Takumi took Kamisato Ayaka directly to an underground space beneath the waters of Watatsumi Island.
Seeing the strange environment before her, Ayaka was surprised.
She had never been here and did not know what this place was.
"Is this Inazuma?"
Looking at the surroundings, Ayaka felt curious.
Takumi nodded.
"Yes, this is Inazuma."
"This is beneath Watatsumi Island."
"Wait here. I'll go retrieve the Phaseless Water."
After speaking, Takumi stepped forward.
But after only a few steps, the Phaseless Pyre following him suddenly grew agitated.
Little brat.
Takumi paused, expression twisting.
Was this creature… swearing?
The dormant Phaseless Water sensed the disturbance.
It immediately awakened and locked onto Takumi.
When it saw the Phaseless Pyre, Takumi could clearly feel a surge of anger coming from it.
Seeing this, Takumi was amused.
These two… do they hold grudges?
Thinking for a moment, he moved forward.
In a blink, he appeared directly before the Phaseless Water.
He released his aura.
Feeling the pressure radiating from Takumi, the Phaseless Water froze.
What… what was this terrifying existence?
Its anger evaporated, and it became obedient immediately.
"Little one, come with me."
"Become my follower."
Takumi condensed a mass of Honkai energy and offered it.
Was he being too direct?
The Phaseless Water stared at the energy in Takumi's hand.
It desired it.
At the same time, it felt confused.
Was this human always so direct? Taking out something this frightening and expecting submission?
How could it refuse?
After thinking briefly, it accepted Takumi's offer.
Nothing seemed wrong with following someone so overwhelmingly strong.
The Phaseless Pyre rushed forward as well and bumped into it.
The Phaseless Water was instantly enraged.
Don't touch me with your overheated body.
Annoying.
Thinking this, the Phaseless Water blasted a strong water jet at the Pyre.
A burst of steam exploded from the Pyre's body.
The water jet evaporated instantly.
Takumi watched speechlessly.
These two were natural enemies.
Ignoring the Pyre, the Phaseless Water absorbed the energy Takumi had given it.
Immediately, a connection formed between them.
Feeling itself grow stronger, the Phaseless Water trembled with excitement.
A soft loli-like voice echoed in Takumi's mind.
"Thank you, Master~!"
Ah… that voice.
A cute and gentle loli.
"Good. Come with me."
"You two behave."
Takumi turned and walked back toward Ayaka.
The newly tamed elemental beings quickly followed.
Occasionally, their cores bumped into each other, releasing little bursts of water vapor.
Seeing Takumi complete things so easily, Ayaka was numb.
It was too fast.
She realized something—
Once Takumi released that power, elemental creatures never refused.
"Let's go."
"We're heading to Sumeru."
Takumi took Ayaka toward Sumeru.
Activating a space passage, they appeared in the desert region.
The Phaseless Grass resided here.
Of course, Takumi still needed to inform Lesser Lord Kusanali.
After all, he intended to take the Phaseless Grass away from Sumeru.
Upon arriving in the desert, Takumi sent a message.
Nahida, receiving it, was baffled.
He wanted to take the Phaseless Grass?
Nahida:
[Does it serve a purpose for you?]
She was genuinely curious.
Why would Takumi need the Phaseless Grass?
Takumi:
[I want to take it as a follower.]
[I want all seven elemental forms.]
Seeing his explanation, Nahida suddenly understood.
Take it as a follower?
Considering Takumi's godlike nature, there was nothing to oppose.
The Phaseless Grass lived in the wild; it did not belong to anyone.
If he wanted to take it, then take it.
Nahida:
[No problem.]
[You may take it.]
She herself possessed many followers.
It was not strange for Takumi to obtain the seven formless elements.
Once her own followers fully recovered their strength, she would be able to accomplish much more.
Followers were extremely helpful.
Finishing his conversation with Nahida, Takumi said:
"Let's go."
Ayaka nodded.
She did not know where they were headed, but following Takumi was always correct.
The two leapt down from the cliff.
Soon, Ayaka saw an entrance.
Takumi descended with her.
The Phaseless Pyre and Phaseless Water followed closely.
Sensing the presence of their kind, the Phaseless Grass awoke.
It rushed out immediately.
Takumi intercepted it easily.
"It actually came to greet me."
"Not bad."
"Hello, little one."
"Become my follower."
"I'll take you somewhere with good food and comfort."
Saying so, Takumi released the power of the Herrscher of Nature.
Feeling his power, the Phaseless Grass trembled.
What was with this human?
He felt impossibly strong.
But the moment Takumi condensed that Honkai force, the Grass accepted without hesitation.
Following this being would be the wisest choice.
Watching Takumi collect the Phaseless Grass so effortlessly, Ayaka was numb again.
Indeed—once Takumi released that power, no elemental creature resisted.
"But… your power…"
Takumi smiled.
"This is Honkai energy."
"Yes. That's right."
"I can turn you into a Herrscher too."
Suddenly, he remembered and casually added it.
Hearing this, Ayaka froze.
Herrscher?
She knew what Herrschers were.
Takumi had explained their nature many times.
But… could a human be turned into one?
"Can you really turn others into Herrschers?"
She could not hide her shock.
Takumi nodded.
"Yes."
"It's possible."
"Keqing and Ningguang have already become Herrschers."
"And you can become one as well."
He had already decided about Ayaka's transformation.
He only needed time to find her again.
Ayaka's eyes widened.
Keqing and Ningguang have become Herrschers?