Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [330]

"You know about that?!"

Venti looked genuinely surprised. "No one's ever seen through that trick before!"

"That just proves the people you've fooled before have questionable intelligence," Gu Sanqiu retorted calmly. "So, who do you want me to catch? Even if they've fled to Dragonspine, I can manage."

"My, what bold words."

Venti's playful demeanor shifted to something more serious. "The target I want you to capture is one of the Four Winds—Dvalin, the East Wind Protector."

?

Gu Sanqiu matched Venti's serious look for a moment, then turned on his heel and walked away.

"Goodbye. I'm not doing it."

Capture Dvalin?

Did this bard think he was taking on a weekly boss raid? Dvalin wasn't some creature anyone could mess with. The havoc Dvalin had wreaked with his storms had caused massive damage to Mondstadt. If Venti hadn't intervened, who knows how much worse the losses would have been?

And now Venti wanted him to handle this alone?

"Honestly, I'd rather die under a beauty's charms than attempt this suicidal mission."

"Wait, don't go, Nephew!"

Venti lunged, wrapping his arms around Gu Sanqiu's waist. "We can still negotiate the rewards! Your old man always said that as long as both sides are satisfied, a contract can be sealed!"

"Sorry, whether you're the buyer or seller today, it doesn't matter. You're asking me to take on a god's familiar and capture them. Do you seriously think you're not overestimating my abilities?"

Capturing Dvalin wasn't something that could be done on a whim. Even if Gu Sanqiu were to attempt it, the sheer difference in power levels meant that a single wind-element roar from Dvalin could likely send him to the afterlife.

"Wait, wait! Let's talk this through. How about I adjust the request? Instead of capturing Dvalin, could you at least check on his current condition? I'll give you a suitable reward."

Gu Sanqiu pried Venti's hands off his waist. "One Seed of Power."

"Absolutely not!"

Venti crossed his arms in an exaggerated X. "Pick something else. You could even dismantle Mondstadt's Statue of the Seven, ship it to Liyue, and sell it in pieces for all I care!"

"That would definitely lead to a diplomatic crisis!"

Gu Sanqiu massaged his temples. "Why not ask Albedo? He's incredibly knowledgeable and far stronger than me when his restraints are off."

"No way."

Venti gave a sly grin. "You're my nephew. How could I let some outsider reap the rewards of such a good opportunity? Doesn't that make sense?"

"Rewards?" Gu Sanqiu eyed him suspiciously. "You're not about to tell me the 'reward' is the 'precious friendship of Barbatos,' are you?"

"Of course not! I'm very generous!"

Venti actually paused to think seriously.

"You're not short on money, and Liyue's techniques and martial arts manuals are already at your disposal... But what you lack is experience fighting unconventional beings."

Venti clapped his hands. "Got it! Help me with this, and I'll personally take you to Wolvendom. There's an ancient god there, a guardian of their tribe from my era. With my connections, you could pay a small tribute and take on the Trial of the Wolf."

Gu Sanqiu felt a pang of disbelief. Is this really turning into a quest now?

"Gu Sanqiu, are you ready to face the trial?"

The thought of going up against Andrius, a being of such magnitude, made him feel like he was stepping into a nightmare-level dungeon.

"How about it? That old wolf rarely makes an appearance. The last time he did was during a fight with that tornado idiot."

Venti's expression turned earnest. "As a follower of the Geo Archon, this should be a tempting reward for you, no?"

"Sorry, I'm not interested in fighting."

Gu Sanqiu crossed his arms. "I prefer an easy life—minimal effort, maximum reward. Unfortunately, that goal seems impossible in this era."

"You're a disciple of Morax, and part of the Incense lineage! How could you let yourself slack off like this?"

"Slacking isn't your exclusive skill. I can do it too," Gu Sanqiu replied with a deadpan expression.

"Ahhh, how can this be?"

Venti removed his hat and began twisting it between his hands. "What about beautiful women? Surely you've thought about that—sweet romances and all?"

"...Mondstadt is a city of freedom. Are you planning to reinstate feudalism so the Knights of Favonius can overthrow you, reigniting their longing for liberty?"

Gu Sanqiu's tone turned icy. "If your own knights overthrow you and you flee to Liyue for asylum, you'll still need to work for your meals. I'm not covering your food expenses."

No matter what you say, I'm not budging!

"Why are you like this?"

Venti sighed dejectedly. "Do I really have to play the sentiment card now? Look, I've been friends with your old man for years. Can't you help me out, just this once?"

"If you can convince him to personally order me, I won't refuse," Gu Sanqiu said flatly.

The last time Gu Sanqiu had crossed swords with Raiden Shogun, it had already sent his boss's blood pressure through the roof. Even if Venti tried, success was unlikely.

Venti tilted his head. "Do you really want another Seed of Power that badly? You already have one from that tornado idiot. You're fine with Anemo, aren't you?"

"Another Seed of Power would be useful," Gu Sanqiu explained. "Decarabian hinted at something crucial: even among gods of the same element, their domains emphasize different aspects."

"A second Seed of Power from the same element could provide invaluable insights, which would greatly benefit my growth."

Previously, Gu Sanqiu's understanding of Geo was limited to shields and annoying enemies. After encounters with Azhdaha and gaining insights from Dottore and Decarabian, he had begun exploring deeper applications of elemental energy.

In short, he was working toward becoming his own support, capable of smashing enemies with overwhelming force.

For instance, his current favorite tactic involved combining his gravity arrays with Pyro and Anemo for ultimate torment.

"Your old man really lets you run wild..."

Venti slumped, defeated. "This kind of stuff shouldn't even cross your mind at this stage. You're supposed to be focusing on the basics."

Gu Sanqiu waved dismissively. "Give it up already. I know my limits. Fighting a god's familiar isn't something I'm ready for."

He wasn't joking—he didn't have another godlike trump card to use in emergencies.

And if using one once had already risked divine scrutiny, doing it again might get him obliterated without a trace.

"How about we meet halfway? Just check on Dvalin's condition for me. All I need is some details—nothing more. Deal?"

"And I'll throw in a bonus: some folks seem to be plotting something sinister against Dvalin."

Venti's tone turned serious. "It's tied to the Abyss. If you can thwart them, there might be unexpected benefits."

Gu Sanqiu paused mid-step.

The Abyss Order targeting Dvalin? That was something he couldn't ignore.

"I need specifics on these so-called benefits."