Crossing over the Feiyun Slope and passing through the Tiger-Eating Rock, Lumine, running at full speed, demonstrated an extraordinary pace and soon arrived at the back of the Black Rock Factory where the Golden House was located.
Struggling to keep up with Lumine's sprint, little Paimon also spotted the Golden House in the distance.
"Wow, is this the Golden House?" Following Lumine into this magnificent palace adorned with gold and jade, Paimon exclaimed, "It already looks majestic from the outside, but I didn't expect it to be even more luxurious inside!"
Looking at the Mora inside the Golden House, which seemed like a flowing river, Paimon remarked, "And, and there's Mora everywhere on the ground!"
The sight of Mora all over the floor caught Paimon's attention, and a foolish smile appeared on his face. "Since all the Mora in Teyvat is produced here, maybe taking a little more or less won't be noticed!"
Lumine, on high alert, glanced at Paimon, who was smiling foolishly, and couldn't help but pat his little head impatiently. "Don't touch it, or you'll get caught!"
Paimon, being scolded, frowned, then perked up again. "But, even if we can't take any, it should be okay to take a closer look!"
White particles floated onto the Mora, embracing the golden Mora tightly, revealing the foolish smile again. "If possible, I'd like to lie down and take a nap in here! Sleeping here would make dreams even sweeter, hehehe..."
Lumine interrupted Paimon's daydreaming with a sigh and headed deeper inside. "Let's first confirm the situation with the Exuvia of the Geo Archon!"
"Oh, right, right, priorities first." Paimon finally realized there were more important matters at hand. "But, isn't it too quiet here? As the production site of Mora and still housing the Exuvia of the Geo Archon, shouldn't there be someone guarding it?"
Flying around Lumine, Paimon conducted an aerial reconnaissance of the Golden House.
"Wow, Lumine, look over there, what's that?" Lumine turned to see several figures lying on the ground.
"It's the soldiers from the Qixing! They're all unconscious!" Lumine went forward to inspect the fallen figures and found that they were indeed the Qixing soldiers guarding the Golden House.
"Uh, the situation doesn't look good!" Paimon said anxiously, clearly feeling uneasy. "Let's hurry and confirm the situation with the Exuvia!"
After arranging the unconscious soldiers, the two hurried towards the depths of the Golden House, where the Exuvia of the Geo Archon was kept.
When Luminearrived, she saw the gigantic Exuvia of the Geo Archon fixed on a high platform, with the lifelike dragon-shaped divine body and the remaining power of the Geo Archon circulating around it.
"Hmm, isn't the Trartaglia here?" Lumine looked around warily.
"Hehe, as guides, your mission is already complete, so why are you here looking for trouble?" A light laughter came from behind, and it was Tartaglia.
"Who's there?" Paimon was startled by the sudden words and quickly flew behind Lumine, only to see the Traveler.
With a contemptuous smile, Tartaglia looked at the two. "If you were part of the Fatui, you might have received a reward from Her Majesty. But now, you're just worthless troublemakers!"
Looking at Tartaglia, Lumine asked loudly, "How did you know about this place?"
Perhaps feeling that his goal was about to be achieved, Tartaglia was in a good mood, or perhaps he was showing off to the defeated, he answered Lumine's question.
"Where should I start? Originally, this kind of scheming isn't my style, but when the Geo Archon suddenly fell, and the Exuvia of the Geo Archon was hidden away, it put me in a difficult position for a while."
"Fortunately, Zhongli mentioned the preparation for the ceremony to escort the Archon, which gave me the opportunity to get information about this place!"
With a sneer, Tartaglia showed a cold smile. "Heh, sacrificing the production of Mora and hiding the Exuvia of the Geo Archon, the Qixing really spared no expense!"
Lumine's gaze became colder. "So, you've been using me all along!"
"Using? I would call it a trade. I saved you from the Qixing, and you cooperated with me to complete the plan. It's not just one-sided manipulation!" Tartaglia didn't listen to Tartaglia's accusation, and after symbolically showing a sad expression, his face turned cold, and he summoned Polar Star in his hand, "It seems that a 'battle' is necessary after all!"
Lumine's fighting stance was exactly what Tartaglia had in mind. He drew his bow while talking and continuously shot Hydro-element arrows at Lumine.
Dodging the arrows, Lumine moved fluidly, seemingly dangerous but actually easily evading many arrows, and took the opportunity to approach Tartaglia, the wind gathering on her blade as she lunged at him.
Tartaglia, however, leapt into the air like a soaring goose, avoiding Lumine's blade.
Seeing Tartaglia soar into the air, Lumine's eyes gleamed with a hint of cunning. It was a good opportunity. Anemo elements gathered, and a tornado whistled out.
The raging wind made Tartaglia lose his balance and be swept into the tornado.
Although momentarily at a disadvantage, Tartaglia wasn't nervous. He instantly adjusted his body, felt the flow of the wind, and then, with a burst of azure hydro-element power under his feet, broke free from the tornado's restraint and returned to the ground.
"Heh, it seems I need to get serious to deal with you faster!"
Putting away his contempt for Lumine, Tartaglia sensed that this opponent was indeed formidable.
Purple lightning appeared around Tartaglia, and his Polar Star transformed into two single-handed short blades, flickering with lightning.
Delusion Unleashed!
Giving up the use of his bow and arrows, Tartaglia was undoubtedly powerful.
Purple electric light shimmered, and Tartaglia appeared beside Lumine, lightning dancing around his twin blades.
Lumine's pupils contracted. Hastily lifting her sword to block.
The immense force sent Lumine flying and crashing heavily to the ground.
Feeling the pain in her body, Lumine gritted her teeth. Compared to the physical pain, she feared more the consequences of indirectly aiding the villains.
Her eyes locked onto Tartaglia, who had turned into purple lightning once again.
Seeing the opponent about to attack again, Lumine's eyes widened, and now was the time. "Starfell Sword!"
A cylindrical rock structure slammed viciously into Tartaglia's electrified form, interrupting his rapid movement as lightning.
Seeing her strike succeed, Lumine didn't hesitate. Lifting her right foot, she stomped fiercely.
"Rockslide Rumble!"
Surging rock elements gushed out, forming shockwaves that sent Tartaglia flying, finally forming upraised rocks around him.
To Lumine's surprise, Tartaglia, after being sent flying, didn't counterattack but instead, using the force of the shockwaves, turned into lightning once again and rushed towards the Exuvia of the Geo Archon.
Lumine's pupils contracted.
"This isn't good!"
As the purple lightning dissipated, Tartaglia appeared beside the Exuvia of the Geo Archon.
"Although battling with you was enjoyable, the most important thing today is to complete Her Majesty's mission first!"
Standing beside the Exuvia of the Geo Archon, Tartaglia showed Lumine a smile tinged with regret, then his right hand glowed, reaching towards the chest of the Exuvia.
In the next moment, a look of surprise appeared on Tartaglia's face as he grasped nothing but air.
The unexpected turn left him momentarily stunned, then he turned to look at Lumine and Paimon.
"There's nothing here at all. Did you two beat me to it?"
Walking towards the wary Lumine, Tartaglia frowned. "Hand over the Gnosis!"
Lumine rolled her eyes, ignoring Tartaglia, as wind began to gather on her blade.
(End of Chapter)