Lu Chen hadn't expected to run into something like this while simply out for a walk with the old man.
Truth be told, he had already sensed the Oceanid's impending appearance. While training by the coast recently, he'd noticed the number of Hydro Mimics increasing dramatically.
And those mimics were all summoned by the Oceanid.
Now, with the creature finally emerging, the air thickened with moisture. Lu Chen watched as the sea beneath it began to churn violently.
That poor fishing boat was still being tossed about on the waves—but thankfully, it was nearing the shore.
Zhongli slowly looked to the sky and murmured, "This does not bode well."
Lu Chen calmly drew his fully upgraded Lion's Roar, keeping a sharp eye on the elemental creature's movements.
This Oceanid was clearly a tier above the one in Qingce Village. It was larger, more menacing, and now slowly rising high into the sky, circling as if patrolling its domain.
"Young friend Lu Chen, shall I lend a hand?" Zhongli's tone was unhurried.
"Lu Chen… dangerous! Qiqi will help too!" Qiqi clenched her tiny fists and stood beside him.
Lu Chen thought about it. If the Rock King Emperor went all-out, one Planet Befall would probably end it right there...
And also remodel half the coastline in the process. That'd be a problem.
"Just sit back and watch the show!" Lu Chen grinned. He was Lv. 45, going up against a Lv. 80 Oceanid. A huge gap—but he relished the challenge.
Besides, he'd taken on stronger foes before. He was confident he could handle this one too.
"And Qiqi, stay by the Emperor's side, alright? No wandering off!" Lu Chen tapped her hat brim and placed the two big plastic bags at her feet.
Those newly bought fish had better stay clean—he still had plans to make soup later.
Qiqi nodded and crouched down behind the bags, dutifully standing guard.
"I've heard you lost your former strength," Zhongli said seriously. "So regardless of what you say, it wouldn't be right for me to just stand idle."
Lu Chen was curious how he meant to help.
Then came a voice, steady and deep as a mountain.
"Solid as a rock—"
Golden energy surged around Lu Chen, forming a glowing shield of flowing Geo stone. He felt the comforting weight of the element settle over him—and a reassuring sense of safety from deep within.
It was here! Zhongli's shield!
Honestly, this Jade Shield was more useful than any dramatic meteor slam.
Feeling even more confident, Lu Chen pushed off the ground and sprinted straight into the fray, wind at his back, heading for the Hydro Mimics.
The Oceanid continued to circle in the air. Sensing the intruder's threat, it flapped its wings and rained down bubbles that burst into various animal-shaped mimics upon impact.
Charging toward the coastline, Lu Chen watched as the first wave produced ten Hydro Mimics—definitely a buffed version compared to Qingce's.
Three wild boars were first to charge.
With a kick, Lu Chen soared over three meters into the air and evaded them like a bullfighter, cool and composed.
He activated his passive skill, Song of the High Heavens, and continued forward in a swift glide.
Suddenly, three bird-shaped mimics swooped down from above, clearly intent on giving him no breathing room.
But Lu Chen had been waiting for this.
With another flicker of power, he unleashed Kamizato Art: Senho—cold energy burst out around him, instantly freezing the diving birds mid-flight. They crystallized into ice sculptures.
One swing of his Lion's Roar cut through the glittering statues, shattering them completely.
Only two unsteady duck mimics were left waddling around.
Annoying little things—they liked to use plunge attacks that caused massive splash damage on impact. Back when he was still a player, these were always a pain to dodge.
But now he could fly. Well—glide. Close enough.
He spread his Wind Glider, catching an updraft and soaring to a height nearly level with the Oceanid.
Unfortunately, it was still too far. The creature hovered high above the open sea.
That made things tricky—his attacks couldn't reach from here. He folded his wings and gently landed back on the beach.
He quickly froze the two ducks underfoot and smashed them apart with a single sweep.
But he wouldn't stay grounded for long.
As soon as the first wave was eliminated, the Oceanid's HP bar dropped by one-fifth.
It was pissed.
No longer content to hover passively, it began to descend, gradually locking onto Lu Chen's position.
This Oceanid had an aggressive streak. After gathering energy for a moment, it unleashed a torrential blast—a deadly beam of water surging across the beach like a laser.
Here it comes—the ultimate!
It was rare for an Oceanid to join the battle directly.
The surging jet of water tore through the sand, tracking Lu Chen's every movement. But he was too fast—the torrent was always a step behind.
When it finally stopped, Lu Chen glanced back. The beach looked like a disaster movie set, wrecked by a tsunami.
But the Oceanid still wasn't done. It rested for just a moment before launching a second wave of watery destruction.
Seriously?! Again?!
Lu Chen glared at the creature floating overhead, then toward the churning sea.
He started calculating. With his current jumping power—and a bit of help from his Anemo Vision—he might just be able to reach it.
Still, the odds weren't great. His plan was to catch a wind field, ride it to level height, and strike the thing head-on.
Oceanids had high attack but low defense. If he could beat a Cryo Hypostasis, then with the Oceanid already down a fifth, he could finish it too.
But gliding meant descending over distance. If he got it wrong, he'd drop right into the sea.
The latest blast had already soaked his last position. He dodged rapidly, still thinking of a way to get in close.
Then it hit him—a lightbulb moment.
If I can't reach it from land... I'll jump from the sea!
He slammed his foot down and launched himself toward the ocean.
Anyone watching might've thought he was trying to end it all.
But just as he was about to hit the water, his Cryo Vision flared to life. This time, Kamizato Art: Senho unleashed a larger freeze radius than ever.
The temperature plunged. The surging sea below crystallized into a frozen sheet.
Lu Chen—now channeling the spirit of the "Glacier-Walking Master"—landed on the ice and launched a second jump.
A wind field from Song of the High Heavens swirled beneath him.
Now the distance was perfect. He soared even higher—surpassing the Oceanid's altitude.
For the first time, the elemental creature reacted with clear surprise. It fired off another jet of water, but Lu Chen was already upon it.
Time seemed to freeze.
As Lu Chen swung his sword, his Constellation activated—his trump card.
"Die!"