After leaving the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Wang Daoyi didn't linger and went straight to the Northern Bank.
Following the previous disaster, much evidence pointed towards the Fatui. Although the Northern Bank repeatedly claimed to be merely a financial institution, the Qixing still issued hefty fines against them.
Of course, these fines weren't arbitrary. They provided ample evidence of the Northern Bank's sponsorship of the Fatui in their actions in Liyue. Faced with this evidence, the Northern Bank could only grit their teeth and accept the fines.
The massive fines and worsening public opinion made the Northern Bank quite deserted.
Pushing open the doors of the Northern Bank, Wang Daoyi looked at the approaching bank clerks and said, "I'm looking for Doctor!"
The clerk hurriedly stepped back, and a Fatui official came forward from behind to receive Wang Daoyi.
"Lord Wang Daoyi, Doctor is waiting for you in the private room! I'll leave first!"
The Fatui official led Wang Daoyi upstairs, walked to the door of the innermost room, and then turned back.
With a wry smile, Wang Daoyi pushed open the door of the private room.
Looking at the person sitting in the main seat, Wang Daoyi was even more speechless.
"So, you wrote a letter and then delivered it to me yourself as the messenger!"
It was inevitable that Wang Daoyi felt speechless. The person sitting in the main seat was none other than the Fatui messenger who had delivered a letter to Wang Daoyi before.
"After all, it's a plan to seize the most precious thing of a country. Doing it myself can eliminate potential hazards!"
Unlike the voice when delivering the letter before, the current messenger, or rather Doctor, had a magnetic tone, making people feel fondness while also sensing a hidden arrogance.
"Oh, that makes sense. But you actually dared to leave the Northern Bank. Aren't you afraid that the Archon will directly strike you down?"
Wang Daoyi pulled out a chair and sat across from Doctor.
Upon hearing Wang Daoyi's words, Doctor smiled and shook his head. "The Geo archon is a tolerant deity. As a punishment, he had already struck down one of my fragments during the Qixing Retreat. So, as long as I don't disrupt or harm Liyue, he won't take action against me again. After all, in his eyes, we are all like children."
"Well, what you said makes sense. So, tell me about your plan. It's not easy to obtain the authority of the Void from the Academia."
Wang Daoyi nodded indifferently, not dwelling on the fact that Doctor had lost one of his fragments due to the Archon's punishment.
"Well, currently, there's only a rough plan. Do you know what those scholars of the Academia desire most?"
Doctor's voice was very pleasant, like an elder brother next door teaching you a problem.
"Enough, stop using your persuasive abilities, or next time bring a female fragment. It's disgusting for a man to charm me!" Wang Daoyi scolded and then answered the previous question, "What else could it be? Those guys just want more knowledge!"
Showing a regretful expression, Doctor's voice still had magnetism, but it lacked the profound power it had before.
"Sorry, this ability was just installed yesterday. I was eager to test it out after communicating with a deity's relative today."
Then showing a look of loss, Doctor continued, "It seems that this level of charm ability is ineffective against deities' relatives and may even provoke their displeasure!"
After casually recording an experimental data point, Doctor resumed the previous topic.
"Yes, those sages have always been pursuing knowledge." He first agreed with Wang Daoyi's statement and then revealed a disdainful smile. "Unfortunately, after the passing of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, there hasn't been any notable knowledge emerging from the Academia. They have been consuming the legacy of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata."
"Well! Interesting news." Wang Daoyi showed an interested look.
Doctor continued, "Precisely because of this, the scholars of the academia have become increasingly dissatisfied with the current Dendro Archon, Lesser Lord Kusanali. After all, compared to the all-knowing and almighty Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, this Lesser Lord Kusanali seems a bit too weak."
"Because of this dissatisfaction, the scholars of the academia no longer promote the new deity Lesser Lord Kusanali among the people. Instead, they promote the already departed Greater Lord Rukkhadevata more among the common folk."
"There is an investigation report within the Fatui. Throughout Teyvat, 80% of the people in the Sumeru region believe in the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, while in the desert region, people either have no faith or believe in the departed King Deshret. Lesser Lord Kusanali's followers are few and far between throughout Teyvat."
"So, how do you plan to get the authority of the Void from the Academia?" Interrupting Doctor's words, Wang Daoyi asked the key question directly.
"Haha, the more they ignore the newly born deities and promote the departed deities, the more they long for a real deity. And our plan is to give them one! Give the Institute of Progress a new deity, something those scholars can't refuse. At least, the current Great Sage can't refuse it!"
Doctor smiled, somewhat arrogantly.
"A new deity, huh? Doctor, you're a bit too ambitious. Although I've only interacted with two deities, whether it's the pretentious Anemo Archon or my old man, they're not beings we can match."
"To want a new deity, you'll either have to find a demon god or..." Wang Daoyi paused, thinking of something, a gleam of light flashing in his eyes. "Or find a substitute for a deity and give them the divine intelligence!"
Although he had only played the first act of Teyvat before crossing over, Doctor's words quickly reminded Wang Daoyi of someone—Jester, the executive of the Fatui.
If it was him, and then added with the heart of a deity, perhaps they could indeed create a deity.
Sure enough, Doctor nodded and revealed more details of the plan.
"Our people have already gone to Inazuma. They will bring back the Gnosis of the Electro Archon. Among the Fatui, there happens to be an executive who was once made by the God of Thunder. He can serve as the foundational body for the birth of the deity! Giving the Institute of Progress a new deity, those scholars can't refuse such a thing. At least, the current Sage can't refuse it!"
After listening to Doctor's plan, Wang Daoyi nodded. It was a feasible plan, but Wang Daoyi still had a question in his mind.
"Since you've planned it all out, why bother calling me along? After all, your plan would work with or without me!"
Facing Wang Daoyi's question, Doctor was first stunned, then looked at Wang Daoyi, showing an expression that said, "Are you serious?"
"You seem to underestimate yourself too much. With the mastery you possess, you have already stepped into the threshold of a deity.
With your help, I can perfect this new deity even more!"
Did Doctor really find him that useful?
"So, this operation, whether it's about seizing the Void or primarily about testing the birth of a new deity?"
Wang Daoyi realized that Doctor's goal wasn't just the Void but more about this "new deity."
Doctor nodded, admitting, "Of course. Compared to the legacy of a deity, creating a new deity is more meaningful."
Doctor's words did make sense.
For a researcher, what could be more fulfilling than studying a deity? Naturally, it was to create a new deity.
And coincidentally, as a servant of Morax, in his eyes, most deities were not as powerful as Morax. At least, there was no such existence behind the Institute of Progress.
So, reaching out his hand, Wang Daoyi looked at Doctor.
"Well then, happy cooperation!"
Doctor also smiled.
"Happy cooperation!"
Hehe, the plot chapters are a bit verbose, but exploding ten chapters should be enough, right? If there are no saved drafts left.
(End of this chapter)