Ye Ruo stood atop a windswept ridge, gazing at Mondstadt's rolling plains.
The Knights' strength could double—plant partners promised that.
Even Visionless knights would wield elemental might.
His stash of Plant Contract Tokens gleamed in his mind.
Twenty mid-tier tokens—fruits of relentless draws.
He'd struck double gold in his luckiest hauls.
Each token bound a knight to a floral ally.
Deception flowers topped Mondstadt's plant roster—tricky fiends.
Intermediate tokens snared them—higher tiers craved more.
Frozen trees, blast oaks, thunder trunks—those needed premium pulls.
Ye Ruo shrugged—advanced flora didn't tempt him.
Deception flowers suited his squads—nimble, fierce.
Trees rooted stiff—useless for mobile knights.
He could squash a flower himself—child's play.
His Gale Demon Wolves outshone them—immortal, unbound.
Past hunts left frost flowers shattered under his boot.
The system chimed in Ye Ruo's head, panel flaring bright.
He leaned in, eager for his readers' spoils.
[Customer Amber completed Old Mond: Emberfall Scouts—Reward: Flamecaller's Quiver.]
[Flamecaller's Quiver: Conjures fiery arrows from thin air, igniting on impact with Pyro bursts; enhances aim with heat-seeking precision, burning through armor or barriers; can unleash a blazing volley in a single draw.]
Amber with fire arrows—scouting just got hotter.
Knights gathered below, murmurs buzzing like bees.
"Contract plant life? That's wild!" a rookie gasped.
"Elemental pets—unreal power," a veteran marveled.
"Master Ye Ruo's got our backs—touching," another beamed.
"Liyue's contract land—did he snag this there?" a thinker mused.
"Qianyan Army'd drool over this," a joker chuckled.
"Deception flowers—camouflage kings," a scout noted.
"From foes to friends—pet power!" a fighter cheered.
Excitement crackled—hope lit their eyes.
Jean's brow lifted, surprise softening her poise.
Ye Ruo turned to her, a grin tugging his lips.
"Jean, want a flower buddy?" he teased.
"Eula and Nimue's crews are set—join the fun," he urged.
She paused, golden hair glinting in the sun.
Her mind weighed duty—office chains held tight.
"Nah, I'm desk-bound—wasted on me," she declined.
"Fair—token's yours anyway," he countered.
"Something better might bloom later," he winked.
He pivoted, sizing up the squads with care.
"Top twelve from both teams—honor points rule," he declared.
"First come, first served—earn the rest," he challenged.
"Jean keeps the spares—I'm good," he finished.
Twenty tokens meant twenty floral knights.
Two elite squads—six each to start.
Examples would spark envy—drive the rest.
Honor points became treasure—carrots for mules.
Motivation surged—knights' pride flared anew.
Jean cradled the extras—trust sealed the deal.
Ye Ruo clapped, rallying the chosen dozen.
"Time to hunt deception flowers—let's roll!" he boomed.
"Field training bonus—sharpen up," he added.
Jean's gaze lingered, concern shadowing her calm.
"Wild's dicey—Abyss Order's lurking," she warned.
"Wish I could join—extra hands help," she sighed.
Ye Ruo laughed, wind tousling his hair.
"Mondstadt needs you here—I've got this," he assured.
He faced Eula, Nimue, and their eager knights.
"Move out!" he roared, fist raised high.
"Yes, sir!" they bellowed, spirits ablaze.
The wind howled as they marched—Whispering Woods loomed.
Trees swayed, whispering secrets of old Mondstadt.
Eula strode beside Ye Ruo, ice-blue eyes sharp.
Her squad trailed—six picked from grit.
Nimue flanked right, auburn hair catching light.
Her eighth team matched—wilderness their home.
Ye Ruo's old crew rode with Falga—gone.
He led anew—two squads, one hunt.
Windrise stretched ahead, oaks clawing the sky.
Snow Road's chill bled into the grassy edge.
Frost deception flowers thrived here—ice ruled.
Blazing types hid elsewhere—rarer still.
Thunder variants? Inazuma's domain, not Mond's.
Climate carved the odds—snow shaped the land.
Ye Ruo halted, hand up—silence fell fast.
His gaze pierced the grass—four mint sprigs quivered.
Knights froze, breaths held—danger scented near.
"Frost flowers—three o'clock, cloaked," he whispered.
Eula's sword gleamed—Cryo pulsed in her grip.
"Camouflage masters—flush 'em out," she hissed.
Nimue drew her blade—Geo thrummed low.
"Circle 'em—force the reveal," she ordered.
Ye Ruo smirked—wind swirled at his call.
A gust ripped through, mint facade shredding.
Three frost flowers sprang up—petals glinting ice.
Thorns bristled—elemental malice flared.
One knight, Tobin, lunged—honor points earned him first.
His spear thrust—flower dodged, earth rippling.
Ice Spikes erupted—jagged death from below.
Tobin rolled, armor clanging—spikes grazed his helm.
Eula darted in—Frostwave Crest surged alive.
A chilling tide crashed, freezing one flower mid-bloom.
"Gotcha—contract it, Tobin!" she barked.
He fumbled the token—blue light linked man and plant.
The flower stilled—hostility melted to calm.
Nimue flanked left—Geo shield snapped up.
A second flower sprayed—Continuous Charge Jet roared.
Ice pellets hammered—her shield cracked but held.
"Steady—Rhea, now!" she shouted.
Rhea, eighth squad's ace, clutched her token.
She ducked a Leaf Blade Turn—spinning frost missed.
Her token flared—flower bowed, tamed.
Ye Ruo watched, wind coiling at his feet.
The third flower lunged—Ice Elemental Charge glowed.
He sidestepped—blast gouged the earth beside.
"Mine—Lyle, take it!" he called.
Lyle, Eula's wiry scout, dashed in.
Token met flower—ice pet joined the fold.
Cheers erupted—three knights, three allies.
"Halfway there—nine to go," Ye Ruo grinned.
Eula sheathed her blade—pride tinged her scowl.
"Efficient—grudge noted for later," she quipped.
Nimue dusted off—Geo grit clung to her.
"Solid haul—Lisa'd love this chaos," she sighed.
A rustle stirred—shadows slithered in trees.
"Abyss mages—two, northwest!" Tobin yelled.
Blue and purple orbs flickered—Hydro, Cryo.
Ye Ruo's eyes narrowed—wind sharpened to blades.
"Knights, formation—pets up front!" he roared.
Flowers shifted—ice walls rose fast.
Mages cackled—bubbles and frost rained down.
Eula danced—sword sang with icy wrath.
A bubble burst—Hydro mage staggered back.
Nimue charged—Geo fist crushed Cryo's shield.
Tobin's flower fired—Ice Spikes pinned the foe.
Rhea's pet spun—Leaf Blade Turn slashed wild.
Lyle's ally sprayed—Jet froze the ground.
Ye Ruo unleashed—gale blades shredded both.
Mages crumpled—threat snuffed in a blink.
Panting knights rallied—flowers stood proud.
"Abyss pests—perfect test," Ye Ruo mused.
The system pulsed, Ye Ruo's fame a blooming tempest.
His knights grew—Mondstadt's roots sank deep.
***
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