Diluc's eyes were filled with endless hatred, and his gritted teeth sent shivers down one's spine.
The phoenix pushed Malice back relentlessly, finally stopping only when it hit an obstacle.
Mlice stood up again; that move had indeed caused him some damage...
However, it was only a little.
Diluc charged forward, gripping his flaming greatsword. He completely abandoned defense, his moves wide and sweeping, all trading blows for blows.
Malice also drew his greatsword, playing only defense.
Firstly, he was afraid of hurting Diluc; secondly, this guy seemed to have burst, becoming much stronger than when he had encountered him before!
"Your sister... to be able to offer her everything... to the Abyss... is her... fortune!"
"Shut up!!!"
Hatred surged in Diluc's chest. He knew his current state was very wrong, but he simply couldn't calm down.
To witness his sister's death and still not find peace, and for her soul to be treated like this, it was even more unbearable than killing him.
Even in such fury, Diluc's rationality still remained.
Secretly, his attention was constantly on the purple-black jade ring at Malice's waist.
He had seen with his own eyes that Malice had pulled Ruola out from there; Ruola's soul was inside!
During a lull in the battle, seizing an opportunity, Diluc suddenly grabbed at the jade ring.
Malice had long sensed Diluc's quiet gaze but had simply pretended not to know.
When Diluc reached out, Malice backhanded and gripped his wrist.
The moment he gripped Diluc's wrist, Malice felt a familiar aura.
A Delusion?!
No wonder he suddenly became so strong...
Anqi also possessed a Delusion, so Malice was quite familiar with this item.
Diluc's greatsword, swung with his right hand, was also pressed down by Malice's long blade.
"You too... come and serve... the Abyss!"
Endless abyssal power surged towards Diluc. Diluc tried with all his might but couldn't break free.
But just as the Abyss had entered Diluc's body, a green spear thrust towards Malice's back.
Malice quickly dodged, letting go of Diluc.
He wasn't truly trying to make Diluc serve the Abyss; he just wanted to use this opportunity to reduce the side effects of him using the Delusion, although on the surface, it looked like he wanted Diluc to serve the Abyss.
After Xiao arrived, he attacked Malice without a word, and Malice immediately went into stealth mode.
He couldn't beat this one.
"Disappeared?!"
Xiao was incredibly surprised. How was that possible?
He had originally been entrusted by the Anemo Archon to look after that monster, but unexpectedly, his karma had flared up at that very moment, almost making him late.
Diluc, who had pulled away, clutched the jade ring in his hand, a fleeting look of joy appearing on his face.
Only...
Mlice reappeared beside Diluc at some unknown moment and directly reached out to snatch the jade ring.
Diluc held on tightly. Even with the sudden tug, he desperately protected the jade ring in his hand, not letting go even when his body fell heavily to the ground.
Malice couldn't snatch it back!
How could he let him snatch it back? Diluc was holding everything he had; he would hold on tightly even if it cost him his life.
Malice disappeared again the moment Xiao attacked.
Xiao, who still hadn't caught up, immediately went to Diluc's side, wary of his surroundings.
"What is that thing?"
Diluc was also wary of his surroundings, protecting the jade ring in his hand:
"A bane of the Abyss, very strange. Be extra careful!"
Diluc had long heard of the Conqueror of Demons of Liyue.
Xiao nodded. He had been distracted before, but now, if that guy came out, he could instantly stab a hole through him.
Malice also knew this, so he immediately ran away.
Who knew if the commotion here had attracted those two guys? If he didn't run now, this avatar would be gone...
As for the soul, he had originally taken it out to return it to him.
If you want to know the reason...
Having followed Diluc for so long, Jiang Mumu felt he was too pitiful. He had always lived in pain, even waking up from nightmares while sleeping.
He was, after all, the brother she had doted on for seventeen years; she couldn't bear it.
She had to do this for emotional feedback, but now, it was time to give Diluc some spiritual comfort.
Otherwise, she would have to keep coming to check on him, fearing he would kill himself.
Ruola's soul was originally a part of Jiang Mumu's consciousness. When Ruola's curtain call ended, she would naturally return to Jiang Mumu.
Now, it was time to go back, though she would return in a few days.
But at least, it could make someone feel better.
---
Liyue, Wanmin Restaurant.
Zhongli was about to dine; the table in front of him was full of delicious dishes.
But just then, a green bard walked in, said nothing, and sat directly across from Zhongli.
"Mister Zhongli, are you alone? Would you like me to keep you company?"
"Oh? I didn't expect to meet you here. Shenhe, please add another set of bowls and chopsticks."
Shenhe, who was busy, nodded slightly and went to get the bowls and chopsticks.
Zhongli saw the sorrow on Venti's face and knew he had come specifically to find him.
"Then I'll thank the old man first."
Venti took out a bottle of wine, was about to open it, then remembered it was the last bottle Ruola had given him, so he silently put it back.
Zhongli watched Venti's actions, silently sipped his tea, and waited for Venti to speak.
"You must know what happened in Mondstadt, right?"
Zhongli nodded lightly.
Venti continued:
"The Abyss, by some unknown method, resurrected the fallen Dragon Durin. The resurrected Durin had no consciousness or thoughts, only the instinct to fight."
"While I was fighting the Dragon, the Abyss took the opportunity to summon monsters to attack Mondstadt, even deploying ancient machinery..."
"The culprit behind all this is a monster from the Abyss. He possesses a very special ability; his strength isn't great, but his stealth ability is extremely outstanding. Even I can't find him when he's in stealth."
"I've been tracking him, and I've found that he has likely already arrived in Liyue."
Zhongli put down his teacup and looked at Venti seriously:
"What did he do to make you so angry?"
"He killed a junior I thought highly of, one could even say a good friend, and took her soul."
"Took her soul?"
Zhongli's face darkened.
Liyue emphasizes resting in peace. After a person dies, their soul must go to where it belongs.
Desecrating the souls of the dead is absolutely unforgivable in Liyue.
Shenhe brought the bowls and chopsticks, and Zhongli and Venti stopped talking at the appropriate time.
After Shenhe left, Venti silently set up a barrier:
"That one is very strange, but he shouldn't be able to cause much trouble in Liyue. I just hope that when you catch him, you can hand him over to me. If you can't catch him, killing him is fine too."
Zhongli nodded silently.
To force Barbatos to kill means it is a very dangerous monster. Such a factor, unfavorable to Liyue, is best dealt with as soon as possible if found.
Although Zhongli has retired from his position as the Geo Archon, he still doesn't mind taking action for Liyue to eliminate a potential threat.
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