Zhongli, Venti, and the Tsaritsa stood atop a snowy cliff in Dragonspine, engaged in casual conversation.
It had been centuries since the Archons last gathered, so they had much to discuss.
The arrival of Jiang Chen, Guizhong, and Havria interrupted their exchange.
Guizhong and Havria studied the Tsaritsa with open curiosity, while Jiang Chen's eyes flickered with surprise upon seeing her.
Bronya?!
The resemblance was uncanny.
If the Pyro Archon resembled Himeko, then this was clearly Bronya's counterpart.
The Honkai trio really were moonlighting in Teyvat.
"Jiang Chen, hello. A pleasure to meet you."
The Tsaritsa greeted him politely.
"Likewise."
"Here, take this."
"I don't need it anymore. Oh, and lend me your Gnosis for a sec."
Jiang Chen casually tossed over the Electro Gnosis.
The Tsaritsa blinked, catching it reflexively.
Just… handed it over?
But he wanted to borrow hers?
Though puzzled, she produced her Cryo Gnosis and passed it to him.
A silent exchange.
Jiang Chen activated it immediately, absorbing Cryo energy.
Zhongli remained unfazed, but Venti and the Tsaritsa stared in astonishment.
"That's possible?!"
Like Lumine touching Statues of The Seven!
"Of course. If she can gain elements from statues, why can't I from Gnoses?"
Venti: "..."
Since when was this normal?!
The Tsaritsa, however, nodded thoughtfully.
She had heard of the Traveler's unique ability.
Why wouldn't Jiang Chen share it?
Once he secured Cryo mastery, Jiang Chen returned the Gnosis.
"Here. Useless to me now."
"Only Pyro left."
(He'd obtain Dendro later by having Buer bring her Gnosis to the Throne of Heroes.)
"Congratulations."
The Tsaritsa accepted it back, bemused.
He really did just want to look.
Jiang Chen then gestured to his companions.
"Guizhong, the God of Dust."
"Havria, the God of Salt."
The Tsaritsa acknowledged them with a nod, studying the resurrected gods intently.
Such an extraordinary power.
A recent report flashed through her mind—the Abyss collecting relics of dead gods.
Was Jiang Chen behind this?
But today's agenda was different.
"Jiang Chen, have my Harbingers offended you?"
"Nope. I killed the Doctor purely out of disgust."
"My moral compass demanded it."
"Harming children is unforgivable."
"As for Scaramouche… blame Ei."
He only eliminated the Doctor.
Scaramouche? That was Ei's handiwork.
(Though he had wanted to intervene. Ei insisted on dismantling him herself—hence the Shogun 2.0.)
The Tsaritsa fell silent at Jiang Chen's reasoning.
Zhongli's lips curved slightly.
"Indeed. Those who harm children deserve death."
"I fully endorse this."
"Don't you agree, Barbatos?"
He loathed the Doctor's methods.
Venti hastily nodded.
"Absolutely!!"
Guizhong and Havria exchanged glances before concurring.
After reflecting on the Doctor's atrocities, even the Tsaritsa sighed.
"He did deserve it."
Then she straightened.
"I'll rein in the remaining Harbingers."
"They won't provoke you again."
Better warn them to behave.
Jiang Chen was not to be trifled with.
His aura radiated danger—worse than Celestia's.
"I generally avoid violence unless provoked."
"I'm quite reasonable."
"Take Tartaglia—I only injured him."
"And that was because he unleashed Osial."
"Otherwise? Perfectly civil."
"Want a Gnosis? Just ask."
"They're useless corpse fragments anyway."
"Case in point: Venti volunteered his."
Venti: "..."
Why phrase it like that?!
Now even the Tsaritsa eyed her Gnosis with distaste.
Corpse fragments…
Technically accurate.
"You've collected Anemo, Geo, and Electro."
"I can have Buer surrender Dendro too."
"But conditions apply."
Jiang Chen's smile turned sly.
The Tsaritsa froze.
Buer would relinquish her Gnosis?
Then it hit her.
If she refused his terms, Buer wouldn't cooperate.
And forcibly seizing it from the World Tree's administrator?
Suicidal.
"Name your price."
"I want Snezhnaya to support Sumeru's Terminal rollout."
"No interference in our technological expansion."
The Tsaritsa blinked.
…That's it?