[Option 1: Agree to Clara's Request. The Trailblazer was brought by you. Svarog is Clara's family. Naturally, you cannot let the Trailblazer hurt Svarog. But to make Svarog actively open the Furnace Core...]
[Reward: Clara's Path Talent — [Because We Are Family]. Passive. Automatically reduces damage taken by 20%. Any enemy attacking you will be marked with a Counter Mark, allowing you to launch a follow-up attack.]
[Option 2: Reject Clara's Request. Tell Clara that Svarog cannot change. His rationality and calculation methods will never truly understand the meaning of "family".]
[Reward: A Bag of Ancient Parts. Machine parts left from the Old World era. Cast and polished with technology difficult to reproduce today. A small screw from the Old World is stronger than our armor.]
[Option 3: Wait and See. You do not express your stance or interfere, because you know that even without Clara begging you, the Trailblazer will not continue to hurt Svarog. Although Svarog's core calculation is stubborn, Clara's persistence will shake him sooner or later. He is destined to be moved by Clara.]
[Reward: Exquisite Ancient Engine. A machine engine left from the Old World era, powered by Geomarrow. What sprays when running is not sparks, but wandering aurora.]
Looking at the three options, Kael raised an eyebrow.
Triggering options here?
Interesting.
He had judged Albedo as Svarog.
But now Albedo hadn't appeared, yet Svarog's option appeared correspondingly.
How does this Retarded System work?
Luckily he tested it before and found a chance to exploit this system's wool.
Otherwise, waiting for this Retarded System to judge would be truly ridiculous.
Among the three option rewards, he knew which one to choose without thinking.
The first talent didn't even need to be activated. Owning it provided damage reduction.
It could also hang a Counter Mark on anyone attacking him. This was simply a human radar.
Thinking of this, Kael smiled slightly and said, "Grand Master Jean, let's take Klee."
Kael looked at Klee gently. "It's indeed unsafe for her to go back alone."
"And next, there won't be any danger. She'll be with us."
"Alright."
Hearing Kael's words, Jean sighed and nodded.
Indeed.
But in the next second, Jean looked at Klee and instructed earnestly, "You can follow us, but no running around, and no throwing bombs casually, understand?"
If Klee threw a bomb at Dawn Winery and accidentally started a fire...
"Okay!"
Klee nodded excitedly, hugging her bomb backpack tightly.
Just like that, Klee was added to the team.
Paimon looked at the bouncing Klee and leaned into Lumine and Kael's ears, whispering, "I feel our operation has become more dangerous..."
Kael smiled and didn't say much, looking toward Dawn Winery.
Because in his vision...
The text appeared again.
[Facing Clara's plea, you chose to agree with Clara. You actively stepped forward, saying you would not allow the Trailblazer to hurt Svarog again, and convinced Svarog with absolute facts.]
[Under the words of you and Clara, Svarog thought of how you once helped Clara and was moved by Clara's words. He agreed to open the Furnace Core, hand over the decision to the Trailblazer, and was willing to disclose information about the Stellaron.]
[Congratulations on obtaining Option One Reward: Clara's Path Talent — [Because We Are Family]. Passive. Automatically reduces damage taken by 20%. Any enemy attacking you will be marked with a Counter Mark, allowing you to launch a follow-up attack.]
As the option appeared.
An invisible fluctuation emerged from the void.
Like a vast tide, it swept through Kael's whole body instantly.
Kael's heart shook.
In an instant, it seemed that some indescribable power quietly merged into his flesh and blood, as if he were endowed with a new possibility.
Kael subconsciously closed his eyes, feeling this sudden power.
This time, it was no longer the violent, destructive Destruction power from before.
Instead, it was a gentler, yet firm aura like a rock. Steady as a towering mountain, unshakable.
This is not Destruction.
Kael raised an eyebrow slightly, a guess flashing in his heart.
Could it be Preservation?
Kael's consciousness sank into his body instantly.
This new power did not give him the ability to enhance the power of items like the Destruction Path.
Instead, it was like a will to protect.
It spread in his body like warm ripples, making him feel an unprecedented sense of stability.
No need to activate it actively. All enemies attacking him would be marked.
Kael's fingertips trembled slightly.
He could clearly perceive that anyone attempting to attack him would be locked by a mysterious brand.
And this brand meant Counterattack. It meant Protection.
This wasn't for destruction, but to protect himself and his companions.
"Interesting."
A thoughtful smile appeared on Kael's lips.
At this time, Paimon said quickly, "Let's go. That Tone-Deaf Bard is still waiting for us."
At this moment, the setting sun spilled on the vines of Dawn Winery, plating the entire land with a layer of golden brilliance.
Warm orange clouds spread slowly, like a flowing scroll, rendering the entire sky incredibly warm.
The breeze blew gently, carrying the unique faint fruity fragrance of the vineyard, making people want to immerse themselves in it.
When Kael and the others stepped into the winery, Venti, who was drinking with the Holy Lyre in the distance, froze.
Then his eyes widened abruptly, almost spitting out the wine in his mouth. "...Eh? You guys came back so fast? And really found them?"
Venti's gaze swept over everyone.
Finally landing on the harvest in Lumine and Jean's hands, his face was full of disbelief.
"It's only afternoon..."
Venti looked up at the sunset on the horizon. The golden light outlined the soft curve of his profile, but his eyes were full of surprise.
According to his calculation, even with the blessing of Kael's mysterious power, the process of searching for the Dragon Tear Crystals wouldn't be this smooth.
After all, the crystals were hidden deep and scattered in four places.
Logically speaking, the earliest return would be evening or even early morning.
As a result, the sunset had just appeared, and Lumine had already returned with the results?
"Hehe, didn't expect that, right!"
Paimon immediately put her hands on her hips proudly, holding her head high, looking at Venti triumphantly, with an expression of "Praise me quickly."
"You definitely didn't expect it, right? Let me tell you, we are super—amazing!"
Saying this, Paimon deliberately kept him in suspense, stopping halfway, eyes full of pride.
Venti was amused by this guy, shaking the wine flask dumbfoundedly. "Tsk, can't you just tell me directly?"
Then, Venti put down the wine flask and reached out to everyone. "Fine, let's ignore these for now. Give me the collected Dragon Tear Crystals."
Lumine nodded gently, walked forward slowly, and placed the crystal-clear teardrops in Venti's palm.
The crystals glowed faintly under the sunset, like flowing breezes, gently lifted by Anemo elements, floating slowly at Venti's fingertips.
Beside them, Klee blinked her curious eyes.
Holding her small bomb backpack with both hands, she stared at the Dragon Tear Crystal eagerly for a long time.
Seeming to wonder if this thing could be bombed.
Seeing this, Jean's eyelid jumped, and she immediately pulled Klee behind her.
Kael watched this scene with a pleasant mood, a faint smile on his lips.
Although the journey wasn't magnificent, their efficiency was indeed amazing.
"Ah, the color of the crystal seems more turbid..."
At this time, observing the crystal, Venti whispered, "Dvalin... what kind of torture is he enduring..."
"Anyway, purify these crystals first. Outlander Traveler, I'm counting on you."
Saying this, Venti handed the crystals to Lumine.
Lumine immediately purified them skillfully.
Seeing this scene, Jean exclaimed, "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, it would be truly unbelievable."
"Very interesting. Like filtering wine, refreshing."
Diluc looked at it with interest, witnessing Lumine purifying the crystals.
In the next second, he looked at Lumine and Kael, pondering.
Are both these guys Outlanders?
The methods Kael displayed seemed only explainable by being an Outlander.
"This many teardrops are enough. Then next."
Seeing this, Venti said softly, "Like last time, drip them on the Holy Lyre."
"Okay."
Hearing Venti's words, Lumine nodded immediately.
Then she did as told.
Soon, the Holy Lyre was completely rejuvenated.
Seeing this, Jean exclaimed, "The Lyre feels... completely rejuvenated."
Hearing Jean's words, Paimon looked over in surprise. "Grand Master Jean is praising herself?"
Jean: "...I mean the Holy Lyre."
"Anemo element... full to the point of being lively. In this case, there should be no problem."
Venti smiled and looked at the Holy Lyre in front of him. "Thanks to you, Traveler."
"So, where should we call Stormterror?"
Beside them, Jean said softly, "Definitely not inside Mondstadt City. If it fails, it will cause irreparable losses."
"If it's at this winery, obviously also..."
"Oh."
Beside them, Diluc thought for a moment and said, "Losing the winery isn't an irreparable loss, but better not."
Jean: "..."
"We can't do it casually in the wild either."
Venti said softly, "Sea breeze or wind from high places can make the bard's song spread farther."
"If the air is dry, dull, and depressing, not only the bard but even the dragon will be angry."
"I see. Sea breeze or wind from high places, right?"
Hearing this, Paimon scratched her head. "So, the most suitable place to play should be?"
"A cliff?"
Lumine looked at Venti in surprise. "Playing while gliding in the sky?"
Jean: "..."
Venti: "..."
Diluc: "..."
Kael: "..."
"Even Amber can't do that kind of thing."
Jean rubbed her brow.
Diluc thought for a moment and said, "A distance east from Starfall Lake, there is a mountainous area south of the beach."
"...Ah!"
Hearing this, Paimon looked at Lumine suddenly. "It's the beach where you slept in last time."
Diluc continued, "Climbing along the extension of the mountain, you can reach a place called Starsnatch Cliff."
"Singer, the sea breeze and high wind you want can both be found there."
"Hmm, let me think. Starsnatch Cliff, right..."
Hearing Diluc's words, Venti narrowed his eyes immediately.
In the next second, he nodded gently. "...Indeed a very good location. A place that suits my singing very well."
The corner of Venti's mouth raised lightly, a brisk smile flashing in his eyes.
He jumped lightly, plucking the strings of the Holy Lyre in his hand with the wind.
Instantly, a melodious melody was like a breeze blowing across the grassland, ethereal and empty.
As the lyre sounded, Anemo power emerged suddenly.
Like invisible wings, lifting Kael, Lumine, Jean, Diluc, Paimon, and others gently.
The wind rose.
Jean and Diluc sensed the lightness of their bodies immediately.
Their speed increased significantly in an instant.
However, this speed was not caused by pure explosive power, but like being held up by a gentle airflow, gliding naturally along the trajectory of the wind.
They didn't even feel they were moving, but rather the wind was actively pushing them forward.
"This!"
Jean was shocked.
Letting Anemo power drag oneself to fly was naturally possible for an Anemo Vision holder.
But this had high requirements for Anemo control.
And the Vision holder had to be powerful themselves.
She could usually make herself fly.
But she couldn't make so many people fly at once.
Even if she could, it would be hard to control later, testing technique and energy too much.
This efficiency was far inferior to attaching Anemo power to people's feet, making them walk fast.
But now, this bard just played the lyre, letting Anemo drag them to fly safely, without any instability.
Isn't this too exaggerated?
Not only her, Diluc also had a look of astonishment in his eyes.
Compared to Jean's Anemo power, even compared to Lumine's Anemo mobilization, the wind at this moment was completely different—
It catered to everyone actively, rather than being manipulated by them.
This wasn't controlling the wind, but letting the wind obey voluntarily.
Diluc's gaze condensed, a trace of doubt rising in his heart.
What is the background of this drunkard bard?
His control over Anemo elements simply reached an incredible level.
This level of Anemo affinity... probably no one in the entire Mondstadt could match it.
And doing this, wasn't he afraid of high consumption?
Making so many people fly to travel, the efficiency was far lower than running.
But Venti looked like he had no consumption at all.
"This wind... is too stable."
Jean murmured in a low voice, her expression shocked.
"Hmm?"
Venti seemed to notice Jean's confusion, looked back at her, and chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm very good at taking care of people~"
Venti plucked the strings gently. The breeze instantly became softer, wrapping everyone like waves, making their speed increase again unknowingly.
But even with increased speed, everyone still felt no discomfort.
Instead, they felt completely integrated into the wind, natural, light, without any hindrance.
Paimon felt the blowing of the wind, widening her eyes and exclaiming, "Wah! This is too magical!"
Before, whether it was Lumine or Jean using Anemo power, or Kael speeding up, she could still feel the speed!
But now... why does it feel like I'm not moving, but the scenery is retreating fast?
This guy really is the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt!
At this moment, Paimon agreed deeply, believing Kael's words.
Jean took a deep breath.
She finally confirmed one thing.
Venti's way of using Anemo far exceeded the scope she understood.
Not just precise control.
It was more like... Natural Instinct.
The Anemo elements seemed to be actively catering to Venti's will.
Gently wrapping everyone, rather than simply being manipulated and driven.
This was completely different from the ability of an Anemo Vision holder.
Even... more like the true Master of "Wind" than the Anemo Archon's familiar—Stormterror Dvalin.
Jean's gaze stared deeply at Venti, a guess forming in her heart.
Held by the wind, everyone crossed the vast plain in the blink of an eye.
The outline of Starsnatch Cliff gradually emerged.