[I was planning to just write something casual today…]
[But honestly, after finally getting my hands on this, not showing it off would be a crime.]
[Sigh—mentality, mentality. If you're invincible in strength, your mindset needs polishing too.]
"What kind of treasure got Lin Ze this excited?"
"He even came to the diary just to show off."
"Cultivating the mind… Is Mr. Lin Ze preparing to enter the Plane of Euthymia?"
"At least he understands cultivation basics. When power rises, temperament must follow."
"Sigh… Inazuma's still locked down. Beidou hasn't been around in ages.
Sending messages is such a pain… Energy -1."
[Zhongli_Shocked.jpg]
"Who's that?"
"Someone looking stunned?"
"Mr. Lin Ze… what exactly are you doing?"
"…Wait—that's the Geo Archon?!"
"Why does the Geo Archon look like that?"
"What did Lin Ze even do?"
"This… this must carry profound meaning!"
[Hehehe~ Geo Archon Shocked Reaction Pic!]
[Just saying—using Black Flag, I casually molded a Wind-type Gnosis by hand.]
[Okay, fine, part of it was to flex on the old man.]
[But getting this photo? Absolutely worth it.]
[Hu Tao—you did well. You really did well.]
[Allow me to formally introduce her to all diary holders:]
[Hu Tao—77th Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.]
[Hu as in "eat without restraint," Tao as in… definitely not "mischief."]
[Even the Geo Archon once said: "Hu Tao is more than I can handle."]
[This legendary photo was taken by her hand. Let us applaud Director Hu Tao!]
"Lin Ze, you set me up!"
[Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Grand Promotion!]
[Second burial half price! Don't miss it!]
[I already advertised for you, Director Hu Tao—surely you won't blame me~ Hehehe~]
"You did well, Lin Ze. You really did well!"
"Am I supposed to say… this meal eats a few Soul Hall elders?"
"So… even Morax can make an expression like that?"
Far away, someone quietly closed their diary.
"Hand-crafting a Gnosis… such power… such authority…"
"It seems I must personally pay a visit to this Mr. Lin Ze."
"When I obtain hundreds of Gnoses from each of the Seven, we'll see if Celestia still stands."
Lin Ze closed the diary, still grinning from ear to ear.
Showing off really was satisfying. Immensely so.
But soon, he coughed lightly and reminded himself:
"No, no, Lin Ze. This won't do. Didn't you say you'd work on your mindset?"
"With strength like this, wealth, looks, power—everything's already in your grasp."
"In this world, if you desire it, what can't you obtain?"
"…But damn, this really does feel good."
He laughed again.
Good thing he didn't have maids or servants.
Otherwise, anyone watching would've thought he'd lost his mind.
Meanwhile, at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli finally recovered from his shock.
He glanced toward Celestia, then sighed quietly.
Lin Ze had crafted a Wind Gnosis outright—so much so that even Celestia cast a glance down.
And yet… only a glance.
If anyone else had created a second Gnosis—one capable of resonating with the heavens—Celestia would have descended long ago.
Liyue had truly gained an extraordinary individual.
"…Perhaps my retirement plans were a little premature."
Zhongli knew Lin Ze could see through his identity.
After all—someone who could mold a Gnosis wouldn't fail to recognize a mere mortal vessel.
"…It may be worth speaking with him again."
Just as he settled his thoughts, Hu Tao burst back in.
And Zhongli immediately regretted everything.
"Zhongli! Zhongli! Look at this!"
Beaming from ear to ear—thanks to Lin Ze's diary advertisement—Hu Tao proudly presented the photo.
Zhongli stared at the image of himself, frozen mid-shock.
A vein twitched.
He opened his mouth… then closed it again, sighing.
As expected.
Hu Tao was still more than he could handle.
"Everyone experiences shock at times," he said calmly.
"Mr. Lin Ze's abilities are truly beyond comprehension."
"My reaction was only natural."
"Director, keeping this serves no purpose. Perhaps you should dispose of it."
If Hu Tao actually threw it away—
He would immediately erase it from existence.
"Are you kidding?" Hu Tao laughed, tucking the photo away into her Vision space.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime treasure! I'm keeping it as a family heirloom!"
She skipped past him, not even considering discarding it.
If this were the past, maybe she would've.
But now?
She knew Zhongli was the Geo Archon.
A photo of the Geo Archon being shocked?
That was legendary.
As Lin Ze's meme encyclopedia would say—
Tai. Ku. La.
Absolutely heirloom-tier.
"…Sigh."
Zhongli watched her go, helpless.
He had watched Hu Tao grow up.
And yet—he still couldn't deal with her.
"…Very well. Let her keep it."
Perhaps it was only temporary excitement.
She might forget about it someday.
If Hu Tao was happy, then so be it.
He lifted his teacup.
No strolling today.
Tonight—he would visit Lin Ze.
Meanwhile, Hu Tao—still riding her high—had not forgotten her earlier plan.
She entered Wangsheng's archive, navigating directly to the adepti records, flipping through them with focus.
She'd check the texts first.
If nothing came up—
Then she'd ask Zhongli directly.
Elsewhere.
"Héyǔ Teahouse… If I remember correctly, Yun-Han Opera Troupe often performs here."
Lin Ze wandered casually, glancing at the teahouse sign before stepping inside.
Six million Mora in his pocket.
If you've got money—you spend it.
That's the whole point.
And then—
[Checked in at Héyǔ Teahouse. Sadly, no Yun-Han Opera performance today. I'll come back next time.]
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