Chapter 43 — Venti's Power in the Big World
"Have you tried studying the basics of internal energy, Bard?" Jean asked, her tone careful but probing. She didn't directly call him out—not yet—but her eyes gleamed with quiet suspicion.
Venti tilted his head innocently, twirling a blade of grass between his fingers. "Hmm? Oh, I've looked into it a little," he said with a grin. "But it's not really my thing. Maybe I just don't have the talent for it."
Internally, he snorted.
An elemental god practicing internal energy?
The idea alone was absurd.
What was next? "The Wind Archon opens all eight meridians"?
That would be blasphemy to both monks and bards.
Jean, however, wasn't fooled. It's not that it doesn't suit him, she thought. He just doesn't need it.
After all, even Kael had said that basic internal energy techniques only benefited mortals—ordinary people or Vision holders. For a divine being like Venti, they were irrelevant.
Still, Jean couldn't help but wonder: if Kael, an outsider, could refine such a method, what else could he accomplish if given time?
---
The Potential of Internal Energy
"I used the hundred group points I earned earlier," Jean said, crossing her arms. "They were enough to gain a full year's worth of internal energy cultivation."
Her eyes glimmered with pride. "I can already feel the difference. My stamina, my elemental control, even my reflexes—all sharper than before. If we could spread this technique to Mondstadt's citizens, it could be revolutionary."
Venti blinked and then groaned. "Revolutionary? You sound like Ningguang now."
Jean arched a brow. "Is that a bad thing?"
"Only if you plan to start charging people Mora to breathe," he muttered under his breath. Then, more seriously: "Even if people do start learning, without the chat group's time-boosting effect, it'll take years before anyone sees results."
Jean sighed softly. "You're right. It won't be easy."
She had discussed this very issue with Keqing and Ningguang. The two leaders had agreed—internal energy cultivation was powerful, but progress was painstakingly slow. It required discipline, patience, and years of focus—qualities that not every free-spirited Mondstadter possessed.
Still, Jean had a vision for her city's future.
If even a fraction of her people learned to strengthen their bodies and minds this way, Mondstadt would no longer depend solely on Visions or Archons.
Perhaps then, freedom could finally mean self-reliance.
---
Allies Across Nations
Jean thought back to her last conversation with Ningguang through the chat group.
The Tianquan of Liyue had been surprisingly candid, offering advice on politics, defense, and leadership. She had even suggested trade deals—resources in exchange for knowledge.
Jean had no illusions about Ningguang's intentions; everything that woman did was calculated. But she respected her nonetheless.
For centuries, Mondstadt and Liyue had stood apart—one city ruled by freedom, the other by contracts. But now, through Kael's strange network, those two worlds were beginning to intertwine.
Perhaps someday, they could become true allies.
But before that day could come, Mondstadt had to survive its present crisis.
---
The Coming Storm
Jean's gaze hardened. "Venti, we won't have time to relax much longer. The monster presence outside the city is getting worse. The ley lines are bleeding corruption faster than we can purify them."
Venti stretched lazily, his arms behind his head. "Ah, you and Kael sound so similar these days. Always talking about danger, destiny, balance…"
But even as he joked, his tone faltered.
The truth was—he knew she was right.
If the Abyss Order succeeded in corrupting another Statue of The Seven, the very winds of Mondstadt would turn poisonous.
And while he could still obliterate most threats with a flick of his wrist, doing so with divine force would only expose him. The Abyss would sense his presence instantly.
No, he thought. Not yet.
For now, he had to bide his time.
---
A Clever Plan
"Alright, Acting Grand Master," Venti said at last, hopping onto a rock. "How about I give you a little demonstration? I call it… Elemental Storm!"
Jean blinked. "Elemental… Storm?"
He smirked. "Think of it as a super-sized Eye of the Storm. It pulls in everything nearby—monsters, debris, the occasional hilichurl—and leaves them hanging there for you to slice apart."
Jean hesitated only a moment before nodding. "That could work. The faster we deal with these creatures, the better."
Venti's grin widened. "Then I'll do the pulling, and you do the chopping. Fair trade, right?"
Jean smiled faintly. "Fair enough."
---
The Wind's Wrath
A moment later, the world erupted into motion.
Venti's lyre glowed emerald, and a deep hum filled the air. The surrounding winds stirred—softly at first, then violently.
A storm began to form.
From the eye of the whirlwind, Venti stood with his arms raised, the air rippling around him. His playful demeanor vanished, replaced by an aura of ancient power.
Every leaf, every blade of grass, every speck of dust danced to his rhythm.
Jean watched in awe as monsters were ripped from the ground, dragged screaming into the vortex.
It was mesmerizing—and terrifying.
This was the God of Wind, even when holding back.
Compared to his effortless control, every mortal technique felt clumsy.
Jean's heart pounded, but she didn't waste the opportunity.
Drawing her blade, she surged forward, slicing through the helpless monsters suspended in the air.
Wind and steel worked in perfect harmony.
Within minutes, the clearing was silent again—except for the whisper of the fading breeze.
---
The Endless War
But Jean knew it wasn't enough.
For every monster they destroyed, three more would rise elsewhere. The ley lines were fractured beyond anything she'd seen before.
If this continued, Mondstadt would drown in chaos within months.
Venti lowered his lyre with a sigh. "See? Even when we win, it never ends."
Jean nodded grimly. "Then we keep fighting until it does."
He smiled softly, his eyes unreadable. "Spoken like Vennessa herself."
---
Good Hunter — The Weight of Comparison
Meanwhile, at Good Hunter, Kael and Barbara were halfway through their lunch.
The smell of grilled meat and butter hung thick in the air. Kael had ordered the restaurant's specialties—Braised Meat with Butter Sauce and the famous Sweet-and-Sour Pork with Carrots.
He had to admit—Mondstadt cuisine had its own charm. Simple, hearty, and comforting.
But Barbara wasn't eating.
Her hands fidgeted with her fork, her expression troubled.
"Kael…" she began softly. "Do you think I'm… useless?"
Kael blinked. "Where did that come from?"
Barbara sighed. "My sister—Jean—is always out there protecting Mondstadt. She's strong, brave, and loved by everyone. But me? I just stay behind, healing people who get hurt. I can't even fight."
Kael set his utensils down and leaned forward. "Didn't you just heal Diluc earlier?"
"That's different," she said quickly. "Healing is all I can do. Jean doesn't even need me for that—she can heal herself. She just lets me help because… she pities me."
Her voice trembled. "I wish I could stand beside her in battle, not just watch from behind."
---
Kael's Lesson
Kael studied her for a long moment before speaking.
"There's a saying from Liyue," he said gently. "'Knowledge has its hierarchy, and skills have their own specializations.'"
He reached out and ruffled her hair lightly, making her look up in surprise.
"Jean fights monsters. You fight despair. Both are battles that keep this city alive."
Barbara's lips parted, but no words came out.
Kael continued, his voice calm but steady. "Don't belittle yourself for not being like someone else. The healer who saves lives today might save the hero who saves the world tomorrow."
Her blue eyes softened. "…Thank you."
Kael smiled faintly. "Besides, if you ever do want to fight, I can teach you. Internal energy, elemental resonance—there are other ways to grow stronger."
Barbara's heart skipped a beat. "R-Really?"
He nodded. "Really."
And in that moment, something unspoken passed between them—a quiet promise, like the wind before dawn.
---
The God of Wind, Once Unmatched
(In the old days, when the world was young and Teyvat's balance still fresh, Venti's power had no equal.)
(He could command hurricanes that reached the heavens, sing storms into existence, and silence entire armies with a single note.)
(Even now, centuries later, the echo of that divinity lingered. Weakened, yes—but never gone.)
(If the world ever pushed him to unleash his true might again… even the stars would tremble.)