At eight years old, Gu Chen killed an Abyss Mage with just two strikes!
The news caused an uproar within the Knights of Favonius.
If Gu Chen had possessed a Vision, it would certainly have been astonishing—but not outrageously so.
Yet Gu Chen had no Vision at all.
The Knights were in an uproar. Even with testimony from the Reconnaissance Squad, many still found it hard to believe.
[Kaeya]: This really feels like all part of the Grand Master's plan. Promoting the body-tempering technique wouldn't be hard for him—but with the Sect Leader as a living example, promotion becomes effortless. Of course the knights would want to grow stronger. Once that happens, they'll rush toward it like moths to a flame.
[Heizou]: Forget the knights—even I find this absurd. Eight years old! And no Vision! If cultivation alone can reach this level, the Grand Master wouldn't even need to promote it. I'd just walk straight into the office, grab the manual, and start training myself.
[Tighnari]: Vision holders are extremely rare, and obtaining one is very difficult. With the sudden appearance of body-tempering techniques, as long as the knights aren't foolish, they'll all compete to cultivate them. After all, this is a path to strength.
[Jean]: Everything is unfolding according to the Grand Master's plan. 😲
[Noelle]: The Grand Master is amazing… (admiration)
[Ningguang]: After this incident, even though Mr. Gu Chen is only eight, his standing within the Knights has clearly risen.
[Zhongli]: By common logic, if this pace continues, after a year or two of experience and sufficient merit, Varka could hand over the position of Grand Master to the Sect Leader without anyone objecting. After all, he can already kill an Abyss Mage in two strikes at eight years old. Once he grows older and his body-tempering advances further, who can predict how powerful he'll become? ☕
[Kaeya]: Simply put, the Sect Leader's reputation has taken off—and the Knights' combat power is about to skyrocket as well. 😏
[Paimon]: Boss Gu's rise to power—initiated! 😎
[Kaeya]: Diluc and I should be joining the Knights soon. Heh, I'm kind of looking forward to how strong I'll be in the video. 😈
[Diluc]: No matter how strong you are in a video, it's fake. No matter how weak you are in reality, that's real.
[Kaeya]: Hey, hey—what kind of talk is that?! I don't like it! 😠
[Venti]: Yay, one broken defense! 🥳
[Azhdaha]: I'm already starting to look forward to the Sect Leader leading the Knights to conquer everything. Say, once the knights keep getting stronger, will he lead them on campaigns everywhere? Finish this job and have Liyue return to Mondstadt? 😏
[Venti]: That sounds nice… but probably not very likely. 🤔
[Zhongli]: By common logic, it is theoretically feasible. However, there would be many obstacles in practice. ☕
[Dvalin]: I suddenly have a bad feeling… like I might get beaten up again. 😓
[Osial]: Hahahahahaha!!
[Dvalin]: What are you laughing at?! So annoying. 😤
Seven days later.
"Mmm, the timing is about right."
Varka took a sip of black tea, then spoke leisurely,
"The knights hold you in very high regard now, little genius."
Gu Chen stood to the side with his short sword in his arms and curled his lips.
"Plenty of people still doubt me."
"Didn't you settle that with your sword?" Varka chuckled.
Indeed, there had been no shortage of skeptics. Even firsthand testimony from the recon knights hadn't fully convinced them.
But after sparring with Gu Chen in person, the more they had doubted him before, the more they admired him afterward.
Unlike Mondstadt's generally laid-back atmosphere, the Knights of Favonius ultimately respected strength. A knight with both ability and character naturally earned respect.
Varka tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, then said,
"Originally, I intended to assign you as captain of a squad. You certainly have the strength for it… But now, I think it's more appropriate for you to become the Chief Instructor of the body-tempering technique!"
Gu Chen raised an eyebrow.
"So you want my influence to cover the entire Knights of Favonius?"
"Mhm~" Varka didn't deny it. He clasped his hands together and smiled.
"Sitting in this office every day gives me immense authority, but to me it feels more like a cage… You know, my original dream was to be an adventurer."
Varka was a man who valued freedom and loved adventure.
Being stuck in the Knights' headquarters truly restrained him.
"So?" Gu Chen spread his hands.
"I'm only eight, and you're already dumping everything on me?"
"Eight?"
"Killing an Abyss Mage with two strikes—and you call that eight?"
Varka shook his head repeatedly, then said with a grin,
"Kid, hurry up and grow strong. Once you've got enough strength and prestige—hehe—this seat will be yours!"
As he spoke, Varka seemed to see that future already, his face full of delight.
"I don't know how to handle internal affairs," Gu Chen shook his head.
Varka paused briefly.
"True. No one is perfect… but that's not a problem."
After a moment of thought, he continued,
"Do you know about the Gunnhildr clan?"
"The Gunnhildr clan…" Gu Chen recalled.
"You mean Lady Frederica divorcing Bishop Seamus?"
"Mhm," Varka nodded.
"The Gunnhildr clan is one of Mondstadt's three great noble houses. Lady Frederica's eldest daughter bears the Gunnhildr name. They're cultivating that little girl—Jean."
"Jean?"
Gu Chen frowned slightly.
"What does this have to do with what we're talking about?"
"Of course it does," Varka smiled.
"I've visited the Gunnhildr clan several times. That child is resilient from a very young age—a perfect seed for knighthood. In both character and ability, her future ceiling is very high."
Gu Chen thought for a moment, then suddenly understood.
"So when you said it doesn't matter that I can't handle internal affairs—you mean she'll assist me in the future?"
"See? That's why you're a smart kid," Varka nodded with satisfaction.
"The Grand Master of the Knights can be a hands-off boss?" Gu Chen rubbed his young chin thoughtfully.
"Why not?"
Varka grinned smugly.
"Look at me—sitting here all day. What do you think I actually handle? Mostly just skimming things."
Gu Chen ignored him.
Someone who could become a living legend of the Knights was impossible to be as idle as he claimed.
"Alright," Varka said seriously.
"After lunch, I'll formally announce your appointment to the Knights."
"Understood," Gu Chen nodded.
After lunch.
The Knights' training grounds.
Under Varka's leadership, the Knights of Favonius could truly be described as strong and well-trained.
Tall figures, resolute expressions, sharp eyes—the knights stood in neat formations.
Varka stood on the platform with Gu Chen.
"Some of you may have heard of this, others may not. This child was someone I found under the guidance of the Anemo Archon. He is favored by the God of Wind and has brought new vitality to the Knights!"
"Those with good information should already know—eight years old, two strikes to slay an Abyss Mage. That alone proves his strength, doesn't it?"
"How did he do it?"
"What you are about to encounter now is one of the Knights' secrets—a gift brought by the God of Wind, an opportunity, a beacon lighting the path of life!"
[Kaeya]: Tsk tsk, nothing but elite knights as far as the eye can see.
[Diluc]: Clearly, Varka has no intention of letting the body-tempering technique spread too widely.
[Paimon]: Why frame Boss Gu's achievements as guidance from the Anemo Archon? 😲
[Heizou]: You don't get it? This is giving Mr. Gu Chen a halo. With that halo in place, anyone who wants to target him will have to think twice. It clears away a lot of obstacles for him. 😎
[Dvalin]: Pah—letting a certain irresponsible god take credit for free. 😠
[Venti]: Hey! Anyone with eyes knows it's the Sect Leader's contribution. Saying it's the Archon's favor is just—politics, you know? 😏
[Arataki Itto]: Too complicated!
[Navia]: That's how officials talk—you get it, right?
[Jean]: No matter what, the Grand Master's actions do benefit Mr. Gu Chen greatly. His position is far more secure in the short term. It's just that… having the young me in the video handle administration… His planning really runs that deep? 😲
[Lumine]: Young Jean: Who understands my pain? The legendary Grand Master started planning to use me when I was just a few years old!
[Kaeya]: Accurate!
"Now, I formally confer upon Gu Chen the title of Knight of the Morning Star!"
The title was one Gu Chen had specifically requested.
The Morning Star—seen at dawn in the eastern sky, the brightest star before sunrise, also known as the Herald Star.
A Knight of the Morning Star was one who illuminated the road ahead and led others forward.
When Varka learned its meaning, he approved it without hesitation.
"I hereby appoint Knight of the Morning Star Gu Chen as Chief Instructor of the Knights of Favonius!"
As Varka announced it, thunderous applause erupted from the elite knights below.
Varka was a living legend; his authority was unquestioned. Combined with Gu Chen's achievements, the Archon's favor, and the body-tempering technique, not only did the knights have no objections—they were full of anticipation.
Gu Chen didn't disappoint them, immediately beginning to demonstrate and instruct.
Watching from the side, Varka nodded to himself.
Chief Instructor was already a high-ranking position within the Knights.
But in Varka's eyes, it still wasn't enough.
And Gu Chen was still very young.
"Age doesn't matter—brilliant merit does."
Varka narrowed his eyes.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze swept across the training grounds.
Cyan light gathered around Gu Chen as the wind accelerated, growing sharper.
Then, in Gu Chen's hand, an Anemo Vision appeared.
"What—he got a Vision just like that?!"
"That's insane!"
"As expected of a child favored by the God of Wind!"
The knights stared in shock, erupting into discussion.
Varka froze.
[Azhdaha]: The brag he just made suddenly came true. 😏
[Kaeya]: Varka: I just said he was favored by the Anemo Archon—why did the Archon actually do it?!
[Dvalin]: Fine. With the Sect Leader in charge of the Knights, I'm reassured. Barbatos finally did something right.
[Venti]: Anyone can see that letting the Sect Leader join the Knights is a good thing. I'm not blind, of course I can tell. 😎
[Osial]: With the Archon's endorsement, if his life was riding a horse before, now he's grown wings and taken off. 😲
[Tartaglia]: Rare to see Mr. Gu Chen actually receive divine favor in an episode. 🐳
[Lyney]: Honestly, even without the Archon's favor, it wouldn't change much. Eight years old and already this strong—double it at sixteen… you know what that means.
[Furina]: Slay the Anemo Archon and take the throne yourself! 🏃♀️
[Dvalin]: Fully support this!
[Zhongli]: Wild idea—but hard not to support.
[Venti]: Hey! I just gave him my blessing! (slams table)
[Gu Chen]: (picks nose)
Afternoon.
After work hours at the Knights' headquarters.
Varka studied Gu Chen for a long time before saying,
"So it really is the Anemo Archon's favor…"
Gu Chen raised his hand, a cyan vortex spinning in his palm.
"Not bad. Should be useful in critical moments."
"Not bad?" Varka rolled his eyes.
"You need to understand the difference between elemental power and divine favor. If this power grows a bit stronger, you'll practically be an Archon's attendant!"
"That's not what I want," Gu Chen shook his head.
Varka shrugged.
"Maybe the Archon knows that—so he didn't give you more."
"Who knows."
Gu Chen shook his head, then said,
"I've already passed the entry-level body-tempering technique to them. In about three months, their physical qualities should improve noticeably."
Varka nodded, then said earnestly,
"Remember—higher-level body-tempering techniques must be safeguarded. They can't be given out casually."
"Of course," Gu Chen nodded.
Body-tempering techniques weren't a single method, but a broad category.
What Gu Chen practiced was naturally the strongest. What he gave Varka was the same. But what he taught the Knights was only the most basic version—advanced techniques would come later, and only be granted after stability and outstanding contributions.
This prevented leaks to enemies and ensured steady progress for the entire Knights.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
The elite knights clearly felt slight improvements in their physical qualities—and the emergence of qi and blood.
As elites, their bodies had long been difficult to improve further. Even this small progress excited them, not to mention qi and blood—a power not inferior to elemental energy.
Though still fragile at this stage, it was exhilarating!
That day—
"A lot of new recruits have joined the Knights. Go guide them," Varka said.
"Understood," Gu Chen nodded.
Every year, veteran knights retired due to age or injury. Where some left, new blood naturally joined.
As soon as Gu Chen arrived at the recruits' training grounds, he saw a group of youthful teenagers.
Several elite knights were instructing them.
Among them, one boy stood out—spirited, confident, introducing himself to the veterans.
"Diluc Ragnvindr!"
――[Smile]
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