Chapter 77

Temple of the Four Winds!

"This is the place!"

While Luo Li was instructing Noelle on how to fight, Lumine, Venti, and their group had already arrived at the Abyss Order stronghold under Fischl's lead.

The magnificent temple that was once worshipped and visited by people was now dilapidated, its ancient walls covered in mottled decay.

From time to time, one could see broken boulders falling to the ground, creating a blockage.

"Follow this Prinzessin, pass through here."

With the help of Oz's high-altitude vision, the group followed Fischl, who could share that vision, and entered through the cracks in the damaged temple.

After defeating the Hilichurls and elemental monsters that blocked their path, they soon entered the depths of the temple.

Before long, the final target of their trip appeared before them.

Abyss Mage.

Because they didn't pay much attention to hiding, their movements were all seen by the Fatui following behind.

To avoid being seen by that bird, those tracking them kept a relatively far distance.

One of the Fatui Pyro Agents confirmed they had reached the destination and hurriedly gave orders to his subordinates behind him.

"Quickly notify the Harbinger. Those people and the Anemo Archon have already entered the Temple of the Four Winds. It is expected that they will soon clash with the Abyss Order. We can take advantage of the moment they are both exhausted to seize the Gnosis."

One person behind him acknowledged the order and retreated quickly, preparing to wait for Signora to come and reap the rewards.

City of Mondstadt!

Secret Fatui stronghold!

Sitting in the empty room, Signora supported her cheek with one hand; although she appeared expressionless, she was actually somewhat anxious inside.

Ever since she saw that figure very similar to Luo Li two days ago, she immediately sent people to search, but so much time had passed with no results.

Regardless of whether it was him or not, she had to confirm the answer.

Her other hand's index finger tapped lightly on the chair surface as Signora closed her eyes, patiently waiting for news.

Until a certain moment, she suddenly opened her eyes, her light purple pupils staring straight ahead.

A few seconds later, a Fatui subordinate ran in hurriedly.

"Harbinger, there is news!"

Signora stood up abruptly, her words carrying an expectation and nervousness she herself couldn't detect.

"Speak, where is he?"

"The ruined Temple of the Four Winds!"

"Temple of the Four Winds?"

Before she could react, the Fatui subordinate explained: "That's right, the Anemo Archon and those people have already started fighting with the Abyss Order. Now is the best time for us to seize the Gnosis!"

Signora's expression paused, inexplicably revealing a trace of disappointment.

She had thought there was news about that person; she hadn't expected it to be about the Gnosis.

But never mind, finish the mission first, then search for that person's whereabouts with full effort.

Having made up her mind, Signora said coldly: "Then let's set off. Get the item first."

Not long after.

Looking at the temple of the Four Winds guardians before her, Signora, who had brought many Fatui subordinates, contemptuously swept aside the boulders blocking the way.

Just as she was about to have the Fatui surround the area to ensure no news leaked out, the sky suddenly changed color.

Anemo energy raged above the temple, and pitch-black clouds covered it, within which one could vaguely see a giant dragon and figures flying about.

"They've already started fighting."

Signora remained calm; it looked like the battle was entering a white-hot state.

Without bothering to notify her subordinates what to do, she walked into the temple alone, intending to insert herself directly into the battlefield.

Obtaining the divine authority bestowed by the Tsaritsa made her this bold; she was skilled and daring.

Lumine and Fischl's group didn't know they were already being watched; the two were fighting Dvalin, who was controlled by the Abyss Order, with Venti's assistance.

Having endured triple-layered virulent poison, the dragon's poisonous blood, the whispers of the Abyss, and the sorrow of being forgotten, even Dvalin couldn't hold on, and with a trace of madness, he kept manipulating Anemo energy to bombard Lumine.

Some of it was blocked by Venti, but he seemed to be struggling.

"Fischl, remove the shackles and curse on Dvalin's neck!"

While plucking the Lyre of the Heavens, Venti acted as the tactical commander.

Having been worn down by the Heavenly Principles and having just woken from a long slumber, he didn't have much power, and wanting to easily take down Dvalin was clearly wishful thinking.

"Good! Leave it to this Prinzessin! Oz, you attack from that side!"

Fischl unfurled her Wings of Wind, and together with Oz, they attacked from two directions, sharing the pressure for Lumine, who was the main force, while constantly attacking the control device on Dvalin's neck bestowed by the Abyss Order.

They wanted to make the giant dragon their own, turning it into a purely cold combat weapon.

Thus, they used Abyssal technology to modify it, adjusting a restraint device capable of controlling the dragon.

Lightning mixed with strong winds, constantly sweeping across the sky; it seemed evenly matched, but the progress seemed to be turning for the better.

Because the Abyss Mage had been killed by the premeditated group at the beginning, Dvalin, lacking command, could only fight alone.

It was also fortunate that their target was clear and the sneak attack successful, otherwise it would have been much more difficult.

But even so, it still required a lot of energy, and they had to be careful not to cause too much damage to Dvalin.

Reality is not a game; it's not just about considering breaking the control device, and if you get hurt, there's medicine to fix it.

Thus, when Signora joined the battlefield, this was the scene she saw.

Under the tacit cooperation of Lumine and Fischl, the device controlling Dvalin already had signs of shattering, and the pitch-black radiance flowing on it was gradually dimming.

At this critical moment, Venti didn't dare to be the slightest bit lax; seeing success was near, he couldn't let it fall short.

However, sometimes it wasn't a matter of him wanting to stay steady; he had to consider special circumstances.

Like now.

With his attention entirely on Dvalin, he didn't notice the sneak attack coming from behind.

It wasn't until the biting sound of wind, which he realized was wrong, rang in his ears that he used his peripheral vision to see a woman wearing a crown mask, her face cold, piercing through his back with one hand.

Looking at the boy whose face was filled with astonishment due to the sneak attack, Signora was full of disgust for him.

"You're getting off easy this time!"

As someone born in Mondstadt, she was full of hostility toward the Anemo Archon, who had failed to protect Mondstadt, causing deaths and injuries everywhere in the territory back then.

Taking advantage of the fact that the people fighting in the sky hadn't noticed, Signora forcibly took the Gnosis from Venti's body. She didn't even look at Paimon, who was stunned on the side, and retreated immediately after completing her goal.

Suddenly hit with this, Venti was also dumbfounded.

Taking advantage of someone not paying attention to sneak attack a 3,000-year-old comrade like him—is this right?

This was not right; he had wanted to advise this Fatui member to behave herself.

But after seeing Signora's face clearly, Venti was stunned for a moment.

"It's you?!"

Signora ignored Barbatos entirely and drifted away the moment she obtained the Gnosis.

Leaving behind a dumbfounded Paimon and a dejected Venti.