Genshin impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [116]
In a trade of blows, Gu Sanqiu would definitely be the one at a disadvantage.
But… so what?
"Then let's clash head-on!"
With a roar, Gu Sanqiu drove his sword toward Albedo's weak spots, even forgoing his shield and channeling all his strength into his right hand.
"Indeed, a very strong fighting spirit," Albedo observed, calm and unwavering, as their weapons struck each other nearly simultaneously.
BAM!
BAM!
At the same moment, a golden glow encased both of them, and shields of different shapes appeared around their bodies.
After the resounding clash, Gu Sanqiu looked down at his weapon, which had only pierced Albedo's shield by a fraction. He grinned when he saw that his own strike had gone further, leaving a scratch on Albedo's coat.
Zhongli, you're the best! Always reliable.
"Predictable," Albedo murmured as he stepped back. Their explosive exchange had shattered the ground around them, creating enough space for him to regroup.
Gu Sanqiu chuckled.
"So, you've got shields too, huh?"
Albedo nodded, studying him. "The fighting style of a Geo Vision user, combined with your relentless approach, can be misleading."
"Likewise—you also seem to fight with a bit of reckless abandon."
When Gu Sanqiu tried to retrieve his sword, Albedo's shield unexpectedly tightened, gripping the blade like a vice.
…A shield can do that?
"Through alchemical augmentation, shields can take on many forms, though it requires a certain level of elemental control," Albedo explained. "Your shield strength exceeded my expectations, making it clear why you're leading the Liyue delegation."
"Heh, nothing special."
His shield was formidable thanks to Zhongli's guidance and the blessings of Geo, which constantly reinforced his abilities. Meanwhile, Albedo's shield was a pure alchemical marvel.
"Once more!"
Abandoning his sword, Gu Sanqiu charged Albedo again, hefting his Dragonscale Shield in his left hand and wielding it like a battering ram.
A faint, yet fierce dragon's roar echoed from the shield, and Albedo frowned—this attack couldn't be taken head-on.
In his vision, Gu Sanqiu seemed to merge with a colossal dragon charging straight at him.
Buzz—
A small alchemical device resembling a flower appeared beneath Albedo's feet, lifting him into the air just in time to avoid Gu Sanqiu's strike.
Above, more flower-like devices filled the sky, brimming with Geo energy.
"It seems your attacks lack range," Albedo called down. "A reliance on physical prowess? Or is there another reason?"
"You shouldn't have entered an alchemist's territory so recklessly."
Seeing his swing miss, Gu Sanqiu spat a curse under his breath, staring up at the field of flowers filling his line of sight.
What was this—so many Solar Isotomas?
Albedo's strength really was above the norm, though still within reason for a creation from a bygone era. After all, he was the crowning achievement of the great alchemist Rhinedottir, a wonder of his time.
"Take this."
With a wave of his hand, Albedo unleashed a barrage of cross-shaped explosions that bounced Gu Sanqiu around like a ball within the area, despite his shield.
"Are you serious? Isn't this thing supposed to deal damage only on direct contact?"
"And… aren't there too many of them?!"
Grunting, Gu Sanqiu swung his shield, slicing through the waves of Geo energy to finally break free from the explosive field.
"Is that the best you've got?" Albedo asked, descending to the ground. "If so, you might not be maximizing your strength after all. Perhaps leaving me in one piece will be more difficult than you'd hoped."
?!
Rare scene unlocked: Albedo's Taunt!
Gu Sanqiu burst out laughing, then extended his shield, expanding it until it was large enough to cover his entire body.
"Want to test my strength? Then let's settle this with one decisive strike!"
"As you wish."
Golden lines extended from beneath Albedo's feet, spreading outward and marking a wide area around him.
"While you were enduring those explosions, a new array was taking form."
"This is… Rite of Progeniture!"
The Solar Isotomas in the sky thickened with energy, connecting with the Geo array on the ground to unleash an even greater power.
"Bring it on!"
Gu Sanqiu roared, his aura swelling to nearly three meters tall as he absorbed earth and Geo energy through his Vision, channeling it all into his form.
"Rock-Crushing Mountain Dragon Strike!"
ROAR!
A thunderous dragon's roar filled the air, and Albedo's eyes widened as he saw Gu Sanqiu's shield expand with an overwhelming power.
The combined onslaught of explosions, Geo energy, and alchemical force—none of it seemed able to pierce Gu Sanqiu's strength. His body moved forward, pushing through every wave of energy to reach his singular goal: Albedo.
"Now take this!"
From Albedo's perspective, it looked as if a dragon's massive claw were descending upon him.
"Indeed, physical power is humanity's greatest resource," Albedo murmured, his expression calm. In a single instant, his hands shifted into a new formation, and the energy from the array gathered back into his control, faster than Gu Sanqiu's shield could fall.
"Blossom."
A glowing sphere formed between Albedo's hands, blooming like a fleeting ghost flower in the night, radiating an intense, dazzling light.
BOOM!
"What the—?!"
A tremendous pull erupted from the sphere, drawing out not only the energy in Gu Sanqiu's shield but the excess energy within his body.
"Let go of it, or the orb will absorb all the energy and drift into the sky."
Albedo's calm voice broke through the chaos.
"After all, you wouldn't want the combined power of our clash to explode right here, would you?"
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