Two hours later, inside Scott Outpost.

Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and several other Adepti had finally carried out Sam Li's instructions—successfully bringing Azhdaha out of Hollow Zero.

Even now, Azhdaha was still struggling.

"Moon Carver, when I regain my strength, you'll be the first I settle accounts with."

Moon Carver sighed helplessly. "You'd better rest. All that shouting will only slow your recovery."

With that, he stopped arguing with Azhdaha and turned to look toward Hollow Zero.

It remained as it had before. The vast veil of the hollow shimmered with dazzling brilliance. Far from fading, its radiance had grown even more intense after Sam Li's battle with the giant.

At this moment, worry flickered in the eyes of Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper.

They were all concerned—worried that Sam Li might encounter danger.

After all...

In all these years, even during the Archon War, they had never faced such a foe. Mysterious, immense, and overwhelmingly powerful, its body alone—comparable to Mount Tianheng—radiated more might than any god they had once fought. And the endless Ether energy swirling within it made it all the more fearsome.

Just then, alarms suddenly blared throughout Scott Outpost.

Technicians rushed to their stations, their faces paling as they analyzed the readings.

"Hollow Zero's activity is spiking rapidly—it's showing signs of expansion again! Send the data to headquarters, now!"

Seeing this, Hoshimi Miyabi and Tsukishiro Yanagi frowned and hurried over.

When they saw the data climbing sharply, both were stunned. The numbers mirrored the same volatile pattern recorded during the fall of the Old Capital more than ten years ago.

Tsukishiro Yanagi's brow furrowed deeply. "This isn't good... That last battle must have triggered an Ether surge."

Hoshimi Miyabi's voice was steady but tense. "Let's not jump to conclusions. Keep watching the data."

Meanwhile, the Adepti remained composed—as though everything was unfolding exactly as expected.

Cloud Retainer spoke calmly. "There is no need for alarm. It's merely the aftershock of the battle. It won't last long. Once Mr. Sam Li concludes his fight, everything will soon stabilize."

Hearing this, Tsukishiro Yanagi turned toward her. "Cloud Retainer, should we go help Mr. Sam Li?"

Earlier, inside the hollow, she had overheard the Adepti slip up—addressing Sam Li by the title of Geo Emperor.

At the time, things had been too chaotic to think much of it. But now, the thought returned to her mind.

The man she had always known as "Mr. Sam Li"... was likely none other than the deceased Geo Archon of Liyue himself.

No wonder, back in Liyue, Miss Ningguang had said that "Liyue still has its gods."

So that was what she meant.

Still, Tsukishiro Yanagi couldn't help but worry—could Sam Li really defeat the giant at the center of Hollow Zero?

That being's sheer presence had shaken her to the core, leaving her with a deep, unfamiliar helplessness.

Cloud Retainer answered gently, "You need not fear. Mr. Sam Li is far stronger than you imagine. Should the battle prove difficult, he can call upon a Planet Befall from beyond the heavens."

Hoshimi Miyabi raised an eyebrow. "Planet Befall?"

Cloud Retainer nodded. "Indeed. A celestial star summoned from beyond the sky—to obliterate any formidable foe."

The vast, layered abyss of Liyue—the Chasm—was one such scar left behind by a falling star.

Hearing that, Hoshimi Miyabi suddenly recalled something. "Yanagi, do you remember the golden meteorite that fell from the sky during the C41 Hollow eruption?"

Tsukishiro Yanagi blinked. "The C41 Hollow... a golden meteorite? You mean—"

Hoshimi Miyabi nodded. "Yes. That one."

It had happened five or six months ago.

At the time, Miyabi had been fascinated, even spending weeks investigating the phenomenon, but she never found its source. As other duties took over, the mystery had slipped from her mind.

Now that she thought about it...

The light from that falling meteorite was identical to the golden Geo radiance that emanated from Sam Li's Rock Spear.

Which could only mean one thing—

That meteorite had also been Sam Li's doing. It was one of his techniques—the Planet Befall Cloud Retainer had mentioned.

Miyabi quickly recounted the incident to Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, and the other Adepti.

After listening, Moon Carver chuckled softly. "Young friend Hoshimi Miyabi, a true celestial star can destroy everything. That meteorite you saw must have been one Mr. Sam Li deliberately restrained—to avoid damaging the city or harming its people."

Mountain Shaper added, "Mr. Sam Li has only ever unleashed the full might of a Planet Befall once—and never again."

Its power was simply too great.

During the Archon War, if even a few of those full-power stars had been cast down upon Liyue, the land would have been left in ruins—pocked with countless new abysses, unfit for human life or cultivation.

That was why, even in the most desperate moments of the war, the Geo Archon never used the full extent of that power. The price was too high.

The same held true now.

Unless absolutely necessary, Sam Li would never unleash a full Planet Befall to suppress the giant—for fear of devastating New Eridu.

Only as a last resort...

As the group spoke, the outpost technicians suddenly called out again.

"Hollow Zero's activity has dropped—it's stabilizing! Levels are returning to normal. Send the report to headquarters immediately!"

Relief washed over Hoshimi Miyabi and Tsukishiro Yanagi as they both exhaled deeply.

They continued to wait at Scott Outpost for several more hours.

During that time, Asaba Harumasa, Soukaku, the Hare's House, Zhu Yuan and Qingyi from the Public Security Bureau, Outpost 11's personnel, and even Venti—who was loitering around drinking—had all gathered there.

Everyone was waiting for Sam Li's return.

They waited until dusk.

Finally—

Nekomata's ears perked up. She leapt onto a chair, tail flicking with excitement.

"Over there! Someone's coming out of the hollow... It's him! It's Sam Li!"

At once, Hoshimi Miyabi, Soldier 11, Billy, Nicole, Zhu Yuan, and the others all turned in the direction she pointed—and sure enough, a lone figure was emerging from the shimmering void.

Without hesitation, everyone rushed forward to greet him.

"Mr. Sam Li, you're finally back!"

"Sam Li, is it true you fought a giant thousands of meters tall—like a walking mountain?"

"Billy, move aside! Sam Li, let me see—are you hurt anywhere?"