Thanks to the adventurers' "Endurance" stat, linked with both defense and stamina, and the fact that First-Class Adventurers like Hedin and Hogni knew how to conserve energy on the battlefield, saving every ounce of strength to extend their combat time…
Facing waves of Lv.1 and Lv.2 Scorpion Splinter Units, the team, while not capable of going without sleep, food, or water for seven days straight like that infamous duo, could still systematically sweep the battlefield clean with careful coordination.
In fact, the final outcome of the battle gradually leaned toward this result.
About an hour later…
"Phew~"
When Renjiro (Aether) and Lumine descended from mid-air, even as energy-based beings with near-infinite stamina, they both instinctively exhaled a long breath.
There was no doubt: if the Scorpion Splinter Units were capable of burrowing, simply collapsing their tunnels wouldn't suffice.
Fortunately, besides having the Genshin System on his side, Renjiro could also apply the modern knowledge he'd learned before transmigrating.
Add to that the fact that the Archon, "nobody knows rocks better than me", was present…
"Those tunnels are finally completely sealed."
Lumine carefully set Lefiya down, letting her stand steadily beside her.
At this point, the Archon, Xiao, Amber, Ningguang, and the others had mostly dispelled their manifestations to save magical energy.
Nearby, after a long and chaotic battle, the scene was far from pretty.
The number of casualties was still uncertain… but it would not be small.
"Lefiya."
"Lumine-san!"
The Loki familia approached from a short distance, led by Riveria.
Among them, the women, including "Mama-san", greeted Lumine warmly. Meanwhile, Gareth, the rough-and-tumble man, slapped Renjiro (Aether) on the back so hard he nearly knocked the wind out of him.
"Not bad, kid. Facing that sudden situation, you were the first to react and take out the big ones."
"Luckily you noticed in time; subsequent casualties were much reduced."
He spoke the truth.
Even though the potential level of the super-sized Scorpion Splinter Units was roughly equivalent to the Worm Well, they had ranged attacks.
Those purple death rays could instantly vaporize ordinary humans.
Even a tanky adventurer like Gareth would be injured.
And indeed, the first few waves of rays had caused the heaviest casualties during the battle.
"Antares' Splinter Units can burrow… and this was clearly a planned ambush."
After brief greetings, Hedin and the others regrouped.
The blonde, white-haired elf adjusted her glasses and spoke gravely:
"No wonder ancient records, though only partially revealed, claim this creature could rival the One-Eyed Black Dragon. In terms of intelligence, this Scorpion is even more cunning than a dungeon mid-layer boss."
Perhaps from fighting side by side earlier, even Alyssia now refrained from glaring at Hedin.
In this more cooperative atmosphere, Hedin continued:
"Judging from recent events, the smaller groups of scorpions weren't pressuring us, they were scouting."
Indeed.
The Scorpions probably lacked the ability to navigate underground precisely. Sending part of their forces above ground appeared to be mere movement, but secretly, they guided the burrowing units below.
So perhaps the strange phenomena in the Kaios Desert were not just…
"Lumine-san, you're incredible."
Renjiro (Aether) continued analyzing Hedin's observations, while his mischievous little sister found herself once again surrounded by the elf girl named Anqiu.
Well… not just her.
Lefiya, Claire, and other members of the Elf mage squad were all around, along with Mama-san, watching the girls chatter energetically, exuding exasperated expressions.
"Not only strong adventurers, but they can cook so well."
"And build houses or enjoy hot springs anytime, anywhere."
"Lumine-san, please be my bride…"
"No way! Absolutely no way, that's shameless!"
"Lefiya, your cheeks are red~"
"Waaahhh~"
Sigh, today's Teyvat Queen of All Females was as "sinfully mischievous" as ever.
Renjiro (Aether) was content to watch the spectacle.
After all, without the XP system tracking, he didn't have any thoughts that would trigger police-level suspicion.
Hmm? Watching his own amusement is strange?
Then he'd just watch his friends' antics instead.
"Orion, are you hungry now?"
A blue-haired, blue-eyed Moon Goddess behaved like an FGO doppelgänger had possessed her, constantly caught up in romantic antics.
Poor Barbara gave him a pleading look.
To that…
"Sorry, you'll have to endure it. Last time, covering for someone got me blamed unfairly, there's no way I'd repeat that."
Though part of him wanted to watch the fun… cough, not that he wanted innocent people affected, Renjiro (Aether) played the straight man.
Speaking of which…
"Recently, Barbara has only trained her spear-throwing to a 'barely usable' level. When we face Antares' true body, we'll have to carefully operate her attacks."
In fact, he had already thought of some clever tricks.
But to use them…
"Given the current strategic situation, as the Twin Stars said, we need to head to the Elsos Ruins immediately."
After some basic analysis, Hedin was about to speak further, but Riveria proactively continued.
Her high emotional intelligence clearly aimed to smooth over previous minor tensions.
"Not long ago, Hogni and I attempted to explore the Large Tree Labyrinth," Hedin added, reciprocating the gesture, "but we were heavily injured before even seeing the gates of the Elsos Ruins."
This drew frowns from Gareth and Riveria.
Both Lv.6 adventurers knew just how strong the "White and Black Knights" were.
Previously, during the Twin Stars' "trial," Hedin and Hogni hadn't held back, but without Renjiro (Aether) and Lumine, the core abilities of the duo weren't fully revealed.
Because if they were truly unleashed, they'd go all out without restraint.
Even with that, both Lv.6s were forced to retreat with heavy injuries before reaching the ruins' gates.
"Antares is an ancient creature that has already devoured a deity," Hedin explained, glancing meaningfully at the blue-haired, blue-eyed goddess nearby.
"Its ability to use divine power in the lower realm…
"…the attacks that forced Hogni and me to retreat originally were countless arrows of light summoned from the sky by divine power."
"These were generated from innumerable magic circles, forming a crescent in the sky. The overall effect is equivalent to a high-level mage group of ten thousand, each arrow more powerful than my spear."
"Once unleashed, tens of thousands of light arrows descend, producing explosions of extreme destructive power."
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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