The strong wind howled like a beast. The ancient and dilapidated tall tower, despite the baptism of countless years, still stood resiliently.
The scattered broken walls and remnants around it silently told the story of this ruined capital's past glory and splendor.
Lin Yide slowly walked through the ruins of this ancient city. Memories surged in his heart like a tide, and many scenes from the game were vividly recalled.
This ruined capital, forgotten by time, is called Stormterror's Lair. It was once the royal city ruled by Decarabian, the Tower-dwelling King.
At that time, Mondstadt's natural environment was harsh. Fierce wind and snow ravaged every corner.
To protect humanity, Decarabian built towering walls, erecting a solid barrier for them and allowing them to survive under the protection of the high tower.
However, Decarabian's rule was extremely brutal, ultimately provoking humanity's anger and resistance.
With the aid of Andrius, the Wolf of the North, humanity bravely overthrew the tyrant's rule.
The era of Old Mondstadt ended here.
Before Lin Yide knew it, he had reached the foot of the high tower. Just as he was about to climb, his path was blocked by two sudden Abyss Cryo Mages.
"Human, if you dare to go further, you are seeking your own death." An Abyss Cryo Mage raised his staff, his voice filled with a threatening warning.
Lin Yide's gaze was cold. He uttered a single word: "Scram!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the two Abyss Cryo Mages were enraged. They immediately cast spells, and cold Cryo energy instantly condensed into several sharp ice shards, shooting rapidly towards Lin Yide.
However, just as the ice shards were about to hit Lin Yide, they suddenly stopped, and then shot back at several times their previous speed.
The two Abyss Cryo Mages were astonished and had no time to react. They were pierced through by the ice shards they had sent out, collapsing powerlessly to the ground.
Lin Yide did not stop and continued forward.
Suddenly, a clear, cold young girl's voice sounded from behind him: "Yide, if I were you, I would choose to stop now."
Lin Yide turned back and saw a blonde young girl standing quietly there.
Her face was like a painting. She wore a spotless white battle dress, and a cold light gleamed in her pair of bright golden eyes.
The moment their gazes met, Lin Yide recognized her—Lumine, the closest relative of the Fourth Descender, Aether.
"What a surprise, Your Highness the Abyss Princess actually knows my name," he chuckled with a hint of mockery.
Lumine's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her tone held a hint of doubt: "How did you know my identity?"
Lin Yide naturally didn't want to reveal the real reason. He casually brushed it off: "The intelligence network of the West Factory is far stronger than you can imagine."
Lumine didn't dwell on this question. She said coldly: "Yide, I know your strength is extraordinary, but if you dare to obstruct my plan, you will become an enemy of the Abyss."
Lin Yide smiled when he heard this. "You don't think I'd be afraid, do you!"
Lumine's expression changed slightly.
Just a short while ago, Lin Yide had directly defeated Raiden Ei. Although Raiden Ei's strength at that time was much less than before, she was after all a true Archon.
At this moment, Lumine wasn't confident she could defeat him.
So, she changed her strategy and threatened: "Yide, if you insist on being my enemy, I swear, the moment the prophecy arrives in Fontaine, the Abyss will do everything in its power to disrupt your plans."
Lin Yide still remained unfazed. "I hope you try," he said. "Your blood relative will soon descend into the world. Will he, having just arrived, be able to make it to Fontaine?"
Lumine's rage ignited instantly. Her eyes flashed with angry fire, as if she would burn everything around her to ashes.
Her whole body erupted with a sharp, tangible killing intent. "You're seeking your own death!"
Facing Lumine's rage, Lin Yide appeared exceptionally calm.
He didn't speak. He just slowly took off his gold-rimmed glasses.
This seemingly insignificant action instantly triggered a world-altering change.
As the glasses came off, a dense wave of killing intent surged from Lin Yide, sweeping through the entire space like a tsunami.
The killing intent was so intense that even the surrounding air seemed to solidify, becoming suffocating.
Lumine, at the center of the killing intent, felt at that moment as if she was submerged by a giant wave. The suffocating sensation left her unable to breathe or struggle.
Fortunately, however, Lin Yide didn't continuously release his killing intent.
He quickly put his gold-rimmed glasses back on. With this action, the suffocating killing intent vanished instantly without a trace.
The relieved Lumine took deep breaths of fresh air. In that moment just now, she hadn't doubted for a second that she would be completely overwhelmed by the powerful killing intent of the man before her.
A gentle and kind smile appeared on Lin Yide's face. He gently advised: "Lumine, the world is so beautiful. Why must we always resort to violence? It's really not a good way."
Lumine glared fiercely at him. "You... what kind of being are you? Why are you so powerful?"
Lin Yide gently waved his hand and said calmly: "I'm not some kind of monster. I just got a bit lucky. You and your blood relative are the true monsters."
He paused slightly, looking directly at Lumine. "If you're willing to share some secrets with me, I won't just stop obstructing you, but I'll do my best to help you."
Lumine didn't want to add Lin Yide, such a fearsome enemy, to her list of adversaries.
Therefore, after a moment's consideration, she asked: "What do you want to know?"
Lin Yide's smile faded. His expression became exceptionally serious. "Are you the Third Descender? Is your current form a resurrection?
Also, why are you considered a part of Teyvat?"
An expression of disbelief appeared on Lumine's face, and she then fell into a deep silence.
After a long silence, she gazed at Lin Yide and slightly shook her head.
Lin Yide's brows furrowed slightly. "You don't want to tell me?"
Lumine shook her head again. "It's not that I don't want to tell you, but I truly don't know. Since escaping from the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, I lost many memories."
Lin Yide knew it was the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles who had hidden all these secrets.
"Then, let's change the question," Lin Yide said. "What role did the Abyss truly play in the Cataclysm of Khaenri'ah?"