"Xiangling, what happened?"
"Did Guoba get lost?"
Hu Tao ran up to Xiangling and asked with a puzzled expression.
At the same time, Lumine and Paimon arrived beside them.
Following behind at a leisurely pace were Qiu Nian and Zhongli.
"Long time no see, my friends."
Zhongli greeted Lumine and Paimon calmly.
"It's been a while, Zhongli!"
"Happy Lantern Rite!"
Lumine and Paimon smiled, hands on their hips.
"What about me, what about me?"
"Even though we've only met once, in my heart we already share a deep friendship!"
Hu Tao clasped her fists to her chest and spoke dramatically.
"Hehe, Happy Lantern Rite, Hu Tao."
Lumine and Paimon nodded with a laugh.
"That's more like it."
Hu Tao grinned with satisfaction.
[I seriously love Hu Tao's personality.]
[Same. I'm officially a Hu Tao fan now.]
"Hu Tao, Consultant Qiu Nian, Consultant Zhongli, Traveler, Paimon—have any of you seen Guoba?!"
Xiangling asked anxiously.
Everyone shook their heads.
"Xiangling, calm down first."
"Tell us what happened. Maybe we can help you find him."
Qiu Nian spoke steadily.
Hearing his calm and gentle voice, Xiangling's panic eased slightly.
"Yeah, tell us what's going on," Paimon added.
"It's like this," Xiangling explained.
"I was cooking and asked Guoba to fetch some salt for me."
"But when I turned around, he was gone!"
"I searched everywhere but couldn't find him. Xingqiu and Chongyun are already helping me look."
Just then, Xingqiu and Chongyun came running over.
"Xiangling! We found a lead!"
Xingqiu said, placing a hand over his chest.
"That's right," Chongyun nodded.
"We asked a Millelith guard. He said he saw a strange creature run out through the main gate of Liyue Harbor while returning to his post."
"The gate…? Why would Guoba go there?"
"I'm going to check!"
Xiangling immediately ran toward the harbor entrance.
Since Qiu Nian had lived in Liyue for quite some time, he was naturally acquainted with Xingqiu and Chongyun.
"Let's hurry and follow her!"
Lumine and Paimon rushed after Xiangling.
Everyone else followed.
After chasing her for quite some time, they finally caught up outside Liyue Harbor.
There—
They saw Guoba.
But Guoba was surrounded by eight Geovishaps.
One of them was enormous—easily three times the height of a person.
"That's… such a huge Geovishap!"
"Wait, why are Geovishaps even near Liyue Harbor?!"
Xingqiu looked shocked.
[Holy crap, that thing is huge!]
[Imagine how many materials that would drop.]
"Hmm…"
Qiu Nian raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw the giant creature.
Although it wasn't an Ancient Geovishap, it was clearly much larger than normal ones.
Its body emitted a faint purple glow.
Lightning energy flickered across its scales.
Judging by its size, it was probably close to evolving into an Ancient Geovishap.
Strange…
What could have caused them to appear near Liyue Harbor?
Meanwhile, Zhongli's brows furrowed slightly.
"Guoba, come back here!"
Xiangling shouted.
Guoba turned around at the sound of her voice and ran back to her.
"Don't run off like that again, got it?!"
Xiangling crouched down and scolded him.
"Lu…"
Guoba lowered his head sadly.
[Guoba is so cute.]
"ROAR!"
The massive Geovishap growled at them, clearly hostile.
Chongyun immediately became alert.
A cutscene began.
Lumine's hand flashed with light.
Her Dull Blade appeared in her grasp as she charged straight toward the giant Geovishap.
"I'll assist you!"
Chongyun raised two fingers forward before charging with his claymore.
Xiangling and Xingqiu also rushed in to help.
Hu Tao summoned her Staff of Homa, preparing to join the fight—
But Zhongli stopped her with one hand and shook his head slightly.
"With the Traveler here, these Geovishaps are no trouble."
Zhongli said calmly.
Lumine leapt into the air.
Geo energy surged around her.
She slashed down toward the massive Geovishap.
The Geovishap opened its jaws—
Lightning gathered.
It fired a thunderous shockwave.
Lumine was startled.
BOOM!
She landed on the ground and slid backward for nearly a meter.
Electricity crackled around her body.
But she wasn't injured.
At that moment—
A massive claw slammed down.
Lumine dodged instantly.
She dashed to the creature's side, Geo energy erupting around her leg—
Then delivered a powerful kick.
THUD!
A painful roar echoed.
The enormous Geovishap lost its balance and crashed onto the ground.
Seeing this, the other seven juvenile Geovishaps scattered and fled.
Just when everyone thought the battle was over—
The giant Geovishap suddenly opened its mouth again.
A bolt of lightning shockwave shot directly toward Paimon.
Everyone froze.
Paimon stood there in shock.
Lumine shouted.
But it was too late.
At that critical moment—
Qiu Nian stepped forward.
In Xiangling's stunned gaze—
He grabbed Guoba by the arm.
Then—
He threw Guoba straight at the lightning blast.
BOOM!
An explosion erupted.
Xiangling's heart nearly jumped into her throat.
Smoke filled the air.
Then it cleared.
Guoba stood there with his back to everyone.
Electricity crackled around him.
Yet he was completely unharmed.
He casually scratched his butt.
Seeing this—
Everyone except Qiu Nian and Zhongli stood there completely dumbfounded.
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