Evening, after dinner.
Qiqi's progress bar had finally been filled completely.
After finishing his bath, Xia Zhi returned to his room.
The preparations he'd needed for the past two days were basically complete.
Opening his inventory, he saw a platinum treasure chest—the one he'd obtained earlier from Qiqi.
"Might as well open it now."
He took out the chest and chose to open it.
A white-colored box appeared before him.
[Replication Box]
Quality: Platinum
Type: Rechargeable Equipment
Traits: Replication, Devour
Effect: When the box is white, it must be charged by placing objects (no higher than the box's current tier) inside it. Once charged, the box turns black and can replicate any item placed inside it (the item must be at least two tiers lower than the box). After successful replication, its charge resets.
Hidden Effect: After consuming enough items, the box can automatically evolve to the next tier.
Recyclable: 1000 points.
Xia Zhi held the small box, intrigued.
This was actually an item capable of automatic evolution.
It seemed able to devour almost anything—perfect for use as a convenient trash disposal.
In this way, not only could he efficiently dispose of garbage, but he could also convert waste into treasure by charging and upgrading the box at the same time.
Additionally, as a platinum-grade equipment, the box could replicate items up to silver tier at most.
This effect could technically earn him points, but the efficiency wasn't particularly high.
However, viewed from another angle, if properly utilized, the box's [Devour] trait could theoretically swallow an entire world. By that time, perhaps it would have evolved into a prismatic-tier item...
After examining its description carefully, Xia Zhi opened the [Shop] and searched for this item by name.
As expected, it wasn't available in the shop.
Another non-purchasable item, obtainable only via treasure chests.
He decided to test its charging process first.
Taking a random stone from his inventory, he placed it inside the box.
The system's voice sounded in his mind:
"Devour this item?"
"Yes."
A useful safeguard against accidental consumption.
Though the stone was much larger than the box's opening, it was effortlessly devoured.
Checking the box afterward, Xia Zhi saw no visible change in its color.
It seemed that one stone wasn't enough.
He threw in a dozen more large rocks, yet the box remained unchanged.
Apparently, ordinary items were of insufficient quality.
Xia Zhi opened the [Shop] again and purchased around ten supernatural items priced at one point each, then fed them into the box one by one.
After devouring the fifth item, the box suddenly shifted color from white to black.
Charging complete.
He retrieved a silver-tier item, the [Melody Bell], from his inventory and placed it into the box.
As soon as the bell dropped inside, the system's voice sounded again.
"Replicate this item?"
"Yes."
Instantly, the box reverted from black to white as its charge reset.
Turning the box upside down, two identical [Melody Bells] fell out.
Calculating quickly:
Five supernatural items costing one point each totaled five points spent, allowing him to duplicate any silver-tier item.
Thus, at minimum (duplicating a 10-point item), he'd profit five points; at maximum (duplicating a 99-point item), he'd profit 94 points.
Acceptable enough.
Xia Zhi stored the box and shook the two bells lightly before putting them away as well.
Perfect—one bell for Shenhe and one for Ganyu.
With the chest opened, it was time to focus on the main task.
Xia Zhi took out the pure-blue sphere from his inventory.
[Acquaint Fate]
Quality: Diamond
Type: Single-use item
Trait: Destiny, Connection, Intervention
Effect: A follow-up item obtained after using Intertwined Fate. Upon use, enter the Corridor of Fate of the bonded individual, and freely choose any time and place to intervene in their destiny.
Hidden Effect: The bonded individual's starting affection towards you is "Love," and affection increases +100% faster. Both parties share 10% of each other's total attributes.
Holding it gently, Xia Zhi chose to activate it.
The next instant, he appeared within Furina's Corridor of Fate.
Without hesitation, he walked toward the very beginning of the corridor.
Soon, he arrived at the first moment he'd ever witnessed—Furina standing in front of the mirror, speaking with the figure within.
Xia Zhi reached his hand toward that moment in time.
The system's voice echoed again:
"Do you wish to select this moment and location to intervene in destiny?"
"Yes."
A bright blue glow enveloped his vision.
The scene blurred momentarily.
Then, he found himself standing in a familiar room—Furina's bedroom.
The familiar bed, wardrobe, bathroom, and mirror...
The girl he recognized stood silently in front of the mirror, unaware of the sudden appearance of a stranger behind her.
This time, the mirror clearly reflected his figure.
The system's voice sounded again:
"Please note: This fate intervention is time-limited. Quickly complete the bonding process (have the bonded individual willingly respond positively to your physical contact)."
Simultaneously, a countdown timer appeared on the system panel: "2:00:00."
Xia Zhi glanced at it.
Two hours total—far more generous than the mere ten minutes he'd had previously with Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
He stepped forward and called out softly, "Furina... Furina..."
Yet, Furina did not respond, continuing to stare blankly into the mirror.
"Hm?"
This wasn't what he'd seen before in her Corridor of Fate.
Xia Zhi approached her directly, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.
Though separated by a thin layer of cloth, he could still distinctly feel the girl's warmth.
Feeling someone tap her shoulder, Furina's vacant eyes flickered slightly, slowly regaining clarity.
After several seconds, she fully snapped back to reality and turned around abruptly, coming face-to-face with Xia Zhi standing right behind her. Her eyes widened in shock, and a small gasp escaped her lips:
"Eh? It's you!?"
She seemed to recognize him immediately.
Xia Zhi wasn't surprised.
During his first meeting beneath the Irminsul Tree, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had also recognized him at a glance.
According to her, she'd witnessed fragments of Xia Zhi's past fate—his life in the original world—but all visions ended abruptly after his death and subsequent acquisition of the system.
Xia Zhi suspected this was due to the system itself—its tier was probably far too high, automatically shielding itself from divination.
Although he understood the reason, he still had to follow the routine.
Xia Zhi looked gently at Furina and asked, "Do you know me?"
Furina stared at him in a daze, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Of course I know you. You're Xia Zhi. You're not from this world. You're exactly 180 centimeters tall and your weight is—wait, that's strange. The you I saw in the mirror just now wasn't nearly as handsome as you are right now..."
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