Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [292]

"How long has it been since I last wielded such power?"

Raiden Shogun gazed at the flaming dragon before her. "To die under the weight of this power is your honor."

"As the enemy of eternity, you are worthy of this fate!"

"Perish!"

This time, Musou Isshin, which had radiated dazzling light moments ago, now subdued its brilliance, returning to the essence of a "weapon." With a simple yet profound strike, the blade pierced the dragon's brow.

"A rootless and transient thing—this is the end you deserve."

The flaming dragon disintegrated, and simultaneously, Raiden Shogun clutched her forehead.

"Rootless and transient… Unchanging. Eternity… Eternity..."

Boom!

Blinding lightning descended from the heavens. Bolstered by elemental energy, Raiden Shogun's expression returned to its signature icy indifference.

"Only eternity is closest to the divine order."

"I am not wrong!"

Gu Sanqiu stared at the sky, shocked. From the moment the dragon ascended and the laws of existence revealed themselves, he knew he was out of his depth.

Eighty percent of the Shinma Pill's power had been siphoned away by that Neldoth fellow. Charging in recklessly now would only make him cannon fodder; all he could do was watch the celestial battle unfold above.

"So there really is a power watching over me too? Who knew the old man was this incredible?"

Gu Sanqiu began to imagine convincing the old man to conquer Teyvat and rule the multiverse as its supreme overlord.

Then again, that would likely end with the old man sealed underground for a while. After all, the old man had no interest in such lofty ambitions.

Hmm… but what if I frame it as "saving the people of other worlds from their suffering"?

Ah, the boundless love of the old man!

Gu Sanqiu snapped back to reality. The immediate problem was the woman descending step by step from the sky.

Though she couldn't cook, this one was undeniably formidable. Her divine powers and combat prowess were far beyond his reach.

Even if the Raiden Shogun in front of him were the non-combatant Ei, dealing with him would probably just take a bit more effort.

Right. Stay calm. Focus on survival and biding my time!

"What's his name?"

Raiden Shogun fixed her gaze on Gu Sanqiu. "That power doesn't belong to you. Tell me his name, and you might die painlessly."

Her final slash earlier had thrown her into a state of conflict—perhaps even logical chaos. In the last moments of the strike, the dragon's law-driven power had landed a desperate counterattack.

In other words, two mutually opposing laws had clashed within Raiden Shogun's body, and she had been caught off guard by this little trick.

Unforgivable!

"A person?"

Gu Sanqiu blinked. He hadn't even seen what Neldoth looked like. Could he be some overpowered protagonist archetype who succeeded and became a big shot?

"Forget it. Talking is pointless."

Raiden Shogun's eyes narrowed as she stared at Gu Sanqiu. "You have two choices: take your own life, or die alongside your friends."

"So, if I take my own life, my friends will—wait a minute!"

Gu Sanqiu's eyes flared with fiery clarity. "You're injured! At the very least, you've expended a lot of energy!"

The fact that she was offering choices showed she wasn't acting like the cold, unyielding Raiden Shogun he'd heard of.

Even after realizing he was a mere incense-bearer of the Gu family, she had dealt him a lethal strike without hesitation. Not even the old man's reputation had stopped her. Because he had shaken her eternity, this current Raiden Shogun would not compromise.

Her current demeanor? She must be worried I still have a trump card—or that I might pull something insane.

Could the gods of Inazuma not know that every generation of the Gu family has been full of lunatics? What could possibly make her fear a mortal with dwindling power?

Pulling something insane, huh?

Gu Sanqiu understood instantly. In a flash, his form blurred as flames enveloped Kaedehara Kazuha and the wandering thunder spirit alongside him.

"I will never compromise!" Gu Sanqiu bellowed, more for his own morale than anything.

"You're just afraid I'll drag you down with me, aren't you? Then let's go!"

At the same time, he raised half his fiery energy above his head. From the center of the flames came an inexplicable suction force, gradually drawing in the surrounding elemental energy.

In just about three seconds, a massive orb radiating intense heat—nearly the size of half Tenshukaku—hovered above Gu Sanqiu's head.

"If I die, Inazuma City is coming with me!"

This was exactly what Raiden Shogun feared.

"Inazuma City will be my funeral pyre!"

With a roar, Gu Sanqiu shouted: "Taste my Gaia Energy Cannon!"

The blazing orb descended. Raiden Shogun's expression shifted as she noticed the fiery energy spiraling outward. She clicked her tongue but still gripped Musou Isshin and faced the attack head-on.

He had her cornered.

This kid's mental resilience far exceeded the norm. Even in such dire straits, he had pinpointed the key to breaking the stalemate.

Still, that audacity—shouting about mutual destruction and then immediately retreating—reminded her of someone.

Back then, atop Tenshukaku, when she had stood amid the cheers and reverence of the people, she had once gazed out over the seas toward Liyue.

She hadn't understood why her path diverged so drastically from his. She wanted to see what the oldest Archon was doing.

And then, she saw Morax, sitting under a tree, sipping wine. Before him lay a few simple dishes, and behind him stood a black-robed youth with a faint smile, holding a wine pot.

Morax. And his mortal companions.

This flame—its power didn't belong to the ancient Geo Archon. Could it be that this time, it was the decision of that black-robed youth's descendants?

Why?

For those two foolish mortals? Or… for me?

As faint echoes of that voice lingered in her ears, Raiden Shogun shook her head, suppressing all distractions.

"All subordinates, hear me!"

Everyone still engaged in battle trembled, then responded loudly to her command.

"Yes!"

"Post a wanted notice. They are enemies of Inazuma—enemies of eternity!"

"Capture them!"

"Understood!"

---

As the Shogunate began their overtime work, night fell. Having just emerged from battle, Raiden Shogun ascended Yougou Mountain, entering the Grand Narukami Shrine.

"My, my. I didn't expect the esteemed General to grace this humble shrine. What business brings Inazuma's ruler here?"

A slightly teasing female voice emerged from the shadows. Slowly, a stunning woman with pink hair appeared, smiling as she looked at the cold Raiden Shogun.

"Yae Miko. Was that guy your doing?"

"What makes you think that?"

The chief priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine—what Gu Sanqiu had dubbed the "pink-haired fox spirit"—smirked.

"Do you think that little brat saying 'I love you' was my idea?"

"That sword… you forged it while impersonating me to pass some decrees in the Shogunate, didn't you?"

"Why give it to him?"

"As you said, it's just a toy. Why bother about its ownership?"

Yae Miko stepped barefoot to the water's edge, sitting down gracefully. She patted the space beside her.

"Won't you sit with me?"

"Tell me why."

"Alright, alright. You're so stubborn."

Yae Miko sighed. "I had hoped that little brat would tap into the power lurking within him. Perhaps it might even change you~"

"At least, I'd get a glimpse of that guy who once tried to bribe me with fried tofu."

"You saw power in him beyond those flames? How did you know?"

"Relax~ I haven't betrayed you. I'm the chief priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine, after all. Seeing through a little brat is child's play. Even the ancient Geo Archon doesn't mind my insights."

"General—no, Ei. What will you do next?"

"Naturally, issue a bounty and pursue him. If he seeks escape, his only option is to flee Inazuma by sea."

"But even in that desperate moment, he chose not to indiscriminately kill. In that way, he's a bit like you—too soft. But I'll accept that sentiment."

Raiden Shogun turned to leave. "If he escapes, so be it."

"This is only for your sake, Miko."

"Don't let it happen again."

---

T/N: bro really pulled a frieza move then dipped LMAOOOO