How could an Elemental Monument crack under just one arrow?
This thing has been here for at least hundreds of years!
Even if her arrow was Pyro, it shouldn't have been destroyed to this extent...
At this moment, Lumine and the others were stunned.
Their gazes turned in unison to the crumbling monument, and the atmosphere fell into a brief silence.
Only Kael raised an eyebrow with a subtle expression.
He instantly understood where the problem lay.
Clara's Path Skill — [I Also Want To Help].
Before the battle, he had already attached Clara's skill to Fischl, Amber, and Lumine's weapons, greatly increasing their attack power.
And a significant feature of this skill was that the target hit by the attack would not only suffer enhanced elemental damage...
But also bear a weak but continuous "erosion" effect of Destruction Path power.
Even monsters would suffer terrifying damage when hit by this power.
Let alone this Pyro Monument, which was part of a mechanism.
Although it was part of a mechanism, its essence was still an ancient device maintained by elemental power.
Under the influence of Clara's Path Skill...
The Pyro Monument was not just ignited by Amber's rocket, but suffered deeper destruction!
In other words...
This mechanism was probably ruined.
"I understand!"
Beside him, Lumine's eyes widened slightly.
She quickly pieced together everything that had just happened in her mind.
Her gaze slowly fell on Kael, her brow furrowed, seemingly pondering a possibility.
She recalled the battle just now.
Kael's mysterious ability made their attacks more powerful, and the explosion of elemental power was more impactful than ever.
Whether it was Fischl's Electro arrow or Amber's Pyro rocket.
Even her own Anemo slash.
Under Kael's buff, they all displayed unprecedented power.
If Amber's rocket could destroy the monument, the only explanation was...
"Kael, your power affected this mechanism, right?"
She looked at Kael with a strange expression, her tone probing.
The corner of Kael's mouth hooked up.
He shrugged casually and spat out two words: "Smart."
As expected!
Lumine became more convinced of her deduction.
She couldn't help but be surprised.
She originally thought Kael's power was special, but she didn't expect it to be strong enough to affect mechanisms...
This was truly a magical power.
"Eh?"
Paimon looked blankly at Lumine, then at Kael. "What do you mean? Can you two explain it more clearly?"
Amber scratched her head at this time, a look of realization on her face. "So... Kael's power made my rocket stronger, not just enhancing attack power, but even destroying mechanisms?"
Kael nodded gently.
Seeing this, Amber looked at the cracked monument, a helpless expression on her face.
Then she sighed. "Sigh, since it's like this, there's no helping it... However."
"Anyway, this is a ruin. It was already abandoned. Even if we didn't break it, no one would care about this place in the future."
Amber paused, looked at the surging airflow of the wind field, blinked, and waved her hand with a smile. "Broken is broken. Let's go over first!"
After speaking, she jumped lightly.
Skillfully opening her wind glider, she used the rising gale to fly quickly upward, her figure rising steadily in the airflow.
Lumine and Paimon looked at each other, stopped thinking about it, and followed.
Stepping down, wind gliders opened, and their figures were lightly lifted by the updraft.
Kael didn't have a wind glider. He leaped into the wind field, rushing straight up with the gale.
A few seconds later.
Everyone's feet landed on the solid stone floor.
A very restless Anemo fluctuation spread slowly from the front.
Looking up, in front of them was a semi-enclosed ruin hall.
The surrounding walls still maintained the solid structure of a thousand years ago.
But the corners were covered with mossy cracks, as if they could collapse at any time.
Rich Anemo power flowed in the air, swirling constantly, as if guided by some existence to condense.
However, the most eye-catching thing was the very center of the hall.
A slowly floating green sphere of light.
The sphere glowed with a faint fluorescent green brilliance, suspended in mid-air, constantly releasing gentle and mysterious fluctuations.
At first glance, it looked like a pulsating egg, with some powerful life form seemingly sleeping inside.
The outer light film flowed, and from time to time, fine streams of Anemo drifted out around it.
It even lifted the gravel on the ground, making the whole environment appear unusually eerie.
"That is... the Stormterror Crystal we are looking for?"
Lumine narrowed her eyes, stepping forward slowly.
The sword in her hand raised slightly, Anemo wandering on the blade, as if responding to the aura of the sphere.
"Sure enough, it's here..."
Amber stared at the sphere, tightening her grip on her longbow. "Next, we just need to break this thing."
"Hmph hmph hmph—"
As soon as Amber finished speaking, Fischl's eyes showed excitement. Her cloak swayed slightly as she raised her bow and aimed at the Stormterror Crystal. "The core of sin has been revealed! The shadow attempting to taint the authority of the God of Storms shall be annihilated under the Thunderous Judgment of this Prinzessin!"
"Oz, the time to witness our great achievements has arrived!"
However, the Night Raven Oz did not translate immediately.
Instead, he flapped his wings helplessly, circled slowly in mid-air, and then spoke: "My Lady means: It might be easier if we hit it together."
After all, this was a Dragon Crystal.
"Right."
Hearing Fischl's words, Amber nodded.
Amber didn't hesitate at all. She raised her longbow directly and quickly gathered Pyro power.
The arrow burned at her fingertips, carrying scorching heat.
Amber aimed at the floating Stormterror Crystal, her eyes firm. "Since this is the goal of our trip, then... let's solve it in one go!"
Whoosh—!
The burning arrow broke through the air, hitting the center of the Stormterror Crystal straight on.
Accompanied by an arrow condensed of Electro whistling past.
Bang! Bang!
In an instant, the gale churned violently inside the crystal, and clear cracks began to spread rapidly from where the arrows hit!
CRACK—!
In the next second, a crisp shattering sound echoed through the entire hall.
In this instant, the raging Anemo power in the entire space stagnated abruptly.
As if even the air solidified at this moment.
BOOM!
In the next second, a strong storm erupted.
Pouring out from the shattered crystal, like a violent wind god roaring, sweeping up the surrounding dust, blowing Lumine to raise her arm hastily to block.
Paimon grabbed Kael's clothes tightly, afraid of being blown away.
However, the storm did not last long.
With the shattering of the crystal, the gale seemed to be suddenly drained.
The restless Anemo power around converged rapidly, the rotating airflow becoming intermittent.
Finally, with a whoosh, all Anemo fluctuations disappeared abruptly.
The air inside the entire temple instantly became calm.
The violent wind power completely dissipated.
Even the dust previously suspended in mid-air landed slowly, as if everything had returned to its original tranquility.
Amber let out a long sigh of relief, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly. "Solved. This way, we can share some of the burden for Grand Master Jean."
Paimon looked at the shattered remains of the Stormterror Crystal in surprise, eyes wide. "J-Just solved it so simply? I thought there would be some terrible mechanism!"
Lumine breathed a sigh of relief, lowered her weapon, and said softly, "Although it went incredibly smoothly, at least the mission is completed."
Hearing everyone's words, Fischl crossed her arms and stood in front of the shattered crystal.
Her purple pupil flickered with mysterious light in the dim temple shadows.
Her cloak lifted gently with the wind, like a queen standing in the night.
Then she raised her chin proudly, her tone resounding, full of confidence and elegance.
"Hmph! In this battle, we were able to crush the evil crystal left by the demonic dragon so easily, all thanks to the outstanding bravery of my loyal subject Kael!"
"His wisdom and power are like the sun descending on the kingdom of darkness. His existence is like a star carved by destiny in the firmament, destined to become the savior of this land!"
"I, Fischl von Luftschloss Narfidort, declare here that Kael deserves the first merit for this battle!"
She raised her hand, a ray of lightning jumping at her fingertip, like a mysterious force responding to her words.
Night Raven Oz took over skillfully, translating in a steady tone: "She means—if not for Kael, we absolutely wouldn't have won so easily. He is the most important contributor to this operation."
Lumine and Amber looked at each other, then said in unison: "Indeed!"
Lumine's eyes were full of affirmation. "If not for Kael, our battle would have definitely been more difficult. Especially those Hilichurls that were suddenly blinded, and the destruction of this crystal... if we relied only on ourselves, it would probably take several times the time."
Amber nodded vigorously, saying excitedly, "That's right! Kael's ability is really amazing! Whether assisting us in battle or enhancing attack power, he is simply the strongest teammate!"
Paimon nodded while holding her chin, muttering thoughtfully, "Speaking of which... is Kael even more powerful than we imagined?"
Kael looked at everyone praising him seriously, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Good news: He was praised.
Bad news: Praised by Fischl.
Especially the words Fischl used to praise him... so embarrassing...
While Kael was speechless.
Amber suddenly thought of something and clapped her hands abruptly. "Right! We have completed the mission here. Now we should go support Kaeya and Lisa!"
Lumine froze, nodding. "Right, there are two other Four Winds Temples. We have to solve them as soon as possible."
Amber waved her hand excitedly. "Then, set off quickly! To the next target!"
With Kael here, they didn't need to wait at all.
They could speed up directly to the temple where Lisa was.
"Then let's go out first."
Amber spoke.
Saying this, she stepped into the teleport gate deep in the temple first.
Blue light bloomed violently the moment her figure disappeared, swallowing her.
Lumine, Paimon, and Fischl followed closely, stepping into it.
Kael did not step in immediately.
Instead, with a thought.
The [Tracks of Destiny] obtained earlier appeared in his hand instantly.
This thing was like a miniature star, wrapped in an exquisite metal frame.
The surface was a layer of nearly transparent glass-like material. Inside, nebula-like glow seemed to flow, flashing obscure trajectories from time to time, like threads of fate interlaced within.
In the center of this transparent sphere, a slender golden needle hovered quietly.
Like a timer that didn't belong to time, yet had never turned.
The whole object exuded a mysterious and noble aura, as if symbolizing some untouched great power.
Kael looked down at the "Tracks of Destiny" hovering quietly in his palm.
While gently stroking the cold and smooth surface with his fingertips, feeling the faintly surging power deep within, he fell into deep thought.
The use of this thing was clear to him the moment he touched it.
—It could allow the holder to go further on the Path they had stepped on, or upgrade their Path Skills.
Kael pondered.
His brows furrowed slightly.
Because he could feel that he hadn't stepped on a Path.
He only possessed Path Skills.
As long as he wanted, he could break through the Path Skills he mastered at any time.
For him, this [Tracks of Destiny] couldn't be used to break through a Path, but simply to strengthen existing Path Skills.
Thinking of this, Kael's fingertips paused slightly, his eyes looking deep.
Logically speaking, Path Power was the most special power on the Star Rail. Usually, only after stepping into a certain Path could one further unlock stronger abilities. What did his state mean?
—He hadn't explicitly stepped on a certain Path, but he had already mastered part of the Path Power?
Did this mean his Path wasn't bound by established rules?
Kael lowered his eyes slightly, thinking.
Which skill should I upgrade?
Currently, he didn't master many Path Skills, but each had its own use:
—Clara's [I Also Want To Help]: Can attach Destruction power, making items more penetrating and destructive.
—Sampo's [You Are The Most Shining]: Can blind enemies in a large range, making combat easier.
—Seele's [Ripple]: Can increase the speed of any living being by 25%, faster in both combat and movement.
All three were extremely practical abilities, each with its own merits.
If he strengthened Clara's skill, the attack effect would be more powerful.
Maybe it could trigger extra Path characteristics, making the erosion of Destruction power more lasting, or even affecting enemies in a larger range.
If he strengthened Sampo's skill, battlefield control would be greatly improved.
Expanding the range, making more enemies instantly lose combat ability, providing a safer combat environment.
Kael exhaled lightly. The [Tracks of Destiny] in his hand rotated slowly.
The nebula trajectory flowed slowly inside, as if urging him to make a decision.
"I haven't stepped on a Path. If I step on a Path, it can allow me to advance a section on the Path, which means improving Path control."
"No matter how much the Path Skill improves, it's not as good as walking on the Path to a certain extent and becoming an Emanator."
Kael frowned slightly.
Should I save it?
To become an Emanator, one must walk on the Path.
Either get the glimpse of an Aeon, or rely on one's own power.
In Teyvat, getting an Aeon's glimpse was impossible.
Path Skills would only increase for him. Using them together offered more choices.
Using [Tracks of Destiny] on a Path Skill now seemed like a waste.
He had only obtained one of these things so far.
Better wait until I step on a Path later to use it.
From the current perspective, the three Path Skills he possessed were completely enough.
And options would continue to trigger.
If he needed to use it later, he could use this thing at any time.
Thinking of this, Kael put the [Tracks of Destiny] into his pocket.
Then he stepped into the teleport array.
As Kael's figure was swallowed by the light of the teleport gate, the depths of the Temple of the Falcon completely returned to silence.
Only the shattered Stormterror Crystal remained, flashing with residual Anemo fluctuations under the weak light.
At this moment.
Outside the temple.
The breeze blew gently. The dim sky cast shadows on the broken stone steps, reflecting slender shadows.
Lumine, Paimon, Fischl, and Amber had long been standing outside, waiting for Kael.
But strangely—
Kael hadn't come out yet.
"What's going on?"
Paimon looked around, crossing her small arms, muttering in confusion, "Why hasn't Kael come out yet? That shouldn't be. We went in together just now. Could he have gotten lost?"