Luya handed the Lock of the Mortal World, gifted by Guizhong, to Zhongli. The Lock of the Mortal World… gave off a faint golden glow.
Guoba, grinning foolishly beside Xiangling, turned his gaze toward Luya and Zhongli at the appearance of the Lock of the Mortal World.
Though Guoba had lost his intelligence, much of what he had experienced remained in muscle memory. He had once drunk with Guizhong and Xiao under drifting clouds, so he still retained some memory of the Lock of the Mortal World imbued with Guizhong's aura… though not much.
Soon, Guoba turned his head back, focusing on the duel between Xiangling and Hu Tao.
Zhongli looked at Luya expectantly… wanting to hear what new discovery he had made regarding the Lock of the Mortal World.
"I studied it all night This Lock of the Mortal World, I can't open it."
At those words, Zhongli's gaze dipped slightly, though he quickly composed himself again. Zhongli had lived far too long in this world, witnessing countless farewells. Guizhong, the Yakshas, even the Azhdaha he had personally sealed… and Adeptus such as Cloud Retainer…
Having endured the departure of so many old friends, Zhongli's heart had long since become unyielding. So… though he had hoped that Luya might open the Lock of the Mortal World, hearing that it could not be opened did not disappoint him too deeply.
After all, Zhongli had weathered too many partings and had grown accustomed to such solitude. Yet, if he could meet an old friend again… he truly would be glad.
Zhongli sighed: "To buy osmanthus wine with you again… yet alas, when shall old friends meet once more?"
"Thank you, Shopkeeper…" Even though Luya couldn't open it, Zhongli still offered his gratitude.
Suddenly, Zhongli recalled that Luya had said he had made a new discovery regarding the Lock of the Mortal World. So he asked: "But… what was the discovery you mentioned?"
Luya rose to his feet and said to Zhongli: "This Lock of the Mortal World can be used to craft a card: [Goddess of Dust – Guizhong]. Perhaps, once the card is made, some new clues may emerge. The Lock of the Mortal World is yours—whether to proceed is for you to decide. What I can do… is only to help you craft it. And whether the finished card will provide the answers you seek, I cannot know."
As Luya finished speaking… Zhongli's hand holding the Lock of the Mortal World trembled slightly, as if from excitement. This lock had stayed by his side for millennia, and he had never been able to unlock it.
Luya's presence had already shown him so many impossibilities—Duel Monsters, overwhelming strength… Perhaps the Lock of the Mortal World was indeed meant to be made into a card.
"Then… I ask the Shopkeeper to craft it for me… I shall offer appropriate payment."
With that, Zhongli handed the Lock of the Mortal World to Luya. Luya nodded and stored the Lock of the Mortal World in his inventory.
"However, to craft [Goddess of Dust – Guizhong]… The Lock of the Mortal World alone is not enough…"
Zhongli made a sound of acknowledgement: "As expected, it is not so simple… Tell me what else is needed. I shall prepare it."
Well-versed in ancient lore, Zhongli was deeply familiar with Teyvat. No matter the material, he could find it.
Luya replied: "In addition to the Lock of the Mortal World, I'll need Demon God's Flesh… and one hundred wild Glaze Lilies."
At these words, though Zhongli's face remained calm, his tone was filled with joy: "Ah… that's just like her. Even now… she still hasn't forgotten the Glaze Lily. These Demon God's Flesh and Glaze Lilies—I'll go gather them at once. I'll return tonight."
Luya nodded, then pointed to the open space behind him. "Mr. Zhongli, you only need to bring seventy more Glaze Lilies."
Behind Luya, a great patch of Glaze Lilies appeared within the shop, defying reason. These were the thirty Glaze Lilies Guizhong had brought when she appeared last night, after the recipe for [Goddess of Dust – Guizhong] was unlocked.
Seeing Zhongli, the Glaze Lilies swayed like lively maidens, dancing back and forth. With that, Zhongli left the shop to seek the materials needed for crafting [Goddess of Dust – Guizhong].
After sending Zhongli off, Luya resumed tending the shop's business. He noticed some customers watching the duels from afar, their eyes filled with envy.
Luya knew these customers were wealthy. After all… they had bought plenty of card packs here.
It seemed they weren't skilled in socializing, or perhaps too shy to duel in public. They looked like the type who'd prefer to stay at home and play games… Too bad Teyvat had no internet yet.
Luya thought… If only computers, mobile phones, and the internet could be brought here. And if mobile payments were popularized… Then he could create a fully connected Teyvat version of Yu-Gi-Oh!—[Yu-Gi-Oh! TWT (Teyvat)].
Each character would have their own special card packs! Limited banners and so forth… pricing set at levels most could accept…
Luya knew… For most, the current physical card packs were still too expensive. In the online version Yu-Gi-Oh! TWT (Teyvat), he could set the price at 400 Mora per pack—the cost of two Teyvat Fried Eggs.
Then, set draw rates according to rarity to achieve balance. This way, even ordinary people could play Yu-Gi-Oh! And so… even commoners would have the chance to be matched against gods…
At this thought, Luya was already a little eager.
Regardless, with current technology, it was still impossible. Still, as the system's rewards and technology advanced… someday Teyvat would connect to the internet, and Yu-Gi-Oh! TWT would become reality.
This would greatly boost Yu-Gi-Oh!'s popularity in Teyvat… The wealthy could buy countless card packs. Those with less money could do daily log-ins, buy a monthly card, and build a few decks they were good at!
Later, he could even port over game mechanics from Blue Star… Battle Pass… seasonal passes… even dungeon challenges.
[Archon War: Morax's Campaign]
"You will play as Morax, defeating enemies around Liyue and leading the people to rebuild their homeland."
The opening screen:
"At that time, Liyue… I had no intention to vie for the world… I only wished to protect one corner of the mortal realm…"
Surely Liyue players would love it… Not only would it earn plenty of Mora, but it could also teach Teyvat's people some history.
Albeit all this still required technology. For now, it was impossible…
Albeit speaking of games—Luya suddenly remembered… The ten electronic Duel Game Machines from the system's rewards had yet to be installed.
So he opened the Shop Renovation function, and placed all ten machines together in one area.
Each machine took up less than two square meters. The space wasn't large, and no power connection was needed—after closing each day, the system would automatically recharge them. Very convenient.
After installation, the ten machines were ready. Each opponent's strength matched their growth through the Yu-Gi-Oh! storyline. Players could choose to use [Story Decks] or build their own.
The machines accepted card codes from packs opened in-store, redeemable as digital cards.
The first stage was the tutorial: Yugi Mutou versus Joey Wheeler. The second stage was Yugi versus Seto Kaiba. Blue-Eyes White Dragon versus Dark Magician!!!
Just as Luya finished setting up the ten machines in the shop… A purple silhouette appeared beside him—it was Keqing.
Luya chuckled: "Well? Isn't this Miss Keqing… Isn't today a workday? How do you still have time to play…?"
Wearing her purple dress, Keqing covered her mouth and laughed: "Though as a member of the Liyue Qixing I must work… Still, one must relax occasionally. My vacation days are too many—I should use some of them… What's wrong, Shopkeeper, are you not happy to see me?!"
Luya shook his head: "How could I dare…"
Keqing nodded, sensing something different than usual—the shop seemed much less crowded. So she asked curiously: "Why are there fewer customers today than before?! By right, there should be more and more each day… How did you manage to make business worse, squandering such a good hand…"
Faced with Keqing's teasing, Luya simply pointed at the screening room.
Only then did Keqing notice the massive new chamber inside the shop. Listening closely, she realized there were indeed many people inside…
At that moment, Keqing's gaze fell on the ten electronic Duel Game Machines glowing blue at Luya's side. Their casings bore images of Yugi Mutou, Seto Kaiba, Joey Wheeler, along with Dark Magician, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
On the control panel, a joystick with four buttons… To Keqing, it was yet another mysterious object. She couldn't help but marvel again at human ingenuity.
Pointing at the machines, Keqing asked in bewilderment: "Ah… What… what is this thing?!"
...
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