Zhongli and Guizhong took a moment to fully process the implications, their expressions shifting before they offered measured, synchronized nods.
Ryen glanced down at Ningguang, whose eyes remained tightly shut against the lingering ache in her temples. When manipulating raw system code within a desktop game, altering parameters was as simple as typing a command. Within a living, breathing reality, the burden was entirely different.
Unlike Ryen, who operated through an automated interface that handled the cognitive strain of global script revisions without feedback, Ningguang and the administrators carried their permissions directly within their consciousness. The code was a gift bestowed by the world itself. It flowed across their thoughts, projecting underlying scripts over every object, stone, and horizon they observed.
It was as if reality had been stripped down to its foundational framework, exposing the raw logic governing existence.
For mortals stepping into the position of creator-tier overseers, perceiving the core mechanics of reality was a profound psychological shock. Had this occurred under the rigid metaphysical framework of other dimensions, the sheer volume of data would have shattered mortal sanity.
Even with the accommodating nature of the block realm, altering fundamental parameters placed immense strain on the mind. The human brain was forced to parse dense data pathways, processing and shifting reality scripts like a high-density processing unit pushed past its thermal limits. Run it too long, and the mental strain would inevitably trigger severe exhaustion.
This was precisely why three administrators were appointed. If a single mind buckled under the load of rewriting the world, three minds acting in unison could distribute the cognitive weight, reducing the strain to manageable levels.
After resting in Ryen's embrace for several quiet breaths, Ningguang slowly opened her eyes. Though her breathing had stabilized, her complexion remained pale, carrying the deep weariness of someone who had labored without sleep for weeks on end.
"Ryen..."
Ningguang leaned softly into his chest, seeking the grounding warmth of his shoulder. The dignified, commanding Tianquan of Liyue Harbor looked remarkably fragile in this fleeting moment.
Ryen reached out, gently tapping the tip of her nose with a wry smile. "Quite daring for your very first trial."
Ningguang lowered her eyes, a faint flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.
Ryen offered no further reprimand. He had not stepped in to halt her experiment earlier, knowing that direct experience was the only way to truly understand the weight of administrative authority.
"You three are indeed server administrators now, wielding the authority of world stewards within Redstone City," Ryen said, shifting his gaze toward Zhongli and Guizhong. "However, modifying reality remains a cosmic undertaking. You are stewards, not the absolute progenitor of this realm. To wield this power, you must bear its corresponding weight. The mass of universal law is not something one shoulders lightly."
He paused, letting the room absorb his words. "The system shields you from the vast majority of the lethal recoil, but the world is not without rules. There is still a toll to pay. Compared to the godlike authority you gain, paying a temporary price in mental fatigue is an exceptional bargain. Even so, core scripts that dictate the foundational logic of the world cannot be executed on a whim. You must coordinate and distribute the strain among yourselves, especially for grand alterations like cycling celestial bodies."
Zhongli and Guizhong inclined their heads in complete agreement.
"Server administrators are appointed by the world to govern this designated perimeter," Ryen continued smoothly. "The code in your minds is meant for regional management. Its true purpose is to structure, refine, and maintain Redstone City."
Zhongli considered this in silence before speaking in a low, resonant tone. "In short, we are tasked with shaping this territory to our specifications. The world does not dictate the outcome, whether we forge an absolute sanctuary for life or an inhospitable wasteland of trials."
Ryen nodded. "Precisely."
"Redstone City must naturally be adapted into a secure, thriving settlement," Zhongli continued, adjusting his posture. "In your assessment, which foundational laws should we prioritize for modification?"
Hearing this, Ningguang gathered her focus, looking up from Ryen's shoulder with sharp attention.
Ryen thought the matter over for a brief moment before outlining the strategy. "Considering Ningguang's upcoming immigration plan, your primary goal is to reshape this perimeter into a haven suitable for the people of Teyvat. The natural passage of the sun and moon can remain untouched. As for weather patterns, you can decide whether to let them cycle naturally with the global atmosphere or lock the skies into perpetual pleasant conditions."
He held up a finger, his tone turning deliberate. "The most critical adjustment is mob spawning. You must establish a rule ensuring that darkness within Redstone City does not spawn monsters. The entire urban footprint must be declared a designated safe zone where hostile entities cannot manifest. Once that is enforced, residents will not have to sleep with torches blazing beside their beds every night, bringing the safety baseline in line with urban life in Teyvat."
Zhongli nodded immediately, retrieving a leather-bound journal and a pen to document the parameters. With Guizhong disinterested in clerical records and Ningguang recovering from mental strain, the duty fell entirely upon the former Archon. Though retired from active governance in Liyue, the prospect of directly forging the laws of a new civilization stirred a quiet, familiar enthusiasm in his chest.
"Second, designate the city's outer perimeter walls as indestructible Bedrock, applying the same property to the main arterial roads," Ryen said. "You can consult among yourselves to set the physical properties of residential and civic structures. Next comes the population. You have the authority to regulate the physical threshold of incoming settlers. By default, immigrants entering this realm share a quarter of my physical constitution. Through the administrative interface, you can calibrate this baseline, scaling it down to match their natural mortal tolerances if necessary."
Ryen gestured lightly toward the conference table. "The material density of commodities can also be standardized. For example, you could define a gold ingot's weight as a fixed unit to stabilize commerce, ensuring ordinary citizens can conduct trade without struggling under abnormal mass. Above all, the complete prohibition of hostile mob spawns within city limits remains non-negotiable. Whatever secondary rules you enact, that single parameter is the cornerstone of a true safe zone."
Zhongli recorded the final notes with steady strokes.
"Hold an internal council to finalize the specific municipal codes," Ryen added once Zhongli closed his book. "Minor script adjustments can be executed individually. However, whenever you touch foundational reality rules, all three of you must act in concert. Sharing the cognitive load ensures none of you suffer the acute exhaustion Ningguang experienced today."
Ningguang offered Ryen a subtle, narrow-eyed pout. Ryen responded with a light pat against her waist, a fond grin touching his lips.
"The authority is officially yours to wield. How you configure the environment is entirely up to your leadership council. The administrative interface is practically boundless; you can weave in the cultural architecture and civic customs of Teyvat down to the finest detail. The versatility of this system extends far beyond standard imagination."
Zhongli and Guizhong nodded with profound appreciation. Only those who had felt the raw hum of the code could comprehend the terrifying scope of this gift.
Makoto let out a soft sigh, her voice carrying a trace of wistful longing. "It is a pity that administrative permissions are currently restricted to Redstone City alone. Otherwise, Inazuma could begin organizing its own residential migration immediately."
Ryen chuckled, looking toward her. "If you wish, you can organize the construction of an Inazuman metropolis following the structural principles of Redstone City. There is a high probability it will trigger its own world trial upon completion."
Makoto waved her hands dismissively, offering a self-deprecating smile. "Let us postpone that for now. Our domestic supplies are still recovering, and the war has only just concluded. Inazuma does not possess the surplus reserves to endure an immediate siege trial."
Ryen offered no counterargument. He could not yet determine whether future urban administrative keys would require defensive trials or specific system achievements. Regardless, extensive preparation was required before tackling another major expansion.
Ryen clapped his hands together, drawing the attention of the entire room. "We can leave the finer points of municipal administration to Ningguang's team. Next on the agenda is the matter everyone has been anticipating: the new modules."
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly as the leaders of the Seven Nations leaned forward with rapt attention.
Administrative privileges were undeniably grand, but their benefits were largely localized to Redstone City and its residents. System modules, on the other hand, brought sweeping advancements that empowered every nation and faction directly. Randomly generated modules had already yielded monumental treasures; a module handpicked by Ryen himself promised extraordinary potential. It might even provide the definitive method they sought to seal the Heavenly Principles.
Ryen scanned the room before speaking in a calm cadence. "First, let us settle the arrangements for Electroblob's Wizardry."
The assembly nodded in agreement.
"With the conclusion of the forty-nine-day siege, our frontline combatants have gained extensive spell proficiency. Nearly everyone in our core vanguard holds a Master Staff, with several possessing multiple variations."
Aether's shoulders slumped slightly, a trace of melancholy crossing his face. Nearly everyone did not include him.
He recognized Ryen's intention to hand over the Wizardry module to the regular military corps while the vanguard moved on to fresh frontiers. Fortunately, the heart of wizardry development was centered on the New Continent, allowing Khaenri'ahn pioneers to secure resources directly from nearby towers. The thought brought him considerable comfort.
"Taking everything into account, we will step back from routine Wizardry development and transfer the operational pipeline to the military," Ryen continued. "The standing Thousand-Mage Regiment will expand its operational ranks under standard military command. Wizardry will become an established background discipline, requiring your oversight rather than your personal labor."
No one voiced an objection. Over the forty-nine days of continuous siege defense, the leaders had accumulated immense staff proficiency. Between daytime trades and nighttime farming, even Advanced Staves had become commonplace in their armories, and their grimoire collections were largely complete aside from niche accessories.
"Come to think of it, quite some time has passed since we last unlocked a major module," Venti noted with a poetic tilt of his head, gazing at Ryen with bright, expectant eyes.
Ryen smiled and nodded. "Indeed. But the pace is about to accelerate dramatically. We have two custom modules ready for deployment, and with the SlashBlade collection nearing completion, another batch of system expansions will follow shortly. The remainder of this year will be exceptionally demanding for everyone."
Realization dawned upon the group. The completion of the SlashBlade repository would unlock another wave of content, meaning at least four major system expansions were lining up for the coming months.
"I have already conferred with Ningguang and the inner council regarding the custom modules," Ryen stated casually.
Ningguang and the inner circle smiled with quiet anticipation, while Venti's expression instantly collapsed into exaggerated melodrama.
"Such a monumental historical decision, and you did not consult the representative of freedom?" Venti lamented, placing a dramatic hand over his heart.
"Because there is nothing to negotiate with you on this front," Ryen replied dryly.
Venti blinked, glancing between Ryen and the amused expressions of the surrounding women. He offered a quick, sheepish grin. "Of course, of course! Who could possibly doubt your supreme judgment, my dear friend?"
Ryen shook his head with a quiet laugh. "The two custom modules we have selected may not possess the absolute highest conceptual ceiling among theoretical expansions, but they are undeniably the most perfectly suited to our current developmental stage."
He paused, letting the silence settle across the hall before delivering the name.
"Our first custom module: More Enchantments!"