The hunt's first catch unfolded beneath Mondstadt's whispering winds, leaving the knights awestruck and buzzing.
Ye Ruo had been the intended star of this outing, his wind mastery set to dazzle and secure a deception flower.
Yet Mara, a stalwart knight from Eula's guerrilla squad, emerged as the unexpected heart of the moment, her nerves laid bare.
Her composure—honed through years of grit and quiet resolve—wavered under the gaze of her idol turned mentor.
The meadow stretched wide, kissed by a breeze that rustled common mint and dandelion tufts.
To the untrained eye, it was a serene slice of Mondstadt's wilds—nothing stirred beyond the grass.
Eula's sharp gaze flicked to Ye Ruo, catching the glint of purpose in his stance.
He stood casual, hands loose, but his eyes betrayed a hunter's focus.
"See that patch ahead? A deception flower's lurking," he said, smiling at the knights.
"Spot it yet?" he teased, voice carrying a playful edge.
Heads swiveled—left, right, then blank shakes.
No one saw a thing—grass stayed grass.
Ye Ruo stepped forward, boots crunching earth near four mint sprigs.
"Deception flowers excel at blending in," he explained, tone light but firm.
"They burrow shallow, waiting to pounce on the clueless," he continued.
"Mimicry's their game—sweet flowers, dandelions, even glass lilies," he listed.
Stealth was their weapon—high even for seasoned travelers.
A bard might sing it out of hiding—anger its roots.
Ye Ruo needed no songs—wind whispered its secrets.
The knights leaned in—realization dawned slow.
Eula's lips twitched—mint hid more than scent.
Nimue's Geo senses prickled—something shifted below.
Suddenly, the earth ruptured—shards of soil flew wide.
A frost deception flower burst forth—ice-blue and feral.
Its petals unfurled—onion-like head crowned with jagged leaves.
Blue motes danced—ice seeds primed for war.
It lunged—chill breath frosting the air.
Knights yelped—"Master, watch out!" Tobin cried.
"Monster's loose—run!" Rhea shouted, hand on hilt.
Panic flared—such a close strike spelled danger.
Eula crossed her arms—unfazed, almost bored.
Nimue smirked—trust steadied her stance.
The flower slammed forward—then crashed into nothing.
A cyan wind wall flared—solid as stone, soft as a breeze.
It recoiled—head smacking dirt with a thud.
Fury bloomed—it charged again, thrice, relentless.
Each hit bounced—wind held, unyielding, serene.
Ye Ruo stood still—untouched, a statue of calm.
The flower wobbled—dazed, nearly toppling.
Knights gaped—jaws hung, eyes wide as moons.
The wall had sprung at the attack's cusp—perfect timing.
"They grow big if pampered—magic trees, swaying tall," Ye Ruo mused.
A monster raged beside him—he barely glanced its way.
Admiration sparked—"Wind Knight's unreal!" Lyle breathed.
"Coolest move yet—effortless," a rookie swooned.
Eula's brow arched—his flair outshone her frost.
The flower spun—escape its next ploy.
Earth Dodge kicked in—roots sank to flee.
Another wind wall rose—rear sealed tight.
It burrowed—wind lashed up, hurling it skyward.
Cyan bonds snared it—elemental chains locked firm.
Ye Ruo flicked a finger—it drifted to his side.
A toy in his grasp—captured with ease.
"Instant kill, like I said," he chuckled, smug.
Knights clapped—mastery painted in wind.
Strongest Anemo Vision holder—title earned.
Styles varied—his bent wind to art.
The system chimed in Ye Ruo's skull, panel aglow.
He perked up—readers' gains piqued his grin.
[Customer Diluc completed Old Mond: Crimson Dawn—Reward: Blazewind Mantle.]
[Blazewind Mantle: Cloaks the user in a swirling Pyro-Anemo shroud, amplifying strikes with fiery gusts; deflects minor attacks, ignites foes on contact; can unleash a scorching whirlwind to raze the field.]
Diluc with fire and wind—dawn burned brighter.
Ye Ruo turned—"Best of you, step up," he called.
"Knights thrive on merit—earn your flower," he urged.
Eula's squad huddled—whispers weighed their pick.
Mara emerged—tall, lean, blade-scarred hands.
No Vision glowed—skill alone raised her high.
She approached—steps faltered, eyes on Ye Ruo.
Her idol loomed—nerves coiled her gut.
He smiled—warmth cut through her tension.
"Relax—touch the token to it," he guided.
"Contract links you—partners from now on," he assured.
Mara nodded—token met flower, blue light flared.
The bloom stilled—ice eyes met hers, tame.
She exhaled—pride swelled, shaky but real.
Eula clapped her shoulder—"Grudge-free for now," she quipped.
Nimue grinned—"One down—my turn next," she vowed.
A rustle stirred—grass shivered, dark intent loomed.
"Abyss scouts—east!" Lyle barked, sword drawn.
Two mages shimmered—Electro, Pyro, malice thick.
Ye Ruo's wind sharpened—blades hung poised.
"Formation—Mara, test it!" he roared.
Her flower spun—Ice Spikes stabbed up.
Electro mage dodged—current crackled wide.
Eula lunged—Frostwave slashed, frost bit deep.
Pyro mage flared—fire met her ice, steam hissed.
Nimue charged—Geo fist smashed a shield.
Mara's pet sprayed—Jet iced the ground slick.
Ye Ruo flicked—gale blades tore both apart.
Mages fell—silence reclaimed the field.
Mara stared—her flower's might sank in.
"Stronger already—thanks, Master," she breathed.
Ye Ruo winked—"Wind lifts us all," he said.
Eula's cape fluttered—tattered from prior blooms.
"Grudge tally's soaring—you owe me," she huffed.
Her flower mimicked—petals drooped in jest.
Laughter broke—squads bonded through chaos.
A subplot brewed—Abyss tracks in the dirt.
"More lurk—stay sharp," Nimue warned.
Knights braced—flowers poised, a new dawn rose.
The system pulsed, Ye Ruo's fame a howling storm.
His wind reshaped—Mondstadt soared anew.
***
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