The temperature inside the cave suddenly skyrocketed!
The Pyro Regisvine, which had only been swaying slightly before, now had its root system twisting frantically, surging beneath the ground like countless awakened fire snakes.
Countless cracks split open on its trunk, and boiling magma seeped out along the fissures, converging into tiny streams on the ground and emitting sizzling steam.
Dense Pyro element erupted from its body like a boiling tide, instantly erecting a circular wall of fire around the area and firmly trapping Yunqin in the center.
The high temperature of the wall of fire distorted the air, making even breathing carry a searing pain.
Yunqin couldn't help but furrow her brows, curling her lips in dissatisfaction: "Although I don't know what you're up to, you fake, do you really think you can trap me with this flimsy wall of fire?"
Before she could finish her sentence, the stamen of the Pyro Regisvine suddenly lit up with a blinding Red light. A Pyro element laser as thick as a water bucket instantly condensed, shooting towards Yunqin with world-destroying momentum!
"Little UFO!" Yunqin shouted softly. The pale gold Geo platform seemed to come to life, instantly appearing to block in front of her, the light of the Geo element flickering slightly under the intense heat.
"Sizzle—" The laser crashed into the Geo platform, emitting an ear-piercing sound. Rock debris mixed with magma splattered everywhere, and the cave was filled with the pungent smell of sulfur.
Little UFO's Geo element melted rapidly under the high temperature, its edges turning into dark red lava that dripped down like melted butter. Finally, it smashed onto the ground with a "bang," turning into a pool of magma emitting white smoke.
Just as the fiery laser continued its continuous output, Yunqin's figure suddenly vanished from her spot.
Using the cover of the flying rock debris, she stepped on the protruding stones of the rock wall and circled behind the roots of the Pyro Regisvine.
That was where the core of the Pyro Regisvine was located. Usually tightly wrapped by layers of interlocking roots, it was now slightly parted, revealing a faint gap.
Inside, a Pyro Core radiating black mist could vaguely be seen.
Yunqin's gaze sharpened, and the Geo element in her palm quickly condensed into a sharp Geo spike, piercing fiercely toward the gap!
"Roar—" The Pyro Regisvine let out an earth-shattering bellow, shaking the cavern ceiling so violently that rocks rained down.
Its root system suddenly writhed wildly, like countless burning fire snakes, carrying scalding heat as they whipped out to entangle Yunqin!
Yunqin tapped her toe against the rock wall, using the momentum to leap backward. However, she didn't retract the Geo spike in her hand; instead, it transformed mid-air into dozens of tiny Geo needles, shooting toward the Pyro Regisvine's corolla like a torrential downpour!
The Geo needles struck the Pyro Shield outside the corolla and were instantly mostly melted away, but the remaining few lodged precisely into the cracks of the shield, acting like wedges to obstruct the flow of the fire element.
The Pyro Regisvine's attack paused for a moment. Yunqin seized the opportunity to rush forward, clapped her hands together, and shouted sternly, "Adeptal art!"
Pale gold edicts materialized out of thin air like a sturdy cage, firmly trapping several of the Pyro Regisvine's thickest roots.
Before she could even catch her breath, a cracking sound came from the Geo wall.
The Pyro Regisvine was thoroughly enraged. Its corolla lit up with a red glow once more, but this time it wasn't just one laser, but three, shooting towards Yunqin in a fan shape, completely sealing off her escape routes!
Yunqin's pupils shrank abruptly. She flipped nimbly in the air, dodging the first two lasers, but the third one still grazed her waist, instantly scorching the fabric black.
The searing heat pierced through the clothing to her skin, making her gasp in pain.
"Damn it!" Yunqin stumbled slightly as she landed.
She looked at the increasingly dense black mist inside the Pyro Regisvine and took a deep breath. The Geo element in her palms began to turn viscous, resembling melted colored glass and shimmering with a gentle luster.
"If I can't strike you down, then I'll seal you first!" Yunqin's eyes were resolute. She leaped up and forcefully thrust her hands toward the gap in the Pyro Regisvine's core. "Demon Sealing!"
The pale gold Geo element flooded into the gap of the Pyro Regisvine's core like a tidal wave, clashing violently with the Pyro element and black mist inside.
The Pyro Regisvine let out a roar of agony, its roots thrashing wildly against the ground, smashing the surrounding rocks to pieces. The temperature of the firewall surged, almost igniting the air itself.
Fine beads of cold sweat broke out on Yunqin's forehead, sliding down her cheeks as her arms trembled slightly.
Just then, the corolla of the Pyro Regisvine suddenly burst open with a loud "bang," and a shockwave of Pyro energy wrapped in black mist hurtled toward Yunqin!
Yunqin's pupils instantly shrank to the size of pinpricks.
The Pyro laser cloaked in black mist charged straight at her, its scorching heatwave already hitting her face.
"Oh no!"
At this critical moment, a gentle breeze drifted down from the roof of the cave, instantly weaving a transparent wall of wind around her.
The wind wall not only dispelled the blistering heat from her surroundings but also caught the Pyro shockwave steadily, like a gentle palm!
"Bang!" The laser crashed into the wind wall with a dull roar, shattering into a shower of sparks that scattered through the air.
Yunqin stood blankly in place. Before she could even recover her senses, a clear voice tinged with a hint of apology rang out from above: "Oh my, it seems I'm a little late~ Leaving a beautiful lady to face such a tricky problem all on her own is truly my negligence~"
Yunqin jerked her head up, only to see a green figure slowly descending on the wind from the top of the cave—it was none other than Venti!
Swaying slightly with the air currents, his smiling teal eyes carried a hint of teasing, yet hid an imperceptible trace of worry.
"Venti?!" Yunqin was both surprised and delighted. Her earlier fear instantly dissipated, and even her voice carried the lingering tremor of someone who had just survived a disaster. "It's the real Venti, right! Not a fake?"
"The one and only... greatest bard of Mondstadt." Venti landed gently beside Yunqin with a light leap, his fingertips casually plucking the strings of his lyre.
A gentle breeze swirled around Yunqin, washing away the lingering scorching heat on her body like a clear spring, allowing even her tense muscles to relax.
He glanced at the slightly restless Pyro Regisvine not far away, a hint of disgust entering his tone. "To actually use the power of the Abyss to imitate my appearance... that's taking things too far."
"Bard! So you really didn't die!" Seeing Venti, Yunqin's previously tense shoulders finally relaxed.
Hearing this, a drop of sweat instantly slid down Venti's temple. He helplessly raised his hand and lightly flicked the girl's forehead.
"Ouch." Yunqin clutched her head in pain, rubbing her sore forehead.
"Do I really look that weak?" Venti raised an eyebrow, though a smile was hidden in his eyes.
"Isn't it?" Yunqin retorted instinctively. The hand massaging her forehead still hadn't dropped, and her tone was completely self-righteous. "With your frivolous appearance, you don't look the least bit powerful."
Venti was choked speechless, the smile on his lips stiffening for a split second.
This girl's knack for roasting people felt rather familiar...
If it weren't for Morax protecting you, I would definitely make you experience the feeling of "free-flying" ten thousand meters in the sky.