Wendy led the others in their desperate resistance. Though they possessed formidable strength, the monster before them was unlike any they had encountered. What made it so unusual? They detected the aura of a Herrscher upon it…
Faint, yet unmistakably, the aura of a Herrscher could be felt.
Furthermore, their attacks seemed to be ineffective, each blow bouncing back from its thick, fleshy hide.
However, upon seeing the white dragon return, none of them panicked. After all, if even Lu Ze couldn't resolve this, then there was truly no hope for them.
"Wait a moment, young friend Lu Ze… I have a matter I wish to entrust to you. I wonder if you would agree?"
Zhongli, limping, appeared beside him at some unknown point. Seeing the other's injuries, Lu Ze was surprised. It was astonishing that anyone in Teyvat could wound Zhongli.
He was, after all, the Geo Archon. To be injured to this extent.
"What happened to you? No one should be able to harm you! Could these injuries be from that sea monster?"
Though slightly indignant, Zhongli nodded. His injuries were indeed caused by the creature.
"Its power is immense, perhaps comparable to the Heavenly Principles themselves. The beams it fires disregard my shield and are imbued with potent Abyss energy. My wounds have become infected… I am no longer fit for battle. Therefore, I implore you, would you deal with that monster? I do not wish to see a friend's remains embedded within such an abomination."
At Zhongli's words, Lu Ze finally noticed a woman's head at the monster's chest. Her long black hair was disheveled, her eyes vacant, and she lay weakly. Every inch of her skin appeared waterlogged.
She looked pitiful, and from time to time, her eyes would emit a faint glow, followed by the monster wielding its authority over dust and sand.
"I understand your feelings. Rest assured, no matter what… I will certainly deal with that monster!"
Though Zhongli wished to end it himself, he was powerless. He could only watch as Lu Ze walked further away. The memories of the past surged, and a sense of helplessness washed over him.
It was the first time he had shed tears, the first time he had witnessed a sea of Glaze Lilies, and also the last… That maiden would never appear before him again, never again would she bloom with her smile.
Nor would she ever, with a smile, hold a Glaze Lily and ask him, "Is it more beautiful, or am I?"
Lost in these thoughts, he clenched his fist, but the burning sensation of his wound instantly brought him back. His injuries were still being eroded by the Abyss. If not treated promptly, he would be the next to lose control.
And then, who would stand up?
Meanwhile, on the other side, the Raiden Shogun, who had been accompanying Ayato on a business trip, had to return to Inazuma due to a World Boss. Her trip had failed, and she hadn't even had a chance to play the game.
Thus, she embarked on a journey to a foreign land once more, intending to persuade the so-called shop owner to open a store in Inazuma. And could the ending of the twelfth volume of the Thirteen Flame-Makers be changed?
This book, which had been updated so quickly within a few months, was largely thanks to the system. Without it, who would write such a tragic story?
As it had only recently been published, most people watched with great anticipation, only to be met with disappointment.
Truly, it was a complete disaster! One by one, they died, and Sakura became a painful thorn in the readers' hearts. The grand finale also fueled readers' desires to take down the author.
Was it truly a happy ending for everyone? Except for Kevin and Hua, everyone else got a happily ever after, right? Don't let me find out where you live, or I'll represent morality and strike you down.
The Raiden Shogun had become somewhat despondent from the emotional blows. Already an avid reader, she couldn't accept such an ending and threatened to tie the author up and throw them into a dark room to write.
Yae Miko had tried to persuade her several times. While she herself shared similar thoughts—after all, this series of books had increased the profits of Yae Publishing House manifold—where could such an excellent author be found?
Just as the Raiden Shogun arrived in Liyue, feeling fortunate to have left her work to Yae Miko and to be able to sneak out for some leisure, she saw an ugly monster.
"What is this thing? Why is it so hideous? Wait, I remember Ayato should be following behind, right? Will the ship be capsized?"
After all, she was their god. Basic protection was necessary. She swiftly returned to the ship and used her power to create a protective barrier, a purple shimmer appearing directly on the sea's surface.
Lu Ze noticed it immediately. He hadn't expected Inazuma ships to be passing by at this juncture. He would have to be careful later.
"You all, retreat. This is my fight. Go back and rest."
Bronya, about to enthusiastically embrace him, was immediately pulled away by Wendy. Her eager heart was instantly doused with cold water.
"Be careful. Its strength is immense, and it even possesses the aura of a Herrscher. Promise me! You must come back!"
Lu Ze looked at Wendy's plea, smiled, and nodded. With his current strength, defeating this abomination was manageable. However, the Herrscher's aura was somewhat faint. How to put it?
It was almost as if it wasn't there, yet it was strangely present—a Herrscher aura he had never encountered before, like a newly born, faint consciousness.
But logically, without the Honkai, there should be no Herrscher, let alone a new, faint aura.
With this thought, Lu Ze took out the Black Abyss White Flower and plunged it heavily into the sea beneath his feet. Countless green vines shot up into the sky, tightly binding the largest creature.
However, the monster was not to be trifled with. The two crab claws on its back clamped down forcefully, severing the vines instantly. They fell one by one into the sea.
"Scram… away!"
Seeing the woman's head on the monster's chest speak, her voice was one that Zhongli knew all too well. Yet, he knew with certainty that this was not her… merely a vile spirit using her voice.
"You want me to scram? That depends on whether you have the capital! Black Abyss White Flower, full power, Holy Spear, bloom!"
The white colossal spear was hurled forward, but in the next instant, a golden shield materialized. The spear struck the golden shield, instantly sparking.
Then, an explosion occurred…