Chapter 213: The Things in the Trash Bin Must Be Valuable Too, Right?

The Aeon of Erudition was always trying to unravel the mysteries of everything.

Naturally, it was fascinated by the infinite multiverse.

As a cosmic supercomputer, it was perpetually curious.

All the things Takumi had previously entrusted to Himeko had already been passed over to Herta's side.

Surely, the Aeon of Erudition had noticed.

If it wasn't curious, that would be the real surprise.

So a trip to Honkai: Star Rail was absolutely necessary.

Zhongli didn't comment further about it.

"When I'm done with all these matters, I'll need your help making a huge bracelet."

"If we're moving all of Teyvat, an ordinary Serenitea Pot won't be enough."

"Plus, you might have to make another trip."

"But all that can wait until I've settled things with the Seven Archons."

These decisions couldn't be made in a hurry.

He'd need some time to sort everything out.

Hearing this, Takumi nodded.

Naturally, it was no problem for him.

If another trip was needed, it would probably mean Zhongli would end up facing Celestia—and maybe the First Throne, too.

Zhongli was powerful now, but facing both the First and Second Thrones at once could be problematic.

If he got another power-up, he wouldn't need to fear anything.

He could just stand there and see who dared speak against him.

Zhongli's temper had improved a lot these days,

But that didn't mean he had no temper at all.

With enough strength, even facing Celestia wouldn't faze him.

He was, after all, Morax—the god who fought his way through the ranks of Archons.

"Venti will be easy to deal with, but what about Ei?"

"She's still shut in with her depression."

Takumi looked at Zhongli with curiosity.

Lumine hadn't even gone to Inazuma yet.

Ei hadn't come out of her isolation.

Talking to Ei was going to be tricky, wasn't it?

Zhongli nodded.

"Just tell her that Makoto can be revived."

"Phanes could probably pull Ei back from the river of time."

"Besides that, there are a few of my old friends."

"With control over time, even events that already happened could be changed."

"If we bring Makoto back right at the moment of her death, it would be enough."

Zhongli's plan was simple.

For the First Throne, this should be easy to achieve.

So when the time came, Takumi would need to take charge.

"Emm..."

Straightforward and a little brutal.

Takumi didn't even know what to say.

Looked like the old man had thought everything through.

Reviving Makoto, huh?

That actually sounded like a great idea.

Makoto was a good administrator.

Takumi's world needed someone like her!

Guizhong would be great too.

At this, Takumi stroked his chin,

Already scheming how many people from Teyvat he could poach to help run his world.

Ningguang, Keqing, Ganyu—Takumi wanted them all.

When the time came, Old Man Zhongli probably wouldn't object to giving them even bigger responsibilities.

Saint Celestia was fine running cities for now,

But as things developed, she'd fall behind.

So Takumi needed even better people to help manage his world.

Takumi and Zhongli spent the entire afternoon having tea together.

In the late afternoon, Keqing came looking for them.

"Takumi, Mr. Zhongli."

"Ningguang has prepared a banquet, please join us."

Hearing Keqing, Takumi paused for a moment.

"Ningguang is treating us to dinner?"

"No problem!"

"Zhongli, let's go and feast at the big spender's table."

With that, Takumi stood up and headed out.

Zhongli quickly followed.

He deftly told the cashier,

"Send the bill to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

Keqing, listening to this, was speechless.

Neither of these two had a single mora to their name.

"I'll pay for it."

With that, Keqing stepped forward to settle the bill.

Zhongli said nothing about it.

Once the bill was settled, they all headed out together.

On the way to Yujing Terrace, Takumi and company met up with March 7th's group again.

Ningguang had invited them all as well.

"Takumi!!"

"We're getting a free dinner tonight!!"

March 7th was ecstatic.

Learning that Liyue's leader was hosting the meal, she couldn't be more excited.

"You all got invited too?"

"Let's go! Tonight we feast at the expense of the rich."

Takumi picked up his pace as he spoke.

Led by Keqing, the group took a floating Jadeite Stone up to the Jade Chamber.

Ningguang and Ganyu were already waiting.

"Mr. Takumi, Mr. Zhongli,"

"and our distinguished guests from afar,"

"Welcome to the Jade Chamber."

"The banquet is ready—please follow me."

With that, Ningguang led the way,

Inviting everyone inside.

March 7th and Xingmei were used to traveling through space.

They'd seen a lot,

So this floating city wasn't that impressive to them,

Though they were a bit curious about the stones that kept buildings afloat.

Lumine, having regained her memories, wasn't very interested either.

She and her brother had seen plenty during their travels in other worlds.

Only Paimon was utterly amazed by it all.

"Wow!"

"Lumine, look at this place, it's so luxurious."

"If you turned it all into mora, it'd be worth a fortune!!"

Paimon was beyond excited.

She wanted to turn everything here into mora and sell it all off.

"Shut up, Paimon."

"Don't act like you've never seen the world before."

Lumine rolled her eyes in annoyance.

Could she stop making a scene? How embarrassing!

Hearing Lumine's words, Paimon was instantly deflated.

"You've changed, Lumine!"

"You used to be just like this!!"

"Back when we first got to Mondstadt, you acted exactly like this!"

"That was because I've regained my memories!"

She was no longer the same person who had to fight hilichurls for food.

Now, she was a noble princess!

...

Hearing Lumine say this, Paimon felt a bit dejected.

They'd agreed to be country bumpkins together—

Now Lumine had secretly seen the world first.

Paimon didn't even know how to complain anymore.

As Paimon and Lumine bickered,

Takumi's lips curled into a smile.

Those two really were something else.

Even Ningguang, walking ahead, couldn't help but be amused.

At this point, Hu Tao couldn't help saying to Paimon,

"Let me tell you, Paimon."

"Anything from the Jade Chamber can be sold for a ton of mora."

"Even a piece of paper."

"If the merchants below found out you brought something down from the Jade Chamber, they'd bid like mad."

Everything here was a treasure.

Just taking a few things down could make you rich.

Paimon's eyes turned into mora symbols at Hu Tao's explanation.

"Really?"

Paimon was thrilled.

"Should we check the trash bin?"

At this point, Xingmei spoke up.

The things in the trash bin must be valuable too, right?