After hearing Sam Li's analysis, everyone around him was utterly stunned.

They had thought the colossus—towering thousands of meters high and blotting out the sky—was already the ultimate form. Yet, it turned out to be merely an embryo?

Unbelievable.

If what Sam Li said was true, then once those two Sunlight Star Gems completed their incubation and gave birth to true life, the result would be even more terrifying.

How could such a being exist in this world?

No—that thing could not possibly belong to the same planet as New Eridu. It must be an intruder from the depths of the cosmos.

Beside them, Billy spread his arms wide, trying to illustrate a massive outline.

"When that embryo you mentioned finishes developing, won't it be this big… as large as the moon?"

Nekomata's eyes widened. "Then New Eridu's finished, isn't it?"

Even the current giant was nearly impossible to handle. Not even Sam Li could completely suppress it.

If it fully developed, wouldn't that mean the destruction of the entire world?

It wasn't just Billy and Nekomata who were alarmed.

Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, Hoshimi Miyabi, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Keqing, and Nicole all turned their eyes toward Sam Li.

They knew—if anyone had a solution, it would be him.

After a brief silence, Sam Li finally spoke.

"There's no need to worry. Logically speaking, that embryo absorbs life energy very slowly. As long as it's sealed before its incubation is complete, it poses no threat."

Yes—sealing it was the key.

Perhaps once his role-playing progress reached completion, Sam Li would possess the strength to destroy it outright.

But those two Sunlight Star Gems were far too unstable. If even a fraction of their energy leaked, it would trigger an unimaginable catastrophe—one capable of wiping out the entire planet that New Eridu stood upon.

Sealing them was the only safe solution.

Hearing this, everyone breathed out in relief.

Tsukishiro Yanagi furrowed her brow thoughtfully. "So... the lush, vibrant world we saw at the center of Hollow Zero wasn't real at all?"

Sam Li nodded. "That's right. Those dazzling colors and bizarre creatures were nothing but lifeless shells—remnants drained of their original vitality."

That was why they crumbled to dust at the slightest touch.

If the remnants of the Exaltist Order ever learned this truth, their faith would likely shatter beyond repair.

Now, everyone's understanding of Hollow Zero had reached a new level.

But a new question followed: how would they deal with the still-developing giant?

If Sam Li intended to seal it, how exactly could that be done?

Sensing everyone's expectant gazes, Sam Li paused in thought before saying calmly, "I already have an idea. But before I act, we must return to Liyue."

Two possible methods had formed in his mind.

The first was similar to how the Vortex Ancient God Osial and the corrupted Azhdaha had once been sealed—using a Stone Stele as the array's core, suppressing them with the power of Geo.

However, the power contained within those two Sunlight Star Gems far exceeded that of Osial or Azhdaha. This method alone might not be enough.

The second method involved using multiple Statues of The Seven as the array's focal points, channeling Geo to create a large-scale seal.

Compared to the first, the second was far more difficult—but if successful, the resulting seal would be immensely stronger.

The only problem was acquiring the Statues of The Seven.

For anyone else, that would be impossible. But for Sam Li, it was simple.

His accumulated system points were enough to exchange for four or five statues.

Of course, these were still plans.

To execute them, he would need help—from the Adepti, and especially from Azhdaha, once the Dragon King regained his peak power.

That was precisely why Sam Li needed to return to Liyue: to help Azhdaha recover his strength.

When the others saw that Sam Li already had a clear plan, their spirits lifted. Many eagerly volunteered to accompany him to Liyue and assist.

Sam Li, naturally, did not refuse.

...

By the next day, preparations were complete.

Sam Li left New Eridu in the care of the three Adepti—Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper—while he prepared to depart with Xiao, the members of Hare's House, Keqing, Hoshimi Miyabi, Zhu Yuan, and several others.

Before leaving, Mountain Shaper spoke solemnly.

"Just as we did two thousand years ago, before Your Excellency's return, we shall protect New Eridu with all our strength."

Cloud Retainer cleared her throat gently. "Mr. Sam Li… please, bring my two disciples with you as well."

Bringing Ganyu would help Keqing manage New Eridu's affairs.

Bringing Shenhe would allow the girl to temper herself through experience.

Sam Li agreed to both requests without hesitation.

Just as they had done during their last journey, the group gathered in the central plaza of the Federer District. This time, it was Sam Li himself who activated the teleportation array, preparing to take everyone back to Teyvat.

Beside him, Xiao spoke quietly.

"Prepare yourselves. Place your hands on the divine statue—His Excellency, the Geo Emperor, is about to activate the teleportation."

Sam Li said softly, "No need for such formality—"

Billy froze. "Geo Emperor? You mean Sam Li is…"

Nekomata's tail puffed up. "What do you mean, His Excellency?"

Nicole's eyes widened. "You're... the Geo Archon?"

Before they could say more, golden light surged from the Statue of The Seven, enveloping the group completely.

In an instant, a brilliant flash consumed the plaza—and they vanished without a trace.

...

Meanwhile, on the other side of New Eridu.

Venti sat lazily on the couch of Victoria Housekeeping, sipping fine wine while recounting the events of Hollow Zero to Lycaon, Ellen, Rina, and Corin.

When he finished, Lycaon and Rina exchanged shocked glances.

Neither had imagined that the very heart of Hollow Zero could be like this.

Ellen frowned impatiently. "Just tell me already—how do we beat that giant?"

Corin clutched her chainsaw nervously. "C-Corin… can Corin even fight something like that?"

Venti chuckled softly. "That enemy is indeed difficult to handle, but don't worry—someone will defeat it."

Lycaon narrowed his eyes. "Who?"

Ellen crossed her arms. "You?"

Venti waved his hands quickly. "Eh? Of course not! I'm just a bard who follows the wind. How could I possibly defeat such a powerful foe? The one who can is Mr. Sam Li. He's the strongest among us."

At those words, Lycaon and Rina only nodded.

They had witnessed Sam Li's strength firsthand and had long suspected his identity was far from ordinary.

At first, they thought he might be a Void Hunter.

Then, they guessed he was one of Liyue's Adepti.

Now, it seemed they had still underestimated him.

After a moment of silence, Lycaon said seriously, "We can't just stand by. We should join the final battle."

Venti smiled faintly, his emerald eyes gleaming.

"Of course."