"You? Make me cry?"
The Abyss Herald laughed heartily. "Don't make me laugh. With your strength, you'd be lucky to escape this place alive, let alone make me cry."
"Oh? It seems you've misunderstood my strength," Gu Sanqiu said coolly, his golden and pink glowing eyes dimming. "I've just been getting the hang of some new tricks I picked up. Things are different now—pressure really is the best teacher."
He gave a rueful chuckle. "Though, to be honest, I'd rather just live a peaceful life."
A flash of cyan light erupted, and the Herald instinctively raised his weapons to defend. Even so, Gu Sanqiu's palm struck him squarely, sending him flying backward.
Did I fail to react? Impossible!
The Pyro Herald knelt on the ground, coughing up blood, a strange, unsettling sensation swirling in his chest.
"The power of a curse, huh?"
With twin blades in hand, the Herald charged forward. "Just some cheap parlor tricks! You think this pathetic power can defeat me? Don't be naive!"
"This power is far from pathetic," Gu Sanqiu retorted with a cold laugh. His spear surged with energy, transforming into a dragon's claw that aimed straight for the Herald's weapons.
"Break!"
The Herald roared, raising his twin blades high and slamming them down. The force shattered the claw-like energy from Gu Sanqiu's spear and left him rushing forward to press his advantage.
"Where is he?"
The Herald's heart raced. His target had vanished completely from view, disrupting his follow-up attack.
"Too slow, old man," Gu Sanqiu's voice came from the Herald's side. His fist connected with the Herald's waist, sending him flying again.
This time, Gu Sanqiu didn't let up. Using wind elemental power to boost his speed, he pursued the airborne Herald, unleashing a relentless barrage of strikes on the same vulnerable spot.
Boom!
Resonating with the Geo element, Gu Sanqiu's monstrous strength shattered the elemental armor protecting the Herald.
A dark red glow flickered as the power of a Delusion created a fiery barrier, shielding Gu Sanqiu from the overflowing Pyro energy.
"Hah… hah…" The Herald staggered to his feet, leaning on his weapons for support. "I take back what I said. You're strong—exceptionally so. Even if you don't quite measure up to that Gu Shaochong, your strength is rare in this world."
Gu Sanqiu lowered his spear. "I think I understand what you're getting at. You're saying this level of power isn't enough to make you cry, right?"
"That's right. If this is all you've got—"
The Herald stopped mid-sentence. A crushing wave of sorrow surged through him, a grief so profound it left him gasping for breath. His injuries made it impossible to resist, and he collapsed to the ground, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face.
"Ah, so even you Abyss folk shed normal tears. I thought they'd be black," Gu Sanqiu quipped.
Despite the Herald's sobbing, Gu Sanqiu stayed cautious. He didn't approach—such foes were still dangerous, even when desperate.
"Why… why is this happening?" the Herald wailed. "Our great purpose, the Abyss Order's grand cause… where does our hope lie now?"
He wept like a student who had just realized they'd misread several questions on an important exam.
"Enough!"
A furious voice rang out from below. The ground split open, revealing a twisted yet imposing altar that erupted upward.
Atop the altar stood an Abyss Lector in a flowing violet robe, a circular magical device spinning slowly behind him. His eyes locked onto Gu Sanqiu.
"I didn't expect someone your age to be wielding such power. No wonder this fool couldn't handle you," the Lector said, his voice dripping with disdain.
The violet magical circle spun once more, and a black void consumed the sobbing Pyro Herald.
Gu Sanqiu didn't pay attention to where the Herald went. Instead, his focus was on the altar. His gaze shifted, and recognition dawned on his face.
"So that's how you managed to dig this deep underground. You've been collecting dragon teeth. Not a bad strategy."
The altar's edges were lined with sharp teeth that glowed with a faint, eerie crimson.
It made sense. In the fertile soil of Durin's remains and the unforgiving environment of Dragonspine, creating such a massive structure without using the remnants of a dragon's power would have been nearly impossible, even for the Abyss Order.
What is this? Only magic can defeat magic? Or perhaps the only weapon that can hurt me is the one I drop after death?
Ah, but Durin is already long gone.
So, no problem.
"Descendant of the Gu Sage," the Lector sneered. "Your family has always been nothing but trouble."
"Oh?" Gu Sanqiu spread his hands. "Does that mean you'd like to cause trouble in Liyue?"
"Be my guest. I promise I won't lift a finger to stop you."
Though if the Abyss Order really stirred up trouble in Liyue, they'd meet a far grimmer fate. Gu Sanqiu smirked internally. The Adepti wouldn't just sit by. While my intervention might limit damage, their swift action would ensure these idiots are dealt with completely.
The Lector fell silent, evidently caught off guard by Gu Sanqiu's brazen response.
"Oh, and why does everyone keep calling me the Gu Sage's descendant? Am I supposed to be his actual son or something?"
As he spoke, Gu Sanqiu began discreetly charging his energy, preparing for a potential confrontation while probing for more information.
"There's no need for you to know."
The Lector suddenly chuckled darkly. "Though it is intriguing to think about how you'd react if you learned the truth."
"The Gu family. Keepers of the incense lineage? Masters of the occult? A mischievous clan, nothing more."
The Lector's tone turned mocking. "Remember this, Gu descendant: the doors of the Abyss are always open to you."
"When you make up your mind, a single thought is all it takes. We'll be there to welcome you, dressing you in splendid robes and celebrating your arrival with grand ceremonies."
"Serve Her Highness, the Princess of the Abyss. She is the wisest being in this world, heralding a magnificent end and a glorious rebirth!"
The Lector stepped backward, half his body disappearing into a spatial rift. "But for now, I'll have to report this unruly troublemaker to Her Highness."
"Riddles? Again? Can't you just drop dead already? And do you really think you're getting away?"
Gu Sanqiu raised his hand. Massive Vajra staves materialized, slamming toward the Lector.
"I most certainly can. The mysteries of our teleportation network are far beyond the grasp of you ignorant fools."
The Lector glanced meaningfully at the sky. "A word of advice: save your strength. I am not your true enemy."
Just as the staves were about to strike, the Lector vanished. Above them, the crimson glow in the sky trembled violently, as if something was about to break free.