The timing of this monster wave was disastrous.
The battles involving Herloxia and Xiangling/Hu Tao had been maintaining a precarious balance. Now, this sudden horde of monsters appearing at their most vulnerable rear line was absolutely devastating.
'Master Lu, you didn't mention touching a Blossom of Revelation would spawn a bunch of monsters!'
Ji An shot a meaningful look at Master Lu. But seeing the equally horrified expression on Master Lu's face, he couldn't bring himself to blame the old artisan. After all, Master Lu's knowledge came solely from books and was likely incomplete.
Lu Xian and Lu Tai looked panicked, fumbling to load their repeating crossbows, but it was clearly too late.
Ji An couldn't abandon them now. He had no choice but to step up.
"Master Lu, you all run!"
'Precision Crafting!'
A great-axe materialized in Ji An's hands. He unleashed the long-unused 'Hilichurl Storm Axe Art,' cutting down three Slimes in one second.
Then...
A Geovishap from the back lunged forward and punched him squarely in the stomach, sending him flying backward.
'Ugh, why does this feel so familiar?'
The thought flashed through his mind mid-air as he wore a look of profound melancholy. It seemed every time he used the 'Hilichurl Storm Axe Art,' the outcome wasn't great. Was the technique cursed, or was he?
Come to think of it, back in the life where he created that technique, hadn't he been instantly countered and killed after using it too?
...
'Chirp!' "Xiao An!"
The moment Ji An was sent flying, both Herloxia and Hu Tao cried out in alarm.
Herloxia had already destroyed the giant Ruin Machine, but it was too far away. Hu Tao was faster.
Ji An felt a push against his back, countering his momentum. Then, he was gently caught in a warm embrace.
"Xiao An, a-are you okay?" Hu Tao held him, fighting back tears, utterly flustered.
"I'm... fine, not a big issue..." Ji An managed a wry smile, about to say something else.
"Ahhh! Ji An! Hu Tao! Look out behind you!!"
Xiangling's frantic shout came from behind them.
Ji An instinctively looked past Hu Tao's shoulder.
Hu Tao, in her rush to catch him, had abandoned her efforts to contain the Primo Geovishap. Xiangling alone couldn't hold it back any longer.
Now, the Primo Geovishap had charged right up behind Hu Tao. Its ferocious claws were wreathed in intense Pyro energy.
Without a doubt, in the next second, it would tear this slender girl to pieces and reduce her to charred remains.
And this girl, her eyes brimming with tears, her focus entirely on him, was completely unaware of the imminent danger behind her.
Ji An's mind went blank.
'Move!'
He attempted to yell his voice drowned out through the countless noises.
But Hu Tao looked confused nor had the time to react.
Ji An's arms shot out, instinctively wrapping around Hu Tao, rolling over to shield her with his own body.
In that moment, no other thoughts crossed his mind. He only knew he couldn't let this girl, whose heart was filled only with him, die under the Primo Geovishap's claws, turned into a lifeless corpse.
Hu Tao was bewildered, finding herself enveloped in Ji An's embrace, pinned beneath him. "X-Xiao An?"
Her heart fluttered in panic, a faint blush just beginning to tinge her cheeks...
Then she felt the immense force crash down upon Ji An, who shielded her from above. A sickening sound of shattering bones echoed, accompanied by the smell of searing flesh, like meat over charcoal.
"Xiao An...?"
Hu Tao's face instantly drained of all color. She let out a soft, bewildered cry.
The only response was the crimson blood that began to flow from Ji An's nose and mouth, dripping into her plum blossom eyes, blooming into a bloody flower.
Hu Tao's lips trembled. She raised a hand, gently touching Ji An's closed eyelids.
"..."
...
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Ruin Hunter, for reasons unknown, went into a frenzy, bombarding the Primo Geovishap with relentless fury. The energy enveloping its blades grew darker and more profound. It charged directly into melee combat with the Primo Geovishap, its sharp blades tearing deep gashes into the creature's armored shell.
"Ji An! Hu Tao! Are... are you okay?!"
Xiangling was on the verge of tears, but to protect Master Lu and the others, she and Guoba had to deal with the monsters spawned from the Blossom of Revelation. She couldn't go check on them.
Her question received no answer.
...
Clatter.
Liyue, Mt. Aocang
Shenhe picked up the jade comb that had fallen to the floor, now broken into two pieces, and slightly furrowed her brow.
"Disciple, are you ready?" A crane landed outside, flapping its wings as it spoke.
"Yes, Master. Let us depart." Shenhe nodded, suppressing the sudden, inexplicable unease that had welled up within her.
With the assistance of Cloud Retainer's adeptal arts, the pair swiftly arrived at Liyue Harbor.
"Disciple, let us go directly to the Jade Chamber." Cloud Retainer pointed at the palace in the sky. "That young lady Ningguang certainly built an impressive abode. Even this master is somewhat moved."
She looked at Shenhe. "Disciple, what do you think? Should I build a similar floating pavilion atop Mt. Aocang?"
Shenhe shook her head. "Master, you don't normally reside in pavilions, do you?"
"I don't," Cloud Retainer said. "So it would be built for you, my disciple. Hehe, and incidentally, it would let Ningguang see if this master's mechanical prowess surpasses that of the one who built the Jade Chamber."
"Master, you know I hold little regard for material possessions. There's no need to go to such trouble for my sake," Shenhe declined.
As master and disciple chatted, they stepped onto the Jade Chamber.
"This master is Cloud Retainer of Mt. Aocang. I have brought my disciple Shenhe to call upon the Tianquan Ningguang. Young lady, please announce our arrival."
Cloud Retainer addressed a woman in secretary's attire at the entrance.
"Cloud Retainer, I am Baishi, Lady Ningguang's secretary," the woman replied with a cordial smile. "Miss Ganyu informed us earlier of your visit with Miss Shenhe. Please, follow me inside."
"Disciple, let us enter." Cloud Retainer gave a slight nod and led Shenhe into the Jade Chamber.
"Lady Ningguang, Cloud Retainer and Miss Shenhe have arrived," Baishi announced softly from behind a screen.
"Cloud Retainer, Miss Shenhe. Please forgive me for not welcoming you personally after your long journey. It was an oversight on my part."
Ningguang emerged from behind the screen, her snow-white legs gracefully carrying her forward, a pipe in hand.
Cloud Retainer began, "Young lady Ningguang, let us not beat around the bush. I have brought my disciple here to offer our apologies for the previous incident."
Ningguang took a slow draw from her pipe, not answering immediately. Instead, she looked at Shenhe, her gaze meaningful. "It is said that due to the previous incident, Miss Shenhe not only released the curse of calamity within her but also wielded an adeptal weapon. Logically, Miss Shenhe is not one for impulsive actions. Was there... a particular reason?"
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