Returning Home with Treasure, Writing a Diary at Night

The lid of the box slowly lifted. In an instant, a soft blue light rippled outward like water, and the faint sound of a sea breeze seemed to drift through the hall. A palm-sized, deep-blue breastplate lay quietly inside. Rolling wave patterns were engraved across its surface, with specks of starlight shining in their depths. Its Soul Power fluctuations were restrained yet profound. At first glance, it was merely an exquisitely crafted imperial treasure, but closer inspection revealed a deep and boundless bearing, as though it could swallow and exhale heaven and earth.

Dugu Bo's pupils contracted slightly, and his fingertips tightened unconsciously around the armrest. Xue Qinghe stood to one side, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. As the crown prince, he had only ever seen records of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud in imperial texts. He had never imagined that his imperial father would bring it out and give it to a child of only six.

Gan Lin gazed at the breastplate, a trace of understanding flashing deep in his eyes. His face, however, remained seven parts bewilderment and three parts calm.

Naturally, he recognized it.

In the original story, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was a national treasure the Heaven Dou Imperial Family had given Tang San. It appeared to be nothing more than a protective Soul Tool, but it concealed a key to the Sea God Inheritance. It was an important opportunity that would later allow Tang San to reach Sea God Island and inherit the godhood. The Heaven Dou Imperial Family had passed it down for generations, treating it only as a formidable divine artifact that protected the nation and its realm. None of them knew it contained the Sea God's inheritance mark.

Xue Ye's purpose in bringing it out now could not have been clearer.

The three gifts of apology were already generous. Adding this national treasure could only mean that he had seen Gan Lin's astonishing talent and steady temperament and wanted to make a major investment in winning him over. The imperial family did not know what the item truly was; they simply thought it was precious and weighty enough to demonstrate their sincerity while wagering on a future bond. If Gan Lin truly became a god one day, the favor they granted him today would become the Heaven Dou Empire's greatest pillar of support. Even if he did not, trading a national treasure for the goodwill of an unparalleled genius was a sure profit.

Gan Lin chuckled inwardly.

Rather than let this divine artifact fall into Tang San's hands in the future, he might as well accept it himself. For one thing, Heaven Dou had offered it of its own accord, so he could accept it without guilt. It was a good chance to establish a friendly bond with the imperial family, making it much easier to conduct his affairs within Heaven Dou in the future. For another, although he had no intention of inheriting the Sea God Godhood for the time being, there was no reason to turn away this opportunity for the Sea God Inheritance when it had come knocking at his door.

He rose at once and bowed deeply to Xue Ye, observing every courtesy. "Your Majesty, I am unworthy of such a generous gift. But since Your Majesty has shown me such kindness, I would be discourteous to refuse. Thank you, Your Majesty."

His tone was neither servile nor arrogant. He showed no flustered delight at the favor, nor did he put on airs and refuse. He was as composed as if he had merely received an ordinary gift.

Seeing this, Xue Ye was even more pleased.

Despite his tender age, the boy could maintain such composure before a treasure that protected the nation. Xue Ye became all the more certain that his future was boundless. Smiling, he raised a hand as if to help Gan Lin up. "There is no need for such ceremony, young friend. It is merely a small protective item, a token of my regard."

Dugu Bo sat to one side, never once asking a question or interfering to stop them. He merely glanced at the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, then looked at the small, upright figure beside him. A trace of approval flashed in his aged eyes. He trusted Gan Lin's judgment and stood by his decisions all the more. As long as it was what the child chose, never mind a national treasure-even if he poked a hole in the heavens, Poison Douluo would cover for him.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, beside them, had long since been struck dumb. The two little girls did not know exactly how precious the blue mirror was, but from their grandfather's and the emperor's expressions, they knew it was an extraordinary treasure. They looked at Gan Lin with even more admiration and curiosity.

After exchanging pleasantries for a little longer, Dugu Bo saw that it was getting late. He rose and cupped his hands in farewell. "Your Majesty, the hour is late. I shall take Gan Lin and bid you farewell."

That change in how Dugu Bo addressed him was enough to delight and surprise Xue Ye today.

"Very well." Xue Ye suppressed the joy in his heart and rose to see them off, taking a couple of steps after them. "If you need anything in the future, young friend, you may come to the palace and seek me out. The doors of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family will always be open to you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Gan Lin nodded again in acknowledgment.

The group turned and left the side hall. Dugu Yan skipped along beside her grandfather, glancing back from time to time at the wooden box in Gan Lin's arms. Her face showed how badly she wanted to ask about it, though she did not dare.

Ye Lingling also gave a little wave and said softly, "Little Brother Gan Lin, see you next time."

With that, she followed Ye Huixin away.

The evening breeze drifted gently through the long corridor, and the palace lanterns swayed, stretching their shadows long.

Gan Lin lightly touched the cool breastplate in his arms, the corners of his lips curving upward almost imperceptibly.

At today's Martial Soul Awakening, not only had his Innate Full Soul Power and Twin Martial Souls shocked everyone present, but he had also picked up three imperial gifts of apology and this opportunity tied to the Sea God. His gains had far exceeded his expectations.

As for Tang San's opportunity in his arms? From today onward, it was his, Gan Lin's.

That night, Gan Lin was alone in his room. After looking around, he produced a diary out of thin air.

The diary looked very simple, but the radiance flickering across it drew the eye.

This was what had given Gan Lin the confidence to say, even before his Martial Soul Awakening, that he could definitely change the fate of a world—his "cheat."

All he had to do was write in the diary to charge it. Once the charge reached one hundred percent, he would receive a reward from it.

The tip the diary had given him when the illusory figure of the Sovereign appeared earlier seemed somewhat unusual, because he had not been writing in it at the time, nor had it finished charging.

Perhaps... the Martial Soul Awakening caused a small loophole?

Forget it. No point thinking about something I can't figure out for now.

As for how much it charged, that naturally depended on the tips.

According to the instructions, the more valuable the items tipped by viewers were, the more his charge would increase.

Those items could also expand Gan Lin's reward pool.

As for why they were not given directly to Gan Lin, the diary stated that these tipped items were all used to charge the diary for transporting items. To give them to him directly... unless the item itself could cover all the energy needed for transport, or some existence provided the energy, whatever remained by the time it reached Gan Lin's hands would be all he got.

Even so, Gan Lin was satisfied.

There was just one thing: real names were not allowed to appear in the diary...

Hey, hey, hey, isn't this my diary?

It's bad enough that other people get to read it, but I can't even put my own name in it?

Gan Lin was no fool. Once the diary gave him that rule, he already knew who was reading what he wrote.

Since the diary forbade it, that meant that if he revealed his identity in it, there would definitely be plenty of people willing to help him.

He had nothing to do with any other worlds, so how many worlds could fit the bill?

Teyvat, of course~

Gan Lin thought that the Sovereign and the others might not be able to guess who had written the diary at first. Perhaps Sister Ganyu would find his handwriting and tone somewhat familiar.

But heaven knew what form the diary appeared in!

Still, the groundwork he had laid over the past few years was enough.

At the very least, a fair number of people should already have been able to guess who was writing it.

He just did not know who could see the diary he wrote.

Oh, well, forget it. The diary was already ninety-five percent charged and would soon be full. Gan Lin was looking forward to seeing what kind of reward he could choose from it.