"Ah!"
Tian Qing quickly seized an opportunity. As Paimon dodged her strike, Tian Qing landed a forceful kick to Paimon's stomach. Paimon's body flew back again, crashing heavily onto the ground.
"Paimon?! You… stop this…"
Ying struggled desperately, trying to break free from the ice. However, the ice was too thick and too hard. Unable to use her elemental powers, she was helpless. Her body temperature dropped lower and lower, and her vision began to blur.
"Hehehe~ Don't be so hasty, my dear. After I'm done with her, I'll deal with you slowly~"
Tian Qing chuckled as she walked over to Paimon, grabbed her by the collar, and lifted her up. Looking at the unconscious Paimon, Tian Qing said, "You can't blame me for this. Who told you to offend that great one?"
"Tell me, she patted Paimon's cheek, waking her up again.
"Mmm~ Such a pretty face. It would be a shame to kill you. How about this: if you are willing to submit to your big sister, I'll spare your life. What do you say?"
"Cough… cough… you… dream on…" Paimon managed to say with difficulty.
"Uh-huh… Big sister advises you to be sensible~"
Tian Qing sneered and released her grip. She then threw a punch towards Paimon.
With a "bang!"
Paimon was sent flying by the punch, crashing heavily into the ice trapping Ying.
"Damn it… Ah…"
Paimon lay on the ground groaning. The pain in her body caused her consciousness to blur…
"Host's ice… Right…" Paimon struggled to stand up. She gathered all the Geo elemental energy in her body into her fist and slammed it against the ice…
With a "rumble!"
Cracks spread from her fist, extending to the outside of the ice. Finally, the cracks exploded, shattering the ice into powder.
"Suc… successful…" Paimon collapsed onto the ground, a faint smile finally appearing on her face.
"Yes, you worked hard," Ying said softly, hugging Paimon and patting her back.
"Uh-huh… Still thinking of saving your host even when you were about to pass out. Truly rare…" Tian Qing showed a look of admiration after witnessing Paimon's actions.
"Hoo… It is precisely because of her that I've come this far. And now, it is your death day!" Ying stood up, looking at Tian Qing with determination.
"Hehehe… Don't speak too soon. After being trapped in ice for so long, your body must be quite stiff by now, right? But don't worry, big sister will warm you up quickly~"
"Hmph… Then let's try it!" Ying summoned the Alley Flash and held it in her hand. Instantly, a powerful Anemo element surged from the spear, forming gusts of wind that rotated around them.
"Hehehe… Let's see whose weapon is mightier, your spear or my sword!"
Tian Qing raised her Skyward Blade and charged towards Ying, aiming for Ying's spear and slashing.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The two weapons collided, emitting dazzling sparks. A powerful wave of energy rippled outwards.
"Hehehe~ It seems my weapon is more powerful~" Tian Qing mocked, then began to swing her one-handed sword at Ying like a flurry of raindrops.
"Hmph…"
Ying narrowed her eyes, found an opening, and with a flick of her spear, disrupted Tian Qing's attack rhythm. She then delivered a sweeping blow that landed heavily on Tian Qing's abdomen.
With a "boom!"
The Anemo element erupted the moment it touched Tian Qing, transforming into dozens of wind blades that ravaged her body.
"Be carried away by the wind!"
Seeing her successful hit, Ying immediately followed up with a small tornado, sucking Tian Qing into it. Inside the tornado, Tian Qing was slammed against the wall, then thrown to the ground, tossed about like a rag doll.
After the tornado raged for a while, it transformed into a massive shockwave that expanded outwards. Chunks of rocks were flung into the air, kicking up dust.
"Hoo…" Ying let out a sigh of relief, her body swaying and nearly falling. Her body, already exhausted from prior battles, had been put under immense strain by the freezing. The Alley Flash in her hand had also shattered into pieces on the ground after clashing with the Skyward Blade.
With a "hiss…"
Tian Qing spat out a mouthful of blood, her face as pale as paper. She was clearly severely injured.
"Heh… Impressive… I didn't expect you to counterattack in this state. Big sister underestimated you, but… how long can you hold on with the frost constantly eroding your body?"
"Ha… ha… Your tone of voice… is becoming more and more annoying…" Ying gasped for air, shivering uncontrollably from the cold that was constantly attacking her body.
"Hehehe… You saying that truly breaks my heart, my little darling~"
"Less… less nonsense… fight me if you want to fight…"
(A protracted battle is not in my favor. I must seize the opportunity to defeat her in one blow… To ensure the power of this blow, I must use all the remaining elemental energy in my body…)
"Uh-huh~ Since my little darling can't wait any longer, big sister will grant your wish~"
Mei Mo raised the Skyward Blade and rushed towards Ying again. Just as both of them focused their attention, preparing to subdue each other with a single move, an arrow suddenly shot between them, interrupting their impending battle.
"Hmm, it seems I've arrived at just the right moment~ (^_^)"
"Childe?! How did you get here?" Ying exclaimed in surprise upon recognizing the familiar attire.
"You ask why… Hmm… perhaps it's because that little girl over there still owes me a favor. If something were to happen to her, I would lose that favor for nothing~" Childe mused, stroking his chin before smiling.
"Paimon?" Ying looked at Paimon in surprise, but she had already fainted, so Ying couldn't ask.
"Who are you?!" Tian Qing looked at the man warily. Although she didn't know who he was, she could sense his aura.
This person is definitely a master…
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet. *Ahem*~ I am a Fatui Harbinger, codenamed 'Childe'. Miss, would you be so kind as to spare my friends, for my sake?" Childe said with a grin, but his tone carried a hint of command.
(Tch… Someone always shows up at the critical moment to ruin things. Fighting him head-on is impossible right now. It seems I have to make a concession. My mission is already complete anyway, and I'll have plenty of opportunities to capture my little darling later…)
"Hehehe… Since Lord Childe has spoken to this extent… how can I not give you a way down?" Tian Qing snorted, tossed a key to Childe, and then turned to quickly leave the prison.
"Hmm? What's this… a key? Was someone captured?" Childe asked in confusion, looking at the key in his hand.
"That's Paimon's cell key. Please… go check on Paimon first… She's likely badly injured…"
Ying sat down on the ground with difficulty. Seeing that there was no longer any danger around, she channeled her Anemo element to slowly expel the frost from her body.