The spear tip shattered the Herald's dual blades, and the Abyss Herald's aura instantly withered.
Jun Bai reached out and clamped the Abyss Herald's throat. Crimson flames coiled around the Herald's body. The fiery wings behind Jun Bai flapped, transforming him into a blazing comet plummeting toward the ground from hundreds of meters high.
Boom!
A deep crater appeared on Starsnatch Cliff.
"Even with less than one percent of my power, you still lack the qualification to stand before me."
Jun Bai half-squatted in the crater, atop the Hydro Abyss Herald who was being burned by fierce flames and breathing faintly. Jun Bai's hand still clamped the throat that held its life and death.
"Go to hell… no, using your Abyss Order terminology, it should be…"
"Return to the embrace of the Abyss."
Jun Bai raised the White Tassel, about to pierce the Hydro Abyss Herald's throat.
Boom—
A bolt of purple lightning suddenly appeared, striking down at Jun Bai.
Jun Bai instinctively flapped his fiery wings, avoiding the lightning attack.
The Abyss rift opened again. A purple arm reached out from within and took away the severely injured Hydro Abyss Herald.
"As expected," Jun Bai thought to himself.
Jun Bai hadn't intended to kill the Hydro Abyss Herald at this time. Firstly, it was unrealistic; the Abyss Order wouldn't simply watch him land the killing blow without intervening. Secondly, the Hydro Abyss Herald plays an important role in the main storyline.
Killing the Hydro Abyss Herald constitutes an important plot node.
Rewriting important plot nodes is one of the system's functions. Only when Jun Bai uses Popularity Points to apply for modifying an important plot can he truly change an important plot node.
Just like how, despite Jun Bai's involvement along the way, the entire process of the main storyline changed, yet the outcome of the main storyline remained unchanged.
This is because the parts Jun Bai rewrote were non-important plot nodes, allowing him to alter them freely. No matter how he changed them, this segment of the plot would eventually still lead to calling Dvalin at Starsnatch Cliff.
Important plot nodes are equivalent to destined events.
For example, when Dvalin caused the dragon crisis, being repelled was destined to happen. Even without Lumine, the rampaging Dvalin would still be calmed by Venti.
At such plot nodes, Jun Bai can participate but cannot rewrite them.
If he attempts to rewrite them, force majeure will occur.
For instance, if Jun Bai had chosen to kill rather than repel Dvalin when Dvalin appeared over Mondstadt City—no joke—the moment Jun Bai showed that intention, Venti would have directly intervened and removed him from Mondstadt City.
Killing the Hydro Abyss Herald is an important plot node. Jun Bai can only participate, not rewrite it—unless he uses Popularity Points to eliminate the force majeure.
Although, due to the intense battle being broadcast live by the system, Jun Bai's Popularity Points had become abundant again, after careful consideration, he decided to let the Hydro Abyss Herald go.
Thus, the Abyss Lector: Violet Lightning was able to successfully rescue the Abyss Herald.
Watching the gradually disappearing rift, Jun Bai frowned, finally showing an expression of unwillingness, and put away the White Tassel.
Lumine, panting, approached Jun Bai, her expression hesitant.
Jun Bai looked at her and said, "That's right. The two who appeared just now are both your brother's subordinates."
"Your brother is the [Prince] of the Abyss Order. This is a fact I have repeatedly confirmed over the past five hundred years. Both the Abyss Herald and the Abyss Lector belong to the Abyss Order and are also your brother's trusted subordinates."
Lumine's expression was complicated, unsure what to say.
Diluc walked over, carrying the Cryo Abyss Mage. "Liyue person, I need an explanation from you."
Jun Bai tilted his head and smiled slightly. "I wonder what matters Master Diluc needs me to explain?"
"Several." Diluc placed the Cryo Abyss Mage in the middle of the three. "For example, that Abyss Herald called you an Archon. For example, that drunkard bard can call and even communicate with Stormterror."
Jun Bai looked at Venti.
Venti was currently checking on Dvalin's condition, so he only responded with a look.
Understanding, Jun Bai looked back at Diluc, Lumine, and Paimon, who had come to Lumine's side.
After a moment's thought, Jun Bai said, "Then let me introduce myself again. I am from the Liyue Millelith. Jun Bai is my human name."
"My other name is Phoenix, the Archon of Nirvana of Liyue."
A look of realization appeared on Diluc's face, and Paimon's expression was full of surprise.
Only Lumine, the outsider, looked completely lost; she truly knew nothing about the people of Teyvat.
Paimon flew right up to Jun Bai, looking him up and down, and asked, "You're the Archon of Nirvana? The Archon of Nirvana I'm thinking of?"
"Yes, that very Archon of Nirvana." Jun Bai nodded.
"I thought the Marshal of the Millelith would be a stern, authoritative-looking middle-aged man! I didn't expect you to look quite young."
"Little Paimon, viewing people through stereotypes isn't a good habit." Jun Bai crossed his arms, his eyes playful. "And are you sure speaking improperly in front of the person themselves is a normal thing to do?"
"Ah? Ah! Sorry! I didn't mean to!" Paimon finally realized she had just said something very disrespectful to an Archon and hid behind Lumine.
Seeing Lumine's confused expression, Paimon immediately remembered she didn't know about Teyvat's affairs and began explaining Jun Bai's identity in her ear.
Diluc, however, looked at Jun Bai. "But if you really are the Archon of Nirvana, how did those two Abyss Heralds leave safely?"
"I understand why you ask that. After all, according to the history you know, the Archon of Nirvana, Phoenix, was a powerhouse who could fight the Tyrant of the Tower and rival The Seven."
"But the world isn't static. I once did have strength comparable to The Seven. However, I have just been reborn from Nirvana and no longer possess the strength from a thousand years ago."
Jun Bai gave an explanation based on his background setting, and conveniently planted some hints of tragedy.
"As for Venti… Master Diluc, haven't you already guessed?"
"Close relationship with Dvalin, one of The Four Winds; intimately familiar with Mondstadt's history; able to use and repair the Anemo Archon's treasure; and a friend of the Archon of Nirvana…" Diluc's gaze toward Venti was extremely complicated.
All signs pointed to one possibility.
"That's right. Standing before you now is none other than the Anemo Archon Barbatos himself."
Venti, having finished calming Dvalin, turned around, placed his hands on his hips, and revealed a proud expression.
"…" Diluc covered his face, suddenly feeling that Mondstadt's past and future were equally bleak.
Paimon and Lumine looked at Venti, their expressions quite strange.
It was evident that the image the Anemo Archon had displayed during their journey had left everyone disappointed.
Especially Diluc.
The scene was awkward for a moment. Jun Bai, as the person (and Archon) connecting both sides, stepped in to smooth things over, asking:
"Venti, how is Dvalin's condition?"
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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Raw:宝可梦:我的冠军老婆沙奈朵