Genshin Impact: Starting with Jing Yuan's Character Card

Soon, Yun Fan finished telling his story. After all, modern history was too vast to be fully depicted in a short time. So, he simply highlighted the most important events and gave a brief overview.

After listening to his account, Zhongli remained silent, seemingly deep in thought. He kept pouring himself tea, and more than ten minutes passed like this. Yun Fan began to feel a bit restless.

Zhong Erzhu, say something, will you? Your silence is making me feel awkward, you know?

"Mr. Zhongli, in our world, there's an animal called the barnacle goose. The mother lays her eggs on cliffs over a hundred meters high. Just two to three days after hatching, the chicks leap off the cliff. Only those who survive this ordeal are qualified to follow the adult geese in search of food.

Although I don't know what you're thinking, I feel that Liyue is like your child. You've protected it for over three thousand years, shielding it from storms and disasters. But since it's a child, there will come a day when it grows up. Or rather, Liyue has already grown up. It needs an opportunity to prove that it's no longer a child."

"Mr. Yun Fan is right. I've been too attached. Let me toast you with tea instead of wine." Zhongli raised his teacup.

"You're too kind." Yun Fan also raised his teacup, and the two clinked their cups together.

Soon, the food was brought into the private room. The two ate and chatted, enjoying a pleasant conversation. During this time, Zhongli subtly probed Yun Fan for information, and Yun Fan, in turn, revealed some unimportant details. Given Zhongli's character, as long as Yun Fan didn't do anything heinous or harmful to Liyue, Zhongli could be trusted.

"Mr. Zhongli, I've heard that you're the God of War. To be honest, I'm lacking in combat skills. I wonder if you could give me some guidance."

"Mr. Yun Fan, are you suggesting a sparring match?" Zhongli put down his chopsticks, his golden eyes fixed on Yun Fan.

"Sparring is fine, but what I really want is for you to teach me some combat techniques. I gained my power too easily, and I need to temper it through battle."

Yun Fan didn't reject the idea of sparring. He also wanted to test where he stood in terms of strength in Teyvat. Morax, the Geo Archon, was a top-tier powerhouse who had emerged victorious from the brutal Archon War. Sparring with him would not only help Yun Fan gauge his own level but also allow him to master Jing Yuan's power more quickly.

"Very well." Zhongli called over Chef Mao and waved his hand. "Put the bill on Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's account!"

The two walked side by side out of Wanmin Restaurant. When they reached the outskirts of Liyue Harbor, in a deserted area, Zhongli stopped. Of course, they weren't going to fight here—this place couldn't withstand the aftermath of their battle.

"Follow me. Rise—Thousand Mountains!" Zhongli summoned a Geo Construct pillar and, with a whoosh, rode it toward Guyun Stone Forest.

Watching the Geo Archon's graceful and carefree figure, Yun Fan muttered to himself,

"No matter how many times I see it, it's still awe-inspiring."

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Waves of energy radiated outward from above Guyun Stone Forest. The intense shockwaves caused the entire area to tremble. The sky above Guyun Stone Forest, usually shrouded in dark clouds due to the sealed gods, became clear and bright. Perhaps the sealed gods sensed something and dared not provoke these two powerful beings.

Boom! Boom!

Fists and feet clashed. In just an instant, Yun Fan felt the gap between them. He was no match for Zhongli. The dull thuds of their physical blows echoed continuously. In a pure contest of strength, Yun Fan was at a disadvantage.

After all, he had only just obtained Jing Yuan's character card. His body couldn't keep up with the sudden surge of power. Even though the lightning had transformed his physique, it would still take time for a qualitative leap.

Reluctantly, he channeled lightning into his body to enhance his strength and resistance to impact, while also using the electricity to stimulate his cells and increase his reaction speed.

But this wasn't a long-term solution. Moreover, he didn't know any combat techniques. If this continued, he would lose once he exhausted his strength.

Thinking this, Yun Fan took a hit squarely on his shoulder and retaliated with a punch aimed at Zhongli's face. Just as it was about to connect, Zhongli caught the punch with his palm, redirected the force, and sent Yun Fan flying back.

As he retreated, Yun Fan summoned a long-handled greatsword into his hands. The blade was about six feet long, with a black-and-gold body and hilt. Golden lightning crackled along the edge.

Yun Fan quickly closed the distance and swung the blade with the force of thunder, aiming straight for Zhongli.

Clang!

Just before the blade could land, a golden spear appeared in front of Zhongli, blocking the thunderous strike. The spear then flicked downward, dispersing the force.

Vortex Vanquisher. Yun Fan's expression turned serious. The fact that Zhongli had brought out this weapon meant he was getting serious. If Yun Fan didn't give it his all, he was going to get hurt.

The two faced off for a few seconds before Yun Fan decided to strike first, using Jing Yuan's sword technique: Flowing Light of Stone Fire.

In an instant, dense blade shadows wove a net, closing in on Zhongli. In theory, Jing Yuan's weapon was a long-handled blade, similar to a spear, making it difficult to execute such rapid and concentrated attacks.

But Jing Yuan's Flowing Light of Stone Fire balanced both aspects perfectly. Against ordinary enemies, it would be a nightmare.

"Impressive technique!" Zhongli commented. The Vortex Vanquisher moved, its golden arc intertwining with the blade shadows. After a few minutes, the spear tip pierced a hole in the dense 'net,' and Yun Fan's overwhelming flurry of blades dissipated.

Zhongli pressed his advantage, thrusting his spear and forcing Yun Fan to block with his greatsword. He barely managed to withstand the mountain-like blow.

"Hah!" Yun Fan's arms shook as he stepped forward. The blade erupted with dazzling lightning, reflecting Yun Fan's golden eyes, which mirrored Zhongli's. A flash of lightning vanished within them.

"Weapons—know no mercy!"

Combat Skill: Purple Lightning Flash!

The blade descended like a bolt from the heavens, thunder surging as if delivering divine punishment.

"Solid as stone." Zhongli's body was enveloped in a thick Jade Shield. In an instant, the blade collided with the shield, creating intense sparks. Both exerted their strength, and for a moment, they were locked in a stalemate.

"This isn't going to work." Yun Fan was the first to withdraw his blade. Zhongli's Jade Shield was simply too strong. Purple Lightning Flash couldn't break through it in a short time.

In a pure contest of martial skills, Yun Fan, who only knew the Flowing Light of Stone Fire technique, was no match for the God of War, who had mastered countless techniques.

Clang… Clang… Clang…

While Yun Fan was still thinking, Zhongli charged forward. In a short time, the two had exchanged over a thousand blows.

Small wounds appeared on Yun Fan's body, arms, and face. Drops of red blood flew in the wind, creating a unique kind of beauty.

Damn you, Zhong Erzhu! Don't hit the face! If you ruin my looks, how am I supposed to make a living off my face in the future? With this thought, Yun Fan stopped caring about his energy consumption and simultaneously activated Flowing Light of Stone Fire and Purple Lightning Flash.

If Flowing Light of Stone Fire emphasized speed, then Purple Lightning Flash emphasized speed. By using both at the same time, Yun Fan combined their strengths, but his energy consumption also multiplied. He estimated that, at this rate, he could only last a few minutes.

He focused his mind, trying to land each strike on the same spot. Only by doing so could he break through the Jade Shield as quickly as possible.

Zhongli also noticed Yun Fan's intention. While increasing the supply of Geo energy, he quickly changed positions, making it difficult for Yun Fan's attacks to land on the same spot.

However, in martial arts, nothing is indestructible except speed. After a minute, Yun Fan finally shattered the Jade Shield. The moment the shield broke, he saw a look of approval in Zhongli's eyes.

In reality, the Jade Shield wasn't like in the game, where it could be reapplied every few seconds. Instead, it required a continuous supply of Geo energy to maintain.

At that moment, Yun Fan heard Void Archives' notification.

'Recognition from the Geo Archon obtained…'