Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [333]

As a product of a once technologically unmatched nation, how could a war machine like the Ruin Guards be limited to spinning in circles and firing missiles? Surely, they must possess some sort of intelligent combat module.

Gu Sanqiu mused on the idea that if some of the Ruin Guards scattered across Teyvat were intentionally placed there by unknown forces, it was unlikely to be without ulterior motives.

"Ugh, whatever. It's not my job to worry about this kind of thing," he muttered, shaking his head.

If his little sister, the infamous troublemaker, had truly completed her journey around Teyvat, she was probably holed up somewhere plotting something big. And if Gu Sanqiu wanted to bet on the future, he might as well throw his lot in with the Traveler—load him up with techniques, treasures, and elixirs to boost his power.

"Focus on the deal. At least my old man is still the God of Wealth and Contracts," he reminded himself.

Boom!

The sound of missile barrages interrupted his thoughts. Turning his gaze, Gu Sanqiu spotted multiple Ruin Guards firing in unison.

"You've got to be kidding me," he said, narrowing his eyes.

These Ruin Guards weren't the usual weathered and overgrown relics. Their surfaces were pristine, unmarred by dents or vegetation. They were in mint condition.

"If these didn't come straight from some secret Abyss warehouse, I'll eat my own hat!"

Crossing his arms defensively, Gu Sanqiu charged forward like a battering ram. With each step, the ground quaked from his immense force. As the spectral image of Azhdaha's dragon shield materialized before him, he let out a fearsome roar.

Crash!

The first Ruin Guard shattered.

Gripping his shield tightly, Gu Sanqiu swung it with overwhelming force into the core of the second Ruin Guard.

Smash!

The second fell.

"Anyone who stands in my way dies!"

With a shout, Gu Sanqiu enveloped his right leg in Geo energy, delivering a powerful kick that sent the third Ruin Guard flying. Before it could hit the ground, the Geo energy encased it in amber, freezing it mid-air like a giant crystalline relic.

---

Deep within Stormterror's Lair...

Several Abyss Mages huddled together inside protective elemental barriers, observing Gu Sanqiu's rampage through a floating water sphere.

"Is this guy a monster?" one muttered, his voice heavy with disbelief.

Even by Abyss Order standards, these weren't minor operatives. They were elite mages tasked with critical operations. Yet even they were stunned into silence by the scene unfolding before them.

"This is a freak of nature!"

"The outer defenses won't stop him," said the Pyro Abyss Mage grimly. "Do we have any other contingencies? At this rate, he'll reach us in three minutes."

The Hydro Abyss Mage shook his head. "I had a Mitachurl enhanced by rare herbs and elemental amplification—a prototype capable of evolving into a Chieftain. But against someone like him, sending it out would just be a waste of resources."

"Unless we could deploy a Stonehide Lawachurl and amplify its power, nothing we have will hold him back. But this is Mondstadt—where do we find one of those here?"

"What about a Frostarm Lawachurl from Dragonspine?"

"Elemental-based Chieftains don't stand a chance. Did you see how he encased that Ruin Guard in Geo? A Frostarm would just take a couple more hits before it ends up the same way."

"Then we're out of options?"

The Cryo Abyss Mage sneered. "What's wrong with all of you? Aren't we supposed to be elites of the Abyss Order? And yet we can't handle one human?"

"How will we explain this failure to the higher-ups?"

"Options?"

The Pyro Abyss Mage laughed bitterly, pointing to the water sphere displaying Gu Sanqiu.

"Do you even recognize the aura around this human? That's the presence of Liyue's Dragon King—Azhdaha! The dragon that once fought alongside Morax to conquer and unify the world!"

"This human is tied to Liyue's Archon. Do you really want to provoke him?"

"Hmph, even Azhdaha was eroded over time and committed terrible mistakes. If not for—"

Before the Cryo Mage could finish, Gu Sanqiu's figure blurred on the water screen.

"He's here!" the Hydro Mage shouted in alarm.

"What's all this chatter about?"

Gu Sanqiu's roar echoed through the chamber as he stormed in, unfazed by the gathering of Abyss Mages.

Instead, he charged straight at them, fists blazing with wind and Geo energy. The ensuing sandstorm, a chaotic mix of rocks and elemental energy, swallowed the room in an instant.

"Don't get cocky!"

The Abyss Mages combined their strength, expanding their elemental shields into a larger, multi-element barrier. Using elemental reactions, they attempted to neutralize the sandstorm's destructive force.

"Rise!"

With a cold laugh, Gu Sanqiu raised his left hand, channeling his power upward. The storm of sand and wind coalesced into a towering spiral that punched through the ceiling, reaching for the heavens.

"Tempest—heed my command!"

With a resounding boom, Gu Sanqiu activated his Elemental Seed without hesitation, drawing upon its full potential. The entire Stormterror's Lair trembled as concentrated Anemo energy flooded toward him, converging into the tornado he had summoned.

It was easy to forget whose domain this was.

Unless the Abyss Mages had the power to rewrite the very fabric of Stormterror's Lair, this was Gu Sanqiu's stage now.

I am the King of Tempestuous Tornadoes!

The roaring winds shifted as more Anemo energy responded to Gu Sanqiu's command. Once sluggish and inert, the elements transformed into a chaotic, agile force. Centered around the tornado, its influence began to expand across the ruins, shaking the foundations of the entire lair.

Flying debris clattered against the crumbling ruins, sending splinters of architecture spiraling into the vortex. Even worn-down structures succumbed to the ferocious winds, their fragments swept into the swirling chaos.

"Damn it!"

The Abyss Mages strained to maintain their shields. Even with their combined effort, they could barely hold up their protective spheres.

This was their final line of defense. If the shields broke, surrender or obliteration awaited them—there was no third option.

"Use anything you've got to survive!"

The Pyro Mage roared, pulling a faintly glowing white branch from his robes—an artifact from the ley lines, brimming with vitality.

The other mages followed suit, producing their own desperate measures. The Cryo Mage, for instance, retrieved twelve cursed scrolls, aligning them in a complex formation before infusing them with elemental energy. A sinister power pulsed outward, chilling even the Pyro Mage's resolve.

With their preparations complete, the mages chanted in unison:

"Grant us strength, O Abyssal Will—BREAK!"

A deafening shriek erupted from beneath them as a black and violet shield materialized, shattering Gu Sanqiu's assault. The shield pulsed ominously, tendrils of dark energy lashing out, attempting to erode the tornado.