The wind outside Wangshu Inn carried the scent of marsh water and drifting lotus. Inside the quiet upper floor, everything felt unnaturally still — like the moment before a stone drops into a lake and ripples change everything.
Zhongli's golden eyes held Takumi with that steady, unshakable calm of someone who had seen thousands of years come and go. The expression of a man who had once guided a nation through blood, stone, and contract.
Takumi, meanwhile, sat frozen like a computer forced to run too many programs at once.
"Why don't you stay in Liyue?" Zhongli asked. "You said Liyue resembles your homeland. Then… let us sign a contract."
Takumi blinked. Slowly.
"…Stay? In Liyue?"
"Correct."
"And… sign a contract?"
"Correct."
Takumi rubbed his face. "Master Zhong. I don't think I possess anything worth striking a deal with you. I'm literally broke. I'm drinking tea here based on someone else's goodwill credit."
Behind Zhongli, Xiao folded his arms, nodding silently in agreement.
Yes, this human had nothing. Not even common sense.
Zhongli smiled softly. "Your existence alone is valuable."
Takumi froze. That sounds like something a mysterious man says before kidnapping someone.
Zhongli continued, unfazed:
"I am quite interested in the nation you described. Your history. Your development. Your philosophy. I was originally planning to retire soon…"
Takumi whispered under his breath. "You mean fake your death."
Xiao's glaive almost materialized instinctively.
Zhongli ignored it with the grace of a scholar ignoring a child's tantrum.
"But after hearing your words, I decided to delay that plan."
He leaned forward.
"How about this? Stay in Liyue… and help me build Liyue."
Takumi's breath caught.
"Build… Liyue?"
"Yes. Help me shape the future. A future led by humans."
Zhongli extended his hand slowly, as if offering a piece of fate itself.
"In exchange… I will give you an Eye of God."
Takumi blinked once.
Twice.
Then he stared, dumbfounded.
"…Wait. Didn't you JUST say you can't interfere with Sky Island?"
Zhongli cleared his throat, a touch too smoothly. "I said I cannot directly grant a Vision."
Xiao looked away, unable to watch the level of technical truth-bending currently happening.
"But indirect methods," Zhongli continued, "are acceptable."
He reached into his robe.
Takumi leaned forward instinctively.
No way.
No way this is happening.
Zhongli placed something on the table with a soft clink.
An extinguished Eye of God.
Geo.
A polished gemstone encased in elegant metal, but dormant and cold.
Takumi nearly inhaled his tea.
"You're— giving me that?!"
"Sign a contract with me," Zhongli said gently, "and I shall help you light it."
Takumi stared at the Vision like a man staring at the most beautiful paycheck of his life.
The system chimed in his mind, its calm voice smooth as still water:
[SYSTEM]
Warning: User excitement levels rising. Breathe.
Optional Quest Detected — "Contract of Civilization."
Reward: System Blueprint Upgrade (Tier 1 Industrial Tools).
Takumi's eye twitched. Not helping.
Zhongli Explains the Weight of the Contract
Zhongli lifted his cup and took a serene sip.
"Liyue has remained unchanged for thousands of years due to the oversight of Adepti and myself."
His tone softened… and grew heavier.
"Born in hardship, perish in comfort."
Takumi straightened unconsciously. Somehow the phrase struck deeper than expected.
Zhongli continued, eyes distant with memory.
"I created Liyue with my own hands. From a land where people bartered stones and shells… to a nation ruled by contracts, law, and Mora."
He placed a hand over his chest.
"If Liyue was a child once… then that child has grown. And a parent must eventually let go."
Takumi could almost feel Xiao stiffen. Even after everything, the yaksha wasn't prepared to hear such words.
Zhongli went on:
"I am tired, Takumi. The world has changed. Gods have risen and fallen. The old ways fade. And humans… humans adapt. Faster than any of us."
A rare, fragile silence fell.
"In the upcoming Rite of Descension," Zhongli said quietly, "I will feign death. It will be my final test. If the people of Liyue succeed… Liyue shall be theirs, completely."
Takumi stared at him, shock and awe battling inside him.
This was no simple request.
This was… history.
"But now you have appeared," Zhongli said, turning back. "A traveler whose homeland mirrors Liyue's ancient era. A mind shaped by human-driven progress. Perhaps… you can introduce new vitality to this nation."
He gently pushed the extinguished Vision toward Takumi.
"Help me transform Liyue. Build it into the future you mentioned."
Takumi's Brain: Meltdown in Progress
Takumi pinched the bridge of his nose.
"…You want me," he said slowly, "to industrialize the strongest nation in Teyvat?"
"Yes," Zhongli replied serenely.
"And you're deciding this based on… what? A conversation?"
"It is enough."
Takumi stared. "…Rock god, are you sure you're not being a little sloppy?"
"Even if you fail," Zhongli said calmly, "I will correct the imbalance."
That's not reassuring, old man!
Zhongli placed one hand gently on the table.
"My only condition is that you make Liyue's people happier. More secure. More prosperous."
Takumi swallowed. Hard.
This man was serious. Completely serious.
And inside Takumi's head, his system chimed again:
[SYSTEM]
Liyue Industrialization Path unlocked.
Blueprint functions expanding.
You may now access early-stage technologies:
Basic machinery tools
Manual assembly systems
Agricultural optimization structures
Food processing schematics
Light entertainment device prototypes
Takumi almost fell off his chair.
THIS is why you didn't activate earlier?! Because you were waiting for a national development route?!
The system calmly replied:
[SYSTEM]
Correct. User must possess lawful authority before unlocking civilization upgrades.
YOU COULD HAVE SAID THAT EARLIER.
Takumi rubbed his face. "Zhongli… how do you expect me to do this alone? I need manpower. I need Liyue's people to support me."
Zhongli nodded. "When you sign, I will inform the Liyue Qixing to cooperate with you."
Xiao finally spoke, voice low and uneasy.
"…Are you sure about this?"
Zhongli smiled. "Yes."
Takumi stared at the Vision again, feeling his heart race.
Build Liyue.
Shape its future.
Advance its civilization.
It was terrifying.
It was insane.
It was… cool as hell.
But There Was One Important Question
Takumi slowly raised his head.
"Zhongli… I have one concern."
"Speak."
"What if," Takumi said carefully, "I do something… and that woman up there comes down to kill me?"
A thick silence fell.
Xiao stiffened.
Zhongli almost laughed.
By "that woman," everyone knew who Takumi meant.
Zhongli shook his head.
"As long as you do not tamper with the abyss nor interfere with leylines… the Sustainer will not intervene."
Takumi blinked. "Meaning…?"
Zhongli met his eyes directly.
"You understand."
And he did.
Kanria collapsed because of abyssal interference.
Leyline corruption.
Forbidden research.
But normal technology? Steam? Machinery? Industrial growth?
Harmless.
Takumi exhaled in relief.
The Decision That Changes Everything
He looked at Zhongli.
At Xiao, silent and watchful.
At the Vision glowing faintly in the dim evening light.
Then he picked it up.
"Okay," Takumi said quietly. "I'll sign."
Zhongli's smile warmed. "Then our contract is complete."
The air in the room shifted — subtly but unmistakably.
The kind of shift that meant a god had recognized a pact.
"Those who break their promises," Zhongli said solemnly, "shall be punished by the stone."
Takumi swallowed. "Noted. I'd rather not get meteor-punched by heaven."
The Vision pulsed faintly in his hand… like it was waiting.
Zhongli lifted his right hand, tapping the Vision lightly with his finger.
A ripple of golden energy surged from his touch.
Then—
WHOOM—
The extinguished Vision lit up.
A brilliant Geo glow burst forth, illuminating Takumi's stunned face.
From beside him, Xiao narrowed his eyes.
"…His aura… it actually resonated."
Takumi stared at the Vision, trembling.
"…I have… a Geo Vision."
"Yes," Zhongli said, amused. "As per contract."
Takumi's system activated instantly:
[SYSTEM]
Vision Detected: Geo
Processing elemental compatibility…
Element integrated.
Blueprint upgrades unlocked: Structural Reinforcement, Geological Survey Mode, Mineral Scanning.
Takumi nearly choked.
HAVE YOU BEEN HOLDING BACK ALL THIS TIME?!
[SYSTEM]
I activate according to narrative dramatic timing.
Takumi: I hate you sometimes.
Xiao's Reaction: Confusion, Suspicion, Mild Murderous Aura
Xiao stepped closer, staring at Takumi as if trying to determine whether he was still the same idiot who called him short three days ago.
"…You actually accepted," Xiao muttered.
Takumi shrugged weakly. "I mean… he offered a Vision."
"That is not the point."
"Then what is?"
"You are now part of Liyue," Xiao said simply. "If you betray it… I will end you."
Takumi raised both hands. "I get it, I get it! No betrayal!"
Zhongli chuckled softly. "Xiao. There is no need to threaten him."
"There is every need," Xiao replied flatly.
Takumi sighed. "This is going to be my life now, isn't it?"
Zhongli nodded warmly. "Yes. Welcome."
Takumi groaned.
The Contract Is Sealed — And the Future Begins
Takumi held his newly lit Vision in both hands.
It felt warm.
Solid.
Powerful.
Like a promise.
Zhongli leaned back in his chair, satisfied.
"From this moment, Takumi… you are a contractor of Liyue."
Xiao crossed his arms. "Just don't die."
Takumi exhaled.
This was it.
His journey as Teyvat's first industrial architect… had officially begun.
He whispered:
"…Let's build a new Liyue."
And somewhere inside him, the system replied, calm and unwavering:
[SYSTEM]
Contract Accepted.
Civilization Project: LIYUE INDUSTRIAL ERA
Stage 1: Manpower + Funding Acquisition
Difficulty: Extremely High.
Good luck, User.
Takumi sighed.
"…I really am going to die."