Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [338]

A meteor collided with the crystalline pillar, and Gu Sanqiu immediately felt like he had headbutted Lord Azhdaha's leg.

"Beep—, I thought this thing was jelly judging by its texture."

Dizzy and disoriented, Gu Sanqiu resorted to cracking jokes to distract himself from the pain. Even so, he didn't forget to pour every ounce of power he had into the crystalline pillar.

"Well done!"

Venti pumped his fist in triumph. From his perspective, the core energy within the crystalline structure was already collapsing under Gu Sanqiu's attack.

"Little nephew, the thing I promised you is coming. Make sure to savor it!"

"I only agreed to come and check on Dvalin's condition! How did things end up like this?"

Gu Sanqiu roared in frustration, but despite his protests, he immediately sprawled beside the crystalline structure at lightning speed.

Venti tapped his forehead lightly with his right hand, stuck out his tongue, and winked at Gu Sanqiu.

"Hehe, who knew Dvalin would start attacking right away? No one could have expected this, right? Come on, little nephew, forgive me."

"I'm a man, damn it! And stop pulling that cutesy act—it's not like I can't see the smug look on your face!"

Boom!

The yet-to-mature crystalline pillar shattered into fragments, releasing a formless, colorless presence—something intangible yet undeniably perceptible—into the air.

"It's here!"

Venti plucked the strings of his lyre, and with a gentle breeze, effortlessly captured the released power, channeling it into Gu Sanqiu's body.

"From here on out, it's all up to you. Good luck, little nephew!"

Gu Sanqiu immediately felt alarmed. "What do you mean, 'good luck'? Can you clarify that?"

"Good luck means that it's still too early for a little guy like you to come into contact with the power of the laws. No matter how solid the foundation laid by your old man is, early is early. There's no changing that."

Venti put away his Skyward Harp, clasped his hands together, and winked again.

"So… it might hurt a little. Hang in there, little nephew~."

"Stop acting cute, you son of a— (Beep beep beep—)…"

The latter half of Gu Sanqiu's rant devolved into incoherent beeping. It wasn't that he didn't want to voice his "heartfelt greetings" to Venti—it was simply that the pain was unbearable. He collapsed, limbs splayed out, on Dvalin's back.

If not for a shred of consciousness clinging to a dragon scale, he might have fallen to the depths of this strange dimension.

"Hehe, I'll just take that as you praising me for being handsome."

Venti swept a hand through his bangs and then turned his gaze to Dvalin, who had suddenly fallen into a deathly stillness in midair—or perhaps was merely feigning it.

"Dvalin, my friend."

Venti flew closer, cradling his lyre in his left hand and gently placing his right hand on Dvalin's head.

"Are you… awake?"

The dragon's eyes snapped open!

"Barbatos!"

Dvalin roared. Freed from the crystalline pillar's suppression, the bindings on his body shattered in an instant. The malicious objects embedded in his flesh were forced out by sheer physical strength, revealing a glimpse of the true power of the East Wind Dragon!

"You dare toy with me!"

Venti's expression froze. This guy woke up so fast?

All that lying motionless in midair earlier… was just a ploy to lure him closer?

Did you pick up such underhanded tricks from my little nephew?

"You lazy loafer, even at a time like this, you dare mess with me? Eat this!"

A wind-elemental hemispherical barrier formed behind Venti to shield Gu Sanqiu as Dvalin leaped into the air. With a swing of his claw aimed at Venti's head, the attack tore through the fabric of the pocket dimension!

"Calm down, Dvalin! Everything earlier was actually my little nephew's idea. Can't you wait until he wakes up to sort things out? Why are you chasing after me instead?"

"Like hell I'd believe you!"

Dvalin roared again, showcasing his exceptional lung capacity and vocal strength.

"Vanessa warned me ages ago—when you start talking, you twist facts. The best way to communicate with you is through swords and spears!"

"Barbatos, stop running! Stand still and take your punishment!"

"Are you kidding me? Why would I stand still and let you hit me? And you actually believe that red-haired woman's words? Dvalin, has something gone wrong with your brain?"

"Roar! You dare mock me!"

Venti bolted, loudly lamenting as he fled. But the clear smirk at the corner of his mouth betrayed his true feelings.

It's good to see an old friend awake.

Little nephew really came through. Maybe I should take a trip to Liyue and talk to his old man—see if I can negotiate selling him off to Mondstadt.

Er… but I'm broke.

Floating in the air, Venti propped his chin on one hand, easily dodging Dvalin's claws with an expression of deep contemplation.

Wait, our relationship is at this level now. That guy is the God of Contracts and Wealth. Friendship between old friends shouldn't be measured in Mora—that would cheapen the bond.

Decision made. I'll ask him outright if he's willing to give up the kid!

And if all else fails, the next time you, Morax, feel like hearing someone sing, this benevolent God of Wind might just consider gracing you with a performance.

"Dvalin."

Venti suddenly stopped, his gaze full of laughter as he watched the massive claw hurtling toward his head.

The claw halted. Dvalin stared at the now-serious expression of this carefree god.

"Speak."

"Want to head out? Show the world the strength and presence of the East Wind Guardian once again?"

Dvalin paused in thought. "Has something happened?"

"Of course something's happened."

Venti glanced at Gu Sanqiu sprawled on Dvalin's back.

"Even this little guy is running around loose. His old man barely gave him a slap on the wrist by grounding him once."

"The winds of freedom are blowing again. The world's destiny is shifting once more."

Venti flew up and perched on Dvalin's head, strumming his lyre.

"Let's go, my friend. Let Mondstadt's land once again feel the power and grace of the East Wind Guardian."

"Hmph. Rare to see you so serious. I'll let this slide for now."

Dvalin snorted coldly. "But what just happened isn't over. Sooner or later, I'll settle the score with you!"

"I already told you it was my little nephew's idea! Don't be so petty. If you've got guts, wait for him to wake up and hash it out with him. His old man is Morax of Liyue, after all."

"Obviously, I know that."

Dvalin extended a claw and lightly tapped Barbatos on the forehead.

Venti immediately caved. "Fine, fine, I was just joking. Do as you please."

"There's one thing you said right, Barbatos."

Dvalin's tone softened. "His elder really is Morax."

"That's why I need to settle this with you—I can't beat that old man!"

"Hey, you're blaming me for this? So that move of my little nephew's really rubbed off on you!"

"Barbatos! Don't you think this is all your fault?"

Dvalin roared to the heavens, ignoring Venti's muttering as he spread his wings and soared out of the pocket dimension.