Playing Genshin in Genshin! [12]

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Suddenly, a shadowy figure appeared behind Lu Shiyuan, moving like an arrow released from a bowstring. In that instant, a gleaming sacrificial dagger in the figure's hand flashed with a cold light as it aimed straight for Lu Shiyuan’s heart!

"Behind you!" Lu Qianzhi shouted, instantly alerting him to the danger.

Lu Shiyuan had absolute trust in his sister. Without hesitation, he swung the Staff of Homa behind him while attempting to dodge sideways.

But it was too late.

The oddly shaped sacrificial dagger, like the scythe of death itself, slashed toward him. Despite his efforts to evade, the blade grazed his side, and a gush of blood erupted from his waist, instantly soaking half of his clothes in red.

Lu Qianzhi's eyes widened in horror, her heart pounding frantically. Lu Shiyuan grunted, clutching his wound as he assumed a defensive stance.

Fortunately, the Fatui Agent didn’t linger after his attack. He quickly turned invisible again, leaving behind only a lingering dark red afterimage at the spot where he had briefly revealed himself.

"No, I can’t just stand by and watch my brother die like this," Lu Qianzhi thought anxiously. She had to locate the invisible enemy quickly. Waiting until he attacked again to reveal his position was too late.

"I need to think. What can I do to help him right now?"

Jingling!

At that moment, the small bell on her hair ornament rang softly as she moved, its crisp, clear sound cutting through the air.

The sound gave her an idea. "Of course! Even though he's invisible, he still has a physical body. Sound waves will bounce off him, just like any other object."

Acting on her realization, Lu Qianzhi began shaking her head gently, causing the stone bell on her hair ornament to jingle continuously. Invisible sound waves radiated out, bouncing back upon hitting solid objects.

As the waves collided with the surrounding walls, objects, and bodies, a dynamic, three-dimensional map formed in her mind. Unlike what her eyes could see, the map clearly showed the location of the hooded man.

"Brother, I’ve pinpointed his position! I'll be your eyes and guide you to him."

"Ah, echolocation!" Lu Shiyuan quickly grasped the situation and nodded with a smile. "I trust you."

"Okay, in front of you, about to attack!"

"Got it!" Lu Shiyuan responded, pulling out an iron-tipped spear from his back and hurling it toward the spot his sister indicated.

Clang!

The spearhead, aimed at what appeared to be thin air, suddenly sparked as it collided with something unseen, veering off course. The Fatui Agent, unable to maintain his invisibility, was forced to reveal himself.

"As expected, Qianzhi is the best." Lu Shiyuan smiled. Just as he prepared to press the attack, the Fatui Agent launched himself at him with another straight charge.

However, an obvious attack like this was much easier to avoid. With a swift sidestep, Lu Shiyuan dodged the strike.

Once again, the Fatui Agent missed his mark, vanishing from sight and leaving behind only a faint afterimage.

"Your left!"

"On it!"

"Front, Right!"

"Understood!"

"Right again!"

"Got it!"

"Behind, Left!"

"Thanks!"

The Fatui Agent continuously vanished and reappeared, launching attacks, only to be thwarted by Lu Qianzhi’s directions. Lu Shiyuan deftly evaded each strike, occasionally counterattacking when given the chance.

Meanwhile, Wu Su remained preoccupied with monitoring Lu Qianzhi, making sure she didn’t escape, leaving him unable to assist in the fight.

Just when Lu Shiyuan thought the battle would drag on, the Fatui Agent suddenly ceased his attacks.

"Hmm?" Lu Shiyuan felt uneasy, sensing that something had changed. The Fatui Agent now looked calm and confident, as if victory was already within his grasp.

"Did you really think all my previous attacks were pointless?" the Fatui Agent said with a chilling tone. "Neither of you seem to have noticed the afterimages I left behind after each strike, have you?"

Lu Shiyuan’s eyes widened, his gaze quickly sweeping the area. His heart sank.

All around him, dark red afterimages of the Fatui Agent surrounded him in a circle, created from each attack the man had made from various angles.

"Brother, quick get away!" Lu Qianzhi’s voice carried a tone of urgency.

"It’s too late! You’re already trapped in my circle of 'phantoms'!" the Fatui Agent sneered, brandishing his sacrificial dagger. In a flash, he charged forward with lightning speed, leaving a long trail of afterimages in Lu Shiyuan’s vision.

Slash!

Before Lu Shiyuan could fully react, a deep gash appeared on his thigh, and the Fatui Agent reappeared at another afterimage location, as if he had teleported.

The next moment, the enemy vanished again, only to reappear with another quick thrust, leaving Lu Shiyuan with another grievous wound. Each time, the Fatui Agent moved to a new afterimage position, striking with terrifying precision and speed.

Using the circle of afterimages, the Fatui Agent darted around like a ghost, delivering brutal slashes to Lu Shiyuan’s body. All he could do was protect his vital organs, unable to counterattack effectively.

Despite the painful cuts and mounting injuries, Lu Shiyuan gritted his teeth and pulled out another iron-tipped spear, hurling it in desperation.

As expected, it missed its mark, and he was forced to endure more attacks.

After six consecutive strikes, Lu Shiyuan’s body was a mess of torn flesh and blood, resembling a ragged doll barely held together. But miraculously, his vital organs and joints remained protected, allowing him to stay in the fight.

Breathing heavily, Lu Shiyuan scanned his surroundings for the enemy, but couldn’t locate him.

"Above you!" Lu Qianzhi shouted suddenly.

Without a second thought, Lu Shiyuan raised the Staff of Homa above his head, blocking the incoming strike just in time!

Boom!

The sacrificial dagger, wielded with deadly force, collided with the staff, causing dust and debris to explode into the air.

For a moment, Lu Qianzhi couldn’t see the outcome of the clash.

As the dust began to settle, she finally saw the two fighters again.

The Fatui Agent stood with his back to her, seemingly unharmed. In front of him was her brother, who had managed to block the blow with his staff.

But Lu Shiyuan was not in good shape. A large amount of blood sprayed from his mouth, and his breathing had grown weak.

Seeing this, Lu Qianzhi silently prayed, "Please, hang in there, brother!"

Coughing, Lu Shiyuan leaned on the Staff of Homa as he struggled to stand. His face pale, he smirked through the pain. “Where did a skilled fighter like you come from? You’re strong, using elemental power and all. Why work for Wu Su and his kind?”

"Because they’re willing to pay handsomely," the Fatui Agent responded calmly.