Outskirts of Mondstadt.
Dvalin lay weakly on the ground, barely able to move.
He looked at the mysterious man standing before him.
"That move just now… what was it?"
His voice was faint and exhausted.
Cao Zhong casually straightened his tattered clothes.
"What, you want to learn it? I can teach you."
Suddenly—
Something changed.
Dvalin lashed out with his claws, slashing toward Cao Zhong's waist.
The cold gleam of the dragon's talons was terrifying.
[Jean]: @Cao Zhong Watch out!!!
[Eula]: @Cao Zhong Dodge!!!
[Venti]: @Deathwing No—don't!!!
…
[Hu Tao]: Despicable!
[Scaramouche]: Mercy toward others is cruelty toward yourself.
Cao Zhong didn't panic.
He simply struck back with another palm.
BOOM!
The sheer force shook loose Dvalin's feathers.
The shockwave blasted into the mountains behind him—leaving a massive handprint carved into the rock.
[Xingqiu]: Wuu~ so strong!
[Hu Tao]: I'll never dare make fun of Cao Zhong again… my happiness is gone… (cry)(cry)(cry)
…
[Venti]: Cao Zhong, you are my god!
[Kaeya]: @Venti If it comes to it, let's just give him the Anemo Archon seat. You don't do your job anyway!!!
[Diluc]: I agree.
[Barbara]: Agreed!
[Amber]: Agreed!
…
[Venti]: Hey—wait, what?!?!
On Cao Zhong's side—
Though faint traces of that eerie aura still lingered around Dvalin,
his eyes had regained a sliver of clarity.
Looking at the ruined villages, destroyed towns—
and the innocent people of Mondstadt he had harmed—
Dvalin fell into overwhelming grief.
"What… what have I done?!"
[Hu Tao]: Dvalin doesn't look too good…
[Venti]: This is bad—he's about to fall back into corruption!
[Lumine]: @Cao Zhong I can purify—wait for me!
[Jean]: There's no time!!!
The hellish scene of Mondstadt pierced Dvalin's heart.
Guilt consumed him—
while the Abyssal power continued eroding his will, trying to drag him back into madness.
Cao Zhong frowned slightly—
And slapped him.
SMACK.
Dvalin collapsed instantly—
Knocked unconscious.
[Venti]: …
[Yae Miko]: …
[Xingqiu]: That's terrifying…
[Paimon]: So violent! (covers mouth, crying)
[Keqing]: I didn't expect Mr. Cao Zhong to be this powerful. Add me after this!
…
[Nilou]: Mr. Cao Zhong is so manly… such boyfriend energy… I like him so much, hehe!
[Dunyarzad]: @Nilou Wake up, Miss Nilou—he's a total playboy!
[Nilou]: I know, I know! But he's really handsome!
[Kaeya]: Another innocent girl has fallen…
Cao Zhong looked at the unconscious Dvalin—
His expression remained serious.
The Abyssal aura was still thick—
Continuing to erode Dvalin's mind.
"If this continues, he'll become nothing more than a mindless war machine…"
He rubbed his forehead, troubled.
Seeing Dvalin struggling in pain—
He couldn't bear it.
"Looks like… I'll have to use that move."
That ability—
He was somewhat reluctant to use it.
From a previous system reward, he had gained a purification power—
Capable of cleansing evil corruption.
Perfect for Dvalin's condition.
But—
It had conditions.
And worse—
Side effects.
"…Forget it."
"I can't just watch him suffer like this."
Cao Zhong raised both hands.
His long, fair fingers now shimmered with rainbow-colored holy light.
[Barbara]: This is…?!
[Yae Miko]: Such pure, sacred energy…
[Venti]: @Cao Zhong Fine, the Anemo Archon seat is yours
[Kaeya]: Wuwuwu~ Who understands this pain? I thought my two bros were just slackers like me… turns out they were pretending, and I'm the only real slacker!!!
[Bennett]: Wuwuwu~ Who understands? At least Kaeya is a Cavalry Captain—if he's a slacker, then what am I?! Nothing at all!!!
[Jean]: …
Cao Zhong gently placed his glowing hands on Dvalin's head.
Murmuring softly:
"Dvalin, don't be afraid… the bad guys are gone."
"Dvalin, don't be afraid… the bad guys are gone."
In an instant—
Dvalin's entire body began to shine with radiant, multicolored light.
Under the purification—
Strands of black Abyssal energy were slowly expelled.
The process lasted about half a minute—
Before finally ending.
The Dvalin before him—
Was no longer fierce.
His massive body shrank—
Smaller… and smaller…
Unti
He was about the size of a tiny puppy
His appearance turned soft and adorable—
With big, sparkling eyes that blinked innocently.
"Thank you!!!"
A cute, childlike voice came from Dvalin's mouth.
Cao Zhong slapped his forehead.
"…That side effect…"
As expected—
Like Nangong Wenya…
Whoever he purified—
became a little dumb.