Xia Zhi pondered for a while before closing the system panel, deciding not to purchase the item immediately.
This was just a technique that couldn't be immediately converted into Mora, nor would it be easy to monetize.
As a newcomer, Xia Zhi had no connections except for Liu, the fish shop owner he met last night.
He didn't know any paper merchants and would need to spend effort investigating and contacting them. He would also need time to produce some high-quality paper samples before they would show interest in the new technology.
Even then, things weren't guaranteed. After all, he was just an outsider without backing. Those merchants might kick him out and forcibly take his papermaking technique.
Unless he made contracts with them beforehand, but those merchants were all very shrewd... it would be troublesome.
Now wasn't the time to sell technology; he needed to establish himself in Liyue first.
However, selling books was possible.
Earlier at Wanwen Bookhouse, Xia Zhi had looked at the bestselling novels on the shelves and found their writing patterns rather naive. If he adapted popular novels from his original world to fit this world's setting and submitted them to bookstores, he could surely earn decent royalties.
The downside was that it would be slow.
Adapting novels required rewriting word by word, waiting for editor review, publication scheduling, and sales cycle settlement. This process would take at least a month or two.
The advantage was obvious - copying books had no cost, and if his submissions sold well, he would gain a respectable public identity in Liyue.
In the future, when he saw progress bars above people's heads, it would be easier to approach them if they recognized him.
Xia Zhi carried his newly purchased books through the corridor to Heyu Tea House.
A middle-aged man wearing glasses was storytelling on stage, with many customers sitting at tables below, drinking tea while listening.
Xia Zhi found an empty seat in the corner and ordered the cheapest tea for 20 Mora.
The storyteller was telling "The Sound of Rain-Cutting" today.
It was about a once-prestigious sect called the Guhua Clan that had fallen into decline over time. Challengers came in endless streams while disciples continuously left.
The remaining disciples wanted to protect their mountain but lacked the strength. Even the Guhua Clan's signboard had been destroyed.
Just when the Clan Leader was despairing and preparing to disband the sect and go into seclusion, a young man entered the mountain gate with unparalleled sword skills...
The storyteller was talented, making the story exciting and dramatic. The listeners were thoroughly engrossed, and many even gave him tips.
Xia Zhi found it interesting at first but gradually lost interest as he continued listening.
It was simply because the story's pattern was too old.
However, seeing how captivated the other customers in the tea house were, he felt that his earlier idea of copying books was worth trying.
Of course, not as a main occupation, just something to do in his spare time.
Xia Zhi lifted his teacup for a sip. The tea was rather bland, barely quenching his thirst.
Though the storytelling wasn't particularly engaging, he'd already ordered the tea, and it would be a waste of money not to finish it. He might as well read here.
Opening the "Teyvat Travel Guide" he bought earlier at Wanwen Bookhouse, he started with the Liyue chapter.
Wangshu Inn, Guili Plains, Dihua Marsh, Wuwang Hill, Jueyun Karst...
The author used their personal experiences as foundation, vividly describing these places' scenery and characteristics through engaging writing and stories, gradually painting a beautiful and magnificent landscape before Xia Zhi's "eyes."
The tea in his pot was unknowingly finished. Xia Zhi contentedly closed the book in his hands, just as he was about to leave Heyu Tea House, he suddenly noticed the people in the tea house beginning to show immense enthusiasm.
The storyteller had already left the stage, but the audience sat up straight, shouting loudly at the empty stage: "Master Yun! Master Yun!..."
This scene oddly reminded Xia Zhi of fans at live concerts in his original world.
Xia Zhi couldn't help but become curious about this Master Yun they were calling for, so he suppressed his urge to leave and remained seated to wait.
Shortly after, a young girl wearing a half-skirt opera costume and stage makeup came onto the stage, giving everyone a slight bow.
The previously excited audience immediately fell silent.
The girl began her opera performance.
"Walking in Snow."
Xia Zhi sat below, watching this graceful girl with slight surprise.
Not because of her excellent opera voice, but because she had a silver-colored progress bar above her.
Progress: [0%]
Liyue was truly a big city - in just one morning, he had encountered both a gold-level figure and a silver-level figure.
This was much more efficient than finding elite monsters in the wild, and the difficulty was much lower too.
Xia Zhi quietly appreciated the opera performance of this Master Yun until she finished.
Her performance was undeniably excellent; even Xia Zhi, who didn't understand much about opera, could find enjoyment in it.
Master Yun gave another slight bow and gracefully retreated.
The audience below seemed to finally come back to their senses, breaking into another round of loud cheers.
From their chattering discussions, Xia Zhi finally learned the name of Master Yun: Yun Jin.
He also learned some information about her: her father was a playwright, and her mother was once a famous opera performer in Liyue Harbor. It was under her parents' guidance that she took this path. Now she was the current head of the "Yun-Han Opera Troupe," a Liyue opera star who combined playwriting and performing abilities, and frequently performed at Heyu Tea House.
In short, this Yun Jin was a very famous star in Liyue Harbor.
Xia Zhi sighed inwardly.
Major celebrities were too difficult to approach; he should focus on Qiqi for now.
After gathering his books, Xia Zhi left the tea house and saw a bank not far away.
Northland Bank.
This was a bank established by Snezhnaya in Liyue, and the only non-local bank in Liyue.
There was an advertisement at the entrance claiming they had the most satisfactory loan rates and deposit interest rates for customers in Liyue Harbor.
Xia Zhi glanced at the pretty lady standing at the bank entrance - tall with long legs, and she even gave him a sweet smile.
Very sweet indeed.
Xia Zhi took another look, thinking this bank seemed decent, but unfortunately he didn't have much money now, otherwise he would definitely go in to do some business.
It was almost noon.
His stomach was getting hungry.
Xia Zhi walked down the big stairs of Feiyun Slope, came to the harbor area, and found a Liyue snack stand where he bought a Northern Smoked Chicken and a Satisfying Salad.
A balanced meal of meat and vegetables, eating healthy.
After lunch, Xia Zhi wandered around the harbor area for a while, buying a stack of white paper, a quill pen, a bottle of ink, and a bottle of good wine from Mondstadt from various small stalls.
Then, he returned to Seaview Inn, rested for a while, and sat at the desk to think about copying books.
From the storyteller's "The Sound of Rain-Cutting," it seemed that people in Liyue still preferred stories about genius protagonists rising up and face-slapping.
Well then, this is it.
Xia Zhi picked up the quill pen and began writing on the white paper.
"Power of the Immortals, Level Three!"