Qiu Bai calmly watched as Lumine attacked.
He didn't use his divine power, only adding a bit more strength.
"Qiu Bai!"
"Take this, my strongest attack!"
Lumine called out from midair, her brow furrowed as she faced Qiu Bai on the ground.
"Come, Lumine."
Qiu Bai smiled slightly, moving his foot a bit to shatter the Geo energy that had been restraining him.
"Haaah!"
Lumine raised the massive sword with both hands and brought it down directly at Qiu Bai!
Qiu Bai responded by raising the Chaos Sword and slashing toward Lumine massive sword!
BOOM!!!
As the two collided!
Powerful Anemo energy combined with yin-yang forces. Fierce winds swept across the arena, sometimes black, sometimes white!
Between their weapons erupted an intense light, making it impossible to see clearly inside.
Lumine gritted her teeth as she faced Qiu Bai, using her strongest attack.
Yet Qiu Bai still maintained that serene expression. It was as if Lumine strongest strike was merely a gentle breeze against his face, hardly worth mentioning.
"Good, very strong."
"As you are now, you could easily defeat Childe."
Qiu Bai smiled as he spoke to the Traveler, who was gritting her teeth with effort.
Then Qiu Bai winked at her with a smile.
As if saying, "Watch my performance."
"So powerful!"
"Is this the Traveler full strength?!"
Qiu Bai serene expression suddenly changed to one of strain. Gritting his teeth, he looked as if he was using all his strength.
His acting was so convincing that even Lumine was startled.
"I can't... hold on much longer!"
"Argh!"
Qiu Bai grimaced as he struggled to resist.
Then, apparently unable to withstand it any longer, he was sent flying by Lumine attack, landing outside the arena!
Qiu Bai clutched his chest as he slowly stood up.
A slight smile played at the corner of his mouth as he looked at Lumine on the platform.
Seeing Qiu Bai in this state, Lumine mouth twitched involuntarily.
The contestants and spectators below erupted in enthusiastic applause.
"As expected of the great hero who helped Liyue defeat the ancient god!"
"So incredibly powerful!"
The contestants below couldn't help but praise the victorious Traveler.
"I declare the winner of the South Cross Fighting Tournament to be..."
"The great hero, Lumine the Traveler!!!"
The referee standing outside the arena announced excitedly.
"Fantastic!"
Paimon clapped her tiny hands excitedly!
Lumine nodded with a smile, then walked toward Qiu Bai and Paimon.
Along the way, many people tried to approach her for autographs, but she declined.
"Qiu Bai, you scared me to death just now."
"I almost thought you were going to knock the Traveler right out of the arena!"
Paimon put her hands on her hips and looked at Qiu Bai angrily.
"How could that happen?"
"Lumine is so powerful, she was sure to defeat me."
Qiu Bai stroked Paimon's head with a smile.
"Hey, you were obviously acting!"
"At first you seemed completely at ease, how did you suddenly become so helpless?"
Paimon looked at Qiu Bai skeptically, spreading her hands in criticism.
Just then, Beidou and Kazuha walked toward the three of them.
"What a brilliant performance."
"Truly praiseworthy!"
Kazuha applauded as he looked at Lumine and Qiu Bai admiringly.
"Hahaha, especially you, Mr. Qiu Bai."
"I wouldn't have expected someone with your delicate frame to be so strong!"
Beidou slapped Qiu Bai on the back with a hearty laugh.
"You flatter me, Captain."
"I merely practiced some swordsmanship in my younger years."
Qiu Bai smiled at the jovial Beidou.
"Impressive! No Vision, yet stronger than many Vision bearers."
"To hold your own against the Traveler for so long with just physical strength."
Beidou looked at Qiu Bai with admiration.
"Why not join my fleet?"
"How about coming to help me out!"
Beidou patted Qiu Bai shoulder with a smile.
"I'm accustomed to a carefree lifestyle."
"These days, I only wish to travel to other nations to see the sights."
Qiu Bai explained with a smile to the enthusiastic Beidou.
"Is that so?"
"What a pity."
Beidou spread her hands helplessly upon hearing Qiu Bai explanation.
"Mr. Qiu Bai, to be so strong without a Vision is remarkable."
"If you had a Vision, that would truly be extraordinary."
Kazuha said with surprise as he looked at Qiu Bai.
Earlier, while watching the battle with Beidou, he had been shocked by Qiu Bai strength.
If Mr. Qiu Bai had a Vision, it was hard to imagine how strong he would be.
"But this Traveler..."
"No Vision, yet able to control two types of elemental power—truly astonishing."
Kazuha stroked his chin and muttered with surprise as he looked at Lumine.
"The Traveler's situation is indeed special."
"She can obtain elemental power just by touching the Statues of The Seven."
Paimon explained as she spread her hands.
"Touch the statues and gain elemental power."
"How fascinating."
Kazuha looked at Lumine with curiosity.
"I'm just recovering my former powers."
Lumine nodded and explained to Kazuha.
"Recovering former powers?"
Kazuha stroked his chin, murmuring in confusion.
"I forgot to introduce myself properly."
"In Inazuma, I am a wandering ronin."
Kazuha explained calmly to the group.
"Hmm, that's evident from your clothes."
"But when you speak, you don't sound like someone who fights with swords."
Paimon studied Kazuha with one hand on her chin, looking somewhat confused.
"Scholarly in literature, skilled with the blade."
"On the long road of wandering, what harm is there in having another talent?"
Kazuha smiled as he explained to Paimon.
"Since you arrived, Kazuha has been particularly interested in you."
"If you have any questions, now's your chance to ask."
Beidou smiled as she looked at Lumine beside her.
"According to Kazuha, he can't sense anything from your friend Mr. Qiu Bai here."
"He's also curious about him."
Beidou explained with a smile, arms crossed over her chest as she looked at Qiu Bai.
"From a very young age, I've been able to understand the breath of nature."
"I can hear the breathing of the wind, the whispers of leaves..."
"I heard something similar from you, that's all."
Kazuha turned to look at Lumine as he explained.
"But from Mr. Qiu Bai here..."
"I seem to sense a pressure similar to that of the Raiden Shogun."
Kazuha said with surprise as he looked at Qiu Bai.
"Similar to the Raiden Shogun's pressure?"
"Isn't that the god of Inazuma?"
Beidou frowned with confusion.
"Although it's hard to believe..."
"It doesn't feel like he's lying."
Paimon said with astonishment as she looked at Kazuha.
"Compared to your incredible abilities..."
"My small talent is truly insignificant."
Kazuha spread his hands and chuckled lightly as he looked at Qiu Bai and Lumine.
"And then there's this incredibly complex scent..."
"A mysterious creature from who knows where..." (T/N: Just emergency food send by celestia)
Kazuha turned to look at Paimon, muttering with confusion.
"Don't describe me by my smell!"
Paimon stomped her foot angrily as she looked at Kazuha.
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Read 20 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)