Windrise.
Venti's gaze toward Gu Chen carried a hint of bitterness.
This kid's strength in his past life… was this insane?!
He had actually beaten Dvalin that easily — Venti felt numb just watching it.
Even across the screen, he could feel the secondhand embarrassment from his past self.
Gu Chen merely smiled and said nothing.
[Extraordinary Chat Group]
[Dvalin]:@[Venti] Why so quiet now? Don't tell me smiling's not your thing?
[Venti]:Shut up and watch the video!
On screen—
After that mysterious voice fell silent, a swirl of teal wind-element energy gathered around Gu Chen.
"Aim for the crystal on its back — you might get an unexpected result!"
The mysterious voice echoed again.
Without hesitation, Gu Chen threw a punch.
A violent gust spiraled out, forming a vortex that shot through the air—
and struck exactly on the glowing crystal at the base of the fleeing dragon's spine.
Dvalin roared in pain, speeding up in retreat.
With the wind element boosting him, Gu Chen's own speed doubled, closing the distance fast.
He landed two more precise blows before the dragon's massive body vanished into the horizon.
After all, as the Archon of Wind, once Dvalin decided to flee, there was no catching him.
Gu Chen could only sigh in regret and glide back down.
The mysterious voice didn't speak again.
"Yay! I knew Gu Chen could do it!"
Paimon clapped excitedly.
Lumine nodded in agreement, her gaze toward Gu Chen now tinged with admiration.
"Amazing! You actually repelled Stormterror!" Amber exclaimed, astonished. "Even we couldn't do anything against it, and you handled it so easily!"
"It was just luck," Gu Chen replied modestly. "It seemed… confused."
[Dvalin]:See? It was only because my mind was clouded that he beat me!
[Neuvillette]:From a rational analysis, Mr. Gu Chen's strength is extraordinary. His 'luck' may just be modesty in disguise.
[Dvalin]:...Friend, that hurts my feelings.
[Neuvillette]:My apologies — I failed to read the room.
[Kaeya]:Ah yes, truth — the sharpest blade of all.
[Collei]:Mr. Gu Chen is so strong! He's cleared every ruin and temple with ease!
[Gorou]:Wait, why would the Wind Dragon abandon its own temple?
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]:Stormterror was once one of Mondstadt's Four Winds Guardians. Judging from the locals' reactions in the video, it seems they've forgotten their East Wind Dragon entirely — now calling it a monster. That crystal on its back… is very concerning.
[Noelle]:Mr. Gu Chen became the Honorary Knight! I'm so jealous! When will I become a full Knight of Favonius?
[Jean]:Be patient. You still have much to learn. (Encouraging tone)
[Diluc]:Hmph. The Fatui are far too arrogant. Mondstadt's problems will be solved by Mondstadt, not by foreign meddlers.
[La Signora]:Heh.
[Hu Tao]:The Fatui are always the bad guys! Oh—look, Gu Chen and the others found that green fellow!
Gu Chen's party had indeed run into a certain green-clad bard.
"I'm the wandering bard, Venti!
To be precise, the three-time consecutive winner of Mondstadt's 'Most Beloved Bard' competition!"
He introduced himself with sparkling confidence.
[Zhongli]:No comment.
[Raiden Ei]:...
[Yae Miko]:Oh? Ei's finally speaking again? So you do watch these things.
[Lyney]:That power Lumine used to purify the crystal—it's fascinating. Both she and Gu Chen came from beyond this world, yet only she can do it. Why's that?
[Lumine]:I… don't really understand it myself.
In the video—
"You truly possess incredible power," Venti said, staring at Lumine in awe.
"A person like you… you're destined to become part of the songs we bards will one day sing.
Stand in the sunlight, and you'll be hailed as a hero; stand in the shadows, and you'll guide calamity itself."
"But I've no time to compose new verses for you now. Even if Dvalin isn't slain, his life force will soon burn away in rage!" Venti said gravely.
Gu Chen nodded slightly, thoughtful. "I sympathize with Dvalin. But in Whispering Woods, you and he seemed to get along rather well.
As Honorary Knight, I suggest you and the dragon both turn yourselves in — maybe then we can come up with a way to save him together. What do you think?"
[Furina]:Excellent! I knew it — that guy's suspicious! Arrest him! Put him on trial!
[Neuvillette]:Lady Furina, this is foreign jurisdiction. Please, remain calm.
[Dvalin]:Death penalty. Repeatedly.
[Yanfei]:Mr. Venti, would you like me to provide legal defense services?
[Venti]:I'm wronged, but I can't speak… a mature man carries his burdens in silence~ (voice clip, 5s)
[Zhongli]:Beautifully sung. But judging from the video, Mr. Venti's identity seems… quite mysterious.
[Venti]:Old man! What's that supposed to mean, huh?!
Though he knew his true identity would eventually come out, Venti still tried to bluff his way through.
[Kirara]:So playing the Sky Lyre can really restore Dvalin, right?
[Venti]:Trust the words of a three-time reigning champion bard!
In the video,
The four of them headed for the cathedral to seek the Sky Lyre.
Their first attempt to talk to Sister Gothene failed miserably.
Venti sighed, shaking his head—then suddenly straightened, adopting a serious expression.
"Well, looks like I can't hide it anymore!"
"My faithful devotee, rejoice! For standing before you is none other than—Barbatos, the Anemo Archon himself!
Shocked, aren't you? Overwhelmed? Tears of joy welling up? Finally meeting your god—how does it feel?"
He looked at the nun with utter confidence.
Gothene simply blinked, unimpressed, and said flatly,
"If there's nothing else, I'll get back to my paperwork."
[Dvalin]:'My faithful devotee, rejoice.'
[Furina]:'For standing before you—'
[Hu Tao]:'Is none other than Barbatos, the Anemo Archon!'
[Kaeya]:Flawless delivery. Bravo, everyone.
[Venti]:Guys, come on, it's not that bad!
[Barbara]:Mr. Venti, please don't impersonate Lord Barbatos again!
[Zhongli]:Pfft. (stifling laughter)
[Raiden Ei]:Has the outside world turned into a comedy show while I was in seclusion? (puzzled)
[Venti]:Please just—ignore me and keep watching, alright?!
In the video,
after two failed attempts, Venti reluctantly turned to Gu Chen for help.
Unfortunately, even Gu Chen failed.
Venti nodded as if expecting that outcome. "Seems we can't borrow it the honest way. So… we'll have to borrow it with creativity!"
"Today, we fully embrace freedom of will! So—how would you like to creatively borrow it?" he asked with a grin.
Gu Chen: "…"
"Come now, don't be shy! True freedom means speaking your mind!" Venti said, encouragingly.
"You're… telling me to steal it, aren't you?" Gu Chen said, frowning.
"What do you mean 'steal'? It's called a strategic acquisition!" Venti said, completely serious.
[Shikanoin Heizou]:Everything you're saying right now can and will be used as evidence in court.
[Yanfei]:I've reviewed the case. Mr. Venti clearly masterminded the operation, while Mr. Gu Chen acted under suggestion.
Given the evidence, defending your 'strategic acquisition group' is… challenging. (sighs)
[Dvalin]:Classic Venti! Wouldn't expect anything less!
[Zhongli]:Truly, Mondstadt deserves its title—the City of Freedom. Perhaps… a little too free.