Finally, they returned once more to Wangshu Inn. The proprietress, upon seeing the visitors, gave a meaningful glance to one of her subordinates before smiling and welcoming the two.
"Guests, please come inside."
The three did not linger long in the main hall. Only after reaching the top floor did the proprietress tactfully withdraw. The top floor had already been prepared with a serving of almond tofu.
"Rex Lapis."
Not long after Zhongli appeared, a familiar figure emerged behind the two of them.
"Xiao, rise."
Zhongli spoke calmly as Xiao, who had been half-crouching, gradually straightened up.
"Rover, it's been a while."
Xiao looked at Rover, who nodded in return.
"Young friend, Xiao happens to be heading to Dihua Marsh to eliminate monsters. Why not test your new power?"
Rover was taken aback. Looking at the Geo particles floating in his hand, he agreed to Zhongli's suggestion.
The last time he had stepped into Dihua Marsh, he hadn't fully sensed the atmosphere. This time, however, Rover truly felt the killing intent permeating the surroundings. The cold wind pressed down the drifting reeds, lending a faint chill to the air.
Under the glow of a full moon, monsters began to roam the area. Rover drew his blade and exchanged a glance with Xiao before both of them vanished into afterimages.
Rover's first strike landed on a hilichurl wielding a wooden club. Behind him, a hilichurl shooter fired a flaming arrow, its blazing tip streaking toward Rover in a long arc.
Rover retaliated with his own crossbow bolts. By the time he cleaved the hilichurl before him in half, a mitachurl had already closed the distance, its massive axe raised high, poised to split his skull.
A sharp glint flashed in Rover's eyes. Seizing the moment, another crisp metallic clang rang out—the axe was knocked from the mitachurl's grip and sent clattering to the ground. Without pause, Rover followed up with rapid slashes. With each strike, Geo particles in the air seeped into his scabbard.
Only when the scabbard was fully encased in Geo energy did Rover kick away an approaching hilichurl and sheathe his blade once more. Countless monsters encircled him, charging simultaneously.
A heavy stone scabbard suddenly floated before Rover. This time, he drew his blade with both hands. A deafening metallic resonance shook the heavens as, in that instant, his sword transformed into a massive blade of light, composed entirely of Geo energy. With a powerful two-handed sweep, the surrounding monsters were utterly annihilated by the radiant slash. (The Light Blade effect can be referenced from Noelle's Elemental Burst.)
An Abyss Mage lurking in the distance seized the opportunity, hurling a fireball at Rover while he was still recovering.
Just as the fireball was about to strike, the floating Geo particles around him instantly blocked it. When the Abyss Mage tried to flee, the lethal blade of light descended upon it from above. The mage's shield shattered upon contact, lasting less than a second before crumbling completely.
Indeed, after reaching a certain number of consecutive strikes, Rover could enter a special mode. In this state, his weapon transformed into a massive blade of light, requiring both hands to wield. Every swing carried devastating power, and the attack range scaled with the number of consecutive hits—the higher the combo, the wider the area of effect. Even Dvalin would be unable to withstand more than three strikes of this magnitude. Simultaneously, the surrounding Geo particles shielded him, blocking any incoming attacks. Rover dubbed this state Light Blade Mode.
Moreover, during combat, Rover discovered that his wind blades also counted toward the combo. This meant he could rapidly stack layers using Light Blade Mode, then switch to the light blade for a finishing strike. This mode compensated for Rover's previous lack of large-scale offensive capabilities.
(Here, it reference Genshin Impact's Geo characters. As main DPS units, they share similar traits: straightforward mechanics and high multipliers. When designing Rover's abilities, the author intentionally linked his skill set for synergy.)
"This power…"
Xiao flicked a monster off the tip of his spear, his gaze fixed on the glowing blade in the distance as he fell into thought.
If he were struck by that, even if he didn't die, he would undoubtedly be severely wounded.
Thanks to Rover's assistance, Xiao's task was completed with unusual ease. In no time, the night's cleansing was finished.
Meanwhile, Zhongli sipped his tea leisurely, having observed the entire spectacle with an air of serenity.
"Young friend, how does this power feel?"
"Strong… And I can tell I haven't pushed it to its limits yet. Perhaps because the monsters were too weak."
Rover stared at the Geo particles swirling around his hand, his expression still unsatisfied.
"Your words put me at ease. Take some time to rest now."
Zhongli clasped his hands behind his back and gazed toward Liyue. He reached out, catching a falling petal in his palm.
"The wind howls, foretelling the coming storm…"
...
"Hsi… I should have died long ago… How fortunate I was to be saved by you back then. Now, I have the chance to witness the countless lights of Jinzhou with my own eyes. In this chain of causality, I too must play my part."
"…Even if my spirit scatters, even if I am doomed to eternal suffering—to die a simple death is not what I desire."
"…Even if it means being crushed to dust, even if it means eternal damnation!"
The young girl, facing the Sentinel's skepticism, stepped forward, proving her resolve.
...
As it turned out, Rover had dreamed again of that moment when Jinhsi confronted the Sentinel. He slowly opened his eyes, the dark wooden ceiling filling his vision.
The dream had ended, yet the scene felt as vivid as if it had just happened.
Only now did Rover understand the weight of this responsibility.
If Liyue truly spiraled out of control, would he be able to face a god capable of destroying a nation with the same self-sacrificing, unwavering courage as Jinhsi?
Rover's grip on his weapon tightened.
If Jinhsi could do it, then so could he.