Su Han was slightly stunned. Kill everyone who used golden light? He hadn't offend Aether, had he? Even if he did have thoughts about Lumine, he hadn't actually done anything yet. What was this guy so agitated about?
With confusion in his eyes, Su Han shouted, "We have no grievance or enmity, why are you attacking me?"
"No grievance or enmity?"
The Abyss Apostle of Torrents repeated the words, his gaze turning icy as he looked down at Su Han. "My lord's command is the supreme decree. No reason is needed. Therefore, you must die! The tide has come!!!"
The instant his words fell, the Abyss Apostle lunged at Su Han. The twin water blades in his hands lengthened several inches, their watery edges as sharp as swords, slashing forth in a torrent meant to tear Su Han apart.
But at that moment, several little bunnies flew out from around them, trying to block the attack, only to be instantly destroyed the moment they touched the water blades.
The Abyss Apostle glanced behind him. The little girl in green at the stream's edge had countless more rabbits appearing by her feet. But so what?
He was an Abyss Apostle!
Just as he was about to end the fight, a flash of blazing fire drew his attention. In an instant, a terrifying wave of heat transformed into a sword aura that shattered every surrounding surge of water.
If he hadn't dodged in time, even the aftershock would have sliced into him.
"What's going on? Could he be a master?"
The Abyss Apostle stopped, staring suspiciously at his opponent. Su Han slowly sheathed his sword and said, "Nice reflexes. But… were you looking down on me just now? Daring to be distracted in battle, come on, let's have a fair duel!"
"Hmph. Interesting human. Since you still have some warrior's spirit, I'll grant you an honorable death."
Though he despised humans, the Apostle respected those who valued fair combat, after all, before his corruption, even he had been a mighty warrior.
Soon, the two clashed fiercely before the stream.
Flame and water blades collided again and again, the unleashed force reshaping the terrain around them.
Huge craters formed.
Countless trees were obliterated.
Fearing the fight would reach them, Yaoyao tried to pull Klee away. But the little girl crouched on the ground shook her head. "Klee's not leaving! Klee's going to help big brother! Yaoyao, you go!"
As she spoke, Klee continued assembling a super Dodoco bomb.
Within just a few breaths, a bomb the size of a basketball was complete.
Her eyes lit up, and she shouted toward the battle, "Big brother, run! Let Klee deal with the bad guy!"
Su Han, now covered in wounds, fought fiercely against the Abyss Apostle. Though his strength was enough to fight evenly, his endurance still couldn't match that of an abyssal creature.
He had been thinking about how to retreat, until Klee's shout reached his ears. A sly grin appeared on his face. This guy probably hadn't tasted Dodoco's power yet. Today, he'd get a taste.
Taking a deep breath, Su Han suddenly unleashed his full strength, forcing the Apostle back. Just as his opponent thought he was about to go all out in a desperate struggle, Su Han instead used that momentum to leap back toward the two little girls.
Was he giving up on the duel and trying to flee?
"So humans really are weak and pathetic."
With disdain, the Apostle raised his twin blades, ready to charge forward for the kill.
Just then, a black sphere roughly thirty centimeters wide flew toward him. It looked like a toy, with long ears and a cute cartoon face.
From afar, Su Han waved and called out with a grin, "Hey, buddy, next time, remember this: the times have changed. Don't play fair duels anymore."
"Huh? What do you—"
Before he could finish, an unimaginably intense blaze consumed him completely.
The explosion swallowed everything nearby.
Even his scream was drowned out.
Su Han, meanwhile, grabbed one little girl in each arm and ran for dear life just before the blast.
Boom!
The immense shockwave slammed into his back, making his vision go black. Fortunately, his Golden Light Curse and protective talismans absorbed most of it, preventing him from fainting outright.
When everything finally settled, Su Han turned to look at the explosion site, only to see a towering mushroom cloud rising into the sky. His mouth fell open.
"As expected… only explosions are true art."
The violent tremor spread not only across Tianheng Mountain but even reached Yujing Terrace and the Jade Chamber, which shook slightly.
In the Jade Chamber, Ningguang, who had been handling state affairs, immediately stood up. "What's happening outside?"
The Jade Chamber was the heart of Liyue's authority, who would dare attack it? Were they not afraid of death?
Moments later, Baiwen rushed in, flustered. "My lady, a massive explosion just occurred near Tianheng Mountain! Some of the cliffs have collapsed! Please, you must take a look!"
Seeing her secretary's expression, Ningguang's heart tightened. She hurried out.
When she saw the enormous mushroom cloud, even she froze for a moment before ordering, "Baiwen, send the Millelith to investigate immediately. Find out who caused this. And tighten city inspections, question every newcomer thoroughly."
"Yes, my lady!"
Baiwen received the order and quickly departed.
Such a powerful explosion so close to Liyue Harbor had to be investigated carefully. If something like that ever happened in the harbor itself, it would be catastrophic.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest far from the blast.
Xiangling was startled by the sound. Seeing the rising mushroom cloud, she gasped in shock. "What happened there?" Remembering that she had just come from that direction, her expression changed drastically. She grabbed Guoba and rushed off.
"Hurry, Guoba! Su Han and the others might be in trouble!"
She didn't know what had happened, but she was sure it wasn't good.
Guoba, hearing that Su Han might be hurt, immediately dropped his snacks and dashed after her. He had forgotten many things, but he never forgot those who were kind to him.
Su Han always gave him food and Mora, there was no way he'd let anything happen to him!
At the foot of Tianheng Mountain.
After settling Yaoyao and Klee safely, Su Han returned to the massive crater. Whether the enemy lived or died, there were questions he needed answered.
After searching for a while, he finally found the Abyss Apostle at the edge of the pit.
The Apostle was in a pitiful state, his lower body completely blown away, one arm missing, and half his face melted by fire.
Seeing Su Han approach, he rasped, cursing through blood, "You… shameless bastard… you dare talk about a fair duel?!"
"That's why I said," Su Han replied calmly, "the times have changed."
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