Seeing the unusually serious look on Ganyu's face, Gu Chen instantly knew the child had been shaken.
She had clearly felt her own helplessness in a battlefield far beyond her understanding, and now she wanted to become stronger—much stronger.
Gu Chen himself had once had such thoughts, so he understood Ganyu very well.
Thinking for a moment, Gu Chen casually cast a cleansing spell over himself.
"Master, are you really alright?"
Ganyu looked at Gu Chen with concern.
"Do I look like something's wrong?"
Gu Chen shook his head with a smile. "Just coughed a little blood, that's all. Nothing major."
Only after seeing that Gu Chen truly seemed fine did Ganyu finally relax. Then she impatiently asked, "Master, when will you teach me?"
Gu Chen paused briefly, then smiled. "I used to repeat the same sword-move over and over. After training it hundreds of thousands and millions of times, that ordinary move became the strongest. Do you like this kind of method?"
"That sounds like it'll take a very long time…" Ganyu couldn't imagine how dull it must be to repeat the same thing millions of times.
"It does take a long time. But that's the road to becoming strong—step by step. You can always feel yourself getting steadily stronger." Gu Chen nodded gently.
There were shortcuts to strength, but shortcuts always came with a price.
And no price for power was ever a good thing—so Gu Chen would never teach such methods to Ganyu.
After thinking for a moment, Ganyu's gaze gradually firmed. "Then I want to practice archery!"
"Mhm. When you've trained ordinary bow-drawing and arrow-shooting until they're no longer ordinary—that's when you'll become the strongest." Gu Chen nodded with a smile.
"Master, teach me!"
Ganyu picked up her bow, staring at Gu Chen with anticipation.
"I'm a sick patient right now!" Gu Chen spread his hands.
"But Master, you yourself said you were fine." Ganyu pouted.
Gu Chen coughed twice. "Although my fight with Osial was very intense, I did notice something… Some people normally struggle to land even one arrow on a target out of ten, but in real combat somehow become perfectly accurate… Tsk tsk!"
Teased like this, Ganyu's cheeks instantly turned red. After holding it in for a moment, she muttered, "Those beasts were much bigger than a target. Of course I could hit them every time!"
"Is that so?" Gu Chen raised a brow.
"It is so!" Ganyu said firmly.
Gu Chen suddenly grinned, nodded, and said nothing more.
Seeing this, Ganyu quietly sighed in relief, then looked at him expectantly again.
"Alright, alright. A master must teach and enlighten, after all."
Gu Chen stood up.
Ganyu naturally leaned closer into his arms.
She had grown up over the years—she was already sixteen.
Ever since seeing that beautiful bride, Ganyu had quietly begun controlling her weight.
She wasn't skinny, nor had she grown fat; just a soft, healthy plumpness.
Leaning into Gu Chen's arms, she realized she was only a head shorter than him.
Human girls at that height were already of marrying age.
That bride and groom had stood just like she and her master did now.
"What are you thinking?"
Gu Chen tapped the top of her head.
"Uu!"
Ganyu snapped out of it and focused seriously on nocking her arrow.
"Remember—only when heart, bow, and arrow become one can you strike the true center."
As always, Gu Chen taught her calmly, guiding her hands as she practiced.
[Kujou Sara]: Why does that line sound so familiar…
[Kamisato Ayaka]: I feel like I've heard you say it before. (Paimon: shocked)
[Kaeya]: Did the cult leader steal your lines? (LOL)
[Gu Chen]: What are you talking about? Just admit that's how you shoot accurately!
[Raiden Ei]: Indeed.
[Zhongli]: By universal reason, that is correct.
[Tartaglia]: The bow is my weakest weapon so… Gu-ge teaches really well, I'm finally starting to get it! (Paimon: smug)
"Circulate your immortal power and gather elemental force onto the arrow. Only then will your shot carry real power."
Following his instructions, Ganyu guided immortal power and elemental force into the arrow. With a snap, the arrow flew, turning into a streak of light before crashing into the ruins of a collapsed house.
The element-wreathed arrow pierced through stone completely—only the fletching remained sticking out.
"Good. Just like that!"
Gu Chen nodded. "But what you must train now are your eyes and hands. Your eyes must see clearly and accurately. Your hands must be steady and fast."
"When you've mastered that, you'll be able to shoot fast and true—often killing with a single arrow."
"Mm!" Ganyu nodded repeatedly.
Near dusk.
Morax returned with the Dragon King of Qunyu.
Upon hearing how tragically Guili Assembly had fallen, Morax felt deeply guilty.
Seeing Gu Chen, he frowned. "You… used some forbidden art?"
"It's nothing. Don't worry." Gu Chen waved him off.
"Very well. Then let us discuss where to relocate." Morax nodded.
After all the Adepti discussed it, they decided to head south.
There lay a natural harbor suitable for building a city, backed by a great mountain.
Although in a war such a mountain and harbor could become liabilities, the truth remained: as long as enemies existed, nowhere was safe anyway.
Moreover, such a natural harbor would be excellent for human development.
"That's too far. Guili Assembly has been swallowed by the sea, and we have no more food stored. We can't possibly move so far." Marchosius said.
"But if we don't move, there's no food here either." Cloud Retainer responded.
"We can make portable food—just enough to get us there. Since there's a natural harbor, we can fish for sustenance for a while." Gu Chen said.
Marchosius nodded. "I was thinking the same. Then it's decided?"
"Decided." Morax said.
With the decision made, the Adepti prepared to lead the mortals across mountains and rivers to their new home.
But too many had been injured in the battle with Osial. They had to stop at a place far from Guili Assembly to heal.
Food was scarce, but they could not abandon the wounded.
So Gu Chen decided to lead a group of strong, uninjured young men ahead to establish the foundations.
"You're injured. What if we're attacked on the road?" Morax rejected him at once.
"I worry about others going more than myself." Gu Chen shook his head.
Morax sighed helplessly.
Gu Chen, Guizhong, the Dragon King, Cloud Retainer, and Mountain Shaper led ten thousand ahead.
Morax, Marchosius, Moon Carver, and Sandstorm Song watched over the wounded.
With the Dragon King's massive true form clearing the way, the journey went smoothly.
The only issue was that, due to the possibility of ambushes, no one could ride on the Dragon King's back for speed.
They traveled over ten days without incident.
Morax and the Dragon King's terrifying reputation had spread; few gods dared provoke them.
Ganyu stayed by Gu Chen's side.
She noticed her master's aura still hadn't recovered.
Knowing he'd suffered heavy injuries, she didn't overthink it.
The whole way, she practiced archery.
Despite her qilin nature's innate gentleness, she still raised her bow to kill, providing meat for the pioneering group.
"Ganyu's archery is getting better and better." Cloud Retainer praised.
"All because I taught her well." Gu Chen nodded.
"You rascal." Cloud Retainer chuckled.
Under his instruction, Ganyu truly grew stronger each day.
Her talent aside, her improvement was almost entirely Gu Chen's credit.
"The Dragon King's aura is far too oppressive. Small animals flee long before we get close. I'll take Ganyu further out to find game." Cloud Retainer said.
"Go on. Be careful." Gu Chen nodded.
"I'll leave it to you then." Guizhong smiled.
"What's the big deal? When this Adeptus goes hunting, I'll bring back enough food for ten thousand for two whole days!" Cloud Retainer declared confidently.
"We'll be counting on you."
Cloud Retainer left with Ganyu.
While hunting, she suddenly said, "Ganyu, you seem to have… special feelings for your master?"
"Eh?"
Ganyu froze, then shook her head rapidly. "Auntie Liuyun, what are you talking about?"
"Haha." Cloud Retainer laughed. "Not just this Adeptus. Everyone sees it. They just don't say it aloud. Your little thoughts are far too obvious."
"I—I have those?"
Ganyu panicked a little.
"Unfortunately… he is your master." Cloud Retainer sighed.
Ganyu tightened her grip on her bow.
"You grew up raised by him. You are master and disciple—but more like father and daughter. You understand what I mean, yes?"
"I…" Ganyu lowered her head, clenching her hands.
No blood relation… but still impossible?
Seeing her so crestfallen, Cloud Retainer said no more.
—Boom!
The earth trembled.
A terrifying roar came from afar.
"Not good!"
Cloud Retainer's expression changed drastically. "Hurry back!"
Ganyu's heart clenched.
She knew the group had been attacked. With even the Dragon King roaring like that, the battle must be dire.
And her master… still not healed…
"You're not strong enough. Be careful!" Cloud Retainer shouted, spreading her wings and flying off.
Ganyu said nothing, gripping her bow as she ran toward the sound.
Dozens of li felt endlessly far.
Climbing over mountains, she could already see the Dragon King raging in the distance, and mountains collapsing in clouds of dust.
"Master… will be fine. He must be fine!"
She didn't dare stop.
Along the way, she saw no monsters or beasts.
But she sensed gods—more than one.
Finally—
Crossing a peak, she saw it.
A hawk-like creature, massive as a mountain. Its outstretched wings fired countless black feathers like blades—countless people died beneath them.
Mountain Shaper's wings were mangled, his body lying in a crater, barely alive.
Cloud Retainer had also fallen nearby.
Guizhong had become a lifelike stone statue—sitting calmly with tears carved on her cheeks, wrapped in glowing chains of dust. The Authority of Dust was collapsing—Guizhong had fallen.
"ROOOAR!!—"
The Dragon King's roar thundered from afar.
He smashed a giant ape-like god into the ground, only for it to lunge back up and seize his tail as they clashed again.
"Run!!"
Gu Chen's voice rang out.
Ganyu snapped back to her senses.
She saw her master—white robes stained with blood, face pale.
After warning her, he lifted his sword and charged at the giant eagle.
"So you are the human who caused Osial's downfall?" The giant eagle lowered its head, letting out a shrill laugh. "Morax is already terrifying enough. With the Dragon King beside him… Hmph. We cannot allow you, a human like you, to aid him!"
"So you're here to kill me?" Gu Chen's expression was cold.
"Not just kill you—cut off Morax's arm!" The eagle cackled. "Show me—how much strength does a heavily injured human like you still have?!"
"Then watch closely."
Gu Chen drew his sword.
"No!!" Ganyu shook her head desperately, trying to stop him.
He was gravely injured—worse than before.
How could he fight a god like this?
He would die!
With a sob, she rushed forward—
—but the battle had already begun.
Blood splattered from the sword immortal.
A razor-sharp black feather pierced through his chest.
But Gu Chen's sword-light carved a massive gash across the eagle's belly—its organs nearly spilling out.
"Master!!"
Ganyu ran to him and caught him in her arms.
"Go… It's not dead yet… Hurry…"
Gu Chen's face was white as paper; even the hand holding his sword trembled.
His sword-hand had always been the steadiest—never trembling, even when mortally wounded.
But now…
The injured eagle slowly approached, claws raised.
"This is… the last time… I can protect you."
Gu Chen placed a hand on her shoulder, forcing himself up, swinging his trembling sword.
The eagle flashed aside, dodging the blade.
Gu Chen could no longer even hold his sword—
it fell to the ground.
"Master!!"
Ganyu cried out—
—but Gu Chen no longer breathed.
"Master…"
Tears streaming down her cheeks, she slowly turned to face the eagle.
Its previously disdainful gaze turned solemn.
Those tear-filled eyes now overflowed with hatred—murderous intent so sharp that even a god's heart skipped a beat.
"Impossible…"
The eagle couldn't believe it.
Gu Chen was dead.
It was gravely wounded.
There was no need to remain.
It spread its wings to flee.
Ganyu gently laid her master's body down—carefully, as though handling the most precious thing in her life.
Then she picked up her bow.
The eagle had already taken flight.
Immortal power surged. Pure immortal energy wrapped around the arrow. She aimed at the eagle rising into the sky.
Memories flashed through her mind—
He didn't like qingxin or vegetarian dishes, but still ate with her—pretending to enjoy it.
He always snuck extra meals, but never hid it well enough to fool a qilin.
When others mocked her, he'd get angry and argue on her behalf.
He never let her suffer even the slightest grievance.
Even during battle, he always watched her—afraid she'd be hurt.
He obviously knew she could shoot with perfect accuracy, yet still pampered her, teaching her hand-in-hand.
But today—
He was dead.
The master who indulged her, protected her, cherished her—was gone.
"You will be buried with him!!!"
The arrow shot forth—
a meteor streaking across the sky.
This arrow held all of Ganyu's emotions.
This arrow could kill anything.
Pshh—
The arrow pierced the eagle's heart.
Fast.
Precise.
Deadly.
It fell from the sky, life fading from its sharp eyes.
It regretted.
Regretted killing Gu Chen…
or regretted not killing Ganyu before leaving—
it no longer knew.
[Qinglan][Killing for Protection][XingyeY]
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