Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [334]

"If yelling into the sky could summon power like that, maybe I should scream 'Celestia, my goddess!' and see if I can break through three or five realms in one go."

Gu Sanqiu's expression shifted between exasperation and disgust as he observed the encroaching black-and-purple energy. Whatever this was, it clearly wasn't benign.

Is this the so-called "law" Venti mentioned?

If this was the power of law, Gu Sanqiu wanted no part of it. Just imagining it made him feel like he was drowning in a cesspool.

"How dare you!"

The Pyro Abyss Mage snarled at Gu Sanqiu. "You from Liyue! If you have the courage, tell me your adeptal name! Why would an adeptus of Liyue interfere with our plans in Mondstadt?"

"Huh?"

Gu Sanqiu resisted the urge to pick his nose in disdain. Instead, an idea sprouted in his mind—a devious little seed of mischief.

"Why would I tell you my name? Who do you think you are?"

The insult seemed to confuse the Abyss Mage, who flinched in surprise.

"But you lot can speak? Well, that's something," Gu Sanqiu remarked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Abyss Mages and Hilichurls were notorious for their cryptic speech patterns, which even a scholar like Ella Musk had struggled to decode. Seeing a group of them engaging in fluent conversation was almost refreshing.

"Hmph, the mysteries of the Abyss are beyond the comprehension of you surface dwellers," the Cryo Abyss Mage scoffed.

"You from Liyue—why are you here? Did you come bearing Morax's will?"

"And if I did, what's it to you?"

The Cryo Abyss Mage froze, then growled in outrage. "Such insolence! How can an adeptus of Liyue speak so crudely?"

"With your pompous speech, I almost mistook you for a schoolteacher," Gu Sanqiu sneered, his patience waning.

The sandstorm began coalescing behind him, forming into a concentrated elemental vortex. The Abyss Mages watched in alarm as the whirling mass grew more focused, the grinding sound of stone and wind filling the chamber.

They exchanged panicked glances.

The scattered sandstorm had already tested the limits of their defenses. Could they survive this condensed force?

"Why is an adeptus of Liyue here? Aren't they supposed to stay in their own regions? Someone tell me why a Liyue adeptus is in Mondstadt!"

"And with the shadow of Azhdaha's power, no less! This guy must hold a significant position!"

"If we make it out alive, we must report this to the higher-ups!"

"Hey, what're you whispering about?" Gu Sanqiu's voice cut through their frantic chatter.

Behind him, the concentrated vortex of wind and stone shimmered with an almost hypnotic glow.

"I was going to ask you a few questions. But now? Never mind."

He pointed at them, his tone icy.

"Die."

The vortex shot toward the black-and-purple shield. Before it even made contact, the oppressive Abyss energy began disintegrating under the sheer weight of elemental energy.

"Run! Run now, or it'll be too late!"

The shield collapsed inward, dragging the Abyss Mages underground in a desperate retreat.

Gu Sanqiu's brows furrowed as he increased the speed of the falling vortex.

In their final moments, the Abyss Mages turned to lock eyes with him, burning his face into their memories.

Their mission had failed, their prized artifacts were expended, and punishment awaited them upon their return.

One thing was certain: they would repay this debt someday.

Boom!

The vortex struck the ground with a deafening impact, sending shockwaves rippling outward like tidal waves.

Just then, a gentle melody filled the air. The sound of a lyre strummed softly, and the elemental shockwaves dissipated under its soothing breeze.

The debris settled, broken structures returned to rest, and the chaotic Anemo energy diffused back into laziness, reforming into natural wind barriers.

Gu Sanqiu glanced toward the source of the music and snorted.

"Showing up at the last second, huh? Just to soak up some credit."

He didn't bother questioning Venti's motives. The bard wouldn't give a straight answer anyway, likely weaving more riddles and tall tales.

Every pause in their speech feels like it's crafted to mislead you.

With that, Gu Sanqiu resumed his exploration.

---

Meanwhile, the defeated Abyss Mages were transported to a hidden sanctuary, where faint flames flickered to life.

A tall, slender figure approached, cradling a book with a scholarly air.

"You failed?"

The figure's voice was calm but carried a biting edge.

"You mobilized an army of Hilichurl followers and mechanical sentinels—and still failed?"

"We encountered an adeptus from Liyue," the Cryo Abyss Mage snapped. "That man wielded overwhelming elemental power, even commanding the dormant Anemo energy of Stormterror's Lair. We couldn't stop him!"

"An adeptus?"

The Reader paused mid-turn of a page, their tone skeptical.

"What would an adeptus be doing in Stormterror's Lair?"

"How would we know?"

The Pyro Abyss Mage shot a glance at his companions before speaking. "That man bore the shadow of Azhdaha and displayed unparalleled physical and elemental strength. Only an adeptus could match such a description!"

"Enough," the Reader said evenly. "You are Abyssal acolytes, chosen for your insight and wisdom. Do not let fear and chaos cloud your minds."

The Reader's gaze sharpened.

"You committed his appearance to memory, correct?"

"Yes."

The Reader's hand trembled briefly as they viewed the projection of Gu Sanqiu, then quickly etched his likeness into a record.

"This man's identity is of utmost importance—a top-level secret of the Abyss Order. Do not speak of him to anyone."

The Reader's tone carried a warning as their eyes lingered on the gathered mages.

"You'll remain at the outpost under supervision for now. The image you've brought back offsets your failure at Stormterror's Lair. Dismissed."

"Understood," the mages replied, though their unease was palpable.

The Reader retreated to the sanctuary's depths, placing the image into a black-purple fissure that glowed faintly.

A cold, commanding voice emerged from the other side.

"Report."

"Your Highness, there's news of the Gu bloodline. A descendant has emerged and disrupted our plans at Stormterror's Lair."

"...The Gu bloodline? From Liyue?"

"Yes. That face and demeanor—I am certain of it."

The voice paused before replying.

"The Gu family has re-entered the game, but whose will they follow remains unclear. Keep watch and do nothing to provoke them for now."

"As you command."