NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: The War Between Immortals and Demons
"Ding! The system has detected a powerful desire nearby and is about to temporarily awaken the host!"
"My head… it hurts!"
"I feel completely drained of energy. Did the system wake me up early?"
Qiu Bai sat up, clutching his head.
"This is my cave… why is it such a mess? And what's happening outside? Is there an earthquake?" he muttered.
"System, explain the situation!"
"Ding! Responding to the host—five hundred years have passed. A catastrophe caused by Khaenri'ah has swept through Liyue. Outside, the Adepti and the demons are engaged in a great battle!"
"I see… so I can only stay awake for one hour?" Qiu Bai murmured.
As he adjusted to his surroundings, he sensed another presence in the cave. Turning toward it, his jaw nearly dropped.
"This… this is Qiqi!"
In a flash, Qiu Bai teleported to Qiqi's side. At that very moment, the battle outside suddenly came to a halt.
Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, Ganyu, and numerous other Adepti, as well as the demons, all stopped fighting at once.
The demons exuded an eerie black aura, their presence unsettling.
"Is that the power of a Vision? What's going on? That location… it's the cave of the Immortal Lord," Mountain Shaper murmured.
...
Inside the cave, Qiu Bai examined Qiqi, who was barely clinging to life.
"She still has a breath left, but with my essence damaged, how can I possibly save her?"
His expression softened with concern.
Suddenly, he sensed something.
"Wait… the presence outside—it's Cloud Retainer and the others! I know what to do."
Just as the immortals and demons turned their attention toward the cave entrance, a sudden explosion sent debris flying. From the dust emerged a man clad in black and white robes, his presence commanding, his appearance strikingly handsome.
"It's the Immortal Lord!"
Ganyu was the first to cry out in astonishment.
Cloud Retainer and the others looked at Qiu Bai, their expressions filled with surprise and relief.
"Immortal Lord, you've awakened! Have you recovered from your injuries?!"
Mountain Shaper's voice trembled with excitement.
If Qiu Bai had regained his strength, then Liyue's crisis might finally come to an end.
A warrior capable of fighting Morax himself, alongside Azhdaha—what were the monsters and demons compared to that? This was what all the Adepti were thinking.
"All of you—stop fighting for now. This war between immortals and demons… what does it have to do with a mere girl lying within my cave?"
Qiu Bai's voice was calm, yet carried undeniable authority as he gazed at the demons and Adepti above.
The demons' hearts shook in shock.
"A god… a very powerful god!"
They had once followed deities themselves and knew all too well the overwhelming power that divine beings possessed.
"Descend, all of you so-called 'great demons.' Come with me to see this child."
Qiu Bai's voice was quiet, yet carried an undeniable force. None could resist his command.
His gaze swept over the demons, instantly recognizing the nature of the dark aura they emanated.
"Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, Ganyu—you come as well."
"Yes, Immortal Lord."
Though momentarily puzzled, the Adepti obeyed without hesitation.
...
Inside the cave, both immortals and demons looked upon Qiqi's fragile form, her breath faint, her body on the brink of death.
Even the demons could not help but feel compassion. They did not despise mortals.
Once, they too had people they had sworn to protect—lands they had fought to keep safe.
Now, looking upon this young girl, how could they turn a blind eye?
Especially upon seeing the Vision beside her, their hearts wavered.
They had come here to avenge their fallen gods, to challenge the Adepti, to confront Morax.
But what did any of that have to do with this innocent child?
"Let us declare a temporary truce… and save this girl."
Cloud Retainer's voice was calm, yet resolute. She looked at Qiqi, who had been grievously wounded by the aftermath of their battle—now hanging on to life by the faintest thread.
Guilt flickered across the demons' faces.
Qiqi, despite being on the verge of death, still clung desperately to life.
Their hearts weighed heavy with remorse. Unable to ignore her suffering, they made their decision.
A temporary truce.
No matter what, they would save this innocent life.
Together, the Adepti and demons channeled their divine and immortal energies into Qiqi's fragile body, pulling her back from the brink of death.
However, the sheer power of a Vision, combined with the overwhelming surge of immortal energy, was far beyond what her mortal body could withstand.
Qiqi lost control.
She fell into a frenzy, her mind consumed by the immense power within her. With no sense of self, she lashed out blindly, attacking everything in sight.
Qiu Bai's expression darkened. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and channeled Yang energy into her body, forcibly suppressing the violent surge of power.
Within moments, Qiqi collapsed into unconsciousness, falling into a deep slumber.
"Adeptus, what should we do now? This girl cannot withstand such power. It will take at least a few hundred years for her to adapt."
The Adepti and the great demons all turned to look at Qiu Bai.
Without saying a word, Qiu Bai waved his hand, lifting Qiqi into the air and leading her out of the cave.
"Seal her in amber."
With a flick of his hand, he infused Yin and Yang energy into Qiqi's body, encasing her in amber before adding another sealing layer.
Qiu Bai then walked toward the cliff. The gathered immortals and demons exchanged glances before silently following him.
"This battle between immortals and demons ends here."
Standing at the edge of the cliff, Qiu Bai spoke calmly, his back to the group.
"But, Immortal Lord!"
Mountain Shaper stepped forward, his voice filled with urgency.
Qiu Bai twitched the corner of his mouth. These guys still think I'm at my peak? I haven't even recovered 1% of my power!
Turning around, he looked at the assembled immortals and demons.
"You so-called great demons are not truly demons. Your minds have merely been tainted by the corruption of the Dark Outer Seas."
His gaze locked onto the demons as he continued:
"During the Archon War in Liyue, countless gods fought in endless conflict. But the victor, Morax, never harmed your people.
"On the contrary, he welcomed them, granting them a place in Liyue. Yet here you are, waging war and endangering mortals—these same mortals you once swore to protect."
After speaking, Qiu Bai raised his hand, channeling Yang energy into the bodies of the great demons. Slowly, the black qi that had tainted them began to dissipate.
"Did… we make a mistake?"
As the darkness faded, their monstrous forms began to shift. The so-called great demons gradually returned to their true appearances.
"This is how it should be."
Qiu Bai exhaled softly, watching as their original forms emerged.
No longer demonic, they now resembled mystical creatures—some with single horns like celestial horses, others with wings shaped like delicate discs…
Now in human form, the former demons bowed deeply, gratitude evident in their eyes.
"Thank you, Immortal Lord, for cleansing the corruption from our bodies."
Qiu Bai nodded slightly, studying these beings who were neither fully Adepti nor entirely demonic.
Though the world lacked a precise distinction between Adepti and youkai, figures like Yae Miko, the sly fox, were considered fox spirits—a type of divine beast rather than an Adeptus.
The ones before him likely fell into a similar category—powerful spirit beasts rather than true immortals.
"You may remain in this vast land of Liyue or seek refuge elsewhere in the mortal world."
"But do not return to the Dark Outer Seas. Your strength is too weak for that place, and you will only be corrupted again."
Qiu Bai offered his guidance, his tone firm yet understanding.
The once-demonic beings looked at him—the powerful, calm, and compassionate god standing before them.
They hesitated for only a moment before finally making their decision.
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