The Jade Chamber's tranquil and picturesque courtyard, which had been serene just moments ago, was now an unrecognizable mess.
The trees that Ningguang had purchased at high prices, carefully transplanted and tended to by skilled gardeners, lay in ruins. The once-lush glaze lilies were reduced to scattered petals. The extravagant white jade tiles paving the ground were cracked and fragmented, and the artificial rock garden meticulously crafted from rare stones was utterly demolished.
Ningguang surveyed the devastation wrought upon her beloved Jade Chamber. For a moment, her blood pressure skyrocketed, her vision went dark, and she almost fainted on the spot.
If this damage had been incurred for the sake of Liyue's welfare, she would have felt pained but resigned. However, this—this was an unprovoked disaster.
It was all Mora! Gone, wasted in an instant!
But the culprit was none other than the Conqueror of Demons, Xiao, who had tirelessly safeguarded Liyue for thousands of years. And to make matters worse, it was her own idea to have him demonstrate the trident's capabilities in the first place.
Ningguang fell silent, her usual radiance dimmed, and she seemed to retreat inward as if the weight of her decisions had caught up to her. If not for her innate elegance and pride, one might have expected her to collapse in her chambers later, lamenting and rolling about, mourning the Jade Chamber's fate.
"I... I deeply apologize!"
Xiao's normally stoic face flushed with embarrassment as he looked around at the chaos.
"I will personally take responsibility and compensate for the damages!"
Ningguang pressed her lips into a thin line, forcing herself to accept the situation as it was. After a deep breath, she managed a strained smile.
"There's no need. After all, it was my request to have you demonstrate the trident's capabilities. Besides, Conqueror of Demons, your tireless dedication to protecting Liyue far outweighs the cost of these trivial repairs."
Her words weren't mere platitudes. Although the destruction of the Jade Chamber pained her, Ningguang wasn't one to fret over money. The repairs would take time, but the cost itself? Insignificant.
Ningguang's wealth was beyond comprehension. For her, repairing this damage was like tossing a pebble into the sea. She could earn back the Mora lost here within the span of five heartbeats—no exaggeration. Otherwise, her reputation as the woman controlling half of Liyue's economy would be mere gossip.
Moreover, her recent alliance with Ryen had opened doors to an entirely new world of opportunities. With a world's worth of untapped potential, even trivial ventures could bring in profits that would stagger all of Teyvat.
Take, for instance, the casual conversation they'd had earlier about the flower-based dyes. If Ryen agreed to supply them and they began production, these pure floral dyes would undoubtedly dominate every tailor's shop across Teyvat.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, the dismay she'd felt moments ago began to dissipate, replaced by a subtle sense of satisfaction.
Xiao, though still feeling awkward, noticed Ningguang's genuinely forgiving demeanor and finally eased up. He straightened his posture and, with a flick of his fingers, summoned the trident again.
This time, he hesitated. He glanced briefly at Zhongli, then said softly, "This weapon is... unimaginably heavy. Holding it feels akin to carrying a mountain."
He paused for a moment, his golden eyes flickering with an almost imperceptible ripple of unease before continuing, "I've examined it with my adeptal powers. Its structure is incredibly durable. As far as I can tell, there's nothing in Teyvat that could break it."
He hesitated briefly, then added, almost as an afterthought, "Though I'm sure the Geo Archon could destroy it if he wished."
Zhongli's calm expression didn't waver, though his gaze softened with a hint of amusement.
"Even the Geo Archon would be hard-pressed to break this weapon."
Xiao's eyes widened briefly in astonishment but quickly masked his surprise, given the others were present. Zhongli, as always, remained composed as he approached the trident. Extending a hand, he let a faint pulse of his divine power seep into it. For a moment, his amber eyes gleamed with golden light, and an approving smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"This weapon... its material is beyond ordinary comprehension. It feels as if it grew naturally from the fabric of the universe itself," Zhongli remarked, his tone filled with admiration.
"Xiao is correct. In all of Teyvat, there is no force capable of breaking this trident."
In fact, Zhongli thought privately, this weapon could easily cleave through even the most formidable of gods. During the Archon War, it would've been a supreme tool of destruction. But such musings were better left unsaid.
Taking another look at the weapon, Zhongli continued, "In terms of sheer weight and durability, it far surpasses the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear. The destructive potential it holds is immense due to its mass alone."
"However, when we evaluate overall performance, it is comparable to Miss Keqing's Lion's Roar," he added thoughtfully.
"After all, the Jade Winged-Spear resonates with elemental laws, making it a true divine artifact, granting Xiao unparalleled strength in Teyvat."
Pausing, he glanced at Ryen's trident once more and said, "But this is merely my preliminary assessment. Ryen mentioned that weapons in his world can undergo 'enchantment.' I don't fully understand the concept, but it seems to involve imbuing weapons with unique, unimaginable abilities. Should this trident undergo such enhancement, its potential would undoubtedly increase further."
He turned back to his seat, his gaze steady. "Nonetheless, this trident is not suited for widespread use. Its weight alone makes it impossible for most individuals to wield, except for someone like the Conqueror of Demons."
With Zhongli's evaluation complete, Ganyu, who had been diligently recording their observations, nodded to Ningguang, indicating she had finished her notes.
After a moment of thought, Ningguang spoke up, her tone calm but decisive.
"In that case please put away the trident for now."
Xiao, silent and composed, stored the trident away. Yet, his gaze lingered on the mess strewn across the once-pristine plaza. A faint trace of guilt flickered in his heart.
Still, Zhongli's earlier appraisal of the trident pleased him deeply. At the very least, he now possessed another formidable weapon. This would make dealing with monsters more efficient—and perhaps spare him from using his beloved Primordial Jade Winged-Spear every time. That weapon, a gift from Zhongli, was something Xiao would rather cherish than risk in frequent battles.
"Now, as for the next steps..." Ningguang rubbed her temples, intentionally ignoring the chaotic state of the plaza beneath her feet. Her tone softened as she laid out her instructions.
"All the timber blocks delivered today must be sent to the docks immediately. Uncle Tian is overseeing the operations there temporarily, and they already have a functioning crafting station."
"First, dismantle the solid wood into planks. Some of those planks should be further broken down. Quietly introduce them into the lumber market tomorrow. As for the rest, store them temporarily for unforeseen needs."
Ningguang's gaze swept to Keqing.
"Keqing, I'll need your assistance. Select a suitable plot of land and make the necessary preparations to transplant the soil from that world. Plant the seeds and saplings I've brought back. Ensure everything is set up efficiently."
"And as for the glass..." Ningguang turned her focus to Ganyu, her tone thoughtful.
"The glass should also be sent to the docks and placed under Uncle Tian's supervision. We need to examine this batch thoroughly before determining its price and releasing it to the market. Furthermore, the sand—some of it should be melted in the furnace using Ryen's method. The remainder will follow our usual Teyvat process."
Both Ganyu and Keqing nodded quickly, jotting down Ningguang's instructions with great care and efficiency.
Meanwhile, Zhongli exchanged a glance with Xiao. Without a word, the two stood up and prepared to leave. Ganyu and Keqing, immersed in their notes, barely noticed.
However, Ningguang's sharp eyes caught the subtle interaction. A glimmer of insight crossed her expression, solidifying some of her suspicions.
As she looked out toward Liyue Harbor, its bright lights shimmering in the deep night, a tender resolve filled her gaze. At this moment, Ningguang's faith in her vision for the future had never felt stronger. She was certain: Liyue was on the cusp of unprecedented prosperity, destined to rise as Teyvat's true, unchallenged monarch of commerce.
Down from the Jade Chamber, Xiao waited atop the peak of Mt. Tianheng.
He didn't glance back at the ruins of the plaza. Instead, his eyes fixed on the base of the mountain—on the place where Ryen currently resided.
A short while later, the sound of footsteps pulled Xiao from his reverie. Turning, he saw Zhongli approaching, clad in his signature brown and ink-black robe, unchanged from earlier in the day.
"Archon," Xiao greeted with unwavering respect.
Zhongli nodded faintly. "Come with me to Jueyun Karst."
Xiao didn't hesitate. To accompany Zhongli was second nature to him. However, he couldn't help but mention, "Archon, Ryen seems to be absent from his residence."
Zhongli closed his eyes momentarily, his connection to the land of Liyue extending outward. After a moment of quiet, he confirmed, "Indeed, Ryen has entered his own world."
"At this hour?" Xiao asked, surprised. "Could there be danger?"
Zhongli shook his head. His calm voice carried the weight of absolute confidence. "By all rationality, he understands how to protect himself in his world better than we ever could. There is no need for concern. Most likely, there is an urgent matter requiring his immediate attention. Rest assured, he will safeguard himself."
"Let us focus on Jueyun Karst for now."
Hearing this, Xiao set aside his concerns. The two rode the swift currents of wind toward Jueyun Karst, the rushing gale a mere whisper against their heightened senses. Xiao had an inkling of Zhongli's intent—to seek out one of the adepti who could assist them.
Observing Zhongli's unusually light mood, Xiao ventured to ask, "Archon, are we meeting with Cloud Retainer or Mountain Shaper?"
"Mountain Shaper," Zhongli replied without hesitation.
Xiao nodded, understanding. Cloud Retainer was well-meaning but notoriously blunt. The adeptus had a tendency to overshare, even when discretion was warranted. Zhongli's choice to approach Mountain Shaper instead made perfect sense.
Still, Xiao couldn't shake an uneasy feeling that began to creep into his thoughts. Shrugging it off, he bowed slightly. "Understood. Shall we proceed in your current guise, or will you reveal yourself as the Geo Archon?"
A pause hung in the air as Zhongli contemplated the question. At last, he sighed softly, his voice tinged with subtle resolution. "There is no longer any need for pretense. I will go as myself."
Meanwhile, Ryen was entirely unaware of Zhongli's decision to shed his guise as a mortal. His attention was wholly consumed by an important task—one that simply couldn't wait.
In fact, it was so pressing that he knew he wouldn't sleep until it was completed.
Only 30 more monsters needed to be defeated to unlock a critical achievement. Letting it linger uncompleted for even one more day was unthinkable. Thankfully, grinding mobs in the monster-spawning tower at night proved exceptionally efficient.
Within just over an hour of returning to his Minecraft-like world, he'd already taken down 32 enemies. His materials collection was progressing smoothly, too, with an entire chest now brimming with valuable resources. At the very least, bone meal would never be in short supply again.
Spotting a witch in the tower, Ryen swiftly dispatched her with a single strike. Among the loot she dropped, a glint of red caught his eye—redstone dust, along with some sugar.
His face lit up in delight as he scooped up the items.
"Who cares about the sugar? This redstone is pure gold!"
Redstone dust was exceptionally rare. After slaying seven or eight witches, Ryen had only managed to collect six pieces in total. The thought of letting Ganyu try her hand at farming monsters briefly crossed his mind—she'd probably have much better luck with drops.
As he pondered this, his hand instinctively reached for a stone sword to continue the grind. Only then did he realize it had broken earlier.
"Tch. The last monster, and I'm out of a sword?" Ryen grumbled, shaking his head. Muttering a complaint under his breath, he turned to the crafting table to make a replacement.
When he turned back around, a green Creeper had dropped into the tower, its bright eyes fixated on him.
The sight made Ryen laugh.
"Oh, a Creeper for the finale? What, you think I'd be dumb enough to run up and slice you?"
He casually drew a wooden bow, nocked an arrow, and aimed. No dramatic battle cry was needed—just a calm, measured release. The arrow found its mark, and the Creeper collapsed with a satisfying thud.
As Ryen approached to claim his loot, his system's cold, mechanical voice rang out in his mind.
Ding! Achievement unlocked: Monster Hunter!
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