Chapter 206: Phainon's Resolve
Stelle quickly typed out a sheepish reply, trying to clarify the situation.
[Honkai: Star Rail] - Stelle: "Ahaha... Not exactly. Becoming an Emanator isn't that simple... I just... um... seem to have unlocked a bit of the power of the Path of [Memory] because of it? I think that's what happened..."
[Zenless Zone Zero] - Belle: "Unlocked a new Path?! That's still super amazing!"
[Genshin Impact] - Paimon: "Yeah, yeah! So, Stelle, does that mean you have the power of [Memory] now, on top of [Preservation], [Destruction], and [Harmony]? Four Paths?! That's insane!"
[Genshin Impact] - Paimon: "Eh?! Wait a minute... Paimon suddenly feels like you're a lot like Lumine! Lumine has elemental powers of five different attributes, which is one-of-a-kind in Teyvat, and you have the powers of four different Paths. If you ask Paimon, maybe once you collect all of them, you'll be able to..."
[Genshin Impact] - Lumine: "Be able to summon a Divine Dragon, right? Paimon, I'm seriously considering cutting your light novel budget. It's starting to rot your brain."
The sincere awe and envy from her friends instantly dispelled Stelle's earlier awkwardness, her mood soaring once again. Paimon's deduction, in particular, struck her as quite reasonable. Perhaps she really could collect all the Path powers. Her imaginary raccoon tail was practically wagging its way to the heavens.
[Honkai: Star Rail] - Stelle: "Of course! I'm even stronger now!... Wait, that's not right. Shouldn't you all be in the middle of a tough battle? How do you have time to be chatting in the group right now?"
The problem suddenly dawned on her. Nikador wasn't the kind of enemy who would let his opponents stand around and idly text.
[Honkai: Star Rail] - March 7th: "You dummy! Did you even read our messages from just now?! We've already trapped Nikador!"
[Honkai: Star Rail] - March 7th: "And Mr. Zhongli said he's going to check on Mydei later. Remember to tell Phainon so he doesn't worry so much."
A pang of guilt hit Stelle. She had indeed been distracted and hadn't noticed the earlier messages.
[Honkai: Star Rail] - Stelle: "Okay, okay, stop scolding me! I know I was wrong, I'll tell them right now."
Stelle quickly turned and relayed the situation to Phainon and Castorice, who stood beside her.
"Mr. Zhongli took action?" A flicker of admiration and understanding lit up Phainon's eyes. "That gentleman's power is indeed unfathomable."
He recalled the glimpse he'd caught earlier while Stelle was carrying him through the sky—an array of stone steles, towering like mountains, that had cordoned off Zhongli's battle zone. The memory brought a small measure of ease to his heart.
Castorice also let out a soft sigh, her tense expression relaxing slightly. "Since Mr. Zhongli is involved, the pressure on Mydei's side should be greatly reduced."
Stelle nodded. "Exactly. So you don't need to worry too much about Mydei. Zhongli will definitely go support him."
Soon after, with Tribbie's assistance, the group successfully returned to the Chrysos Heirs' bathhouse in the Okhema Cloudstone Sky Palace via the Gate of a Hundred Worlds.
After a brief rest and a quick exchange of information, Phainon's face was still etched with a determined expression. "Stelle, Castorice," he began, "I understand that Mr. Zhongli may have already gone to help, but I must still go to the Suspended Edge Colosseum to find Mydei. I cannot simply wait for news while knowing he is in danger."
His gaze was piercing, filled with an unshakeable resolve.
Stelle looked at Phainon, completely understanding his feelings. She clapped him firmly on the shoulder. "I get it. Go on. Don't worry about things here; Castorice and I will hold down the fort. And we have Mimi, too!"
She paused, thinking for a moment. Then, she took out her personal bamboo-copter and solemnly handed it to Phainon. "I'm lending you this. It'll make your journey much faster! You absolutely have to take good care of it for me! This is my last one! If it breaks again, I'll really cry!"
Phainon solemnly accepted the small, peculiar device and nodded seriously. "Don't worry, Stelle. I will return it to you in perfect condition."
He had been carried by Stelle at breakneck speed before, and while the experience had been terrifying, he had a rough idea of how to control the strange contraption—at the very least, it would be better than being dangled like a sack of potatoes. The memory alone, however, still made his stomach churn uncomfortably.
Without further delay, Phainon, with Tribbie's help, once again used the Gate of a Hundred Worlds to return to the spot they had previously left in Hanging Edge City.
He took a deep breath, placed the bamboo-copter on his head, and with a familiar buzzing sound, his body slowly lifted off the ground.
After adjusting his direction, Phainon flew at full speed towards the Suspended Edge Colosseum, retracing his earlier path.
Along the way, he saw the area suppressed by the huge, desolate stone steles. He could vaguely make out the figures of Lumine and Paimon, the seal still holding strong.
Another area had been transformed into an ice-bound wasteland, radiating a chilling cold. Dan Heng and March 7th were maintaining the ice seal, and they too appeared to be unharmed for the time being.
As he flew a bit further, approaching the old military camp once overseen by Zhongli, Wise, and Belle, the sight that greeted him lifted his spirits.
Eight colossal Stone Steles, inscribed with deep, glowing patterns, stood towering like ancient mountains. They were arranged in an exceptionally subtle formation, creating a powerful array that covered a vast area.
Dense, pure golden Geo energy flowed continuously between the steles, forming an indestructible barrier that firmly suppressed the Nikador statue trapped beneath it. The grand and steady fluctuations of power could be felt even from a distance, bringing a deep sense of peace.
At the edge of the array, only Wise and Belle stood guard. They noticed Phainon flying towards them and gave a wave. From their relaxed expressions, it was clear that this great Geo construct array was incredibly stable and could hold for a very long time.
'Indeed, this is Mr. Zhongli's work...'Phainon marveled inwardly. At the same time, a realization solidified in his mind.'Mr. Zhongli isn't here. He must have gone to the Suspended Edge Colosseum to support Mydei!'
This judgment brought him some relief; with that unfathomable gentleman on his way, the pressure on Mydei would surely be greatly reduced.
But he showed no signs of slowing down. Instead, he urged the bamboo-copter to fly even faster, soaring over the area enveloped by the Geo Archon's power and rushing with all his might towards the Suspended Edge Colosseum.
He had to personally confirm his dear friend's safety and fight alongside him.
Phainon pushed the bamboo-copter to its maximum speed, the wind whistling in his ears.
The closer he got to the Suspended Edge Colosseum, the more intense the energy fluctuations in the air became. A thrilling sense of pressure washed over him, heavy and suffocating.
When he finally flew over the Colosseum, the sight before him made him gasp.
The massive, circular arena was dilapidated, its stone floor covered in craters and cracks left by a fierce battle.
And in the center of the Colosseum, the most striking feature was eight towering Stone Steles, perfectly distributed in a regular octagon. They looked like divine creations, a heavy and brilliant golden light flowing across their surfaces. Dense Geo energy formed a colossal, almost tangible barrier, enveloping the entire core of the Colosseum and isolating it from the outside world.
This scene was strikingly similar to the Geo construct array he had seen at the old military camp, but its scale and the intensity of its energy seemed even greater. It stood like a silent, powerful guardian, demarcating the final dueling ground.
However, unlike the absolute stillness of the completely subdued military camp, there was no suppression or silence within this barrier of stone.
"BOOM!!!"
A violent clash of energy erupted from within the barrier, the shockwave shaking the very air.
Phainon squinted, his eyes focusing. He could just make out two figures within the golden cage, interweaving and clashing at astonishing speeds.
One of them was the Strife Titan—Nikador, wielding his massive Spear of Divine Retribution.
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