Genshin Impact: The Road to Reversal

Chapter 621 The First Contractor

boom!

The cave trembled violently, and a loud crashing sound came from deep within.

In the center of the cave is a huge ice mound.

In the center of the icy tomb, the boy was already engaged in a fierce battle with the ice dragon.

Because the boy was too small, the ice dragon didn't bother to use elemental power. It roared and tore through the air with its claws. The boy spun around and the iron sword grazed the claws, leaving a shallow white mark on the ice armor.

But soon, the ice dragon circled in the air and flapped its wings again, flying towards the boy.

Seeing this, the boy hid around, using the ice pillars erected by the ice mound as cover, and maneuvered.

"What? Is this all the challenger has to offer? You don't even have the right to make me use my power, yet you dare to speak so arrogantly?"

The ice dragon bypassed the ice pillar, its claws striking the ground and shattering countless ice shards. The boy tumbled and rolled around in a sorry state, desperately trying to dodge.

He was worlds apart from the Ice Dragon; a direct confrontation would only lead to his death. So he could only wait, wait for an opportunity to turn the tide.

At this moment, Rek'os stood quietly in the corner, watching.

Hearing the commotion, the crowd rushed over and found him.

"Rek'os!" Karin gasped, hands on her knees. "What's going on? Have they already started fighting?"

Rek'os nodded: "How are you? Are you all alright? I came all this way and found that you were all gone. I thought something had happened to you. I tried to sense your presence, but it was blocked and I couldn't detect anything, so I had no choice but to follow you here."

"We're fine." Mo Yan shook his head. "But how are things on your end?"

"It should be... almost over." Rek'os turned his gaze back to the battlefield.

After a long chase, the boy knelt on one knee, panting heavily.

At that moment, the ice dragon roared and flew towards him, its sharp claws outstretched and gleaming with a cold light, about to fall.

Suddenly, the boy raised an eyebrow, and saw the ice dragon swooping down, its sharp claws shattering ice pillars and sending up clouds of ice dust. As the ice dragon took flight and the ice dust dissipated, the boy had vanished without a trace.

"Where is he? Why is he gone?" Karin looked around anxiously, even though she knew the outcome, she was still sweating bullets.

Just then, an angry shout came from above.

The boy leaped down from the upside-down icicle, his iron sword raised high, using the acceleration of the fall to gather all his strength into the blade.

Drink up!

The sword pierced fiercely into the reverse scale, creating a tiny crack on the indestructible ice armor.

The ice dragon roared in pain, its massive body thrashing violently, but the boy held on tightly to the sword hilt, and no matter how the ice dragon thrashed about, it remained firmly embedded in its back like a nail.

At that moment, the four of them were on tenterhooks.

Suddenly, the ice dragon went berserk and crashed into the ice pillars of the dome. Upon seeing this, the boy immediately jumped up, his hand leaving the sword hilt.

boom!

The ice pillar collapsed, shattering into countless giant ice blocks, which fell down along with the ice dragon.

The ice dragon crashed to the ground, raising a cloud of ice shards, causing the entire cave to tremble.

The icicles on the cave ceiling were shaken and were about to fall. Seeing this, the boy who was in mid-air kicked at an upside-down icicle with all his might.

Click!

The icicle snapped and fell straight down with a sharp sound.

The ice dragon had just stood up when an ice spike pierced its back. Instantly, it let out a shrill scream.

Roar!

It roared with its head raised, but eventually collapsed to the ground.

At this moment, the boy safely returned to the ground. Before he could even catch his breath, he was standing in front of the ice dragon.

“Rek'os, you have lost.” He frowned, raising his sword to point at the ice dragon, but his hand trembled uncontrollably.

The ice dragon let out a very soft sigh: "Yes, I lost. I take back what I said before. Your courage is indeed commendable. Tell me, what do you want... me to do?"

The boy frowned: "My request is simple: please keep your promise and return warmth to the earth."

The ice dragon suddenly fell silent, and after a long while let out a sigh: "Human, I don't understand. For those complete strangers, you almost abandoned yourself. Was it really worth it?"

The boy nodded: "It's worth it, because I think they shouldn't have to suffer like this. Humans may be small, but they also have the right to live."

"Then do you think your good intentions will be understood by the world? In such a harsh environment where the cold winds crack the earth, people are eager to fight for power and profit. If the world is unsealed, can you guarantee that they won't kill each other to fight for warm land?" the ice dragon asked again.

The boy fell silent for a moment, then looked up: "Then I will watch them, watch this world. If necessary, I will stop them. If I cannot stop them, then I will take on the responsibility of guiding them."

"Is that so...? Then let's make a bet. I will keep my promise and return warmth to the earth. From now on, the seasons will cycle and all things will grow. And you, as my first contractor, will uphold the way of the king and bring blessings to the world. If the world truly lives in peace and happiness as you wish, then I will naturally say nothing more. But if one day they start a war because of greed, then this promise will become an eternal cycle until you fulfill your promise."

Without the slightest hesitation, the boy met the ice dragon's gaze and nodded emphatically.

"I accept."

Even if it means eternal reincarnation, enduring endless betrayal?

“That’s right, because this is the path I chose.” The young man clutched his chest, breathing heavily, his eyes resolute. “If life is born into desolation and coldness, what future is there? So for the sake of the innocent, I am willing to bear this price!”

Upon hearing this, the ice dragon chuckled softly: "Hmph, fearless youth, please tell me your name."

The young man raised his head, his eyes burning: "Long Tianzhen."

The ice dragon's massive body began to emit a soft light, transforming into particles of light that gradually dissipated.

"Is that so? Then I look forward to seeing how you, as the creator of 'order,' will lead this world toward its rightful future!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the massive body of the ice dragon transformed into countless specks of light, some merging into the boy's body and others into the earth. At that moment, the heavens and earth trembled, the millennia-old ice seal began to loosen, and a warm aura surged from the ground, sweeping across the entire continent.

The boy stood still, watching the light in the sky gradually fade away, and remained motionless for a long time.

After a long silence, he said softly, "Why would I risk my life for others...? This is a question I still haven't forgotten to this day."

Upon hearing this, Mo Yan, Kailin, and the other three were startled. Just then, the boy turned around and looked at Rek'os beside him. In the blink of an eye, his clothes completely changed. His brown pupils emitted a golden light, and his bear coat transformed into a red robe with white and gold embellishments. He wore a cloak over his clothes, as if deliberately concealing his "god-like" aura.

Rek'aos's eyes widened in surprise, then he realized: "As expected, all of this was arranged by you, Your Majesty."

Karin's eyes widened in surprise: "You mean, he is... the Holy Lord?"

At this moment, Mo Yan frowned deeply.

This was not the first time they had seen the Holy Venerable's face. The first time was in Linghuang, when Lei Zun Li Xueyan, as the core guardian token, was taken away, he appeared in front of Zhao Heng and Zi Xuan.

The second time, in the abyss, Diablo arranged for him and Kaelin to see the Holy One's appearance during the chaos of the past. Back then, he was high in the heavens, but now he was right before their eyes.

There was no mistake. Even with a different set of clothes, he could recognize this face. The man in front of him who called himself the Holy Venerable was none other than Qi Yong from back then!