"How could it be? How did that little girl named Klee suddenly become so powerful?"
Serval blinked her eyes, looking at Takagi with doubt.
"Because she became a Pathstrider, she became even stronger." Takagi smiled.
"A... Pathstrider?! So sudden? Wait, you pulled me back from the battlefield earlier. Is it because you knew from the start that Klee would embark on a Path?" Serval asked in surprise.
Takagi: "I just had a premonition."
Serval: "Can embarking on a Path be something you can have a premonition about?"
Serval said, looking doubtfully at Natasha and Seele, who were standing motionless beside Takagi. Unfortunately, neither of them could answer Serval's doubts. In fact, they were also very curious about this.
"Takagi, I somewhat understand now why you didn't let me step in to help. What you said about training before... did it actually mean letting them embark on a Path?" Seele asked curiously.
Takagi: "That is indeed the case."
Seele: "To be able to do something like this, you are truly amazing."
Even the cold-natured Seele could not help but feel admiration for Takagi at this moment, especially after seeing Klee instantly display destructive power no less than her own.
"Can he help others embark on a Path...?" Serval blinked her eyes while looking at Takagi, not knowing what she was thinking.
The Decaying Shadow was swallowed by Klee's Sparks 'n' Splash. Barbara finally got a chance to catch her breath. She quickly came to Jean and Lumine's side, placing her hands on each of them. As the emerald green light flashed, the restraints on Jean and Lumine instantly vanished.
"Finally free, thank you Barbara. I didn't expect Abundance to have such power," Lumine said gratefully.
"The power of Abundance is even more convenient than imagined," Jean sighed.
"Let's all work together and defeat that guy." Barbara looked at the Decaying Shadow surrounded by flames. Although the scorching flames had enveloped the monster, Barbara could sense that it was not destroyed. Klee alone might not be able to defeat the Decaying Shadow—at least, not in a short time.
"That being said, I still feel like rushing in now is very dangerous." Paimon scratched her cheek, looking at the fiercely burning flames and rolling lava with some lingering fear.
"Even so, we have to help. With Barbara's barrier, I think we can still contribute a little bit of strength. Moreover, I also want to embark on a Path," Lumine finished speaking, then activated her Anemo power to prepare for battle. After seeing Klee's performance, Lumine also became increasingly eager for Path power.
"Lumine is right, we can't let just Klee and Barbara fight." Jean looked at the Decaying Shadow, which erupted with astonishing energy, extinguishing the surrounding flames, and said solemnly.
"Then everyone, give it your best! I won't hold you back," Paimon said, honestly retreating to the rear, watching Lumine, Jean, Klee, and Barbara fight the Decaying Shadow together. At this moment, Paimon felt it was better for her to act as the camera operator, and after seeing the astonishing energy erupting on the battlefield, she became even more certain.
[Neuvillette: Klee's destructive power is indeed extraordinary. It must be that she has embarked on a Path.]
[Zhongli: In terms of universal rationality, that is indeed the case.]
[Lyney: With Klee's power, this battle between the Teyvat group and the Decaying Shadow is finally not a one-sided crushing situation.]
[Dori: I plan to open a betting game. Are you interested in betting on whether Barbara and the others or the Decaying Shadow will win?]
[Kaveh: The last time they fought Svarog, why didn't you open a betting game?]
[Dori: Oh, wasn't Barbara suddenly controlled at that time? In that situation, what would be the point of me opening a betting game?]
[Kaveh: That's true.]
[Dori: When I originally saw Jean and Lumine being controlled by the Decaying Shadow, I thought I probably couldn't open a betting game. Fortunately, Klee embarked on a Path. It would be too much of a pity not to open a betting game now.]
[Albert: I firmly cast my vote for Miss Barbara. Miss Barbara and the others will definitely achieve victory!]
[Tartaglia: Although the betting game is somewhat interesting, I am indeed more concerned now about what Path Klee has embarked on. Path power was actually able to make her destructive power increase so rapidly, which is completely different from what Barbara showed.]
[Amber: Paimon, can you tell us which Aeon you saw earlier?]
"Hehe, I can tell you. But you absolutely must not be scared," Paimon stood in front of the camera, hands on her hips, and said.
[Tartaglia: We Fatui have received special training and generally won't be scared. Little Paimon, feel free to speak.]
"Although I don't want to talk to you Fatui, considering that Amber is also watching the live stream, I'll say it. Actually, the Path Klee embarked on and the Aeon she saw were mentioned by Takagi before. It's the Aeon of Destruction, Nanook, who is related to the Stellaron and symbolizes Destruction." Paimon shivered involuntarily when she thought of Nanook's majestic appearance.
[Dainsleif: I see. If it's the Destruction Path, then Klee's ability makes sense.]
[Charlotte: Didn't they say the Aeon of Destruction plans to destroy the world? Is it okay to embark on this Path?]
"Takagi said that just stepping onto a Path doesn't mean becoming someone who destroys worlds. After all, Klee is merely a Pathstrider of the Destruction Path, not some Emanator of Destruction. Wait... speaking of which, what is an Emanator?" Paimon showed a confused expression.
[Amber: I see, that puts my mind at ease.]
[Venti: Little Paimon, what's the situation with the Emanator you mentioned? Will an Emanator destroy worlds?]
"I don't know about that. Takagi only briefly mentioned Emanators," Paimon said.
[Dottore: Such crucial information, and it didn't catch your attention before?]
Paimon stamped her foot, annoyed, and said: "You can't blame us, we just saw an Aeon! With an Aeon in front of us, it's normal for me to overlook some things. Not to mention, the Aeon of Destruction looked even more imposing than the Abundance Aeon. It was bleeding, and its arm was severed. Oh, and also, Takagi mentioned a new Aeon: the Aeon of Elation. He also said that the Aeon of Destruction might have been beaten into that state by the Aeon of Elation. In such a situation, it's normal for me to overlook the details, right?"
[Dottore: ???]
[Neuvillette: A new Aeon named Elation...]
[Ningguang: Aeons... do they also fight?]
[Yae Miko: Oh my, how surprising! I didn't expect that even among the great Aeons Takagi spoke of, battles would occur.]
[Kaeya: It seems that even the greatest beings can have conflicts.]
[Dainsleif: Is it like the wars between Archons?]
[Candace: If that's the case, it's understandable that Paimon would overlook asking about Emanators in such a situation.]
[Dehya: The Emanators of Destruction... I always feel like they'd be world-destroying villains. I just wonder how strong an Emanator is.]
[Takagi: There's an organization in the universe called the Xianzhou, and there are many Emanators there. When I take everyone to travel to the Xianzhou, you might be fortunate enough to witness the power of an Emanator. Speaking of which, witnessing the power of an Emanator probably isn't a fortunate thing, is it?]
[Dottore: He's here, Takagi! Can't you talk about Emanators now?]
[Takagi: To understand Emanators, it's best to learn about them in the universe. However, you'll need to be mentally prepared—preferably prepared to lose your life.]
[Amber: !!!]
[Arlecchino: Takagi, don't you provide protection for your passengers? Or are you saying that even you don't stand a chance against an Emanator?]
[Takagi: Who knows?]
Takagi understood that he hadn't reached the level of an Emanator yet. However, at the current rate of development, he would certainly be able to reach that level. He might even surpass an Emanator.
[Takagi: I just want to say that the first trip is special, and I'll offer corresponding discounts. But later, whether I offer discounts will depend on my mood.]
[Tartaglia: Can I interpret that as you might not provide security services in the future?]
[Takagi: At least, that's the case for people I don't particularly like.]
[Dottore: Aren't you worried that this will affect your customer base?]
[Takagi: So the question is, even if I don't necessarily provide security services, are you willing to travel to the universe?]
[Dottore: ...Willing!]
Although Takagi's first trip was not yet over, after seeing the changes in Barbara and Klee, Dottore was already moved by the idea of going to the universe. Not just Dottore, but many Teyvat residents felt the same way. Even if Takagi didn't necessarily provide protection, many of them still wanted to see the universe.
[Albert: This... this isn't good. If you don't provide protection, how could ordinary people dare to follow you?]
[Takagi: Then work hard to become the kind of person I like, thank you.]
Takagi was not a babysitter. For the first trip, many Teyvat residents were not very trusting, so he offered discounts. After the first successful trip, he could foresee that many people would be willing to travel. Therefore, Takagi felt that he would not lack passengers. However, those willing to go would inevitably include some people Takagi disliked, such as Grand Sage Azar. It would certainly be impossible for Takagi to provide protection for such people.
[Lisa: Then, Takagi, do you like my kind of person?]
[Takagi: Miss Lisa once took me on a tour of Mondstadt, and we had a very pleasant time then.]
[Lisa: Hehe, I'm relieved.]
[Arlecchino: What do you think of me, Takagi?]
[Takagi: Well... it's alright.]
Mondstadt.
Goth Grand Hotel.
"That hateful witch... taking Takagi on a tour of Mondstadt, that should have been my role." Arlecchino looked at Takagi's somewhat ambiguous reply and unconsciously crushed the wine glass in her hand. Inside the room, the Fatui looked at Arlecchino in trepidation, none daring to step forward. However, she actively spoke to them.
"What do you think Takagi's impression of me is?" Arlecchino looked at a subordinate and asked.
"Lady Arlecchino was very... polite when facing Takagi. I think Takagi's impression of you should be very good." The subordinate quickly said, although connecting Arlecchino with the word 'polite' made them feel awkward.
"A very good impression, huh... Yes, my performance should have been good. If I can get an Astral Express ticket in the future, he should be able to provide me with protection and a Blessing that helps me step onto a Path," Arlecchino murmured.
After seeing Takagi's message, Arlecchino not only thought about whether Takagi would provide protection. For someone like her who wanted stronger power, Takagi's Blessing was the most crucial. Although Takagi hadn't mentioned the Blessing before, she felt that he could choose not to provide it to passengers he disliked.
"No matter what, I must not become the kind of person Takagi dislikes." Arlecchino took a deep breath and muttered. At the same time, the same thought emerged in the minds of many Teyvat residents.
However, Takagi wasn't concerned about these things right now. His attention was focused on Klee and the others' battle. As time passed, the fight intensified. As Barbara and Klee reached their limits, the Decaying Shadow was finally defeated.
[Albert: Great, Miss Barbara won!]
[Alice: As expected of my daughter, she indeed achieved victory.]
[Yoimiya: Klee is truly amazing! I really want to ask her about her method for making bombs. Perhaps I can use it for fireworks!]
[Yae Miko: Klee's bombs now have Path power enhancing them. Her method will likely be difficult to replicate.]
[Dottore: A wonderful battle. The Decaying Shadow showed sufficiently powerful strength, and Barbara and Klee also displayed sufficiently powerful power.]
[Grand Sage Azar: We've gathered some good data.]
[Dehya: This time, Barbara's and Klee's powers have been thoroughly displayed. At this level, they can walk sideways in the desert. I feel like Barbara and Klee are like miniature Archons.]
[Furina: You're underestimating Archons too much! Even if Barbara and Klee become stronger, it doesn't mean they can surpass gods!]
[Moon Carver: Indeed, the power of Archons is above that of Barbara, Klee, and that Decaying Shadow.]
[Tartaglia: Liyue Immortal! Speaking of which, the question of whether the Decaying Shadow or the Adepti were stronger was mentioned before. Esteemed Adeptus, after observing this battle, do you think your strength is greater than that of the Decaying Shadow?]
[Moon Carver: ...]
Moon Carver really wanted to say that the Adepti were definitely stronger than the Decaying Shadow. However, after seeing the power displayed by the monster, those words were truly difficult to speak.