Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

"D-Duel?"

The onlookers instinctively looked up.

Challenging a god to a duel?

No...

Crack—

Thunder tore through the sky, its resounding roar splitting heaven and earth.

That sharp violet radiance illuminated everything.

"..."

At the top of the stairs, Ei narrowed her eyes.

In their depths, a dangerous, piercing light began to gather.

She fixed her gaze on the young man before her—

the one daring to raise a blade against her.

His eyes shone with determination, showing not a hint of retreat.

Rain poured from the sky in torrents, the lightning framing the blade-wielding figure in its glow.

Drenched by the downpour, he looked slightly disheveled, but Ei knew better.

Ren had fought his way here, defeating countless foes.

And—

Her gaze lingered on his cheek.

The streak of crimson there was glaringly bright.

"..."

Ei recognized it as the wound she had inflicted.

A whole night had passed, yet it hadn't healed.

Instead, a fresh bruise had appeared around it.

Had he been injured again during his struggles?

Ei let out a cold snort.

Boom—!

---

On Narukami Island, thunder rumbled ominously.

The high-cold, commanding Raiden Shogun was clearly displeased.

Some realized this and shivered.

As for the reason behind her anger—no one needed to guess.

The young man standing with his blade raised had challenged a god to a duel!

How dare he?!

"Heh."

From his position on the ground, Kujou Takayuki struggled to lift his head.

His expression was cold, his eyes glinting with sadistic glee.

No one could defy the will of the Shogun.

That insolent Ren had dared raise his blade against her.

Now that the Shogun was enraged, his fate was sealed.

"Ren..."

From a distance, Ayaka and the other girls gasped softly.

Ren had issued a duel here, at Tenshukaku.

And his opponent was none other than the merciless god herself.

---

"You're brave," Ei said, closing her eyes.

Ren suddenly had a bad feeling.

Was she... angry?

He had stepped on a mine.

"Very well..."

Ei raised her hand slowly, resting it lightly against her chest.

Suddenly, an intense purple glow flared.

When she opened her eyes again, they were as cold as ice.

"I accept your challenge."

Her authoritative voice echoed far and wide.

"!"

The crowd outside Tenshukaku gasped in unison.

The Shogun had drawn her weapon—

a blade known only from legend.

Musou Isshin.

Tenshukaku was sealed by an invisible force, rendering it impossible for anyone else to approach.

Ren stood alone in the center, his expression calm and composed.

Inazuma's people often spoke of the terror of the Musou no Hitotachi,

but standing here now, he felt strangely at peace.

"..."

Across from him, the commanding Archon's eyes studied him intently, as if deciding where to strike.

"Let us begin," Ei declared, raising Musou Isshin.

Her voice was cold and absolute.

The moment the words left her lips—

Shing—!

Ren moved in a flash, closing the gap in an instant and striking out.

But no matter how fast he was, nothing could surpass the speed of lightning.

As expected, his blade cut through nothing but a fleeting afterimage.

Ren's eyes widened slightly.

This feeling...

Realizing what was about to happen, he spun around.

"You're too slow."

Her cold voice came from behind him.

Ei appeared in his blind spot, her blade slashing toward him.

Reacting on instinct—

Swoosh!

A streak of purple light flashed as Ren's figure vanished, reappearing some distance away.

His gaze locked onto Ei, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes.

The imposing figure of the Archon overlapped with the image of the shrine maiden.

Had he faced this scenario before?

Ei made no move to pursue him, merely snorting coldly.

"If you value your life, put down your blade."

Despite her authority, there was a trace of mercy in her tone.

"?"

Is that how it's going to be?

Ren took a deep breath and sheathed his blade.

"If you've made your decision, submit."

"...And remain here in Tenshukaku forever."

Ei lifted her chin slightly, her voice steady.

Under the weight of absolute power, everything seemed inevitable.

This time, she wouldn't let him go.

"Stay in Tenshukaku?"

Ren raised his head again.

Giving up... was not an option.

He had come here to prove something.

The audacious thought became crystal clear in his mind.

With a calm smile, he said softly:

"Shogun-sama, draw your blade."

"That strike—you can bet I'll take it."

Even if it was Musou Isshin in her hands.

"..."

Ei's aura grew colder.

Her gaze bore into him, more fearsome with every passing moment.

The silence inside Tenshukaku was deafening.

Tap.

Ei gently ran her fingers along Musou Isshin's blade as she turned around.

Ren's eyes followed her, the sight of her back momentarily captivating.

Her long hair flowed freely, cascading down her back.

Since abandoning her braids, she had worn it like this.

"..."

Ei raised Musou Isshin before her.

Through the blade, their gazes locked.

Neither gave an inch.

"If you cannot take this, you will die."

"If my skill is lacking, I have no complaints."

"But I won't allow you to die!"

Ei turned back to face him, her eyes icy.

Ren was momentarily stunned.

What did she mean by that?

"..."

Before he could ask, her blade pointed directly at him.

Alarms blared in his mind.

This strike was the real deal!

Shing—!

Thunder roared as Ei vanished in a flash.

Ren's eyes darted forward.

A sharp violet arc cut through the rain, tearing toward him.

Both Ei and Musou Isshin were unmistakable.

He could see everything.

"Haah!"

The blade crafted by Mei flashed as he unsheathed it.

A god's strike—so what?!

In that moment, Ren abandoned all hesitation.

The blade in his hand hummed in resonance.

The Vision of Anemo on his hip shone brilliantly.

Time seemed to freeze as he entered a state of clarity.

With all his strength, he swung his sword.

Clang—!

The clash of blades rang out, sparks flying.

Ren slowly lifted his head.

The cold, commanding figure stood before him, watching with narrowed eyes.

"Shogun-sama, I've caught you," he said.

For the first time, a faint sound of surprise escaped her lips.

This strike had been her finest, yet he had stopped it.

The promise from that night—he had fulfilled it.

"..."

Ei's gaze flickered as she prepared to withdraw her power.

Ren had reached his limit, and that was enough.

But...

A violet light ignited in Ren's eyes.

The fiery determination of youth wouldn't let him stop here.

[Ding! Achievement unlocked: Parry a god's strike with your own strength.]

[Five-star talent unlocked.]

[Elemental Burst: Starward Sword.]

[The fastest sword technique in Keqing's repertoire, refined to perfection.]

[Can cleave the stars from the heavens.]

[Note: Modified with system enhancements—includes evasion mechanics.]

"Shogun! Now it's your turn to feel my blade!"

"What?!"

Ei's eyes widened as she noticed Ren's blade beginning to glow with lightning.

In an instant, his figure blurred into an afterimage and disappeared.

Was it his space-shifting ability?

No...

Ei focused her senses, but all she could detect was a surge of lightning.

Then, his voice came from behind her.

"My blade, cut through the chaos of the world!!"

Lightning flashed.

Ei's eyes slowly opened.

In her vision, Ren emerged from the storm of light.

Between them, a single violet strand of her hair drifted down, severed.

This strike—she hadn't stopped it.

---

T/N: "My blade, cut through the chaos of the world!!" was taken from Kenkou yo, yo no midare wo kiri-tsukuse! one of the voicelines for Keqing's burst in japanese!

Oh, you're still here? Nice. While I'm out here juggling revival matches and reminding villains why they should reconsider their life choices, someone's behind the scenes making sure my story reaches you. Gotta admit, they're doing a pretty solid job.

If you want to help keep this whole thing running smoothly, here's the link: [patreon.com/WiseTL]. Think of it as… supporting your favorite underdog. Everyone loves an underdog, right?

Anyway, time to get back to saving the day. See you in the next chapter—don't forget to stay out of trouble (that's my job).

— Xia Luo 🕸️