"Duel... a duel?"
Everyone subconsciously looked up.
A duel, before a god?
No!
"Crack—"
Thunder tore through the sky, piercing heaven and earth.
That piercing purple light illuminated everything.
"..."
At the end of the stairs, Ei narrowed her eyes.
A chilling light, dangerous to the extreme, was condensing within them.
She gazed deeply at the young man before her.
This youth who dared to raise his weapon against her.
His eyes were bright, without a trace of retreat.
The sky poured down with rain.
Lightning illuminated the figure of the sword-wielding youth.
Soaked by the downpour, he looked somewhat disheveled.
Ei knew very well.
Qin Yu had fought his way here, defeating countless opponents.
And...
Her gaze fixed on Qin Yu's cheek.
There, a smear of bright red was so glaring.
"..."
Ei knew it was a wound she had inflicted.
It had not healed after a night had passed.
On the contrary, there was a bruise.
Injured in a conflict?
Ei snorted coldly.
"Boom—"
On Narukami Island, thunder rumbled.
The aloof and majestic Electro Archon was enraged.
Someone reacted, their heart trembling.
The reason for her rage... was obvious without thinking.
The sword-wielding youth had dared to challenge a god to a duel!
How could he dare?!
"Heh."
On the stairs, Kujou Takayuki struggled to lift his head.
His eyes were cold, flickering with schadenfreude.
No one dared challenge the will of a god.
This scoundrel Qin Yu, dared to raise his sword against the Electro Archon.
Now that the Archon was enraged,
His fate was clear!
"Qin Yu..."
From afar, Kamisato Ayaka and the others' mouths parted slightly.
Qin Yu had actually initiated a duel at Tenshukaku...
And he was about to face an aloof and merciless god.
...
On the stairs.
"You have courage."
Ei closed her eyes.
Qin Yu suddenly had a feeling.
Ei seemed a little angry.
He had... stepped on a landmine.
"Then..."
Ei slowly raised her hand and placed it lightly on her chest.
Suddenly, a piercing purple light flared.
When she opened her eyes again, her gaze was icy cold.
"I accept your duel."
Her solemn voice echoed far away.
"!"
Outside Tenshukaku, the crowd gasped.
The Electro Archon had drawn...
It was a katana that only appeared in legends.
The "Dream Sunderer."
...
Tenshukaku was sealed by an invisible will.
No one could approach it any further.
Qin Yu stood in the center, alone.
His expression was calm, and he remained silent for a long time.
The people of Inazuma said the "Musou Isshin" was terrifying.
But standing here, he felt surprisingly at ease.
"..."
Opposite him, the majestic god stared at him.
As her gaze shifted, she seemed to be searching for the position to strike.
"Begin."
Ei raised the Dream Sunderer and said coldly.
As soon as she finished speaking.
"Ching—!"
Qin Yu instantly appeared before Ei and slashed out.
However, no matter how fast the speed, it could not be faster than lightning.
As expected, the blade passed through an afterimage.
Qin Yu's eyes widened slightly.
This familiar feeling...
In a flash of thought, he was about to turn back.
"Too slow."
From behind, a clear voice sounded.
Ei appeared behind Qin Yu and struck.
Qin Yu's heart stirred.
*Swish—!*
In a flash of lightning, purple light flared.
Qin Yu's figure vanished into thin air, reappearing in the distance.
Doubt flashed in his eyes as he watched Ei.
That majestic figure gradually merged with the shrine maiden.
This situation...
Had he not experienced it before?
Ei did not pursue, merely snorted.
"If you don't want to lose your life, put down your sword."
The majestic god always possessed a trace of mercy.
"?"
So that's how it is...
Should he give up now?
Qin Yu took a deep breath and sheathed his sword.
"If you've made up your mind, then submit."
"...And then, stay in Tenshukaku forever."
Ei raised her chin and said calmly.
Before absolute power, everything was as it should be.
This time, she would not let go.
"Stay in Tenshukaku?"
Qin Yu raised his head again.
Giving up... was absolutely impossible.
He had come here to prove one thing.
His arrogant thoughts became clear.
Qin Yu smiled calmly and said softly:
"Electro Archon, strike."
"I can take that strike."
Even if you are wielding the Dream Sunderer.
"..."
Ei's aura gradually turned cold.
Her gaze towards Qin Yu became even more terrifying.
In Tenshukaku, it was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
"Tap."
She stroked the Dream Sunderer and turned around.
Qin Yu watched the beautiful back.
Ei's waterfall-like long hair cascaded down, naturally falling.
Since leaving, she had not tied her hair into a large braid again.
"..."
Ei raised the Dream Sunderer in front of her.
Their gazes met through the blade.
Neither of them backed down.
"If you can't take it, you will die."
"If my martial arts are insufficient, I have no regrets."
"But I will not allow you to die!"
Ei turned around, her eyes icy cold.
Qin Yu was somewhat taken aback.
What did that sentence mean?
"..."
Before Qin Yu could ask further.
In his vision, the blade of the Dream Sunderer met his.
Qin Yu's heart sounded a dire warning.
This next strike was for real!
"Ching—!"
The sword and thunder roared, and Ei vanished instantly.
Qin Yu stared intently ahead.
Suddenly, his pupils contracted.
The sky filled with purple energy transformed into an extremely sharp trajectory.
Both Ei and the Dream Sunderer.
He had seen them all!
"Hah!"
The sword gifted by the shrine maiden was unsheathed in an instant.
What if it was a strike from a god?!
At that moment, Qin Yu forgot everything.
The sword in his hand responded with a tremor.
The Anemo Vision on his body shone brilliantly.
Time seemed to stop, as if he had entered the realm of Musou.
Qin Yu slashed out with all his might towards the front!
"Clang—!"
The sword's鸣响 echoed, and sparks flew.
Qin Yu slowly raised his head.
A cold and beautiful figure appeared before him.
"Electro Archon, I've got you."
The majestic and proud Electro Archon let out a soft "Oh."
This strike was the pinnacle of martial arts.
Qin Yu had truly taken this strike.
He had fulfilled the promise of that night.
"..."
Ei's eyes flickered, about to retract her power.
Qin Yu had reached his limit, and that was enough.
However...
In Qin Yu's eyes, purple light flared.
The young, spirited youth would not be satisfied so easily.
[Ding, you have taken a god's strike with your own strength.]
[Achievement unlocked, Five-Star Talent unlocked.]
[Combat Talent: Streetwalker's Patrol]
[... ]
[The swiftest move in Keqing's swordsmanship.]
[Can bring down the stars.]
[Note: Effects have been modded by the system.]
[For example, cannot be targeted.]
"Electro Archon, it's your turn to take one of my swords!"
"What...!"
Ei suddenly noticed.
Lightning was gathering on the sword in Qin Yu's hand.
In the next instant, his figure turned into an afterimage.
He disappeared!
Was it that ability to traverse space instantly?
No, it wasn't.
Ei tried to track Qin Yu's trajectory.
However, to her surprise.
In her senses, only lightning remained.
In the next instant, Qin Yu's voice echoed from behind.
"My sword light is as me, cutting through all impurities!"
Lightning flashed.
Ei slowly widened her eyes.
In her sight...
The youth's figure emerged from the lightning.
And between them...
A strand of purple hair, cut off, was slowly drifting down.
She had not received this strike.