By October, the sea of crimson across Ling Shan Bay had begun to fade, a sign that winter was near.
With nothing else to do, Lu Chen sat on the bench by the door, watching Zhongli and Xiao at work in the garden. Well—more accurately, watching them rescue the frostbitten plants struggling to survive the sudden cold snap.
Another batch of Glaze Lilies had withered away, and the usually unflappable Zhongli finally lost his calm. Early in the morning, he called Xiao over, and the two began hauling the flowerpots into the warmth of the house.
Seeing the pair so busy and flustered, Lu Chen chuckled. It seemed Zhongli's plan to rewild Glaze Lilies had failed.
Bored, he pulled up his system panel.
[Lu Chen]
[Level: Lv86]
[Vision: Anemo, Pyro, Cryo, Geo, Dendro, Electro]
[Constellation: Revival of the Eternal Body | Return to the Source…]
[Primogems: 22,250]
[Items: Skill Exchange Ticket ×2, Lion's Roar, Sacrificial Mask, Debate Club, Traveler's Handy Sword, Fine Enhancement Ore… 999+]
[Achievements: Power of the Laws, Eternity and Vigilance, Life is Hard—Even the Dendro Archon Has to Perform… 99+]
His inventory and achievements list were nearly full. Looking at his current progress, he couldn't help feeling he was close to "clearing" the game.
But he was still one step away from true godhood. And the godhood he sought wasn't that of the Seven Archons—the "employees" of the mortal realm—but the kind of higher god who could rewrite the laws of Teyvat itself.
If he could obtain the final Hydro Vision, he would grasp the complete Light Realm power. Only then would he have the confidence to challenge both Celestia and the Abyss.
Without hesitation, he used his two skill exchange tickets on the last two skills in the pool.
[Authority of Time: Slow Flow]
[Authority of Life: Near-Death Revival]
A refresh prompt appeared immediately. Judging by this trend, the next batch would likely be even stronger, touching the very source of the laws. Lu Chen was already looking forward to it.
Eager to test his new abilities, he glanced toward Scaramouche, who was just stepping out the door.
The moment the ability took effect, the world slowed to a crawl—like watching a video at half speed. Dewdrops on the Glaze Lilies trembled but refused to fall, and Scaramouche's movements turned sluggish, each step as slow as an old man's.
If he'd had this power back in Tenshukaku, Scaramouche wouldn't have even managed a sneak attack.
"Interesting…"
When the ability ended, time snapped back to normal.
Scaramouche, sharp as ever, noticed something was off. His violet eyes narrowed slightly before he quickly spotted Lu Chen peeking at him.
"What did you just do?"
"Hm? Nothing." Lu Chen deflected instantly. "Why so paranoid? It's broad daylight—what could I possibly do to you?"
Scaramouche let out a cold laugh, sarcasm curling his lips. "Isn't that a bit shameless coming from you? Or have you simply gotten used to spouting lies without thinking?"
"…Fair point," Lu Chen said with mock thoughtfulness, then smirked. "I already saw just how rotten your character was last time. Lying must come naturally to you."
This damn brat—doesn't have a single nice thing to say! Lu Chen resisted the urge to smack him.
His tone turned mocking. "Up so early—our esteemed Harbinger must have important business today? Remember, I'm obligated to keep an eye on you~"
Scaramouche was silent for a moment.
"Let me guess…" Lu Chen continued. "Off to feed the cats at the park? Or attending a community counseling session? Just… don't go with that sour face—you'll scare the kids."
Scaramouche's smile vanished. "The nursing home."
Ignoring Lu Chen's barely contained laughter, he walked off without looking back.
"The nursing home…" Lu Chen still couldn't picture it. Nahida was really playing him well.
Once Scaramouche left, Lu Chen turned his attention to Zhongli's Glaze Lilies.
Focusing on a nearly leafless, wilted plant, he cast [Near-Death Revival].
A fresh, rich surge of life energy swept through the garden. Before his eyes, the withered stalk straightened, and a tender new bud pushed out from the leaves.
"The effect's subtle, but in a pinch… it could save a life."
Looking at his four powers—time, space, life—they were starting to resemble a miniaturized version of the "Primordial Four Shadows'" authorities.
"This flower… survived the frost?" Zhongli said in surprise after moving the pots.
"Lord Zhongli, it seems your plan to rewild domesticated Glaze Lilies hasn't completely failed," Xiao remarked, leaning in to inspect it.
"That is good news," Zhongli said with a satisfied smile.
The two then began analyzing why this particular lily hadn't withered. Zhongli rattled off a long list of theories, and Xiao nodded along seriously.
"Lord Morax… maybe eat some walnuts to help your memory?" Lu Chen muttered.
"Mm?" Golden eyes blinked at him in confusion.
...
That afternoon, Lu Chen's editor, Sha Lin, arrived as promised.
Lu Chen also called Miko and Hu Tao over.
"So you two are the authors of Liyue Strange Tales and Teyvat Academy?" Sha Lin's eyes went wide.
"And both such young, beautiful women?"
"Thank you for the compliment~" Miko replied with a pleased smile. Being praised for her youth and beauty was always nice—and there was no way this editor could ever guess her real age.
During their time away, traffic on the Yae Publishing House novel site had soared. While some of it came from earlier celebrity promotion, the real draw was the quality of the stories.
In Inazuma: A Hundred Dreams in an Instant, long-time readers who had followed since Liyue found a fresh tone—completely unlike the epic struggle of the earlier saga. A faint melancholy, like fleeting cherry blossoms, lingered through every chapter. Loss, missed chances, unfulfilled love, painful farewells… readers were immersed in its poignant beauty.
And they cursed the author for wielding the knife even more ruthlessly than in Liyue!
In Liyue Strange Tales, readers marveled at the eerie, chilling atmosphere. Ghosts and gods were frightening, but the human heart was often worse. Though it was also set in Liyue, a closer look left readers uneasy, their backs prickling with cold sweat.
As for Teyvat Academy: My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Definitely a Problem—
It was the opposite in tone: light, humorous, constantly making readers laugh. The tangled web of relationships kept everyone eager for the next chapter—who would the protagonist choose?
Thanks to the "shameless author's" careful stirring, reader factions emerged—Girl Camp versus Mature Lady Camp. Both sides united only in their frustration with the slow-witted protagonist. Every time the comments refreshed, the "shattered molars" jokes filled the page.
Before long, Lu Chen's "Teyvat Universe" had truly taken root in this world.
But it still wasn't enough. The novels' reach was too narrow. This time, Lu Chen wanted to go big.
"I need you to do something for me," he told Sha Lin.
"Huh? What is it, boss?" She had never seen him so serious.
"Go to the city and find someone for me."
"Find someone?" Sha Lin asked, puzzled. "Why? Who is it?"
Lu Chen didn't give a reason—only a name.
"His nickname is…"
"Cai Haoyu."