Gu Sanqiu didn't waste any time. He gripped his spear tightly and lunged at the Abyss Lectors being pummeled by Albedo.
"A Liyuean dares to interfere?!"
"Obviously. If I'm already making my move, do you think I'd hesitate? If you've got a problem with that, go fix your brain first."
With a swift swing, Gu Sanqiu forced two of the Lectors into his domain.
"Finish them off quickly and go back up Diluc and the others. Let's see if we can clear them out."
"Understood."
Albedo's words were brief but purposeful. His golden longsword glowed brilliantly, slicing through the remaining two Lectors in a single strike.
"Oh, it's time for the kill-stealing segment, huh?"
The spear in Gu Sanqiu's hand ignited with white flames. Behind him, the image of a black dragon materialized, baring its fangs and claws before devouring the two Lectors trapped in his domain.
"[Shaking the Mountain]."
With a powerful downward slam of his spear, the sheer force shattered the surrounding monsters into fragments. The earth trembled violently, a testament to the overwhelming strength behind his attack.
"The dragon-infused terrain here is certainly resilient," Gu Sanqiu remarked, his gaze lingering on Durin's heart. He mused idly, If Teyvat had cranes or excavation equipment, maybe we could dig up Durin's entire skeleton.
"That cursed power—it's you!"
One of the Abyss Lectors struggled to rise, the elemental energy coursing through him intensifying as fiery elemental armor began to manifest around his body.
"Gu! I knew it had to be your family's insanity behind this! Only you lunatics would dare interfere with our plans!"
Now, all four Lectors turned their focus solely on Gu Sanqiu. Ignoring Albedo completely, they transformed their weapons back into floating artifacts, gathering immense elemental power.
"Oh, so you're saying my ancestors tangled with you before?"
Gu Sanqiu grinned. "I've always suspected as much, but it's nice to have confirmation."
"Die!"
The Lectors unleashed an overwhelming barrage of elemental attacks aimed squarely at Gu Sanqiu.
"So, my ancestors did desecrate your graves. Good to know," Gu Sanqiu quipped, standing shoulder to shoulder with Albedo. Together, they raised barriers to withstand the incoming storm of lightning and fire.
BOOM!
The collision of elemental forces triggered a massive overload reaction, shaking the entire cavern and disrupting the battlefield. Both allies and enemies paused instinctively in the aftermath.
"Hello! Still in one piece here~"
As golden light burst from the smoke, Gu Sanqiu emerged, his spear driving straight into the chest of a Violet Lightning Lector. The impact shattered its elemental armor with a resounding crack.
"Tch, still can't pierce through completely. What's this armor even made of? Ridiculous."
The Violet Lightning Lector turned toward an Abyss Herald still locked in battle with Eula, roaring furiously, "You idiot! Stop wasting time! Didn't you hear me? That man is from the Gu clan—kill him now!"
The Herald immediately abandoned its duel, taking a blow from Eula's claymore in exchange for the chance to break free. Its twin blades gleamed ominously as it lunged at Gu Sanqiu.
"And I have a question for you," Gu Sanqiu said calmly, sidestepping the attack. The shadow of a black dragon behind him morphed into a form with countless arms, each wielding weapons ranging from hammers to swords.
"What's the exact location of your ancestors' graves?"
In a flurry of strikes, Gu Sanqiu unleashed an elemental storm, forcing back the charging enemies with sheer ferocity.
Albedo, not missing the opportunity, expanded his golden domain again. He turned his attention to an isolated Lector near the edge of the battlefield, swiftly engaging it. Every kill made here would ease the pressure on the others.
Eula, seeing Albedo and Gu Sanqiu taking on the heavyweights, steadied herself and refocused her energy. Gripping her claymore tightly, she charged into the horde of monsters.
The Cryo and Pyro brothers were beginning to show signs of fatigue, and it was her turn to take the heat off them.
Though Gu Sanqiu's [Thousand-Armed Stance] drained stamina quickly, he had already reduced his enemies to battered remnants. His Geo shield shimmered as he swung his spear with relentless force, scattering the three armored Lectors with calculated strikes.
"Hmph. Borrowed power, huh? I have to admit, it's impressive."
Gu Sanqiu pulled back, his gaze darkening as black flames flickered in his eyes.
"But I also have power that comes with a cost!"
ROAR!
His pupils turned pitch black. With a single devastating swing of his spear, he pierced straight through the chest of the approaching Abyss Herald.
"You think you can kill me? You?"
The Abyss Lectors froze, their bodies trembling. They regrouped hastily, forming a circle as their elemental energy merged unnaturally, generating a combined lightning-fire attack.
---
"Remember this—I am not a flawed replica of perfection."
Albedo's voice rang coldly as he stepped forward. The sword in his hand surged to a massive five-meter blade, slicing cleanly through a Lector, bisecting it in one stroke.
---
"Counterattack!"
Suppressing his inner rage, Gu Sanqiu switched his spear for twin hammers, bringing them crashing down with all his might.
BOOM!
The Geo resonance erupted outward, creating a forest of jagged stone spikes that skewered the surrounding monsters, painting the cavern in a macabre, crimson landscape.
---
"[Glacial Frost—]"
Eula's entire body radiated icy energy as her Vision trembled with surging elemental force. The Song of Broken Pines in her hands unleashed cyan whirlwinds with each strike.
Forgive me, for I—a sinner—bear you into battle. But for the freedom I chose, for Mondstadt's safety, grant me your strength.
With a powerful swing, Eula's claymore cleaved through the monster tide. Her movements became a dance—precise, fluid, deadly. Phantom swordsmen surged forth, mirroring her graceful strikes and slaying one foe after another.
"This is my Sinless Waltz!"
Her every motion was like a masterful performance, each step captivating and devastating.
---
"So, one more round?"
Kaeya stood back-to-back with Diluc, smiling as he summoned his Cryo energy.
"When we were kids, we used to dream up all kinds of combo attacks. Remember?"
"I don't."
Diluc shook the blood off his blade, its unnatural colors dripping away.
Kaeya laughed, gripping his weapon in a reverse hold. "Let's try it anyway, brother!"
Diluc hesitated, but an unspoken bond urged him to raise his claymore.
"In this moment, we carve eternity!"
Crystals of ice surrounded them, and the fiery phoenix atop Diluc's blade didn't soar away this time. Instead, it hovered above, its wings encasing them both.
The ice crystals rotated slowly, shrinking until they became a jeweled collar adorning the phoenix. A scorching, frigid energy began to surge within the fiery bird.
"[Undying Frost Tide!]"
BOOM!