Walnut used me to boost her sales performance.

"Then let's go home and research even more powerful bombs?"

"Yes! Klee wants to research even more powerful bombs!"

Chapter 145 He actually wrote a novel behind my back!

"Katis, what do you think about us writing the story about the snow mountain as a novel?"

At the mountaintop camp, Walnut and Cartis, having recovered, discussed how to publish his diary.

There are many books like travel diaries, and many adventurers have written them.

But very few of them are interesting, and only one in ten thousand becomes truly popular.

More often than not, it's just a matter of printing a few copies, using them as props for the adventurers to boast about themselves.

After all, this kind of book really wouldn't sell in a bookstore.

Having witnessed the rise and fall of an ancient kingdom, Hu Tao wanted to do this matter properly and not let history be buried in the wind and snow.

"The travel log format is too simplistic, and there are many similar books on the market. Even if ours were published, it would be difficult for it to stand out."

"Why not adapt your story into a novel, with you as the protagonist, who learns of the existence of the ancient kingdom for some reason, explores and discovers it, and restores the complete history of the ancient kingdom?"

Unlike non-fiction works, novels are easier to spread, more readable, and usually last a long time.

The latter prioritizes authenticity and is mostly used as a reference book, which greatly limits its dissemination.

"To add more interest and visual appeal, you could be set up as the reincarnation of the princess's lover, the 'warrior,' who, because he was unable to bring hope back to the ancient kingdom in his previous life, is obsessed with the snow-capped mountains and the ancient kingdom in every life..."

"...During this time, you encountered a being who appeared to be the reincarnation of the princess's lover, leading to a series of entanglements of love and hate. Ultimately, you made a decision, entrusting your affairs after death to our Hall of Rebirth, and ventured into the perilous snow-capped mountains with the princess to restore the history of the ancient kingdom, but you and the princess fell into eternal slumber together..."

While recounting the novel's outline, Hu Tao didn't forget to give Wangshengtang a shout-out.

After listening to Hu Tao's brief summary of the story, Katis fell into a long silence.

In a daze, he seemed to have truly become the reincarnation of that warrior, and in his hazy state, he saw the shadow of that princess.

The princess smiled at him, placed a flower crown on his head, and handed him a greatsword forged from star silver...

However, he found no hope of reviving the ancient tree, and when he returned to the snow mountain, everything had vanished...

After a long time, he emerged from that dreamlike feeling and sighed.

His figure was now even thinner, almost invisible.

"Let's do it your way..."

Jiang Bai nudged Hu Tao with his elbow, "Master, is reincarnation really possible?"

"Who cares if it exists or not! Novels are all about dramatic plots, gripping stories, and some love and hate. If that's enough, it's guaranteed to be a hit."

"As for whether people are reincarnated, that's not important."

As Hu Tao spoke, she became somewhat distressed, "Although I'm quite good at writing poetry, I'm really not good at writing novels, so I'll have to find someone to write the main text..."

"If you're looking for a friend who's good at writing novels, I do know one."

Abedo brought Klee over and happened to overhear Kurumi's words.

"Oh? You know him?" Hu Tao's eyes lit up.

"Hmm. I don't know if you've read 'The Record of Shen Qiu Picking Up the Sword'? That book was written by my friend, and the illustrations were drawn by me."

"The Record of Shen Qiu Picking Up the Sword? Do bookstores sell this book? I have absolutely no recollection of it."

Hu Tao shook her head; she had never even heard of this book.

"Is that so? The response has been lukewarm at all..." Abedo didn't seem surprised.

Clearly, he had anticipated this outcome.

"The author of this book is also from Liyue. This book, 'The Record of Shenqiu Picking Up the Sword,' was completed some time ago and was sold in your Liyue Wanwenji Society. He wrote to me saying that not many people bought it, and it seems that it was indeed true."

"Who is the author?" Hu Tao pressed.

"His name is Xingqiu, and his pen name is Zhenyu."

"Xingqiu!" Hu Tao exclaimed in surprise, her mouth agape.

When did Xingqiu write a novel?!

Doesn't he usually read business anecdotes and philosophical works? Could it be that these are just novels disguised on a cover?!

How dare he not tell her about writing a novel!

"So you know him?" Abedo raised an eyebrow.

"Of course I know him. He's the second young master of the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce, and he can barely compete with me in poetry."

Hu Tao looked at Jiang Bai and added a sentence in Jiang Bai's bewildered gaze.

"It's the one I told you about before that can revitalize the Ancient Hua Sword Technique."

"Oh~"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Bai remembered.

Hu Tao had originally said she would introduce him to this friend, but they both forgot.

Hu Tao and Xing Qiu became friends through poetry.

When they have free time, they often get together to recite poetry, and over time they have become familiar friends.

But to say that Hu Tao knew very little about Xing Qiu was an understatement.

"It seems we should see him when we get back to Liyue Harbor." Hu Tao clapped her hands, looking quite excited.

"With this alleyway-style doggerel poet joining forces with him, we're sure to write a story full of twists and turns!"

"Do you need me to draw illustrations?" Abedo offered.

"Of course I need it!" Hu Tao readily agreed.

She had never seen Abedo's paintings and did not know how skilled he was.

But Xingqiu has a very discerning eye. For Abedo to be chosen by Xingqiu to be the illustrator for his novel, his drawing skills must be extraordinary.

"I happened to have taken a picture of the Frostbite Nail, so I used it as the cover of the novel."

"As for what to title the book..."

Hu Tao fell into deep thought.

"Let's call it 'Snow Country Chronicles'," Katis said softly.

"Let's call it that then!"

With the tone of the novel's story set simply, Hu Tao and Jiang Bai decided to withdraw.

They've finished what they were doing here; they should go do something else.

"We'll leave now that we've finished what we need to do here. We'll say goodbye to Kaiya when he gets back."

“Hmm.” Abedo nodded.

He wanted to study the Frostbite Nail a little longer and didn't want to leave so soon.

Moreover, with such a commotion on the mountaintop, Mondstadt must have noticed it, and they might send someone over soon to investigate. They need to stay here and explain the whole story.

"Bye-bye! Klee will miss you!" Klee waved her little hand and said goodbye to the two of them.

"Bye-Bye!"

After a brief farewell, Jiang Bai and Hu Tao descended one after the other from the cave they had come up into.

"Master, find the treasure! Hurry, hurry, hurry!" Jiang Bai rubbed his hands excitedly.

Now it's just him and Hu Tao here, no one else can share the treasure with them!

Hu Tao rolled her eyes, but still summoned Katis.

Upon hearing Jiang Bai's request, Katis was momentarily dazed.

It hasn't been that long, but it feels like this happened a long time ago.

Many memories of the snow mountain treasures have become hazy and unclear.

In time, these memories may all be gone...

"I'm afraid I can't hold on much longer in my current state. Let me take you to get a sword."

Chapter 146 The Sword of Hope Has No Hope

"A sword? What sword?" Jiang Bai perked up.

A sword that could be raised before Katis vanished must be no ordinary sword.

"A greatsword forged from star silver."

"Could it be that one?"

Jiang Bai recalled the greatsword in the secret realm, forged by the princess's men and ultimately given to the warrior.

The secret realm did not reveal the warrior's fate, so he did not know whether the warrior eventually returned.

But judging from what Katis said, it seems that Hu Tao was right.

The warrior eventually returned, but unfortunately, he returned too late.

I just don't know if he brought back a way to heal the ancient tree.

Jiang Bai felt that there probably wasn't any.

After all, if there were a way to heal the ancient tree, this snow mountain wouldn't have remained in this state for thousands of years.

“Yes, that’s the one.” Katis nodded.

This longsword, forged from star silver, is in the secret room where the princess was painting the mural.

Even after a thousand years, the great sword that once embodied the hard work of everyone in the snow mountain still retains its former brilliance.

However, he didn't touch the sword.

The sword remained stuck diagonally in the secret room, unchanged.

To prevent anyone else from taking the greatsword, he locked the secret chamber.

If we take Jiang Bai with us now, we're sure we can get it.

With anticipation in Jiang Bai's heart, and guided by Katis, the group arrived at the ancient capital of the shattered ancient kingdom.

This is the abandoned capital of an ancient kingdom, and the sword is naturally buried beneath it.

Under Katis's guidance, Jiang Bai activated the mechanism, revealing a path in the abandoned ruins.

The group walked along the road and soon arrived at a stone chamber covered with murals.

These murals have been here for over a thousand years, waiting to be discovered by those who come to find them.

Jiang Bai's gaze swept briefly over the mural, then was drawn to the greatsword stuck in the ground.

This greatsword is blue, unlike the more translucent, slightly greenish blue of the Flying Greatsword.

The sword's blue was even deeper, like the deep blue sky at dusk.

The hilt of his sword features a crisscross pattern, making it easier to hold with both hands. The guard is shaped like wings, showcasing a highly sophisticated design.

The Star Silver material made the sword emit a faint glow in the dimly lit cave.

With such a top-quality sword right in front of him, Jiang Bai couldn't take his eyes off it.

Katis's remnant soul floated beside the greatsword, looking at it with a complex expression.

"Pull it out."

"okay."

Jiang Bai rubbed his hands together, stood in front of the greatsword, gripped the hilt, and pulled hard, easily drawing the sword out.

The greatsword, once drawn, emitted a clear, ringing sound, as if rejoicing at the prospect of seeing the light once more.

This sword isn't very heavy, but because it's a two-handed sword, it feels quite substantial when held in one hand.

Looking at the greatsword that gleamed with a cold, sharp light, Jiang Bai couldn't put it down.