But Huoqin suddenly turned to look at him, the corner of her mouth curling into a mocking smile. "Lydia's story is quite touching, isn't it?"
Venti froze instantly, as if struck by a paralysis spell.
"You're so powerful, the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt. You can dispel the storms that threaten your nation and protect all its people, yet you couldn't even save the girl you held dearest."
Huoqin's voice dripped with cruel amusement as her gaze fell on the Vision hanging at Venti's waist.
"How does it feel, wearing the Vision of a dead person every day? Does each glance fill you with guilt, or have you grown accustomed to this self-soothing form of relief?"
Yunqin's head snapped up, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at Venti.
Venti met Yunqin's panicked, suspicious gaze, and his heart felt as if an invisible hand were squeezing it tight.
This was the first time he had ever felt true panic.
Strangely, he didn't fear the Abyss's threats or confrontations with other gods. But he feared this girl before him, looking at him as if he were a complete stranger.
He instinctively reached out, wanting to explain. "Yunqin, listen to me. It's not what you think. Lydia..."
But Yunqin stumbled back a step, her legs feeling so weak they might have been treading on cotton.
She stared at Venti's outstretched hand, her eyes filled with unfamiliarity and wariness, as if she were looking at an enemy poised to strike at any moment.
That single gesture was like a knife plunging deep into Venti's heart, leaving his hand frozen in mid-air.
Huoqin watched the scene unfold, bursting into delighted laughter.
The sound echoed through the empty cavern, unsettling and grating. "Yunqin, do you understand now? You were born to be Liyue's enemy—it's your destiny!"
"Those who get close to you are either exploiting the god power within you or guarding against you losing control. They've never truly seen you as 'one of them'—never!"
Yunqin's body trembled violently, the pain in her head intensifying. She felt something inside her loosening, like a floodgate that had been sealed for seventeen years, now being pried open bit by bit by Huoqin's words.
Her Vision began to flicker wildly. Amidst the warm golden glow of the Geo element, a faint blue light emerged, growing stronger until it threatened to completely consume the Geo energy.
Seeing this, a triumphant glint flashed in Huoqin's eyes.
She took a step forward, but suddenly—thud.
A Stone Stele erupted from the ground, blocking her path!
Watching the pillar of rock rise from the earth, a fleeting flicker of surprise crossed Huoqin's eyes, quickly replaced by a knowing smile.
She deftly sidestepped the Stone Stele, the sparks on her skirt shimmering with the movement. Her gaze locked precisely behind Yunqin and Venti.
The wall of fire outside the cavern was being slowly pushed back by a steady Geo element. The scorching heatwave couldn't even penetrate the faint golden barrier.
Zhongli walked steadily at the forefront. Lumine gripped her Dull Blade, her eyes scanning the surroundings warily, while Paimon peeked out from behind her.
"So close, yet so far," Huoqin sighed, her tone dripping with mock regret. Her eyes, identical to Yunqin's, held a defiant glint. "Morax, you always show up to spoil the fun at the most crucial moments. You did it when you sealed Yunqin back then, and you're doing it now to stop me."
Zhongli didn't respond immediately. Instead, he moved to stand protectively in front of Yunqin.
His voice was calm yet carried an undeniable authority. "A creation of the Abyss has no place stirring up trouble in Teyvat."
"You deceived Yunqin with false words, controlled the Pyro Regisvine, and corrupted the Ley Lines. You have long since violated the order of Teyvat."
"False?" Huoqin scoffed.
"Don't you gods just impose your will on others? Sealing Yunqin's memories, forcing her to live the lie of being 'adopted by an Adeptus'—is that your truth?"
Zhongli's brow furrowed slightly, his gaze falling on Yunqin.
Yunqin was still clutching her head, the searing pain making it nearly impossible for her to stand. Beads of cold sweat rolled down her cheeks, soaking her collar.
The Hydro element in her Vision pulsed with increasing intensity, threatening to engulf the golden glow of "normalcy" like a rising tide.
Watching Yunqin tremble in agony, her lips bitten raw and bleeding...
Zhongli finally lost his patience. The Geo element around him surged, its golden light illuminating the dim cavern like the first rays of dawn. "Enough. Your deception ends here."
But just as he was about to strike, Huoqin suddenly dropped all her aggression.
Her shoulders slumped, her eyes becoming pitiful and brimming with a wronged, watery sheen, like a child abandoned by the world.
"Are you going to seal me away too?"
"Just like before? Erase my consciousness, create a 'brand new me,' and let her live in my place, enjoying the sunlight and care that should have been mine?"
Zhongli's movements froze instantly. The condensed Geo element around him wavered.
A scene from years ago flashed through his mind. Little Yunqin, barely half his height, surrounded by the Adepti, her eyes filled with fear and confusion, like a frightened young animal.
His clenched fist slowly relaxed. His tone, now laced with complex emotions, asked, "What... do you truly want?"
Seeing her goal achieved, Huoqin's pitiful act vanished without a trace, leaving only icy malice in her eyes. "So even gods aren't infallible. A mere flicker of the past is enough to make you waver."
She took a step forward. The sight of her wearing Yunqin's face while making such a cruel expression sent a wave of revulsion through everyone present.
"You're all the same. You speak of protection while constantly inflicting harm; you preach justice while weaving lies."
"Morax, do you dare tell Yunqin the real reason you sealed her memories? That you were afraid she'd become the next Osial?"
Yunqin's gaze swept over them, and everyone froze.
Killing intent flared anew in Zhongli's golden eyes, his earlier hesitation replaced by unwavering resolve. No matter what Huoqin was, he would not allow her to harm Yunqin any longer.
Just as he was about to strike, a torrential surge of Hydro Element erupted from Yunqin's body!
The Hydro Element was pure yet possessed astonishing power, like a tidal wave surging from the deep sea. It instantly enveloped Huoqin, forming a transparent sphere of water.
Trapped inside, Huoqin's pupils first constricted with a flicker of surprise. Then, a strange, unsettling smile curled her lips. "This... is what I wanted..."
Before she could finish, the water sphere contracted violently!
The immense pressure rippled across its surface. Huoqin's body twisted and contorted within the sphere until she was utterly crushed into dust.
Countless Pyro elements were extinguished in the water, dissolving into fine motes of light. Even the Abyssal Black Miasma within her was completely devoured by the pure Hydro Element, leaving not a single trace behind.