'Orobas!?' Shiki exclaimed. Just the image alone was enough to make one breathless, coupled with these distinct features, it could only be the great snake.
As more and more lightning bolts descended from the sky, Shiki also used the light of the lightning to discover a woman floating in mid-air, facing the great snake from a distance.
However, compared to Orobas's mountain-like body, the woman looked truly tiny.
Roar!
The great snake let out an angry roar at the woman, and Shiki could even clearly see the two huge fangs in the great snake's mouth.
The woman's purple Horsetail swayed in the wind, and lightning began to appear around her. Then, a katana slowly emerged from her chest.
Musou Isshin was the companion weapon of the first Electro Archon, Baal. After her death, it was passed down to her younger sister, Beelzebul.
The Archon's companionship placed it among the top tier in Teyvat, and with its blade opened by Baal's blood, its destructive power required even ancient bedrock to be fully prepared to resist.
A purple eye opened behind the Raiden Shogun, then formed a halo of light.
The Raiden Shogun gripped the katana hilt in front of her chest, her cold eyes devoid of any emotion. As the lightning bolts descending from the sky became more frequent, the great snake Orobas finally couldn't hold back.
"Roar!"
With a loud roar, Orobas, like a coiled spring, opened its huge mouth and bit towards the Raiden Shogun, but the latter's speed was far faster than it imagined.
Musou no Hitotachi
Shiki didn't even see what happened. The scene before her was replaced by a purple light curtain.
There was no grand commotion; the sounds of the entire world seemed to be cut off at that moment. As the light curtain dissipated, the great snake lost its life, and its entire corpse, along with Yashiori Island, was split in two!
This was the power of a Archon, effortlessly changing the landscape with a single strike.
From then on, Yashiori Island gained a Musoujin Gorge, and the crystallized marrow produced from the great snake's skeleton became the main material for Inazuma's 'Tamahagane'.
crystallized marrow was essentially the condensed power of a Archon, though in very small quantities. However, even this was enough to greatly improve the flexibility and hardness of mortal weapons.
However, Shiki didn't know about the weapons of Archons yet, but mortal weapons were no different from broken junk, shattering upon impact.
After disconnecting from the Ley Lines, a stinging sensation shot through her brain. Images of Archons were not something one could casually view.
Musou no Hitotachi was the pinnacle of the Raiden Shogun's martial arts and clearance. Although Shiki didn't intend to see this, it still drained her existing mental energy.
How to put it, Shiki felt that she wouldn't be able to connect to the Ley Lines for at least ten days to half a month. The good news was that teleportation should still be usable, as the mental burden of teleportation was negligible.
"That's enough for today."
Shiki yawned, then returned to the room Uncle Tejima had arranged for her.
It was fortunate that Uncle Tejima was old, and there were no rumors in the village. Everyone just considered Shiki a poor, homeless girl.
But if he were young... she wouldn't have stayed anyway.
At most, she would stay for a few days, and after her injuries healed, she would leave on her own, of course, leaving some money as thanks.
Freeloading was enjoyable, but not when it came to such matters.
...
Just like that, a few more days passed, and Shiki's arrow wound finally healed.
So, after explaining to Tejima, she took the manuscripts she had written over the past few days and teleported to the outskirts of Inazuma City. From there, it was just a few kilometers to Inazuma City itself.
"Kuroda, long time no see." Shiki first arrived at Yae Publishing House, placing a thick stack of manuscripts on the table.
Next, whether it was picking up her katana or taking photos, this stack of manuscripts would be a hassle.
However, Kuroda's eyes lit up immediately upon seeing the manuscript. Although the author was a newcomer, the work she produced was nothing like what a novice should write.
The previous manuscripts she received were simply not enough, and with such a stack, they could plan to print the first volume of the novel.
"Long time no see, Garan-sensei. Are these all the manuscripts for "faded"?" Kuroda had already started addressing the girl as 'sensei'. To be able to write such a work, she deserved that title.
"Of course. Including the previous ones, it's exactly enough to finish the Soul Society arc. This way, I can rest for a while and also brainstorm the story's development." Shiki said.
Actually, there was no brainstorming at all; the story was always in her head. It was just a bit tiring to write it all out at once.
Moreover, this was an entire arc, which should be enough to read for a while.
"No problem!" Kuroda immediately agreed. Many authors who signed with Yae Publishing House wrote books like squeezing toothpaste, and it was rare to see someone like Shiki who provided so many manuscripts at once.
However, after hesitating for a moment, Kuroda still asked, "May I ask, Garan-sensei, how long do you plan to rest? As you know, if the time is too long, I'm afraid it might…"
Shiki waved her hand, signaling Kuroda to relax: "How about this, let's just agree directly: within two months, I will deliver the manuscript for the new volume to you."
"Two months!?" Kuroda was stunned. You call that resting for a while?
"What? Is that a long time?" Shiki frowned. She had originally intended to say four months.
"No, not at all!" Kuroda quickly shook his head: "On the contrary, it's even a bit fast. Even during your rest period, your update speed is faster than most authors."
"Good works require time to refine. It's very normal to get stuck for several months when writing, so it's perfectly fine if Garan-sensei wants an extra month or two of rest."
"No need, two months it is." Shiki said.
"Alright. Also, the Chief Editor and I discussed it and secured the highest-grade royalty split for you: you get seven, we get three."
Kuroda said, taking out a piece of paper: "If you find it suitable, then let's sign the contract."
Shiki carefully read the contents of the contract. Thankfully, the writing and language of the Teyvat Continent were Chinese; otherwise, she would have been illiterate.
"I think it's fine, but one clause must be added: 'The contract breaker shall suffer the wrath of the rock.'"
As the Archon of contracts in the Teyvat Continent, Morax knows every contract, especially those with Liyue characteristics.
Although Yae Publishing House is a large and reputable business and wouldn't deceive her, basic legal awareness is still necessary.
Well, to put it simply, the sense of security you give me is less than one ten-thousandth of Morax's.