Violent Anemo and surging Hydro elements clashed in the air, creating a wild maelstrom of elemental turbulence overhead.
Lu Chen's longsword had already pierced into the Oceanid's core. With that full-force strike, its health bar dropped straight to zero.
The blow was precise and powerful—like hitting a major artery.
The creature's body, formed from pure elemental water, trembled violently.
With a sound that resembled a mournful sigh, the Oceanid began to dissolve and disperse, water vapor flooding the sky as it faded away.
That's it?
Even Lu Chen was a little stunned by his own power. He'd known he'd win, but not this quickly. He had just one-shotted a level 80 boss.
Out of habit, he opened the status panel he hadn't checked in a while:
[Lu Chen]
[Level: 46]
[ATK: 621 (+510) | DEF: 460 | Crit: 38% | Energy Recharge: 21%]
His base attack was already at 621, and with the fully maxed-out Lion's Roar he'd been feeding with fodder for ages, he'd broken the 1000 mark.
That blow just now was further boosted by a 25% Anemo damage bonus from his Constellation.
So yeah... that Oceanid getting one-shotted wasn't exactly unfair.
Without realizing it, Lu Chen had grown from a system-nerfed weakling into someone this powerful.
If combat ability in Teyvat were ranked, Lu Chen would now be among the top tier of human fighters—still below immortals, major demons, or divine retainers, but stronger than most Vision holders.
And way above the common crowd—ordinary warriors, elite soldiers, and the usual assortment of elemental creatures.
...
After the Oceanid died, its body scattered into a rain of droplets over the sea.
It looked like a downpour, but none of the water touched Lu Chen—his golden Jade Shield blocked every drop.
His clothes remained perfectly dry, though his next problem was the sea beneath him.
Just as he was about to fall, Lu Chen activated Cryo energy around him, freezing the water into a sheet of ice beneath his feet.
He now stood alone atop a floating patch of ice, like an island adrift in the ocean.
Lu Chen looked helplessly toward the shore. Song of the High Heavens was still on cooldown, and at this rate, he might actually have to swim back.
And he was wearing new clothes too...
Wait—forget the clothes! Lu Chen suddenly glanced behind him.
With the Oceanid gone, the sea's surface had quietly started to bulge outward into a wave arc.
It didn't look high—but Lu Chen knew how devastating even a small tsunami could be.
Just as he was considering jumping into the sea to escape, the ever-reliable Qiqi came running toward him.
Lu Chen was about to tell her to find the old man for help—but Qiqi planted her feet at the water's edge and refused to budge.
The sea lapped over her feet. Only then did Lu Chen realize what she intended to do.
She raised her hands in a ritual gesture and began murmuring an incantation.
Her eyes lit up.
"Hear the decree—this edict is issued."
"Immortal Art: Deliverance from Calamity!"
Before her, the sea began to freeze—forming a frigid bridge of ice that stretched toward Lu Chen.
A piercing chill swept in his direction.
He sneezed involuntarily, then quickly dashed onto the bridge and sprinted back toward the shore.
Inwardly, he marveled, Now that's the real Ice-Walker Supreme... I've got a long way to go.
Behind him, the sea roared. He was now racing a small-scale tsunami.
Once back on land, he instinctively turned to look—the surging wave had swept across the entire beach.
The fishing boat had just barely reached shore before being overturned in an instant. The panicked cries from moments ago had completely disappeared.
The wave was about to swallow the people on land too when suddenly, a calm, commanding voice rang out beside Lu Chen.
"Unshakable and steadfast!"
It was a phrase that alone brought a deep sense of security.
Centered around Zhongli, a vast area was enveloped in golden light. The flowing glow of Geo expanded to cover the entire beach—stretching all the way to the overturned fishing boat.
The massive wave slammed into the barrier and halted there. Inside the shield, not a single drop of water touched them.
Safe, Lu Chen thought with relief.
A moment later, a golden Luxurious Chest shimmered into existence on the beach. Lu Chen walked toward it.
[Achievement Unlocked: Clear the Waterways]
[Objective: Defeat the Oceanid and resolve the local Hydro anomaly]
[Rewards: 1,000 Primogems | 1,000,000 Real-World Currency]
As the system notification popped up, Lu Chen had already reached the brilliant treasure chest—his first ever of this grade.
He eagerly opened it.
[Primogems ×120]
[Hero's Wit ×15]
[Lithic Spear (Polearm)]
[Troupe's Dawnlight (Artifact: Flower of Life)]
[Wanderer's String-Kettle (Artifact: Goblet of Eonothem)]
[Fine Enhancement Ore ×20]
[Attribute Point (Stamina +1)]
[Ceremonial Mask of Deception (Special Item)]
As expected from a "Luxurious Chest," the loot was far richer than anything he'd received before—especially the rare attribute point.
He checked his stats again:
[Attributes: INT 8 | CHA 7 | STA 7 | AGI 6]
With his Stamina reaching 7, he could feel the boost. He clenched his fist—his body felt powerful, fully energized.
Nice. Real nice.
He skimmed through the rest.
The 4-star weapon and 5-star artifacts didn't excite him much anymore. What caught his eye was the strange mask at the bottom.
[Ceremonial Mask of Deception]
[Once belonged to a priest... His eerie smile blurred the line between illusion and reality.]
[Effect: Temporarily alters the user's appearance through illusion. Duration: 1 hour. Cooldown: 160 hours.]
"Huh... interesting." The item could actually change his appearance—he hadn't expected something like that to drop.
He wasn't sure when he'd need it, but he'd figure that out later. After storing everything, Lu Chen walked to the shoreline.
The storm had calmed. The fishing boat now lay capsized on the sand, its propeller exposed.
Zhongli had withdrawn his power, and the three of them approached the wreck.
"Dad! Dad, wake up!"
"Uncle! Uncle!"
A young girl's tearful voice came from inside the boat, panic thick in her tone.
Lu Chen quickened his pace and looked through the shattered porthole. Inside, he saw a terrified young girl.
The boat had flipped over, pinning part of the cabin door beneath it. No matter how hard they tried, those inside couldn't escape.
When the girl saw Lu Chen, she began banging on the hatch, eyes wide—relieved but still panicked.
Lu Chen paused, then decided to test his new strength.
He braced both hands against the side of the boat.
Muscles tensed, and with a push...
With a metallic screech, the fishing boat actually lifted.
The girl was stunned.
Lu Chen was stunned too.
What am I, Popeye?!
"What are you staring at? Get out of there!"
He shot her a look. She looked about thirteen or fourteen, probably used to going out to sea, her skin darkened from the sun.
Still dazed by his strength, her round eyes blinked in disbelief.
"Oh! R-right!" she stammered.