Morning in Liyue Harbor.
The sky was barely beginning to brighten, yet the streets were already alive with the hurried footsteps of rchants and workers. Most of them still bore drowsy expressions, fighting off the remnants of sleep as they went about their routines.
The Millelith, however, stood as an exception, ever-vigilant and brimming with energy—a constant source of pride for the people of Liyue Harbor.
After all, their Millelith were considered the most elite soldiers in all of Teyvat. While others from different nations might have their own opinions, for the people of Liyue, this was an undeniable truth.
As the sun rose above the horizon, its golden rays glinted off the shimring waves of the ocean. A few small fishing boats had already set out to sea, their sails dotting the expansive waters.
anwhile, one of Liyue's more enigmatic figures, Zhongli, began his morning routine.
Carrying a birdcage, he strolled leisurely through the bustling streets. Those who spotted him greeted him warmly, particularly the rchants.
After all, while this gentleman was often seen without a single Mora to his na, he was also known for his generosity when he did make purchases. That said, the financial strain he placed on the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was an open secret among the locals.
Many residents of Liyue couldn't help but wonder: why did such a strikingly handso young man insist on presenting himself with the air of soone far older?
Then again, Liyue was ho to many eccentric individuals, and most assud that peculiar habits were simply part and parcel of a truly extraordinary person.
"Good morning, Mr. Zhongli!"
As Zhongli passed by Mingxing Jewelry, the shopkeeper, Mingxing, imdiately perked up, greeting him with enthusiasm.
"In a few days, we'll be getting a shipnt of new jade. If you have ti, Mr. Zhongli, do stop by to take a look!"
Zhongli paused, turning to face her. His golden eyes, reminiscent of gilded amber, rested on Mingxing as he gave a slight nod.
"If ti permits, I shall indeed pay a visit," he replied in his deep, asured voice. "Mingxing Jewelry has an eye for quality I've always trusted."
Mingxing couldn't help but smile brightly, covering her mouth with a hand to hide her amusent.
"Oh, you flatter us, Mr. Zhongli! Everyone in Liyue Harbor knows you have the sharpest eye in all of Teyvat when it cos to ores and jade. Just one glance from you, and you can determine their value with near-perfect accuracy. You're truly elevating our humble store with your praise."
Shaking his head, Zhongli replied gently, "Each trade has its own expertise. I am rely a dabbler with broad interests—far from being an all-seeing eye."
Before he could finish his sentence, a resounding boom echoed from the direction of Mount Tianheng.
"Again?" Mingxing sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "It's been going on all night—those intermittent blasts. I doubt many people got much sleep.
"Mr. Zhongli, do you know what's happening up there? Is it so kind of monster outbreak?"
She paused, a trace of unease crossing her face. "But then… the Millelith haven't been deployed for any subjugation efforts."
Zhongli's eyes glead faintly, a subtle flicker of gold betraying his thoughts. After a mont of silence, he replied in his calm, reassuring tone, "You need not worry. It is not a monster."
"Not a monster?" Mingxing tilted her head, clearly puzzled.
Zhongli offered no further explanation. Instead, he simply reiterated his promise to visit the store before continuing on his way, birdcage in hand.
Watching him leave, Mingxing could only shake her head with a helpless smile.
"Such an enigmatic man with such an unusual personality…"
The commotion from Mount Tianheng, of course, was none other than Ryen testing his strength. Zhongli was well aware of this fact.
In truth, he had even gone to see it for himself the previous night.
When Zhongli first laid eyes on Ryen, even he had been taken aback.
Ryen lacked elental energy entirely, yet his sheer physical prowess was astounding. Zhongli suspected the man might very well have the strength to uproot Mount Tianheng if he so desired.
Still, Zhongli had kept his distance, observing silently from afar.
As an outsider, Ryen was soone Zhongli had been keeping an eye on, especially since he was friends with Ganyu and Keqing.
Over the past year, Zhongli had noted Ryen's goodwill toward Liyue. Even the discussions he'd had with Keqing about godless nations had piqued Zhongli's interest.
There was no cause for concern that Ryen might bring harm to Liyue.
Satisfied with his observations, Zhongli had chosen not to interfere. Once he was certain that there was no imdiate danger, he had quietly returned to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Zhongli had to admit, he was quite intrigued by the idea of sitting down with Ryen for a conversation. Not for any particular purpose, but simply to hear more about the story of that godless nation Ryen had ntioned.
The concept resonated with him, offering glimpses of Liyue's potential future. In fact, it was part of what had solidified his resolve to stage his own "death."
He firmly believed that a Liyue built upon the blood and sweat of its people could rival any civilization. If another nation could achieve such a feat, why not Liyue?
Initially, Zhongli had planned to seek out Ryen today to discuss these ideas. However, his plans shifted when he saw both Keqing and Ganyu hurrying toward the Jade Chamber early in the morning.
They had also given strict orders to the Millelith to avoid investigating the commotion at Mount Tianheng.
For these two to act in tandem could only an that the matter involved Ryen. Judging by their urgency, it seed they knew more about his situation than anyone else.
Deciding to wait and observe, Zhongli chose to delay his approach until he could understand the situation more clearly.
anwhile, Ryen had no ti to concern himself with these developnts.
"The last Hilichurl encampnt cleared!"
Standing in the center of a massive crater, Ryen surveyed the destruction he had caused, a look of satisfaction on his face.
Over the course of the night, he had systematically swept Mount Tianheng clean of monsters.
The Hilichurls, as usual, had drawn the short straw—persecuted by the Abyss, targeted by adventurers, and now flattened by him.
But none of that had anything to do with Ryen. His only goal was to ensure that no stray monsters would bother him or disrupt his peace in Teyvat.
Of course, he'd also been testing his strength.
To say that the enhancents granted by his Steve-like physique exceeded his expectations would be an understatent.
His first punch alone had nearly reduced Mount Tianheng to rubble. He'd misjudged his strength and almost shattered the entire peak with a single blow.
Thankfully, he had managed to redirect the force at the last mont, sending it upward into the sky.
The result? The clouds over Teyvat had been split cleanly in two, forming an enormous middle part.
After a few more tests, Ryen finally got a sense of how much power he needed to exert in different situations.
As for elental energy?
That wasn't an issue at all. He had tested it thoroughly. Whether it was the flas of a Pyro Abyss Mage or the lightning of an Electro one, neither had any significant effect on his body.
His constitution was simply too strong. Even elental reactions barely caused a faint tingling sensation. His health bar? Completely untouched.
He had even tried leaping off Mount Tianheng just to test fall damage. Not a scratch.
The conclusion was clear: Steve's physique made him virtually invincible in Teyvat.
Satisfied with this realization, Ryen finally allowed himself to relax.
Glancing at the massive crater he had created, he bent his knees slightly and leapt into the air, heading back to his ho.
As for collecting materials?
Well, his punches were so powerful that they obliterated even elental particles. What materials could possibly remain?
Today's weather was splendid, perfect for getting so construction work done.
Ryen knew he had to make the most of it, especially since it wouldn't be long before soone from Liyue ca to investigate the situation at Mount Tianheng.
Of course, that was just a convenient excuse.
The real reason was far simpler: his living conditions were unbearable, and it was sapping his motivation to build anything.
In the Minecraft world, Ryen had always been ticulous. Whether he was mining or building, he refused to settle for makeshift "matchbox" structures. What was the point of all those architecture classes in college if he didn't put them to good use?
After a quick wash, Ryen scribbled a note and pinned it down with a torch so Keqing and Ganyu could find it if they stopped by.
The note read:
Out building stuff. If you're looking for , don't wreck the place. Also, good luck figuring out how to break down the birch blocks at the entrance without the iron axe I gave you.
With that, Ryen stepped through the portal into the Minecraft world.
As for whether soone might sneak in to steal his things? Well, they were welco to try. Breaking through the reinforced birch blocks without his tools would likely take days.
The weather in the Minecraft world was just as beautiful—clear skies and warm sunlight.
Ryen pushed open the door of his base and glanced around. The "good brothers"—his affectionate nickna for the villagers—were wandering aimlessly along the roads.
"Hmm... it's a good day," Ryen muttered with a grin.
Pulling out an axe, he strode outside, his expression turning mischievous as his gaze settled on the villagers.
"Today's the perfect day to start work!" he declared.
Then, his grin widened into sothing more sinister.
"And the first task... is to lock up my good brothers in a single room and make them start breeding so villagers!"
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