Hu Tao Is Monetizing My Existence. [41]

"Although it was a bit difficult, thanks to my natural brilliance, I completed this mission perfectly!" Jiang Bai grinned smugly. Taking down the Geo Hypostasis was all thanks to him!

"Oh? Have you mastered Elemental Resonance?"

"Not quite, but I did master the Geo Shield."

Jiang Bai, like an eager student showing off to his teacher, proudly displayed his Geo Shield, looking expectantly at Zhongli—his face practically screaming, Praise me!

"Not bad. Your perception of elemental energy is quite impressive," Zhongli praised without hesitation.

Jiang Bai's talent was indeed extraordinary.

He had only just been introduced to elemental energy a few days ago, and yet he had already fully grasped how to wield it—he had even formed a Geo Shield.

For those who possess a Vision, their control over elements follows their desires, aspirations, and ideals.

But Jiang Bai's manipulation of elements was far more diverse. He was not bound by fixed thinking, nor was there a ceiling to his potential.

The only limitation was the amount of elemental energy he could wield.

And that, too, would expand as his attunement with the elements deepened—his power growing from a mere pond to a vast lake, from a lake to a mighty river, and from a river to the boundless sea.

"The Geo Hypostasis was just too powerful. Mastering the Geo Shield was more of a desperate, last-minute survival tactic…"

Jiang Bai waved a hand dismissively, as if reluctant to admit his own talent—as if he had been forced into mastering it.

If an average person heard him flaunting like this, they'd probably want to punch him.

Zhongli merely curled his lips into a faint smile. "Oh? Tell me about it."

"It was a moment of crisis—the Geo Hypostasis's seismic waves came crashing down like a collapsing mountain and a raging tsunami. There was no safe footing left on the ground. Just as the Director was about to be struck by the impact, my overwhelming desire to protect her triggered the formation of my Geo Shield. I shielded her and safely retreated from the attack range…"

"Then, I told her to step back while I charged forward alone, hammering away at the Geo Hypostasis. Under my relentless assault, that arrogant construct split in two! And with that, I withdrew from the battlefield, concealing my merit and fame…"

Zhongli listened with amusement as Jiang Bai shamelessly exaggerated his tale.

Honestly, Jiang Bai had a knack for storytelling. Just like those traveling storytellers, he could turn nothing into something, and embellish what little truth there was with grand flourishes.

If Zhongli didn't have an excellent memory, he might have believed that these legendary exploits were indeed Jiang Bai's doing.

Seeing Zhongli so entertained, Jiang Bai took the opportunity to continue with even greater enthusiasm.

"I also discovered a shocking secret at Guyun Stone Forest!"

"Oh? And what secret is that?" Zhongli obligingly played along.

Jiang Bai leaned in mysteriously, lowering his voice as if afraid of being overheard.

"Have you ever noticed the strange decorative patterns on Ruin Guards? They look like this…"

Jiang Bai poured a bit of wine onto the table, dipped his finger into it, and began sketching the pattern he had observed.

"Oh? And what about this pattern?" Zhongli asked nonchalantly, sipping his drink.

"This pattern isn't just on Ruin Guards. It also appears on the Abyss Mages' robes and all over the ruins at Guyun Stone Forest! So, I have a bold theory!"

Zhongli raised an eyebrow, studying Jiang Bai with a hint of curiosity.

Could it be… that he has uncovered the origins of these things?

"Since these patterns all appear at Guyun Stone Forest, it means they are deeply connected to the place. Perhaps they were created by the followers of the Ancient God sealed beneath Guyun Stone Forest!"

Jiang Bai declared his conclusion with absolute conviction.

His keen observation skills, combined with his ability to detect anomalies the moment he set foot there, made him one of the rare few who could piece together such crucial details from limited information.

Zhongli: "…"

Zhongli's hand froze mid-sip, momentarily speechless.

Under Jiang Bai's expectant gaze, he slowly lowered his cup.

"Your theory is quite reasonable."

Encouraged by Zhongli's approval, Jiang Bai took another swig of wine to wet his throat and pressed on with his deductions:

"I suspect that those people created the Ruin Guards in an attempt to help their god break free from its seal. But unfortunately, the Geo Archon's seal was too strong. Even after dedicating their entire lives, they failed. Eventually, as generations passed and they perished, the place became a mere ruin, leaving only the Ruin Guards behind to stand watch…"

Zhongli had to admit—Jiang Bai's deductions were quite logical. With just a few clues, he had managed to piece together a rather elaborate theory.

Unfortunately, due to missing key information, his theory was still way off from the truth.

If Zhongli weren't one of the individuals personally involved in those events, he might have actually believed him.

"And what about the Abyss Mages?" Zhongli refilled Jiang Bai's cup, curious to hear more of his reasoning.

"Abyss Mages—their name itself holds the key! The focus is on the word Abyss! I don't know exactly what the Abyss is, but from the name alone, it can't be anything good."

Jiang Bai's excitement grew as he spoke, as if he had unraveled some grand secret.

"Perhaps the last remnants of that Ancient God's people, after realizing they couldn't free their god, ultimately fell into the Abyss, transforming into Abyss Mages. Now, they seek revenge on the people of Liyue—the ones who sealed their god!"

Zhongli: "…"

"Well? How's my theory?"

"Very reasonable."

Though a little off course, Jiang Bai's deductions were surprisingly close to certain aspects of reality.

Zhongli felt compelled to applaud, so he did.

"Impressive! With just a few clues, you've constructed such a detailed hypothesis—bold in assumptions, yet logical in reasoning. Outstanding!"

Even someone as shameless as Jiang Bai felt a little embarrassed by the praise.

"It's nothing… just some casual speculation… The truth might not even be what I said…"

"Heh." Zhongli chuckled softly, downing his drink in one go.

"This land holds many stories—many buried beneath the dust of history, hidden beneath layers of rock. With your keen insight, you may one day unearth them…"

Jiang Bai listened quietly. For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that Zhongli's words carried a deeper meaning.

Wait… could it be that the Geo Archon has done a lot of shady things, and Zhongli wants those truths to be uncovered?

No way, right?

I'm just a weak, insignificant, and pitiful employee of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! I haven't even done a single day of real work there yet…

I can't handle the burden of overthrowing divine authority!

Besides, Hu Tao deeply respects the Geo Archon.

From the stories passed down in Liyue, this Archon seemed like a great and noble god.

Then why does Zhongli keep bringing up the idea of overturning divine rule…?