Chapter 215: The Unsolvable Wasteland and Zhongli's Astronomical Bill

"Return and Separate Assembly?"

Hearing this familiar yet unfamiliar name once again, Zhongli showed an interested expression.

He is very punctual.

Even though he still had some unfinished business, he still arrived on time at the place he had agreed to meet Luo De and Venti, and then they walked side by side toward the Hall of Repose.

On the way.

Luo De then mentioned the place name that made his heart flutter again, and by the way gave Zhongli the fresh term 'saline-alkali land'.

But he forgot one thing.

Return and Separate Assembly was a name used during the reign of the Dust God.

In this day and age, the ancient Return and Separate Assembly has long been renamed Return and Separate Plain.

He casually uttered that ancient name and used a very apt new word to describe the current state of that land.

This made Zhongli's interest in Luo De grow even stronger.

As the oldest deity on the Tiwatedalu continent,

He knew very well that Luo De was not a native of Teyvat, but an outsider from another world.

An unknown civilization from another world.

Especially since Luo De obviously used that unknown civilization's term, Zhongli could hardly contain his curiosity and asked, 'Little friend, you deliberately brought this up—could it be that you have a way to solve the problem of that land's barrenness?'

Located in the heart of Liyue, the Return and Separate Plain is a vast expanse of plain, also a key transportation route linking places like Outstanding Hero Village and Azure Water Plain, and was once Liyue's greatest granary.

Unfortunately, after the great flood of that year,

Although the Kitchen God Makexius exhausted all his knowledge and overextended his divine power, all he could do was restore this land to its original state.

But the land soaked by the floodwaters that had surged in from the sea could no longer be restored to its former arable condition.

The question of how to restore the Return and Separate Plain has always been an item on Liyue's agenda.

No matter how you say it.

Leaving such a vast tract of land undeveloped and instead letting it remain barren is, after all, somewhat regrettable.

But no matter how the people of Liyue pool their wisdom, they cannot solve the problem of being unable to grow crops on the Return and Separate Plain's land; instead, various shrubs and inedible plants grow quite well.

Therefore.

Zhongli had once personally invited the Great Merciful Tree King to come and inspect it at a gathering of the Seven Archons.

But at that time the Great Merciful Tree King's conclusion was that it was not easy to handle; the issues affecting the Return and Separate Plain's land were not just the flood, but also the divine power left by Makexius in the soil and the remnants of the Archon buried here were the biggest trouble.

According to the Great Merciful Tree King's words,

Without dealing with Makexius's divine power, it is fundamentally impossible to cultivate normally.

After listening to Zhongli recount these past events,

Luo De then realized he had oversimplified the matter, and also oversimplified the people of Liyue.

The problem of soil salinization exists.

But if it were merely a problem of soil salinization, even if the people of Liyue couldn't solve it themselves, they could have the Academy's people come and solve it.

Not to mention anything else.

A single Fertility Blessing can solve all soil problems that do not involve the divine level.

However, the true problem currently facing the Return and Separate Plain is precisely the divine power left behind by Makexius, this Archon.

This phenomenon reminded Luo De of another place with a situation similar to that of the Return and Separate Plain.

"Sea Deity Island."

Luo De muttered, 'That so-called holy soil transformation is actually salinization.'

Sea Deity Island, one of the islands of Inazuma.

This island was not originally the territory of the Electro Archon.

But rather belonged to another Archon named Aoluobasi.

Speaking of which, that's also a coincidence.

This Archon was defeated by Zhongli in the Archon War; to avoid falling into the hands of other Archons or being killed or suppressed, he fled outright to Inazuma, only to be defeated by the Electro Archon and then forced to escape to the outer sea of darkness.

Afterward, he went through a series of twists and turns.

He gained a batch of devout followers in the underground Palace of the Depths.

After integrating the forces of the White Night Kingdom,

Aoluobasi inadvertently violated the taboo of the Sky Island, knowing he would surely die; to let his people return to the surface and no longer suffer the eternal torment of living underground,

He first ordered the former subjects of the White Night Kingdom to abandon their culture and names, destroy all historical records, and completely replace them with Inazuma's names, while systematically learning Inazuma's script and traditional culture.

After that.

Aoluobasi spared no expense of his divine power, personally constructing a passage to the surface for his people, and using his divine power to create Sea Deity Island out of thin air, so that his people could have a foothold on the ground.

Sea Deity Island boasts beautiful scenery, many mountains and waters, but its land is barren and cramped, crops struggle to mature, and daily life relies heavily on trade with Inazuma.

Holy soil transformation.

This is what they call their barren land.

Just like the Return and Separate Plain, this is also due to the influence of divine power.

"If we draw out Makexius's divine power, what will the Return and Separate Plain become?"

Under Zhongli's reminder, Luo De has already changed the name of the Return and Separate Assembly back.

Now that the topic has been opened,

It's not something that can be casually ended just because one wants to.

Moreover, Zhongli also really wants to know.

Whether the alien civilization Luo De belongs to can actually solve the problem of the Return and Separate Plain.

Markscutus's divine power has completely merged with the earth of Guili Plains, making them impossible to separate.

If one tries to forcibly separate them,

it will inevitably cause another landslide and ground fissure.

Regarding Luo De's question, Zhongli pondered for a moment and then gave a very certain answer.

This is troublesome. Luo De's brows instantly twisted like a twisted doughnut, and he asked: "Have you tried the Fertility Blessing?"

Tried.

It works.

But the cost is too high.

Zhongli briefly explained his difficulties.

What Liyue needs is a tract of land capable of producing large quantities of cheap grain to fill the treasury, not land that relies on the expensive Fertility Blessing, putting the cart before the horse.

To say something unpleasant.

The Fertility Blessing is indeed omnipotent.

No matter how poor the land, as long as it is used, it can grow grain crops.

But the problem is that this thing is only produced in Sumeru, and only Sumeru can produce it.

In other words.

As long as there is dependence on the Fertility Blessing, one must maintain good relations with Sumeru, and even some excessive demands must be prioritized to satisfy Sumeru.

This is not good news for a country.

Moreover.

Liyue's grain production does not solely depend on Guili Plains; they also have Qingce Village and Lisa Suburbs as granaries.

In scale, they are much smaller than Guili Plains, and their grain output is not sufficient.

But Liyue has money. Each year, through trade with other nations, they can fill their reserve granaries to the brim.

Therefore, the restoration of Guili Plains is, for Liyue, merely regrettable, not yet a matter of vital importance.

As of today.

Even though people discuss how to restore Guili Plains every year, the only viable plan that has persisted is the current Jade Balance Star Keqing's proposal to rebuild the clear water trade route.

So the problem now facing Luo De is:

Namely, how to solve the residual divine power of the Archon in the soil in the most economical way.

There is a very direct solution.

"Oasis Source."

Luo De pursed his lips and tossed that idea aside.

Indeed.

Apep's Oasis Source is currently the best direct method for treating soil salinization.

Given her stature and power,

The divine power left behind by Markscutus also would not cause much trouble.

That is, based on Luo De's understanding of Apep.

Trying to obtain a single Oasis Source from her for Liyue is impossible, with no chance at all.

Moreover, not to mention asking for her help for Liyue; even if Sumeru now wanted another one to treat the desert, she would not agree.

Previously, she could be persuaded to give away an Oasis Source for free only because the Great Merciful Tree King had once saved her life, and also because Luo De's soul as a descender was bound by the shackles of Sky Island, among other coincidences that all came together, allowing one to be obtained.

"Let's try using slime."

After thinking it over, Luo De still reverted to the old method.

Using grass slime as fertilizer to improve soil fertility.

This has long been a simple, familiar task for Luo De.

Simple, low cost, and effective against salinized soil.

"It can be commissioned to the Adventurers' Guild."

"They have many people, and usually have nothing to do, so catching a slime isn't much trouble for them."

Luo De made a suggestion to Zhongli.

"Any requirements regarding quantity or individuals?"

Zhongli first nodded, indicating he had noted this, then asked: "Besides grass slime, what else is needed?"

"We need to go check the situation on site."

Luo De did not rashly propose a method; to be safe, he merely stated the requirements for grass slime.

Regardless of how the salinization problem of Guili Plains is resolved later, to let Guili Plains recover quickly, grass slime as a natural fertilizer is essential.

Zhongli also readily agreed: "Alright, then we'll go tomorrow, and we can also use the Gnosis along the way."

He said.

He laughed again: "Originally I said I would prepare a modest gift for my little friend, but now I see this gift cannot be too small."

"Master Zhongli, you're joking."

Luo De echoed in agreement, then said: "Master Zhongli, I have some things to say upfront: Sumeru really needs me there; after using the Gnosis tomorrow, I still want to return quickly; as for Guili Plains, I will first devise a plan based on my prior experience treating the desert, and if you want to try it out, if it still doesn't work, I will go find Nadixa to discuss it together."

Nadixa's dream simulator is very useful.

All that is needed is a soil sample from Guili Plains; if A Ru Cun's past experience treating the desert proves unusable, we must have her enter the dream to simulate planting and find a solution.

"Sorry to trouble you, little friend."

Zhongli did not try to retain Luo De as he had done at the Jade Chamber; after expressing his thanks, he stopped talking about Guili Plains and switched to casual conversation.

Unlike Venti.

Zhongli looks steady and solemn as a mountain, rarely speaking, yet inside he loves to tease people, doing so with a straight face, giving no hint that he's actually mocking you.

Especially his yin-yang remarks, delivered with perfect authenticity.

His yin-yang target is also clear: he likes to pretend to be clueless and try to tease Wendy when he has nothing else to do.

The verbal sparring between the two deities.

This left Luo De feeling stifled.

If he didn't understand the words between Wendy and Zhongli that outsiders can't comprehend, it would be okay.

But he understands everything.

This state of wanting to laugh but having to hold it in is truly somewhat uncomfortable.

The three walked through the bustling market, turned a corner, and only stopped in front of a quiet little building bearing the Wangsheng Hall sign in a secluded alley.

After this daytime chat.

When they arrived at Wangsheng Hall, the sky was already nearly pitch black.

Nevertheless, the inside and outside of Wangsheng Hall remained bustling with people.

Unlike other places,

Most of these people are quiet; even when they must speak, they lower their voices, as if afraid of disturbing someone.

Wangsheng Hall.

Liyue's leading figure in the funeral industry.

Although in Liyue's customs, working this line of work always invites criticism as being ominous.

But funeral rites are ultimately the final dignity of mortals.

Even if ordinary people dislike approaching Wangsheng Hall's staff, they still dare not speak excessively.

Especially when it's their own family's funeral arrangements.

They would then show unprecedented enthusiasm in dealing with Wangsheng Hall's ritual officials, hoping to reduce some fees.

Traditional funeral procedures are numerous.

Keeping vigil, burial methods, memorial tablets and utensils, etc., all have strict rules.

But Wangsheng Hall's capability.

It is that regardless of the deceased's status or wealth, they can arrange a funeral befitting their standing, and since Wangsheng Hall's establishment there has never been a single mistake.

Such reputation makes Wangsheng Hall the primary choice for Liyue residents handling funerals, despite its high fees.

Of course.

With so many rules, naturally instructors who understand them are needed to teach newcomers.

Zhongli, who is versed in all rites and skilled at lecturing, is the most respected instructor in Wangsheng Hall and also its highest-paid guest official.

This can be seen from the constant greetings of 'Zhongli Guest Official' as soon as he enters.

Luo De looked around curiously.

He originally thought that, as a funeral business, Wangsheng Hall would at least have some coffins on hand for inspection, if not funeral supplies everywhere.

As Zhongli and he walked through, they saw hardly any funeral mercenaries, but many ritual officials in Wangsheng Hall uniforms, and a few people coming to handle funerals.

Under Zhongli's guidance.

Luo De and Wendy followed him to Wangsheng Hall's rear courtyard, heading straight to a small garden with plum trees.

Just as Zhongli finished knocking, a girl in dark clothes poked her head out.

Hall Master.

Zhongli hadn't finished speaking.

The girl then leapt out, holding a thick stack of bills, and exclaimed: 'Zhongli Guest Official, this month's bill is out; adding what's already owed to Wangsheng Hall, your salary for next year is nearly overdrawn, having overdrawn this much Mora—shouldn't we go work properly?'

(End of chapter)