Chapter 332: Another Oasis Source

After returning to Hope City.

Luo De then handed over all the research materials from Duotulei to the Academy.

Although it was half destroyed, very but.

But among the only two people who knew, one wouldn't speak, and the other couldn't speak out, so no one knew.

When obtaining these research materials,

Those scholars who usually wished they could bury their heads in books came one by one, overjoyed, to Luo De's home, repeatedly saying they wanted to thank him in person.

However, after just one time not finding Luo De, they stopped coming to his door, spending all day in their labs without even time to eat, showing a trend of not resting until they recreated these research results.

This caused many members of the original research team to leave, leaving the remaining work to the few scholars left.

Thus the formidable Felushan came to the door.

Others could avoid Luo De by not seeing him.

Only this one.

He could only grit his teeth and come out with a forced smile.

"Luo! De!!"

"Upon seeing each other, Felushan immediately went up and grabbed Luo De's ear, angrily saying: 'Well, I made you my teacher and you run around everywhere; now I'm doing research, yet you stole my people, causing my workload to multiply several times—you really did well!'"

On the last few words, Felushan bit down hard, gritting her teeth, looking as if she wanted to eat someone.

"Hehe, Teacher Felushan, please, be gentle, it hurts."

Although it actually didn't hurt at all, Luo De still pretended his ear was about to be twisted off, listening obediently to whatever Felushan said.

Luo De's acting skills are excellent.

Or rather.

This is genuine emotion showing through.

After all, Dixiya and Nadixa used to pull his ears like that too, so he knows very well what the most genuine reaction is.

This pitiful appearance.

Sure enough, he fooled Felushan.

Seeing this student, who she had once rescued from the desert, honestly admit his mistake, she let go after venting, angrily asking: "Where have you run off to this time?"

"On a business trip."

Luo De scratched his head: "You know, I'm currently working for the Dendro Archon."

"Alright, alright."

"It's always this excuse."

"Hmph."

"The Dendro Archon is like that too—doesn't she have anyone else to use? She just keeps sending you running east and west all day."

Felushan now has the air of an empty-nest elder.

Moreover, few dare to criticize the Dendro Archon at this time as she does.

In this regard.

Actually, it's similar to Nafisi and Jules.

What could Luo De say?

He could only say nice things, keep smiling, and besides explain that he really has no time to study rune mechanics now, so she should calm down, and he will surely come to study under Felushan properly once he's free.

"Sigh——"

No matter how dissatisfied she is, Felushan's many words ultimately amount to a light sigh: "Let's talk about studying later; also, even if you work for the Dendro Archon, don't overdo it—if you really can't, retreat and run away, letting the Dendro Archon worry herself."

Before leaving,

Felushan turned back again, her face showing a hint of sadness, saying: "Recently many scholars have collapsed in the desert; I don't want to one day have to hold a funeral for my students."

"Mm, I remember."

Luo De waved goodbye to Felushan, feeling warm inside.

This feeling of being cared for is quite nice.

"This is what you said."

"Outsiders only care how high you fly, but only your own family truly cares whether you're tired from flying."

Leidian Zhen's voice sounded again.

Regarding the exploration of human nature.

She always has great enthusiasm, especially when encountering things where one knows the person's face but not their heart, which makes her interest even higher.

"Mm."

Luo De nodded, then immediately stepped toward the commercial district in the city.

Dixiya and the others were still busy capturing those persuaded by Zandike to join the Doctor's faction.

Luo De was idle, too.

He then recalled the technique used to reshape the body of the floating pagoda in Liyue back then.

Although it cannot compare to the puppet technique for making scarecrows used by Leidian Ying,

but the puppet technique given by Zhongli is still top-notch, second only to Leidian Ying's; across all of Teyvat, perhaps only the Golden Laiyinduote's creation alchemy could be better.

So Luo De pondered making a body for Leidian Zhen.

Regarding this,

Leidian Zhen had no objection.

To be honest,

A body that cannot even reach divine level is certainly far insufficient for her, this Archon.

But whoever allowed Luo De to find the materials could only support this one technology.

This is naturally incomparable to the San Bing and Lei Dian Jiang Jun made using the Electro Archon as the standard.

Even Lei Dian Zhen is quite satisfied.

In her words.

After lying dormant for so many years, to have a body that lets her feel sunlight on her skin again—even if it's weaker—she is already quite satisfied.

As for whether to discuss it with Lei Dian Ying.

On this point, her opinion agrees with Luo De's.

That goes without saying.

Otherwise, the Thunder film will surely exhaust all of Inazuma's resources, to create a perfect body for the true Raiden.

Given Inazuma's current situation.

It simply cannot afford the huge expense required to remake a divine body.

Not long after walking.

Luo De arrived at his destination and found the person he was looking for.

"Oh dear, stupid mushroom."

"Oh, wrong."

"Now I should call you awesome mushroom."

Seeing Luo De again, Dolly, who was playing with a Mora music box, was very happy; she strained to tiptoe and praised Luo De without reservation.

Luo De returned this time.

Out of selfish motives.

He gave Dolly the market investigation report he had obtained in Inazuma, causing the wealth of Sumeru's richest person to increase by a large sum in a short time.

This also left Dolly feeling refreshed every day, almost as if she could lie down on Mora to sleep; she even planned to build another Kasazale Palace near Hope City, treating this place as a desert stronghold.

Before Luo De could even ask.

She then said proactively: "The materials you ordered, I've already gotten them back; as for the money, considering you let Old Master Sangonomiya make an extra profit, I'll treat it as your commission for that information."

"Yo, rare indeed."

"So generous?"

Luo De said, somewhat surprised.

Is Dolly a stingy person?

Never has been.

Although she appears to be a miser who wouldn't pluck a single hair even for a hundred million Mora, when it comes to investment, Dolly is consistently bold and meticulous, and never stingy with the money she puts out.

But like now.

Giving away a nine‑figure sum of Mora all at once is truly unprecedented.

"Oh dear——" "Awesome, awesome a bit, but why is your brain still not opening?"

Dolly stepped on her own Calming Head, leaned close to Luo De's face, stroked her chin and said: "Stupid mushroom, Old Master Sangonomiya has always been fair and prompt with payments; you helped him earn so much money, so you deserve these rewards—what's so surprising about that?"

"None."

Luo De laughed heartily: "Then I'll thank Old Master Sangonomiya."

"Mm, that's right——"

Dolly nodded satisfactorily, then asked: "Oh, right, what are you doing with all these precious materials? Are you making something good again? If it's a money‑making business, can I also get a share?"

The times have changed.

Before, Luo De used to beg Dolly to take a stake; now it's the opposite—Dolly is asking to get a share of Luo De's.

But it's a pity.

This time Luo De's creation is not a money‑making business.

Moreover, this immortal‑level puppet technique is not something Dolly can master.

No matter how you say it.

A merchant is ultimately a merchant.

Even if they know she has the Dendro Archon and Luo De backing her, the Academy people still hold full prejudice against her.

Dolly can have money in her hand, can also grasp some power that could influence the Academy, and even if she controls both licit and illicit businesses, those executives might not care.

The only thing is that Dolly cannot have in her hand any commodity that could affect their status.

For example, this puppet technique.

It can be in Luo De's hands, it can be in the Academy's hands, but it cannot be in Dolly's hands.

After all, this thing can ultimately be used to create a super‑strong puppet body.

Don't look at the puppet's power being unable to reach Archon level.

But even if it's below Archon level, at immortal standard, across all of Teyvat it counts as top‑tier combat power.

If this technique were mastered by Dolly.

Then she would pose a threat to the Academy's rule, and could even rely on that vast wealth to create a merchant faction that dominates a region of Sumeru.

That is not what the Academy wants to see.

On the other side.

Dolly didn't press the matter; when Luo De refused, she immediately gave up the idea of buying a share, smiled, waved goodbye to Luo De, and didn't forget to remind him that next time there's something good, he mustn't forget to give her a share too.

"Don't worry."

"I will definitely not forget you."

Luo De laughed as he waved at Dolly, then headed toward his next destination.

Is this the precious material you mentioned?

In the Academy's forbidden zone, Leidian Zhen gazed at the lush giant tree before her and asked curiously.

During her active years.

Apep was either in a dormant state or had been beaten by the Red King so badly she dared not show her head.

At that time, Sumeru.

The only greenery came from the Divine Machine of the Law created by the Great Merciful Tree King.

Apep, the Oasis Source of the Grass Dragon King.

She had never seen it before.

This thing is born from the Grass Dragon King's body.

You know who the Grass Dragon King is, right?

Luo De looked around, searching for a suitable branch.

Hmm.

Grass Dragon King Apep, one of the Primordial Dragon Kings, appeared in Inazuma once before I and Ying unified it.

But before I and Ying could react, she left.

Leidian Zhen recalled: 'All I know is that the Grass Dragon King is immensely strong; ordinary Archons are no match for her, and she has extraordinarily strong adaptability, making her a disaster wherever she goes.'

Hmph—

As Leidian Zhen's words fell, a familiar voice drifted down from the highest branch of the Oasis Source.

Oh dear.

You can hear this too?

Luo De wasn't surprised, and greeted the green figure leaning on the branch: 'Lady Apep, long time no see.'

Your words don't match your heart.

I think you don't even want to see me.

Apep snorted coldly, then looked at the Myriad Calamities hanging from Luo De's waist, as if directly facing Leidian Zhen inside: 'Watch your words next time; my ears aren't deaf yet.'

Yes, yes, she wasn't careful enough; please don't mind.

Luo De had actually seen Apep long before.

But this wasn't because he had the ability to discover the Grass Dragon King Apep.

Rather, Apep never intended to hide.

As soon as Luo De entered, she sat naked on the treetop, watching his every move below.

On the contrary, Leidian Zhen was busy sighing and didn't notice the surroundings' oddness at all.

Heh—

Still as sharp-tongued as ever.

Apep moved, reappearing right in front of Luo De.

Hmm, not bad.

You took the thing I left behind.

Luo De had little faith power, but to Apep's strength, this amount couldn't be hidden from her.

It was visible.

As for Luo De's operation of consuming that faith power smoothly, she was still satisfied.

Huh?

You still have something on you; take it out and let me see.

Originally Apep was about to say something else, but as soon as she lifted her head, she discovered the False God's Seal in Luo De's pocket.

Following her gaze.

Luo De quickly realized what she was looking at and obediently took out the False God's Seal.

This thing is quite interesting.

Holding the False God's Seal, Apep studied it briefly and exclaimed in surprise: 'Even mortals can research something like this; it's somewhat interesting.'

Which means it's somewhat valuable among mortals.

Placed with you, it probably wouldn't count as anything.

Luo De laughed while flattering her.

But such flattery obviously didn't impress Apep.

She gave Luo De a white look and said, "Going out once, your abilities haven't improved much, but you've learned plenty of useless talk."

She then tucked the false god's seal into her own bosom and declared, "All right, giving this to you would be a waste; I'll go help you improve it, and I'll return it to you once I've fixed it."

Luo De raised his eyebrows, then smiled and said, "Then I'll have to thank you."

Hmph—

All right, stop sucking up here.

You came here to get this thing, right? Here you go.

Having said that, Apei Pu threw out a green object: "Hold onto this; if you want that little girl with no mouth cover to come out, this is far more useful than a tree branch."

Oasis source?

Luo De rubbed the familiar blue-green seed in his hand, then suddenly felt distressed and said, "Or I'll just use the tree branch after all; she doesn't care about her own physical strength anyway, and taking this oasis source to my bureau to recreate an oasis would be better."

Suit yourself; anyway, I've given you the thing.

Apei Pu wore an indifferent expression, turned, flicked his hand, and said, "I'm leaving; the rest is up to you to decide."

(End of Chapter)