Chapter 82: The Broken Longsword

As Tartaglia declared the attack, a massive unicorn whale formed from water elements leaped from the ground, heading towards the Abyss Apostle on the opposite side.

Due to the attack's immense range, the Abyss Apostle couldn't possibly evade it.

With a somewhat panicked expression, the whale engulfed him, causing a resounding crash, sending rocks flying and creating a massive crater.

Xianyu couldn't help but sigh at the sight. Fortunately, when he battled with Tartaglia earlier, the opponent only used some ordinary abilities along with their martial skills. If they had unleashed this move at that time, the injuries might have been more than just minor.

"Strange, why didn't the Abyss Herald activate the teleportation? Could it be that he can't use it in this state?"

As there was no sign of the Abyss Apostle around and no door appeared when the whale fell, it seemed he had taken the hit head-on.

As the water mist dispersed, Xianyu looked at Tartaglia by the edge of the crater and then walked over.

"How is it?"

Xianyu didn't look into the pit but asked Tartaglia instead.

Understanding the implication behind Xianyu's words, Tartaglia responded, "I'm fine, but the one in the pit isn't doing well, though he's still alive."

"I have to admit this guy does have the audacity. He took my blow head-on and still managed to survive."

"Oh, he's still alive?" Xianyu remarked.

Looking down at the pitiful Abyss Herald, who had lost an arm and seemed battered, but his breathing chest indicated he was still alive.

"What do you want to do with him?"

"Kill him? Or..."

Tartaglia looked at the Abyss Herald, who looked like a dead pig.

"Let's spare his life for now. I have some questions for him, and being from the Abyss, he might reveal many secrets."

Xianyu didn't object or caution Tartaglia against the possibility of the enemy escaping.

"Since you want to spare his life, I won't say much. But we need to leave as soon as possible. The commotion just now was significant, and the Qianyan Army will likely arrive soon."

Understanding the significance of the recent commotion, Tartaglia nodded. He usually acted more discreetly here, even in battles, rarely resorting to exceptionally powerful attacks.

"You're right. Let me pull him up."

Just as Tartaglia was about to use elemental force to pull up the Abyss Herald, the situation took another turn.

A deep and starry door appeared in the pit.

"What's that!?"

Tartaglia was momentarily astonished. He found this grand scene somewhat familiar.

While he was still surprised, Xianyu remained focused.

Although the appearance of the "portal" was somewhat delayed, it didn't affect his preparations.

In such a situation, Xianyu wouldn't let the enemy escape so easily.

"Go!"

With a soft command, a steel sword shot towards the person in the pit.

Although the sword seemed ordinary, it was meticulously prepared by Xianyu.

At the moment the Abyss Herald was about to vanish, the sword pierced through him without a hilt and then emerged from his body.

In the instant of being attacked, the Abyss Herald froze, but the door didn't disappear. It only dissipated after the Abyss Apostle completely vanished.

Xianyu's attack made Tartaglia look at him differently.

"It seems you were prepared. Can you tell me how you reacted so quickly?"

Questioning was natural, as in this situation, if their positions were reversed, he would have done the same.

"I've heard my friend mention this kind of enemy before. I didn't really believe it, but it never hurts to be more vigilant."

"Now it seems what my friend said was true."

Regardless of whether Xianyu's words were true or not, Tartaglia didn't continue to inquire.

"It seems your friend is also a mysterious figure, knowing quite a lot... just like you."

"Well, let's leave first. If possible, I'd like to meet your 'friend'."

Watching Tartaglia quickly leave, Xianyu remained calm. Even though he was suspected, it was just suspicion.

Moreover, he had another "identity" to use, so he didn't need to worry.

Picking up the sword that pierced the Abyss Apostle, Xianyu also followed suit.

This sword was an item he obtained from signing in and hadn't been brought into the "Abyss."

Looking at the sword with cracks all over its body, Xianyu gently shook his hand, and the longsword turned into countless tiny fragments.

"Hehe, pierced by my Cryo-infused longsword, your heart, if you want to survive, it won't be easy."

For an ordinary person, being pierced through the heart would mean certain death, but for the Abyss Herald, it wasn't so definite.

Considering this, Xianyu's strike had been "strengthened." At the moment it pierced the body, the powerful cryo elemental force began to act on the opponent's heart.

Without special rescue methods, they would likely end up as an ice sculpture by now.

On top of a cliff.

Xianyu and Tartaglia looked down.

Observing the Qianyan Army searching around, the two remained silent.

After a while, Tartaglia spoke up, "Our transaction seems to have failed. The item your friend wanted is no longer possible."

"However, as I mentioned before, Lady in Mondstadt, the eighth Harbingers of the Fatui's Syndicate, should also have some Ley Line branches. In comparison, she has more than I do."

The meaning behind Tartaglia's words was clear, suggesting that Xianyu should go to Mondstadt and use her to fulfill the transaction.

But would it be so easy to obtain the item from her? Even with the connection to the master, their relationship wasn't very harmonious.

Despite this, Xianyu didn't intend to give up. To obtain a large number of Ley Line branches, besides the Fatui's Syndicate, there were only other major powers.

Like the Seven Stars of Liyue or the Mondstadt Knights, but Xianyu didn't know either of them, far less than he knew the Fool's Syndicate.

After Tartaglia finished speaking, he looked at Xianyu.

"What do you think? Should we continue with the previous transaction? I will continue to fulfill my previous promise to find the Ley Line branches for your friend, but the time frame is very uncertain."

"But if you stick to the original plan, I will make a special note to Lady Mondstadt. She shouldn't give you too much trouble."

Would Lady Mondstadt cause trouble? Xianyu had a good idea about that. Dealing with her wasn't as easy as dealing with the master.

"In the original plan, nothing changes. I will go to Mondstadt tomorrow. As for the Ley Line branches, you keep collecting them. Also, I'll provide you with a few locations, and if everything goes as expected, you should have some gains."

Both understood what those gains would be.

"Alright, I'll handle the rest. Just make sure no one escapes until the transaction is over."

"If possible, I hope you can tell me where your friend is located. I'll deliver the items directly to him when the time comes."

After hearing Tartaglia's words, Xianyu didn't respond but turned and left, quickly disappearing from sight.

Only as he vanished did his voice come from afar.

"He doesn't want too many people to know his whereabouts."

Tartaglia, still watching from a distance, didn't leave. He still had to have his men deal with the bodies of his subordinates.