"You... think you've got me?"
Jiang Xiaofeng shook out his hands.
"Four useless mages and one big pinwheel. With a lineup like that, you dare try to surround and kill me?"
"Oh, no, you can't even manage that."
As he spoke, the Hayabusa Gauntlets appeared on Jiang Xiaofeng's hands.
"Attack!"
The Hydro Herald felt they couldn't delay any longer. Given how this fellow killed people as easily as chopping vegetables, they would be finished once he seized an opening!
Unfortunately, the Hydro Herald was still a step too late.
A spear glowing red pierced straight through his chest, pinning him to the ground.
"Urgh..."
The Hydro Herald was crippled on the spot. The two remaining Pyro Mages ran straight behind Jiang Xiaofeng and attacked him together with the two Cryo Mages!
Six bird heads and six icicles left Jiang Xiaofeng nowhere to dodge!
But was there really nothing he could do?
A medallion bearing an hourglass design appeared in Jiang Xiaofeng's hand.
"Void-"
The colors of the entire world dimmed.
Time Warp: Modified.
One reason Jiang Xiaofeng had never tested it was that he hadn't had the chance. The other was... fine, he simply hadn't had a chance to use it.
Now, this divine artifact finally saw the light of day again!
The original power of "Time Warp" was to slow surrounding enemies for 3.5 seconds.
But Jiang Xiaofeng's "Time Warp: Modified" could slow time for surrounding enemies for a full five seconds!
It was nothing short of an epic buff!
Considering Time Warp's effects in the game, no wonder it had been removed!
Jiang Xiaofeng shook his head at the four Abyss Mages, whose excitement was practically spilling out of their masks.
You attacked me without even figuring out my trump cards. No wonder you were the ones sent to deal with me.
Jiang Xiaofeng unleashed Magic Missiles, blasting the four Abyss Mages beneath their shields into minced meat.
By his reckoning, the five seconds were almost up.
Jiang Xiaofeng drew the Cursed Sword and walked toward the Hydro Herald.
The Cursed Sword seemed to sense what was coming next and trembled with excitement!
Jiang Xiaofeng lifted the Hydro Herald.
"Die."
Then he beheaded him with a single slash!
"Click, click, click, click..."
The sound of turning gears rang out, and the flow of time slowly returned to the world around him.
"Bang!"
The four Abyss Mages exploded into minced meat, turning into individual cells that returned to Jiang Xiaofeng's body.
The Hydro Herald also slowly turned into starlight and vanished before his eyes.
Wait, starlight?
Jiang Xiaofeng frowned as he watched the Hydro Herald disappear.
That guy was still alive?
The Abyss.
A portal opened, and the Abyss Hydro Herald stumbled out in a sorry state.
"Damn it! If I hadn't escaped fast enough, my real body would've been in danger!"
Yes, what Jiang Xiaofeng had killed was merely a clone he had created.
As a being stronger than an Abyss Mage, he naturally had more to consider.
The Hydro Herald didn't dare gamble. If he really died there, how would he report his findings to His Highness?
Not daring to delay, the Hydro Herald soon found the prince of the Abyss.
"Your Highness!"
"Your subordinate... has returned..."
The Hydro Herald spoke fearfully.
After all, he had deserted, and he was still very afraid that His Highness would punish him.
"Well? What exactly is that fellow?"
The prince of the Abyss, Aether, asked.
"Yes, Your Highness..."
The Hydro Herald explained in detail the abilities he had discovered Jiang Xiaofeng possessed.
These included attacks that ignored elemental shields and the power to warp time.
"Hmm..."
Aether pondered.
"Understood. You may leave."
"Yes, Your Highness..."
The Hydro Herald breathed a sigh of relief and left Aether's side.
"Lumine..."
Aether murmured.
"I won't let someone dangerous stay by your side."
Jiang Xiaofeng: "How rude."
Meanwhile, Jiang Xiaofeng spotted people riding Stormterror-no, he should call him Dvalin.
Several figures sat on Dvalin. Only after Jiang Xiaofeng flew into the sky and forced Dvalin to stop with Acceptance in hand did he get a clear look at the figures on the dragon's back.
Venti, Lumine, Paimon... and Jean and Diluc?
What's wrong with you two? You managed to get dragged into this too?
Dvalin had been trying to find a way to break through the wind barrier sealing the center of the ruins when Jiang Xiaofeng suddenly forced him to stop.
So Dvalin stopped and gave a roar as a friendly greeting.
Jiang Xiaofeng waved, signaling for him to land first.
Dvalin obediently landed on the ground.
Venti: "..."
Lumine and Paimon: "..."
Jean and Diluc: "?"
Once all four were standing on the ground, Jiang Xiaofeng spoke.
"I'm not surprised you three came here, but..."
Jiang Xiaofeng looked at Jean and Diluc.
"What's wrong with you two?"
"Why did you come here too?"
Jean glanced at Diluc. Seeing that he had no intention of speaking, she sighed and had no choice but to say, "Thank you for your earlier help, honorable outlander."
Jiang Xiaofeng interrupted him outright. "You needn't concern yourself with my earlier actions. Everything I did was for my own sake."
Jean froze, then could only nod and continue.
"After this gentleman, Venti, and Stormterror landed in Mondstadt's plaza..."
"Acting Grand Master Jean, his name is Dvalin..."
Lumine took Paimon's hand, signaling for her not to speak.
Paimon also realized her mistake and hurriedly covered her mouth.
Jean nodded and continued, "When Dvalin, the Honorary Knight, and the others landed in Mondstadt's plaza, the entire city was alarmed."
"Almost all the residents hurled abuse at Dvalin, wanting him-the one they had previously seen as Stormterror-to leave Mondstadt City."
"We originally thought the same, but this gentleman, Venti, stopped us."
"He said a few words to Dvalin, who then went off somewhere, and told us afterward that he had a way to stop Dvalin from damaging Mondstadt."
"After that, we..."
Jiang Xiaofeng interrupted Jean. "After that, you had Lumine steal the Holy Lyre der Himmel, then after the Fatui stole the lyre, you went to a great deal of trouble and dragged this Master Diluc into the group before going to Starsnatch Cliff to awaken Dvalin?"
Jean paused, thought for a moment, and said, "That is indeed what happened."
Jiang Xiaofeng looked at Venti. "..."
Venti: "Ehe."
Jiang Xiaofeng rapped Venti sharply on the head.
"Did you really have to drag so many people along to play with you for so long?"
Jiang Xiaofeng felt he had still underestimated Venti.
Not only was he good at slacking off, he was also good at watching the show!
Venti's eyes watered from the pain. "I just wanted the people of Mondstadt City to accept Dvalin again..."
Jiang Xiaofeng opened his mouth but said nothing.
Paimon, however, spoke up.
"Hey, Tone-Deaf Bard!" Paimon said indignantly. "Couldn't you just show some of your authority as the Anemo Archon and get the people of Mondstadt City to accept Dvalin?"
Jean and Diluc thought the same but did nothing. Lumine, on the other hand, nodded.
After all, Jean and Diluc were both from Mondstadt and still needed to respect the Anemo Archon.
But judging by the current situation, the Anemo Archon's majestic image in those two's minds had probably shattered all over the floor...