"So, you're not going to lose control now?" Venti asked, interrupting Dvalin's reminiscence. He had noticed that the other's eyes were gradually turning red again, and the surrounding wind had taken on a murderous edge.
With the interruption, some of the resentment in Dvalin's heart dissipated. He shook his head and sighed. "I don't know how much longer I can hold on. In any case, if the poisoned blood in my body is not purged, it won't be long before I become that stranger again. Lord Barbatos, perhaps… you should just send me on my way. I know I have killed many people during this time. Please, for the sake of our past friendship…"
"Silence, Dvalin! You are my companion!" Venti cut him off, his emotions extremely agitated. He didn't have many friends left. If Dvalin also left him, then he, the Anemo Archon, would truly be a failure! Even if he had to risk everything, he absolutely could not let anything happen to Dvalin!
"But as long as the poisoned blood spreads, I will fall into madness again. At that time, I won't recognize who you are, Lord Barbatos."
"Don't worry, Dvalin. I will save you. In my name as the Anemo Archon, Barbatos, I will protect your safety. Please, believe me."
At this moment, there was no wandering bard, no Venti. There was only the Anemo Archon, Barbatos!
Looking at the Lord of Anemo, who had become so serious for his sake, Dvalin cried tears of gratitude, but the teardrops were a strange, eerie mix of blue and crimson.
Venti looked at the strange dragon tears and knew he could not delay any longer. After comforting his companion for a while, he began to set up some barriers to protect Dvalin, ensuring that he would not be invaded by the Abyss for the time being. Only then did he leave Stormterror's Lair with peace of mind.
In the sky, a storm raged as Venti flew at full speed. By the time he arrived at the Jade Chamber, he happened to find Su Han and the others just finishing their dinner.
Su Han was surprised to see him arrive so quickly. Feigning ignorance, he asked, "What are you doing here again?"
The nearby Ningguang rolled her eyes at him, then stood up and invited, "This must be the Lord Anemo Archon of Mondstadt. Please, sit down. Dinner will be ready shortly."
"Oh, that's too much trouble." Venti looked at the table full of dishes and put aside his anxiety. After all, he was also hungry. Since the other party was so hospitable, there was no harm in eating a little. Besides, that guy Su Han had swindled three of his treasures.
Mona looked at the easy-going bard, never having thought he was Mondstadt's Anemo Archon. He didn't seem to have any of the dignity of a ruler.
Keqing and the others were also facing an Archon for the first time and seemed a little reserved.
Klee, on the other hand, after hearing that Venti was the Anemo Archon, handed the roasted meat in her hand to him.
"Lord Anemo Archon, Klee would like to treat you to some roasted meat."
"Ehe, thank you, Klee! Huh? What kind of meat is this? The taste is quite unique."
Su Han watched the Anemo Archon wolfing down the food, the corner of his eye twitching. He almost burst out laughing.
That meat was, naturally, Stormterror's meat. Because Klee was currently growing, Su Han had given her an extra portion. The other meat was ordinary pork, but Klee's was Dvalin's.
Hearing the Anemo Archon's praise, Klee happily explained, "This is lizard meat! Big Brother Su Han said that eating it will help me grow up big and strong! Klee is still small and needs to grow up to help him."
Venti didn't think much of it. In his eyes, this so-called lizard meat was probably just the meat of some monster. I didn't realize this Su Han guy was so nice, giving elemental beast meat to the little sister he just met.
So that Klee wouldn't reveal the secret, Su Han had Ganyu intercept her in the group chat. After the little sun was full, they took her out for a walk.
About an hour later, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill. Shenhe and the others tactfully withdrew, leaving only Ningguang, Su Han, and the Anemo Archon in the living room.
When the door was closed, Venti said excitedly, "Did you know? Stormterror has really regained his clarity! And he told me that after he fought with you, his body recovered a great deal! Su Han, you must help! If Stormterror can be freed from the poisoned blood, then from now on, you will be my, Venti's, friend! If you need anything, just say the word!"
Ningguang glanced at Su Han. So this was what he had meant when he said the other party would come begging at his door. It seemed the Purification Power had a great effect on the Abyss.
Ningguang did not interrupt, remaining a spectator throughout.
Su Han smiled. "Helping is easy. We're all brothers, after all. But even among close brothers, accounts must be settled clearly, don't you think? If I don't set some conditions, it wouldn't seem right. Do you have any other treasures? Give me some more. To be honest, I've already given away those three things from the other day. The demand is just too high."
The pendant had been given to Ningguang, the bracelet to Shenhe, and the shoes to Keqing. But Ganyu and the others still didn't have anything.
Venti immediately gave a bitter smile. "I really don't have any more. Those three things were the relics of my deceased friends."
"Oh, then there's nothing I can do either. I forgot to tell you, actually, I was injured after that battle the other day. I probably won't be better for a few months." Su Han lied through his teeth. No treasure, no deal. Even hiring someone to work costs money.
Seeing Su Han playing dead, Venti felt a massive headache. How could there be such a character in this world? Yet there was absolutely nothing he could do. If he really waited a few months, Dvalin would probably revert to his old state. How could that be?
"Can you really guarantee that you can cure Dvalin?"
"How would I know? He's a dragon, and I'm just a human. I can only do my best. If you don't trust me, you can find someone else. To be honest, it's a long way to go, and I don't really want to go either."
"You… alright! I'll give you one more treasure! That should be enough, right?" Venti was defeated by Su Han. This guy who wouldn't lift a finger without a reward—he really had no way of dealing with him.
"Two! And you have to give me some healing medicine as well."
"Fine." Venti didn't dare to haggle, afraid that Su Han would change his mind again. However, so that he wouldn't play any tricks, the two of them specially signed a Geo Contract.
Seeing the golden contract form, Venti looked at him and said, "Is this alright now? When do we set off?"
"When the treasures are delivered, I will leave."
"Alright then! I'll bring them to you tomorrow!" Venti now understood Su Han's personality. He didn't dare to delay for a single minute and went out that very night to search for treasures.
It was only after he had completely left that Ningguang looked at him with concern. "Can you really purify the poisoned blood in his body?"
"I probably can't purify it completely for now, but I should be able to suppress it for a period of time. We'll see when we get there tomorrow. Besides, we're running low on meat at home."
After sending Venti off, Su Han was not idle. He had comforted Ganyu during the day, so at night, he naturally had to accompany Shenhe.
The two of them were lying in bed when the beauty in his arms suddenly asked, "Was my senior sister angry because of me?"
"No."
"Then she…"
"It's like this…"
Su Han explained what had happened to Shenhe without any concealment.
When she heard that her senior sister was lost because she felt unloved, Shenhe said with deep empathy, "Yesterday, when you weren't here, I also couldn't sleep all night. In the past, it would only happen when my baleful energy erupted. But after you left, I found that I can no longer be without you."
"Don't worry, I won't let you down," Su Han said gently, stroking her back. This cold beauty had already changed so much for him. How could he bear to make her sad?
Shenhe gave a light "mm" and, after a long while, said, "If my senior sister doesn't mind, she can come over. The bed is very spacious."
"Her? She's too thin-skinned. Let's wait a while." To have Ganyu sleep naked with her junior sister right next to them? It was unthinkable.
However, Shenhe not being able to sleep without him was also a problem. And it wasn't just Ganyu; Ningguang, Keqing… it seemed they were all starting to show signs of it.
Sigh, being a man is so tiring. Maybe I should go ask Ying'er when I have time? Perhaps she can offer some good ideas.
The next morning, as Su Han and the others were having breakfast, Venti arrived right on time.
"I've brought the treasures. You'll accompany me to Stormterror's Lair in a bit."
"Alright. Let's eat first."
The treasures were a pair of earrings and a longsword.
The earrings were named "The Black Bird that Tears the Night Sky," a treasure of the Electro element that could allow the wearer to release a giant Electro defensive barrier.
The longsword was "Cecilia's Gift," a one-handed sword of the Cryo element.
Unfortunately, no one around Su Han was a Cryo user. However, it would be a good choice to save it for Kamisato Ayaka in the future.
After eating and drinking their fill, Venti controlled the Anemo element and took Su Han, flying quickly towards Stormterror's Lair. Only two other people went with them: one was the little chef, Xiangling, and the second was Keqing.
High in the sky, the group advanced rapidly. With the barrier created by Venti, their speed was not much different from an airplane, and it was also very stable.
Keqing looked at the Anemo Archon and thought to herself, If he wasn't so unreliable, he would definitely be a formidable Archon. This mastery of the wind was worthy of his title. For her to reach his level would probably take a very, very long time.
After several hours of flying, they finally arrived at Stormterror's Lair.
Seeing his sister safe and sound, Venti smiled. "It seems the people of the Abyss haven't come for now. This is a good opportunity. Come with me."
The wind barrier opened, and Su Han and the others were enveloped by the Anemo element, brought to the lower level of Stormterror's Lair.
Looking at the great dragon lying in its nest, Keqing and Xiangling felt the pressure multiply.
This terrifying existence… how did Su Han manage to defeat it last time?
Just by lying there, it already made them feel that it was hard to breathe.
Swish.
Stormterror opened its eyes. When it saw Venti, the killing intent in its eyes finally dissipated.
"What do I need to do?" Venti asked.
"Mm, just have Dvalin relax. And I have to say this beforehand: the process of purging the poisoned blood will be very painful. Don't let him take a bite out of me while we're in the middle of it."
Venti patted his chest. "Don't worry. The current Dvalin has already regained his clarity. That kind of thing will absolutely not happen."