Liyue Harbor!
Descending from Tianheng Mountain, a place of tranquil serenity with only the scent of wind for company, the moment Luo Chen stepped into the bustling marketplace, the cacophony of voices overwhelmed him.
“Central Plains delicacies, cheap and delicious!”
“Passing travelers, wanna gamble on some stones? Just arrived from Blackcliff Mine, fresh raw stones! Don't miss out!”
“……”
“Freshly made fragrance膏, passing noble guests, care to try? So comfortable to apply~ Oh!”
The last voice, a woman’s, was particularly alluring and captivating, her suggestive lilt leaving one with thoughts that wandered.
But knowing who the owner was, those wandering thoughts would likely cease to exist.
After all, the reputation of Ying’er, the owner of Spring Fragrance Kiln, was prominent even in Liyue.
Amidst the solicitations, Ying’er, leaning against the entrance of Spring Fragrance Kiln, her eyes gleaming with a touch of brilliance, seemed to notice someone who caught her eye, someone who exuded a refreshing fragrance.
“Isn’t this Mr. Luo Chen? Would you like to come sit here? You promised to treat my chest tightness, but you haven’t done it yet, you can feel it for yourself.”
Her tone was incredibly eager, as if they were old lovers who had been apart for a long time.
Forced to stop by the side of the street in Eat Tiger Rock, Luo Chen met Ying’er’s alluring gaze and couldn’t help but marvel at the effectiveness of the “Ying’er charm.”
Ordinary people would be easily enticed, lured into Spring Fragrance Kiln, where they would be persuaded by soft words and end up buying a bunch of fragrance膏 before leaving.
But as a “sea king”, his experience was different. He couldn’t just go in and leave. He had to figure out the cause of her illness before letting her go.
“Next time!”
Leaving behind a reply that made Ying’er’s eyes resentful and filled with unsatisfied desires, Luo Chen resolutely walked through Eat Tiger Rock and arrived at Feiyun Slope, inside the massive city gate.
In normal circumstances, he wouldn’t mind a little delay. But he had important matters to attend to, so he had to decline her invitation with regret.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!
Established within Feiyun Slope.
Don’t let the name fool you. Despite being a funeral parlor, a place that few people willingly associate themselves with, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had been in existence for over a thousand years, its resources and wealth were far beyond what ordinary merchants could compare to. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to withstand the antics of Zhongli.
If Eat Tiger Rock is like a public square for the commoners, then Feiyun Slope is the elite middle class and luxury goods zone.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor occupies one of those areas.
It was still daytime, and the doors of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor were closed, not yet open for business.
Due to its line of service, the air near the place felt unusually cold, even under the scorching sun, it was as if there was a built-in air conditioner.
Luo Chen was used to this abnormality, occasionally at midnight he could see the occasional ghostly figure, appearing and disappearing.
His originally firm atheist heart was gradually crumbling under the revelations of the world of wonders.
As the bustling marketplace faded away, Luo Chen entered the interior of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, greeting each of the many attendants who paid their respects to him.
Without lingering with these employees who were still in training, he immediately returned to his own guest chamber, situated in the inner quarters.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was rich and powerful, providing each guest with an independent house, and for high-ranking guests like Luo Chen and Zhongli, even had a private courtyard.
Back in his room, he hung a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door. His next task was to engage in “The Simulation”, once again gaining strength and becoming stronger.
On the surface, this world was calm and serene, but underneath it all, there was a turbulent undercurrent, and all sorts of strange creatures were lurking in the shadows.
Even with Zhongli, the Emperor of the Rock known as the “War God”, as a guardian of Liyue, there was no way to guarantee their safety in the future turmoil.
Although he had used the Sword Saint template, and his combat talent had already reached the Divine Realm, allowing him to fight gods, Luo Chen felt that it was still not enough.
There were differences even among the gods, so even with a combined combat power that surpassed the realm of mortals, it wouldn’t provide him with a sense of security.
Being able to control his own destiny was the right path. Relying on others was never a good thing.
One day, when he could cleave the sky of Teyvat with a single sword, annihilate Celestia with a single hand, perhaps then he would feel a sliver of security.
Through the window, Luo Chen gazed towards the Sky Island, standing tall in the heavens, located in the north, his eyes becoming deep and unfathomable.
In truth, everything that was happening in this world had nothing to do with him. Except for the arrival of the Descenders, the fate of everyone else was reflected in the stars, moving along predetermined paths.
The war between the First Throne and the Second Throne, the grievances between Celestia and the Abyss, the revenge of Khaenri'ah, the machinations of the Abyss Order.
All of it, as long as it didn't involve him, was simply a story happening elsewhere, to him.
Perhaps, this was the embodiment of his Lawful Neutral alignment.
“Before the end of fate arrives, just have the strength to transcend everything, and everything will be a small matter.”
This way, no matter what happens, whether it's becoming an enemy or a friend of Celestia or the Abyss, the power will be in his hands.
“If I go even further, maybe I can transcend the Quantum Sea and enter the Honkai universe.”
Recalling his gaze from the Sky Island that descended upon the world, Luo Chen gradually calmed his mind, preparing for the next Simulation.
“Simulation, start!”
As he confirmed, the voice that had been silent in his mind for a while, resounded once more.
【Instruction confirmed, Infinite Simulation starting!】
【Simulation Era - The Age of Gods! Randomly selecting template...】
The Age of Gods?
Is that even possible? The furthest back he had gone in his previous five simulations was only twenty to thirty years ago. This time, he jumped directly to the Age of Gods?!
Jumping directly by the unit of millennia.
Luo Chen was dumbfounded.
【Congratulations, you have obtained the - God Template】
【Alignment: Lawful Good】
Even with his mental fortitude, he was taken aback.
“God Template?!”
The Sword Saint template from his previous attempts was the strongest one in terms of strength boost. Just the two talents, “Direct Perception” and “Draw Sword”, one purple and one gold, coupled with the progress of the auxiliary “Wiseman's Heart”, were enough to make the owner a being qualified to enter the Divine Realm.
Now he’s directly getting the God Template. Isn’t that an immediate boost?
Temporarily suppressing the joy in his heart, Luo Chen continued to wait for the next selection.
As the template was bound.
The next moment, a series of options gradually appeared before him.
【Please select any three of the following talents, rarity increases in the order of white, blue, purple, gold, and red】
【Wisdom of the Demon Realm (Gold): Ultimate wisdom obtained from the myriad of things, understanding the universe, even abilities not possessed can be forcibly simulated and mastered! Can also transfer skills possessed by the individual to others! (PS: Are you going to open Shadow Country?)】
【Strongman Locks Men (Blue): Increases critical damage against males by 50%! (PS: Jay, no!)】
【God of Gun and Sword (Gold): Your appearance shall be accompanied by the birth of sacred sword and sacred spear! (PS: I am Zhao Zilong of Changshan, who dares kill me!)】
【Overlord's Appearance (White): I love to kill people in my dreams! (PS: Also love wife)】
【Heaven's Middle (Purple): The power to freely weave space, instantly teleporting yourself and others to different spatial locations! (PS: I am not affected)】
【Elemental Mastery (Blue): Can use the power of seven elements! Full Spirit Root! (PS: Can only use one at a time!)】
……
……
Hiss! Two gold and one purple?!
Luo Chen was stunned for a moment when he looked at the whole thing. He was so lucky this time! He only had three gold in the past five times. This time, there were two golds!
Then he made his decision without hesitation.
“I choose Wisdom of the Demon Realm, God of Gun and Sword, Heaven’s Middle!”
With these three new talents, even in the Age of Gods, he was confident that he could completely dominate.