Paimon immediately flew over, circling Lydia's Vision twice, her voice full of excitement: "Wow! The Vision lit up!"
Just then, Dainsleif, who had been standing silently in the shade of the tree, suddenly spoke.
His voice was still calm, yet it carried an unquestionable composure, instantly pulling back the attention of the three: "Now is not the time to be happy."
"I just tried to investigate, and the elemental field in this area is very stable, with no strong Abyssal aura." He frowned slightly.
Hearing this, Lydia immediately tightened her grip on the Festering Desire, closed her eyes, and concentrated her senses.
The dark purple runes on the sword's blade flashed a few times, but there was no violent vibration like before, only a faint, almost invisible Abyssal aura in the distance, obviously very far away.
She slowly opened her eyes, her tone carrying a hint of regret, her fingertips gently tapping the sword's hilt: "Indeed, besides the lingering aura of the ancient tree I just cut down, I haven't sensed any other Abyssal power."
"In that case, it is best if you all go through some training first." Dainsleif's gaze swept over Lumine, Venti, and Lydia, finally coming to rest on Lydia. His tone carried a hint of deliberation. "With the Festering Desire, its sensitivity to the Abyssal aura far exceeds any of ours."
"Even if that so-called 'He' or the Abyss appears again, you can perceive it immediately, rather than passively waiting as before."
Venti rubbed his chin, a flash of agreement passing through his emerald eyes. "That's right. Lydia has just recovered her power, so it's a good time for her to use this training to get used to her current state."
Lydia lowered her head and looked at the Festering Desire in her hand. A warm resonance emanated from the blade, as if supporting her decision.
She then touched the Vision at her waist, its pale green light gently brushing against her fingertips.
A glimmer of determination flashed in her eyes, and then she looked up at everyone. A confident and daring smile curved on her lips, very much like her old self: "Alright! I was just thinking about trying out if I've gotten rusty."
"Since that's the case, let's go find some monsters to practice on!" Lumine's eyes instantly lit up, as if tempered with starlight.
She clenched her fists, her knuckles popping softly, as her feet already took an impatient step forward.
After everything she had experienced in Mondstadt and Liyue, she had been constantly thinking about getting stronger as quickly as possible.
Even if it was just a tiny bit more power!
The next time she encountered the Abyss or unknown dangers, she would have a little more confidence to protect herself, protect her friends, and find her Brother.
But just as she took half a step, Lydia gently caught her wrist.
Lydia's fingertips were slightly cool from just holding the sword, and the other hand holding the Festering Desire tightened slightly. The dark purple runes on the blade flickered, as if echoing her thoughts.
The excitement in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by a few hints of seriousness, and even her tone grew a bit heavier: "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. Actually, I don't want to train in Mondstadt."
"Huh? Why not?" Paimon immediately flew over, her round eyes wide open with confusion.
Lydia let go of Lumine's wrist and raised her hand to gently smooth the creases of her skirt. A glimmer of longing unconsciously rose in her eyes: "I've lived in Mondstadt for eighteen years. I'm too familiar with every inch of land here and the habits of every monster."
She paused, her gaze turning east, as if she could see through the dense forest to that legendary land of stone and contracts.
"I've heard from Liyue merchants in the past that in ancient times, the gods of Liyue rose together, and Adepti and demons fought among the mountains, leaving behind countless ruins hidden with power."
"Liyue still has Adepti presiding over it today. The arts of those Adepti and the martial arts passed down by humans have techniques so exquisite they can split mountains and channel the flow of water."
"I think a trip to Liyue might yield much more for me than staying in familiar Mondstadt."
Venti stroked his chin, a hint of agreement flashing in his eyes.
"You make a good point."
"The Adepti arts of Liyue are' so cunning and ever-changing, completely different from the swordsmanship of Mondstadt. Perhaps you really can learn something from those legacies."
He snapped his fingers crisply, and a gentle Anemo energy instantly surged around him, the wind swirling around everyone.
"That's perfect. I'll use the wind to send you there. You won't have to travel by road, which will save both time and effort!"
But just as the Anemo energy enveloped Lumine, Paimon, and Lydia, Dainsleif, who had been standing in the shadows of the trees, suddenly raised his hand, blocking Venti with his palm.
"No need. I will not be going with you." His hand, hanging by his side, clenched slightly, yet he still offered no further explanation. "I have important matters to attend to in Mondstadt. I cannot leave."
Venti's brow furrowed instantly, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes.
Dainsleif's identity was already suspicious. He had deliberately led everyone into the dense forest, yet now he suddenly wanted to stay behind in Mondstadt. It seemed as if he were purposely avoiding something, or perhaps secretly plotting something. It was truly difficult to put one's mind at ease.
But after all, he was the Anemo Archon who championed freedom. He was never willing to use the power of a God to bind a mortal's choices. Even if the other party posed a potential threat to Mondstadt, he did not want to force him to stay.
"Since you have your own plans, I will not force you." Venti's tone softened, but a minuscule wisp of Anemo energy quietly coalesced at his fingertips.
The Anemo energy was like a transparent grain of dust, gently landing in a fold of Dainsleif's cloak. One could not even notice it without looking closely.
Not long ago in Mondstadt City, Dainsleif had vanished into thin air in the blink of an eye, and even Venti's wind had failed to catch up. This time, he dared not lower his guard again.
After all, Venti had witnessed Dainsleif's "escape skills" firsthand. He dared not guarantee that finding him again would be so easy next time.
Dainsleif gave a slight nod.
"Then we'll be going now!" Lydia waved her hand, the Anemo Vision at her waist glowing with a soft, pale green light, exceptionally dazzling under the moonlight.
Venti manipulated the Anemo energy, gently lifting Lumine, Paimon, and Lydia into the air. The wind, like a gentle hand, cradled the three as they slowly ascended, transforming into three streaks of light and flying eastward.
The wind in the grove continued to blow softly, carrying their laughter and the clashing of swords as they gradually faded into the distance, leaving only the swaying shadows of trees covering the ground.
Dainsleif stood in place, gazing in the direction where the three had vanished, his eyes filled with a complexity that was impossible to read: there was relief, wariness, and a faint, imperceptible heaviness.
But soon after, the transparent Anemo Eye on the hem of his cloak was suddenly enveloped by a dense dark energy.
The dark energy was bone-chillingly cold, instantly severing Venti's perception. The light of the Anemo Eye gradually extinguished within the darkness.
Immediately following this, a figure clad in jet-black armor slowly emerged from the shadows of a large tree nearby.
A faint Abyssal Mist swirled around the Abyss Knight. With each step he took, the fallen leaves on the ground were stained ashen gray by the dark energy.
When he spoke, his voice was as raspy as rusty iron scraping against iron, carrying a bone-chilling cold: "Dainsleif, the Prince asked me to deliver a message... Long time no see."