He changed Tiwat

If this countdown foreshadows something significant, why not just say so? The whole countdown is cryptic; nobody knows what it means. Furthermore, this awkward behavior doesn't align with the operating logic of AI.

What's more, Han Fulai could casually order it to shut down and start a countdown...

Han Fulai then thought of something, something that only concerned him, something related to the date "seven days"—

He made a pact with Jinwu and Haidifu to explore the lower part of the "Wishing Stone" within seven days in order to resolve the anomalies in the Layered Rock Abyss.

This was originally a time limit agreed upon for safety reasons and didn't have any special significance, but the "Wishing Stone" heard him say, through the catalyst of the "Lumen Stone," that he would resolve the anomaly in the Layered Rock Abyss within seven days...

According to the logic of AI like "Wishing Stone"—you say seven days, then it's seven days. I'll broadcast a countdown to remind you how many seconds are left to complete the task. Don't stand me up like Morax did!

This countdown timer is like an alarm clock app that office workers put on their computer desktop when they're working overtime, reminding them how much time is left until their work deadlines... As the saying goes, "deadlines are the primary driving force."

It has to be said that this is indeed very much in the style of AI.

Now that he has kept his promise and come to the Rock Hall to handle the matter within seven days, there is no need for the "Wishing Stone" to keep urging him; the countdown can be closed as soon as it's done.

Once I understood all this, many things that followed fell into place naturally.

Han Fulai made a final confirmation to it: "The third question, Zhong... did the Rock God leave me any messages?"

From the time "Qi Nan" said he "didn't have permission to operate" to now being able to communicate smoothly with the "Wishing Stone," it's clear that his "permissions" have changed.

During this period, Han Fulai's biggest change was that he learned to collect the power of wishes and to utilize the power of the gods.

Clearly, things didn't begin after he entered the Abyss of Layered Rocks—but rather before he came, when Zhongli broke the seal on the "Salt of the Earth" and gave him the remnants of the demon god from the Salt God's Ruins.

The "demon god identity" that allows one to acquire the power of wishes should be the condition for communicating with the "wishing stone".

Zhongli knew his background and was familiar with his style. He had even advised him to strengthen his own power and influence. In a short period of time, the only place in Liyue where Han Fu could gain the most prestige and enhance his Salt God power was the Abyss of the Rocks.

In the game's parlance, the Abyss of Layered Rocks was the "trial dungeon" left to him by Zhongli.

Han Fulai even suspected that Gan Yu was involved, since Gan Yu hadn't said a word about the complex situation at the bottom of the Layered Rock Abyss. Han Fulai would never believe that Gan Yu knew nothing.

Of course, he had no evidence; Gan Yu never left any evidence when she lied. Even if he went back to question Gan Yu now, she would likely skillfully use the rhetoric most adept at a senior secretary to steer the conversation away from the topic.

Sooner or later, Han Fulai was destined to resolve the anomalies in the Layered Rock Abyss.

Most of the conflicts that have accumulated in Liyue in recent years have stemmed from the sealing off of the Laminar Abyss.

As a mineral-rich nation, the mineral deposits within the Stranded Rock are practically the foundation of Liyue's national strength. The prosperity of Liyue is largely due to the mining industry—whether it's the export of various mineral resources or the luxury goods industry such as gems that has evolved from mining, they are all closely related to the Stranded Rock.

The sealing of the Laminaria in Liyue is like Saudi Arabia sealing off its oil wells. The unemployment of miners in Liyue, the bankruptcy of businesses due to the sealing of the Laminaria, and so on have all caused a great deal of social problems.

For example, the second brother of the "Mingyun Class" became an outlaw and joined a treasure-hunting gang. In order to make a living, the members of the exploration team colluded with the treasure-hunting gang to resell supplies. As a result, a large number of unemployed workers appeared on the streets of Liyue Harbor, which not only led to a deterioration in the security of Liyue Harbor, but also caused a drop in the workers' wages due to the surplus of labor.

The long-established "Jie Cui Hang" in Liyue Harbor originally sold jewelry, but the stone owner started gambling on stones to keep the shop running. The reason why "Mingxingzhai's" main product, "Lapis Lazuli Crescent," is out of stock is because it lacks "Lapis Lazuli Sand," a specialty of the Cliffside Depths. If it weren't for the closure of the Cliffside Depths, Keqing wouldn't have had any regrets during the Lantern Festival.

Furthermore, from the perspective of civil servants, the Stranded Rock is also a significant source of revenue for their government. Two of the eight gates of Liyue—the Hall of Glorious Dew and the Hall of Dew—have their main businesses closely related to mining. It can be said that the Stranded Rock supports nearly a quarter of Liyue's civil servants.

What does it mean to say that "the livelihood of millions of canal workers depends on them"? This is it.

In addition, he had also heard Jinwu talk about the history of Shenglu Hall in the camp:

The Laminaria is Liyue's largest mining base and the second oldest mining area after the Tianheng Mountain mining area. Legend has it that before the arrival of the Geo Archon, tribes lived here, making a living by mining glass sand and trading ceramic products. Later, these tribes swore a blood oath with the Geo Archon's Yaksha messenger, forming their own independent group, which became the predecessor of the Dewstone Hall, one of the eight gates of today.

According to Jinwu, the calculating merchants of Shenglu Hall regarded the Cengyan Giant Abyss as their "ancestral land." Sending Mu Ning, a member of their family, to be the steward was not only for his training and the benefit of the family, but also, perhaps, to protect the ancestral land.

The Shenglu Hall played a significant role in enabling Han Fulai to launch the investigation into the Layered Rock Abyss. Without the Shenglu Hall putting pressure on Ningguang, his trip to the Layered Rock Abyss would not have been so easily accomplished.

From all perspectives, the anomalies in the Layered Rock Abyss must be resolved, and its opening is imperative. His decision to address these anomalies was entirely within Zhongli's calculations, and his intentions were not concealed from Gan Yu.

Although the questions these two give are usually very difficult, they are definitely problems that Han Fulai is capable of solving, since neither of them would harm him.

So Han Fu came to ask about the "Wishing Stone" to see if Zhongli had left any clues.

The "wishing stone" gave him a simple answer: "No."

"I understand, thank you." Han Fulai nodded.

The fact that no hints were left indicates that Zhongli indeed used this matter as a test for becoming the "successor of the Emperor." To truly become the "successor of the Emperor," he must pass this "trial instance."

This is why Zhongli did not personally intervene or send immortals to resolve the anomaly in the Layered Rock Abyss.

Han Fulai now knows the answer.

Even before the upheaval in the Layered Rock Abyss, Zhongli had already considered abdicating. He had been searching for a suitable successor, preparing for a smooth transition of power in Liyue.

The anomalies of the strata abyss are significant in nature, far-reaching in impact, and far-reaching in scope. More importantly, they are a "legacy issue from the era of the Rock King Emperor".

Solving the problems left behind by the previous rulers has always been an essential path for a new generation of rulers to ascend to power. Only by doing so can one be considered qualified to succeed the Geo Archon as the new leader of Liyue.

Only someone capable of such a thing could Zhongli entrust Liyue to with peace of mind.

The strange changes in the layered rock abyss were the test Zhongli used to choose the "successor of the Emperor".

If any of the Seven Stars of Liyue had been able to resolve the anomaly in the Lava Pit back then, the struggle for supreme power in Liyue would probably have ended long ago... But that was more than two years ago. Who could have imagined that the Emperor already had the intention to abdicate and had even begun to select a successor?

In addition, the difficulty in resolving the mutation was already very high, so the matter was delayed indefinitely.

Ningguang's decision to reopen the investigation into the Layered Rock Abyss is ostensibly due to pressure from the Hall of Radiant Mountain and the Hall of Flourishing Dew, but her secret dispatch of Yelan to the Layered Rock Abyss suggests she recognized the significance of this unresolved issue and came specifically to investigate.

If Han Fulai can resolve the anomaly in the Layered Rock Abyss before Ningguang does, he will be able to seize the initiative!

He had already realized that by completing this test, he would gain at least two benefits.

Firstly, political capital.

Each of the seven stars of Liyue has its own power base: a business empire, family lineage, military comrades... these are the foundations of their existence.

But Han Fulai, this time traveler, actually had nothing and didn't have that much time to cultivate his own power.

If he can successfully resolve the anomaly in the Laminariat and reopen it, he will be the hero who saved Liyue's mining industry! The Glorious Hall, the Dew Hall, and the miners of Liyue will all become his political base.

Add to that Keqing, Tian Shu, and Jiang Xue, whom he might win over during this trip to the Rocky Abyss, as well as Gan Yu behind him—if Han Fulai can pass this "trial," his political power will instantly expand to half of Liyue's territory!

Secondly, official certification.

In reality, there is only one government on the continent of Teyvat, namely the Sky Isles, and the Seven Gods are merely civil servants under the Sky Isles.

The "Layered Rock Nails" within this abyss of layered rocks are the will of Sky Isle. To resolve the anomalies in the Layered Rock Abyss, it is inevitable to come into contact with the will of Sky Isle—the Seven Rulers of the Mortal Realm are all certified by Sky Isle, and so too will their successors.

His collaboration with the "Wishing Stone" to resolve the anomaly in the Layered Rock Abyss was equivalent to passing an "administrative ability test" for Sky Island civil servants.

—I, Han Fulai, came to Sky Island to help them and solved the problem of the Abyss's invasion. Of course, I am a trusted confidant of the imperial court!

So Zhongli first imbued him with the power of the Salt God, granting him the qualifications to become a civil servant of Sky Island, and then guided him to come into contact with the "Layered Rock Nail" to take a "civil service exam"...

—I, Morax, have already reported my retirement to Sky Island, and I've also found a successor. Look, he even passed Sky Island's civil service exam... Hmm? Didn't Tenri see the report while he was sleeping? Anyway, I've already completed the procedures.

While silently lamenting that he was about to become "a major threat to the court and a thorn in the side of the party and the state," Han Fulai activated the "Pursina Light Nail."

Chapter 278 The Secret Pact Against the Heavens (Part 1) [4k]

Outside Mondstadt, on the windswept hillside, lies a valley embraced by a multitude of winds.

This place is a plain called "Windrise," which is also the most open plain in Mondstadt.

As its name suggests, "the place where the wind begins" is named after the legend of the great wind god Barbatos.

According to ancient legend, Mondstadt was originally a harsh, snow-covered land. Barbatos, the god of wind, used this place as a starting point to use his divine power to flatten the mountains and improve Mondstadt's terrain. Warm, moist westerly winds then blew into Mondstadt, transforming it into the vast, fertile land filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers it is today.

In the center of the Windrise stands a colossal oak tree. Legend has it that it sprouted a thousand years ago when Vanessa, the great heroine who liberated Mondstadt, ascended to the heavens.

Over the millennia, the shade of this oak tree has covered an area of ​​hundreds of meters, protecting the statues of the Seven Gods beneath it from wind and rain—just as Vanessa once protected Mondstadt.

The Windrise has now become one of Mondstadt's three most popular dating spots. Not only do young men and women from Mondstadt come here to enjoy the spring scenery, but adventurers and historians also come to pay homage to the footsteps of past heroes and reminisce about that magnificent history.

In recent months, people resting under the trees have occasionally heard faint singing of a boy reciting the deeds of the wind god Barbatos.

Unlike other gods who still govern their territories, Barbatos has long since left Mondstadt, and his image is only vaguely depicted on the "Statue of the Seven." However, the god's deeds exist in historical records and sacred texts, and are widely sung by bards.

But this bard named Wendy is different from other bards. Barbatos in his songs always experiences some bizarre adventures and does strange things recklessly—such as stealing the scepter of the Ice God and placing a Hilichurl stick in the same spot as a substitute.

The clergy who worshipped the wind god had many complaints about this. When questioned, Wendy's reply showed no remorse.

How do you know it's fake?

Yes, even the most devout nun couldn't possibly know all the deeds of Lord Barbatos from thousands of years ago. Only Wendy herself, with her enigmatic smile, knows everything she sings—

It is indeed fake.

I'd had too much to drink, so I just sang a little something.

Today, the young bard once again arrived at Windrise, accompanied by a handsome and refined gentleman. The two chatted casually as they walked to the foot of a tree. The refined gentleman seemed to be admiring the scenery of Windrise, occasionally asking about local anecdotes, while the young bard laughed and joked, sometimes sticking out his tongue, sometimes saying, "Hey, I was asleep back then."

Sitting under the tree, Edith couldn't help but steal several glances at the man. He looked like someone from Liyue. Edith had seen plenty of Liyue merchants and tourists here, but compared to him, ordinary Liyue people were far inferior in both appearance and demeanor—how to put it? Just looking at his face, Edith imagined the image of a noble young master from a Liyue family: of noble birth, erudite, gentle and refined, young and wealthy…

The Liyue man noticed Edith's gaze and returned a gentle smile, which made Edith blush.

To encounter such a captivatingly handsome man from Liyue here must be the guidance of the Anemo Archon… Edith felt a little shy, but still mustered her courage and stepped forward to introduce herself: “Hello, sir from Liyue. My name is Edith, and I am a historical writer and folklorist… Ah, I wonder if my Liyue language is good enough…”

The handsome man didn't seem to mind Edith's abruptness and responded to her politely and gently: "Hello, Miss Edith, my name is Zhongli, a mere traveler in this mortal world."

Edith breathed a slight sigh of relief. The other person hadn't shown any displeasure at her advances, which was definitely a good start. Because she had always been engrossed in academic research, Edith was still single. Most of her peers were already married and even had children, while Edith… Edith had a doctoral degree.

But at this moment, she is still somewhat grateful for her academic experience and her sister, Ella Musk.

Ayla is a Hilichurl expert, and yes, she's also single, but she's already secured a professorship at a church school. To study Hilichurl, Ayla has learned various languages ​​from across Teyvat, attempting to analyze the similarities and differences between Hilichurl language structures and other languages. Edith, dragged into her help, has also learned quite a few languages—and they've come in handy today!

“If Mr. Zhongli needs a guide, I… I’m quite familiar with this place, such as the history of the Wind Rises, Vanessa’s legendary stories, and so on…” Edith is a PhD in folklore, so she is more than qualified to be a guide.

However, the oblivious bard suddenly stepped between the two: "Oh, Miss Edith, I remember you were here to do research, weren't you? How come you have time to be a guide for tourists?"

Edith was both embarrassed and angry when Wendy exposed her little scheme.

Edith had a reason for lingering in the Windrise: she was currently gathering material for her new book. She wanted to write a new book about the history of Mondstadt, with "wind" as its central theme. The Windrise, with its Statue of the Seven representing the wind and the oak tree planted by the great hero Vanessa, was the perfect place to find inspiration.

While she claims to be seeking inspiration, Edith usually just sits under the trees enjoying the breeze and daydreaming—that's how it's typically when "authors go out to gather material."

However, she wasn't completely idle...

“Of course there is research, it’s being done! I’m actually looking for something that contains the element of ‘wind’. Based on the clues I found in the data, this ancient tree must have traces of the element of wind. The top of the oak tree, the first branches must have what I’m looking for… But, but I can’t climb trees… and I don’t have the ‘Eye of God’…” Edith said, her voice growing softer and softer.

"On this continent, those without the Eye of God are like this: they always achieve half the results with twice the effort. Unable to utilize the power of the elements, they live like outsiders in this world, whether in research or daily life. Perhaps in the eyes of the gods, those with the Eye of God are the protagonists of this world... Ah, sorry, I've rambled on and on with all this nonsense..."

For those without the Eye of God, finding or collecting wind elements is extremely difficult.

She sits here partly, waiting for "fallen leaves." She had picked up leaves from trees before that contained elements of wind; just holding those leaves in her hand allowed her to truly feel the wind... But if she wasn't lucky, she could only sit here like this, lost in thought.

The bard and the Liyue wanderer standing before her both possessed the Eye of God. They probably couldn't understand her thoughts, could they? After all, they were both "protagonists" favored by the gods.

The famous scholars active in Mondstadt's academic circles, such as Lisa Mintz, known as the genius witch, Master Abedo, and Sugar of the Knights, are all "protagonists" chosen by the gods. Their achievements are something that I may never be able to match in my entire life.

"Isn't it something to be even more proud of that someone who can't use elemental power can discover its essence through research?" Zhongli's voice was gentle yet earnest, his eyes filled with encouragement, which warmed Edith's heart.

Yes, the reason she didn't give up her academic career was to prove this point: the academic abilities of ordinary people are not necessarily inferior to those of those who possess the Eye of God!

At that moment, a sudden gust of wind blew up.

Edith was momentarily blinded by the wind.

When she opened her eyes again, several vibrant green leaves drifted down in front of her.

Edith reached out and caught the leaves without thinking—a gentle breeze caressed her palm.

"...The wind was so strong just now," Wendy said innocently.

Edith held the leaf to her heart and bowed deeply to the ancient oak tree—"Thank you, Lord Barbatos, thank you for the protection of the wind god."

Watching Edith's hurried departure, Wendy touched the eye-shaped glass bead at his waist.

"You see, that's why she can't find a boyfriend... She forgets everything when academic research is mentioned, it has nothing to do with whether she has the 'Divine Eye' or not..."

Zhongli still smiled: "It feels good to exercise your divine duties once in a while, doesn't it? She's very grateful to you."

“I do do something productive sometimes!” Wendy replied matter-of-factly.

“Hmm, occasionally.” Zhongli glanced at him sideways.

Wendy stuck out her tongue. "What's more enjoyable than being a bard than being a god?"

In any case, now that all the irrelevant people have left, only two gods, whose combined age is nearly nine thousand years, remain under the big tree at the place where the wind rises.

Wendy spun around, and the Eye of God at her waist transformed into a wooden lyre.

The Seven Rulers of the Mortal Realm already possess great power and do not need an external magical organ like the Eye of God.

But Barbatos loved the world and naturally preferred to roam Mondstadt more freely as "Wendy." He created a glass bead that closely resembled the Eye of God, modeled after the characteristics of the Chosen One.

The replica item has no special function, and Venti does not rely on it to channel elemental power.

However, since his original "Sky Harp" was enshrined in the Church of the West Wind, and Wendy was too lazy to carry an ordinary harp around his waist, he added the ability to transform the glass bead into the xylophone "Felin".

Wendy swept her fingertips across the strings, and the piano melody rang out, like a clear spring flowing.

He opened his throat and sang loudly: