The hand holding the sword trembled incessantly. Ying knew this was a sign of her spiritual power being overdrawn.
Counting the journey, Ying hadn't slept in nearly three days. If it weren't for the continuous high-intensity combat, she would have collapsed onto the ground and rested soundly. But clearly, she didn't have that option.
Seeing her host grow more and more fatigued, Paimon desperately wanted to do something, even just to encourage her. However, the cage blocked her abilities.
"Damn it... damn it! Damn it!"
Paimon couldn't help but roar, pounding the cage repeatedly with her fists.
"Heh... self-harm is not a good behavior. What if she sees it later and thinks I did it?"
The Doctor said this, shaking his head.
"Of course, that's assuming she can get out."
As soon as the words fell, the Doctor received a burst of information. His lips curved into a smile. He stood up and walked towards the direction of the landing island, to greet his audience.
Not far away...
"The Fatui Harbinger is here too... that guy is also on that island..."
After listening to what Nahida had to say, Ying kept repeating these words. Her already terrible mood grew heavier and more uneasy.
"We're here!"
Paimon exclaimed, bringing Ying back to her senses. She was about to say something when she suddenly saw a figure standing on the shore, watching her.
"Doctor..."
Ying gritted her teeth. Anger instantly consumed her mind. In a flash, she appeared before him, drawing her single-handed sword and slashing towards his neck.
The Doctor remained unfazed, simply stating with a light tone,
"Ying..."
?!!!
A familiar figure instantly appeared in Ying's mind, immediately calming her down. She hurriedly stopped her movement.
"Heheheh... you almost took down the host right after meeting me. The audience these days is quite feisty."
The Doctor chuckled mockingly, then shifted his tone and looked at Nahida, who had just landed behind Ying. He exclaimed with a hint of surprise,
"I never expected this. You've even brought another heavyweight audience member. It seems I do have some standing."
"Doctor..."
Nahida looked at the Doctor's face and said sternly,
"You are too kind. However, I am not here to watch your show today. I am here for my friend, and... to settle accounts with you regarding the Fatui's attempt to create a False God to replace a true deity."
"Oh? A False God? Heheheh..."
The Doctor chuckled.
"You misunderstand. Although the one who wanted to create a False God was indeed a Fatui Harbinger, he has now been expelled from the Fatui and a bounty has been placed on him."
Paimon immediately retorted,
"Bah! That scattered soldier is clearly on this island, you think we don't know that?!"
Hearing this, the Doctor did not panic. He maintained his composure and explained with a smile,
"Heheheh... what the little one says is correct. The scattered soldier you detest is indeed on this island, and I have indeed tricked him onto this island specifically."
"As for the purpose..."
The Doctor paused, then reached out and removed the single-handed sword that had been at his neck, looking at Ying's face.
"It is to help your sister have a final reckoning with the enemy she despises~"
Then, before Ying could speak, the Doctor turned and left.
"Coincidentally, the show is about to begin. Follow me. Let's enjoy your sister's spectacular performance for everyone..."
"Scoundrel..."
Ying clenched her fists tightly, filled with disgust for the Doctor, worry for Ying, and...
...a sense of powerlessness born from her own inadequacy...
Nahida stepped forward and tugged at her hand, comforting her,
"Don't worry, trust me."
"Mhm..."
Ying let out a long sigh. Following the Doctor with Nahida and Paimon, they arrived directly in front of a teleportation gate.
"Ying?!"
Paimon, who had flown to the forefront, saw Ying surrounded by several Ruin Sentinels on the screen and cried out in shock.
Ying, behind her, was also momentarily stunned by the sight. Her murderous gaze fixed on the Doctor.
"Let her go..."
"Heheheh..."
The Doctor seemed fearless. He looked at Ying with a hint of amusement on his face.
"Don't misunderstand. This is a competition she agreed to with me. If you want her out now, then she will lose to me~"
Paimon asked in confusion,
"Competition?"
"That's right, a competition."
The Doctor nodded, confirming Paimon's words. He then kindly explained the rules of the competition to those present.
"Twelve stages, twelve keys. If she succeeds, she will be reunited with her little mascot."
"As for failure..."
"Heheheh..."
"I believe I don't need to explain, do I?"
Ying did not reply, her eyes fixed on the screen above.
[994/1000]
The numbers in front, if added to the six she was currently fighting...
Would make exactly one thousand...
This cruel number made Ying grit her teeth. She then turned to look at Paimon, who was confined in the cage not far away.
The Doctor saw that Ying wanted to know how many battles her little sister had already endured. A smile appeared on his lips, and he slowly said,
"There are a total of twelve lamps above the cage. Each lamp represents a stage. When she passes a stage, one lamp will automatically extinguish."
"Currently, five lamps have been extinguished. Including this sixth stage she is about to pass, it means she is nearing the seventh stage."
Upon hearing this number, Ying's heart tightened, and she clenched her fists.
Seeing the effect was good, the Doctor smiled again and continued,
"The sixth stage, one thousand Ruin Sentinels. I believe you have already guessed. Since that is the case, I will inform you of the tasks for the first five stages."
"Stage one, ten thousand Hilichurls."
"Stage two, five thousand Bluggers."
"Stage three, two thousand Mitachurls."
"Stage four, two thousand Ruin Guards."
"Stage five, two thousand Oceanids..."
"And by the way... there was no rest time in between."
"Defeating so many monsters single-handedly... I must admit, even I, a Fatui Harbinger with extensive experience, cannot help but be amazed..."
"I can only say, truly worthy of being the sister of the legendary Honorary Knight of Mondstadt. Not only is her combat prowess outstanding, but she also possesses mental fortitude beyond imagination."
With every sentence the Doctor spoke, Ying's heart skipped a beat. Her tightly clenched fists were pierced by her nails, and blood slowly flowed from the wounds, dripping onto the ground.