Lumine pressed her hand against the blade, infusing the Harbinger of Dawn with Geo elemental power, causing the sword to grow larger.
"Hah—!"
With a powerful counter, Lumine deflected the laser cannon back, striking Baizhu's head directly.
But the immense recoil sent her and Mu Yang, who was behind her, flying…
[Holy crap, this part with the Traveler is freaking awesome!]
[We're here to save you, Mu Yang!]
[Woo-hoo! Highlight moment! She's already mastered elemental control so well!]
[I'm Admiral Kizaru of the Navy, this is Flying Thunder God!]
Lumine was thrilled because she made it in time and saved Mu Yang.
The players were thrilled too, watching Lumine's heroic move, turning the tide and landing a brutal hit on Baizhu.
That reflected laser cannon probably dealt more damage than several of Guizhong's machine attacks combined.
Mu Yang, the one saved, should've been the happiest, but was he?
Not at all.
He had planned to take that hit head-on, then make a dramatic, battle-worn exit, but now…
What the heck, Elemental Lumine! Why didn't I see you this fierce when I played the game?
Weren't you just charging in with a Dull Blade to tank big moves with your face?
Thanks to Lumine's stellar performance, Mu Yang's strategy was now somewhat compromised.
But no worries—while they were sent flying, Mu Yang used most of his strength to protect Lumine.
He even used his body to cushion her fall.
This scene was purely real, no stunt doubles!
Not even the system was involved.
System: As long as you're happy.
The two crashed into a distant hill, Mu Yang taking the full brunt of the impact, truly caught between a rock and a hard place.
After hitting the mountain, Lumine and Mu Yang fell from the air.
Just as they were about to hit the ground, Shenhe finally arrived.
With strength enough to lift a cauldron, Shenhe caught them both, one in each hand.
As soon as she set them down, chaos erupted behind her.
The unconscious Mu Yang could no longer maintain the freeze, and the tsunami surged back.
Lumine, rubbing her head, slowly came to. This scene felt familiar.
Back when they fought Osial, something like this had happened too.
She had fallen but was unscathed, while Mu Yang…
Lumine struggled to sit up. "Mu Yang, did you use your power to protect me again?"
Shenhe's gaze shifted, looking at the unconscious Mu Yang, unable to maintain his full form.
And at her friend Lumine, who had taken a direct hit.
She slipped into memories before her outburst:
That man had abandoned her in a cave. "You were born with this fate. As long as you live, you'll bring danger to those around you. You might as well die like this."
But Master Mu Yang and the others didn't think that way. They treated her kindly.
Master Mu Yang wasn't good with words, but he showed his care for Shenhe through actions.
No matter what troubles young Shenhe had, Master Mu Yang always noticed first.
And he helped her deal with those negative emotions.
Then there were Lumine and Paimon, new friends who didn't distance themselves because of Shenhe's identity…
Cloud Retainer's words echoed in her ears: "When will you start using your power for others?"
"When will you truly integrate into human society?"
At that moment, Lumine stood up, locking eyes with Shenhe. They understood each other.
Now, Shenhe had the desire to use her power for others.
Facing the raging waves, Shenhe untied her red rope and walked toward the sea.
Without the red rope's restraint, her wild aura surged, sending a chilling sensation even to Lumine nearby.
Shenhe stepped forward, each step blooming with frost, until she stood on the sea's surface.
Pushing her Vision's power to its limit, combined with an Adeptus Talisman, she froze the entire nearshore sea and the tsunami.
[I've seen this move!]
[Me too! I won't say who taught it!]
[Kamisato Art: Frost Extinction!]
[Ice Age!]
Lumine began to accelerate, passing Shenhe and receiving a leap talisman and a speed talisman.
Lumine leaped high, shattering the frozen tsunami with a stomp, using it as a platform to flash instantly before Baizhu.
A Geo-infused greatsword followed, cleaving Baizhu's head with a single strike.
Baizhu, still in the sea, could regenerate using the water's power.
Or so she thought.
Having hurt Mu Yang, Ganyu wasn't about to let her have her way.
Baizhu cried injustice: Was it really me who hurt him?
From the peak of Guyun Stone Forest, Ganyu stood with her bow fully drawn.
A single Frostflake Arrow bloomed, freezing Baizhu's entire body.
Lumine, borrowing the momentum of the extra arrows, performed a Dragon Ascent in midair.
One slash from head to tail shattered Baizhu's body above the water.
[Whoa, I'm freaking hyped watching this!]
[This kind of cinematic?]
[This is the charm of an ensemble cast!]
[Keqing: Oh, absolutely!]
[Keqing must've snuck off to save Mu Yang, ugh, Kequing's my love rival now, she's stealing the spotlight!]
However, the battle wasn't over. The spot where Lumine landed turned into a massive whirlpool, sucking her in.
Shenhe hurriedly followed, drawing talismans as she ran, then launched a knight's kick into the vortex.
She found Lumine at top speed, attaching a water-repelling talisman to her.
The players finally entered combat…
Lumine: "Let's make this quick."
Shenhe: "Yes, she's already gravely injured, only holding on by sheer will."
"Though I don't have much stamina left, when it comes to fighting for my life, I'm better at it than she is…"
After a few rounds, Baizhu, seeing she was outmatched, chose to flee again.
Lumine wanted to pursue.
But Shenhe stopped her. "The water-repelling talisman has a time limit. The seabed is her domain; chasing her would put us at a disadvantage."
"However, I've marked her. Next, it's up to Ningguang and Beidou."
Lumine nodded in agreement.
The scene shifted, and the two were back on the beach.
Lumine and Shenhe supported each other. "Shenhe, are you okay?"
"Huff… huff… I'm fine, just overused my power. It's nothing. But Master Mu Yang…"
They looked toward where Mu Yang had fallen, but he was nowhere to be seen.
[Here we go, the chaos begins!]
[Mu Yang! No! If you're leaving, take me with you!]
[He really didn't make it to the Jade Chamber rematch!]
Panicked, they were about to rush over to check.
But Cloud Retainer appeared, blocking their path, and Mu Yang hopped off her back.
Though his face looked as usual, the exhaustion in his eyes was clear.
His right hand still hadn't recovered, but at least he was awake.
Seeing this, the players finally breathed a sigh of relief. At least he was still here.
As for Mu Yang, he didn't feel relieved at all.
He was furious at these two sneaky tricksters…
First, he was ready to tank the big move head-on, only for Elemental Lumine to block it.
Then, when he pretended to pass out, Cloud Retainer showed up instantly to infuse him with adeptal energy.
Mu Yang knew she was watching the battle, but did she have to get that close? She wasn't nearsighted, was she?
Oh wait, she does wear glasses… Never mind then.
With Cloud Retainer's treatment, Mu Yang had no choice but to wake up.
Ugh, fine, whatever.
Seeing the outstanding performances of Lumine, Shenhe, and Ganyu, what could Mu Yang possibly be dissatisfied with?
He was too satisfied!
So, he decided to slip a little "surprise" for the players in the grand finale of The Divine Damsel of Devastation, hehe.