Chapter 82
When Jiang Ning and the others left, they didn't notice a golden-haired youth standing on a distant hilltop.
His attire was notably different from typical Teyvat clothing, and his eyes were calm and steady, as if concealing many secrets.
Behind him stood several respectful Abyss Mages.
"Your Highness, the Dragon of the East Wind... no, the Storm Dragon's performance was unsatisfactory. Should we..."
The Prince from the Abyss was none other than Aether, one of the twin protagonists.
Aether calmly replied, "This was expected. The Abyss's corruption nearly cost it half its life. Before the corruption, it was beaten until it couldn't resist, and only had half a month to recover. This level of combat ability is already decent enough."
"Continue increasing the input of Abyssal power. It will only grow stronger..."
"Yes, Your Highness."
A portal filled with ominous energy opened behind them. Before entering, Aether looked once more toward Mondstadt.
The next time we meet, you'll face the Storm Dragon at full power... I hope you can give me some surprises. Let me collect more data for the Abyss modification project.
...
"This is truly quite dramatic, isn't it?"
After informing Acting Grand Master Jean, she immediately led a team of Knights of Favonius to the forest below. Looking at the devastation and fallen trees scattered about, it was hard to imagine this place was once a forest.
"The Storm Dragon..."
Jean frowned at the poisonous blood on the ground.
"While it's called the Storm Dragon now, its true name is actually Dvalin, the Dragon of the East Wind," Jiang Ning said.
"Dvalin? Isn't that...?!"
Jean was shocked.
"Yes, yes, your Anemo Archon's dragon," Jiang Ning nodded.
Jean asked, "But why would the East Wind Dragon..."
Jiang Ning explained, "Don't you Mondstadt locals know? Years ago, Dvalin tried to stop Durin, but accidentally absorbed Durin's poisoned blood. He's been suffering for many years... recovering in the Stormterror's Lair."
"Also, I sensed Abyssal power within Dvalin. The Abyss Order must have done something to him."
"Curse the Abyss." Jean's expression darkened.
"Oh right, tell your knights to be careful of the poisoned blood around here. It contains both Durin's poison and Abyssal corruption... Handle it with care. Also, if you find any blood-red, droplet-shaped crystals around, I suggest collecting them. They might be useful."
Jiang Ning shared what little he knew of the plot, along with historical knowledge from his two masters.
"Thank you, Sir Jiang Ning. Mondstadt will remember your help," Jean said sincerely.
Jiang Ning replied, "Just don't hold what happened at Springvale against me."
Jean responded helplessly, "Sir Jiang Ning, you really are..."
Quite grudge-holding.
Jiang Ning said, "Well then, I'll head back first. The rest is up to you all."
With a wave, he walked toward Mondstadt City.
Watching Jiang Ning's retreating figure, Jean mused that disciples of the adepti truly knew many things... After this moment of reflection, she returned to her work.
In the shadows, a Fatui Debt Collector quietly slipped away.
...
"You're saying the East Wind Dragon has begun attacking Mondstadt?"
The Fatui Harbinger La Signora asked her subordinate with interest.
The Debt Collector reported, "Yes, according to our investigation, that youth from Liyue has already confronted the East Wind Dragon. Additionally, several villages along the route from Stormterror's Lair to Mondstadt City have suffered varying degrees of damage."
"Those places are full of complaints now, but due to the distance, the news hasn't reached Mondstadt City yet."
La Signora suddenly sneered, "Hah, the Knights of Favonius are truly blind, always relying on outsiders to solve their problems... And Barbatos too, what kind of god remains so indifferent... his time is up."
"Hmph, for a god like Barbatos to be counted among the Seven alongside Her Majesty the Tsaritsa is simply blasphemy!"
For some reason, La Signora suddenly became angry.
But she quickly calmed down, "Since the Knights of Favonius can't handle this dragon crisis, let the Fatui take over. After all, we from Snezhnaya also want to protect Mondstadt properly."
The Debt Collector responded, "Please forgive my ignorance, Lady Signora. Please instruct me."
La Signora said, "News of the dragon crisis is spreading too slowly. Isn't Mondstadt supposed to be a free city? Everyone has the right to know the truth... Let's help spread the word, and let's stop calling it Dvalin... call it Stormterror instead."
"How will the Knights of Favonius choose between the mounting public outrage and the Anemo Archon's dragon companion?"
La Signora's eyes glinted.
...
"I already told you, I'm fine, Senior Sister, Sister Huixin."
After returning to the Good Hunter, Jiang Ning was immediately dragged to his room by Shenhe, who stripped off his clothes to check for injuries, worried that the poisoned blood might have caused some harm.
But Jiang Ning knew well that the poisoned blood couldn't affect him at all.
Because it never touched him.
But Shenhe wouldn't listen, and Huixin fully supported her actions.
Then, Shenhe got a bit anxious and accidentally tore his clothes.
So now Jiang Ning was wrapped in a large blanket.
He wanted to change into new clothes, but Shenhe thought... this was fine.
After the battle, Jiang Ning needed rest, and he'd have to take off clothes again later anyway, so not wearing any now saved trouble.
"But what about you two? Did any poisoned blood splash on you?" Jiang Ning asked.
Huixin shook her head, "We weren't... but, is this really the Anemo Archon's dragon? It seems... rather weak."
Jiang Ning explained, "First, Senior Sister and I aren't weak either, and second, I feel that Stormterror was already in a severely injured state, and seemed to be resisting the Abyss's temptation."
His movements felt somewhat stiff.
No wonder in the game, the Traveler and others seemed to defeat Dvalin without much effort.
But the next time they meet, it would probably be much harder to deal with.
Jiang Ning had this feeling.
"By the way, where's Barbara?"
Jiang Ning asked.
"Seems the Church of Favonius needed Barbara, as a Vision holder with water powers, to see if she could purify the poisoned blood, so they called her away."
Huixin said.
"I see... but I doubt it'll work."
Jiang Ning said.
If it were that easy to solve, Dvalin wouldn't have had to suffer from the poisoned blood for so many years.
"Little Brother, you should rest now. I'll call you if anything comes up."
Shenhe stroked Jiang Ning's hair, finding it very soft and pleasant to touch, so she stroked it again.
Jiang Ning nodded, "Mm, alright..."
Back in his room, as soon as Jiang Ning lay down, he eagerly asked:
"Where's my reward? This should count as beating up the Anemo Archon's dragon right in front of him, right?"
[Yes, the system confirms it qualifies... but are you sure you want to claim the reward?]
"Isn't that obvious? Unless there's some downside?"
Jiang Ning was puzzled.
The system fell silent for a moment, then said: [Very well, initiating reward distribution. The process requires you to sleep for a day and night for physical optimization and integration. Do you wish to continue?]
"Continue."
[Distributing and integrating physical enhancement...]
Jiang Ning felt a warm current flow through his body, along with a hint of drowsiness. Gradually, his eyelids grew heavy, and he fell into deep sleep.
After Jiang Ning fell asleep, the system began crying.
[Waaah, this is bad, I didn't finish reading the procedure manual, this reward distribution violates regulations, all my extra technical points have been cleared, and no matter how much I exceed the baseline for the next year, I'll only get basic performance points...]
[Waaah, my savings!]
She couldn't blame the host - this host was truly exceptional, starting with a strong background and continuously finding ways to exploit program loopholes with her.
Such a good host - if she lost him, she'd have to wake up at night to slap herself.
...
At Liyue Harbor, after finishing her day's work, Ganyu stopped by Madam Ping's place on her way home.
"Madam Ping."
Ganyu approached.
Madam Ping was somewhat surprised: "Ah, Ganyu, what brings you to visit today?"
"Well, I have a favor to ask."
Madam Ping smiled kindly: "Let me guess, it's about young Jiang Ning?"
Ganyu nodded: "Yes, actually..."
She explained both her thoughts and her junior brother's ideas. Madam Ping nodded thoughtfully.
"I see. That's not difficult. Just bring me some ley line branches later, so I won't have to go to the wilderness myself."
"Yes, I'll have someone deliver them tomorrow."
"I'll leave this transit permit with you for now."
Ganyu said.
Seeing Ganyu's evident joy, Madam Ping smiled and said: "Ganyu, it seems you've found your sense of belonging here in Liyue Harbor... and perhaps, you've found a good place to settle down?"
Ganyu showed a gentle smile: "Yes, ever since Shenhe and Little Brother came into my life... I feel like I've changed. Everything has meaning now."
"An adeptus can be both immortal and mortal. Whether transcendent or worldly, it's all the same in the end."
Ganyu said.
Madam Ping nodded: "Indeed, though some still can't understand this."
Ganyu naturally knew who Madam Ping was referring to, and could only say: "The adepti must have their own considerations."
Madam Ping teased: "Never mind that. But you've been single for so many years - when will we old friends get to drink at your wedding?"
Ganyu's face immediately turned bright red, and she stammered: "I- I have something to do, I need to go!"
And hurriedly fled from there.
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