Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [344]

Facing Venti's shameless demeanor, Gu Sanqiu felt that he had honed his resilience to perfection. Gone were the days when his blood pressure would skyrocket at every provocation.

A true test of patience.

"Don't be so hasty, nephew. Remember, staying calm in the face of big events is practically your old man's favorite mantra," Venti said, pointing below. "And here we are."

Gu Sanqiu gave him a side-eye. "Could you stop calling him 'the old man'? What kind of name is that for someone like him?"

"Well, technically speaking, it's not inaccurate, is it?" Venti shrugged. "Or should I go full poetic and call him 'Brother Morax' instead?"

"…You do you."

"Knew it! My dear nephew still loves me," Venti teased.

"You should try saying that to the old man. See if he doesn't 'love' you back with a stone spear—like how he 'loved' Osial."

"Hey now, let's not make baseless accusations!" Venti said, suddenly serious. "Osial's married, you know. I think his wife's name was… Beisht or something? Anyway, he's got a spouse, so let's not spread wild rumors."

"…Your priorities are seriously misplaced."

The soft breeze descended, and Gu Sanqiu stood up to take in the view of Wolvendom below—eerily empty, not a single wolf in sight.

No welcoming party. As expected.

Gu Sanqiu wasn't surprised. Andrius and Venti's relationship was… complicated.

Andrius could have been Mondstadt's next ruler, but after realizing the North Wind's power couldn't nurture life, he chose to become Wolvendom's guardian instead.

Whether it was baring his fangs at Decarabian or relinquishing his claim to the throne, the tales Gu Sanqiu knew painted Andrius as a rarity among gods—a clean break from the norm.

"So, how exactly are we supposed to find the wolves now?" Gu Sanqiu asked, hands in his pockets and a mint sprig between his lips. He casually toyed with a freshly plucked Valberry in his hand.

Venti frowned. "Odd. Usually, a wolf would come to meet us by now. What's going on?"

Whoosh!

A flash of lightning heralded the arrival of a cloaked boy with gray hair and crimson eyes, a massive sword strapped to his back.

Gu Sanqiu instinctively appraised the newcomer—this was Razor, Mondstadt's reclusive electro-imbued warrior and a fine example of a jack-of-all-trades combatant.

Though calling that blade on his back a greatsword might've been too generous—it was more of a rough prototype.

"Follow me. Wolf King wants to see you," Razor said curtly.

He paused, sniffed the air, and turned to Gu Sanqiu.

"You smell like… a friend."

"A friend?"

Gu Sanqiu blinked, then pieced it together. "You mean Klee?"

Razor nodded. "Yes. Come. Wolf King is waiting."

Without another word, he dashed off in a streak of purple light, leading them deeper into Wolvendom.

Venti turned to Gu Sanqiu with a raised brow.

"Why're you looking at me? Just follow him already," Gu Sanqiu muttered. "Though that kid's sense of smell is something else. I haven't seen Klee in days."

"Heh, that's the thing, nephew," Venti chuckled as they followed Razor through the air. "If it were just a regular human's scent, it would've faded. But that little girl is far from ordinary."

"Ah, I get it. Bloodline traits, right? Liyue has its fair share of that too. Ever heard of the Kirin-blooded archivist in Yuehai Pavilion?"

"Kirin-blooded?"

"It's what we call people who work themselves to death without a second thought."

"Ah, like Jean of the Knights of Favonius?"

Gu Sanqiu stopped mid-flight. "Wait, you know who Jean is?"

Venti's face darkened. "Of course, I do! That girl burns the midnight oil so often that I secretly use my wind powers to ease her mind. I'm a caring Archon, after all!"

"A caring Archon who ghosts his people? That's… debatable."

"Hey! I know what you're implying!"

"Gentlemen."

Razor stopped abruptly and turned to them. "Ahead is the wolves' den. Pups are sleeping."

Venti immediately clamped a hand over Gu Sanqiu's mouth and gave Razor a reassuring grin.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure this chatterbox stays quiet."

Razor gave him a skeptical look but nodded, resuming his lead at a slower pace.

Gu Sanqiu surveyed the den as they walked. The wolves were living peacefully—pups played in sunlit patches while others napped in warm spots.

He gently pried Venti's hand from his face and whispered, "What's the deal with these pups? They're surrounded by elemental energy from birth."

Venti leaned closer, whispering back. "What did you expect? Their leader is Andrius. It's perfectly normal for a god's territory to leave its mark on its inhabitants."

He gestured around. "And why do you think ordinary people never see the wolves of Wolvendom? You've heard Andrius' legend, right?"

"'Frost of the North Wind.'"

"Exactly. Now, look around. Notice the climate here?"

Gu Sanqiu frowned and glanced up. Pups played in warm sunlight, chasing each other without a care.

Wait. Warm sunlight?

Understanding dawned on him. "You're saying Wolvendom is like a hidden realm? Similar to Liyue's adeptal abodes?"

"Smart boy. It's akin to your adeptal realms but on a much larger scale."

Venti explained, "Andrius' spirit and power reside in this space. He only appears when necessary. As for the pups' elemental auras? That's likely a result of the energy passed down during their time here."

He continued, "If you came here without a guide and took the regular path, you'd soon be engulfed by a dark blue haze. That's the Knights' description, anyway."

"But in reality, it's just the Wolf King's domain rejecting outsiders. Retracing your steps is all it takes to leave safely. Andrius has no interest in harming others."

Venti shrugged. "Of course, these days, plenty of fools wander in hoping to cause trouble."

"Got it."

Gu Sanqiu nodded, bending down to scoop up a bold little wolf pup that had been pawing at his leg.

"Awwooo!"

The pup let out a tiny howl, full of confidence.

"Nice howl. Just don't do that near certain girls before you've grown up, or you'll be smothered to death in hugs."

He pulled out a fragment of elemental crystal, placing it on the pup's head before setting it down.

"Go play."

"Awwooo~"

The pup wagged its tail, clamped the crystal fragment in its jaws, and darted off to show it to its friends—its own little treasure to share.