The hunt's chaos settled over Mondstadt's plains, leaving the knights breathless and emboldened by their new floral allies.
Ye Ruo had been the intended architect of this triumph, his unmatched wind mastery set to net the remaining deception flowers with ease.
Yet Nimue, the pint-sized captain with a titan's ferocity, emerged as the unexpected fulcrum of a sudden twist, her resolve tested by an Abyss onslaught.
Her reputation—built on relentless grit and a water-whip's sting—faced a crucible as the plains erupted with foes she couldn't lash alone.
Windrise stretched wide, its grasses bowing under a breeze that sang with secrets only Ye Ruo could hear.
The sky hung heavy with dusk, clouds streaking crimson over the Snow Road's distant chill.
Knights clustered near their spoils—deception flowers bound in nets or ropes, ice-blue petals glinting faintly.
Eula stood tall, her Cryo Vision a cold star at her chest, her tattered cape swaying like a battle flag.
Nimue flanked her, short stature belying the storm in her water-blue eyes, her whip coiled at her hip.
Their squads buzzed—six knights now boasted floral pets, a taste of power stoking their hunger.
Ye Ruo perched atop a rise, his wind-woven cloak fluttering as he scanned the field.
His Anemo Vision pulsed—plains whispered of elemental trails.
"Flowers lurk—some bold, some buried," he mused, voice carrying a teacher's calm.
Knights nodded—they'd tracked his earlier leads, swords drawn and shields raised.
Most deception flowers prowled openly—aggression their nature.
A few hid—mint or sweet flower guises masking their frost.
"They charge fast—pesky devils," Tobin grunted, rubbing a bruised arm.
His Zephyr Sword gleamed—standard issue, trusty steel.
Shields bolstered their hands—sturdier than hilichurl planks.
"Built for this—elemental chaos," Rhea said, hefting hers.
Teams of four held the edge—numbers thwarted ambushes.
One knight taunted—flowers lunged, shields took the brunt.
Archers fired—arrows broke their rhythm, swords closed in.
Earth Dodge vexed them—roots sank, thwarting steel.
Eula smirked—"Child's play for me," she said, ice glinting.
Her blade danced—Frostwave Crest froze a flower mid-leap.
A massive ice spike erupted—rock met bloom with a crash.
She pinned it—elegance laced her violence.
"Outclassed—ice bows to me," she quipped, frost dusting her hair.
Nimue lashed out—water whip cracked like thunder.
Her petite frame belied her fury—whip snared a flower's stem.
She yanked—bloom spun, stars bursting in its daze.
"Water cage—trap it!" she barked, bubbles sealing tight.
The flower countered—ice seeds froze her prison.
Leaf Blades whirled—ice shattered, freedom gained.
Nimue grinned—whip coiled, then slammed it down.
It crumpled—dragged limp by her side.
"Pathetic—too easy," she huffed, wiping sweat.
Knights gaped—captains made it look effortless.
Their own fights dragged—sweat and grit their toll.
"Caught five—harder than it looks," Lyle panted.
Ye Ruo appeared—wind snatched fleeing flowers back.
"Saved us twice—master's a cheat," Rhea chuckled.
Six knights bonded—tokens flared, flowers tamed.
The system chimed in Ye Ruo's mind, panel flickering alive.
He tilted his head—readers' gains sparked a smirk.
[Customer Kaeya completed Old Mond: Frostborn Shadows—Reward: Cryoblade Veil.]
[Cryoblade Veil: Coats the user's weapon in a shimmering Cryo sheen, slashing with chilling precision; conjures frost mirages to confuse foes, striking from unseen angles; can unleash a frozen wave to bind or shatter.]
Kaeya with ice tricks—shadows grew colder.
Ye Ruo sighed—"Too slow—day's wasting," he said.
"I'll snag the rest—earn the last tokens yourselves," he added.
His gaze snapped—a hillside flared with malice.
An Abyss mage blinked into being—Pyro, shield aglow.
It hovered—flames licking its twisted staff.
A guttural chant rasped—hilichurls surged from the ridge.
"Ambush—brace up!" Ye Ruo roared, wind coiling sharp.
Knights spun—shields clanged, flowers bristled.
Eula's eyes narrowed—"Grudge fodder—perfect," she hissed.
Her blade sang—frost met fire, steam erupted.
Nimue lashed—water whip sought the mage.
Pyro shield flared—her strike sizzled, steam rising.
"Too tough—team up!" she shouted, voice raw.
Tobin's flower fired—Ice Spikes stabbed the slope.
Hilichurls charged—clubs swung, torches flared.
Rhea's pet sprayed—Jet iced their feet, chaos slipped.
Lyle swung—Zephyr Sword cleaved a brute's mask.
Ye Ruo moved—wind blades shredded the horde.
The mage cackled—fireballs rained, earth scorched.
Nimue dodged—flames singed her cloak's hem.
"Shield's thick—crack it!" she growled, whip snapping.
Her flower joined—Jet hammered, cracks glowed.
Eula lunged—Frostwave froze hilichurl ranks.
"Support Nimue—now!" she barked, ice spiking.
Mara's Xiaolan spun—Leaf Blades slashed Pyro's flank.
The shield wavered—Nimue's whip pierced through.
Water met fire—mage shrieked, form faltering.
Ye Ruo's gale finished—Pyro crumpled, ash scattered.
Knights panted—hill smoked, foes lay still.
Nimue slumped—cloak charred, pride dented.
"Outmatched—damn it," she muttered, fists tight.
Her squad rallied—"You held—captain's steel," Tobin said.
Ye Ruo smirked—"Misc fish cleaned—flowers next," he noted.
Wind surged—he blurred across the plain.
Seven spots flared—elemental trails lit his path.
A frost flower lunged—he snared it mid-air.
Another hid—wind ripped its mint veil.
Fire bloomed southwest—he caged it in a gust.
Four more fell—tamed in seconds, effortless.
He returned—seven flowers floated behind.
Knights gawked—"Master's a storm," Lyle breathed.
"Contract 'em—six left," Ye Ruo ordered.
Subplots stirred—Abyss tracks marred the dirt.
"More lurk—scouts, likely," Eula warned.
Her grudge simmered—"They'll pay—next time," she vowed.
Nimue flexed—water dripped from her whip.
"Underestimated—won't again," she swore, eyes hard.
Ye Ruo's wind softened—pride warmed his gaze.
Their growth shone—captains rose, knights hardened.
A twist loomed—distant chants echoed faint.
"Round two brews—rest up," he mused.
The system pulsed, Ye Ruo's fame a roaring gale.
His storm reshaped—Mondstadt's roots sank deep.
***
Support me on Patreon to read 50+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Nocturnal_Breeze