Chapter 257: See You Again, Dixia

Fact proven.

With Luo De's abilities, trying to destroy a Vision is still not enough.

Just as common knowledge in Teyvat goes.

No matter whether slashed with blades, burned by fire, flooded with water, or crushed by earth, even if Luo De exerted all his strength from the Jade Void Immortal Mansion at Liyue's highest point to smash the Vision down from the sky, it still couldn't suffer even the slightest damage.

Luo De also once thought to rely on his terrifying grip, aided by elemental energy, to forcibly crush the Vision in his hand.

But it was still the same as before.

No matter how hard Luo De tried, the Vision, which looked like an ordinary glass bead, stood firm as a mountain, leaving not a trace.

This result left Luo De very disappointed, but there was nothing he could do.

After all, it is a creation of Heaven's Principle; only a powerhouse on the level of Apep could possibly forcefully break it open from within.

"I wonder if Zhongli can do it."

This idea had just popped up less than a minute ago, and Luo De tossed it to the back of his mind.

He lacks a Geo Vision.

The elemental attributes don't match.

Even if he could get Zhongli's help, it probably wouldn't be easy.

Furthermore

Luo De still has other matters that require Zhongli's assistance.

If he were to use this opportunity to crush the Vision—a matter that isn't urgent right now—it would still be somewhat wasteful.

So he put this matter on hold for the time being.

Luo De stopped thinking about it and focused all his energy on Fushe's body.

After such a long period of polishing.

This technique, essentially a puppet art for remolding the body, Luo De could say he has practiced it to perfection; he no longer randomly explodes materials as he did at the start.

Of course.

Such proficiency is not due to Luo De's extraordinary talent, but because this puppet technique, as Zhongli previously said, although it involves a broad range of skills, is truly not especially difficult.

With Zhongli's abilities, he actually doesn't need Luo De to do it.

And he himself does not lift a hand.

The key lies in the materials he intends to use.

The materials Zhongli prepared are all the finest on the Tiwatedalu, collected over his thousands of years as treasures; one could say Fushe's body relies entirely on material quality to compensate for any lack of technical skill.

According to Luo De's estimate.

Once this body is completed.

Although it's unlikely to match the might of the Soaring Snake Grand Marshal, as Zhongli said, even a mere mortal's body would be impossible.

Just that perpetual core utilizing Khaenri'ah technology, combined with those priceless elemental materials, even if this body lacks strength, would ensure that reborn Fushe at least possesses the power a top-tier Vision wielder should have.

It is precisely because of these materials' special nature.

Only Zhongli is unable to do it himself.

Luo De discovered this when he first began studying the puppet technique.

This technique is good, good.

But it consumes materials heavily.

If ordinary materials were used, the failure rate would be very high.

Only the more precious materials can raise the success rate.

Yet these materials may not all be mutually compatible; even with the Geo Archon's power, forcibly blending those conflicting materials into a complete body is no easy task.

That's why he thought to entrust this to Luo De, who can resonate with the Dragon King Crown, hoping to leverage the Geo Dragon Crown's uniqueness to have Luo De resolve the material conflict.

But theory is theory.

Actually, relying solely on Luo De, he couldn't complete this god-forged technique so quickly.

This is the second point Zhongli values in Luo De.

Luo De has two wisdom gods standing behind him.

Whenever he encounters an unsolvable problem, as long as he promptly contacts Nadixa and the Great Merciful Tree King remotely, using the knowledge and dream authority simulator in the void, he can quickly overcome those technical hurdles that would even trouble Zhongli, and push the reconstruction progress to a degree that even Zhongli would marvel at, at great speed.

This is why Zhongli and Luo De specifically emphasized the two Dendro Archons when signing their contract.

Just that.

Although the progress of the puppet body is remarkably promising.

But it does not mean that Fushe's rebirth has been smooth sailing all the way.

Fushe's remnant soul, nurtured by Luo De for a long time.

Until today.

Still shows no reaction whatsoever.

This differs from the Great Merciful Tree King's immediate response upon receiving elemental energy.

If it weren't for Zhongli confirming that Fushe's remnant soul remains in a normal state.

Luo De almost thought something had gone wrong in the process.

In short.

Judging by the current progress.

Xiao's hoped-for Fushe attending the god succession ceremony would likely be too late.

This also left the visitor who came to see him feeling disappointed.

Disappointment is disappointment.

He still earnestly participated in the multiple meetings with Liyue's high-ranking officials arranged by Zhongli; no matter how awkward it was to stay in such crowded occasions, he meticulously completed the rhetoric Zhongli taught him, and he did not conceal the killing intent on his body forged from over two thousand years of warfare. With such a terrifying slaughter aura that could make people shudder, he let everyone present witness what it means to be an immortal most skilled at slaughter.

And Zhongli also issued his final order before stepping down during this period.

Under his numerous arrangements.

Liyue, which had originally been immersed in the sorrowful atmosphere of the Old Geo King Emperor's abdication, gradually turned into a celebratory mood for the new Geo Archon's ascension.

But these have nothing to do with Luo De now.

Immersed in his final task, he had no time at all to worry about what was happening in Liyue.

During this time.

Aside from Xiao visiting him once, no one else came to disturb him.

Including Ying and Paimon, who knew he had returned, they also did not come over again.

Since Luo De was suddenly taken by Apep last time, and Venti has been running around all day with no trace to be found, the two of them in Liyue hardly know anyone else; having nothing to do, they simply went to the Adventurers' Guild to take commissions, using the tasks to pass time while waiting for the Divine Seat Transfer Ceremony to arrive.

It is said that they have again accepted an official commission from Liyue and rushed to the Layered Rock Abyss for adventure; they are estimated not to return in the short term.

Thus.

In such a quiet environment with no one to disturb him.

Luo De finished the final work in just a week.

Including the time previously spent digging graves with Apep.

There are now less than five days until the Divine Seat Transfer Ceremony.

Considering that Fushè's remnant soul remains in a state without consciousness recovery.

Therefore Luo De could only, after Zhongli inspected the puppet's body and confirmed there were no problems, continue to carry the crystal sealing Fushè's remnant soul on his person, using the authority of the Geo Dragon Crown to continue nurturing this residual consciousness.

As for what Luo De will do next.

It is not to participate in the upcoming Divine Seat Transfer Ceremony, but to discuss the contract's remuneration with Zhongli.

Last time Zhongli had said it quite nicely.

All remuneration will be settled together.

At the Jade Void Immortal Mansion.

With a satisfied expression, Zhongli did not directly say what remuneration he would give Luo De; instead he proactively asked Luo De: 'Little friend, what kind of remuneration do you want?'

This is a very friendly and very confident approach.

After all, strictly speaking, Luo De and Zhongli are not that kind of friends; they are more like the ordinary relationship between a deity and a subordinate.

Since that is the case.

Then if Zhongli proactively states what remuneration to give, as long as the value is appropriate, Luo De will most likely agree.

But such remuneration may not be what Luo De needs.

One careless mistake could easily make Luo De feel he 'needs' such remuneration.

So Zhongli simply handed over this choice to Luo De, appearing confident that he could certainly satisfy Luo De's needs.

He said all that.

Luo De was not polite either.

Having worked for Zhongli for so long, he directly said: 'I want a promise from you.'

'A promise?'

Zhongli slightly raised his eyebrows.

This request is not excessive; he quickly nodded and said: 'Little friend, you should know what my promise does not include.'

'Not endangering Liyue.'

'Not harming innocent people.'

'Not damaging the friendship among the Seven Archons.' 'Mm'

Luo De pondered briefly, shook his head, and said: 'That's about all I can think of; could you add something?'

'Basically just these.'

Zhongli nodded, did not supplement Luo De's words, and then said: 'Little friend, do you have any other requests?'

Obviously.

In his view.

A mere promise is not enough to match what Luo De has recently done for him.

'If possible.'

'I would also like to invite you to be a guest in Sumeru.'

Luo De's second request is still quite simple.

'Oh?'

'Just that simple?'

Zhongli's brows furrowed slightly, his voice tinged with a hint of doubt.

'Not exactly.'

'I hope you can make your movements to Sumeru public, be a bit more ostentatious.'

Luo De said meaningfully.

And this also caused Zhongli's smile to fade.

After stepping down.

Although nominally he is no longer the Geo Archon.

But the previous Geo Archon ostentatiously going to Sumeru as a guest, judging from the implied meaning in Luo De's words.

It is estimated that he will have to stay for a period of time.

Then this meaning would be different.

Regardless of whether the retired Zhongli is the current Geo Archon, his influence as the old Geo Archon who once guarded Liyue for over three thousand years remains undiminished, and indeed it could be said to be far greater than that of the new Geo Archon, Xiao.

So if he, as Luo De said, were to go to Sumeru in a high-profile and open manner as a guest,

Without a doubt.

This will definitely influence Liyue's official decisions regarding Sumeru to some extent.

No matter what they think, regardless of whether they personally have such or such intentions.

Out of respect for the former Geo Archon's dignity.

When formulating policies concerning Sumeru, the people of Liyue will always give Sumeru a green light.

Such forced compromise actually runs contrary to the policy Zhongli set of returning divine authority to humanity.

However, after only a brief consideration,

Zhongli then nodded in agreement: "Just as you say, little friend."

This is not because Luo De has the standing to make Zhongli break the rules for him once.

But because Zhongli believes that the Liyue leadership headed by Ningguang will not be affected by his own high-profile visit to Sumeru as a guest.

Thus far.

Adding the divine artifact Zhongli previously gave Luo De, with a Geo Archon's promise and Zhongli's visit to Sumeru as compensation, the contract between Luo De and Zhongli is now formally completed.

Contentedly, Zhongli left the Jade Void Immortal Abode with his floating body.

Luo De, meanwhile, returned to Liyue Harbor carefree.

At the time of the eve of the divine succession ceremony,

Returning to Liyue Harbor once again,

One can clearly feel that the atmosphere here is no longer oppressive, becoming far more lively than before.

Walking down the street,

Aside from the bustling vendors, traveler merchants from other countries preparing to attend the ceremony are also everywhere.

The Liyue leadership had no intention of concealing anything.

When sending out the invitations for the divine succession ceremony, they also conveniently conveyed the news of the Geo Archon returning divine authority to humanity to the higher-ups of all nations.

This not only released a political signal to the higher-ups of other nations that Liyue was about to undergo a political change.

At the same time, it also let merchants from all countries sniff out a huge business opportunity.

You should know.

Teyvat is a world with gods.

Even though Mondstadt has no gods present and Sumeru has its gods imprisoned, divine authority remains supreme; as long as a god speaks, they can override any decision made by the mortal leaders of any nation.

Now Liyue publicly announces the return of divine authority to humanity.

This means that Liyue's new god will no longer intervene in Liyue's people's decisions.

In other words.

Previously, the nations could not obtain benefits from Liyue in exchanges; now they have the opportunity to negotiate again.

Therefore, whether out of respect for this important divine succession ceremony or out of the purpose of seeking benefits for their own countries, all nations have dispatched their highest-ranking personnel they can muster to come to Liyue.

And when Luo De returned,

the higher-ups of all nations had already arrived at Liyue Harbor.

Those who acted quickly had already held several rounds of talks with the Liyue leadership.

Such important figures' travels naturally aren't low-key solo visits; they basically bring along sizable elite troops as retinue security.

For example, Luo De has seen more than once the Mondstadt's West Wind Knights, Inazuma's Shogunate army, Snezhnaya's Fatui, etc.

As for the escort team coming from Sumeru,

it is composed jointly of the Wind Discipline Officers and the mercenaries of the Thirty-Person Group.

The high-ranking representative coming from Sumeru to Liyue is none other than Luo De's teacher, the current Great Sage Nahida.

Originally, upon learning this news,

Luo De's first reaction was to hurry to meet Nahida, lest the old man get angry again.

Unfortunately,

Nahida is currently going to the Jade Chamber to visit and meet with Ningguang.

Thus Luo De's attention turned back to the listless Tighnari.

"Got scolded?"

I don't know why, even though I know I'll definitely get scolded too, but Luo De just wants to laugh.

"Hmm."

Tighnari didn't deny, gave a wry smile and shook his head: "You're not unaware of the teacher's temperament; we've all been busy lately, no one has sent him a message to report the situation, do you think he wouldn't be angry?"

"What about him? Was he also scolded by the teacher?"

Luo De pointed a finger, directly at the equally grim-faced Cyno.

That doesn't make much sense.

Nahida indeed has a bad temper.

He shouldn't really lose his temper at Alhaitham's disciple, right?

"Oh."

"Because the Sage Alhaitham also came."

Tighnari spread his hands, his expression toward Luo De shifting from the earlier grimace to great sympathy.

He and Cyno at most just got scolded by a teacher.

But Luo De was different.

Nafisi and Juleshi were both Luo De's teachers.

Double the scolding.

Double the pain.

「。」

How did the two of them come together?

This not-so-good news made Luo De rub his temples, and he said with a headache: "Doesn't the Academy side need anyone to manage it anymore?"

Someone is managing it over there.

You don't need to worry.

Just then, a crisp female voice came over, cutting off Luo De's speech.

Haha—

Seeing that familiar figure he hadn't seen in a long time, Luo De, who had been wearing a gloomy expression, immediately burst into laughter and went up to greet.

This time, the person in charge of the Sumeru Guard Squad is Dixiya.

She had just gone on a routine patrol.

She happened to cross paths with Luo De.

Now that the patrol had ended, hearing that Luo De had returned, she hurried back without delay.

(End of chapter)