Player World.
Chen Xiyao blocked out all external distractions, focusing intently on her game.
Her computer screen displayed her battle against Kaeya.
"Careful not to catch a cold."
What was originally a Skill players used to cross the sea with Cryo felt completely different when executed by the real Kaeya. A Skill that dealt minimal damage to monsters suddenly inflicted numbers that seemed almost cheat-like when used against her own characters.
In the game, after just one use of Kaeya's Skill, Chen Xiyao's character began losing health at an alarming rate, as if the extreme cold of Dragonspine had reached its limit.
Even worse, this constant HP drain completely bypassed shields. Zhongli's shield proved utterly useless here; only a character with rapid healing could prevent her from being wiped out too quickly.
Even more infuriating, Kaeya's ultimate ability far exceeded its implemented version in the game. Contact with it sent her character flying, and its attack power was absurdly high.
Chen Xiyao had attempted the battle four times, each time coming agonizingly close to victory.
Feeling mentally drained, she decided to skip the remaining story segments for now and watch them later.
After clicking "Skip," a brief animation played on the screen.
Lumine and Kaeya's battle had been an easy victory, and it seemed they had even held back.
This scene left Chen Xiyao, who had failed to beat the challenge four times in a row, in stunned silence.
[Ha ha ha, the streamer's expression is killing me!]
[This proves we're the ones who suck. The game characters are actually OP!]
[I wonder if we're supposed to use the Traveler to fight this?]
[Don't even bother. The Traveler can't win either...]
[Actually, it's not all about raw power. Search for a content creator named Xiaoyueyue on video platforms. Follow their guides, and you can basically get all these rewards, though it might take a bit longer.]
[I knew the Traveler could beat this, so there's no reason we can't!]
-
Liyue.
After the first round of the tournament concluded, Kujou Sara and Kaeya were eliminated, leaving twenty-four competitors to advance to the next round.
The second round began with twelve groups, divided into three waves, each wave featuring four arenas.
As the competition progressed, the matches grew increasingly spectacular, and the arenas transformed accordingly, expanding their coverage area and widening the battlefields. Unlike the previous rounds where dozens of arenas were needed per wave, the larger arenas now accommodated more spectators, making viewing easier.
After stepping down from the arena, Kaeya made his way to the Main Observation Deck. Amber asked him, puzzled:
"Captain Kaeya, aren't you going to participate in the revival matches?"
The others turned to look as well.
Kaeya shook his head. His situation was somewhat unique; stopping here was good enough for him.
Twenty-four competitors remained, vying for twelve spots in the next round.
Dehya was defeated by Angie, while Chasca eliminated Rosaria.
From this point onward, there would be no more revival matches; defeat meant complete elimination.
All of Mondstadt's representatives were eliminated by the round of twelve, leaving Amber and the others on the Main Observation Deck deeply disappointed.
The day's matches concluded at this point. Two consecutive rounds had been exhausting enough; the competitors needed time to rest.
This was especially true for Chasca, who had expended considerable effort to defeat the formidable Rosaria.
-
After the match, Chuychu rushed over, her voice filled with concern.
"Sister, are you alright? Are you hurt?"
"No, just a little tired. I'll be fine after a rest."
Chuychu led her sister back to rest.
-
Another sunny day dawned, and the Summit proceeded as planned.
On the Main Observation Deck, Fidelle gripped her credential tightly. The faint glow emanating from it resonated faintly with another credential held by someone on another observation deck.
"Interesting..."
She hadn't expected to face her own mirror image so soon.
Indeed, the first match of the day would feature only two combatants. The Main Arena was no longer divided into smaller arenas; the entire space would serve as the battlefield for these two combatants.
Angie vs. Fidelle.
The clash of two formidable figures, witnessed by countless spectators, had finally arrived. When the outcome was announced, the cheers from the observation decks reached an unprecedented fervor.
Both Fidelle and Angie had crushed their previous opponents with overwhelming force. Fidelle had even defeated the Fatui Harbinger, Childe. Their duel promised to be nothing short of spectacular!
On Fidelle's side, Charlotte voiced her concern:
"Even though Angie is Childe's younger sister, she's considerably stronger than him, Fidelle! You must be careful!"
"Don't worry."
No one knew Angie better than Fidelle, and vice versa.
Both Angie and Fidelle had been eagerly anticipating this showdown. Fighting each other would be far more exhilarating than facing anyone else.
Because they knew each other's strengths and weaknesses intimately, they could unleash their full power without reservation.
Meanwhile, on Angie's side:
"The opponent is incredibly strong and her power is overwhelming, Little Sister! You must be cautious!" Tartaglia said, recalling the immense pressure she had exerted on him earlier.
"Relax. Watch me avenge you..."
"No, no, no! I have no grudge against her, Little Sister. Focus on protecting yourself, and don't go too hard—it would reflect poorly."
Angie: "..."
Angie stood up, patted Ailina reassuringly, and leaped into the arena.
Fidelle followed suit. The two met in the center of the arena, neither speaking first, the atmosphere thick with tension.
-
Lumine and Paimon stood in a prime spot, their eyes glued to the arena below.
"Lumine, who do you think is stronger?" Paimon asked.
"Probably Angie..." Lumine replied.
Based on their previous performances, Fidelle had defeated Tartaglia in his Foul Legacy Transformation, but the victory clearly hadn't come easily. Knowing Angie, Lumine was certain Tartaglia wouldn't stand a chance against her.
Paimon nodded, clearly agreeing with Lumine's assessment.
On the Main Observation Deck, the three Gods watched the two combatants in the arena. Unlike Lumine, they weren't convinced Angie was guaranteed to win.
Fidelle possessed far more power than she had revealed so far. A skilled warrior instinctively conceals their true strength—not everyone is as reckless as Tartaglia, who always throws everything into the fight.
And the truth was just as they suspected.
If Tartaglia could have three phases, why couldn't Fidelle have a second?
Fidelle's strength had been forged through relentless training and hardship. Activating her second stage would diminish her rationality, which was why she rarely used it. Even Lady Furina had only heard about it, never witnessed it in action.
After all, Fontaine's Champion Duelist was Clorinde, and Fidelle served merely as a guard. She rarely needed to draw her blade.
However, that was under normal circumstances.
-
Player World
Chen Xiyao sat up straight, ready to fully immerse herself in the animation.
[Two Pure Souls facing off in a Main Arena match—and they're both beautiful girls! I can't wait!]
[Fidelle is a cool and alluring mature woman. I'm definitely looking forward to this!]
[Huh? Isn't Fidelle not a Pure Soul? Their birthdays are different.]
[Who knows?]
[I bet a bag of spicy chips that Fidelle will lose...]
[I'll double that!]