35: Storm Dragon Ruins Raid

Barbara's eyes suddenly lit up, sparkling with anticipation as she looked at Huo Xi.

Huo Xi glanced at Venti, then squatted down and took the damaged sky harp from Barbara's arms.

“I can only restore it. I can preserve the Anemo Archon's divine power still contained within, but I can't do anything about what has already dissipated.”

“Just fix it!” Barbara abruptly leaned forward, then realized it was inappropriate and retreated.

Then, under everyone's expectant gaze, he ran behind a massive rock.

Everyone: ???

Lumine and Paimon exchanged glances, then Lumine said, “Let's go see!” and followed him.

Behind the rock, Lumine and Paimon immediately saw Huo Xi, who had split open down the middle.

Paimon was startled but before she could cry out, Lumine covered her mouth.

Lumine had traveled in the universe for so long that she had seen a lot, so she wasn't overly surprised by Huo Xi's appearance: “Is that necessary? You were able to take things out while maintaining human form by the sea before, weren't you?”

Huo Xi extended his right hand, and the horizontal lines on his palm split open. An eye opened, its vertical pupil then split to both sides, revealing teeth and a tongue.

The vertical pupils opened and closed, making a sound: “Simple repair doesn't require too many steps, but I thought since there's a lot of empty space that doesn't contain Anemo Power, I might as well seal some of my own power inside.

This is a tiny bit of Anemo clearance from another world. This way, when we're not around, this sacred artifact can ensure Mondstadt won't suffer too much disaster. In a novel from my old planet, this kind of thing is called a 'Sect-Protecting Grand Formation'.

Since you're here, help me keep an eye on them and make sure they don't come over.”

Paimon looked at the two of them and also felt that the main task was important now, so she consciously helped Lumine stand guard.

However, there was no need to be too nervous. Huo Xi put the sky harp into his body and spat it out again after about half a minute.

From an outsider's perspective, it was even simpler: Lumine and Paimon followed, and then a bright blue light burst from behind the rock!

Then the three walked out together, Huo Xi still holding the intact sky harp.

Seeing this, Barbara immediately stood up and rushed over, gradually slowing down when she was two or three meters away from Huo Xi, then slowly approached and took the sky harp.

She held the sky harp and looked at Huo Xi, not knowing what to say.

After all, her recent estrangement from Huo Xi was only because he had deceived her with a curse, making her constantly wonder if Huo Xi had only approached her because he coveted her body.

Looking back now, she would realize that most of the time, Huo Xi, just like now, was accommodating her and Amber.

Originally, at a time like this, all she needed to say was

She took a step forward, hugged the sky harp tightly to her chest, then pressed her entire body against Huo Xi's chest with force, and quickly ran away.

Huo Xi stood frozen, unable to understand the Damselette's twisted way of expressing herself. Was she willing to get close to him or not?

Before he could figure it out, Lumine and Jean's piercing gazes had already shot over.

Lumine's gaze clearly conveyed, “If you don't turn into a Shota and serve me well tonight, I'll mess with you,” while Jean's gaze carried an unpleasantness she herself hadn't noticed.

At this moment, it was up to Venti, the Mondstadt insider, to walk over and whisper in his ear: “Holding her arms across her chest, with the sky harp between you two, means she still has some reservations. But leaning into your embrace means she doesn't reject contact with you, understand? Although she seems very open as an idol in Mondstadt, deep down she is still an untainted, pure child. Work harder, you're just missing an opportunity.”

With that, the Anemo Archon gave a wink.

Huo Xi nodded. What you said is good, but where are all these opportunities?

After all, the original game is a 12+ game. Aside from a few NPCs and some ML-oriented characters, almost none have dating experience. Either they prioritize their careers and people, or they are simply pure friendships that don't involve romance, and this won't change no matter how much the community argues.

Perhaps it's this fundamental character trait that makes Barbara, and even Jean and Eula, or even Lisa, who has met Huo Xi fewer times than the others, quite oblivious when it comes to romance. Sometimes, even when they've clearly hit it off with Huo Xi during their interactions, they generally don't think of it in terms of a romantic relationship.

One holds grudges, one supervises, and one is full of sweet talk. Unlike Lumine, who enjoys washing her Shota master's face every day.

So, if we're talking about opportunities, everyone lacks one.

That's why Huo Xi asked, where are all these opportunities?

...

Setting aside romantic matters, now that the sky harp was repaired, everyone resumed discussing Dvalin's problem.

Venti was the first to admit he couldn't win: “After being away from Mondstadt for so long, my power has almost completely drained. It's impossible for me to directly contend with a dragon. I'm probably a strong contender for the weakest of the Seven Archons now, aren't I?”

In the distant city of Fontaine, Madame Furina de Fontaine, who had shivered in fear from the shadow of a tree branch while walking at night and dared not show it in front of the public and guards, sneezed.

Hearing Venti's words, Acting Grand Master Jean bowed to him:

Paimon put her hands behind her back, a teasing expression on her face: “So devout, Acting Grand Master Jean. Haven't you considered that a certain someone is just used to being carefree and doesn't want to manage things?”

Venti choked on those words.

Finally, Diluc brought the conversation back on track: “Regardless of whether having such an Archon is good or bad, what should we do about Dvalin next?”

Hearing this, Venti's expression also became serious: “I'm afraid this time we really have to prepare for the worst. Lumine, Huo Xi, you mentioned Stormterrors Lair before, right?

In fact, that place was originally the ruins of Old Mondstadt. Dvalin made his nest there, and later a great Adventurer blew it to pieces, which is why it was renamed Stormterrors Lair.

In other words, Stormterror is there now.”

Lumine nodded, indicating she understood, then concisely asked, “So? Are we going to fight our way in?”

Venti also nodded, but then shook his head: “We are going there, but not just to fight. Lumine, you are the key to this operation. The rest of us will be responsible for suppressing Dvalin, and you need to purify the toxic blood on him!”

Lumine pointed at Huo Xi: “Can't he do it too? And if both of us, master and disciple, go together, we can probably absorb it faster.”

Rosaria, who had been observing most carefully from behind everyone, opened her mouth and replied: “He probably can't. I observed just now that Stormterror probably fled because he felt fear towards Huo Xi. If he goes along, Stormterror might not even show up.”

Huo Xi actually wanted to say that he could suppress Stormterror at light speed, but considering that the system required the plot to proceed, and the plot could be advanced as long as Lumine was there, he simply didn't bother to go along. In fact, he had something he had been planning for a long time that he wanted to deal with in the afternoon.

Jean also chimed in at this moment: “Exactly. Also, I have one more thing to ask of you: please take Barbara back to Mondstadt. It would be too dangerous for her to go along.”

“I can fight too, Sis... Acting Grand Master Jean!” Barbara stepped forward, clutching her chest and arguing: “I can provide healing for everyone and apply Hydro element to Stormterror! It will help Mr. Diluc and Sister Rosaria in their combat.”

Jean's eyes narrowed: “No, you have almost no combat experience, especially against dangerous creatures like dragons! To protect you at that time might make the situation passive.”

Rosaria also stepped forward and patted Barbara's shoulder: “Acting Grand Master Jean is right. Different people have different strengths and responsibilities. Your main battlefield is in the church, while ours is on the front lines.

Everyone doing what they should do is the best choice right now.”

Barbara wasn't a sentimental person. She looked around at everyone, then pursed her lips and nodded: “I understand. Then I will pray for your victory in the cathedral!”

Venti chuckled upon hearing this: “Alright, I'll receive that prayer in advance then!”

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. Indeed, this was the Anemo Archon in person.

Finally, Jean walked up to Huo Xi and said seriously: “Then, Honorary Priest, I entrust you with escorting Barbara back to Mondstadt.”

Then, for some reason, she suddenly remembered Barbara throwing herself into Huo Xi's arms just now. For a moment, she felt a pang of jealousy, so she reached out and pinched the soft flesh on Huo Xi's waist where no one could see.

Huo Xi's expression was serious, unmoving: “Don't worry, I guarantee the mission will be completed.”

Jean nodded, then declared loudly: “Alright, then the Stormterror Purification Operation, the tactical change is to the Stormterrors Lair Surprise Attack. If the operation fails, I will bear all responsibility!”

Huo Xi also smiled at everyone: “You all should go directly to Stormterrors Lair. Without my blessing, it would probably be almost evening by the time you even get there, wouldn't it?

Once you arrive, fight as you need to. The reinforcements I've called won't be too late. As for Clara, you can go with Lumine. There's strength in numbers.”

Clara nodded and stood beside Lumine.

The others looked at each other, then at Huo Xi: “What kind of reinforcements are you talking about?”

Huo Xi's mouth curved into a Nike swoosh: “Has everyone forgotten that I have another high-combat individual at my home who is very interested in Abyssal Power?”