Back in his old world, Jiang Chen often saw videos of overseas students returning home, immediately devouring local food like starving wolves.
Right now, he finally understood that feeling.
He had only been in Teyvat for a handful of days—yet somehow it already felt like a lifetime.
When all the dishes were finally served, Paimon dove in headfirst.
"So good!!
Wow, Liyue food is this delicious??
It's even better than Mondstadt's!
Hehehe, looks like I'm gonna eat well from now on!"
One bite was all it took for her to fall in love with Liyue cuisine.
To Paimon, this flavor was heaven itself.
Jiang Chen and Lumine didn't bother commenting.
They just focused on eating before Paimon wiped out the entire table.
After spending so much time with her, they both knew—
If they didn't start eating immediately, Paimon would finish everything.
Then they'd have to reorder.
Because even if too much food was served, Paimon would not waste a single grain.
Traveling with Paimon meant never worrying about leftovers—
only worrying whether you got to eat before she did.
Eventually, both of them were full, and Paimon effortlessly polished off whatever remained.
After dinner and settling the bill, Jiang Chen and Lumine stepped outside to enjoy the evening scenery.
They sat on the terrace, ordered a pot of tea, and quietly watched the night settle over Guili Plains.
"Tomorrow," Jiang Chen said, looking toward the distant Statue of the Seven, "we'll head to the statue."
Tomorrow, Lumine would obtain a new element.
And Jiang Chen—
he wanted to test something.
Would touching another statue awaken a new ability within him?
Hearing his words, Lumine blinked slowly.
"A system daily check-in?"
"…"
She still firmly believed he had a system.
Jiang Chen, however, was already tired of explaining.
"No. Not a system. A cheat ability," he corrected helplessly.
"Maybe I'll awaken a new power when I touch it.
You should gain Geo too, right?
If touching the Anemo statue gave you wind, then touching the Geo statue should work as well."
He shrugged as if everything were simple logic.
His meaning was:
You get elemental power, I get Heroic Spirit power. Same thing.
Lumine nodded.
"That makes sense.
I hope you get a golden-tier spirit this time."
Her eyes sparkled.
If Jiang Chen obtained Gilgamesh's power…
Money would never be a problem again.
He could literally throw Mora at people to defeat them.
The Golden Rule EX—
with that, even lying on a random rock would produce profit.
Hell, even the rock itself might turn into gold.
Weapons? She'd never lack them again.
Treasures? Infinite.
Functionality? Overpowered.
Lumine was more excited than Jiang Chen himself.
He stared at her speechlessly.
"You really dare to dream big, huh."
"A golden-tier card…? Tch.
Hard.
If I ever actually got that, I'd be set for life."
Gilgamesh's treasury was essentially every type of magical treasure imaginable—
some for battle, some with bizarre utilities.
Especially Vimana—
a flying ship-like noble phantasm.
With that, Jiang Chen could fly anywhere he wanted.
But he knew better than to hope too much.
This wasn't something he could control.
After chatting for a while longer, the three eventually returned to their rooms to rest.
The Next Morning — Straight to the Statue
After breakfast, they continued down the main road through Dihua Marsh.
Merchants, caravans, and travelers filled the road, surrounded by patrolling Millelith soldiers.
Liyue's commercial atmosphere was truly thriving—
even out here in the marshlands, the military presence was solid.
Soon, the group stepped fully into Dihua Marsh.
Jiang Chen glanced toward the direction of Qingce Village…
and noticed the eerie shape of the mountain beyond it.
Wu Wang Hill.
If he went there now, maybe he'd even run into Hu Tao.
He snorted at the thought and kept walking.
Thankfully, the Statue of the Seven in this area was near the road.
They didn't have to detour far.
After about an hour, they finally reached it.
The towering figure glowed faintly in the morning light.
"Go on," Jiang Chen said.
"You first. See if you can get Geo."
He wasn't in a hurry.
Lumine should activate her power first.
She nodded, stepped forward, and placed her hand on the statue.
Light burst forth.
Shimmering Geo energy converged into her body, sinking into her like flowing earth.
When the light faded, Lumine inhaled sharply.
"It worked!"
She could feel it—
a new element responding to her will.
She now possessed two elements.
Step by step, she was reclaiming the power she once lost.
Eventually, she might gather all seven.
The thought made her grin uncontrollably.
"Congrats," Jiang Chen said.
"Now it's my turn."
He approached the statue, placed his hand on its surface—
—and nothing happened.
Not even the faintest glow.
Lumine blinked.
Huh?
Why no response?
Her suspicion immediately deepened.
He definitely has a system. Absolutely.
She focused her senses, trying to "feel" what power he would awaken.
Meanwhile, Jiang Chen's vision blurred—
and the familiar interface he'd seen upon first arriving in this world materialized before him.
[ Loading data… ]
[ New Ability Acquired: Valhalla ]
And that was it.
Only a simple message.
But suddenly, Jiang Chen felt something—
A connection.
A space.
A realm.
As if he now had access to an entire personal dimension.
Something like…
A teapot realm?
But different.
More powerful.
'Valhalla,' the information rushed into his mind, detailing its functions.
The more he understood, the more Jiang Chen's expression twisted—
becoming stranger…
and stranger…
…as if he couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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