Chapter 27: Obtaining the Anemo Archon's Gnosis!
"The Heavenly Principles have fallen?!"
As the most elusive of the Seven Archons, Venti knew no less than Morax.
Hearing Aiden's words, a storm surged within his heart.
The previous Celestia has fallen, a new one has taken its place, and the Traveler has yet to awaken. What should I do in a time like this?
"Before this, I already obtained Morax's Gnosis," Aiden said calmly, pulling out the Geo Archon's Gnosis and holding it in his palm.
"So, you have the old man's approval?" Venti exhaled slightly, feeling a little more at ease.
He didn't believe that the weakened Celestia standing before him could possibly defeat Morax and take his Gnosis by force.
Clearly, the old man had willingly handed it over.
This realization made Barbatos look at Aiden with newfound curiosity.
"It was a trade," Aiden explained with a chuckle. "I helped him acquire the power to purify Abyssal corruption and slow the effects of erosion."
Then, he looked directly at Venti.
"So, Barbatos… would you like to make a deal with me?"
"The power left by the previous Celestia will only be able to protect Teyvat for a few more years at most. I need to grow stronger as soon as possible. And now, the ley lines are already becoming unstable.
The offer I'm giving you is the same as what I gave Morax.
With this power, you'll be able to purify the Abyssal corruption affecting Dvalin.
Besides, thanks to the Thousand Winds, you've become quite weak, haven't you?
I can help you regain your strength."
Venti silently studied Aiden for a moment before letting out a self-deprecating chuckle.
"This… is indeed an offer I can't refuse."
He sighed and shook his head, but there was a hint of amusement in his gaze.
"Besides, if the old man has chosen to trust you, then I suppose I can do the same.
Even if this isn't the fate I envisioned… I hope you can lead Teyvat to a better future."
With that, Venti reached into his chest, pulled out his Anemo Gnosis, and tossed it directly to Aiden.
To him, the Gnosis was nothing more than a trinket—he had no use for it. He had even been planning to hand it over to the Tsaritsa at some point.
But now, there was a better option.
Venti trusted Morax, and because of that, he was willing to entrust his Gnosis to Aiden.
"The faith contained within this Gnosis is no less than Morax's," Aiden remarked, sensing the energy within it.
"It seems you've been underestimated."
But Aiden could understand why.
The Knights of Favonius constantly prayed for the protection of the Anemo Archon. The Church of Favonius spread his name throughout the land. Even though Venti had been absent for centuries, Mondstadt's faith in Barbatos had never truly waned.
"But becoming the Anemo Archon was never my original goal," Venti said with a carefree shrug.
Aiden fell silent.
The god who cherished freedom more than anything was, ironically, bound by Mondstadt.
Sigh…
Without another word, Aiden absorbed both the Anemo and Geo Gnoses into his body.
Immediately, a surge of power flooded through his limbs, and his strength increased dramatically.
Before this, Aiden had been average compared to the Demon Gods of old. Stronger than most, perhaps, but likely only evenly matched against Osial in a direct fight.
But now?
Now, Aiden was confident he could utterly overpower his past self.
His strength had risen to the level of the first-generation Seven Archons.
However, what truly concerned Aiden was something else—
His authority over the world had expanded again.
His ability to perceive and predict events had grown sharper. His power to purify the Abyss had strengthened significantly.
It was as if he had upgraded from a weak signal to broadband.
If Morax could fully exert this newfound power, he could probably purify two to three hundred thousand Abyssal corruption points in a single day.
Most importantly, Aiden had now gained access to another authority—
The power of space.
It would take time to fully grasp, but it was an ability worth mastering.
---
A New Alliance
"Next, I'll be adding you to the group and sharing part of my power with you," Aiden said to Venti.
"By the way, I'm keeping my identity hidden within it. In the group, I go by Aiden, just an ordinary traveler.
Morax has also taken on the identity of Zhongli. The others don't know our real identities, and I'd prefer to keep it that way.
I hope you won't reveal anything."
Aiden's tone was firm.
"Hah! Hiding my identity?"
Venti grinned, instantly regaining his usual carefree demeanor.
"This is exactly what I do best!
I'm Venti—the greatest bard in Mondstadt, three years running!"
The solemn atmosphere from before had completely vanished, replaced by a playful smirk.
Though he had just absorbed a surge of divine power, his overall strength now close to what it had been in his prime, he showed no sign of arrogance.
For the current Teyvat, this was undoubtedly a good thing.
"By the way…" Venti suddenly mused.
"So the old man is wandering around as a human now? Maybe I should pay him a visit.
I still have some fine vintage buried in Windrise—I could bring it as a gift.
Though I do wonder if he'd send me flying with a single punch."
Aiden smirked at the thought.
"Yeah, well… good luck with that."
Without further delay, Aiden activated his authority.
Ding!
A notification rang in Venti's mind.
[Welcome, Venti, to the chat group.]
The message flashed across his consciousness, and in an instant, Venti understood the purpose of this mysterious group.
He glanced at Aiden with intrigue.
This Celestia… is actually kind of interesting.
Using this power to erase erosion, strengthen the Archons, and stabilize the world?
Perhaps, this time—
Teyvat wouldn't have to face its destined collapse.
Perhaps…
Teyvat wouldn't have to suffer.
---
A Conversation Between Old Friends
Zhongli: "Venti? Long time no see, my friend."
Venti: "Oh? Old man! It's been ages! I'll be bringing a few bottles of fine wine when I visit you—just don't blow me away, alright?"
At that moment, inside the Jade Chamber, where Keqing and Ningguang were discussing the reconstruction of Guili Plains, the two exchanged a glance.
They already knew that Zhongli was an Adeptus of Liyue, but they had no idea which one.
And now…
A new member had joined the group, someone who seemed to know Zhongli well.
The name Venti sounded Mondstadtian, but they didn't know exactly who he was.
But one thing was certain—
Compared to this mysterious group, the two Tianquan of Liyue Qixing had the lowest status in the chat.
Zhongli: "…You haven't changed at all."
Despite his words, Zhongli couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia.
Few of his old friends remained, but now—
At least one of them had returned.
And with the strengthening of Aiden's power, the speed at which they could purify the Abyss had increased significantly.
It seemed Aiden had successfully obtained the Anemo Gnosis.
And the power it granted him…
Was far greater than expected.
Perhaps it was time to start making even greater plans.
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