"Oh~ Let's start with mapping."
Taro cleared his throat lightly.
He took the Remote Lens from Senna, enlarged the projection nearly fivefold, and cast it before them.
The first four layers were orderly enough.
But beyond…
"From the second layer down," Taro rubbed his chin, "the paths lose all pattern."
"The first two layers, without doubt, are the work of Liyue's mining teams over the last two thousand years."
"But from the third layer onward, that's no longer the case."
The third and fourth belonged to ruins of a destroyed civilization.
And the fifth—the deepest—Taro already knew what lay within.
The Abyss.
And… the Heavenly Nail.
Cast from the skies above, meant to mend the fractures of the world and its leylines.
Its main role: block the Abyss from eroding Teyvat.
Whether that civilization perished because of the Nail, there was no proof.
By the third layer, there were already marine fossils embedded in stone.
Most likely, that civilization had been destroyed much earlier, in the world-shaking Deluge that once swept across all realms.
Whatever the truth, Taro didn't care.
Because now—was grinding time.
"Three paths lead downward from here."
He marked the map and gave orders.
"Yingda, take Path One. Senna, Path Two. Huo Liya, Path Three."
"Clear every monster you encounter. Don't worry about anything else."
"And avoid anything directly tied to the Abyss."
"I'll wait for you at the entrance to the fifth layer."
Since party experience was shared, he had no reason to hold back from his own people.
The monsters below weren't many.
This run wouldn't yield much—barely two percent of his exp bar even if he soloed them all.
But for Yingda and the others, it might mean an entire level up.
The real harvest would come once his party expanded.
Little by little, many drops make an ocean.
Sustainable growth.
And if he grew impatient?
He could always contact Alice through Didi, storm the Abyssal battlefield at the world's edge, and reap exp in droves.
Or seek out Mavuika or Ka—
They wouldn't refuse him guidance.
"…We're splitting up?"
Yingda bit her lip, then nodded.
"Understood, sir. I'll reach the goal first."
She wanted to stay by his side, but she knew this wasn't the time to be willful.
There would be time later.
"My dear sisters~" Huo Liya's eyes gleamed.
"How about a little contest?"
"How do we compete?" Yingda immediately perked up, eyes flashing with challenge.
"…"
Senna stayed quiet, not too eager.
"Simple," Huo Liya smiled.
"Let's see who reaches sir first."
"Fine. What's the wager?"
Yingda's lips curved upward.
"The wager…" Huo Liya hesitated.
"I'll provide the prize."
Taro raised a finger.
"Whoever wins will be the first to receive a custom special-class from me."
"Minimum tier, Elemental Dragon King."
So long as he had enough materials, Taro could manufacture racial and class manuals from the great cosmos.
Similar to how world-class items were forged.
With his direct control, two books a day—one racial, one class.
Left to automation, one every three or four days.
"…"
At his words, three pairs of eyes lit instantly.
Even if they didn't fully grasp "special-class," the term "Elemental Dragon King" said enough.
A synonym for overwhelming strength.
To claim first place here meant advancing earlier toward sir's footsteps.
This first place is mine!
None said it aloud, but all three were determined.
"Then take your marks."
Fiery red and ocean blue glints flickered across Yingda and Senna's faces.
Huo Liya's white hair began to shimmer faintly.
They were already entering combat state.
Seeing them eager, Taro smiled faintly.
Competition drove progress.
As long as it was fair, competition was good.
"Begin!"
The moment he spoke, all three burst forth.
Three streaks of light, each diving into their chosen passage.
In an instant, they vanished from view.
"Motivation is good."
"May you gain well."
Rubbing his chin, Taro opened his own teleportation gate.
Today, he was going to examine that Heavenly Nail himself.
Perhaps, unexpected harvest awaited.
"Well then. Time to move."
He stepped forward into the portal.
The scene shifted. Subtle glimmers filled the cavern.
Though it should've been pitch-dark, the cave was bright.
This place… fluorescent solitude.
If he recalled right, two unique lifeforms resided here.
He turned.
A colossal fungus loomed into view.
The glow illuminating the cavern came from its towering caps.
Grass Essence: Giant Mycena.
An evolved strain of Fungus Beasts.
High-rank, Cognition Wisdom.
Taro touched his earpiece, speaking softly.
"If I recall right, your name should be Bimalan, no?"
The empty cavern stirred with a breeze.
A gentle voice, filled with fervor, sounded by his ear.
Race: Bimalan, pays respect… to the Lord of Wisdom.
Lord of Wisdom?
Taro blinked, expression turning strange.
That title usually referred to… the God of Dendro, didn't it?
Had this creature gone dull from hiding in the Chasm too long?
Then again, maybe not.
Root Dragon King?
Or… Cognition Wisdom?
He glanced at his buff bar.
There was the passive of Cognition Wisdom, and the unique racial trait of Root Dragon King.
The God of Dendro could hear the voices of plants.
But he—he heard all voices.
The voice of the world's elements themselves.
So the creature mistook him for the Lord of Wisdom?
Logically… possible.
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read more!]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]