Just as the Jumpy Dumpty was about to explode, a figure dashed out from the dense forest, grabbing it with lightning speed.
After catching the bomb, Yun Fan unleashed his Cryo energy, channeling it into his palm. In an instant, the once-scorching bomb was frozen into an ice sculpture, glistening under the sunlight.
"Wow! Big Brother Yun Fan!" Klee, who had already gotten up from the ground, happily ran over to Yun Fan and hugged his arm.
"Yes, it's me. Have you been good lately, Klee?" Yun Fan affectionately patted her head while using his other hand to gently brush off the dust on her clothes.
"Klee has been very good! And I've already completed the task you gave me," Klee said, puffing out her chest proudly, as if waiting for praise.
"Good job, Klee," Yun Fan said sincerely. Although he had come up with the idea to trick Venti, he hadn't expected Klee to actually succeed.
"Hehe, Big Brother Yun Fan, let me introduce you. This is Razor," Klee said, pulling over the wolf boy who had been silently watching their interaction.
"Hello, Razor."
Yun Fan extended a friendly hand to the wolf boy, a faint smile on his face. The cloudless sky bathed his fluffy silver hair in golden sunlight.
Perhaps sensing Yun Fan's goodwill, or perhaps because Razor detected the aura of the Knights of Favonius on him, the usually socially awkward boy hesitated for a moment before finally reaching out to shake Yun Fan's hand.
"Hello... I'm... Razor..."
"This is... the Wolf King's... trial ground. He will... accept... challenges from warriors here..."
After learning that Yun Fan had come to challenge the Wolf King, Razor led him to the heart of Wolvendom, the lair and trial ground of the Wolf of the North, Andrius.
"That sword..." Razor stood at the edge of a massive pit, pointing to the ethereal "Wolf's Gravestone" below.
"I understand."
After instructing Razor to take good care of Klee, Yun Fan jumped into the pit alone, slowly making his way to the greatsword.
Clang!
Taking a deep breath, Yun Fan gripped the hilt. With a soft metallic ring, he pulled the "Wolf's Gravestone" from the ground.
Hum!
The ethereal greatsword dissolved into starlight, vanishing into the air. In its place, an overwhelming Archon aura filled the area, casting a shadow over the land. The sky above Wolvendom darkened, thunder rumbling as if the world itself was about to end.
"You who have roused me from my slumber, yet bring no tribute to the North Wind—are you a warrior here to challenge me, or a fool seeking to steal the power of the North Wind?"
The voice of the Wolf King, Andrius, echoed through the pit, capable of piercing clouds and splitting stones. A massive wolf claw emerged from the pit's wall, leaving deep gouges in the ground, followed by its body, hind legs, and tail.
When the towering, dozens-of-meters-long Wolf King fully emerged before Yun Fan, his colossal form blocked the sunlight, casting Yun Fan in shadow.
"Wolf King, Andrius..."
Yun Fan softly spoke the name. Even though Andrius was now a spirit guarding Mondstadt, one could still glimpse the majesty and power he once held as the Frost King of Old Mondstadt.
After all, he was once a top-tier Archon who could rival Decarabian. If he had desired the position of Archon, Barbatos might not have become the Anemo Archon.
"Visitor, state your purpose!" Andrius's massive wolf eyes bore into Yun Fan, emitting a terrifying light. Combined with the overwhelming Archon aura, an ordinary person would have fainted on the spot.
"My name is Yun Fan. I have come to challenge the Wolf King and earn the recognition of the North Wind."
Yun Fan shed his usual lazy demeanor, his entire aura shifting like a sharp sword sheathed but ready to strike.
Through his perception, he could tell that Andrius, now a mere remnant, could no longer wield the full power of an Archon. To make this trial truly beneficial for his growth, Yun Fan decided to suppress his strength to match Andrius's level.
"Very well, then let me see your resolve!" Before the words had fully left his mouth, Andrius vanished, reappearing behind Yun Fan. His sharp claws, imbued with Anemo energy, slashed toward Yun Fan's shoulder blades with a fierce whistling sound.
Clang!
A black shield blocked the massive wolf claw. Andrius was fast, but Yun Fan was no slouch either. With his left foot planted firmly on the ground, Yun Fan gathered Cryo energy in his right fist and struck at Andrius's massive face.
Martial Technique: Single-Minded Fist!
Perhaps Andrius hadn't expected a human to block his claws so easily. Caught off guard, Yun Fan's attack landed squarely.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang...
The first strike failed, but Andrius continued his assault. His claws, infused with Anemo energy, rained down on Yun Fan's shield like a storm.
Yun Fan calmly blocked every attack. His physical strength was no longer that of the young captain who had just obtained his character card. Now, even without using elemental energy, his martial skills alone could rival those of an ordinary Archon.
While blocking Andrius's attacks, Yun Fan channeled both Cryo and Electro energy into his arms. Then, suddenly tilting his shield to the side, he caused Andrius's position to shift.
Seizing the opportunity, Yun Fan launched a counterattack, his fists imbued with Cryo and Electro energy.
A flurry of punches rained down on Andrius, each strike carrying enough force to shatter stone and metal. With Yun Fan abandoning defense to focus entirely on offense, he momentarily gained the upper hand.
"How is this possible... The Wolf King is actually..."
Razor watched the scene in shock. The Wolf King, whom he had always believed to be invincible, was being pushed back by a challenger. This was something he had never imagined.
"Big Brother Yun Fan is amazing! Go, Big Brother Yun Fan!" Klee cheered, jumping up and down as she waved her little fists in excitement.