Original God, But Chat Group

Under the pressure of this Captain-level Spiritual Pressure, Zhongli remained completely unfazed. Though he had no spiritual pressure of his own, the level of Kensei Muguruma's spiritual pressure couldn't affect him in the slightest.

However, beneath his calm exterior, his mind was full of question marks.

What exactly had Li Yue awakened?

9. Have Zhongli deliver a burial plot to Keqing

"Shinai!!"

Gripping his Zanpakuto with both hands, Li Yue brought it down from above in a cleaving strike. The towering Hillichurl Brute was split in two from the shoulder, letting out a resentful whimper before collapsing.

"Whew—"

Letting out a long breath, Li Yue shook the blood off the blade, sheathed it, and turned to look to the side.

"So, Zhongli, can you tell what kind of Elemental Power I've awakened?"

Zhongli crossed his arms, frowning as he studied Li Yue.

"By all rational logic, the power you've awakened, young friend Li Yue, is not Elemental Power."

"Not Elemental Power?"

Zhongli glanced around. There were houses blasted by crimson flames, wooden stakes scorched by pale fire, targets pierced by white lightning, and a water basin sent flying by a whirlwind. The entire camp was a mess.

"Correct. Elemental Power is mostly limited to a single element. But the power you've awakened contains fire, lightning, and wind. Not only does it encompass multiple elements, but the fire, lightning, and wind are all different from the versions I know. Based on my knowledge, I can deduce that the power you've awakened is likely not Elemental Power."

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Li Yue raised his hands high in loud protest.

"I awakened this power because of your Geo Construct! I even had an out-of-body experience! How could it not be Elemental Power? Don't tell me your Geo Construct doesn't use Elemental Power!"

"Well... by all rational logic, I only use Geo."

Zhongli was stumped too. After Li Yue asked him to check if his power was Geo, Zhongli said he couldn't be sure. So the two set out from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to a Hilichurl camp on Mt. Tianheng to test it.

With Zhongli watching his back, Li Yue could go all out.

So Li Yue tried several classic kidō spells—Byakurai, Sekihōtsu, Sōkatsui, Tenran—and then got up close with his Zanpakuto.

For kidō, relying on his Captain-level Spiritual Pressure and the memory of using them provided by Aizen, Li Yue succeeded on his first try despite never having used them before. But his lack of proficiency made the power underwhelming. As for swordsmanship, it was a complete mess.

All he did was jump and slash with both hands, no technique whatsoever. But with his Spiritual Pressure and Zhongli's shield backing him up—especially the suppression of Captain-level Spiritual Pressure—the Hilichurls couldn't even move. They just stood there getting jump-slashed. It had a certain brute-force beauty to it!

"The power you've awakened, young friend Li Yue, is very peculiar. It's a power I've never seen before, yet it's rich in various elements. As for what this power truly is, I'm afraid it will take some time to study."

Unable to figure out what kind of power this was, Zhongli could only answer like this. Though puzzled by Li Yue's power, he also felt relieved. He knew Li Yue wasn't a native of Teyvat, so the power he awakened probably wasn't from Teyvat either. But this power, though strange and unknown, wasn't Abyssal power. As long as it wasn't Abyssal, Zhongli could rest easy—at least he didn't have to worry about Li Yue falling into the Abyss.

"For now, it seems this power is under your control, young friend Li Yue. Though we don't know what it represents, its manifestations are harmless. So you can use it with confidence. As for its relationship with Elemental Power, we'll have to discover that through further study."

"I see. What a shame."

Li Yue shook his head in disappointment.

"I thought I'd fused with a Geo Construct and awakened Geo. I thought the Vago Monarch had noticed me and was about to give me a Geo Vision. Speaking of which, I've awakened this power, and the Vago Monarch still hasn't noticed me? Tch, how stingy."

Do I have to take the blame for this too?

Zhongli listened helplessly from the side.

"Let's go, Zhongli. Since we can't figure out what this power is for now, let's head back. It's getting late, and Hu Tao should be back soon."

After his deliberate complaint, Li Yue called Zhongli to return together.

"Indeed. We should go back, or the director will start lecturing us again."

The two returned from Mt. Tianheng to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Hu Tao had indeed already returned. When she saw Li Yue and Zhongli coming back together, she waved happily.

"Zhongli! Li Yue! You're finally back!!"

"Hu Tao, you're so excited. Did something good happen?"

"Of course! Great news!"

Hu Tao clenched her fists, her beautiful eyes wide open.

"Remember the limited luxury burial plot service we launched before? We never released a second batch. But today, several clients came to me on their own, wanting to reserve spots in the second batch! They're even willing to pay double the price to secure their eligibility!"

Double the price. Before, Hu Tao was offering half-off on second plots or even buy-one-get-one-free. Now, not only was there no discount or giveaway, but people were actively raising the price.

"Li Yue, your plan is amazing!"

"It's nothing. Just using marketing to exploit the competitive mindset of the rich."

Li Yue crossed his arms, looking smug.

"Liyue Harbor has no shortage of rich people, but the rich also compete among themselves. Though Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services aren't considered lucky, no one can avoid us."

In Liyue Harbor, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had a true monopoly. Restaurants had competition—Li cuisine and Yue cuisine, Wanmin Restaurant and Zhongyuan Chop Suey in Chihu Rock, plenty of choices. But Wangsheng's business was truly one of a kind!

So when Li Yue helped Wangsheng launch a limited feng shui premium plot package for the wealthy, the rich had no other option.

Li Yue's slogan was simple: Only those with true status could own a limited feng shui premium burial plot!

Liyue had no shortage of rich people, but it lacked rich people with status. Since Liyue's upper echelon was only the Qixing, this feng shui plot—exclusive to those with status—immediately hit the mark with the wealthy. They scrambled to buy.

Not for any other reason—just for that label of status!

"Hu Tao, did you accept their reservation?"

"No, no. Like you said, Li Yue, I have to keep them dangling—don't let them book easily. The harder it is to get, the more they want it!"

"Exactly! When the second batch launches, we can set the starting price at double the first batch. That's the premium they're itching to pay for a reservation."

"Huh? Raise it again?!"

Hu Tao was stunned.

"That's right, keep raising it. Only by hiking the price for the second batch can we highlight the status of the first-batch buyers. The later it gets, the higher the price! The higher the price, the more they'll want to buy!"

Li Yue pointed at Zhongli beside him.

"Zhongli's on good terms with Keqing of the Liyue Qixing. We could even have Zhongli gift a burial plot to Keqing, then spin it to the public—say it's the same prime feng shui site where the Liyue Qixing will be laid to rest. That way, we can jack up the price even more!"

???

Zhongli listened, stunned. Selling a burial plot meant dragging the Liyue Qixing into it? And why did it have to be him? Showing up uninvited to offer a grave, even for free, would still get him cursed out.

"Young friend, I think—"

"I don't care what you think, I care what I think! I believe you can do it, Zhongli, so you definitely can!"

Li Yue cut off Zhongli's musing, and Hu Tao immediately followed up.

"That's right, Zhongli. As a consultant, you should pull your weight for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's performance. Otherwise, where's the money coming from for your tea and opera outings? The Yuheng Star's tried to recruit you several times—use that connection to cozy up. It's not like we're the only ones schmoozing the Qixing. Whatever method you use, just get that plot delivered."

"Fine, I'll try."

Pressed by both Li Yue and Hu Tao, Zhongli could only say he'd try. As for when he'd actually do it, that depended on when he felt like it. For now, he agreed to stop the nagging.

"Let's go! The director's in a good mood today—I'm treating you to a feast!"

Seeing Zhongli agree, Hu Tao waved her hand, ready to splurge.

At the mention of food, Zhongli's expression shifted instantly. As a gourmand, he took eating very seriously.

"Oh? Where's the director taking us?"

"Let's go to Wanmin Restaurant. I like the vibe there—fancy places are boring!"

Li Yue threw out Wanmin Restaurant.

"Wanmin's fine. If Xiangling's cooking today, that'd be perfect."

The three headed to Wanmin Restaurant, while in the Chat Group, new messages appeared.

Fat Woman in Black Stockings: That Akise Tomoya guy, he's such a disappointment!

10. Admiration is the farthest distance from understanding!

Fat Woman in Black Stockings: I showed up a bit late at the time he set, and sure enough, he didn't just invite me—Kato Megumi and that Flat-chested Blonde Girl were there too. If I'd gone early like I originally planned, I'd have been sitting there like an idiot waiting for him to bring them to meet me.

Fat Woman in Black Stockings: His pitch to convince me to help him make a game was exactly like the story—not a single word changed!

Fat Woman in Black Stockings: Kato Megumi and the Flat-chested Blonde Girl said the same things too. That blonde girl even had that disgusting tsundere expression. So annoying!

Fat Woman in Black Stockings: He wants me to work for him for free. Forget that he just wants free labor—even if he paid me, he doesn't even have a basic proposal. Just a mouth, rambling passionately for ages without saying anything important.

Fat Woman in Black Stockings: Looking back, future me was an idiot. No, I should say I didn't know future me was an idiot. At least now I know what kind of person Akise Tomoya really is.

Fat Woman in Black Stockings: Tch, so irritating. I actually liked him just because he promoted my book before—over something so trivial. Past me was an idiot too!

Kasumigaoka Utaha was agitated, firing off several messages in the Chat Group in quick succession.

A string of notifications left Li Yue, who had already arrived at Wanmin Restaurant and was waiting for the food, baffled. He checked the group and saw Kasumigaoka Utaha spamming messages. While waiting for the dishes, he replied.

Meme Lord: To be precise, it's not wrong that you initially had a crush on him. For a new writer, your first serialized work is precious, and he happened to save it when it was about to be axed, changing its fate. So having a crush on him is fine—he did help you.

Meme Lord: But you didn't realize that his help was just his own interest at heart. In life afterward, he still lived entirely by his interests. Simply put, he only sees his own interests and doesn't consider others' feelings. Promoting your book was his interest; dragging you into making his game was also his interest. When his interest helps others, it's great. But when it becomes a burden forced on others, it's not good anymore.

Meme Lord: He came to you as both your benefactor and a fan of your novel, describing his ideal story from that dual identity. You admired his ideals, but you forgot the most important thing.

Fat Woman in Black Stockings: What thing?

Meme Lord: Admiration is the farthest distance from understanding!

Aizen lurking: ...

Regarding Akise Tomoya, Li Yue had thought back when he watched the anime that the guy wasn't a bad person at first. But his biggest problem was forcing his will on others, which was disgusting.

The three main female leads—Kasumigaoka Utaha had a crush on him, so she accepted his request; Eriri also had a crush on him, so she went along with his arrangements; and Kato Megumi wasn't good at refusing, so she complied too. He just had extreme dumb luck.

In the end, the two girls who liked him got dumped by him in a disgusting process. Eriri's stubborn tsundere nature did herself in, and Kasumigaoka, after clearly expressing her feelings, was strung along—playing the "not proactive, not rejecting" game to the max until he finally rejected her. That's why Li Yue hated him, definitely not because he was jealous of the guy surrounded by a bunch of girls.

Fat Woman in Black Stockings: Tch, so annoying!

Meme Lord: So, now that you know how the future goes, what are you going to do?

Li Yue was curious about Kasumigaoka's choice.

Fat Woman in Black Stockings: As annoying as it is, I'll still join his game project.

Huh?

Li Yue was puzzled. She knew and still joined? Was she planning to use the advance intel to ace the test?

Fat Woman in Black Stockings: After calming down, like you said, he did help me. Without his promotion, my novel would have died after the second volume, instead of having decent sales now. I owe him that favor. And as you said, I developed a crush on him on my own, without considering how he might feel about me. The future hasn't happened yet, and an unrealized future can't be an excuse to skip repaying a favor. But from now on, I'll let go of my feelings for him and treat him as just an ordinary person who helped me.

Fat Woman in Black Stockings: As a light novelist, he helped me promote my work before, so now that he wants me to write a blurb for him, I'll agree to repay that favor. But everything will be strictly business! I won't waste my time messing around with him and his women. I'll just write the copy according to his requirements and send it to him. Once his so-called game is finished, I won't owe him anything.

Hair Gel Man in the Sky: A fair and impartial choice indeed.

Meme Lord: True that!

Li Yue-kun agreed with Aizen's assessment. He'd originally thought Kasumigaoka Utaha was just refusing to lose, trying to use her knowledge of the future to cheat by having all the answers. After all, if she was dead set on Akise Tomoya and had a future guide in hand, her chances of winning were huge.

But that wasn't the case. She simply wanted to repay the favor fairly and cleanly.

Meme Lord: Speaking of which, Dad, you're online too? Have you finished researching Elemental Power?

Hair Gel Man in the Sky: Still researching. Testing this power takes time with the instruments. Until I get results, I'm relatively free. I know the Wandenreich is hiding in the shadows of the Seireitei, but the time isn't right yet. I'm not in a hurry—I have plenty of time to make arrangements.

Meme Lord: Is this the ease of the strong? I'm honestly jealous.

Hair Gel Man in the Sky: Li Yue-kun, you'll reach my level eventually. Though the Elemental Power constructs you gave me haven't yielded results yet, my instincts as a researcher tell me this power is no joke. If you fully master it, combined with your Shinigami abilities, you'll definitely become a powerhouse on par with me.

Meme Lord: So that's how you see me, Dad? Thanks for the praise! I'll keep improving and strive to shout one day: A man born between heaven and earth—how can he languish under others!

Hair Gel Man in the Sky: ...

Fat Woman in Black Stockings: I really don't get you superhumans.

Kasumigaoka Utaha watched the two of them chatting about power and the supernatural, and as an ordinary human, she couldn't relate.

Meme Lord: It's normal not to get it, Senpai—the world you live in is full of regular people. Anyway, my food's here. A friend's treating me to dinner today, so I'm off. Bye~~~

11. A Chair Full of Power!

At Liyue Harbor, the port city was already bustling by sunrise. Sailors on the docks were loading and unloading cargo from the ships moored there, while shops on the commercial street opened for business.

Inside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, drinking his first cup of tea of the morning. Then he looked up at the rooftop.

I don't get it. I really don't get it.