“If you think tomorrow’s too soon, Ayaka, we can wait a bit longer. I’ll be around Inazuma for a while, so just let me know when you’re ready,” Luo Qing said casually.
“It’s fine,” Ayaka shook her head firmly. “Tomorrow is perfect.”
She had rehearsed everything she wanted to say to the Shogun countless times in her mind. Even if she had to meet Raiden Shogun right now, she wouldn’t hesitate for a second.
“Alright, then. Tomorrow evening, after trainin...
2024-11-07 21:27:58 +0000 UTC
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"Are you all done with your questions?"
Decarabian glanced at the group. "Most of what you asked was within my expectations. Still... I suppose I’m fortunate you have some peculiarities among you."
Oddity No. 1: Gu Sanqiu. Oddity No. 2: Tartaglia. Oddity No. 3: Albedo. Oddity No. 4: Bennett.
“Does this mean you’re willing to withdraw your influence over Mondstadt?”
“No.”
The group’s expressions shifted immediately.
Decarabian continue...
2024-11-07 21:27:53 +0000 UTC
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Decarabian's downfall had been inevitable, brought about by the people's desire for freedom, shattering the mighty Fierce Wind in their pursuit. Of course, historians painted this story in simple, palatable terms, a comforting fairy tale to soothe ignorance. But the truth? The King of the Tower was overthrown only after brutal warfare, with freedom as the sole creed, even as the leaders of that rebellion paid with their lives.
And Decarabian, even as a fallen god, was proud.
It wa...
2024-11-07 21:27:45 +0000 UTC
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“Oh? Now this is an interesting turn,”
Kaeya mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “So… will you give us a moment to discuss our questions?”
“Discussing how to best extract information from me?” Decarabian replied, his tone faintly mocking. “Don’t bother. I won’t give you that time. And know this: If you try such tactics again, I’ll count that as your question.”
“Very well, I’ll go first, then.”
Kaeya’s expression grew serious. “Stand...
2024-11-07 21:27:35 +0000 UTC
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Even the tower’s master seemed baffled by Gu Sanqiu’s actions, as they were supposed to be allies who’d arrived here together.
But with Bennett now looking as though he’d ingested some bizarre, vicious poison—a kind that seems purpose-built to inflict as much suffering as possible before death—the master of the tower was left wondering. Only humans, or perhaps particularly sadistic monsters, would design something so unnecessarily cruel for their own kind.
“Ah, ignor...
2024-11-07 21:27:29 +0000 UTC
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When everyone who could pass through the invisible barrier had entered the tower, Gu Sanqiu noticed a foggy swirl of wind elements surrounding him.
When the mist dissipated, he looked around, realizing he was alone in the vast, empty hall.
"Interesting. A solo trial, huh?"
He scanned the small area he was in, noting the opponent in front of him—an enemy already poised for battle, gripping a large sword.
Boom!
With a single thrust, Gu Sanqiu's spear punched thro...
2024-11-07 21:27:23 +0000 UTC
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"Ma... Master, please don't tease me like that," Ayaka stammered, her cheeks flushing as she instinctively leaned back a little.
Was Luo Qing joking with her? He had to be... right?
"Oh? But I'm being completely serious~" Luo Qing chuckled softly, leaning forward and propping his chin up with both hands on the table.
Watching Ayaka’s cute, embarrassed expression, he felt an overwhelming urge to reach out and pinch her cheeks.
“Um...” Ayaka didn’t know how to re...
2024-11-06 21:10:41 +0000 UTC
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A full day had passed.
Though he didn’t go through each move one-on-one, Luo Qing still took the time to carefully explain the core concepts of Thunder Breathing to each student. He wasn’t going to be like the teachers from his past life, constantly watching over them. His job was to lead them to the path, but they had to walk it themselves. He’d only offer occasional pointers, leaving the bulk of the training up to them.
By evening, when the students thought the day’s tra...
2024-11-06 21:10:36 +0000 UTC
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The morning passed, and the forty students, who had yet to see any actual sword techniques—only endless group dancing—were growing visibly frustrated.
Some took the opportunity to complain to Kujou Sara during the lunch break, but all they got in return was:
"Mr. Luo Qing has a plan. Please be patient."
And with that, they were dismissed.
By the afternoon, many of them were disheartened, their eyes dull with the thought that the entire month might be wasted on poin...
2024-11-06 21:10:32 +0000 UTC
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Kujou Sara furrowed her brow and asked coldly, "What kind of clothes are you planning to order?"
"Does that mean you agree, Miss Kujou?"
Luo Qing’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he rubbed his hands together. "How about we go to Ogura Textiles right now to discuss the details?"
"..."
"There’s no need. I’ll handle it myself," Kujou Sara replied, trying to remain composed. "Luo Qing, you should focus on teaching the sword techniques."
Watching Luo Qing’s ...
2024-11-06 21:10:28 +0000 UTC
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Kamisato Ayaka felt conflicted.
Just a moment ago, she had only slightly lost her balance. As a swordsman of Kei Den level, there was no way she would have actually fallen.
Yet, just as she was about to regain her footing, Luo Qing’s hand had reached out and wrapped around her waist, holding her steady and preventing her from turning.
He had held her quite firmly—so much so that she could feel his strength through her clothes.
Could it be... Mr. Luo Q...
2024-11-06 21:10:24 +0000 UTC
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"Interesting little trick."
A deep, classic villain's voice echoed as a massive teal hand stretched out from the top of the tower, casually catching the lightning-charged dragon just before it could crash into the spire.
The enormous hand clenched, and with surprising ease, it extinguished the explosive dragon, reducing it to mere sparks and crackling embers.
"I acknowledge your efforts."
"You have ten minutes to compose yourselves."
"Then… make ready for the a...
2024-11-06 21:10:00 +0000 UTC
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"Judgment is upon you!"
Diluc grasped his claymore with both hands, swinging it powerfully to unleash a blazing fire phoenix. Its wings spread wide, and the mighty cry echoed as it tore through the advancing wave of plants, engulfing both their wind-infused forms and their bodies in flames!
"Now’s the time—charge ahead! Second wave, step up!"
Kaeya raised his sword, gesturing for the group. "All Fire wielders, press forward! Follow right behind Master Diluc!"
Whoos...
2024-11-06 21:09:54 +0000 UTC
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Gu Sanqiu watched the elemental winds swirling around Jean, a bit baffled by how Mondstadters seemed to endure it all.
Seriously… do they have some special Dandelion Wine gene that lets them store up Anemo energy like this?
If Mondstadters could manage such a feat, what about Liyue? Would their people be able to summon some latent power to… generate Mora on command?
Even fantasy novels wouldn’t go that far.
They pressed onward, with the protecti...
2024-11-06 21:09:49 +0000 UTC
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Once the route was confirmed, everyone’s spirits lifted considerably. Just knowing all their efforts weren’t in vain was a huge morale boost.
“Oh, and remember to take the tokens with us,” Gu Sanqiu added. “Even though we’ve mapped out the path, there might still be some mechanism that requires them as keys or passwords.”
Jean nodded, considering it. “Good point. Liyue’s domains often have mechanisms needing unique items as keys; it’s certainly possible here to...
2024-11-06 21:09:45 +0000 UTC
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This was, of course, a joke; even if there were some ancient twelve-symbol prophecy here, Mondstadt’s timelines wouldn’t align with it anyway.
Pulling a length of rope from his waist, Gu Sanqiu secured the token and held it by the other end like a leash.
Naturally, he wasn’t about to stow this thing in his pack or hold it directly. Unlike the bone club, he couldn’t just toss it aside either—so here we were.
“Oh, look what I found! A couple of wild Lion’s Fang c...
2024-11-06 21:09:39 +0000 UTC
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"Don’t worry about it. Keep the hammer safe—he’ll come to us himself." Xia Luo said.
Old Man Steve raised Mjolnir, which trembled slightly in his grasp, and frowned.
"Isn’t it a bit…inappropriate to be hogging his favorite hammer like this?"
Xia Luo rolled his eyes. "Have you done anything good lately?"
Steve grinned. "Nope."
"So, what’re you hesitating for?"
"I’m worried he’ll get mad and take it out on me."
"He can’t even get the hamm...
2024-11-06 21:09:27 +0000 UTC
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“What’s that?”
Thunder cracked through the night sky, and the Black Order froze, dread etched across their faces.
“It’s… Thor!” Ebony Maw gasped, stunned. “Thanos had thrown him into the cosmos. He must’ve ended up here after his death!”
Cull Obsidian sneered, “Thor, schmorr. We wiped out half of Asgard’s so-called gods. Nothing special about him.”
Corvus Glaive’s cold gaze fixed on him. “That was only because Thanos was with us. Asgard wa...
2024-11-06 21:09:16 +0000 UTC
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“Boom!”
With a crackle of electricity, Lizard Parker stepped out from the twisted metal of the cage, the damaged electric arcs flickering around him. The latex mask on his face sizzled under the voltage and fell away, revealing a much younger face underneath.
Hydra Steve’s expression turned dark as night.
“It’s you… Xia Luo Parker!”
“Bingo! That’s right, it’s me—the most dazzling Spider-Man on the scene!” Xia Luo smirked, ripping away the remnan...
2024-11-06 21:09:08 +0000 UTC
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Betty invited Xia Luo and Lizard Parker inside.
“I’ll just have milk,” Lizard Parker murmured, instinctively hiding behind Xia Luo and eyeing Peter Parker with suspicion.
Betty didn’t notice his apprehension and turned to Xia Luo. “And you?”
“Juice, please—make that two glasses.”
“Uh… sure, just a moment.”
While Betty headed to the kitchen, Xia Luo crouched down to play with a short-haired tabby cat that had come to investigate.
“I...
2024-11-06 21:09:02 +0000 UTC
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Meanwhile, back at Gwen’s new apartment near Financial Street…
The team stepped inside the spacious suite, immediately drawn to the panoramic view of the city’s glittering lights beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“So this is what they call an open floor plan, huh?” Lizard Parker whispered, tears of inadequacy welling up.
Old Man Steve glanced around at the posh decor, thinking about his meager pension and the fact that, in nearly two hundred years, he’d never ...
2024-11-06 21:08:50 +0000 UTC
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Suren was preoccupied with one thought: the best way to take the beast down in a single shot.
His first arrow had been a trial, a way to test this Calydonian Boar’s defenses. After all, this was his first encounter with a creature forged by divine hands, and caution never hurt.
The results were promising. He had already gauged his limits and found he could easily pierce the boar’s defenses, even inflicting serious damage if he chose.
Suren’s gaze now pierced beyond the...
2024-11-06 21:08:12 +0000 UTC
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After a closer examination, Suren marveled at this divine construct, resembling a “plane.” The craftsmanship was beyond words, far surpassing anything humans could achieve, a feat beyond any science or technology.
This was, in fact, a bow—a gigantic bow.
But in both the plentiful resources of this divine era and the advanced technologies of the future, no one would ever think of creating a man-sized flying weapon from gold, fire, and pure light.
This weapon seemed to e...
2024-11-06 21:08:06 +0000 UTC
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The process of tempering the body with divine fire was an incredibly meticulous task. The sacred ointment had to be applied instantly; any delay, and a mortal’s fragile form would be reduced to ashes within the flames.
Suren knew that even if the ritual was interrupted, Hestia would likely find a way to save him. But how embarrassing would that be? He’d been the one to request this ritual, after all. Hestia had also informed him of the potential hazards and flaws of the divine fire....
2024-11-06 21:07:57 +0000 UTC
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“Why do I get the feeling someone’s gossiping about me behind my back?”
For some reason, a chill ran down Suren’s spine. He pulled his cloak a little tighter and, taking a deep breath, stepped into Hestia’s temple.
Compared to the temples of Athena or Hera, Hestia’s was much simpler. While it retained the divine elegance and dignity of any godly sanctuary, it simply couldn’t compete in scale with the temples of Athens’s patron deity and the Queen of the Gods.
2024-11-06 21:07:49 +0000 UTC
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“Suren… do you disapprove of the heroes’ deeds?”
Behind him, Pallas sighed. “Did you know that most of these heroes’ adventures are guided by Goddess Athena herself? Are you then condemning the goddess?”
Now, that was dangerous territory!
Suren quickly shook his head, cautious not to cross the line while speaking about Athena in her own temple. Instead, he used a classic line to sidestep the question: “Goddess Athena’s intentions are good. It’s just that ...
2024-11-06 21:07:45 +0000 UTC
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The next day, taking advantage of Cynthia’s deep sleep, Suren donned his leather armor, picked up his bow, and slipped out of the forest.
Fifteen years since his abandonment here, he was finally seeing the wider world.
It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered leaving for the human world before. It was just that, first, Cynthia had always been against it, and second, he’d felt it would be too dangerous at the time.
As it stood, his archery skills were his only real talent...
2024-11-06 21:07:38 +0000 UTC
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“My dear Suren, I’m back…”
Cynthia’s voice was faint, tinged with a sadness that was impossible to miss. She hadn’t even appeared yet, but Suren could already sense her melancholy in the air.
This doe could never hide her emotions. She was the very embodiment of simplicity—completely transparent, easy to read. Her thoughts lay bare for anyone to see.
“Cynthia, what’s wrong?” Suren asked, eyeing the forlorn creature before him. Despite her divine and digni...
2024-11-06 21:07:31 +0000 UTC
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Once again, drifting between dream and reality, Kai heard the voice of the simulator calling to him—
“Pure one, tell me… who is the most beautiful goddess?”
“It’s…”
The words left Kai’s lips instinctively, but before he could answer, the voices and images vanished, replaced instead by the familiar interface of the simulator.
[Humanity’s Beloved Simulator has been refreshed. Would you like to initiate a new simulation?]
2024-11-06 21:07:25 +0000 UTC
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Walking down an increasingly empty street, Nero squinted and muttered, "Kai, it seems a little... unexpected attention has come our way."
Glancing around at the rapidly clearing luxury shops, Kai’s expression remained tranquil. He cast an amused look at one of the stores and grinned. “Oh? Doesn’t that mean we get to shop for free?”
From the moment he’d stepped out, Kai knew his shopping trip wouldn’t exactly go uninterrupted. But he wasn’t worried in the slightest.
2024-11-06 21:07:15 +0000 UTC
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