Jiang Chen strode straight into Ningguang's office—his arrival had already been announced.
With the terminals in play, the moment Jiang Chen showed up, someone would've notified Ningguang.
This vastly expanded her intelligence network.
Not just in the Jade Chamber, but everywhere.
Chances were, most of those terminals had gone to her informants.
"That was fast. You've already produced it?"
Ningguang had just heard about Jiang Chen's delivery. She'd only mentioned the idea, and now he'd brought the finished product?
Unbelievable efficiency.
"Of course!"
"But I'm not just here to deliver goods."
"Take a look at this."
Jiang Chen handed her the Archon Power Generation Plan.
Curious, Ningguang accepted the document.
"Printed? How neat."
"I'll have future reports follow this format."
She admired the clean typography—so much easier to read.
This would be the new standard.
Then she actually read the content.
…Wait, what?
Ningguang blinked, then reread it.
"You're serious?"
Jiang Chen's proposal left her stunned.
Harnessing Archons' elemental energy for civilian use?
The document outlined how electricity would become indispensable—and that Liyue needed cheap, reliable power.
The proposed solution? Archons.
Since when were gods considered an energy source?
"Can… this actually work?"
She swallowed hard, torn between excitement and apprehension.
If implemented, Liyue would become dependent on this system.
But was it feasible?
"What do you think?"
"The technology exists. We just need funding."
"Cloud Retainer's energy converters are already in vehicles. For transmission, Khaenri'ah's tech—courtesy of Lumine's brother—has us covered."
"As for appliances? Those are trivial to produce."
Ningguang froze.
"Lumine's brother… Khaenri'ah's technology?"
"Did I just hear something I shouldn't have?"
"What's his connection to Khaenri'ah?"
She stared at Jiang Chen, bewildered.
Wasn't Lumine searching for her sibling? Yet Jiang Chen knew his whereabouts—and received tech from him?
And you didn't tell Lumine?!
"Lumine's brother is Khaenri'ah's crown prince. Technically, she's a princess too."
"As for Khaenri'ah and the Abyss Order—well, you get the picture."
"When Aether visited, I negotiated for their tech."
Jiang Chen saw no point hiding this. Ningguang needed to know—especially since she controlled the budget.
Ningguang fell silent.
The Abyss leader is on good terms with Jiang Chen?
By extension, the Abyss is aligned with Liyue?
And we've received their technological support?
Does that mean Liyue is now… an Abyss affiliate?
Recalling Khaenri'ah's downfall, her expression turned grave.
"I know what you're thinking."
Before she could speak, Jiang Chen cut in.
Ningguang stiffened.
"You're worried about inviting calamity, right?"
"Don't be. We're avoiding certain red lines."
"Until we're unstoppable, we'll lay low."
"The tech itself is safe—as long as we don't misuse it."
"Or tamper with the Ley Lines—Teyvat's foundation."
"Khaenri'ah fell because they experimented with the Abyss and Ley Lines."
"We're not doing that. Well… we are, but the Greater Lord oversees it. So no issues."
"Your concerns are unfounded."
"Besides, the Heavenly Principles won't interfere. She can't."
"Otherwise, Rex Lapis wouldn't have handed his Gnosis to the Tsaritsa to test the waters."
Ningguang hastily raised a hand.
"Stop!"
"I understand. No more details."
"This is beyond my clearance."
Her heart pounded. Every word felt like forbidden knowledge.
Jiang Chen had no filter.
Should I even be hearing this?!
"Relax!"
"Our destiny lies among the stars. If Teyvat's trivialities scare you, how will you face the Aeons?"
Ningguang nearly laughed. Relax? How?!
This involved Rex Lapis' schemes. Was she supposed to stay calm?
But…
"Aeons? What Aeons?"
Was there something even worse ahead?
"I've briefed Rex Lapis. Might as well fill you in too."
Jiang Chen gestured to the sofa. Today's agenda: full disclosure.
Ningguang hesitated. Is this… permitted?
Cautiously, she joined him.
Then Jiang Chen laid out his grand vision.
"Develop Liyue, then transform Teyvat into a starship and leave?"
"You're joking."
"Turn the entire world into a vessel? How? The cost would be—"
Ningguang's voice cracked. This was absurd.
Selling all of Liyue wouldn't cover it!
The Jade Chamber alone had drained her coffers. Now he wanted a planet-sized ship?
"Such civilizations exist out there—entire nations housed in spacecraft."
"Feasibility isn't the issue yet."
"For now, we just need the vision."
Jiang Chen understood her reaction.
She'd already started calculating the expenses, hadn't she?
If they pursued this conventionally—assuming the technology even existed—the cost would be astronomical.
Teyvat's combined resources might not suffice.
So… unconventional methods were necessary.
There's always a way.
What if Fontaine drops a "Qin Shi Huang" template on us?
Great Wall Railgun, activate!