What happened afterward in the Jade Chamber—
No one knew.
As for Lin Ze, over the next few days he became extremely reclusive.
He didn't write in his diary.
He didn't even step outside.
The main reason was simple: after waking up the next day, Lin Ze realized that if Teyvat truly was connected to the Imaginary Tree, then one day—when he got bored—he might as well stroll through other leaves on the tree.
So for these few days, he focused entirely on strengthening himself.
That said, Lin Ze had no intention of becoming a Star God.
Star Gods might be powerful, but they were still far weaker than many cultivators from the xianxia and high-fantasy novels he had read.
He didn't want to be a Star God.
He didn't even want to be that strong.
He just wanted to be stronger than them.
And while he was at it, he might as well expand his techniques and knowledge too.
Just as Cloud Retainer had guessed—
Lin Ze was still in a game-of-the-world mindset.
No acting. No disguises.
Whatever came to mind, he did.
Whatever thought appeared, he followed.
And that left Cloud Retainer increasingly irritated.
What was Lin Ze even doing?
He stayed inside for days.
Didn't come out.
Didn't write a single diary entry.
What was he plotting?
"…No. I can't wait any longer."
After days of curiosity gnawing at her, Cloud Retainer finally decided to act.
She wouldn't keep waiting.
But—despite her impatience—she didn't barge into Lin Ze's villa.
Instead, she knocked.
Once every hour.
Not to force him out—just to let him know someone was looking for him.
Lin Ze, however, ignored it completely.
Only after finishing what he was doing—three days after Cloud Retainer had decided she could wait no longer—did he finally open the door.
The moment he did—
He saw a woman wearing glasses, dressed in a long robe with cyan accents and deep green as its primary color.
Lin Ze froze.
[image.jpg]
[Isn't this Two-Pieces-of-Poultry True Lord?!]
[No—should be Chat-Master True Lord!]
[Still wrong—Invent-Everything True Lord!]
[Official title: Cloud Retainer, adeptus. Real name unknown. Why is she here?]
Almost reflexively, Lin Ze opened the diary interface.
He was testing her.
Testing whether Cloud Retainer possessed a Diary Instance.
"Two pieces of poultry? Insolence toward an Adeptus!"
"Though I am good at conversation—and fond of mechanical arts."
Cloud Retainer reacted instantly.
She understood at once: Lin Ze was probing her.
A diary system—used as a testing tool.
For a moment, she was speechless.
This man truly did not value the diary system's rewards at all.
But—
If you're testing me, fine.
Why did you post my photo?!
Insolent beyond measure!
"I knew it…"
Lin Ze's eyes lit up.
That response confirmed it.
Cloud Retainer also had a diary instance.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have seen what he wrote.
"In that case, I won't bother with pleasantries," Lin Ze said calmly.
"True Lord, you've come directly to my door—what business brings you here?"
[Brilliant~! As expected of the founder of the Cloud-Retainer school of Adepti!]
[This outfit absolutely hits my XP preferences!]
[So cool, so sharp—an amazing big sister type!]
Blue text refreshed on the diary panel.
"Y-You—what did you just—"
A faint blush rose on Cloud Retainer's face—
Then vanished instantly.
Replaced by raw fear.
At the same time, a line of deep crimson text appeared on her panel—
and on every diary instance across Teyvat.
[Due to the diary owner's prolonged inactivity, the instance has been upgraded.]
[New feature unlocked: Inner Voice Display.]
[Blue text = inner thoughts. White text = written diary entries.]
The diary upgraded… and now it exposes inner thoughts?!
"What the hell is the system doing now?!"
Lin Ze instantly noticed Cloud Retainer's expression shift—
from flustered, to shocked, to terrified.
But he ignored her.
Because he was furious.
He activated the Black Flag Power and analyzed everything—once, twice, three times—
Then came the verdict.
"WDNMD!!"
"System—are you out of your damn mind?!"
"You dare expose my inner thoughts?!"
"You think you're still alive after this?!"
Rage erupted.
The system hadn't just exposed his thoughts—
It had listened to them.
"This is rebellion! Absolute rebellion!"
"You'd better not have free will!"
"This is reversing heaven and earth itself!"
With that, Lin Ze vanished from the spot and returned to his room.
Cloud Retainer remained frozen where she stood.
After a few seconds, she finally exhaled—then stiffened again.
[Damn it—this is absolute madness!]
[A mere system thinks it can spy on me?!]
[If I don't dismantle you today, I'll take your surname!]
[⊙/%￥#@]
Blue text surged wildly.
Then crimson static followed.
The diary interface began to flicker—
darkening, destabilizing—
As though it might collapse at any moment.
Cloud Retainer's expression changed instantly.
So Madam Ping was right…
He really can seize the system itself.
Without hesitation, she rushed toward Lin Ze's room.
"Lin Ze—stop!"
"You mustn't!"
"Please—listen to me before making a final decision!"
At the same time—
Every other diary holder turned pale.
This diary system wouldn't last much longer.
Those in Liyue who knew Lin Ze personally moved at once.
The Jade Chamber.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Figures shot into motion.
Even Madam Ping unleashed her full strength—
arriving at Lin Ze's residence in almost a single breath.
This system—
It could not be destroyed.
"Lin Ze," she called urgently.
"My apologies for intruding—please, don't act rashly!"
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
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