Seeing that the two seemed ready to keep chatting at length, Rosaria had no interest in listening to their small talk. She went off to hang more monster-repelling sachets nearby.
Nolan didn't bother keeping Venti in suspense. He explained that he possessed the ability to purify "erosion."
As one of the oldest gods alongside Zhongli, the Anemo Archon had lived for countless years. Despite his carefree, frivolous exterior, the erosion he had accumulated over time was surely no small matter.
"Oh? That's truly surprising." Venti blinked, somewhat skeptical. "Is that really possible? From what I know, 'erosion' is irreversible."
It wasn't that Venti didn't believe Nolan—only that the notion of cleansing erosion was simply unbelievable.
Every long-lived being knew how terrifying erosion was.
"Of course. If you don't believe me, you can try it yourself. Or go ask Zhongli—he's already used it and said it worked wonders. He even bought extra sessions for his friends.
"So, what do you think? Want to give it a try? Since you're a friend, I'll even give you a buy-one-get-one deal."
Nolan said generously.
"In that case, I'll give it a shot!" Venti thought it over. Dvalin's injuries were healing, but the inner damage of erosion could never truly recover—it only accumulated further.
If Nolan really could purify it, Dvalin would surely feel immense relief. With that in mind, Venti added:
"Then let me try first. Let's see if it really works."
"No problem." Nolan nodded and extended his hand, unleashing "Divine Maiden's Purity."
Energy within him rapidly drained away.
"What is this…?"
Venti felt the erosion inside him dissolving under the purification, vanishing at incredible speed. His entire being became clear, light, and unburdened.
The torment of erosion was utterly gone.
"Well? Feels good, doesn't it?" Nolan asked with a smile.
"It's real… your ability is truly remarkable," Venti said with genuine awe.
"Good. Consider that one a gift. Now then—interested in letting Dvalin have a go as well?"
Nolan offered.
"Haha, of course. But what do you want in return?"
Venti knew well enough that such a miraculous service wouldn't come cheap.
"Nothing special. Just a treasure of golden quality will do."
Knowing how destitute Venti was, Nolan didn't press for immediate payment. He was fine with letting the bard owe him for now.
"No need for that. As it happens, I have just the thing."
Venti reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of teal jade. Hollow at its center, within swirled a ceaseless miniature tornado.
"What is this?"
As he asked, Nolan invoked Yae Miko's Affection skill, receiving its appraisal:
[Wind Dragon Jewel: A creation of an elemental dragon that commands high-purity Anemo energy. Far stronger than naturally formed wind essence.]
In essence, it was condensed elemental material—high-grade Anemo crystallized into a treasure. Its quality was excellent.
And if not consumed all at once, simply placing it in the wind would allow it to gradually regenerate, making it a near-endless source of Anemo material.
A fine treasure indeed.
Nolan didn't exactly lack elemental resources, but this piece was perfect for storing in his Wonderland Space, letting it grow larger over time as a collection piece.
As long as the quality was high enough, what the item was didn't really matter.
"A little trinket Dvalin made when he was bored—what do you think, can it buy one purification service?"
Venti asked with a grin.
"Of course. I'll go with you to see Dvalin later." Nolan nodded.
"No need—he's already on his way!"
Venti turned to the sky.
Nolan felt the wind atop Starsnatch Cliff grow stronger, but it wasn't violent—rather, it carried a warm and gentle touch.
From below the cliff rose a vast cyan figure, dazzling and majestic. Truly, a beautiful dragon!
Come to think of it, with Dvalin here, his lingering dragon's might alone would be enough to drive away monsters in the area—perhaps they wouldn't even need the sachets.
Rosaria, still setting sachets nearby, froze at the sight of the Stormterror dragon. Outwardly calm, inwardly she couldn't help but tense.
This was, after all, the same dragon that had once wrought massive destruction upon Mondstadt. She'd heard it had turned over a new leaf, but she had no idea of the details.
Better to stay cautious.
Rosaria quickly walked over to Nolan's side, and only then did she feel somewhat safer.
[Rosaria Has Developed good Feelings towards You, Obtained 360 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.6 (410/600)]
Seeing the prompt appear on his status screen, Nolan smiled at her and reassured her:
"Don't worry. He's just here to do business with me."
He gave her a brief explanation about purifying "erosion."
Rosaria, not knowing much about the concept, only looked mildly surprised.
"Long time no see, Nolan," Dvalin greeted, his immense jaws parting to speak.
"Hehe, long time no see, Dvalin. Venti must've told you why you're here. Come on, let me purify you."
Nolan smiled as he spoke.
"My thanks," the cyan dragon rumbled with a nod.
Having once been tainted by Durin's poisonous blood, his erosion was particularly severe. Though outwardly he seemed fine, erosion worked silently.
By the time its effects became noticeable, it would already be too late to counter them.
He might even fall into slumber, convinced that everything he did was right, never realizing it was erosion clouding his mind.
Thus, knowing his condition was serious, Dvalin couldn't help feeling some unease. True, at his current level, he probably wouldn't have problems for a few hundred years—but still.
"No need for thanks. You paid, after all!"
Nolan extended his hand toward the dragon. Countless white motes of light streamed from his palm, drifting over and into Dvalin's body.
As they touched him, Dvalin felt a tremendous sense of ease, as if his thoughts, long sluggish, had been suddenly swept clear.
He hadn't even realized anything was wrong before. Perhaps that was the true terror of erosion.
"All done," Nolan said with a smile, pulling his hand back.
"My gratitude is beyond words." Dvalin's tone carried rare joy.
"Alright, Dvalin, hide yourself for now—adventurers are already coming to check what's going on!"
Venti, sensing through the wind, warned that people were approaching.
(End of Chapter)