If it had been before, if Jiang Xuan said he was going to smash Sumeru Akademiya, everyone would have tried to dissuade him.
After all, Sumeru Akademiya held a special position in Sumeru.
But now, no one had the leisure for that.
The impact of the Totem of Undying was still ongoing, so what if Sumeru Akademiya got smashed?
If it was smashed, it must have had its own problems!
Jiang Xuan was just punishing evil and promoting good!
However, Ganyu and Ningguang were somewhat curious about the "she" Jiang Xuan mentioned.
Zhongli glanced at Xiao, who immediately said:
"Mr. Jiang Xuan, I'll go with you."
Jiang Xuan didn't object.
He said softly:
"Xiao and I will be back soon. Before that, Ningguang, you and the others should put away the items brought back from the Nether."
"Also, there's a box of TNT in the basement of the manor villa. You can bring a stack. When I get back, I'll teach you how to make a Redstone Cannon."
"It's a good chance to test the power of the Redstone Cannon with this Pillager attack."
Saying that, Jiang Xuan handed over the important Diamonds and other supplies he carried to Ningguang and the others, telling them to put them away together.
As for the rest of what he carried, they would discuss it when he returned.
Seeing Jiang Xuan and Xiao about to leave, Ganyu gently tugged at Jiang Xuan, and said softly:
"Jiang Xuan, please be careful…"
Jiang Xuan gently hugged Ganyu and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"Don't worry, I won't be in any danger in Teyvat."
With that, Jiang Xuan turned and walked out.
At this moment, his expression instantly turned cold.
Xiao whispered:
"Mr. Jiang Xuan, are we not going directly?"
"We are! But before that... I need to catch a few Zombies."
"These bastards of mine will receive this generous gift with gratitude!"
...
In Sumeru, inside the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
Nahida curled up, hugging her legs, floating alone in the air.
Around her was a verdant barrier, one of the powers left by the previous Dendro Archon, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
This power confined her.
But in truth, Nahida could break free herself, after all, she was the current Dendro Archon.
But she didn't want to.
In her heart, she felt unqualified and unloved by the people, so she willingly remained trapped, letting the people continue to remember the glory of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
For Nahida, it was difficult at first, and the darkness terrified her.
But gradually, she got used to it.
Five hundred years had passed this way, it didn't matter anymore...
However, three days ago, Nahida first had the thought of breaking free from her cage.
She had met a new friend.
A friend who understood her well and cared for her deeply.
Nahida had never experienced such a wonderful feeling.
The lingering palpitations in her heart had tormented her these past few days, making her feel that even the darkness before her was unbearable.
She really missed Jiang Xuan; she and Jiang Xuan hadn't finished making the Flower Chariot yet.
Even if it was just in a dream.
But for her, the dream was her reality.
These past two days, Nahida continued to extend her spirit through the Ley Lines to Liyue, unwilling to give up.
This was a very bold move.
If the Geo Archon, Rex Lapis, were to discover it, he would surely be angry.
But Nahida wasn't afraid.
She was only afraid that Jiang Xuan would stop looking for her.
Those who have seen light cannot tolerate darkness.
Such was Nahida.
But after two days, Rex Lapis hadn't found her, nor had she found Jiang Xuan.
It was as if he had never been in this world.
Nahida didn't believe that day was an illusion, so...
"Hasn't Jiang Xuan returned yet..."
Nahida felt a little lost.
She skillfully created a dream for herself.
It was just like the grassland of that day, just like the Sanctuary of Surasthana of that day.
Even Jiang Xuan was as gentle as he was that day.
But Nahida knew it was ultimately fake.
She couldn't hold Jiang Xuan's hand, and the phantom person before her couldn't give her the warm feeling of that day.
But she didn't care anymore.
Her big eyes curved into crescent moons, clear and pure.
"Jiang Xuan! Push me higher!"
In the dream she created, Nahida sat on a swing made of divine power.
She manipulated the dream to conjure a breeze, carrying her higher.
Beside her, Jiang Xuan's phantom always stood with a gentle smile, but with a lack of liveliness, merely a stiff shadow.
But Nahida was happy.
She had spent five hundred years in such solitary enjoyment.
At least, in her dream, which had always been hers alone, there could finally be a shadow of someone to accompany her.
"Jiang Xuan! Higher!"
"Hehe! Jiang Xuan, Jiang Xuan, shall we make a Flower Chariot later? I want you to guide me, and I'll make it myself!"
"I want to make a Flower Chariot that both of us can ride!"
"Shall we go see that Bamboo Forest? I really want to see the cute Giant Pandas you mentioned..."
"Nah! Jiang Xuan, let me tell you a secret..."
"Actually, my name is Nahida, and I'm the Lesser Lord Kusanali!"
"Jiang Xuan... I really miss you so much..."
The smile on Nahida's face in the dream never faded.
But outside the dream, Nahida curled up even more like a wounded kitten.
...
Just stepping out of the Dual-Passage Door, Jiang Xuan felt a stir in his chest.
The nameless agitation and anger grew even more intense.
He understood that Nahida was thinking of him, waiting for him in her dream.
But Jiang Xuan didn't like to dream.
Xiao, who was behind him, had tied three Zombies with ropes and covered them with black cloth to prevent them from spontaneously combusting in the sun.
Jiang Xuan clenched his increasingly itchy fists; he couldn't wait another moment.
He had to wake Nahida up immediately and take her away.
If Sumeru Akademiya and Sumeru didn't acknowledge her, then they could get lost.
Whoever wanted this thankless responsibility could have it.
"Mr. Jiang Xuan?"
Xiao noticed Jiang Xuan's increasing irritability upon returning to Teyvat and called out cautiously.
"Xiao, can you take me to the Sanctuary of Surasthana in Sumeru in the shortest possible time?"
Jiang Xuan took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing his surging anger.
This fire needed to be unleashed when they arrived at Sumeru Akademiya.
Xiao nodded solemnly.
"Leave it to me!"
A black-and-green storm swept forth, enveloping Jiang Xuan and the three Zombies.
Like a green meteor, they sped across mountains and valleys towards Sumeru.
With his Karma largely eliminated, this level of Adeptal Energy and Adeptal Arts was simple for him.
Even though they were far apart, Xiao was a powerhouse second only to Zhongli.
In less than ten minutes, they arrived in Sumeru.
The swirling winds carried them, standing amidst the bustling Sumeru City.
Jiang Xuan gazed indifferently at the city below.
It was bustling with people, filled with laughter and chatter, a very developed nation of knowledge.
"Xiao, what do you see?"
Jiang Xuan asked abruptly.
Xiao didn't know how to answer. He felt that Jiang Xuan could destroy this place with a single punch at any moment.
After a moment of silence, Xiao whispered:
"A very lively city... everywhere are the shadows of knowledge."
"Heh..."
Jiang Xuan chuckled enigmatically.
"Yes, a nation of wisdom... But unfortunately, this wisdom is sought by a group of giant babies who can't think for themselves or explore on their own, endlessly begging from their gods."
"What they learn, what they know, what they think, what they desire, all are bestowed by the gods. Is such wisdom not the greatest folly?"
"Humans who do not seek knowledge for themselves, yet call themselves wise citizens, craving divine knowledge but unaware of how to repay and respect their gods."
"Do you think they have any reason to exist?"
Xiao's pupils constricted, and he quickly said:
"Mr. Jiang Xuan! Please don't..."
"Don't worry, I don't have such cruel intentions."
Jiang Xuan waved his hand, saying softly:
"I just want to let these ungrateful people know what they rely on to live in this world."
"Without their gods, how will they stand in this world that is about to undergo turbulent changes?"
"They should understand that seeking knowledge relies on humility and hard work; only destruction relies on arrogance and demands."
"This time... it's just collecting some interest."
Jiang Xuan's gaze swept towards Sumeru Akademiya.
He was furious, but he wouldn't indiscriminately kill innocents.
Sumeru Akademiya was corrupted in many ways now, but there were still true Sages within it.
He was looking for the Sages, for that so-called God-Making Base.
Fully extending his perception, a myriad of subtle sounds entered his ears.
The street vendors' cries, the patrols of the Thirteen-Member Group, the scholars' arguments, the bustling Grand Bazaar...
And the hateful whispers from the deepest part of Sumeru Akademiya's center.
"Found it!"
Jiang Xuan grinned, the cold light in his eyes reaching its peak.
"A little less force, one punch is enough. If you don't survive, it's your luck."
"If you survive... I'll be waiting for you to turn into Zombies."
He gently clenched his fist, and in an instant, Xiao felt a boulder pressing on his heart, making him uneasy with its oppressive weight.
Where Jiang Xuan clenched, the air burst, transforming into layers of waves that swept out, as if space itself was being kneaded.
He slowly raised his hand, aiming at the destination.
After confirming that no innocent people would be affected, Jiang Xuan didn't seem to swing his fist violently.
He merely seemed to gently push his fist forward.
In an instant, visible ripples spread through space.
Layer upon layer, surging like waves towards the Sages' location in Sumeru Akademiya.
If anyone looked up at the sky at that moment, they might have seen a magnificent and astonishing sight.
The clouds had been punched through, leaving a large hole.
But the next moment, nothing else mattered.
Xiao witnessed firsthand the true power Jiang Xuan could unleash in Teyvat.
After an earth-shattering roar, the entire Sumeru City seemed to be struck by a great earthquake.
And Jiang Xuan's target, the very center of Sumeru Akademiya, was blasted into a bottomless pit.
From the Sages' offices and meeting rooms down to their secret bases and God-Making Base.
All were annihilated by a single punch.
Many researchers and private soldiers of the Sages were swept away into dust by the punch's impact.
The entire Sumeru was shaken, and Sumeru Akademiya fell into a panic.
Jiang Xuan retracted his fist, feeling that his annoyance had somewhat subsided.
Too lazy to check whether the Grand Sage was still alive, he said lightly:
"That's enough."
"Xiao, throw the Zombies down."
Seeing Jiang Xuan seemingly in a better mood after venting his anger, Xiao's tense heart also relaxed.
He just asked with some doubt:
"Mr. Jiang Xuan, at this height, will the Zombies..."
"World laws are different."
Jiang Xuan shook his head.
"Here, I'd be fine falling from this height, and Zombies should be about the same. Throw them down, and then it has nothing to do with us."
Xiao said no more, casually loosened the ropes, and the three Zombies free-fell towards the deepest part of Sumeru Akademiya.
They landed safely.
The Zombies broke free from their black plastic bags, letting out ferocious roars.
Seeing this, Jiang Xuan chuckled lightly.
"Let's see what you can do without your gods...".
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