Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [340]

"I can only tell that you've completely absorbed that power of the laws," Venti remarked, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "What I really want to know is how you managed it."

Gu Sanqiu thought back briefly. "Absorb it, process it, make it mine. Isn't it that simple?"

"You make it sound like eating lunch! That was the power of the laws, even if just a faint trace! How could it possibly be that simple?!"

"Guess it just means I'm naturally gifted."

Venti slapped a hand to his forehead. "Fine, let's say you're a prodigy. Did you gain any insights? If I'm not mistaken, it should be tied to something like emotions, right?"

"How do you even know that? Are you clairvoyant or something?"

"Of course not—it's just what I expected."

Venti walked over and gently brushed his hand across Dvalin's scales.

"It's tied to our past, something you wouldn't understand, kid. Don't pry too much."

...

Right now, Gu Sanqiu desperately wished for the ability to turn back time. I swear, I'd give you a live demonstration of reversing time and becoming the protagonist of a god-slaying light novel!

Still, he had a rough idea of what Venti was talking about.

When the dark dragon Durin attacked years ago, Venti summoned Dvalin to defend Mondstadt. Dvalin bit through Durin's throat, saving the city, but in doing so, swallowed the poisonous blood of the dragon.

Lesson learned: always check what you're ingesting. (Crossed out.)

The poison, combined with the whispers of the Abyss Order and Dvalin's pain from feeling abandoned, had culminated in the crystalline object they'd just destroyed—a manifestation of "poison and sorrow."

The Abyss Order had exploited Dvalin's emotions to manipulate his mind, a strategy that mixed his perceived abandonment and Durin's toxic influence into a potent new weapon.

It was like a card player using fusion magic to summon a stronger monster—the Abyss Order's method bore a striking resemblance.

To maximize the effect of these negative states, the Abyss Order had clearly employed the power of laws related to emotions.

"Well, well! Since you've absorbed that thing completely, and considering how you Liyue folks love creating new techniques, you should be able to come up with some pretty overpowered moves, right?"

Venti's eyes sparkled with excitement. "How about it? With your talent, you must have some ideas. Show me! Maybe I can even give you some pointers."

"Actually, I've already thought of a way to use it," Gu Sanqiu said calmly, extending his right index finger. A pink glow pulsed at its tip like a beating heart.

The light stretched into a thread and shot straight into Venti's chest.

"Sevenfold Emotion Light—Sorrow."

"Nephew, you're breaking the rules of fair play!"

Venti only had time to cry out before collapsing to his knees, clutching his chest as tears streamed down his face.

"Waaah! I'm such a failure as a ruler! I could've governed Mondstadt properly, but instead, I shirked all responsibility! Look at the state of Mondstadt now—it's all my fault!"

"I'm heartbroken! If only I'd faced my duties seriously back then, Mondstadt's history wouldn't have been filled with so much pain. I'm no better than—eh?"

Venti froze mid-sob, wiping his tears as he got back to his feet. His beautiful eyes glinted with newfound malice as he stared at Gu Sanqiu.

"Did you hear anything just now?"

"Sorry, I didn't catch a word. Must've come down with a sudden case of intermittent deafness."

Gu Sanqiu quietly shuffled closer to Dvalin.

Venti turned his "fierce" gaze to Dvalin. "What about you?"

"I heard everything. Saw it all, too."

Faced with a god trying to erase a moment of supreme embarrassment, Gu Sanqiu felt a little nervous. Dvalin, however, wasn't the least bit intimidated.

"If I can find a decent magic crystal, I could use wind elements to record the memory onto it. A mere wisp of elemental energy would be enough to replay it for everyone to see."

Dvalin gave Gu Sanqiu an approving pat on the shoulder with one massive claw.

"Well done, little brother."

"Aaaaah!"

Venti lunged, clinging to Dvalin's face like a facehugger.

"Erase that memory from your dragon brain! Right now, this instant!"

"And make myself look spineless? Not happening. Do you think that's even remotely possible?"

Without so much as a twitch, Dvalin flicked Venti off his face with a gust of wind, sending him tumbling back to the grass.

"Barbatos, you know the consequences if you ever make me mad again, don't you?"

"No! I can't accept this!"

Venti whirled around and pointed at Gu Sanqiu. "Nephew, hurry! Use that technique on Dvalin right now!"

Gu Sanqiu stared at him calmly. "I must decline."

"Why?! Aren't I your most lovable, most dashing, most talented elder?!"

With the same calm tone, Gu Sanqiu replied, "That last statement proves you're not the most talented. Anyone with half a brain would realize this conversation isn't going anywhere."

"Instead of obsessing over this, you should change the subject. That way, everyone who witnessed your embarrassment will forget about it sooner."

Venti's eyes lit up. "You're right! How about we discuss tonight's menu? That seems important."

Gu Sanqiu and Dvalin, in unison: "It's not important."

Gu Sanqiu reached into his pouch and pulled out a pristine elemental crystal.

"Dvalin, I don't usually carry magic crystals, but will this elemental crystal work as a substitute?"

"Hmm, excellent quality. This will do nicely."

Dvalin happily accepted the crystal and began the process of imprinting the memory onto it.

With a broad grin, Gu Sanqiu sauntered over to Venti.

"You see, Lord Venti, when you try to divert attention out of shame or embarrassment, there will always be 'helpful' friends who redirect the topic back to exactly what you want to avoid. You understand now?"

Tears streamed down Venti's face. "I get it, I get it! You and Dvalin are in cahoots!"

"Watch your wording. It's not 'in cahoots.' We call it 'sharing a common goal.'"

Gu Sanqiu was in high spirits. "And I have you to thank for this, Lord Venti. If not for this encounter with the power of laws, I wouldn't have come up with such a fun attack anytime soon."

When I get back to Liyue, I'll head straight to Feiyun Commerce Guild, tie up Xingqiu, and hit him with this Sevenfold Emotion Light. Then I'll team up with Chongyun to record his blackmail material in a little notebook.

Each page will hold not just his embarrassing history, but also a tally of how many dinners he owes me.

Venti, overhearing Gu Sanqiu's muttering, shuddered violently.

"So… am I doomed?"

One man and one dragon nodded in unison. "Correct!"

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T/N: OMGGG HE ALSO GOT EMOTION POWERS?