"Wow, you're someone who's embarked on the Destruction Path, that's amazing!"
"I wish Klee could also embark on a Path like you."
"That way, my bombs would definitely become even more powerful."
Klee looked at Hook enviously and said.
"Path?" Hook tilted her head in confusion. "Are you talking about my power? I was born knowing how to use this power. So it's called the Destruction Path?"
"Not knowing the name of her power but being able to use it—is that reasonable?" Paimon complained.
"The Destruction Path is different from Remembrance, Abundance, and Preservation that were mentioned before."
"And the name of this Path... it somehow feels like it emphasizes destructive power," Lumine said, stroking her chin.
"You're right, Lumine."
"The Destruction Path was pioneered by the Aeon of Destruction, Nanook."
"Generally speaking, for those who embark on the Destruction Path, their destructive power will grow exponentially."
"This is also why Hook, although still very young, was able to defeat the Outworld Blaze."
"If you give her some time, she will definitely become even stronger and take down more powerful Fragmentum creatures."
Takagi nodded and said.
[La Signora: Emphasizing destructive power—this is truly desirable. I really want to know what kind of existence the Aeon of Destruction who pioneered this Path is.]
[Tartaglia: Embarking on a Path can enhance destructive power! This Path is indeed desirable.]
[Arataki Itto: It looks quite good. If I embarked on this Path, would I be able to beat that Hook?]
[Kuki Shinobu: Please don't treat little girls as opponents like the Fatui Harbingers do, Boss.]
[Yelan: The Aeon of Destruction... does this deity want to destroy something?]
[Bennett: The Aeon of Destruction wants to destroy something? Surely it doesn't want to destroy the world, does it?]
[Ningguang: That joke isn't funny.]
"Takagi, do you think I can embark on the Destruction Path?"
"Also, if I embark on a Path, can I beat the Outworld Blaze?"
Lumine raised her head and looked at Takagi curiously. The previous battle made Lumine realize her current powerlessness even more. Therefore, she yearned for power even more. Otherwise, even after returning to Teyvat, she would have no way to deal with the gods who might be enemies.
"There will be a chance. If you truly embark on the Destruction Path, with your current strength, you could probably easily defeat the Outworld Blaze—instead of having to use all your strength like Hook to eliminate one you had already worn down beforehand," Takagi nodded and said.
"Hook didn't use all her strength! Hook can still fight!" Hook stomped her foot at Takagi in dissatisfaction, though the sweat covering her face betrayed her.
"So that's it; I understand." Lumine took a deep breath, her eyes revealing her longing for the Destruction Path.
"Since you understand, why not continue fighting? Just in time, more opponents are coming." Takagi showed a mysterious smile and looked behind him.
"More enemies?" Paimon was startled and quickly turned her head. "Wait, another Outworld Blaze? No, two of them! And a strange person completely engulfed in flames?!"
Takagi propped his chin with one hand and said: "They were attracted by the battle earlier. After all, your struggle dragged on for too long. Also, the one engulfed in flames is an Incineration Shadow. He has no consciousness; just like the Outworld Blaze, he is a monster driven only by instinct. You can rest assured and go kill them."
Lumine: "I'm really sorry it dragged on for too long!"
Paimon: "How are we supposed to kill them? One Outworld Blaze was already that powerful, and now so many other monsters have come."
Takagi: "The Incineration Shadow is much weaker than the Outworld Blaze and can probably be considered the universe's version of a Hilichurl."
Paimon: "The universe's version of a Mitachurl is already that powerful, so the universe's version of a Hilichurl must be much stronger than the ones in Teyvat. Don't think you can fool me this time, Takagi!"
The conversation between Paimon and Takagi also made Barbara, Klee, and the others look over. Seeing so many monsters approaching, everyone's expressions turned grim.
"Oh no, so many more have come. Hook has already used up most of her energy just now. Now there's no way to deal with so many Fragmentum creatures." Facing the situation, Hook also couldn't continue to act tough.
Lumine, Jean, Barbara, and the others became even more worried. In the previous battle, they had almost completely exhausted their strength, and Hook couldn't use her powerful attack again. It seemed they were unable to cope with the threat.
"Takagi, aren't you our guide? Didn't you say you would protect us? Shouldn't you be making a move now?" Paimon hid behind Takagi's shoulder and said anxiously.
"Do you really not need to try fighting to break through your limits? Let me tell you beforehand, my Blessing has a time limit. After it ends, it will be difficult for you to awaken again. Perhaps, if you just try a little harder, you can step onto the Path. Once you step onto the Path, those monsters won't be a big deal."
Takagi looked at Lumine, Barbara, and Jean—the three who most desired to step onto a Path. Hearing this, all three showed conflicted expressions. They wanted to step onto the Path, but the enemies before them made victory seem impossible.
"Can I really step onto the Path?" Barbara pursed her lips, lacking confidence.
"As long as you still have expectations for the Path, the Path might respond to you." Takagi turned his gaze to Barbara, his expression becoming serious: "Barbara, you wouldn't want to be unable to treat Acting Grand Master Jean and Klee when they get injured in the future, right?"
Hearing this, Barbara's pupils trembled. She looked at Lumine and Jean; wounds still lingered on both of them. These were injuries she should have been treating, yet she had been unable to channel elemental energy to help.
The Fragmentum creatures were getting closer. The two Outworld Blazes had begun to burn with scorching fire, preparing to attack. Jean and Lumine instinctively blocked Barbara with their swords.
Barbara clenched her teeth. 'I don't want everyone to get hurt because of me. I don't want to be unable to heal everyone anymore. Barbara, you can do it.'
Barbara raised her head, her eyes burning with resolve. She tried her best to mobilize elemental energy. A light blue radiance enveloped her, transforming into cool streams of water that fell upon Lumine and Jean. Feeling their injuries rapidly healing, both looked at Barbara in disbelief.
"It's coming," Takagi suddenly said.
"You don't need to tell me; I know the enemy's attack is coming!" Paimon said nervously.
"I'm not talking about the enemy's attack, Little Paimon." Takagi raised his head to look at the sky, a smile appearing on his face.
"If it's not the enemy's attack, then what could it be? Wait... why did those monsters suddenly stop moving?" Paimon looked in surprise at the monsters that had paused as if time itself had stopped.
Klee: "Hook can't move either."
Lumine: "This feeling... it's like time has stopped."
Acting Grand Master Jean carefully examined the surrounding environment. Suddenly, she noticed that the scenery abruptly changed. The town disappeared, replaced by a mysterious universe space.
"I wasn't saying the enemy's attack was coming. What I meant was, an Aeon's gaze is about to descend," Takagi muttered, looking at Barbara with anticipation.