"Judgment is upon you!"
Diluc grasped his claymore with both hands, swinging it powerfully to unleash a blazing fire phoenix. Its wings spread wide, and the mighty cry echoed as it tore through the advancing wave of plants, engulfing both their wind-infused forms and their bodies in flames!
"Now's the time—charge ahead! Second wave, step up!"
Kaeya raised his sword, gesturing for the group. "All Fire wielders, press forward! Follow right behind Master Diluc!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Green vines bolstered by wind energy lashed out, aimed at those preparing to launch the second wave of attacks.
"Freeze!"
Sensing danger, Kaeya thrust his sword forward, sending a jet of Cryo energy that instantly froze some of the attacking vines.
"There are more coming! Stay alert!"
Just as Klee pulled out a bomb, a young man with goggles and a bandage on his nose stepped forward, sword in hand, to intercept the oncoming vines.
"I'll protect everyone!"
Bennett leapt high, his Pyro energy flaring like molten lava, and upon landing, a ring of warm, fierce flames erupted around him, reducing the vines to ashes.
"Push forward!"
With Bennett's help, the group's minor injuries were quickly healed, and the protective Pyro aura around them provided a shield against the plant attackers.
"Klee, over here!"
Gu Sanqiu called out, "There's a spot up ahead that needs a touch of firepower from our resident ace."
At the back of the group, Tartaglia turned to face the stampeding squad of boar-riders charging toward them. Slowly, he raised his longbow, and the resounding cry of a whale broke through the space, echoing in everyone's ears.
"Surging Tide—Whale Song!"
A massive spectral whale surged forward from behind Tartaglia, growing as it advanced until it blocked much of the group's view before crashing down into the heart of the enemy formation.
Boom!
Waves of water shot up like a bombed lake, briefly extinguishing the fire consuming the plant horde, allowing some of the creatures to escape the flames.
But then a soft chuckle halted their counterattack in its tracks.
"Hehe, this is… your punishment~"
Lisa lifted her right hand, and a curious device crackling with Electro energy glowed above her palm. Arcs of purple lightning flickered over the heads of the attackers.
Crack!
Bolts of lightning rained down from above, and a charged Electro beacon pulsed overhead, striking the boars and plants alike, leaving them jittering and twitching like dancers in a rave gone wrong.
"Flames—Incinerate!"
Diluc took a deep breath, releasing another roaring phoenix surge. With thunderous explosions echoing in the aftermath, the path ahead was cleared of all enemies.
"Well done, Master Diluc. I'll take it from here."
Kaeya darted forward with a sly grin, leading the team onward. Diluc, meanwhile, braced his claymore on the ground and retrieved a small pill gifted by Gu Sanqiu, popping it into his mouth.
As his fatigue lifted and his elemental energy renewed, Diluc nodded to himself. Seeing the pill's effectiveness had him wondering if Liyue had any plans to sell these conveniently packaged aids. Compared to the typical alchemical potions stored in bottles, these discreet pills were a tempting upgrade.
With impressive coordination, the team advanced steadily. Barbara moved through the group, surrounded by a rippling aura of water, and her keen gaze tracked any signs of injury, sending healing waves to anyone in need.
The closer they got to the tower, the fiercer the attacks became. Barbara pushed her abilities to the limit, nearly encased in water as she worked to stabilize the team's health under the strain of elemental energy.
The other healers were showing signs of wear too. Though they had a supply of potions, transforming potions into healing power took a toll on stamina—and even the best healer can't indefinitely heal themselves.
Tartaglia had swapped to a polearm, creating a Cryo-Electro team with Kaeya as they battled at the front.
"Oi, how's it coming over there?" he called out, panting. "We're working ourselves ragged; don't tell me you're slacking!"
"Almost there, keep your shorts on," Gu Sanqiu replied.
Just then, he, Klee, and Albedo burst through the ranks of the enemies, weaving through attacks and even finding moments to counter.
Gu Sanqiu gestured to Klee and then to Albedo. With a knowing nod, Albedo scooped up Klee and rolled her to safety behind Kaeya and Tartaglia.
Meanwhile, Gu Sanqiu raised his dragon-scale shield, slamming it hard onto the ground.
"Dragon King—Strike!"
With a loud crack, the ground fractured under the blow, sending massive stones flying back, smashing into enemies as if they were merely toys.
"Now's our chance!"
The dust and debris created a brief cover. Although the creatures were nothing more than Decarabian's mass-produced war constructs, they instinctively held back, granting Gu Sanqiu's group a valuable moment to prepare.
"Behold, the moment of creation!"
Albedo raised his hands high, summoning a colossal Solar Isotoma that lifted Klee into the air.
At the same time, an array of alchemical formations they had stealthily set up earlier responded to Albedo's power, glowing with golden light in the heart of the enemy forces.
"It's all yours, Klee."
Klee puffed up proudly. "No worries! Klee's the ace!"
"Everything's going boom~"
♡⸜(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⸝♡
She summoned an enormous Jumpy Dumpty bomb overhead, its red glow illuminating the golden alchemical symbols as they ascended, filling the sky above with a burning crimson light.
"Jumpy Dumpty… explode!"
The alchemical formations spun, releasing a torrent of blazing orbs that fell like meteors, decimating all enemies below in an inferno of explosions and flames that lit up the entire space.
The ultimate bombstorm!
"For the finale…"
Klee pulled out the special Thunderfire Bomb Gu Sanqiu had given her and lobbed it toward the tower, where the wind energy was thickest, and a few stubborn foes still clung to life.
Boom!
Electricity and flames fused into a raging dragon, surging across the room and blasting the enemies with such force that even Tartaglia and Kaeya, closest to the blast, got zapped. Their normally neat hairstyles stood on end, as if they'd just stuck a finger into a socket.
At least they weren't actually hurt—just a little… singed.
As the Thunderfire Dragon rampaged through the chamber, everything around them was reduced to ash, sparing only their own area, thanks to the blast's targeting.
Watching her carefully hoarded specimens turn to cinders, Sucrose clenched her scarf in silent agony. So many prime research materials, gone in a single fiery instant!
Such waste… she fumed, but then her gaze fell upon her teacher, and she relaxed, nodding. Alright, if that's how he thinks it should be…
Finally, the purple-hued dragon, etched with red veins, opened its mouth in a silent roar, diving headlong toward the tower!
"Oh no!" Gu Sanqiu's eyes went wide. "We're not ready for a boss fight—doesn't it know we need time to heal and buff up first?"
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Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
Posture and water check! Remember this is a fan translation!
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