheng Yizuo" appeared, symbolizing her as the star Tianquan.

Her figure slowly rose from the deck, and the "Jiheng Yizuo" behind her glowed slightly with the movement of her hands.

"The suspended stars scatter, shattering the clouds; the celestial sphere unites, suppressing Kunlun; the constellations are arrayed, celestial power descends, offense and defense shift, revealing divine strategies; the jade screen and fan align the heavens, the seven stars gleam, their light flowing. Stars are scattered like chess pieces, the celestial sphere unites as a screen. Stars scatter, jade collapses, annihilating all villains!"

Ningguang chanted the incantation, and six dazzling stars lit up on the "Jiheng Yizuo" (a type of celestial instrument). Then, the entire Xuanji screen transformed into flowing emerald light and vanished without a trace.

As the Xuanji Screen collapsed, countless diamond-shaped magic arrays rose up above the Qunyu Pavilion. Each array was like a cannon gate, from which golden star vortexes shot out like whistling cannonballs!

Compared to the Jade Pavilion during the Battle of Oser, the Jade Pavilion now boasts significantly more conventional firepower. Han Fulai, watching the Jade Pavilion's barrage, even recalled the "Gate of Babylon" he'd seen in the anime. The star vortexes the Jade Pavilion is launching now are all rock-based artifacts capable of being used as gems!

The barrage from the Jade Pavilion formed a dense, overwhelming screen of fire, engulfing Ba Che from head to toe. Ba Che swayed violently under the attack, nearly being knocked down by the shells. Stardust blasted visible dents into its body, like countless pits on a sandy beach after rain.

Ba Che let out a painful cry, for as a sea monster rather than a demon god, its defenses were clearly inferior to those of its husband, Oser.

With the attack from the Jade Pavilion as a signal, Keqing, who had been lying in ambush on the Lonely Cloud Pavilion's position for a long time, also made her move.

Keqing stepped forward, and with a majestic wave of her sword, Dragon's Roar, she commanded Ba Che—"Release the arrows!"

Behind her, the replica Returning Machines, operated by the Thousand Rock Army soldiers, simultaneously glowed with golden light. Powered by the amber known as the "Heart of Rock," the replica Returning Machines' quivers were filled with arrows of rock element concentrated to the extreme. The arrow array formed by more than a dozen Returning Machines had already locked onto their targets.

At Ke Qing's command, Gui Zhong's arrows rained down like rain.

Because they use amber energy as arrows and are not affected by the operator's abilities, these Returning to the End Machines, although far less powerful than the immortal mechanisms personally made by True Lord Liuyun and Borrowing the Wind, have one advantage—they can fire in rapid succession!

The rock element arrows pounded into Ba Che's cheek like machine gun fire, causing his body to sway and twist, as if he might fall at any moment.

Enraged, Ba Che's eyes flashed with a blue light, and he opened his mouth wide, gathering the power of water elements, ready to unleash it upon Gu Yun Pavilion.

Just then, it was hit hard on the back of the head, which startled it so much that it shut its mouth and almost swallowed the water cannon that had condensed into a ball.

A fleet of ships appeared not far behind it. Powered by sails and paddle wheels, and aided by large oars, this fleet was extremely fast and maneuverable. Although they were merely armed merchant ships, their weaponry was extraordinary. Each ship had a replica of a return-to-the-world machine at its bow and stern.

Led by its flagship, the Death Star, the Southern Cross fleet drew a brilliant arc, surrounding the Bach from behind and cutting off its retreat.

Under the command of Beidou, the Guizhongji ship's guns fired in rapid succession, tearing the skin and flesh of the Bache.

Attacked from three sides, it was overwhelmed and its momentum faltered. Every time it tried to muster its water cannons to counterattack, an attack from one side would force it to stop.

In this situation, anyone could see that Ba Che had been suppressed by firepower!

However, such an attack was not fatal to Ba Che. Although Ba Che was a sea monster, it possessed considerable intelligence, and it keenly sensed the weakest of the three attacking forces—Bei Dou's fleet.

Despite the pain, Ba Che roared to the sky, summoning a giant wave that attacked Beidou's fleet.

As the giant waves crashed towards her, Beidou remembered the orders Han Fulai had given her: "In this battle, the Southern Cross fleet is only allowed to lose, not win! If a counterattack is encountered, retreat at full speed."

"Everyone be careful, retreat at full speed!" Beidou issued the retreat order.

The lookouts on the Southern Cross fleet signaled with flags, and the entire fleet turned sharply, barely escaping the range of the tide—nevertheless, many ships were still affected and damaged.

With the fleet withdrawn, Ba Che felt the pressure ease and once again roared to the sky, repeating his previous tactic. Simultaneously, giant waves tens of meters high rose from the sea in the direction of Gu Yun Pavilion and Qun Yu Pavilion—a true tsunami! Ba Che had launched a full-scale counterattack!

Even the vortex demon god Oser couldn't control such a massive tsunami. Ba Che's control over water elements is probably no less than that of a demon god. Its power, compared to a demon god, may only lack authority.

"What...what is that?"

"What huge waves!"

"Lady Keqing! Let's retreat!"

The Thousand Rock Army soldiers had never seen anything like this before, and they cried out in panic. Everyone knew that if a tsunami struck, there would be no chance of survival. If it weren't for Ke Qing supervising the battle, some of them might have already abandoned their positions.

Gan Yu made a gesture with both hands, and the Bow of Amos was already in his grasp, with the Frost Arrow already formed.

With a flick of her slender hand, she unleashed three arrows in quick succession! The three Frost Arrows bloomed above the tide, freezing it and temporarily halting the tsunami that was hurtling towards Lonely Cloud Pavilion.

But Ba Che was still roaring, and just as Gan Yu had blocked the first wave of the tsunami, the second wave arrived in quick succession. If this battle continued, it would depend on whether Gan Yu or Ba Che would run out of power first.

Meanwhile, the tsunami rushing towards Qunyu Pavilion had advanced to within 100 meters of it.

Although one can take to the air to escape from the Jade Pavilion, Liyue Harbor behind the Jade Pavilion will inevitably suffer a calamity.

Ningguang's only option is probably to use the Jade Pavilion's magic array and Jade Shield to block this tsunami, using the Jade Pavilion as a barrier for Liyue Harbor.

Ba Che's intelligence has reached the point where it understands the principle of attacking when the enemy must defend. It has secretly infiltrated the vicinity of Liyue Harbor, likely intending to use the safety of Liyue Harbor to bind the Jade Pavilion and prevent its escape! Presumably, even if the Jade Pavilion does not appear, Ba Che will find an opportunity to attack Liyue Harbor, forcing the Jade Pavilion to fight.

The guests at the Jade Pavilion also became uneasy. Some urged Ningguang to quickly raise the Jade Pavilion and escape, while others asked Ningguang to find a way to stop the tsunami and protect the property of Liyue Harbor. For a time, the Jade Pavilion was in complete chaos.

The time has come. Someone has to step up and stop the tsunami.

Han Fulai clasped his hands in a fist salute and loudly volunteered to fight Ningguang:

"Han Fulai, Deputy Director of the Office of Yuehaiting and Executive Deputy Secretary-General, has volunteered to fight to protect Liyue Harbor!"

This is the first step of the "Prince's Head Offering" plan—to create a human hero!

Chapter 105 Killing to protect life, eliminating karma, not killing people

Han Fulai's words immediately caused another stir in the room.

Many people only knew Han Fulai as Ningguang's bodyguard, but they never expected that he was actually Vice Minister Han of Yuehaiting.

"Is it Han Fulai, the one who commanded the Battle of Osel?"