Genshin Impact, all those behind-the-scenes big shots are me

"Condensing a divine body? Hmm..."

Zhongli pondered for a moment, “That Immortal Ancestor’s physical body was formed by me using the power of rock, so it didn’t take too much effort. However, I once had a fortuitous opportunity to find a secret method deep in the world, which uses the power of the origin of heaven and earth to condense an avatar. The effect is exactly the same as the real body, but this method can only be used to form elemental life forms.”

His immortal ancestral mortal form was also created using this secret method.

Su Chen had a sudden thought: "Isn't that perfect? ​​As the former God of Thunder, Baal should be able to adapt to the arcane arts, right?"

“It’s still unknown,” Zhongli said. “Life and death are a cycle of reincarnation, a natural law. Even mortals find it difficult to reverse the yin and yang realms, let alone gods. But your words... might be worth a try.”

Although Raiden Shin is not strictly dead, in reality, as a remnant of his soul, he is 'dead' according to the rules of the natural order. However, because of Su Chen, he has crossed the five-hundred-year time boundary, and now Raiden Shin is also subtly breaking away from the control of the natural order.

Zhongli said it was worth a try because of Su Chen, who had died twice but hadn't quite died. How should this situation be handled? Even with his limited knowledge, he couldn't figure it out.

If a miracle were to happen, it would surely be to Su Chen.

“Give it a try,” Raiden Shin said without hesitation.

Although it was comfortable to hang on Su Chen, it was also not very convenient. It meant that she had to go wherever Su Chen went... Well, she didn't have any objections, but the resentful look in Ying's eyes when she left made her feel a little embarrassed.

No... silly sister, what do you mean by that?

In short, the principle of "never die if you can live" applies to demons as well.

“In that case, let’s prepare more,” Zhongli said. “The process of the soul and body merging is extremely dangerous, and it’s best to have the power to maintain it.”

Su Chen asked, "How do we maintain this?"

“Barbatos is quite good at this.”

Su Chen was stunned.

Good heavens, where am I supposed to find you a wisp of wind?

...

People come and go beneath the stone gate.

The aroma of dandelion wine lingers in the air, following the traces of flowing water and gentle breeze, and amidst the sound of singing, the figure of a young man appears.

The caravan took a break, and a bard who had infiltrated the caravan offered to free food and drink with a story. He played his harp, and the sound was long and moving. Not only the people in the caravan, but even the wandering Hilichurls in the distance were captivated.

About ten minutes later, the music stopped, but the lingering charm of the story remained in everyone's hearts.

While they were enjoying the moment with their eyes closed, the boy couldn't wait to grab the wine and fill the flask he had brought with him.

"Ha~ This is a really good story."

"Come on, let's drink!"

"Huh? Where did the wine go?"

The boy said, "You're all so engrossed in listening to the story, drinking as you listen, so of course you'll drink it all!"

"Is it."

"Didn't you secretly take it?"

"What? How could you insult someone out of thin air... Huh?" The boy turned around, looked at the person walking towards him, and was stunned: "Su Chen?"

"You're quick on your way. The Dragon King Festival just ended not long ago, and you're already here in Liyue, freeloading off people."

"No way, I never freeloaded..."

Wendy tried to argue, and then came the question, "How can the bard's affair be considered a lie?" Seeing his sophistry, the people in the caravan laughed, and the air was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

...

Actually, Su Chen didn't expect this guy to be in Liyue. After hearing Zhongli say that, he thought he could just go back to Inazuma again. But then Shi Xian suddenly appeared and told him that not long ago, the Wind God Barbatos had appeared at the Human Emperor Ruins in Tianheng Mountain, mixed in with a group of outsiders, earning Mora by telling people stories.

Su Chen couldn't help but marvel at how Barbatos could be found anywhere outside of Mondstadt.

Upon hearing Su Chen's request, Wendy shook her head, "No, no, I can't do it. I'm just a little wind god, how could I do such a thing!"

"100,000 Mora".

"No, my strength is too weak."

"A million molas."

"It's really no good. Su Chen, you know me. I can't even handle a random demon god from Mondstadt."

"From now on, all bills in Liyue will be sent to the Yanhuang Merchant Guild."

"Su Chen, you know me. I always do my best to help my friends when they are in trouble!"

Great, it's settled.

Although Su Chen didn't know how Wendy would help stabilize his soul power, Zhong Li was sure he wouldn't lie. After dealing with Wendy, Su Chen planned to have Lightning absorb the purple crystal, but Zhong Li stopped him.

“In my opinion, Baal should not absorb this power,” Zhongli said slowly. “Although the power here is strong, it is not the true source of lightning. And if this power is too strong, it will conflict with the conditions for using the secret technique to shape the body.”

Su Chen frowned and said, "But if we don't absorb it, how long will it take Baal to condense a physical body with his current power?"

There's no need to rush.

Zhongli gently shook her head.

"One does not enter the demon god stage all at once; this method allows for a gradual progression."

"You mean, start with an elemental spirit?"

"Ah."

According to Zhongli, since the lightning is now just a soul, it might as well be transformed into an elemental life form and 'rebuilt' from scratch, proceeding step by step. Although it would be a bit weak at the beginning, it would be much smoother that way.

If you suddenly increase your strength too much, and your body can't keep up, it can cause side effects.

After a moment's thought, Su Chen understood the gist of it.

At the same time, I'm also glad that I came to Zhongli. If I had followed his previous method, it might have led to a big mistake.

That's why they say old ginger is spicier. Having lived for over six thousand years, Zhongli is practically a Teyvat encyclopedia.

“The key is still the initial stage, separating Baal from your Stand ability. This move carries considerable risk,” Zhongli added. This was the main reason he brought Barbatos over.

Raiden's soul survives by relying on a substitute, and over the past five hundred years, the two have essentially become one. Separating them would be tantamount to tearing apart the body and soul, and the risks involved are self-evident.

Su Chen suddenly asked, "What if I were to extract the power from the Stand?"

Zhongli paused slightly, then said, "This is better for Baal, but for you..."

"No!" Raiden Shin immediately refused. "That's your power. Stripping it away will harm you!"

Su Chen looked at her without saying a word.

Raiden bit her lip: "I don't want to see you get hurt again..."

"Don't worry, I'm fine," Su Chen said softly. "I promised Ying that I would take you back. I couldn't protect you back then, but this time I will do my best."

"But..."

Removing the substitute will also divide the power contained within it, which will naturally damage Su Chen's strength.

Lei Dian really didn't want Su Chen to get hurt again because of him.

Just then, a deep, resonant buzzing sound rang out.

"You guys are really baffling. Isn't there a Dragon King Crystal? Absorb it, break through, and then peel off that substitute. It's such a simple thing, I don't know what you're talking about."

Everyone turned their heads.

I saw Ruoda squatting in the corner of the yard.

With the Human Emperor away from Liyue, Ruoduo spends his days going out with the old Geo Archon, eating and drinking for free. Recently, he's been staying at the Hall of Rebirth, where Hall Master Hu treats him like a pet, ensuring he gets three meals a day without fail.

The old Dragon King was usually quiet, but he was very clever; when he spoke, he always hit the nail on the head.

Zhongli nodded slightly: "That is feasible. The power in that crystal is extremely large. If we absorb it, it will be enough to make up for the damage caused by separating the substitute."

Su Chen stroked his chin. It was fine. The crystal was originally intended for Raiden Shin, but now it could be considered a substitute.

Originally, if Raiden Shin absorbed that crystal, it would at most only increase his power, far less effective than what Su Chen would get. However, if the Stand were separated and given to her, Raiden Shin would then have the ability of a Stand user, which would be good for self-protection in the early stages.

As he pondered, Su Chen's mind suddenly took on a strange image—Raiden Shin, maintaining his JoJo pose, released his Stand, shouted "Za Warudo!", and then stopped the world from turning.

Wendy clapped her hands and cheered: "Haha~ Everyone's happy, everyone's happy!"

He couldn't wait to send the bill to the Yanhuang Chamber of Commerce (it was a long time before Wendy found out that Su Chen had only asked him to send the bill and had not said he would reimburse him).

...

Rumble~~

Thunder rumbled in the sky above Guyun Pavilion, and terrifying purple lightning crackled in the air.

Under the influence of the Thunder Dragon King's power, a vast amount of lightning elemental energy converged wildly into this space.

With its Devouring ability in operation, its terrifying suction force was like a giant whale opening its mouth. Watching the continuous gathering of elemental power, Wendy was dumbfounded and kept asking Zhongli if he was that Dragon King.

Zhongli didn't want to pay him any attention.

Until the convergence of lightning elements reached an extremely terrifying level, Su Chen activated his stand, forcibly severing the connection between the stand and himself.

Hiss! ~

Like a winged beast with a broken wing.

The intense pain caused Su Chen to let out a muffled groan.

In the sky, the statue of the God of the Imperial City was replaced by Raiden Shin, whose authority was completely integrated into the latter. She glanced at Su Chen with some worry, and then fully activated the secret technique taught by Zhong Li.

With the power of the Stand as a foundation, she absorbed elemental energy much faster.

At the same time, Wendy raised her harp, her fingers moving gracefully, and the melodious music transformed into shimmering light on the blue sea, gently brushing against Raiden's soul.

In an instant, the pain that had been like being pricked by needles disappeared.

Even the pain Su Chen felt immediately decreased significantly. He was quite surprised. In the game, Barbatos was just a monster-gathering maniac. He really had a whole sea hidden. You thought he was on the third level, but he was actually on the eighteenth level.

Taking advantage of this break, Su Chen took out the purple crystal and integrated it into his body.

boom! ——

In an instant, endless thunder roared, and terrifying lightning power was unleashed, seemingly intent on destroying everything!

Roar! ! !

A great dragon soared into the sky, piercing through heaven and earth.