People often say: when the gap in power is too great, sheer numbers don't matter.
Of course, that statement is too simplistic, too absolute.
For example, if someone possesses the ability of "Infinite Summoning", that alone is already an absurdly broken power.
Even if they could only summon ants, the sheer quantity could theoretically cause a collapse on a cosmic scale…
Anyway, getting sidetracked.
At this moment, witnessing the dense light rain falling from the sky, Renjiro felt it clearly:
"Is this… the power of a god?"
It all happened too suddenly.
In that instant, with the urgency and his reaction speed, he could only make three rapid decisions.
First…
He immediately activated "Time Stop" via Genshin Descent, halting everything in the world.
In that frozen moment, Renjiro not only gained precious thinking time but also confirmed a shocking fact:
"Paimon's 'Time Stop' ability… even divine power can't bypass it?"
The thought flashed briefly through his mind.
Then, knowing exactly what to do, Renjiro (Aether) began scanning his surroundings.
Despite his magic rapidly draining, time stop consumed enormous energy, he seized the opportunity to devise the best plan he could.
Not long after…
"Humm~"
Time resumed. The light rain descended.
[Offense and Defense, ]
Without casting a full Genshin Descent incantation, Renjiro acted at lightning speed. With just thought, he instantly summoned Diona beside him.
Then, the shield…
The cat-shield was fragile, far less durable than Riveria's second magic.
But it had one advantage: speed.
And Diona, now in her second life, could project a group shield to everyone nearby.
Even if the extra cat-shields were weaker, only 50% strength of the main shield and lasting merely five seconds,
Thanks to the Genshin System's reality correction, each shield could block a single attack reliably. No overflow damage would bleed into health like in the game.
If anything, it's somewhat like Chaliya's skill in Overwatch.
Relying on this…
"Retreat!"
Renjiro (Aether) didn't hesitate. He mentally linked to the Teleport Anchor on the top of the Orario Babel Tower.
He vanished instantly from the battlefield.
Almost simultaneously, as he activated Genshin Descent with thought…
"BOOM~"
Lumine didn't shout a fancy skill name this time. Instead, as the golden glow ignited across her crystal ornaments, she unleashed her Earth Element ability called "Earthquake Core", draining enormous magic to collapse the ground beneath her and nearby allies.
She and Renjiro knew this was risky, they could bury their own team alive.
But the trench was necessary: it shielded them from the high-altitude bombardment.
[Steadfast as Rock,]
At a thought, the reliable figure of Zhongli appeared beside Lumine.
By expending his stored magic, he expanded the protective scope of the Jade Shield, covering as many people as possible.
During this process…
The Twin Stars reacted instantly. Others were either stunned by the divine calamity from above or focused like Riveria…
[Assemble, breath of the land - my name is Alf ]
[Veil Breath!!!]
"Cough~"
As the earth rumbled, Riveria quickly performed a shortened incantation to cast her second magic.
At that moment…
"Crack~"
Some cat-shields shattered under falling debris.
Riveria's Veil Breath shield just barely linked in time, though the magical backlash made blood trickle from her mouth.
Suddenly…
"Humm~"
Their luck wasn't perfect.
A single divine arrow, driven by the Moon Goddess' power, struck the rock wall beside the trench's opening.
The trench's effect saved them.
The crescent-shaped structure of magic circles wasn't directly above the camp.
The light arrows rained down at an angle, indiscriminate in destruction.
Without the trench, no one could have dodged.
Even Lv.6s like Hedin and Hogni could not survive this without cover.
The others? Forget it.
"Rumble~"
Lumine wasn't sure of the piercing power of a single arrow, so she kept channeling magic to lower the Earthquake Core.
The trench collapsed at the opening, the worst-case scenario: being buried alive, was imminent.
"Thud~ thud thud~"
The Jade Shield, expanded by the Emperor, endured the impact of falling rocks.
He multi-tasked masterfully, supplying magic while using Earth Element power to control the descending boulders.
"BOOM~ BOOM BOOM~"
The first-class adventurers had already adapted.
All they had to do was stay in formation, the best teamwork possible.
The light rain continued for tens of seconds before finally ceasing.
When the dust settled, the world was quiet again…
"Crack~"
Zhongli, reinforcing the Jade Shield multiple times, blocked several residual light arrows, while Lumine kept using the Earthquake Core, both exhausting most of their magic.
Helplessly…
[Stars, gather here]
Lumine, borrowing remaining divine magic, activated Genshin Descent again, summoning Ningguang.
Soon, she crafted a large, majestic dark-gold underground chamber from rock, allowing everyone to finally relax.
Renjiro deactivated his physical manifestation to conserve magic.
"Phew~"
The party, surrounded by the amber glow of the rock crystals in the temporary underground shelter, breathed easy.
"Quickly, check the headcount… and…"
Lumine instinctively said,
"Who can perform healing magic? Help Riveria-sama recover."
"My magic… isn't enough right now."
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
140+ Advance Chapters Available on Patreon! Patreon.com/Veltoria