Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [346] [40 PS]

"If faced with a true battle expert like Yelan, I'd shield up and go spear-to-spear without giving them a single opening," Gu Sanqiu remarked coolly.

Venti sighed. "Your pack… it seems you've pampered them too much."

Andrius let out a low growl, almost like a sigh. "That is true. Instincts that should be razor-sharp in matters of life and death have dulled, even to the point of nearly vanishing."

"In these peaceful times, there are few invaders in Wolvendom. These pups lack the chance to gain proper experience."

Venti grinned mischievously. "Well then, you owe me a thank you! If I hadn't brought this kid here, you'd still be scratching your head."

Andrius shook his massive head. "It's a temporary fix at best. If he doesn't stay in Wolvendom, these pups will revert before long."

Venti shrugged. "Don't pin that on me. Sure, I'd love to keep him in Mondstadt, but I doubt his old man would agree."

Andrius's eyes narrowed. "It doesn't matter. I'll think of something else. I had considered sending the pack to train in the domain, but that seems less likely now."

Venti perked up. "What's that tornado fool up to? You sound like you've got concerns."

Andrius's tone turned grim. "Decarabian. I can't see through him, nor discern his motives."

"One thing I can tell you—when I battled him through Boreas's body, his strength was undiminished, perhaps even greater than before."

Venti's breath caught. "Greater? Are you sure he's as strong as he was back then?"

Decarabian—known as the God of Storms and the God of Tempests—was no ordinary foe. His titles weren't just handed out for flair; they were earned through blood and battle, much like Morax's epithet as the "God of War."

The shattering of his tower and his years of dormancy were supposed to have left him weaker than Andrius. Even factoring in the limitations of using Boreas's form, Andrius should have been able to handle him.

But now Andrius was saying Decarabian's strength had not only endured but grown?

Andrius nodded solemnly. "Yes. Compared to the time I first challenged him, he's stronger. Though this newfound strength seems to come with limitations."

"Once I realized this, I immediately had Boreas withdraw. I resorted to fighting him purely as a wolf spirit wielding elemental energy, barely holding my ground."

"No, to be precise," Andrius admitted, "I held my ground only because he stopped. Had he continued, I don't know what the outcome would have been."

He paused before adding, "After the fight ended, his aura plummeted, dropping to the level we expected. Whatever he's scheming, it's clear he's exploring new paths—and making progress."

Venti muttered, his face darkening, "That tornado fool… What's his endgame? I should've pushed my old friend to deal with him back then—a few rock spears would've kept him in line."

Andrius froze, his gaze snapping to Gu Sanqiu, who was currently sparring with his wolves, skillfully drawing out their instincts.

"Has Decarabian contacted him?"

"Yup." Venti exhaled wearily. "Not only that, but he gave the kid a pure elemental seed. You know what that means."

Andrius's eyes widened. "A throne! Is that lunatic out of his mind?"

"Not necessarily," Venti replied, shaking his head. "If Decarabian had any intent to offer Sanqiu a throne, Morax would've obliterated that domain before I even sensed it."

"I didn't think much of it when I first noticed Decarabian's actions—figured he was just trying to curry favor with Morax by handing a gift to his ward."

"But now that I know this… it's clear Decarabian didn't give him that seed on a whim. He must've made the decision after careful consideration. And if we really want to dive into conspiracy theories, it's entirely possible he consulted Sanqiu's old man first."

Andrius fell silent, then lay down, his piercing gaze fixed on the ongoing sparring session.

The world outside feels so complicated. Maybe this small corner of the land is better.

He gave Venti a sidelong glance. For all his griping about others' schemes, Barbatos wasn't exactly innocent of plotting himself.

Venti groaned, rubbing his temples. "Ugh. I need to visit Liyue and get to the bottom of this. At the very least, I need to ask Morax whether he's willing to part with his 'nephew' and figure out what Decarabian's angle is."

He turned to Andrius, his face twisting into a mischievous grin. "And by the way, when you fight Sanqiu later, don't hold back. Go all out and give him a proper thrashing!"

Andrius blinked. "What grudge do you have against him?"

"None at all," Venti admitted bitterly. "But every other trip I've made, I've spent my time drinking fine wine and humming my tunes, carefree and content."

"This time? I step out, find this kid's got some kind of anomaly going on, deal with the mess at Stormterror's Lair, and now I'm hearing all this nonsense from you about Decarabian."

"The worst part? This kid's been needling me the entire time. I'm mentally exhausted!"

Venti pointed dramatically at Andrius. "So, give him a good thrashing. Break his bones if you must—his old man won't care. Heck, Morax just locked him up recently, so clearly, even he thinks Sanqiu needs to tone it down."

Andrius stared at him.

Venti continued. "He doesn't mind his ward being lively, but too lively? That's where Morax draws the line."

"So go ahead and let him feel some pain, my friend. Show him what it means to suffer!"

Andrius: …

"It's done."

Andrius's voice echoed with finality, prompting the wolves and Razor to halt their attacks. The pack glanced at Gu Sanqiu, still standing with his shield intact.

Not even a scratch.

The wolves shuffled awkwardly. That was… humiliating.

"Morax's ward," Andrius rumbled, stepping forward. "Your name?"

"Gu Sanqiu," he replied evenly.

"Very well."

Andrius's ice-blue body began to glow, faint green markings tracing along his form as his aura swelled. Snow and wind whipped around them, the oppressive force of Andrius's true power filling the air.

"I will honor my promise," he declared, his voice like thunder.

Gu Sanqiu's eyes widened as the sheer intensity of Andrius's presence bore down on him.

He's starting with his ultimate form? Really?

"Gu Sanqiu," Andrius said, locking eyes with the human.

"Are you ready to face the trial?"