Although Mouun was pointing her bow and arrow at her, Sangonomiya Kokomi did not focus most of her attention on her, but rather on another place.
Although Mouun's strength was good, that was only for ordinary people, it was still somewhat insufficient for her as the Divine Priestess.
"...Ayame, you will also stand guard here."
Just as Sangonomiya Kokomi finished speaking, a long sword slashed down toward her.
Sensing the movement from behind, Sangonomiya Kokomi drifted several meters to the side, dodging the attack.
However, the attacker relentlessly continued to twist the trajectory of the strike, stomping her foot hard on the ground, instantly accelerating to rush in front of Sangonomiya Kokomi.
Sangonomiya Kokomi's expression turned slightly more serious as a pale blue halo bloomed around her. She then extended her right hand, firmly grabbing the opponent's weapon.
Looking closely, one could see that the hand Sangonomiya Kokomi used to seize the weapon was enveloped in dense Hydro Elemental Power.
The attacker tried to pull her weapon away with all her strength, yet the long sword did not move an inch in Sangonomiya Kokomi's hand. At this moment, Sangonomiya Kokomi also saw her opponent's face.
It was a face extremely similar to Mouun's, also wearing the Watatsumi Island miko's robes. The only difference was that this person exuded a sense of heroic spirit and capability that Mouun did not possess.
Without a doubt, this was Mouun's younger sister, Ayame.
Sangonomiya Kokomi's other hand gathered power, then struck the side of the long sword with force. A powerful burst of Hydro Elemental Power instantly shattered the weapon in two, and Ayame was sent flying by the immense force, slamming into the nearby cliffside and becoming deeply embedded in the rock.
Just then, several arrows shot toward Sangonomiya Kokomi in rapid succession, but as they entered a certain range, their speed slowed dramatically before coming to a complete halt several meters away from her, as if a pause button had been pressed.
"You should know that as the Divine Priestess, I can borrow the power of the sea. With your strength, it is impossible to stop me."
Sangonomiya Kokomi slowly turned around, her gaze falling upon Mouun once more. Her eyes erupted with an emotion that looked down upon all creation, like a god gazing upon mortals.
An endless stream of power flowed from the sea, making Sangonomiya Kokomi's aura more unfathomable by the moment. A tremendous pressure weighed down on the Mouun sisters, making them feel the urge to bow their heads in submission.
"Yet, do you know? The sea that grants me such power is now pleading for my help."
Sangonomiya Kokomi slowly opened her right hand, and a violent, dark purple Electro Elemental Power manifested in her palm.
The harsh environment of Musoujin Gorge had already affected her, even under the Protection of the Deep, causing a hint of sorrow to flicker in her eyes.
"But this is the last chance to bring Watatsumi Omikami back!"
A flash of pain crossed Mouun's eyes. She knew all too well what the future held, and her heart had been torn by conflict.
"If Watatsumi Omikami knew you were sacrificing countless Inazuman lives, even plunging Inazuma directly into the abyss of destruction, just to bring it back into this world, it would only feel a profound disappointment toward you."
"Don't forget why Watatsumi Omikami chose to face death in the first place!"
Hearing Sangonomiya Kokomi's words, Mouun seemed moved and lowered her bow.
Boom
The cliffside suddenly exploded, sending countless fragments of rock flying. A figure charged toward Sangonomiya Kokomi at incredible speed, only to be stopped by Mouun at the last moment.
"Ayame, that's enough. Stop."
"Sister?"
Ayame came to an immediate halt, her voice filled with urgency.
"Sister, if we let her in, we'll be punished!"
Mouun simply shook her head without saying much, then looked at Sangonomiya Kokomi and spoke.
"Go on, we won't stop you."
"Thank you."
Sangonomiya Kokomi glanced at Mouun with a complicated expression, then wasted no more time and entered Musoujin Gorge directly, immediately feeling the Electro Elemental Power that had almost solidified into substance.
This layer of Electro Elemental Power continuously inflicted wounds on her body, which were then completely healed by her powerful healing ability, but the pain involved was beyond what ordinary people could imagine.
This power was truly too terrifying; she had to find a corresponding solution!
Thinking of this, Sangonomiya Kokomi followed the cliffs on both sides and explored forward without hesitation.
And behind her, two worried gazes watched her figure until it disappeared from sight.
After a long while, Mouun sighed softly.
"Sangonomiya Kokomi, after we made our decision, it could no longer be changed."
"You must be careful, the one who allowed you to enter is not us..."
-
At the Fontaine Research Institute, everyone woke up early this day, preparing to welcome a guest who was extremely important to the Fontaine Research Institute.
The guest's identity was no ordinary one; she was an Adeptus from the Great Nation of Liyue, highly skilled in the art of mechanisms, and had come to the Fontaine Research Institute for academic exchange.
When everyone learned this news from Rene, they rubbed their hands in anticipation, their faces full of excitement.
Whether they could successfully poach him would depend on their performance this time!
Although the people of the Fontaine Research Institute had seen the world, they would not therefore look down on geniuses from other places.
Just like Sandrone, who was clearly several versions behind them at the beginning, yet caught up and even went further in just a few short months.
The limiting factor for these geniuses' ultimate achievements was their vision; if this restriction were removed, they would be able to unleash their full talent.
It had to be admitted that, although they were also called geniuses, their talent was still quite a bit behind compared to this kind of person.
Of course, everyone would not feel dissatisfied or jealous because of this, because with predecessors exploring the path for them, they could reach heights they could not achieve on their own!
So they truly hoped to secure this grandmaster of mechanisms from afar in Liyue, for they were simply too eager to advance!
Countless people gazed eagerly at the end of the path. Before long, a cyan figure appeared in everyone's field of vision.
Instantly, everyone's faces lit up with joy. As the figure approached, some people clapped while others fired celebratory cannons, and the scene immediately became lively.
[Welcome, Lady Cloud Retainer, to the Fontaine Research Institute for academic exchange!]
A huge banner was unfurled. Seeing this scene, the corner of Rene's mouth couldn't help but twitch.
However, when they finally saw her figure clearly, everyone present stood there dumbfounded.
The figure who appeared before them now was an elegant and intellectual woman, not the crane form that had been previously rumored.
"Oh, this Adeptus did not expect to receive such a grand welcome in Fontaine."
Upon seeing this, Lady Cloud Retainer's face showed a hint of surprise, followed by a secret sense of pride in her heart.
To think that she had so many little fanboys here in Fontaine. This kind of treatment was something she had never even experienced in Liyue. At this moment, Lady Cloud Retainer's face was full of smiles.
"You must be the Cloud Retainer from Liyue, are you not?"
Rene looked at Cloud Retainer. Although his intelligence reports had stated she was merely a crane, he could clearly sense her extraordinary nature, so he immediately asked politely.
"Indeed, I am."
Cloud Retainer nodded and continued speaking.
"You may call me 'Xianyun.' This is the name I use when walking among mortals."
Upon hearing Cloud Retainer's words, everyone finally realized what was happening and marveled in astonishment.
As expected of an Adeptus, this ability to change forms at will left almost no trace of a flaw.
"Very well, Lady Xianyun, welcome to Fontaine."
"Everyone at the Fontaine Research Institute has been eagerly anticipating your arrival. Now that we've finally met you in person, we're a bit excited. I hope you won't take offense."
"How could I? Everyone is simply being too enthusiastic. This Adeptus has come to Fontaine to learn, so I truly cannot bear such high expectations from you all."
Cloud Retainer spoke with a smile.
"Lady Xianyun is being humble. With your talent, we are the ones who must learn from you. Let us consider this an exchange for mutual progress."
After speaking, Rene paused before speaking again.
"Lady Xianyun, how about I give you a tour of the Fontaine Research Institute first, and then we can study the mobile phone project together?"
"Haha, that would be wonderful, of course."
Although Cloud Retainer wanted to dive straight into researching the mobile phone, she also had a strong curiosity about the Fontaine Research Institute. She desperately wanted to know what kind of environment and what kind of people had actually invented such a groundbreaking product as the mobile phone.
Furthermore, since Rene had proposed this personally, Cloud Retainer would not cause him to lose face in front of so many people, so she agreed.
"After you, please."
With Rene leading the way, Cloud Retainer and the rest of the group marched in a grand procession toward the interior of the Fontaine Research Institute.
Along the way, many people tried to get closer to Cloud Retainer, wanting her to feel a warmth like that of home so that she wouldn't miss her own home and might stay longer.
Of course, if she decided to move here permanently, that would be even better!
Cloud Retainer failed to see through the small schemes in everyone's hearts. Instead, she played to her strengths and chatted happily with everyone.
Everyone was completely subdued by Cloud Retainer's chatting skills, and they all silently backed away from her a bit with stiff smiles. Cloud Retainer, however, failed to notice this at all and continued talking endlessly about her own glorious deeds.
"A while back, it was thanks to this Adeptus's upgrade of the Guizhong Ballista that it played such a huge role in the battle against the Overlord of the Vortex, Osial."
"A powerful mechanism like this can hold back a god if just a few Adepti are leading its use. It's a shame this Adeptus didn't bring it along, otherwise I would have definitely let you all see it with your own eyes!"
"Hahaha!"
Cloud Retainer showed off with some pride, completely oblivious to the fact that the looks everyone around her was giving her were getting weirder and weirder.
It can only restrain god-level enemies?
What's the use of that? Wouldn't it be better to just unleash all its firepower and blow the enemy to smithereens?!
And it even needs Adepti to operate it to achieve the restraining effect? This thing is practically useless!
Someone wanted to say something, but seeing Cloud Retainer's incredibly proud and smug expression, they immediately abandoned the idea.
Just at that moment, Cloud Retainer happened to be brought by Rene to the weapon testing area of the Fontaine Research Institute.
"Lady Xianyun, please look. This is the latest weapon from the Fortress of Meropide."
"As long as we calibrate the final data here at our Fontaine Research Institute, it can be directly installed on the Clockwork Meka."
After speaking, Cloud Retainer's expression stiffened slightly as she took two steps forward. Looking at the rows of weapons with their thick barrels, she felt a slight chill run through her body.
"This... Monsieur Rene, I wonder what kind of destructive power these weapons can unleash?"
Cloud Retainer's voice had lowered considerably without her even realizing it. Although she had not yet seen the specific results, she could already guess their terrible destructive power from the massive caliber of the barrels.
"Regarding this point, Lady Xianyun may personally take a look."
After speaking, Rene directly commanded the wall in front to lower and the ceiling to retract. Several drones carried a few large, pitch-black alloy plates and flew before everyone. Rene smiled, pointed at those pitch-black alloy plates, and spoke.
"This is a research achievement of our Fontaine Research Institute. It is generally used as external armor for Clockwork Meka. It has a strong energy shock absorption and blocking effect. It is difficult to destroy it by general means. Lady Xianyun may personally strike it to verify this point."
After hearing Rene's words, Cloud Retainer hesitated for a moment, then directly struck out a wisp of Adeptal Energy.
Then, under Cloud Retainer's gaze, the Adeptal Energy she had just struck out collided with that pitch-black alloy plate, yet it was actually unable to leave the slightest mark on it.
Cloud Retainer was truly shocked this time. Although it was just a casual strike of hers just now, not being able to leave even a single mark was simply too outrageous. Did this mean that if she did not get serious, she would be unable to break the Gardemek's defense?
Even saying that if she did get serious, she also would not be able to cause much impact on it. Did this mean she might not necessarily defeat the Gardemek?
Cloud Retainer, refusing to believe it, struck out with Adeptal Energy again, this time completely serious. However, when she saw the alloy plate completely unharmed, she was utterly stunned.
Whether she could break the Gardemek's defense, she didn't know, but she herself was about to break down.
Moreover, the drone suspending the alloy plate had not budged an inch under the previous impact. Its stability was also incredibly strong, giving Cloud Retainer a sense of unreality.
"Lady Xianyun has finished the test, I presume? Then let us officially begin."
After Cloud Retainer nodded numbly, Rene controlled the drones to fly the alloy plate away. He then set various parameters on the control panel and finally invited Cloud Retainer to press the attack button.
When Cloud Retainer reached out and gently pressed the button, seeing the rows of weapons unleash a torrent of bullets like roaring beasts, with all sorts of colors flooding the distant drones and the pitch-black alloy plate together, she was completely dumbfounded.
Those weapons actually brought her a sense of mortal threat!
Wait, she was an Adeptus!
How could weapons made by mortals pose such a great threat to her?!
What on earth were those weapons? If she were locked on by such terrifying weapons, she would definitely not survive!
But that wasn't all. When the torrent of bullets finally ceased a minute later, Cloud Retainer stared at the pitch-black alloy plate in the distance, which was only slightly warped and deformed, and the completely unharmed drone. She was utterly bewildered...