While I was in Mondstadt, I never imagined becoming a god.

Xu Chuan's tone carried a genuine sense of gratitude.

"Haha, it's a deal then!"

Beidou burst into hearty laughter, the sound carrying far across the noisy dock, drawing the attention of several dockworkers.

She reached out and patted Xu Chuan's shoulder again, this time with much less force.

"Alright, go ahead, I won't keep you any longer. When you're doing business in Inazuma, remember to be careful."

Xu Chuan nodded, then turned and walked towards the port exit with Ying and Paimon.

The three figures quickly blended into the crowds moving around the island.

Beidou stared in the direction they had disappeared, his smile fading. He turned to look at Wanye beside him and asked, "You really weren't mistaken that night?"

“Xu Chuan doesn’t look seriously injured at all. He’s all rosy-cheeked and looks more energetic than anyone else on our ship.”

"Absolutely confirmed." Wan Ye's answer was brief and firm.

Beidou stroked his chin and clicked his tongue.

Then she laughed again: "What, are you trying to recruit him for Coral Palace?"

Wan Ye was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head instead of immediately denying it: "I did have that plan at first, but..."

"But what?" Beidou frowned.

Wan Ye's gaze fell in the direction Xu Chuan had left, his eyes reflecting the bustling crowds coming and going at the island's port.

There was something in his voice that even he himself wasn't quite sure about: "Maybe it's just my imagination."

“I seem to be able to vaguely sense the aura of General Thunder on him.”

……

Meanwhile, Xu Chuan, Ying, and Paimon set foot on the island.

The wooden boardwalk beneath my feet creaked under my feet, and the air was filled with the salty smell of the sea and the faint fragrance of cherry blossoms drifting from afar.

At that very moment, a cold, mechanical voice echoed in Xu Chuan's mind, a voice he hadn't heard in a long time.

【Ding! 】

[Host detected has arrived in Inazuma, but the daily check-in event is not yet available]

The system offers two check-in options; please choose the one that suits you best.

[Firstly, a plot point: facing the Thunder General directly beneath the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed Statue, and rescuing Thomas, the holder of the Eye of God, amidst the gazes of countless Inatsuma citizens.]

Secondly, check in at the designated location to enter the Pure Land of One Heart.

After the system's voice faded, Xu Chuan stood there in silence for a moment.

He faced the Thunder General directly beneath the Thousand Hands and Hundred Eyes statue, rescuing people under the watchful eyes of thousands of people.

Just thinking about that purple lightning bolt that stretched across the sky made his bones ache again.

He took a deep breath and couldn't help but mentally curse.

Are there really any differences between these two options?

Chapter 185 Crystallized Bone Marrow, First Encounter with the Pink-Fur Fox

Xu Chuan stood there, stunned, his mind racing.

The system presented me with two options.

First, proceed step by step according to the original plot trajectory, and wait for the Thunder General's storyline to begin naturally.

Second, they went straight to the point and forcefully entered General Lei Dian's pure land.

The former seems like a safer bet.

Having prior knowledge of the plot and following a familiar path can indeed significantly reduce the risks.

But he abandoned that path almost without hesitation.

If things were to follow the original plot, he wouldn't have come to Inazuma ahead of time.

Moreover, arriving in Inazuma ahead of schedule this time also happened to be an unexpected opportunity to test the system.

From initially witnessing the storyline and checking in, to later changing the course of the storyline to obtain rewards, now they simply offer multiple options.

It is clear that this system is not bound by rigid routines.

Xu Chuan's lips twitched slightly, and he thought to himself, "They're quite good at keeping up with the times."

Although this system still has a distinctly artificial stupidity, it lacks any humane service whatsoever.

However, for Xu Chuan, this was actually a good thing.

He knew better than anyone that the bigger the waves he stirred up in Teyvat, the less reliable the original storyline would become.

Sooner or later, those plots he knew by heart will become unrecognizable.

By then, even if he wanted to follow the plot obediently, he probably wouldn't have a way to go.

Xu Chuan had already anticipated these things.

Since you've chosen the path of making up for regrets, how could it possibly be smooth sailing?

From the moment he made the decision, he had already taken on all the consequences.

Even if that day really comes, he will have enough confidence to face the unknown.

Xu Chuan raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping across the sea towards the direction of Narukami Island.

Barzebu.

I will shatter your eternal illusion.

Ports on outlying islands.

The three had barely stepped out of the port when trouble struck them head-on.

Next to the port inspection station, several heavily armed officers strode forward, their boots clicking in unison on the stone slabs, blocking the way.

Behind a wooden table nearby sat a woman dressed in an Inazuma outfit, who glanced up at them.

"Hello, please tell us your identities and the purpose of your visit to the island."

Xu Chuan remained calm and spoke in a measured tone: "My name is Xu Chuan, and these two are Ying and Paimeng."

"On this trip, I am representing Liyue on my mission to Inazuma to visit Yae no Kami Island and request an audience with Raiden no Kami."

"Liyue...a diplomatic envoy?"

The woman registering paused, then looked up again, her eyes filled with undisguised surprise.

"What, doesn't it look like it?" Xu Chuan asked with a smile.

Ying and Paimon behind them both froze.

How come the Liyue diplomatic envoys didn't know about this?

Paimon opened his mouth, almost blurting it out.

Ying quickly covered her mouth, forcefully silencing her.

Although she was full of questions, this was clearly not the time to ask them.

The woman registering the guests stood up, her attitude becoming noticeably more respectful: "Liyue has not had any envoys visit for a long time. Please follow me to the Far Kingdom Supervisory Office to verify your identities."

After she finished speaking, she led the three of them toward the core area of ​​the island, with two Tongxin escorting them all the way.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Paimon leaned close to Xu Chuan's ear and whispered, "Xu Chuan, let's find a chance to run away."

"Run?" Xu Chuan turned his head to look at her.

"With your and Ying's skills, these guys would be easy to shake off."

Paimon had an expression that said, "I'm very experienced."

"What are you thinking?"

Xu Chuan looked at her as if she were a genius, "We finally got this official status, and you insist on dragging me to experience what it's like to be wanted?"

“But…we’re not really diplomatic envoys.” The closer Paimon got to the distant country’s supervisor, the more uneasy he felt, and his voice began to tremble.

"What if we get caught? We'll be finished!"

"Who said I wasn't?"

"Huh?" Paimon tilted his head, his face clearly saying, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Don't worry," Xu Chuan said with a smile and a wave of his hand.

"With me here this time, I won't let either of you get wanted again."

Ying, who was walking beside him, finally couldn't help but speak, uttering a soft, murmured sentence:

"The way you're talking makes it sound like we're some kind of bad people."

"But you two were always treated like bad guys and chased around in Mondstadt and Liyue."

fluorescent:"……"

Paimon: "..."

The two fell silent.

Upon closer reflection, it seems that this is indeed the case.

Inside the distant country's supervisory office.

The moment Xu Chuan handed over the Liyue diplomatic document proving his identity, all doubts vanished like a thin mist under the sunlight.

After the verification, the official in charge of receiving them looked apologetic and bowed repeatedly: "I am really sorry. Liyue has not had an envoy visit for many years. I couldn't help but be suspicious. I hope you will forgive me, sir."

"It's alright," Xu Chuan said dismissively, taking back the document.

“In the past, it was Lord Ganyu who was sent as an envoy to Inazuma. This time, there is a new face, so it is your duty to be cautious.”

His tone was calm, his demeanor composed, and his every move exuded a sense of self-assurance and certainty.

Paimon, standing behind him, witnessed the whole thing, his eyes wide open and his mouth agape.

Is this...right?

Ying was no less surprised than Paimon, but she was much more composed, and her face remained expressionless.

“Lord Xu Chuan,” the official said again, “you may not know this, but the diplomatic affairs of Inazuma have now been transferred from the Yae-no-miya to the Kansei-bu.”

"They changed the person?" Xu Chuan raised an eyebrow slightly.

This is an unexpected variable.

The information he possessed included both his own memories and the answers he received when consulting Gan Yu before his departure.

Inazuma's diplomatic affairs should have been handled by Yae no Miko.

It seems the impact of the lockdown order was even deeper than he had anticipated.

However, this did not stop him from going to Narukami Shrine to find the pink-haired fox.

"Now that my identity has been verified, I will go directly to Inazuma Castle to see General Raiden."

"Sir, please wait a moment."

The official quickly raised his hand to stop him.

"The General recently ordered a strict inspection of all outsiders. Anyone wishing to travel from the outlying islands to Narukami Island must possess a pass issued by the Commissioner for the Administration of Surveying and Determination."

Xu Chuan's eye twitched almost imperceptibly.

Strictly check outsiders.

It seems that the commotion I made in the thunderstorm has already alerted that deity.

Fortunately, his identity as a diplomatic envoy of Liyue played its due role.

I went with the officials from the distant country's supervisory office to the Hiiragi family to investigate, and successfully obtained the pass.

There were no outrageous demands or deliberately difficult interrogations; in fact, the head of the Hiiragi family personally came forward to offer him a warm welcome.

"You have come all the way from Liyue, you must be tired from your journey, thank you for your hard work."