"There's an unusual aura at the end."
"To be safe, everyone, please stay alert. If anything happens, try to stay close to Mr. Qiu Nian and me."
Zhongli looked at Lumine, Paimon, and Kun Jun as he spoke calmly.
"Rex Lapis… this is way too reassuring!"
Xuehua exclaimed, feeling an overwhelming sense of security.
[Is it finally happening? Azhdaha?]
[Qiu Nian: Why stick close to me? I'm injured!]
[Ohh, is a fight coming?]
[High energy ahead]
[If even Rex Lapis says to stay close, something inside is definitely wrong]
[Hype is maxed out hahaha]
[So much security from Rex Lapis!]
Lumine, Paimon, and Kun Jun all nodded.
They followed Zhongli down into the tunnel.
As soon as they reached the bottom—
They saw over a dozen miners, swinging their pickaxes, digging with all their might.
"This is…"
Zhongli muttered as he looked at the sealed stone gate ahead.
"Wh-what are they digging?"
Paimon flew forward, curious.
"I'm afraid this tunnel…"
"Was dug out entirely by them."
Zhongli crossed his arms, watching the miners.
"That door…"
"Was it already there?"
Paimon looked at the glowing golden seal in confusion.
"To dig a tunnel leading to an ancient seal…"
"If left undiscovered, they would keep digging…"
"Until the seal is opened."
Zhongli said, hand resting on his chin.
"D-does that mean… something is sealed inside?"
Paimon felt a chill.
At that moment—
The miners suddenly noticed them.
Gripping their pickaxes, they charged at the group!
Paimon, being at the front, was the first target—
But she quickly dodged and retreated behind the others.
Zhongli raised one hand.
A Geo sigil appeared—
Then he spread his arms.
A massive golden shield enveloped everyone.
No matter how the miners attacked—
The shield remained completely unshaken.
"Woah, that's so cool!"
"And why is the shield this big?! My C6 Zhongli doesn't even have this!"
Xuehua screamed in excitement.
[That shield is HUGE!]
[Wait, I've never seen this skill before (facepalm)]
[You pulled Zhongli. This is Rex Lapis (smirk)]
[So cool, I'm dying!]
"What do we do? We can't attack civilians!"
Paimon asked anxiously.
Zhongli raised his hand again—
The Geo sigil flashed—
And the shield expanded even further.
Then he began walking forward—
Calm, steady, composed.
[Those legs—I'm losing it!!!]
[That dignified and elegant walk]
[This is too seductive]
[Each step hits my heart]
[I only have C1 Zhongli, I need C2 now]
Suddenly—
A swirling mass of black energy appeared behind them.
From within it—
A blue-haired little girl emerged, wearing a sinister smile.
Dark energy surged around her—
As she lunged toward Zhongli!
Kun Jun immediately turned—
Using all his strength to block the attack!
In an instant—
Black and white energies clashed—
Then exploded violently!
Even the Dragon-Queller Tree trembled violently.
The shockwave struck the golden seal—
And in that instant—
The seal shattered.
A powerful suction force erupted from within.
Lumine struggled desperately, digging her fingers into the ground—
But in the end—
She, Paimon, and Kun Jun were all pulled inside.
Qiu Nian exchanged a glance with Zhongli—
Then stopped resisting—
Allowing himself to be drawn in.
[Lumine clawing the ground like a cat is so cute hahaha]
[Kun Jun is actually this strong?!]
[That little girl from the PV appeared!]
[Qiu Nian and Zhongli just looked at each other and went in]
The scene shifted—
Before them lay an enormous underground space.
Golden crystals stood everywhere—
And within it—
A colossal Geo dragon, massive as a mountain—
Was smashing apart the stone pillars sealing it.
With a final roar—
The seal was completely broken.
A grand, overwhelming soundtrack surged.
"What is that monster?!"
Paimon shouted in shock.
"Morax! You've delivered yourself to me—perfect for settling the grudge of my imprisonment!"
Azhdaha roared furiously.
"I see."
"That little girl was merely a manifestation of your power."
"But Azhdaha…"
"If you still remember—this outcome was never what either of us desired."
Zhongli remained calm.
"No more words—die!"
"Ashes of Guixu, this has nothing to do with you—do not interfere!"
Azhdaha roared at Qiu Nian.
Paimon shrank back in fear.
Even Lumine immediately drew her sword, staring at Azhdaha with clenched teeth.
Kun Jun frowned slightly.
"Right now…"
"You are only a fragment of him."
"How can you represent Azhdaha's true will?"
"The one before me now…"
"Is not the one I knew."
Qiu Nian spoke calmly.
Kun Jun, hearing this, looked at Qiu Nian's back—
And smiled faintly.
Meanwhile—
Xuehua was still chipping away at Azhdaha's HP with Zhongli—
Listening to the dialogue.
"My lord, what did you just say?!"
"This mountain-sized thing…"
"Is only a small fragment of the real Azhdaha?!"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Finally—
After wearing down Azhdaha's HP—
The cutscene triggered.
"Then all of you… shall remain here!"
Azhdaha roared—
And charged straight at them!
"H-he's coming!"
Paimon covered her eyes in fear.
As Azhdaha rushed forward—
He drew power from the ley lines—
Five elemental forces surged around him—
All except Dendro and Anemo.
He opened his massive jaws—
And unleashed a terrifying five-element blast—
Lighting up the entire underground space.
A deafening explosion erupted!
When the smoke cleared—
Everyone stood within a massive crater.
Golden shields surrounded each of them—
Completely unharmed.
At the center—
Zhongli stood firm—
Holding the Vortex Vanquisher—
Calmly facing Azhdaha.
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