Liyue: A Floating World Amid a Thousand Rocks had remained high on the popularity charts, with increasing clicks, reads, and even Lu Chen's income rising along with it.
These days, he no longer needed to rely on the system's rewards to get by. The revenue from his novel and the earnings from helping Zhongli manage his antique shop were more than enough to support everyone under his roof.
If he hadn't been slacking off recently, his income would've grown even more.
What he hadn't expected, though, was that Zhongli had been faithfully reading his novel...
Lu Chen watched as the old man skillfully opened the reading app, found Liyue: A Floating World Amid a Thousand Rocks on the bookshelf, and began flipping through it.
Even more amusing, some chapters were bookmarked.
Zhongli had clearly been keeping up with every update. It looked like the old man genuinely enjoyed the novel where he played the leading role...
Definitely his oldest reader.
But what Lu Chen was most curious about now was—what exactly was Zhongli trying to prove with this semi-autobiographical work?
"Migrating nomads formed settlements. Scattered settlements became cities. In the blink of an eye, the wild lands north and south of Mt. Tianheng have completely changed..."
That was a direct quote from the book. Simple words, yet they carried the weight of time's passage.
Zhongli read a few more excerpts aloud, and Lu Chen's mind drifted to the Liyue of ages past.
Back when gods first arrived, floods, disasters, and wars ravaged the land. The people were displaced and destitute.
But after the gods stepped down, Liyue flourished—becoming the financial heart of the Seven Nations, the wealthiest and most prosperous land in the world.
Lu Chen looked into those golden eyes. Was he trying to say that even ordinary humans could build a thriving nation?
"But your role in all of that was undeniable," Ei interjected, shaking her head. "You were the one who eliminated the threats—the sea beasts, the mighty Archons. Without your presence, Liyue wouldn't be what it is today."
"I wasn't finished," Zhongli replied with a small smile, closing the phone.
"The story hasn't reached that part yet. Later on, humans were fully capable of handling the work of the gods—sometimes even doing it better."
Lu Chen nodded slightly. He must be referring to the events after the Rite of Parting.
After feigning death and stepping down, Zhongli left Liyue in the hands of the Qixing and the Adepti, who successfully dealt with a crisis that could've annihilated the region.
"The people of Liyue have already accepted that they cannot always walk beside gods. From now on, every crisis they face will be their own to bear."
Ei was aware of what had happened. She fell silent for a moment.
"In terms of time, the future is still long... I'm not sure they're truly ready to enter the next era."
"Don't worry about it!" Venti chimed in cheerfully, refilling everyone's cups. "It's like children who lose their parents—they mature quickly. But if you never let go, you'll only end up spoiling them!"
That comparison made Lu Chen chuckle. Venti had been off doing who knows what for centuries—Mondstadt had practically raised itself...
By that logic, the people of Mondstadt were parentless kids?
Poor things.
Zhongli set down his cup and gazed out the window. The highway was just passing by a major city.
Skyscrapers lined the skyline, elevated roads intertwined, and countless headlights streamed like rivers in the night, forming a never-ending current.
Scenes like this unfolded here every single day.
"Humans are as fragile and small as dust."
"But I've always believed—even without gods, they can still thrive. Just look at this world."
Lu Chen's mind drifted as he watched Ei down several cups of wine without him even noticing.
The three archons each represented an extreme.
Zhongli had willingly stepped down and embraced full human governance. Ei still hadn't fully placed her trust in mankind's potential.
And Venti...
Lu Chen looked over at the Anemo Archon, who was still busy topping off everyone's drinks. In a way, he had chosen a path similar to Zhongli's.
Except he hadn't built every pillar and foundation himself like Zhongli had in Liyue.
Instead, he ruled through inaction—laissez-faire.
"But..." Ei murmured, her hand unconsciously reaching for her cup, "you said before—a nation that runs at full speed draws the attention of higher gods. Even stillness holds the potential for change. Aren't you afraid...?"
"There's nothing we can do to stop that!" Venti shrugged. "History's tide can't be turned back. If that day comes, it'll be their choice—and I believe they won't regret it."
Ei fell silent again.
"Civilizations stagnate sometimes. They even regress," Zhongli added calmly. "But ultimately, they still move forward. That's something neither of us can change."
"Young children are naive and fragile," Venti said with a smile. "But we can't watch over them forever. So let them choose their own path. Come on—drink up!"
Lu Chen nodded quietly. As much as it sounded like the excuse of irresponsible parents who'd left their kids home alone, everything in Mondstadt today proved Venti hadn't done too badly.
Each archon had their own reasons—each had merit. Lu Chen had no intention of stepping into this debate.
His mind was on something else.
"A nation running at full speed drew the gods' attention. They descended with destruction. And the flame of civilization slowly died out across barren land..."
Maybe another cycle would begin.
Or maybe it would end altogether, plunging the world into silence.
This touched on something far deeper—laws that governed the world itself.
"Ei, how's your progress on becoming a science and engineering prodigy?"
"Hmm... let me think. I've made it to calculus—wait, Lu Chen, why are you taking my wine?"
"No more for you." Lu Chen sighed. Her cheeks were already flushed, and clearly she'd snuck a few more drinks while he was distracted.
He was starting to worry—if these three ended up debating too fiercely, this little camper wouldn't survive a single Musou no Hitotachi...
"It's not that serious... This wine isn't even that strong..."
"Exactly! Once it's warmed up, it's smooth and gentle, not strong at all!" Venti jumped in again, trying to pour more. "Come on, one more round!"
Lu Chen glared at him and snatched the wine jug away.
Ei looked a bit regretful, clearly still wanting more.
For some reason, her alcohol tolerance really had improved recently.
"Don't be such a buzzkill!" Venti pouted.
Lu Chen thought about it. A good story deserved good wine, and this three-archon banquet was getting lively. He was being a bit of a downer.
So he poured Ei half a cup and warned her,
"Last one!"
"Mm, last one," she nodded obediently.
Venti snatched the jug back, grumbling under his breath.
Back to the earlier topic—Lu Chen remembered that Ei had wanted to study "mechanical arts" here, precisely because the technology in this world wasn't bound by the Heavenly Principles.
But he had a feeling the results wouldn't be too promising.