Chat Group: Starting by Swapping Bodies with Elysia?

When he learned that his opponents were those three small things, Jacob hadn't taken them seriously at all.

After all,

If I can't defeat the Hydro Archon wielding the holy sword, can't I at least defeat these three little things?

But when Furina and the Seafood Trio swarmed him, Jacob realized how foolish it was to underestimate them.

—These weren't the same as the Seafood Trio created by Furina with a Vision.

If the Seafood Trio created by Furina using Neuvillette's Vision were powerful summons,

Then the Seafood Trio created by [Furina]…

They were true Archon dependents.

Although, due to being hastily created and Jiang Qiao not using much power, they couldn't compare to dragon kings like Dvalin or powerful beings like Yae Miko, they were comparable to the Dendro Archon's dependents, the Aranara.

And because they were born from the waters, their combat abilities were enhanced in areas rich in Hydro energy.

"Ah, ooh—!"

Jacob, surrounded by the Seafood Trio, was pinned to the ground, crying out in pain. Furina, initially too intimidated to join the fight, remembering the "pretty boy" incident, quietly approached and started to secretly attack him.

A while later, Jacob, bruised and swollen, was bound by water ropes, his Abyssal armor broken and scattered.

The Seafood Trio looked proud, and so did Furina—Hmph, the four of us are so strong!

"Mmm, everything should be alright now, right?"

The blue and white-haired girl smiled, looking at Jacob, who was gradually reverting to his original form, or rather, being "beaten back to his original form," and asked.

"..."

Jacob remained silent, dejected.

"It seems there's no problem."

"Alright, let's go find the one below." Jiang Qiao nodded in satisfaction, waved his hand, and the Seafood Trio grabbed Jacob. Furina, puzzled, followed behind.

"Is there someone beneath this tower?"

"You'll know soon enough." Jiang Qiao didn't explain, simply leading the way into the Ipsissimus Tower.

As the Narzissenkreuz Ordo's lair and the heart of their plan, the tower's interior was exquisitely decorated.

But perhaps because it had been sealed for many years, the furnishings and books were covered in a thick layer of dust.

Following the passage leading underground, they saw a ritual site—filled with various clockwork automatons.

"Where did these security automatons come from?!" Furina asked in surprise, seeing the numerous automatons.

Undoubtedly, these were security automatons belonging to the Palais Mermonia.

"There's something special beneath the tower. After the Palais Mermonia sealed this place, they left these automatons as guards. Anyone trying to go down would awaken them."

"Huh? Neuvillette never told me about this…"

"You don't handle these matters… And, didn't he tell you?"

"Did he?"

"It was four hundred years ago… Mmm, you were enjoying dessert at the time and didn't pay attention later."

"Ah?!"

Furina's expression was a mix of innocence and confusion. She hadn't paid attention to such things at all… But then again, the Narzissenkreuz Ordo matter was clearly related to the prophecy she was investigating, and yet…

Thinking that she had overlooked such an important matter because of her love for sweets, Furina felt incredibly annoyed and embarrassed, and could only ask, "How did you know?"

"It told me." The girl, her slender index finger lightly tapping her hair, said naturally.

"The past recorded within this vessel is transparent to me."

Ordinary people would forget their memories, burying them deep within their minds, making it difficult to retrieve distant memories. But for Jiang Qiao, retrieving and searching for what he needed was incredibly easy.

Even with five hundred years of memories within [Furina]'s body, with his experience of using Elysian Realm Elysia's fifty-thousand-year-old memories, it wasn't a problem—he had even unearthed the memories Focalors had left within this body.

Therefore, the demeanor Jiang Qiao displayed while using this body was partly influenced by Focalors, and even Egeria from Focalors's memories.

Furina's cheeks instantly flushed red.

This… this… didn't this mean that this guy had seen through her completely?!

The thought of her five-hundred-year-old memories, her actions, and even her embarrassing thoughts being seen by Jiang Qiao made Furina turn into a steaming kettle, letting out a cute, cat-like whimper.

Although angry, since he had already seen them, there was nothing she could do. Besides, not only her memories, but her body was currently being used by him.

…Glare!

But despite her anger, seeing the numerous security automatons, she asked, "What about these things? Should we go back and get the Gardes to deal with them?"

The access codes for the security automatons were almost exclusively controlled by the Gardes. Even the Hydro Archon's authority wouldn't work—they didn't know who she was or what to be wary of.

"No need to bother."

Jiang Qiao said calmly, his slender finger gently flicking the air.

Clang

A sound like a guqin—the next moment, all the security automatons silently crumbled. Only when they fell to the ground did the sparks from the mechanical failure belatedly appear, then quickly extinguished.

Jacob, watching this scene, his pupils constricted.

Even he couldn't easily deal with so many security automatons in such a short time, yet they had instantly… disintegrated.

This shocking scene undoubtedly stunned him.

His gaze towards [Furina] was filled with fear and awe.

If she had done this to him earlier, even with the power of the Abyss sustaining him, he would be long dead.

Was this the true power of the Hydro Archon?

Recalling the absurd, weak Hydro Archon he had seen before, Jacob was shocked—this seemingly absurd and weak Archon had hidden her true power very well!

Of course, besides amazement, he also felt some resentment.

If she had revealed her true power earlier, he and René wouldn't have needed to act alone! They could have just followed their Hydro Archon!

[Furina], having dealt with the security automatons, gently lowered her finger.

This power of the Herrscher of the Wind was always very useful for cutting things.

"Alright, let's go."

After dealing with the security automatons blocking their path, they left the ritual site and soon saw a blue grotto overgrown with weeds.

"Where does this lead to?" Fairy Ely asked curiously, approaching and tentatively stepping into the water, then she said with surprise, "This water… it's not right!"

"It's primordial water."

"Below, is the Primordial Sea." Jiang Qiao raised his hand calmly, and faint protective barriers enveloped everyone. The next moment, they descended into the water.

There was no need to swim like a certain blonde idiot—he didn't want to swim in this Primordial Sea with this body.

After all, although [Furina] was different from ordinary Fontaine citizens, after Focalors took away her Gnosis, this body, originally an Oceanid, would still have adverse reactions to the primordial water, just like other Fontaine citizens.

"This… is this the Primordial Sea?!" Furina stared at the bizarre scene below, where water columns flowed upwards, her face filled with surprise.

"Mmm, this is the origin of life on this planet."

Jiang Qiao said, while observing the state of the Primordial Sea—it was different from when the Traveler had come here. The current water level was much higher, at least dozens of times higher than in the game's storyline.

However, this wasn't surprising. After all, the primordial water level in the storyline was after the rising tides, after the All-Devouring Narwhal had been taken away, and the Primordial Sea had returned to its original position.

And now, it wasn't over yet. The Primordial Sea was still rising. Coming here at this time was naturally different from when the Traveler had come.

Protected by the barriers, they slowly descended to the surface of the Primordial Sea.

This place was somewhat different from the diluted primordial water and could support their weight.

"The day of return has come…"

A deep, imposing voice echoed around them.

The next moment, the calm surface of the Primordial Sea rippled, and a giant figure emerged—at first glance, it was a monster entirely made of primordial water, clad in a frame, with a single, patterned eye.

"I sense the familiar aura of an old friend…"

"Jacob, it's you."

"The four quadrants haven't been reversed… the flow chart is also stagnant… I can sense the Primordial Sea's restlessness and rising… the end is near… Jacob, my dear friend, what are you doing?"

Narzissenkreuz's words held a hint of displeasure, but not blame, only confusion, bewilderment, and a headache.

According to the plan, he had to wait until everything was complete before saving Fontaine, and this… if it wasn't complete, even with the holy sword, they couldn't save many people.

He had originally told the Traveler that they had a fifty percent chance, but now, it was less than ten percent!

Fortunately, his personality prevented him from blaming others for their incompetence.

If others didn't do enough, he would just make up for their shortcomings.

Even so—seeing his former companion messing things up like this, Narzissenkreuz felt frustrated.

I entrusted everything to you, and this is what you've done?

"I… I'm sorry…"

Jacob lowered his head in shame.

"Wait… what's with your appearance?"

"It's a long story…"

As the two were about to launch into a lengthy explanation, the girl's voice interrupted their reunion:

"Excuse me~ Are you planning to chat all day?"

"I understand your urge to catch up with an old friend, and I don't want to be the bad guy, but leaving us hanging like this, constantly ignoring us, is a bit annoying."

"..."

"You… you're the Hydro Archon, Focalors?!" Narzissenkreuz's gaze fell upon Jiang Qiao. Seeing her face, his deep, imposing voice was filled with astonishment. He looked at Jacob, his large eye filled with question marks.

The war against the Erinius had been orchestrated by the combined forces of the Palais Mermonia and Alain. And the Hydro Archon, the ruler of Fontaine, was undoubtedly the enemy of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo.

And yet, she was here now…

Was it you who brought the Hydro Archon here?

… Did you betray us?

Jacob's expression was one of utter bewilderment—did he look like a traitor?!

He had been coerced… no, he had also been dragged here!

Recalling the smooth progress of their plan, its promising development, only to be imprisoned, beaten up, and brought before the Primordial Sea, Jacob was filled with bitterness.

"You finally noticed me~" The blue and white-haired girl sighed, clapping her hands. "Being ignored doesn't feel good."

"…Focalors, the Hydro Archon, what do you want?"

Unlike his attitude towards the Traveler, Narzissenkreuz was wary and apprehensive when facing [Furina].

Compared to the more flamboyant Jacob, he was far more cautious towards the Seven Archons.

"What I want isn't important. What's important is—what do you want, isn't it?"

"..."

"Are you going to stop us like you did five hundred years ago?"

"Look around, Focalors! The Primordial Sea is rising! Soon, the prophecy will be fulfilled, and Fontaine will be destroyed."

"Are you going to let the people of Fontaine, who love and admire you, be destroyed?"

"Are you, as a god, going to watch all of this happen?"

"Answer me, Focalors."

Narzissenkreuz's tone was agitated.

The Traveler, to him, was someone who needed to be saved, and the Hydro Archon, Focalors, went without saying—as a god, she should save her people!

Even if she didn't do anything, would she actually stop others from saving them?

"I naturally have my own plan, but before that…"

"Narzissenkreuz, your plan won't achieve the desired results. It will only bring disaster to Fontaine, and even all of Teyvat."

"Therefore, I must stop you."

Jiang Qiao—[Furina] looked up at him calmly, her tone resolute.

"..." After a brief silence, Narzissenkreuz's deep voice rumbled like thunder:

"Is that so… so that's how it is…"

"In that case, prove it to me!"

"Prove that you have the power to save the world!"

"Only then can you stop me!"

"Only then can you prove that you can save the world."

"Come, Hydro Archon, prove it to me!"