Lu Lin wrapped an arm around Ganyu's shoulder and comforted her.
"Don't worry. She has a Vision too. She won't go down that easily. We need to make sure we're safe first before we can save anyone."
"Mm, I understand."
His confidence naturally came from the system mission requiring Xiangling to be rescued within three days. Not even a full day had passed, and the mission hadn't failed—so she should still be alive.
But that couldn't be said aloud.
Just then, Hu Tao's energetic voice rang out from downstairs.
"Huh? Where did this Director end up? Lu Lin! Where are you?"
"Sounds like the medicine worked well. She woke up quickly. Let's go check."
As Lu Lin stood up, Ganyu suddenly grabbed his hand. Without explanation, she interlocked their fingers and pulled him downstairs.
Ah.
So she wasn't ignoring the Hu Tao matter—she was making her move here.
Lu Lin hadn't expected the gentle, elegant Ganyu to have a slightly mischievous side.
Balancing this situation would not be easy.
Sure enough—
When Hu Tao saw them descending hand in hand, her lips puffed up slightly.
Very slightly.
But she controlled herself and asked lightly, "Oh? Did Sister Ganyu save us?"
"It wasn't me. Lu Lin brought us here. This is his Serenitea Pot…" Ganyu explained briefly.
"Hu Tao, how are you feeling? Thanks to Ganyu checking your injuries and giving you medicine," Lu Lin added quickly, subtly emphasizing Ganyu's care.
Hu Tao understood.
"Thank you, Sister Ganyu! I'm almost fully recovered. And thank you too, Lu Lin~"
She threw a few playful punches in the air to prove it.
"Don't overexert yourself. Let me check again," Ganyu offered, releasing Lu Lin's hand.
The tension dissolved.
There had been faint jealousy—but both girls were mature.
While Ganyu checked Hu Tao, Lu Lin went to wash fruit in the kitchen.
He had bought fruit and pastries earlier for situations like this. His original 500,000 Mora had nearly run out—but Ganyu's successful residency had just earned him another 1,000,000 Mora.
They rested peacefully for several hours.
After midnight, fully recovered, the three decided to return to the palace.
Back in the Palace
The two Abyss Heralds were still struggling against the barrier.
"How long has it been? Why isn't it broken yet?" Flame snapped.
"Stop talking down to me," Frostkill growled.
"Those intruders disappeared earlier. Who knows if they'll come back."
"They can't withstand the black mist. Even if they return, they're nothing."
Suddenly—
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two frost arrows materialized and struck them before they could react.
Ganyu's Frostflake Arrows detonated upon impact, dealing massive damage.
"Now!" Hu Tao shouted, her Staff of Homa blazing as she slammed it down.
Lu Lin didn't intervene. Though he now wielded Cryo, his mastery was still shallow. He stayed alert, ready to activate time-stop if needed. He had waited until after midnight precisely to refresh [Critical Moment].
But it wasn't necessary.
At full strength, Ganyu fought like a war goddess, overwhelming both Heralds. With Hu Tao's support, the tide was decisive.
An ice arrow pierced Flame's chest. Hu Tao followed with a flaming strike.
Cryo and Pyro erupted together—
Flame was shattered into fragments.
Frostkill saw defeat coming and turned to flee.
He ran toward the open doorway Ganyu had entered earlier.
At that moment—
A girl's voice echoed from beyond the door.
"Where is this place? I'm almost out of strength… Guoba, slow down—ah!"
A blue-haired girl in yellow clothes stepped forward—
And an ice spear pressed against her throat.
"Don't move. Let me go—or this little girl dies," Frostkill said coldly.