As Kazuha stepped up to the highest point of Kannazuka Island.
"In the drifting wind and rain... I return barefoot, my blade in hand." "My name is Kaedehara Kazuha, a wandering samurai."
"Since we are both gathered here due to this crisis," Kazuha said, slowly removing his straw hat. He raised a hand towards Tartaglia with a smile, "Why not travel this road together as companions?"
Tartaglia gladly raised his right hand in a friendly gesture.
From the first moment he laid eyes on Kazuha, Tartaglia felt a fierce competitive spirit ignite within him.
He gripped Kazuha's hand firmly and said with a hearty laugh, "Everyone lost in battle yearns for their own meaning and value." "And you! You are someone who can stir up conflict." "I think we'll get along just fine!"
'Get along' was the spoken word.
But the unspoken meaning was clear: After this is over, you must spar with me!
Kazuha merely smiled faintly. "I believe a chance encounter by fate must hold some significance."
This response.
Was tantamount to accepting Tartaglia's challenge.
"ROAR!!!!"
At that very moment.
The Bathysmal Vishaps let out successive roars!
One after another, the Bathysmal Vishaps leaped high into the air, soaring towards the group on Kannazuka Island.
Everyone raised their weapons, ready to step forward and meet the threat. But Bennett, positioned at the highest point, was already a step ahead, charging towards the vishap horde.
"Everyone, move aside~!"
Bennett swung his sword.
A blade of fire instantly illuminated the entire Kannazuka Island.
The lead Bathysmal Vishap, pouncing forward, was the first to be cleaved and sent flying back into the sea.
In the blink of an eye.
A dozen more Bathysmal Vishaps leaped high, aiming to pounce down upon Bennett.
"I'll protect everyone!"
With Bennett's shout.
"BOOM!!"
The entire Kannazuka Island was instantly dyed with scorching flames.
At that moment.
Everyone felt the hidden power within their bodies being stirred and channeled throughout by Bennett's mighty strike.
And in the instant the Bathysmal Vishaps came swooping down.
Kazuha, standing back-to-back with Bennett, slowly drew the long blade at his waist.
"Ah... lamentable."
"Fallen leaves... adrift!"
A gentle murmur.
"SHING!!!"
The blade left its sheath.
A fierce gale, pulling at the raging flames now covering Kannazuka Island, instantly formed a terrifying Pyro storm.
The dozen or so vishaps that had been pouncing were caught up in this crimson storm and blown high into the air.
"Guoba! Spit fire~!"
At Xiangling's command.
Guoba, perched on Xiangling's shoulder, immediately leaped high into the air.
At the same time, the Dragon's Bane in Xiangling's hands suddenly erupted with dazzling Pyro light.
"Witness Master Lin's spear technique!!" As she flung her spear forth.
A ring of wind and fire instantly illuminated the sea around Kannazuka Island.
The Pyronado and the Pyro storm reflected each other's brilliance.
Every Bathysmal Vishap, under the erosion of the flames, was visibly splitting open, flesh searing.
Right then.
A figure, trailing blue streamers of light, shot skyward.
"An opening! Here and gone!!!"
A clear, hearty voice.
Accompanied by a graceful arc of Hydro energy, it cleanly bisected both the Pyro storm and the scorching Pyronado.
What was split in two was not just the sky full of flames, but also the bodies of the vishaps, each cleanly severed by the water blades.
Eighteen Bathysmal Vishaps.
Wiped out entirely in less than five seconds.
"Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!"
Lin Mo couldn't help but applaud vigorously. "What a gorgeous battle performance~"
It wasn't just visually spectacular like in the game.
Even in the real world of Teyvat, it was a magnificent visual feast.
"You flatter me, you flatter me."
Tartaglia scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Isn't it all thanks to what Mr. Lin Mo and my master taught me~"
Tartaglia's words.
Caused everyone to exchange surprised glances.
Xiangling looked at Lin Mo, pointing at Tartaglia with an astonished expression. "Master Lin! Is he your student too?!" Lin Mo smiled and nodded. "To be precise, I shouldn't be considered his master, but I did indeed teach him some combat techniques."
"Quite coincidentally, Mr. Lin Mo also instructed me in the way of the blade." Kazuha also stepped forward.
Looking at Lin Mo, he smiled. "Mr. Lin Mo, has my blade work regressed since last time?"
Before Lin Mo could answer.
Xiangling immediately jumped to Lin Mo's side, asking with eager anticipation, "Master Lin! Among us, who's the senior apprentice sister, and who's the junior?"
"What, can't you be the little junior sister?" Lin Mo said dotingly, pinching her cheek.
"How can that be~"
Xiangling pouted, looking wronged.
Clearly, she didn't want to be the little junior sister.
"Alright, if we're ranking by the time each of you three started learning combat skills from me."
"Xiangling is the senior apprentice sister." "Tartaglia is the senior apprentice brother." "Kazuha is the junior apprentice brother~"
"I knew it~! I followed Master Lin since I was little, how could I be the little junior sister~" Xiangling said proudly, clearly very satisfied with Lin Mo's answer.
"Alright, Xiangling, now isn't the time to discuss this."
Lin Mo cut off Xiangling before she could say more.
At the same time, his gaze swept over everyone as he said seriously:
"You all must have guessed that likely every island of Inazuma is suffering attacks of varying intensity from the Bathysmal Vishap tribe."
"For the safety of Inazuma's people and their property."
"We must move quickly to support the soldiers and citizens fighting hard on each island."
"To allow everyone to better utilize their respective strengths." "I'd like to make the following team assignments." As Lin Mo spoke.
His gaze turned to Eula, and he said solemnly:
"Eula, Lisa, Amber, Yanfei, you four will form one team, responsible for supporting Ritou." Double Pyro with Superconduct.
Also allowing Amber and Yanfei to trigger Melt.
Lin Mo felt this was the most suitable combination for them at the moment.
Next, Lin Mo's gaze turned to Xiangling. "Xiangling, your four-person coordination was excellent. There are still many residents evacuating from Kannazuka Island. You are responsible for staying behind to protect the residents of Kannazuka."
"Received!"
Xiangling said sweetly.
"Mm."
Lin Mo nodded, his gaze continuing to scan the crowd. "Azhdaha, you and your Geovishaps will guard Tsurumi Island alone."
Kun Jun smiled and nodded. "Absolutely no problem."
...
...
As Lin Mo patiently assigned teams.
Mona, Ganyu, Kamisato Ayaka, Venti.
These four formed a team, heading to Yashiori Island to suppress the Bathysmal Vishap forces.
The adepti and Zhongli formed one team.
Remaining on Narukami Island to guard the main base.
Keqing, Yoimiya, Sayu, Klee formed a team.
Heading to Tatarasuna to cooperate with the Tenryou Commission in guarding the weapons factory.
Lin Mo believed Keqing's high-frequency Electro application would allow Yoimiya and Klee to deal excellent Overloaded damage, unleashing combat power far beyond the norm.
After completing the simple assignments.
Lin Mo swept his gaze over the remaining companions and announced loudly.
"The rest of you, please follow me to the main battlefield at Watatsumi Island!" "To suppress the Vishap tribe that has escaped from Enkanomiya!"
"We must suppress this disaster before the Lantern Rite arrives!" "Once this matter is settled! We will regroup at Kannazuka Island!"
"At that time! I will lead everyone! To the Lantern Rite in Liyue, to hold a grand celebration feast together!!"
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T/N:
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