Ignoring the damage this sword's appearance caused to her Jade Chamber.
Ningguang elegantly squatted down, carefully examining the iron sword.
Facing the sunlight, it gleamed with a cold radiance.
Ningguang saw at a glance that this iron ore was definitely top-tier iron ore.
And, it was highly refined!
If re-smelted in Liyue Harbor, it could make at least dozens of Millelith standard weapons.
So much material, yet only one sword was made?
Even if sold, so much iron ore could fetch millions of Mora.
And this was just two iron ingots!
Keqing had said so.
In ten minutes, the three of them mined forty-six iron ore, which meant forty-six iron ingots.
This quantity, after smelting, would be enough to update the weapons of hundreds of Millelith.
If sold, it could fetch nearly a hundred million Mora.
What a waste...
Ningguang felt a little regretful.
Ganyu seemed to sense Ningguang's thoughts and nervously picked up the iron sword.
She hugged it to her chest, somewhat strained.
This was Jiang Xuan's first gift to her, and Ganyu hadn't even brought herself to use it.
"Top-grade iron ore. Throughout Teyvat, iron of this quality has barely appeared."
Zhongli nodded in approval.
As the Geo Archon, he could tell the difference in this iron at a glance.
"This is nothing yet."
Keqing shook her head and said softly:
"Jiang Xuan said that iron is just the most basic material in the early stages. Later on, diamonds, redstone, and lapis lazuli will be needed."
"According to Jiang Xuan, diamonds are the hardest ore in the world, and redstone can develop incredibly advanced technology."
"Lapis lazuli... seems to be related to enchantment. I heard it can turn weapons into enchanted equipment filled with mysterious colors."
"That's why I've always said to sign the contract as soon as possible. Ganyu and I promised Jiang Xuan to return and explore the world with him quickly."
"We haven't even ventured out of the village area yet. Jiang Xuan said that the area we've explored is only equivalent to an ordinary civilian house on the continent of Teyvat."
Zhongli heard Keqing's urging and smiled bitterly, shaking his head.
But he still said calmly:
"I am aware of this matter, but the cooperation contract cannot be decided lightly. You two first draft some details, and then I will go to sign the contract with him."
Saying this, Zhongli looked at Ningguang.
Ningguang couldn't see Zhongli's expression, so she naturally couldn't guess his thoughts.
She was somewhat unnerved by Zhongli's gaze.
After a long while, Zhongli said pointedly:
"This matter concerns Teyvat's ability to continue its civilization in the distant future. It is the most urgent matter at hand."
"We should adopt the most proactive attitude to facilitate cooperation. Personal matters can be decided after everything is settled."
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, Ningguang felt that Zhongli was giving her a hint.
Despite feeling a little unhappy in her heart, thinking that Zhongli underestimated her,
she still pretended ignorance and nodded elegantly.
"I understand. I will draft the contract now."
"It's just... Lord Geo, when exactly should the specific cooperation commence?"
Hearing this, Zhongli paused, then turned to look at Ganyu and Keqing.
"Naturally, the sooner the better. We should aim to get our cooperation on track before the Rite of Descension."
"Additionally, if Mr. Jiang Xuan agrees, a batch of miners from The Chasm will need to be relocated as soon as possible."
"Liyue's ley lines have been under great strain these past few years, and The Chasm is also very dangerous. Everything for the safety of Liyue's citizens."
In essence, Zhongli didn't want people to continue mining The Chasm.
Zhongli knew exactly what was beneath that mine.
But, the Liyue of the past needed it, and he couldn't do anything.
Now that there was a win-win solution, Zhongli naturally didn't want to continue drinking poison to quench thirst.
Ningguang thought for a moment, then picked up a blank contract document from the side.
"Lord Geo, how about this: we haven't personally seen what the other world is like, so we cannot fully balance both sides' interests."
"Moreover, since it's a mutually beneficial cooperation, then this contract should also incorporate Mr. Jiang Xuan's own opinions."
"How about we go meet him first, and then discuss how to sign the contract together?"
Zhongli heard this and thought it made sense.
Jiang Xuan entrusting Ganyu and Keqing to discuss cooperation was a sign of his trust in his friends.
But such an important cooperation definitely couldn't be treated as a game.
Attitude would always be a crucial pillar of cooperation.
Zhongli naturally didn't want to delay either. After a brief thought, he said in a deep voice:
"Since that is the case, I will accompany you. If possible, let's sign the contract as soon as possible."
Hearing this, Keqing and Ganyu exchanged glances and both breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yuheng, please lead the way."
Zhongli looked at Keqing. The latter immediately stood up and said:
"Jiang Xuan is temporarily staying at my detached villa on Mount Tianheng, but I'm not sure if he's still in Teyvat."
"In any case, since it's decided, let's go check first. If he's not there, we'll wait for him."
Keqing was not someone who procrastinated.
After speaking, she immediately led the group.
However, Zhongli was somewhat helpless.
At this moment, he was still in his Archon-form. If he walked down this way, wouldn't the Liyue people go crazy?
Before Keqing could walk up.
Zhongli, with a thought, his divine power surging and connecting to the ley lines, instantly teleported the group to the outside of the villa's gate.
Keqing was momentarily dazed, then reacted and glanced awkwardly at Zhongli.
"My apologies, Lord Geo, I was too hasty..."
Zhongli waved his hand, then looked at the gate blocked by birch blocks and fell into silence.
"Oh? Jiang Xuan blocked the gate? It seems he really went to that world."
Ganyu shook her head with some regret.
"Lord Geo, should we break it open?"
Xiao eagerly raised his iron axe.
It was strange, but the dignified Conqueror of Demons had actually become somewhat addicted to mining blocks just now.
He just felt...
A sense of intrinsic satisfaction when seeing the neatly arranged blocks shatter.
Even the pressure from karma was greatly reduced.
In Liyue's terms, it seemed to be called...
Stress relief?
"It would be impolite to dismantle it without the owner's permission."
Zhongli shook his head, looking helplessly at the blocked gate.
Keqing, however, said softly:
"It's fine. Jiang Xuan said that if there's an emergency, we should go in and wait for him."
"Jiang Xuan left blocks to block the gate. Ordinary people can't enter. Only we, who have special tools, can break it open and go in."
"Jiang Xuan is also using this to remind us that he's not in Teyvat right now. He said he would consistently return around noon and evening."
"It's almost evening now. Let's go in and wait for him!"
Hearing this, Xiao looked at Zhongli again. After receiving the latter's nod of approval,
a hint of excitement flashed in his eyes, and he swung his axe, starting to chop.
However, the first strike seemed to lack force, only lightly touching it.
Xiao didn't think much of it. Just as he was about to strike again, he was surprised to discover:
This entire birch block had actually had its bark removed neatly.
It directly became an unprocessed, intact piece of wood!
"Lord Geo, this..."
Xiao looked at Zhongli in shock.
Fortunately, Ningguang had also seen Keqing demonstrate this.
She nodded slightly and said:
"Don't worry, Conqueror of Demons, this is normal. Just keep mining."
This is normal?
Xiao frowned and glanced at everyone.
Not only Ningguang, but even Ganyu and Auntie Mitsui seemed accustomed to it.
Immediately, Xiao fell silent.
However, considering the several-ton tools in his hands, Xiao still gave up on questioning.
He would just assume he himself was the abnormal one!
This world was truly unpredictable...
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