Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

"What the... how?!"

Gu Sanqiu stared in disbelief as the blue and red burn marks on Durin's scales faded in an instant. The dragon showed no signs of damage and continued its relentless charge toward him.

This time, Durin wasn't as reckless. Opening its jaws, it unleashed a barrage of purplish-red energy blasts in a scattered formation, cutting off Gu Sanqiu's escape routes before lunging forward, aiming to smash him with its massive head.

"Heh, alright. Let's see what you've got."

With a cold chuckle, Gu Sanqiu's body swelled, his physique growing to a small-giant's stature. He dismissed his weapons, letting his bulging arms do the work. Planting his feet firmly, he braced himself for the incoming collision.

BOOM!

The impact sent shockwaves rippling in all directions. Gu Sanqiu's muscles quivered and rippled as he absorbed Durin's sheer force, attempting to deflect it.

Despite his effort, the sheer size disparity was too great. Durin's momentum pushed him back relentlessly.

"Couldn't stop the dragon, huh?" he muttered, slipping away from the struggle. He examined his reddened hands, the slight venomous sheen left by the dragon's scales and barbs.

If not for my tough skin, that could've ended badly.

He scowled. "Something's off. It's like I didn't hurt it at all."

Gu Sanqiu frowned, recalling his earlier strikes. "Those hits should've hurt. Even dragons like Dvalin or Azhdaha would've felt them. This thing's a lesser version of Durin—no way it's invincible."

Scanning the area, he saw no signs of Durin absorbing elemental energy to regenerate.

"Could this be some sort of rule keeping it from taking damage?"

Damage-lock? No, that's ridiculous.

At least damage-lock would show signs of injury. This dragon wasn't reacting at all.

A streak of blue light flashed by as Aether darted in from the side, his sword raised high. Evading Durin's massive wings, Aether swung his [Dull Sword] with precision, targeting a single scale.

CRACK!

Gu Sanqiu's jaw dropped as he witnessed the clean slice.

"Wait... WHAT?! How the hell did you just do that with a blunt sword?"

His earlier attacks hadn't even scratched the dragon, and yet Aether managed to break its scales with a single swing.

Durin let out an enraged roar, twisting its massive frame to swipe at Aether with its wings.

However, the glowing green light surrounding Aether moved with a mind of its own, guiding him effortlessly to dodge the attack.

"There's no way…" Gu Sanqiu muttered, incredulous. Watching Venti manipulate the winds like some kind of remote control was surreal.

"Fine. If I can't deal damage, I'll play support."

Gu Sanqiu raised his hand. A series of Geo spears materialized and launched toward the weak spot Aether had exposed.

Whoosh!

One by one, the spears struck Durin with precise force.

Durin roared in frustration, releasing a blast of corrosive dragon breath toward Gu Sanqiu. Then, it turned its full attention back to Aether, charging with its jaws wide open, ready to snap him in two.

Gu Sanqiu's face darkened.

So this is what Venti meant when he said I might need protecting.

"My attacks really don't work…"

He grimaced and leapt toward Aether, yanking the young traveler out of harm's way just in time.

"Remember how you dodged those attacks. Can you replicate that footwork?"

Aether nodded hesitantly. "I can… a little."

"Good. You've got a god literally coaching you in real-time. If you don't come out of this with some legendary Anemo-style movement technique, I'll be disappointed."

Rising high above Durin, Gu Sanqiu hovered with Aether in tow. He began channeling massive amounts of wind energy into Aether's body.

"Looks like only your attacks can do real damage here. So, I'll push your elemental energy to its limit. Let's finish this in one big move."

Aether took a deep breath, steadying himself as green Anemo energy radiated from his body. He wasn't yet adept at controlling this much power, and it leaked from him in waves.

"[Go with the wind]!"

Aether raised his sword overhead, unleashing dozens—no, hundreds—of wind blades that coalesced into a massive cyclone. The spinning vortex of sword energy descended upon Durin like divine judgment.

Durin roared, sensing the incoming danger. The dragon twisted and flapped its wings, attempting to shift its position and minimize the damage.

"Oh no, you don't."

Gu Sanqiu grinned darkly, snapping his fingers. Massive Geo slabs materialized around Durin, slamming into its body and pinning it in place.

The cyclone struck true, the cutting winds tearing into Durin's scales. The sound of shearing flesh and clashing elements echoed through the domain, making even Gu Sanqiu wince.

"Is it dead?"

Gu Sanqiu frowned, extending his senses to check for any lingering energy. Can I even trust my perception here, after everything?

"No signs of life," he concluded. "But just in case…"

He funneled more wind energy into Aether.

"One more blast. Let's be thorough."

Aether nodded and unleashed another cyclone.

BOOM!

"Again."

BOOM!

"Once more!"

BOOM!

After four consecutive strikes, Aether's breathing grew ragged, and his face turned pale from exertion.

A cracking sound drew their attention to the ground below. A large flower bud emerged from the earth.

Gu Sanqiu blinked. "Is that… a Ley Line Blossom?"

He descended cautiously, setting Aether down and approaching the flower. It appeared ordinary at first glance—no unusual colors or energies emanating from it.

"This… is actually a proper domain?!"

Gu Sanqiu's confusion grew. He'd expected this to be the remnant of Durin's hatred from the previous battle. But this discovery implied something else entirely.

"Durin… became a weekly boss now?"

He shook his head, muttering under his breath. "This is getting ridiculous."

"Aether, come here."

Gu Sanqiu tossed him a pouch of Condensed Resin.

"Use this to interact with the Ley Line Blossom. Let's see if it gives us anything strange."

Aether hesitated but followed instructions, gently brushing his hand against the flower before placing the resin at its base.

"Why the extra touch?"

Gu Sanqiu's eyebrow twitched. The gesture reminded him of the old rituals adventurers used, like circling Ley Line Blossoms three times or sprinkling healing water to ensure good loot drops.

What's next? Singing to it?

He couldn't help but wonder if Aether's innate energy manipulation might trigger something extraordinary.

What if the flower spits out a mountain of treasures?

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T/N: AGAIN AGAIN AGAIN GAGAA)GAIGNAIGN IANGAINGIANINAIGN