One can also walk to Starfell Valley from the small path next to Thousand Winds Temple. This path will save a lot of effort compared to other uphill paths.
However, this path is not marked on the map; being able to walk from here relies entirely on Acting Grand Master Jean's experience, as she seems to know every part of Mondstadt like the back of her hand.
And there were no dangers along this path, at most just a few scattered Slimes and a team of Hilichurls.
It took about half a morning to walk to Starfell Valley.
"The scenery here is so beautiful!" Paimon couldn't help but fly higher, gazing at the distant sea from there.
"It is," Stelle agreed, nodding.
The midday sun shone on them, but it wasn't too scorching, leaving them feeling warm and cozy.
As Paimon said, the air quality and scenery here were vastly different from other places.
"The young people of Mondstadt seem to enjoy coming here for dates recently," Diluc said, glancing at Acting Grand Master Jean.
He said it on the surface, but he actually had another meaning.
"Yes," Acting Grand Master Jean nodded, sighing helplessly as she thought of those two people.
That Young Master Goth even paid double the fee to have the mercenaries keep it a secret from Mr. Goth.
Everyone knew about this, and perhaps even Mr. Goth himself was well aware of it, but simply chose not to expose it.
"I just mentioned it casually." Diluc didn't dwell on the topic, as it was Mr. Goth's private matter after all.
However, the reason those two chose this place, besides it being secluded and having few people, was probably because the scenery here was truly beautiful.
Although Acting Grand Master Jean had never been in love, she was a loyal fan of "The Melancholy of Damselette Vera," which meant she had theoretical experience.
This place was very suitable for a date; compared to the well-known Oathsworn Canyon, this was a treasure yet to be discovered by more people.
If she could in the future... perhaps she would also choose this place for a date.
Thinking this, Acting Grand Master Jean's gaze couldn't help but drift towards Star next to her.
Under the sunlight, the Grey-haired girl gleamed like a silver jewel.
Acting Grand Master Jean was a bit lost in thought, but she quickly retracted her gaze.
The thought of yesterday's events made her heart sink.
"Alright, the best bard in the world is about to strum his strings!" Venti pulled out the skylyre and winked at them.
He slowly walked towards the cliff, playing a melodious tune on the skylyre in his hand.
The song hadn't even finished, and while they were still immersed in the music, Starfell Valley began to tremble, and the originally peaceful sea breeze suddenly turned violent.
"It's here..." Star's body tensed slightly, her eyes fixed on Venti's back.
She was ready to act at any moment; although Venti was very confident, she always felt that this matter was not so simple.
The giant dragon leaped out from beneath Starfell Valley, circled once in the sky, and then came before Venti.
"That is East Wind Dragon," Diluc said. It was his first time seeing East Wind Dragon at such a close distance. Although the expression on his face remained unchanged, the noticeable change in his tone was enough to prove how nervous he was at that moment.
"It's you... At this point, there's nothing left to discuss," the giant dragon said, speaking in human tongue, as he looked at Venti.
"It can talk?!" Paimon was very surprised, though she was the only one with such a reaction at the scene.
After all, as a familiar of the Anemo Archon, it wasn't that strange for him to speak. Furthermore, elemental dragons themselves were intelligent beings.
What surprised the others, especially Acting Grand Master Jean and Diluc, was the conversation between Venti and Dvalin.
Although they had already guessed, the current situation confirmed their suspicions.
"Is that so? But your eyes clearly recall this melody," Venti said gently to Dvalin, setting down the skylyre.
"Hmph..." Dvalin snorted, not speaking.
Is this dragon a tsundere?
Star muttered inwardly, finding it inexplicably amusing.
However, at that moment, something unexpected happened!
"Watch out!" Acting Grand Master Jean noticed and shouted a warning, but someone moved even faster than her.
Star instantly appeared in front of Venti, swinging the baseball bat in her hand towards the air.
A beam of ice light was shattered in mid-air by Star.
The others also instantly arrived beside Venti, shielding him behind them.
Behind Dvalin, a strange, fluffy creature slowly floated out.
"Don't be deceived by him, poor... What?!"
Before the thing could finish speaking, a baseball bat appeared before its eyes.
Even though it managed to deploy its ice shield at the last moment, under the impact of the lightning-flashing bat, the ice shield was utterly fragile.
The fluffy thing didn't even get to utter a second sentence before it was directly annihilated by the baseball bat.
...
There was silence, including Dvalin; no one made a sound.
Until the baseball bat curved in the air and returned to Star's hand.
"Although I don't know what that thing was, since it's a long-awaited reunion for the two of you, I think it's best not to let others disturb it," Star said, putting away her baseball bat and smiling at Venti.
Last time, she and Lumine accidentally interrupted Venti and Dvalin, which led to Venti not being able to successfully purify the poisoned blood from Dvalin. This time, she absolutely couldn't let the same mistake happen again.
"Anyway, that thing probably wasn't anything good, right...?" Star asked somewhat uncertainly, seeing that no one was speaking, thinking she might have done something wrong.
She should not have hit the wrong person or pseudo-person, right? That thing had attacked Venti without hesitation.
"No, no, it's not wrong, it's just that your sudden move was a bit startling," Paimon was the first to react, quickly speaking.
The momentum of that baseball bat flying past was too terrifying, leaving all of them stunned.
"Barbatos... she isn't here to hunt me, is she?" Dvalin's tone remained unchanged, yet it inexplicably made one feel that he was somewhat anxious.
The baseball bat had flown directly past him; he must have felt it the most deeply. That unknown club-like object made him feel a considerable threat.
However, he still retained his rationality at this moment, able to suppress the impulse in his heart.
"Of, of course not!" Venti quickly said loudly.
He was also startled. Not to mention what would happen if that strike accidentally hit Dvalin, even if it didn't, if Dvalin got scared and turned and ran, it would be over.
After all, Dvalin's spirit and sanity were very fragile at the moment.
"Dvalin, I hope we can have a good talk."
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