"What did you say?"
"No one invaded this stronghold?"
"No, it was just you guys who suddenly rushed in."
A moment later, deep inside the stronghold... the three pursuit teams stared wide-eyed at the stronghold guards before them.
As if they had heard something incomprehensible, their faces were filled with horror.
Before them, a large number of stronghold guards had taken up battle formations, ready for anything.
Seeing them tense up for a long time, only for a group of aggressive people who turned out to be colleagues to appear, they immediately started swearing.
"You pull this stunt on us when we're about to change shifts? I thought it was an enemy attack."
"Didn't someone say there was an invasion, and you didn't even give a warning?"
"Damn it, are you using us as bait?"
Emergency communication methods exist between Fatui strongholds.
On the continent of Teyvat, Snezhnaya's technological level is clearly far ahead of the other nations.
While they cannot achieve real-time communication yet.
They can still provide early warnings to strongholds through certain means.
Indicating that someone is about to invade, is clearly achievable.
"That was an order from Lady, telling us not to alert the enemy."
"If you're not happy, go question Lady!"
"Lady is in Mondstadt?"
A fierce argument erupted deep inside the stronghold.
Seeing the surprised expressions on the stronghold guards' faces.
The speaker realized he had misspoken and quickly shut his mouth.
"In short, the order we received was to cooperate with the stronghold guards to encircle and annihilate the invaders."
"But now, those two don't seem to have come here at all."
"Damn it, where did they go?"
The three tracking teams losing two living people was no small matter.
Especially since the other party was someone Lady had given special attention to.
Thinking of the possible consequences, the leading Fatui soldier felt a headache coming on.
"Going back this time is basically a death sentence."
"I don't care if you live or die, get out if you have nothing to do."
Being subjected to such a thrilling scene during a shift change.
The stronghold guard's mentality was clearly a bit broken, and he waved his hand, indicating for the other party to leave.
However, before the pursuit team could react.
The guard, who had been rude, suddenly softened his attitude.
"Wait, by the way, what did the two people you were looking for look like?"
"Wearing masks, one of them had very noticeable red hair."
"How..."
Before he could finish speaking, looking at the slightly distorted expression of the guard captain.
The pursuit team suddenly realized something was wrong.
They abruptly turned their heads to look.
And then, what appeared before their eyes.
Were two figures they were all too familiar with.
The fiery red hair, illuminated by the surrounding candlelight, appeared particularly dazzling.
A great sword in hand emanated a powerful, intimidating aura.
As for the black-haired man beside him, though he made no exaggerated movements.
He made everyone present feel a surge of tension.
Because he... was not wearing a mask.
Yes, after Kai entered the stronghold.
He found the mask obstructing his vision and simply took it off.
But for these Fatui soldiers, this action.
Simply represented a situation of no return.
One must know, due to Snezhnaya's overly arrogant actions on the continent of Teyvat.
It wasn't as if there were no strong individuals who disliked them and raided strongholds on a daily basis.
But even so, most of them would take great pains to disguise themselves.
To prevent their true identities from being exposed and causing unnecessary disputes.
But now, this black-haired man didn't even bother with a disguise.
That could only mean one possibility.
He intended to... leave no one alive.
"It seems everyone in the stronghold is here, so there's no need to waste time searching individually."
"That's quite good."
He twisted his neck, facing the imminent battle.
Kai warmed up very seriously.
A powerful aura, accompanying his advancing steps.
Gradually enveloped the hearts of all the soldiers within the entire stronghold.
"Attack!"
Unfortunately, the Fatui clearly couldn't give him ample time.
They immediately roared and charged forward collectively.
Although the original pincer attack plan had turned into a head-on confrontation.
It didn't have much impact on the Fatui.
After all, there were three elite teams present this time.
Plus, all the guards of the entire stronghold.
In this situation, the only thing they needed to worry about was these two people realizing they couldn't win and simply running away.
As for the outcome of the battle.
That was simply a foregone conclusion.
"Hiss... so eager, huh."
Facing the Fatui soldiers who suddenly charged forward.
Kai showed no concern at all, simply snapping his fingers.
"Chains of Heaven."
The next second… the narrow space suddenly twisted into countless golden whirlpools.
Innumerable golden chains spread wildly, at an unimaginable speed.
They directly bound all the Fatui soldiers.
At the same time, Diluc, who was beside him, had already swung his great sword.
The surging phoenix transformed into a towering inferno.
Carrying an unparalleled power, it slashed directly across the group of Fatui.
"Boom boom!!!"
In just an instant.
The surging Pyro Element suddenly rose, engulfing the charging Fatui soldiers.
All of them were wrapped within it.
"Ahhh~"
Screams quietly permeated the air.
Kai narrowed his eyes, manipulating with his fingers.
From within the whirlpool, several more treasured artifacts, trailing golden streams of light, burst forth.
Under the cover of the flames, they mercilessly reaped the lives of everyone present.
Their power was completely overwhelming, impossible to resist.
Just a moment later… as the screams and flames gradually faded.
The originally aggressive Fatui soldiers had all fallen to the ground.
They were completely annihilated on the spot.
"Work done, perfect cooperation as always."
Neatly and efficiently dealing with the guards of an outpost.
For Kai and Diluc, it was clearly not a particularly difficult battle.
Looking at the seemingly not very large outpost.
Kai scratched his head, dispelling the Chains of Heaven that were still hovering in the air.
Then he said, "Then I'll leave the search work to you. See if there are any surviving Fatui soldiers inside."
"Alright."
Concise and to the point, without extra words.
Diluc directly stepped into the depths of the outpost.
This was genuinely not Kai being lazy; although his combat power was unrivaled.
But for the traps set by these cunning Fatui.
It was truly not an easy task to cleanly find all the hidden people within the outpost.
In this situation, Diluc, who frequently dealt with Fatui outposts.
Clearly had a lot of experience.
Under these circumstances… Kai could only stay here, to prevent any straggling Fatui soldiers.
From running out of the entrance.
"Found one."
Soon, Diluc's voice echoed from the dark depths of the outpost.
Hearing this.
Kai, who had been prepared to wait for Diluc to finish searching and then go out to deal with the remaining Fatui soldiers,
Couldn't help but be slightly surprised, and looked up.
"There's really one alive?"