An invisible shockwave swept towards him like a tidal wave. Long Wen couldn't dodge in time and was sent flying like a kite with a broken string. He crashed heavily into a stone pillar, which broke with a crack, and he fell to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"Cough cough..." Long Wen struggled to get up, but felt excruciating pain all over his body, as if his limbs and bones had fallen apart. But the fighting spirit in his eyes did not die down; instead, it burned even brighter: "It's not over yet..."
Long Wen resolutely stepped into the mysterious teleportation array, enduring countless hardships in that unknown space and clashing several times with the mysterious forces hidden in the depths of darkness. Though battered and bruised, he also uncovered some of the secrets of the dark forces. Now, he was blasted away by a powerful impact, crashing heavily to the ground. But before the dust could settle, he sprang to his feet, quickly regaining his composure, for he knew in his heart that the ultimate showdown with the dark forces had begun.
Long Wen landed firmly on his feet, knees slightly bent, fists clenched, and the elemental power around him surged wildly like boiling magma. His eyes gleamed with unwavering determination as he stared intently at the dark power that had re-formed before him. That darkness seemed to be the embodiment of an endless abyss, so dense it was impenetrable, constantly twisting and churning, emanating a chilling aura that seemed poised to devour all light in the world.
At this moment, Long Wen had become one with the surrounding elements. The wind howled in his ears, like a battle song; fire danced at his fingertips, as if to burn away all evil; water surrounded him, cleansing his wounds; thunder roared above his head, granting him violent power; earth solidified beneath his feet, giving him a firm foundation. The powerful fluctuations distorted the surrounding space, and the light in this area became chaotic, presenting a tense atmosphere of impending battle.
"Come, today is your day of destruction!" Long Wen roared, his voice booming and shaking the surrounding sand and gravel. He flashed forward like an arrow, rushing towards the dark power, his longsword raised high, the elemental light on the blade leaving a dazzling trail, like a shooting star streaking across the night sky.
Zhou Li stood on a high ground not far away, watching everything with anxious anticipation. She wore a tight-fitting black outfit that accentuated her graceful yet agile figure. She gripped her spear tightly, the tip pointing downwards; the moment she pointed it at the ground, a shallow trench was carved, demonstrating the force of her grip. Her gaze remained fixed on Long Wen, her eyes filled with worry and determination. Her delicate face was slightly pale with tension, her lips pressed tightly together, her pearly teeth lightly biting her lower lip, as if she were about to rush into the battlefield to fight alongside Long Wen at any moment.
Long Wen instantly rushed into the range of dark power, and in an instant, countless elemental attacks erupted from the darkness. Flames rushed towards him like a raging sea of fire, ice shards shot towards him like sharp arrows, lightning snaked and weaved like a raging dragon, and thick earth and rocks, like collapsing mountains, crashed down on Long Wen.
Long Wen's eyes sharpened, but he calmly wielded his longsword, the blade moving with him, drawing perfect arcs in front of him. Fire elements mingled and neutralized the incoming flames; icicles touched the water elements on the sword, instantly turning into droplets; lightning currents passed through the metal gauntlet beside him and were channeled into the ground; earth and rocks, under his control with earth elements, veered off course and scattered to the side.
Chapter 204 Mental Impact
"Hmph, is that all you've got?" Long Wen sneered, but before he could even catch his breath, an invisible mental shock, like a surging undercurrent, rushed straight into his mind. Long Wen felt a splitting headache, as if a million steel needles were stabbing wildly in his brain, and he couldn't help but stagger.
"Long Wen!" Zhou Li cried out in alarm upon seeing this, and was about to rush forward. "Don't come any closer, Zhou Li! I can handle this!" Long Wen shouted, enduring the excruciating pain. He knew that if Zhou Li recklessly rushed in now, she would only be in danger. He gritted his teeth, concentrated his mind, and with his indomitable will, built a mental defense line in his mind to resist the tidal wave of mental attacks.
Immediately afterward, Long Wen's awakened special abilities began to manifest. His eyes instantly turned a brilliant gold, like two blazing suns, capable of seeing through all illusions. He moved like a ghost through the gaps in the attacks of the dark forces, his longsword shining brightly. Each swing of the sword carried the powerful force of the fusion of six elements, fiercely slashing towards the true form of the dark forces.
The dark power seemed enraged by Long Wen's counterattack, and its attacks became even more frenzied. It suddenly transformed into a giant black octopus, its tentacles waving and creating gusts of black wind. Each tentacle contained enough power to destroy a small mountain, and it lashed out fiercely at Long Wen.
Long Wen leaped to the side, dodging the sweeping tentacles, and with a backhand slash, severed one of them. Black fluid splattered out, emitting a pungent stench, and the dark power at the severed end of the tentacle twisted wildly, attempting to heal itself.
The onlookers were stunned by the fierce battle. They held their breath, their eyes fixed on the battlefield, their palms sweating, worried for Long Wen's safety.
Zhou Li was so tense that her whole body was taut. Her knuckles turned white from the excessive force as she gripped the spear tightly. Her legs trembled slightly, as if she was about to lose control and rush into the battlefield to protect Long Wen at any moment.
Just as the battle reached its climax and both sides were locked in a stalemate, Long Wen, after a daring dodge, suddenly discovered the final core weakness of the dark power. It was a faintly visible black crystal core located at the center of the dark power, acting like the heart of darkness, continuously supplying energy to this evil force.
"Found it!" Long Wen was overjoyed. A resolute glint flashed in his eyes as he decided to take a desperate gamble. He took a deep breath, mobilizing all the elemental power within his body and compressing it to its limit. Instantly, the light around Long Wen was so dazzling that it was impossible to open one's eyes. The six elements intertwined and entwined, forming a huge energy vortex that frantically absorbed the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
"Zhou Li, watch closely!" Long Wen shouted, his voice echoing through the sky.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Li's eyes were filled with expectation and trust. She nodded vigorously and replied loudly, "Long Wen, I believe in you!"
Long Wen gripped the longsword with both hands, aiming the tip, which contained all his power, at the core crystal of the dark power. Then, like an arrow released from a bow, he charged towards the dark power with unstoppable momentum.
The instant he approached the dark power, Long Wen leaped up, all his strength channeling through his longsword, surging towards the crystal core like a powerful tide. This strike embodied his unwavering devotion to the light, his protection of family and friends, and his love for this continent; its power was beyond imagination.
Chapter 205 Resistance by Force
The crystal core trembled violently under the attack, and cracks appeared on its surface, spreading rapidly like a spider web. The dark power seemed to sense the threat of death and struggled desperately, trying to resist with its last bit of strength.
But Long Wen's resolve was unwavering. He roared and increased his power once more. With a deafening roar, the crystal core shattered, turning into countless black fragments that dissipated into the air. The dark power, having lost its core, crumbled instantly, vanishing completely like scattered smoke, leaving no trace.
The light of victory shone upon Long Wen, making him appear like a war god descended to earth, standing tall in the center of the battlefield. The longsword in his hand hummed, as if cheering for him; the elemental power around him slowly subsided, transforming into soft halos of light that surrounded him.
Zhou Li was so excited that tears welled up in her eyes. Unable to contain her joy and excitement any longer, she called out Long Wen's name and ran towards him. Long Wen opened his arms to welcome Zhou Li. The two embraced tightly, as if time had stood still, all the surrounding noise vanished, and only the clear sound of their heartbeats could be heard.
As dawn broke, soft light streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting dappled shadows on the ornate floor tiles of Mondstadt Cathedral. Long Wen and Zhou Li stepped into the cathedral side by side, their steps steady yet revealing an undisguised anticipation. Their figures appeared small in the sacred and solemn space, yet they seemed determined to break the silence.
Inside the church, Jean had been waiting for some time. She stood tall and straight, dressed in the iconic uniform of the Knights of Favonius, her golden hair shimmering in the dim light. Her face was resolute, exuding the authority of the acting Grand Master. Diluc stood to the side, wearing a black trench coat with the collar slightly turned up, obscuring the lower half of his face except for a pair of sharp, eagle-like eyes. His cold, mysterious aura was awe-inspiring.
Long Wen bowed slightly and spoke first, breaking the brief silence: "Commander Jean, Mr. Diluc, I have invited you both here today to discuss a major matter concerning the future of the Teyvat continent. As you can see, the continent is currently rife with undercurrents and crises. I propose that the various forces in Mondstadt unite to form an alliance to jointly defend against external enemies." His voice was steady and powerful, and his eyes shone with a fervent light, full of anticipation for the future.
·· ····Request flowers··· ·····
Qin frowned slightly, crossed her arms, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "Lord Longwen, your idea is certainly bold, but Mondstadt has always been peaceful and tranquil. Will this hasty formation of an alliance disrupt the existing balance and cause unnecessary turmoil? As the acting leader, I have to consider the citizens' concerns." Her gaze was frank and worried, and her eyes held a hint of scrutiny as she looked at Longwen.
.... .. ....
Diluc snorted coldly, stepped forward, and stared intently at Long Wen: "Hmph, that sounds nice, but who knows what your purpose is, outsider? Once this alliance is established, how will power and resources be distributed? And what benefits will you gain from it?" His voice was low and cold, each word like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples and instantly making the atmosphere tense.
Zhou Li watched anxiously from the side, biting her lower lip, her hands unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes, her gaze shifting back and forth between Long Wen, Jean, and Diluc. She wanted to help, but was afraid of saying the wrong thing, so she could only worry helplessly, her eyes filled with growing anxiety.
Chapter 206 Conveying One's Sincerity
Long Wen took a deep breath, his smile still on his face, and patiently explained, “Captain Jean, Mr. Diluc, I understand your concerns. But please believe me, I have no selfish motives. You see, the frequency of monster rampages has been increasing recently, and as far as I know, there are also mysterious forces stirring in Liyue. All these signs indicate that an even greater crisis is imminent. If we fight our own battles, when the crisis truly arrives, I'm afraid no one will be able to escape unscathed. After the alliance is formed, all forces can share intelligence and resources, support each other, and jointly protect our homeland.” As he spoke, he slightly spread his hands, trying to convey his sincerity through body language.
Just then, a series of crisp footsteps sounded, and Mona strode into the church with haughty steps. She wore a deep blue astrologer's robe and a pointed hat, her eyes beneath the brim gleaming with a mysterious light. In her hand she held an astrologer's staff, as if she held the world under her control.
"Hmph, in my opinion, your plan is nothing but a castle in the air, full of uncertainties." Mona raised her chin, glanced at Longwen, and said coldly, "I consulted the stars last night, and the celestial signs indicate that this so-called alliance will only bring disaster, not blessings, to Mondstadt." Her tone was unquestionable, as if she had already seen through all the secrets of heaven.
Long Wen's heart tightened, but his face remained impassive. He gave Mona a slight bow and said, "Miss Mona, I have long admired your name. Astrology is indeed mysterious, but the future is not immutable, and human will can overcome fate. You have only seen one side of the celestial phenomena, but have not deeply understood the reasons behind them. The current situation on the continent is far from optimistic. If we do not prepare for the future, it will be too late to regret it when disaster truly strikes." He spoke at a measured pace, attempting to persuade this arrogant astrologer with reason.
Mona remained unmoved, arms crossed, a mocking smile playing on her lips: "Hmph, you're just an outsider adventurer. What makes you think you can change fate? I, Mona, have studied astrology for many years. How could the stars be wrong?"
A surge of anger rose within Long Wen. He unconsciously clenched his fists, and his voice rose a few decibels: "Miss Mona, I respect your astrology, but you cannot dismiss everything based solely on celestial phenomena. I have traveled throughout Teyvat and witnessed countless people suffer from monsters and their homes destroyed. The reason I want to form an alliance is to give everyone a stable future. Why are you so stubborn?"
Seeing this, Zhou Li hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed Long Wen's arm, gently advising, "Long Wen, don't be impulsive. We're all doing this for the good of Mondstadt. Let's talk this out slowly..." Her eyes were full of pleading, hoping that Long Wen could calm down.
However, the atmosphere was already extremely tense, with a palpable sense of impending conflict permeating the church, as if a single spark could ignite the tense atmosphere.
Long Wen closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to calm himself down. After a moment, he opened his eyes, his gaze filled with determination and resolve. He slowly took out an elemental treasure from his robes, which emitted a faint glow. The item was crystal clear and contained a surging elemental power of 3.5, clearly indicating that it was extraordinary.
"Chairman Jean, Mr. Diluc, Miss Mona, I know you still have doubts about me. In that case, I swear on my honor that if the alliance fails, I am willing to bear all the consequences. Furthermore, I offer this elemental artifact, which has been with me for many years and is of paramount importance to me, as collateral for your disposal." Long Wen's voice was deep and powerful, each word seemingly striking the hearts of everyone present.
Chapter 207 We Will Definitely Overcome the Difficulties
A flicker of emotion crossed Jean's eyes. She lowered her head slightly, lost in thought. Diluc's gaze also fell on the treasure, the doubt in his eyes lessening slightly. He narrowed his eyes, seemingly weighing the pros and cons. Mona, though still haughty, had lost some of the disdain in her eyes. She gave a soft snort and remained silent.
Seeing this, Long Wen was secretly pleased with himself. He knew that his risky move had paid off. He pressed his advantage and continued, "Everyone, I know this is no easy task, but for the sake of Mondstadt and the entire Teyvat continent, we must work together. I believe that as long as we unite, we will be able to overcome this difficulty."
Qin raised her head and looked at Long Wen with a firm gaze: "Lord Long Wen, I see your sincerity. This matter is of great importance, and I still need to discuss it with the members of the Knights, but rest assured, I will seriously consider your proposal."
Diluc nodded slightly and said in a low voice, "Hmph, I hope you're not just talking big. I will also keep an eye on this matter, and if there is any need, Dawn Winery will certainly do its part."
Mona snorted and said haughtily, "Seeing how sincere you are, I'll wait and see for now. But if anything goes wrong, I won't be polite."
Long Wen breathed a sigh of relief, a satisfied smile spreading across his face: "Thank you all. I believe we can definitely create a bright future together."
Zhou Li also smiled slightly. She gently held Long Wen's hand, her eyes filled with pride and satisfaction.
In the early morning light of Liyue Harbor, sunlight pierced through thin clouds, casting dappled golden rays across the shimmering sea. At the docks, ships ply the waters, and workers busily loaded and unloaded cargo, their shouts and calls blending into a lively symphony. Long Wen and Zhou Li appeared amidst the commotion, their expressions hurried, their eyes revealing a mixture of urgency and anticipation.
Long Wen's gaze swept across the crowd, quickly locking onto a graceful woman—the mysterious agent Ye Lan. Ye Lan was dressed in a form-fitting black outfit that perfectly accentuated her alluring figure. Her dark hair was tied up high, with a few strands falling around her fair neck, adding to her captivating charm. She leaned against a ship's mast, watching Long Wen and Zhou Li approach with a half-smile, as if she already knew their intentions.
"Miss Yelan, it's been a long time." Long Wen stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and wore a slightly ingratiating smile.
Ye Lan raised an eyebrow slightly and parted her lips: "Oh, Brother Long Wen, what brings you to Liyue Harbor? And with such a beautiful girl." As she spoke, her gaze swept over Zhou Li, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes.
Zhou Li nodded slightly as a greeting, her cool and aloof face still so beautiful that it was hard to look away.
Long Wen didn't mince words, getting straight to the point: "Miss Yelan, to be honest, I've come here to seek support for the alliance I'm currently building. With crises looming on all sides, only by uniting all forces can we cope. Liyue Harbor is full of talented people and possesses formidable strength; joining the alliance would be a tremendous boost." His words were earnest, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Yelan's smile faded, her brow furrowing slightly. After a moment's thought, she said, "Longwen, your idea is certainly good, but the various factions in Liyue Harbor are deeply entrenched, with very complex relationships. They each have their own interests to consider, so they're not so easily persuaded."
Chapter 208 A Great Kindness Needs No Words of Gratitude!
Long Wen clenched his fist, his eyes resolute: "I know there will be many difficulties, but I will not give up. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, I will try."
Looking at his resolute expression, Yelan sighed softly: "Alright, since you've made up your mind, I'll point you in the right direction. There are several influential figures in Liyue Harbor. If you can persuade them, perhaps there's still a chance."
Long Wen was overjoyed and quickly thanked her, "Thank you so much, Miss Ye Lan! I am deeply grateful!"
After bidding farewell to Yelan, Longwen and Zhou Li immediately set off. They traversed the streets and alleys of Liyue Harbor, visiting one important figure after another.
Long Wen walked into a grand chamber of commerce and respectfully handed his carefully prepared alliance plan to a wealthy chamber of commerce tycoon: "Senior, please take a look. Once this alliance is established, it will not only guarantee the trade security of all parties, but also allow us to share many resources and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results."
The bigwig took the proposal, glanced at it briefly, and then casually tossed it on the table, scoffing, "Hmph, you greenhorn, making it sound so easy. What benefits can this alliance bring me? What if we get caught up in some pointless conflict? Will I still be able to do business then?"
Long Wen wanted to persuade him further, but the big boss waved his hand impatiently: "Alright, alright, don't waste my time, get out!"
Long Wen left the club helplessly, his face filled with disappointment. Zhou Li stepped forward, gently took his hand, and said softly, "Long Wen, don't be discouraged, there's still a chance." She looked at Long Wen's tired face, her eyes full of heartache, and gently stroked the veins on the back of his hand, trying to comfort him.
Long Wen forced a smile: "I'm fine, Li'er, let's continue."
However, each visit was met with a rejection. Some forces were wary of the risks, while others distrusted Long Wen, an outsider. Various reasons stood like high walls in front of Long Wen.
Just as Long Wen was running into obstacles in Liyue Harbor, bad news came from Zhou Li's family. After learning about her and Long Wen's actions in Liyue Harbor, the family worried that it would bring unnecessary trouble to the family and demanded that Zhou Li sever ties with Long Wen.
The family messenger stood solemnly before Zhou Li, conveying the family's order: "Miss, the family is currently in a period of stable development and cannot be plunged into crisis due to your reckless behavior and that of this outsider adventurer. The patriarch orders you to immediately sever all ties with Long Wen, otherwise..." The messenger hesitated, but the threat was clear.
Zhou Li's face turned deathly pale, and she swayed as if she had suffered a heavy blow. She looked at Long Wen, her eyes filled with pain and struggle. On one hand, the kindness of her family in raising her was as heavy as Mount Tai, how could she easily go against the wishes of her family; on the other hand, she had walked with Long Wen all the way, sharing life and death, how could she bear to leave him?
Long Wen noticed Zhou Li's unusual behavior and felt a pang of pain in his heart. He gently supported Zhou Li and asked in a low voice, "Li'er, what's wrong?"
Zhou Li bit her lower lip, tears welling up in her eyes. After a long while, she finally spoke in a trembling voice the family's request.
Upon hearing this, Long Wen's eyes instantly turned icy cold. He clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking, his heart filled with anger and resentment: "Why? How could they treat us like this!"
Zhou Li choked back tears as she said, "Long Wen, I know you've sacrificed so much for the alliance, and I don't want to be a burden to you. But I also don't want to leave you..."
Long Wen took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He hugged Zhou Li tightly, as if trying to merge her into his own body: "Li'er, don't be afraid, I won't make things difficult for you. I will definitely speed up the formation of the alliance and prove to them that our choice was right!"
Who exactly is in Chapter 209?
Yelan had been observing all of this from the shadows, silently lamenting the hardships Longwen and Zhou Li had endured. At the same time, she keenly sensed that there seemed to be more to the story. Therefore, relying on her intelligence network in Liyue Harbor, she secretly investigated the forces that had rejected Longwen.
A few days later, Ye Lan found Long Wen and said with a solemn expression, "Long Wen, I have found some clues. It seems that there are other forces behind those forces that rejected you, deliberately sabotaging your plans."
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