"Once you've made your choice, there's no need to ask me."
"Just take it."
"After that, you're welcome to stay on the Jade Chamber for a while, take a look around."
"Rest during a journey is just as important as the journey itself."
Ningguang spoke gently to the three of them.
"Perhaps next time, Lady Ningguang."
"We should set out now."
Qiu Nian waved his hand with a polite smile.
"I'll have someone escort you down from the Jade Chamber."
Ningguang nodded and summoned an attendant.
Under the attendant's guidance, the three returned to the floating platform.
The platform slowly descended toward Yujing Terrace.
Afterward, they left Liyue Harbor and followed the direction marked on the map.
Along the way, Lumine had the strange feeling that someone was following them.
After walking for quite some time, the three arrived at a set of ancient ruins.
More than ten Fatui soldiers were stationed there.
Cryo gunners, Hydro gunners, Pyro gunners, Geo casters, Electro hammer-wielders, and Anemo skirmishers—all gathered together.
"So the place marked on the note really does have Fatui here."
"In the middle of the night, gathering in a place like this… they must be up to something shady."
Paimon folded her arms.
"Hmm…"
Even facing over ten fully armed Fatui soldiers, Qiu Nian remained calm.
"Qiu Nian, aren't you scared?"
"That's more than ten Fatui soldiers!"
Paimon asked in surprise.
"I know a bit of martial arts and swordsmanship."
"Protecting myself shouldn't be a problem."
Qiu Nian replied calmly.
"A bit of martial arts?"
"With your skinny build, that's really hard to believe…"
Paimon said skeptically.
"And the person who always hides far away during fights…"
"How dare you say that?"
Lumine gave Paimon a teasing look.
"I'm not hiding!"
"Don't you feel like you become stronger every time I cheer for you?"
Paimon stomped her foot and asked seriously.
"No."
Lumine shook her head.
Before Paimon could continue arguing—
Two Fatui soldiers in the distance spotted them.
"Who's there, sneaking around?!"
"Get them!"
One of the Electro hammer soldiers charged straight toward them.
More than ten Fatui soldiers followed behind him.
"Paimon, find somewhere to hide."
"Qiu Nian, be careful too. If things get dangerous, run."
Lumine summoned her dull blade in a flash of light.
But when she turned around—
Paimon was already gone.
Only Qiu Nian remained beside her.
Looking around, she spotted Paimon peeking out from behind a wall not far away.
Lumine's mouth twitched.
"Y-you guys go for it!"
Paimon shouted from her hiding spot.
"Take this!"
The Electro hammer soldier raised his thunderous weapon and smashed it down at them.
Qiu Nian and Lumine leapt aside, dodging the blow.
With a loud crash, the stone floor cracked under the hammer's impact.
Seeing his attack miss, the soldier swung the hammer toward Qiu Nian again.
Qiu Nian simply turned his body slightly.
His expression remained calm as he avoided the strike.
At that moment, a Pyro gunner fired from behind him.
A blazing bullet shot toward Qiu Nian at incredible speed.
Without even turning around—
Qiu Nian tilted his head slightly.
Whoosh.
The flaming bullet grazed past his cheek.
"Qiu Nian is actually this strong?!"
Paimon stared wide-eyed.
"That was so cool!"
"My husband is amazing!"
Xuehua shouted excitedly while watching the stream.
[That was badass!]
[Watch your language]
[That calm expression while dodging a bullet—yeah, that's cool]
[Why doesn't he have a Vision? Hey gods, look at him!]
[MiHoYo, make him a playable character without a Vision! Physical DPS!]
[Put him in the banner!]
At this moment, Qiu Nian and Lumine were each surrounded by five or six Fatui soldiers.
Lumine unleashed Anemo power, blasting a Cryo gunner away.
She jumped back, dodging a punch from an Anemo skirmisher.
In an instant, her dull blade appeared in her hand.
The blade shimmered with both Anemo and Geo energy.
With a sweeping slash—
Several Geo crystals the size of eggs shot forward along with the wind-infused blade aura.
Three Fatui soldiers were knocked down immediately.
"What move was that?"
"Why can't my Lumine do that?!"
Xuehua stared at the screen in confusion.
Meanwhile—
The Anemo skirmisher punched toward Qiu Nian.
Qiu Nian sidestepped and moved to his flank.
Because of the momentum, the soldier couldn't adjust his stance.
Qiu Nian seized the moment—
He lifted his leg and kicked the man hard in the waist.
The Anemo soldier collapsed instantly, clutching his side, his body trembling in pain.
He lost all ability to fight.
Seeing this, the Electro hammer soldier swung his hammer again.
Qiu Nian leaned backward, dodging it while bending at the waist.
Using the momentum, he flipped forward.
Then he rushed in, leaping into the air.
His body spun once—
And his right leg whipped out.
Bang!
His kick smashed directly into the Electro soldier's face.
With a dull thud, the soldier collapsed sideways.
He fell unconscious immediately.
The remaining four Fatui soldiers gulped nervously.
At the same time, Lumine had already finished her fight.
"Qiu Nian, I'll help!"
She charged forward with her sword.
In moments, the remaining soldiers were defeated.
Aside from the two Qiu Nian had taken down—
All the others were defeated by Lumine.
Hidden in the shadows, Yelan watched silently.
Even she felt a hint of surprise.
The Traveler's strength was understandable.
But she hadn't expected Mr. Qiu Nian's combat ability to be this impressive.
It might even surpass some Vision holders.
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