Hu Tao Is Monetizing My Existence. [21]

Jiang Bai had no idea what Zhongli was thinking and was still marveling at the craftsmanship of the counterfeit Vision.

"This is way too realistic! Even if a real god were here, they wouldn't be able to tell whether this Vision was genuinely bestowed or not."

Zhongli smiled but said nothing.

In truth, both of them were fake.

"From now on, carry it with you. It doesn't have any anti-loss properties, so if you lose it, it's gone for good. Just wear it on you."

Most Vision holders displayed their Visions prominently, as they were symbols of status.

"Alright." Jiang Bai simply found a string and tied the fake Vision around his waist. The translucent, golden Vision swayed with his movements, making it extremely eye-catching.

He had a rough idea of why Zhongli gave him the Vision—it was nothing more than staying low-key and blending in with the crowd.

Right now, his understanding of this world was still too shallow. What if there were factions that specifically targeted outsiders like him for dissection and research?

Better to be cautious.

"Don't reveal your identity as an outsider so easily," Zhongli reminded him.

"That was my thought as well." Jiang Bai nodded. Of course, he would be careful with his own safety.

"Mr. Zhongli, who exactly are you?"

Jiang Bai couldn't help but be curious about the man before him.

He knew so much and could even craft fake Visions… Jiang Bai had a feeling that not even the Hall Master would necessarily have access to such secrets.

Zhongli chuckled lightly. "Just an ordinary man who happens to know a little more than most."

Jiang Bai: ...

He felt like he had just been outclassed.

The more someone said things like that, the more likely they were a big shot.

As they chatted over morning tea, the sense of distance between them lessened now that they shared a few secrets.

At the very least, Jiang Bai no longer felt that Zhongli was as distant as when they first met.

"Mr. Zhongli, how do I use elemental power?"

"Everyone's method of channeling elemental energy is different. The method depends on you."

Jiang Bai nodded. He'd figure it out on his own once he got back.

...

After finishing breakfast, Jiang Bai tidied up and left.

He couldn't wait to test out what else Geo power could do.

Watching Jiang Bai leave, Zhongli tilted his head to gaze at the sky. Beyond the visible horizon, deep within the firmament, lay an unseen island.

After staring for a moment, he turned back to tending to his flowers.

To Jiang Bai, Geo elemental power was something entirely novel.

He was like a child who had just gotten a new toy, constantly molding various elemental constructs in his room.

He practically treated Geo as if it were clay—one moment shaping a miniature mountain, the next a stone bridge, then a small house with no doors or windows. It was like playing house, and soon, the floor was covered with his creations.

"How long do these elemental constructs last, anyway?"

Jiang Bai didn't believe they could persist indefinitely. If that were the case, there'd be no need for people to build houses—Geo Vision wielders could just conjure them into existence.

"Can only Geo create constructs? Or can other elements do it too?"

From what he knew, the seven elements were Anemo, Electro, Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, Dendro, and Geo.

Based on the names, Dendro seemed akin to wood, and like Geo, it should have a tangible form, meaning both could likely create constructs.

The others probably couldn't.

After all, summoning wind, lightning, water, or fire wouldn't really count as creating something.

"Is there a limit to how much elemental energy can be drawn? Or can it be used indefinitely?"

Jiang Bai figured that was impossible. Common sense dictated that excessive extraction of any resource would lead to ecological imbalance and catastrophic consequences.

So there had to be a limit to how much elemental energy could be used.

For someone like him, who wielded elemental power through his own body, the limit was likely either physical exhaustion or mental strain.

If there were no cost, wouldn't he be able to dominate all of Teyvat effortlessly?

Jiang Bai believed in one universal truth: everything comes at a price.

Just like how he had joined the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—while enjoying its benefits now, he would eventually have to contribute in return.

Zhongli had told him so much and even guided him in using elemental power, which meant that one day, he would surely have to repay the favor.

As for elemental power usage, whether it consumed stamina or mental energy, both were reasonable and sustainable. But if it drained lifespan or fate, then Jiang Bai would steer clear.

As his elemental constructs lasted longer and longer, Jiang Bai began to feel waves of exhaustion.

It was like the bone-deep fatigue after pulling multiple all-nighters—he could barely keep his eyes open.

Once he confirmed that using elemental energy drained his mental strength and realized he had reached his limit, Jiang Bai waved his hand, dispersing all the constructs.

He flopped into his coffin, let out a long yawn, and closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep.

Before dozing off, he thought about testing how long a single construct could last after he woke up…

If it could hold overnight, then he wouldn't need to lug his coffin around when traveling—he could just mold one on the spot.

---

Not long after Jiang Bai fell asleep, Hu Tao arrived at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor with Xiangling and Guoba in tow.

"He's not in the courtyard, so he's probably resting in his room." After circling the area once, she led Xiangling to Jiang Bai's door.

Hu Tao knocked a few times but got no response, leaving her puzzled.

According to the undertakers, Jiang Bai hadn't left. He had even gone to the kitchen for breakfast earlier, so he should still be inside.

Did he fall asleep?

Hu Tao sighed.

Why is it that every time I look for him, he's always sleeping? Is this some kind of side effect of playing dead? Does he need extra rest?

With that thought, she didn't hesitate to phase through the door in her butterfly form.

The bed was empty, but the coffin was open.

Peeking inside, she found exactly what she expected—Jiang Bai, sleeping soundly.

Outside, Xiangling stood at the door, holding a food box, looking bewildered.

A moment later, the door swung open.

"Come on in," Hu Tao said, gesturing for Xiangling to enter.

"Isn't this kind of inappropriate…?" Xiangling hesitated, feeling uneasy about barging into someone's room uninvited.

"It's fine, we're already here," Hu Tao said with a mischievous grin, her prankster instincts kicking in. "Just wait and see—I'm going to scare him awake."

"Where is he?" Xiangling glanced around, confused.

Then, she watched as Hu Tao approached the coffin in the room.

"Awooo~"

A bizarre howl echoed through the room, jolting Jiang Bai awake.

He was immediately greeted by a face grinning triumphantly at him, hanging upside down just inches from his own.

Seeing Jiang Bai finally get startled for once, Hu Tao was overjoyed.

The little ghost floating above her shoulder even cheered in celebration.

Realizing it was Hu Tao, Jiang Bai let out a long sigh, his expression deadpan, his eyes dull.

He had absolutely no desire to get up.