Godlike: Double Penetration of the Starry Sky! A brutal beating of Ge Xiaolun at the start.

 …

Zhou Li swayed, her face turning deathly pale. She stared wide-eyed in disbelief, her lips trembling slightly: "Elder, Long Wen and I are truly in love. He has sacrificed so much for the Alliance. Why can't the family understand?" Her voice was choked with sobs, her eyes filled with pain and helplessness. Her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms, and crimson blood seeped out, but she was completely unaware.

At that moment, Long Wen, who was busy outside, received the news and rushed back anxiously. He burst into the council hall and immediately saw Zhou Li's pitiful appearance. His heart clenched, as if gripped tightly by an invisible hand, the pain almost suffocating him.

Chapter 216 I Don't Want to Leave You

“Zhou Li…” Long Wen quickly walked to her side, reaching out to hold her hand and offer her comfort.

Zhou Li turned her head and, the moment she saw Long Wen, tears welled up in her eyes. She threw herself into Long Wen's arms, sobbing uncontrollably, "Long Wen, what should I do? I don't want to leave you, but my family..."

Long Wen gently stroked Zhou Li's long hair, his eyes filled with guilt and heartache: "Li'er, I've dragged you into this. Don't worry, I, '743,' will definitely find a way to resolve this and won't let you leave me." His voice was gentle yet firm, but his heart was in turmoil. On one side was the woman he deeply loved, and on the other was the alliance cause he was fighting for. He had never felt so powerless.

After comforting Zhou Li, Long Wen suppressed his inner pain and threw himself back into the investigation. He traveled far and wide, talking to various factions and digging for clues. In a tavern in Mondstadt, he talked with Diluc all night long. Diluc, the owner of Dawn Winery and the secret guardian of Mondstadt, had a cold face that appeared even more mysterious in the candlelight.

“Longwen, this trade is fraught with complexity. I’ve heard that a mysterious force is manipulating things behind the scenes, deliberately stirring up conflict between Mondstadt and Liyue.” Diluc swirled the crimson liquid in his glass, his gaze, passing through the glass, landing on Longwen with a meaningful look.

Long Wen's eyes sharpened, and he clenched his fist: "Thank you for informing me, Brother Diluc. I will definitely investigate this thoroughly."

Afterwards, Long Wen rushed to Liyue and found Yae no Miko at Narukami Shrine. Yae no Miko leaned lazily against the shrine's railing, playing with an exquisite folding fan in her hand. When she saw Long Wen arrive, a playful smile appeared on her lips: "Little fellow, what brings you here? Is it perhaps because of that troublesome matter concerning the Alliance?"

Long Wen bowed respectfully: "Your Highness, it is indeed you. I hope you can offer some guidance."

Yae no Miko covered her mouth and chuckled: "I wouldn't call it guidance, but I do know that that mysterious force has been making some small moves in Liyue Harbor recently. You might as well go and take a look near the docks."

Following his instructions, Longwen lurked near the Liyue Harbor docks for several days, finally uncovering a crucial clue. It turned out that a group of men in black robes were secretly manipulating prices, spreading rumors, and deliberately sabotaging trade relations between Mondstadt and Liyue. Longwen calmly gathered evidence, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Finally, at an important meeting of the alliance, Long Wen stood up, his cold gaze sweeping across the room: "Gentlemen, today I will expose a conspiracy..." With that, he laid out the evidence he had collected on the table, including the black-robed man's transaction records and correspondence. "All along, what we thought was a trade conflict was actually this mysterious force stirring up trouble behind the scenes, attempting to dismantle our alliance."

Qin and Yelan were shocked when they saw the evidence. Qin was the first to react, standing up and blaming herself, "It was my negligence; I didn't even notice the enemy's plot."

Yelan nodded slightly: "I was also at fault. I almost had a falling out with Mond because of this unfounded conflict."

At this moment, a representative from Zhou Li's family was also present. Seeing Long Wen's decisiveness and wisdom, a hint of surprise and admiration flashed in their eyes. After the meeting, the family representative approached Long Wen: "Long Wen, your actions today have demonstrated your capabilities to the family. Regarding your matter with Zhou Li, the family will reconsider."

Long Wen was overjoyed and quickly thanked her. He turned to Zhou Li, grasped her hand tightly, and said with joy and determination in his eyes, "Li'er, it's alright now. The family will no longer make things difficult for you."

Chapter 217 Established

Tears welled up in Zhou Li's eyes, filled with reliance and admiration: "Long Wen, I knew you could do it."

On the continent of Teyvat, the winds of change are blowing. The once bustling towns are now shrouded in gloom, the streets and alleys filled with whispers of discontent and doubt about the Alliance. Longwen walks among the crowd, his brow furrowed. Every negative rumor he hears feels like a sharp blade piercing his heart. The Alliance, the organization he and many like-minded individuals painstakingly built to protect the peace of the continent, is now facing an unprecedented crisis of trust.

Inside the Alliance meeting room, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed to freeze the air. Around the massive stone table sat powerful figures from 24 different regions, their expressions ranging from cold and stern to grave and tinged with anger. Long Wen stood up, his posture upright yet revealing his exhaustion. His gaze slowly swept over the assembled crowd as he spoke: “Gentlemen, negative rumors are rampant outside, and the Alliance’s image in the public eye has plummeted. Opposition is rising everywhere. We cannot stand idly by; we must actively respond and rebuild the Alliance’s reputation, or the consequences will be unimaginable.” His voice was deep and resolute, echoing in the silent meeting room.

General Thunder sat at the head of the table, clad in magnificent attire. Her imposing presence seemed almost tangible, radiating an oppressive aura that dared not be met with direct gaze. Hearing Long Wen's words, she slightly raised her eyes, her gaze as cold as frost: "Hmph, mere rumors and gossip. Why make such a fuss? Inazuma City has always valued strength above all else and adhered to tradition. As long as we are strong enough, these rumors will naturally dissipate. Why should we change our actions to cater to the outside world?" Her words were firm and unwavering, leaving no room for argument, and the temperature in the conference room seemed to drop even further.

Long Wen's heart tightened. He knew that once the ruler of Daozhi City became stubborn, not even nine oxen could pull him back. But at this moment, the survival of the alliance was at stake, and he could not back down. "General, what you say makes sense, but the situation is different now. The people are the foundation of the alliance. If we lose their trust, how will we protect the continent? Blindly following the old rules may plunge the alliance into an even deeper predicament." Long Wen tried to keep his tone calm, but his hands clenched unconsciously, his knuckles turning white.

For a moment, the conference room was filled with discussion. Various factions whispered among themselves. Some nodded in agreement with Long Wen, while others leaned towards General Lei Dian's point of view. The tense atmosphere spread like smoke. Long Wen felt his temples throbbing. This alliance seemed to be pushed to the brink of collapse once again.

Yae no Miko, the cunning shrine maiden of Narukami Shrine, gently waved her fan, covering her mouth with a smile: "Oh dear, you two, please don't argue about 743 anymore. I do have an idea, but..." She deliberately dragged out her words, her gaze sweeping over everyone, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes, "...this is a risky method, it depends on whether you all have the courage to try it." With that, she put down her fan and began to explain her plan in detail.

It turns out she planned to hold a grand "Alliance Trial Celebration," inviting people from all over the continent to witness it. At the celebration, alliance members would showcase their strength and reveal the alliance's internal operating mechanisms to prove its fairness and power. However, this meant that all factions would have to reveal some of their trump cards, and that the celebration would require a significant investment of manpower, resources, and funds; the risks were self-evident.

Chapter 218 Feeling Increasing Pressure

Diluc, the aloof and mysterious owner of Dawn Winery, who had remained silent until now, suddenly stood up, arms crossed: "No, this is too risky. Once our trump card is revealed, if someone with ill intentions uses it, we will be doomed. Moreover, the resources needed to prepare for the celebration are what the people of Mondstadt are counting on to improve their lives; I cannot gamble with their well-being." His voice was low and hoarse, filled with determination.

Jean, the acting Grand Master of the Knights of Mondstadt, her face resolute, was now furrowed in worry. She was torn between the future of the Alliance and the feelings of the people of Mondstadt: "While the Eighth Prince's plan has its merits, Diluc's points are not without merit either. I... I need time to consider." Her eyes betrayed hesitation, and her fingers tapped unconsciously on the table.

Zhou Li sat down beside Long Wen, her hand quietly reaching under the table to grasp his, offering him silent support. Her gaze towards him was filled with worry and trust, as if saying, "No matter what, I'm with you." Long Wen gently returned the handshake, a warmth welling up inside him, but the current stalemate weighed heavily on his heart.

A heavy silence fell over the conference room, broken only by the mingling of everyone's heavy breathing. Long Wen closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and his mind raced. He knew that a compromise had to be found now, or the alliance would truly fall apart.

A moment later, Long Wen opened his eyes, a glint in them: "Everyone, I have an idea that might be able to satisfy all sides." All eyes turned to him, filled with anticipation and doubt.

Long Wen stood up, walked to the center of the conference room, and cleared his throat: "The Eightfold Divine Child's celebration plan does have its highlights. We can retain the part showcasing our strength, but we don't need to fully disclose the operational mechanism. Instead, we can select some representative matters for transparent display, which will allow the public to see our sincerity while protecting key information. At the same time, the resources for preparing the celebration will be shared proportionally by all parties according to their own strength. In Mondstadt, I propose that we join forces with the Chamber of Commerce to use the celebration as an opportunity to carry out commercial activities, with the proceeds used to improve the lives of the people. In this way, the risks are reduced, and the interests of all parties can be protected." As he spoke, he gestured with his hands, his eyes revealing confidence and wisdom.

As everyone listened to Long Wen's explanation, they gradually fell into deep thought. Diluc frowned slightly, and after thinking for a moment, nodded: "Hmm, this plan is worth a try." Jean's eyes also lit up: "This arrangement can both resolve the crisis and benefit the people, which is excellent."

Even General Thunder nodded slightly: "Hmph, you do have some strategy. We'll do as you say."

Seeing that all the forces had expressed their support, Long Wen finally felt a huge weight lifted from his shoulders. In the days that followed, the alliance members worked together, and (Zhao Mahao) began preparing for this fateful celebration.

On the streets of Mondstadt, Jean led her Knights of Favonius in busily setting up the venue, hanging colorful banners and erecting tall stands. While the citizens initially complained, seeing the Knights' efforts and hearing of the many perks following the celebration, they all joined in to help. Diluc, meanwhile, utilized the connections and resources of Dawn Winery to prepare fine wines and delicacies to supply everything needed for the celebration.

Chapter 219 Risks Encountered

In Inazuma Castle, General Raiden, though still stern, ordered the castle's samurai to cooperate fully. The samurai moved through the streets and alleys, maintaining order and ensuring the smooth transport of supplies. Yae no Miko, displaying her intelligence, designed a series of spectacular performances, adding brilliance to the celebration.

In Liyue Harbor, Zhou Li and Long Wen fought side by side. Zhou Li, leveraging her family's influence, gathered artisans to create exquisite decorations, while Long Wen tirelessly coordinated resources to ensure every step went smoothly. Meanwhile, the mysterious agent Ye Lan was also working discreetly, gathering intelligence and preparing for potential sabotage. Mona, though proud, humbled herself, using astrology to select an auspicious day for the festival and anticipate potential risks.

As the date of the celebration drew near, the entire continent of Teyvat was immersed in an atmosphere of both tension and anticipation. Finally, on the day of the celebration, the sun shone brightly under a clear blue sky. The Alliance Trial Celebration Grounds were packed with people from all over, their eyes filled with curiosity and expectation.

The alliance members took turns on stage, showcasing their unique skills. Jean's manipulation of wind elements was masterful; she led her knights in a graceful dance through the air, wind blades slicing across the sky and leaving behind dazzling light and shadow. Diluc's fire power blazed fiercely; wielding his greatsword, he moved freely through a sea of ​​fire, eliciting gasps from the audience. Raiden's lightning power shook the entire arena; each strike of lightning felt like a divine wrath, inspiring awe. Yae no Miko's sorcery was unpredictable; she danced gracefully on stage, conjuring vibrant cherry blossoms that drifted down to the audience, earning thunderous applause. Ryuwen pushed his elemental manipulation to its limits, fusing multiple elements to create fantastical scenes that amazed the crowd.

While showcasing their strength, the alliance's selected representative affairs display area also attracted many people. They saw the alliance's daily efforts to protect the continent and the hard work they put into resolving disputes, and their doubts gradually dissipated.

The celebration proceeded smoothly without any unexpected incidents. As the last performance concluded, thunderous applause and cheers erupted throughout the venue. The crowd chanted the alliance's name, and the negative rumors of the past seemed to have been completely dispelled by the enthusiastic atmosphere.

Standing in the center of the celebration, Long Wen looked at the cheering crowd, his heart filled with satisfaction. Beside him, Zhou Li's eyes reddened with excitement. Unable to contain her emotions any longer, she threw herself into Long Wen's arms: "Long Wen, we did it!" Long Wen hugged her tightly, savoring the sweetness after all the hardships, and whispered, "Yes, we did it."

The soft light of dawn gently bathed the magnificent building of the Alliance headquarters, casting a faint golden glow on the white marble walls. What should have been a peaceful and serene scene was shattered by a series of hurried footsteps.

As Long Wen and Zhou Li stepped into the hall, they immediately sensed the strange atmosphere in the air. Alliance members were huddled in small groups, whispering amongst themselves, their expressions panicked. Jean, the acting Grand Master of the Mondstadt Knights, usually so upright and dashing, now had a furrowed brow, arms crossed, pacing back and forth in the center of the hall. Her silver armor clattered softly with each step, each step seeming to weigh heavily on everyone's hearts.

Chapter 220 The Alliance is in Danger

"What exactly happened?" Long Wen asked Zhou Li in a low voice. Zhou Li shook her head slightly. She was wearing a moon-white dress, the hem of which swayed gently with her movements. Her beautiful eyes looked around, equally full of doubt.

Before they could even figure out what was going on, a clear and authoritative voice rang out: "It is rumored that the Eightfold Divine Child is secretly colluding with other mysterious forces. If this is true, the Alliance is in grave danger." Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw General Thunder wearing a magnificent general's uniform, her long purple hair tied up high, and a long sword symbolizing power hanging at her waist. Her face was ashen, and her eyes were scrutinizing and cold. Her imposing aura made the surrounding air seem to cool down.

These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall, with everyone discussing and exclaiming in surprise.

"How could this be? How could Yae no Miko, as the shrine maiden of Narukami Shrine, do such a thing?"

"But there's no smoke without fire, what if this news is true..."

Long Wen was shocked. The Eightfold Divine Child was always cunning and intelligent; he found it hard to believe she would betray the alliance. His gaze hardened, he clenched his fist, and secretly resolved to get to the bottom of this.

Qin stepped forward, looked at Long Wen, and asked with a solemn expression: "Long Wen, you have also had dealings with the Eightfold Divine Child. What do you think of this matter?"

Long Wen bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Acting leader, although I am surprised, it is too hasty to convict someone based on rumors alone. I am willing to investigate the matter first." Qin nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes: "Good, go and come back quickly. The stability of the alliance depends on you."

Long Wen turned around, exchanged a glance with Zhou Li, and the two quickly left the hall. They walked through the corridors of the Alliance headquarters, sunlight filtering through the carved windows and casting shadows, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in their hearts.

Logically, everyone assumed Long Wen would confront the Eightfold Divine Child directly, but he had other plans. Long Wen knew that there was a mastermind behind these rumors, and rashly questioning the Divine Child would only lead him into the enemy's trap. Therefore, he and Zhou Li secretly kept an eye on those who first spread the news.

This was a group of elusive individuals who spent their days sneaking around the alleys near the Alliance headquarters. Long Wen and Zhou Li concealed themselves in the shadows, observing their every move. They noticed one of them, a small, thin man with shifty eyes, whispering to his companion.

"You did a great job this time. You got those Mora coins so easily."

·· ····Request flowers··· ·····

"Hmph, it's just spreading some rumors, who would have thought it would cause such a big commotion."

Long Wen's eyes narrowed, and he thought to himself: There's definitely something fishy going on. He gave Zhou Li a wink, and the two of them quietly approached, preparing to capture these people in one fell swoop. But just as they were about to make their move, the group seemed to sense the danger and turned tail and ran.

 …

"Trying to run? Not so easy!" Long Wen shouted, his figure rushing out like a cheetah. Zhou Li followed closely behind, holding a long sword, her skirt fluttering in the wind, showing no sign of panic.

In the narrow alley, Long Wen cleverly used the surrounding debris to create obstacles, blocking the people's path. He kicked a piece of discarded wood, which blocked the path of the first person, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground. Zhou Li seized the opportunity to step forward, pressing her sword against the man's throat, and said coldly, "Speak, who hired you?"

The man turned deathly pale with fright, trembling and unable to speak. Long Wen stepped forward, squatted down, and said with piercing eyes, "If you confess honestly, I might spare your life, otherwise..." As he spoke, a faint elemental light emanated from his palm, the intimidation unmistakable.

Chapter 221 Key Information

Seeing this, the man quickly begged for mercy: "I'll talk, I'll talk! It was a mysterious person with a mask on who gave us a large sum of Mora and asked us to spread rumors about the Eightfold Divine Child within the Alliance. I really don't know who he is!"

Long Wen stood up, exchanged a glance with Zhou Li, and had already made up his mind. They didn't make a fuss, but quietly took the man away and locked him in a secluded place. Then they began to collect evidence everywhere, and "743" tried to find clues about the mysterious employer.

These past few days, Long Wen and Zhou Li have been extremely busy. They disguised themselves and frequented various places, dealing with all sorts of people. Sometimes, in order to obtain a crucial piece of information, Long Wen had to deal with some troublesome individuals and even got involved in a few minor conflicts.

Once, in a noisy tavern, Long Wen was talking to a drunkard who supposedly knew the inside story. The drunkard reeked of alcohol, his eyes glazed, but he was vague about key information. Suddenly, several burly men burst into the tavern. The leader, a man with a face full of scars, glared fiercely at Long Wen: "Kid, why are you asking so many questions? Don't you want to live?"

Long Wen remained calm, stood up, and slightly turned to shield Zhou Li behind him. He smiled confidently and said, "Brothers, I was just curious. If I have offended you by accident, please forgive me."

But those men clearly weren't going to give up easily and swarmed forward. Long Wen's elemental power surged, and he quickly formed hand seals, creating a fiery shield that forced them back. Taking advantage of the chaos, he grabbed Zhou Li and slipped out through the back door of the tavern.

After several days of hard work, Long Wen finally gathered all the evidence. He decided to summon the alliance members to expose the true nature of this conspiracy.

Inside the Alliance Hall, everyone gathered again, the atmosphere even more somber than before. Long Wen strode forward, holding a thick stack of documents—evidence he had painstakingly collected.

"Gentlemen, the Alliance has been in turmoil recently due to the rumors about the Eightfold Divine Child. Today, I will reveal the truth behind this." Long Wen's gaze swept across the entire room, his voice loud and firm.

He presented the evidence one by one, detailing the saboteurs' conspiracy, from hiring people to spread rumors to trying to incite internal conflicts within the alliance and tear it apart... Everyone listened in stunned silence, shocked by the elaborate plot and terrified that they had almost fallen for it.

After speaking, Long Wen turned to look at the Eightfold Divine Child and said sincerely, "Divine Child, I believe in your character and that you would never do such a thing as betraying the alliance."

Yae no Miko was slightly taken aback. Dressed in a magnificent shrine maiden's attire, her long pink hair cascading down like a waterfall, a hint of surprise and emotion flashed in her eyes. She smiled gently, her smile blooming like spring flowers: "Young friend, thank you for your trust. It seems I didn't misjudge you."

Seeing this, the alliance members had even greater respect for Long Wen. Qin stepped forward and patted Long Wen on the shoulder: "Long Wen, we owe you a lot this time. If it weren't for your calm and collected response, the alliance would have been in serious trouble."

Long Wen bowed slightly: "Acting leader, you flatter me. Maintaining the stability of the alliance is our shared responsibility."