Suddenly, the aura around Andrius, who was enduring Yun Fan's attacks, shifted dramatically. A burst of violent Anemo energy erupted, forcing Yun Fan, who had suppressed his strength, to retreat.
The Wolf King stepped back several meters, feeling the chill and numbness spreading across his body. His gaze turned dangerous. He could sense that the two elemental forces Yun Fan wielded were purer and more aggressive than the elemental energy native to Teyvat. It didn't seem like power from this world.
"Challenger, your strength has surpassed my expectations. Therefore, I will now go all out!"
Andrius let out a long howl towards the sky. The Cryo energy within him, no longer dormant, surged forth alongside his Anemo energy. In an instant, the entire trial ground was filled with dense elemental energy.
Andrius himself was enveloped by these two elemental forces, forming a cocoon-like structure. A few breaths later, a cyan-blue wolf claw tore through the cocoon, and the transformed Wolf King emerged.
Now, Andrius's body was larger than before. His claws, infused with Anemo energy, had become even sharper, and his fangs protruded from the corners of his mouth.
Additionally, his fur was no longer the simple white and blue of his normal form. Cyan Anemo energy had replaced some of the white fur, and his blue mane had turned a lighter shade, giving him a mixed white, blue, and cyan appearance.
Is this his strongest form? Yun Fan observed this form, which was somewhat different from the one in the game, and couldn't help but nod in approval.
There was no denying that the Wolf King was incredibly majestic. If only he could have such a mount! Unfortunately, Andrius had already merged all his power into the land of Mondstadt. What remained was merely a remnant of his soul. Otherwise, Yun Fan would have definitely tried to "recruit" him.
Just as Andrius was about to launch another attack, he suddenly felt a wave of malice. His massive body trembled slightly, though he couldn't pinpoint the source of this sudden feeling.
Shaking his head slightly, Andrius's eyes glowed with an Anemo sigil, and he transformed into a gust of wind, darting across the trial ground.
"His speed has increased so much," Yun Fan remarked with some surprise. In his new form, Andrius's speed had more than tripled. At the same time, he had unleashed his Cryo energy, freezing everything in his path.
Clang! Clang! Clang!...
Under Andrius's lightning-fast speed, Yun Fan found himself at a disadvantage. In martial arts, nothing is indestructible except speed.
If Yun Fan were going all out, Andrius's speed might not have posed much of a threat. But now, with his strength suppressed, he was no match for the Wolf King, who was renowned for his speed.
The metallic clashing of wolf claws against Yun Fan's shield echoed across the trial ground, the sound lingering in the air.
"I seem to be on the defensive."
Andrius moved like a ghost, appearing at Yun Fan's side from time to time to launch an attack. After each strike, regardless of the outcome, he would vanish again.
This left Yun Fan in a tough spot. He felt like a punching bag, and if he didn't do something, he would remain a living target.
"Got it!"
Yun Fan had a sudden idea.
"In the name of Landau, I have endured the snow and wind to forge this resolve, which will never end!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!...
Vast Cryo energy radiated from Yun Fan, and walls of ice rose from the ground, dividing the trial ground into multiple sections.
Andrius, who had been moving too fast to be seen, was forced to reveal himself, reappearing in Yun Fan's line of sight.
Thud!
Naturally, Andrius didn't want to lose his speed advantage. He tried to attack the ice walls, but his claws only left shallow gouges, less than thirty centimeters deep.
Seeing that his attacks were ineffective, Andrius, after a brief moment of surprise, decided to confront Yun Fan head-on.
The Wolf King would not retreat or admit defeat. This was the pride of the North Wind.
"Blades—know no mercy!"
Yun Fan put away his shield and summoned a polearm. Fierce Electro energy surged from his body, coating the blade. With a swing, he slashed at Andrius's massive claw.
In that instant, Cryo, Electro, and Anemo energies collided between the two, triggering a violent elemental reaction.
With a deafening explosion, the Archon's aura gradually subsided, and the dark clouds over Wolvendom slowly dispersed. Warm sunlight once again bathed the land, as if after a rain.
Razor stared intently at the dust cloud covering the trial ground, eager to know the outcome. Would it be the fall of the Wolf King or the defeat of the human?
Recognition of the Wolf of the North obtained. Reward: 1 draw chance.
The voice of the Void Archives echoed in Yun Fan's mind, bringing a smile to his face.
It seems my guess was correct. The recognition of an Archon can also provide me with draw chances.
As the dust settled, Andrius had reverted to his original form, and Yun Fan had put away his weapon. The two stood facing each other, sizing each other up.
"Yun Fan, I, in the name of the North Wind, recognize you," Andrius said slowly, his voice filled with authority and admiration.
"The Wolf of the North truly lives up to his reputation," Yun Fan replied with a smile.
Hearing this, Andrius shook his head.
"I can sense that you still hold immense power within you. Moreover, at the final moment of our clash, you withdrew most of your strength. Otherwise, this remnant of my soul might have dissipated."
"Wolf King!" Razor, carrying Klee, jumped down from above and quickly ran to Andrius, his eyes filled with concern. After all, Yun Fan had been brought here by him. If anything happened to the Wolf King, it would be a disaster for all of Wolvendom.
"Razor, your friend is quite remarkable," Andrius said, nodding at Razor.
"I..." Razor was about to say something when a cute voice interrupted him.
"Hehe, I'm also Razor's friend!" Klee swayed cutely as she spoke.
"You are..." Andrius stared at Klee, feeling a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen her somewhere before. Suddenly, a mature, fiery-red figure appeared in his mind, emerging from his memories.
"You're Alice's daughter?" The Wolf King took a step back, as if recalling something.
"Huh? Yes, Klee is Mommy's daughter. Does the big wolf know Mommy too?" Klee asked curiously.
"Ahem, we've met once. After the battle just now, I've expended too much energy. I need to return to my slumber. Razor, I leave the rest to you."
With that, Andrius retreated back into the wall, almost as if... he was fleeing?