124: Venti Discovers a Blind Spot in MC Materials

Hearing Diluc's words, Jean naturally understood the situation as well.

The underground intelligence networks were highly efficient, and the Adventurers' Guild was no different.

Over the past few days, Ningguang and her people had been relentlessly suppressing the Fatui, even going so far as to openly exploit them commercially.

The Fatui were furious but didn't dare express their anger.

They had no choice but to force a smile and continue purchasing resources.

To be honest, Jean truly envied them.

Even back when the Grand Master was present, Mondstadt had never been this bold.

However—

"That's a completely different situation, Master Diluc!"

Venti, wearing his usual carefree smile, tried to ease Jean's concerns.

"The Geo Archon of Liyue is universally acknowledged as Teyvat's strongest. The War God's name is one that even future gods must look up to."

"He has an army of adepti under his command, each one possessing formidable strength. That frequently active Conqueror of Demons is on the level of a god of war himself."

"The hidden adepti within Liyue Harbor are not just one or two in number."

"Furthermore, Liyue has never had to deal with something like a Grand Master leading an expedition. As the most prosperous nation and Teyvat's greatest port, they have every reason to stand their ground against anyone."

Venti might have intended to reassure Diluc, advising him not to be too harsh on the Knights of Favonius.

But after his long-winded speech, everyone present exchanged strange glances.

After a brief silence, Paimon threw up her hands in exasperation.

"Hearing this from you is seriously weird."

"Liyue's Geo Archon dutifully descends every year, and the divine beings under his rule remain ever-vigilant in protecting Liyue."

"Yet despite both of you being Archons, you get to slack off and nap for five hundred years?"

"Your own divine follower was targeted by the Abyss Order, and you didn't even have the power to save Dvalin!"

"Seriously, bard, are you sure you and that Geo Archon are both original members of the Seven?"

"Or could it be… that you've just been acting this whole time?"

Venti's heart nearly skipped a beat.

For a moment, he almost let his composure slip under Paimon's sharp words.

If Zhongli had been here to witness this, he would've instantly recognized it as one of Venti's usual performances.

After all, Venti had lived for over three thousand years. In his earliest days, he had been nothing more than a spirit of the thousand winds.

His past even had some connection to Istaroth, the God of Time.

And after ascending to godhood, even if he lost his Gnosis and his people's faith, he was still undeniably one of the most powerful beings in Teyvat.

Among the gods, he was ranked among the strongest.

His absence for the past five hundred years? Simple—he had been recovering from his wounds.

The battle in Khaenri'ah had nearly cost him his life.

As for why he still refused to act now…

It had to do with the Abyss.

It had to do with Celestia.

It had to do with his guilt over failing five hundred years ago.

And it had to do with Lumine—the Traveler.

There was no way he could admit any of that.

Instead, he put on an innocent expression and looked at Paimon with wide, guileless eyes.

"I told you already! A god's strength is tied to their rule over a nation. I've been away for over five hundred years—how could I possibly have any power left?"

"Paimon, are you trying to get me eaten by Dvalin?"

"Don't forget—it was you guys who disrupted my plan and made me fail at saving him in the first place!"

Hearing that, Paimon shrank back, suddenly feeling guilty.

A glimmer of mischief flashed in Venti's eyes.

In truth, even if things hadn't played out that way, he would have had to make contact with Lumine sooner or later. This entire game was one that Lumine had to be involved in.

To put it in more mysterious terms—

The moment Lumine set foot in Teyvat, she became the catalyst for the storm that would shake the world.

And she was its very eye.

However, Jean and Diluc weren't fooled by Venti's act.

But there was no need for them to question him further.

After all, the Gunnhildr clan—the ancient family that had once summoned Barbatos—had records in their texts.

Even before he had become the Anemo Archon, Venti's power had been beyond imagination.

The original Seven, and even the current Seven, had never been powerful because of their position.

Rather, they had gained their divine status because they had already been powerful enough.

Their titles as rulers were merely honorary marks of their past achievements.

It was Venti who had once blown away eternal winter with a single arrow and brought rain and dew to Mondstadt, making it a livable place.

It was Zhongli who had once cast a single spear, creating Guyun Stone Forest, and whose battles during the Archon War had flattened the Dihua Marsh.

Could a mere Gnosis—a mere external organ of magical power—truly allow them to do such things?

Later on, even Scaramouche, who held a Gnosis, was effortlessly crushed by Nahida, who had none.

A god's power had always come from within themselves.

Jean and Diluc understood—Venti was definitely acting.

But they didn't mind.

Although Diluc seemed indifferent to Venti's identity, the bard was still the Anemo Archon at the end of the day.

While Mondstadt's people weren't like Liyue's—who constantly said, "If the Geo Archon does something, there must be a reason"—

At the very least, Diluc wouldn't expose Venti's little tricks.

Besides, Dvalin's situation wasn't beyond Mondstadt's ability to handle.

If they were truly determined to take him down—

They could send Lisa.

They could call Albedo back.

Even sending Klee would be an option.

Dvalin's strength had declined drastically.

And with a mother like Alice, who could blow up Stormterror's Lair, was it really possible she hadn't left Klee a few protective 'toys' before she left?

The conversation soon shifted away from this topic, and Diluc's critique of the Knights of Favonius came to a temporary halt.

After a pause, Diluc suddenly remarked:

"Liyue has undergone major changes recently. I don't know what they've discovered, but…"

"The output of iron, wood, food, stone, and other resources has doubled. The quality is far superior to before, yet for some reason, the prices remain unchanged."

"I've heard that Fontaine and Snezhnaya are both preparing to send delegations to purchase coal on a large scale and renegotiate long-term trade contracts with Liyue."

Jean frowned slightly, puzzled.

"Fontaine, I can understand. Given their current situation… they do need to renegotiate their contracts."

"But Snezhnaya…? Doesn't Liyue already have the Fatui?"

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