Lin Mo: "?????"
Looking at the three options that appeared, Lin Mo's expression suddenly became strange.
He looked up at Klee not far away, then at Clara displayed on the panel in front of him, and fell into thought.
Klee = Clara?
Damn, this system has problems.
And it claimed not to be an idiotic system, yet it can misidentify people.
However, the reward instantly made Lin Mo's heart stir.
It actually offered three reward choices.
Especially the last reward.
Clara's Power of the Path branch skill — [I Want to Help Too], which can be used to imbue any item with the Power of Destruction at any time, enhancing the item's original power.
This made his heart pound even more.
One must know, this was an additional BUFF from the Path of Destruction; it was practically an enchanting function.
Compared to the other two rewards, it was much better.
After all, Clara's Red Coat could only *potentially* allow him to comprehend the Power of the Path.
And the Automaton Battlehound 1.0 was also effective; it was a good helper.
But against some powerful individuals, it could be easily dismantled.
If a Vision Holder saw it, it could also be easily destroyed.
Not to mention that Mondstadt currently also has those Fatui guys.
Those guys like to research; if they saw his Automaton Battlehound 1.0, he couldn't guarantee he could keep it.
The third option was different.
Through the reward, he already knew this was an ability belonging to him.
With this, he could practically enchant anything.
Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Mo decisively decided to complete the third option first.
This reward, to him, was practically a freebie.
If he didn't complete it quickly, by the time Clara's self-destructing automatons arrived, he wouldn't even have a chance to act.
This also meant that if Klee threw her bombs, he would miss this reward, which would be a huge loss.
Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Mo decisively drew his sword.
His figure flashed, rushing towards the wolves and Hilichurls like a gust of wind.
The longsword in his hand reflected a cold gleam in the sunlight.
Lin Mo's footsteps were light, yet carried an undeniable pressure.
The first wolf had almost no time to react; a flash of sword light, and the sharp blade sliced across its throat like flowing water, with no excessive force or any sloppiness.
The wolf fell to the ground with a thud before it could even whimper, its blood quietly staining the snow.
"Ow!"
The wolf pack was enraged; the remaining few wolves growled and pounced, their sharp claws and fangs glinting coldly in the sunlight, carrying merciless killing intent.
However, Lin Mo seemed to have already seen through everything.
He lightly sidestepped, his footwork as natural as flowing clouds and water, and another flash of cold sword light passed. The wolf pouncing towards him froze in mid-air, then fell to the ground weakly.
The Hilichurls on the other side finally reacted. They let out strange cries, raising their crude wooden clubs and charging towards Lin Mo.
Lin Mo didn't even look; he simply turned slightly, his feet tracing an arc.
Just as the Hilichurls' clubs were about to descend, he backhanded a sword, severing the club.
At the same time, his sword momentum was continuous; the longsword swept out horizontally, taking care of that Hilichurl as well.
The entire sequence of movements was fluid and seamless, without the slightest pause.
Klee had just pulled an exaggeratedly large bomb from her backpack, preparing to throw it.
But the moment she looked up, the scene before her made her freeze.
Lin Mo's swordsmanship wasn't just a simple power overwhelming, but carried an unparalleled elegance and composure.
He moved among the wolves and Hilichurls, his steps as light as if dancing, yet every step was perfectly placed.
Every sword strike was clean and decisive, not wasting an ounce of strength or a single movement.
Whenever the wolves tried to encircle, or the Hilichurls tried to ambush, he seemed to have anticipated their intentions, his movements always perfectly evading attacks while simultaneously counterattacking.
"So amazing…"
Klee couldn't help but murmur softly, momentarily forgetting to throw the bomb in her hand.
She widened her eyes, her bright pupils filled with disbelief.
She had originally intended for Lin Mo to run far away, while she herself would throw the bombs and then quickly flee.
Unexpectedly, this handsome big brother easily took care of these monsters with his sword, completely controlling the battlefield with just one sword.
Such swordsmanship was rarely seen even in Mondstadt.
The next second, Lin Mo's foot slipped, again dodging a wolf's pounce, and he smoothly thrust his sword into the wolf's chest.
He then withdrew his sword and retreated, his clothes slightly fluttering, not a single drop of blood staining them.
Immediately after, he turned and swung his sword, the blade cutting horizontally, easily repelling three Hilichurls who charged at him simultaneously.
Every time the sword light flashed, an enemy would fall.
His figure was like an elusive phantom; the wolves and Hilichurls simply couldn't form an effective encirclement around him.
"Wow…"
Klee unconsciously opened her small mouth, her eyes full of stars: "Such amazing swordsmanship, even Acting Grand Master Jean is only about as good as this."
And when Lin Mo dealt with the last Hilichurl, his motion of sheathing his sword was clean and precise, as if the entire battle was nothing more than a simple practice.
"Still a bit unaccustomed."
Lin Mo felt the sword in his hand, deep in thought.
If he had a spear, he would be even more at ease.
Years of Silvermane Guards combat training made him more familiar with the spear.
However, it was also fortunate that these Hilichurls had no mages; otherwise, they would have been truly difficult to deal with.
[You chose to clean them up casually, releasing stress while also gaining Clara's friendship, receiving the reward: Clara's Power of the Path branch skill — [I Want to Help Too], which can be used to imbue any item with the Power of Destruction at any time, enhancing the item's original power.]
Just then, text appeared on the blue panel.
Accompanying it, an invisible force suddenly surged into Lin Mo's body.
The sensation was both strange and wonderful, like a scorching torrent, carrying a deep and violent aura, rushing through his blood vessels.
Lin Mo subconsciously frowned, but found that this power did not bring any pain; instead, it was like a warm flame, quickly integrating into every inch of his muscles and every nerve.
"Is this... Power of the Path?"
Lin Mo murmured softly, tightening his grip on the sword.
He felt a faint heat in his palm, as if the power was responding to his will.
An intuition that he could mobilize it at any time emerged in his mind.
"Let's try its effect."
Lin Mo was slightly curious.
After all, this was a reward from Clara, and he had never encountered something as mysterious as the Power of the Path.
Almost instinctively, he directed this power towards the sword in his hand.
This was a finely forged longsword he had purchased at the Adventurers' Guild.
The blade was slender, smooth all over, glinting with a cold silver light in the sun, and had always been a trustworthy companion in his battles.
Following his will, the destructive Power of the Path surged towards the blade like a tide.
In an instant, a faint black-red glow rose from the blade, burning like fire, yet without the slightest warmth; instead, it exuded a heart-pounding sense of oppression.
Lin Mo could even feel that this power was frantically enhancing the blade's might, as if even the air was being cut apart.
However, before he could carefully experience this power, an unexpected change occurred.
"Crack—"
A crisp sound came, and fine cracks appeared on the sword in Lin Mo's hand!
The cracks spread rapidly like a spider web.
In just one breath, the entire sword directly shattered!
Silver-white fragments scattered in the air, making a crisp clinking sound as they fell to the ground, sounding particularly harsh.
Lin Mo was stunned, his gaze fixed on his empty palm, only regaining his senses after a moment.
His heart suddenly tightened.
This... this branch of destructive power is too terrifying!
He then bent down and picked up a broken sword fragment, which was cold to the touch.
That was the raw material of the sword.
High-quality fine steel.
He was all too familiar with it.
Although this sword was not a rare treasure, it was considered a mid-to-high-grade weapon at the Adventurers' Guild.
At least it could withstand intense battles.
However, just one application of the Power of the Path caused it to shatter, which was enough to illustrate the ferocity of that power.
"Did I not control it well?"
Lin Mo frowned slightly, carefully recalling the scene just now.
He realized that while the addition of the Power of the Path could greatly enhance an item's power,
if not properly controlled, it could very likely lead to the item's self-destruction due to excessive power.
Then, Lin Mo's gaze fell on his right hand; he felt a faint stirring.
That power had not dissipated, but was quietly lurking within his body, like a sleeping beast, waiting to be awakened at any time.
At this moment, he seemed to also be considered a Pathstrider?
"Though dangerous, its power is indeed astonishing."
The next second, Lin Mo's lips curved slightly, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.
He was shocked by the potential of the Power of the Path, but also felt a fervent enthusiasm for it.
This was just a small branch application of the Power of the Path.
If he fully embarked on the Path, then he could use this power for anything he wanted.
Just then, the blue panel reappeared, and another line of text emerged.
[Because you dealt with the Wanderer, but this scene was also seen by others, who ran to report it to the Wanderer organization. The Wanderer organization learned that you would actually help a little girl related to a robot that is opposed by most residents, and personally dealt with a fellow human Wanderer. It is highly likely that public opinion trouble will engulf you. You choose...]
[Option One: Turn a deaf ear. You have always acted as you please; why should you explain to others? Anyway, the Wanderer organization's mouths are not good things; let them argue. If soldiers come, block them; if water comes, cover it with earth. At worst, just eliminate them all! (Reward: A set of Silvermane Guard armor, a set of armor specially designed to resist wind and snow, which has strong cold protection effects and a certain resistance, capable of resisting general monster attacks, greatly improving survival efficiency)]
[Option Two: Seek forgiveness. You decide to adopt a gentle approach, actively contact the Wanderer organization, and try to explain yourself a few words. Perhaps it is still possible to resolve this storm. As for the result... well, let's try it first! (Reward: A bag of trash, a worthless item. It is recommended to keep one on you. "It is said that somewhere in the galaxy, carrying trash can open an invisible portal.")]
[Option Three: Wait and see. You choose to remain still and keep a low profile. Anyway, mouths are on other people's bodies; since you can't stop them directly, let them argue. As long as you don't cause any more big commotions, the storm will eventually subside. (Reward: Biowave Detector. A treasure-hunting gadget that can be used an unlimited number of times. "The brighter this thing is, the more valuable the treasure is. But if it's brighter than your detector light, it's probably broken.")]