When the Xuanyuan Sword arrived at his side, the World Tree began to tremble ever so slightly. It seemed even the ancient arboreal entity was stunned by the weight of a Saintly Weapon of Humanity.
Every elf on the canopy turned their gaze toward the radiant神器 (artifact), their eyes filled with awe. Windsor gasped, "Is that Father God's weapon? The very air feels purified just by its presence..."
But as Su Han gripped the hilt, a strange thought was transmitted directly into his mind.
"If you leave this object here... I can radiate even greater power..."
Su Han's brow furrowed. The World Tree was eyeing the Xuanyuan Sword. He immediately shook his head. "No. This sword is needed to suppress the disturbances in the Chasm and other parts of Liyue. I can't leave it here in the middle of the ocean."
The moment he refused, the World Tree did something unexpected. It began to act like a spoiled child.
A small, emerald-green branch manifested into the shape of a tiny hand, reaching out and tugging persistently at Su Han's sleeve. It was a silent, desperate plea.
The others looked on with blank expressions, unable to hear the tree's mental voice. "Su Han... what is it doing?" Ningguang asked.
"It wants the sword," Su Han sighed, looking at the little green hand pulling his clothes. "It says it can grow faster, but Liyue Harbor needs the protection more. I said no... and now it's throwing a tantrum."
The "tantrum" lasted ten minutes. When the tree realized Su Han wouldn't budge, a wave of profound sorrow washed over the entire canopy. Every spirit and creature dwelling on the tree felt their hearts sink.
Outside, the sunny weather vanished. Dark clouds rolled in, and a heavy, drizzling rain began to fall across a hundred-mile radius.
"..." Su Han stared at the gray sky. He had actually made a giant tree cry.
"This power is impressive," the Raiden Shogun remarked, watching the rain. "To influence the weather across such a vast area... its emotional resonance is stronger than even Ruo-Ruo's."
Ruo-Ruo, not to be outdone, huffed. "Hmph! It's just a tree! I'm... I'm much more mature than her!"
Everyone looked at her. She was currently clutching a stuffed toy.
"She's a child at heart," Lisa chuckled, watching the rain. "If she doesn't get what she wants, she cries. Reminds me of a certain Archon..."
"Miko... who are you looking at?" the Shogun asked narrowing her eyes.
"Oh! No one, no one! Just talking to myself!" Yae Miko chirped, though she quickly hid behind Su Han.
The rain grew heavier, threatening to turn into a deluge. Su Han realized he couldn't let it go on like this. He grabbed the little mimicked green hand and spoke softly. "How about this? I can't give you this sword right now. But I promise, when I find another suitable artifact, I'll bring it here for you. Deal?"
Instantly, the rain stopped. Not "gradually"—it froze. Every raindrop in the air simply hung there, suspended like diamonds in the light. This level of absolute control over the environment was something even the Adepti couldn't achieve.
Zhongli walked up from the lower terraces, his golden eyes observing the suspended water. "Remarkable control. If this tree were to take a human form, its strength would easily rival a Demon God."
[The 30th Mission: A Five-Star Descent]
As the 30th mission refreshed, the lighthearted mood vanished. The notification chime of the All-Heavens Mission Group rang in everyone's ears like a funeral bell.
[Ding... 30th Mission Triggered: Group Level Promotion Event!]
[Mission]: The Demon Lord Youquan Blood Demon has reached the pinnacle of his cultivation. To break the limits of the mortal realm, he has slaughtered the master of the Kunlun Sect, Grandmaster Guyue. Now, his sights are set on Mount Emei.
[Difficulty]: ★★★★★ (Five Stars)
[Goal]: Eliminate Youquan Blood Demon.
[Requirements]: Ensure Xuan Tianzong, Dan Chenzi, and Li Yingqi survive.
[Warning]: Youquan possesses ten thousand 'Blood Spirits.' He cannot be killed by traditional means. Beware the presence of the Red Corpse Demon Lord.
The chat group went silent for a long moment.
Yae Miko: "A Five-Star mission... Su Han, this Youquan sounds like a nightmare."
Su Han: "He is. He has ten thousand primordial spirits. If you don't destroy every single one of his 'Blood Spirits' simultaneously, he will just regenerate and devour you. Aside from Mr. Zhongli, no one in this group can handle a threat on this scale."
Su Han turned to Zhongli and handed him the Xuanyuan Sword. "Take this with you. In a world of high-level cultivation and demons, the Saintly Blade's power to suppress evil will be your greatest asset. It will also help hide your true identity if you need to unleash your full strength."
Zhongli accepted the sword, and the blade flashed with a brilliant gold light, recognizing his authority. "I appreciate the gesture, Group Leader. I shall see this through."
The countdown hit zero. Liyue's God of War vanished, heading toward a world of blood and soaring swords.
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