That familiar dizzying sensation surged again.
But everyone, having frequently traveled to the Nether these past few days, had already grown used to the feeling.
They just shook their heads and quickly recovered.
However, as they began observing their surroundings, a trace of tension returned.
This was a fully enclosed space from all directions, and most importantly…
Unlike the Nether, there was no return portal after teleporting here.
They were trapped?
Everyone's expression turned a little grim.
Ryen, however, had anticipated this and said calmly:
"Don't panic. This is normal. Once you arrive in the End, if you want to go back, you have to get to the Ender Dragon's area. So, once you're here, you're committed to slaying the dragon."
Then he turned and teased Venti:
"So if you had come alone earlier, you'd definitely be stuck here for good."
"That's why we came together!"
Venti replied cheerfully.
Ryen didn't continue teasing him. Instead, he pulled out a pickaxe and said:
"Let's dig through these blocks. We've probably teleported to the outer islands of the End. We'll need to bridge over. We'll be coming to this world often in the future."
In a few swift moves, he dug through the blocks. The next moment, the view of the End spread out before them.
The ground was a milky white color, while the sky and the bottomless abyss below were pitch black.
Oddly enough, although the area didn't emit any light, it wasn't necessary to place torches—they could still see clearly.
In the distance, they seemed to hear a dragon's roar. Purple flashes—the signature teleportation lights of Endermen—flickered all around the realm.
Endermen were everywhere.
At a glance, Ningguang and the others spotted seven or eight of them.
This number was already somewhat dangerous. Even though everyone had learned how to fight Endermen, in the end, they were still few in number.
Ryen took out some blocks to start building a bridge and gave a quick reminder:
"Remember not to look Endermen in the eyes. We're not here to fight them—starting a side battle is too troublesome."
"If you're really unsure, wear a carved pumpkin. That way, even if you look straight at them, it won't be dangerous."
Hearing this, Venti shook his head with an expression of resistance.
"Pumpkin heads? No thanks. They're uglier than diamond helmets and block your vision. I'd rather not."
Ryen said nothing, just gave him a meaningful look.
Talking big now, but once he sees what's up ahead…
He'll definitely be the first to put it on.
Calling over a few of the guys, Ryen and the others began constructing a wider pathway.
Ningguang and the rest took charge of placing fences on the sides.
If Ryen had come alone, he would've just built a narrow one-way sky bridge.
But since they planned to develop the area in the future, might as well build it properly from the start.
The distance to the main island wasn't far. Before long, they completed the bridge and arrived at the End.
A few steps forward, and everyone froze on the spot.
No torches at all, yet the End appeared slightly lit.
Not far ahead stood ten obsidian pillars of varying heights.
The area was swarming with Endermen—just a rough glance revealed hundreds of them.
If it were any other monster, no one would care.
Now armed with firearms and Ryen's RPG, they could easily crush four to five hundred enemies.
But Endermen… were immune to ranged attacks.
So many clustered together—never mind accidentally provoking them and getting swarmed—even if the Endermen just stood still and let them attack, their arms would go sore from swinging.
High above, the Ender Dragon soared through the air, beams of light extending from the Ender Crystals on its body.
It roared past, kicking up violent winds.
Unlike Dvalin, it had only one pair of wings and a jet-black body. Its eyes gleamed with a deep violet glow.
Slightly smaller than Dvalin, perhaps.
But the danger it radiated far exceeded Dvalin.
Majestic and fearsome.
But at the moment, no one was focused on that.
Venti swallowed hard and took out a pumpkin head.
"I think… the pumpkin isn't so bad after all…"
And promptly wore it on his head.
Seeing this, Ryen smirked and leaned close to Ganyu's ear, whispering:
"Told you. He'd be the first to wear one."
Then he took out a few more pumpkins and distributed them to the group.
Even Lisa, who hated ugly outfits the most, didn't say a word this time.
Beauty could wait—this was a matter of survival.
Hundreds of Endermen attacking all at once? Not even a full Netherite armor set and a dozen totems of undying would save you.
Sometimes, survival comes first.
With pumpkins now on their heads, the group exchanged glances. Somehow, they all felt the others looked a bit ridiculous.
Then again, they realized—they were probably just as ridiculous themselves.
Everyone fell silent.
This trip to the End might go down as the single most embarrassing image-shattering moment for all these once-handsome and beautiful people.
Unanimously choosing to ignore the pumpkin aesthetics, everyone turned their eyes to the Ender Dragon.
The mighty dragon's roars echoed in all directions—it truly was a sight to behold.
But thinking about the chance to ride such a magnificent creature, their anxiety started turning into excitement.
"Hehe!"
Venti rubbed his hands in anticipation.
"I can already picture myself riding the Ender Dragon across Mondstadt! Dvalin will be so happy!"
Ryen rolled his eyes.
Happy?
Seeing his old friend abandon him for a new dragon, riding the Ender Dragon around every day?
If Dvalin could take on the Ender Dragon, he'd definitely beat it up when Venti wasn't around.
"Aren't you supposed to be hatching a Nether Dragon? How'd it become an Ender Dragon now?"
Diluc crossed his arms and asked coldly. The classic "cool guy" pose looked oddly comical with a pumpkin on his head.
Thankfully, everyone's attention was on the dragon, so no one noticed.
Venti kept his eyes locked on the Ender Dragon and said righteously:
"Don't you think the pitch-black Ender Dragon looks cool? It's a black dragon! And it breathes some kind of non-elemental dragonfire!"
"Way cooler than Dvalin!"
At that, everyone mentally rolled their eyes.
As expected, all bards are basically the same—charming, unfaithful rogues.
Still, Ryen understood Venti well. After all, he too was the type to chase after new things even while having something in hand.
Venti sought freedom, and he wanted others to be free as well. That's why he never tried to restrain Dvalin—he let him enjoy true freedom.
But that didn't mean Venti didn't like dragons.
Back during the Archon War, he had ridden Dvalin into many great battles.
If anyone could be called Teyvat's number one Dragon Knight, it was none other than Venti.
But now that Dvalin was truly free, Venti could no longer force him to carry him through the skies like in the past.
Though Dvalin was willing, Venti had a principle he refused to break.
The dragons hatched in this world were different.
They lacked much intelligence. Even if Venti were to set them free, all they could do was squat there in a daze.
So what were they?
Perfect mounts, of course!
Teyvat's number one Dragon Knight, Venti, had found his beloved steed once more!
---
"Alright, focus. Let me explain how to deal with the Ender Dragon."
Ryen clapped his hands, pulling everyone's attention back.
After organizing his thoughts, he first pointed to the ten obsidian pillars surrounding them.
"See those pillars? The End Crystals are on top."
"To slay the dragon, we first need to deal with those End Crystals. Otherwise, the Ender Dragon will keep healing."
"Some crystals are surrounded by iron bars. We'll need to climb up and dismantle them—but listen carefully, don't attack the crystals directly, or they'll explode."
"We have Ganyu. She can shoot them from a distance once the cages are removed."
Seeing everyone nod in understanding, Ryen continued:
"When the Ender Dragon is flying, use ranged attacks. It's not ideal, but I trust all of you are capable."
"So, while it's airborne, hit it hard with firearms."
"The Ender Dragon will also breathe Dragon's Breath at us—it deals very high damage. Do not try to tank it."
"After dodging the breath, Lisa and Ningguang, you're in charge of collecting the Dragon's Breath in glass bottles. It's vital for crafting lingering potions later."
"Again, never try to tank the breath directly. Don't think that enchanted diamond armor can save you."
"This is one of the strongest enemies in this world—its damage is beyond imagination. Make sure to carry multiple Totems of Undying."
"And don't be stingy with Golden Apples. Use one as soon as your health drops."
After a short pause to let the information sink in, Ryen pointed to the central pool not far away.
"That's the Final Pool. The Ender Dragon will dive into it like Dvalin does, and the dive attack is very powerful."
"When it lands on the pool, it becomes immune to ranged attacks. That's when we need to go in for melee."
"If you're too far, use Ender Pearls to close the distance."
"Also, while it's perched on the pool, it breathes Dragon's Breath straight ahead. So we need to attack from the sides or rear."
"That's pretty much everything important."
He turned toward Nahida and Paimon, then pulled out some obsidian and quickly built them a small hut.
"You two stay in here and behave. We'll be done soon."
Paimon was more than happy to stay in the safe zone. She wasn't going to fight anyway—maybe fire off a few random shots for moral support.
Whether she hit or not, Ryen and the others didn't mind. She was so tiny, just joining them in the End was brave enough.
Nahida, however, looked at Ryen with a pout.
"Does Ryen really see me as a little kid? I can fight too!"
"But letting you fight would be my mistake."
Ryen patted her head.
No matter what Nahida said, in his eyes she was just a little loli.
He wasn't nearly heartless enough to let her swing a diamond sword at a dragon.
"Be good. I'll hatch a dragon for you when we get back."
Nahida gave a soft hum and quietly tugged on his hand.
"You... You be careful."
Ryen smiled, said nothing, and gave her cheek a pinch before leaving the hut.
The obsidian was incredibly sturdy—even the Ender Dragon couldn't break it.
They would be safe inside.
He took out the telescope he had crafted earlier and surveyed the End Crystals.
After confirming that two of them were encased in iron cages, he pointed in their direction.
"Xiao, Zhongli—I'll need you two to climb up and dismantle the cages. Be careful, and do not damage the End Crystals."
"We'll distract the Ender Dragon for you."
The two nodded solemnly, then quietly moved into position.
Ryen pulled out his light machine gun and aimed it at the Ender Dragon in the sky.
The others got ready as well.
The atmosphere tensed up instantly. Moments later, as the Ender Dragon let out another roar and soared past, Ryen suddenly raised his gun.
"Open fire!"
The endless sound of gunfire echoed through the silent, barren End like a chain of firecrackers on New Year's Eve.
~~----------------------
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