Ningguang had already postponed two full days of work so she and her three secretaries—and a few essential aides— could explore the functions of the space station.
By now, they had barely grasped the basics.
Without comparison, one feels no gap.
But once you compare—
The gap becomes terrifying.
Even just a fraction of the station's functions was enough for them to process information that normally required dozens of staff in the Jade Chamber.
The efficiency was monstrous.
A chill crept through their hearts.
This was the difference between Teyvat… and the outside world.
A system that handled data faster, cleaner, more accurately— with almost no errors, and even when errors did occur, they were always due to human mistakes, never the machine.
According to Ningguang's calculation:
If devices of this level were introduced to Liyue, 98% of non-manual laborers would instantly lose their jobs.
Even here, she had brought three secretaries— but realistically, one person could operate everything and still outperform the entire Jade Chamber workforce.
And with room to spare.
The efficiency was so exaggerated that her secretaries felt a creeping sense of dread.
If these machines could complete tasks so easily— then… what were they even needed for?
No wonder Ningguang had chosen to follow Su Ran.
Even they could see how advanced everything was.
And Ningguang felt she hadn't even unlocked 1% of the system's capabilities.
It was like using a cannon to kill a mosquito.
The emotional impact was overwhelming:
On one hand, she was thrilled.
On the other—she felt a painful tightness in her chest.
She had believed that everything she had—
her status, her power, her achievements—
came from her exceptional vision and determination.
But now it seemed…
Even an ordinary person, with these tools, could reach her level—
in far less time.
That realization pierced her pride deeper than witnessing the vastness of the universe.
Against the cosmos, her Jade Chamber and her ambitions were as insignificant as dust.
But against this technology— she felt like nothing at all.
These cold machines could produce results far more blazing than any human passion.
Su Ran had claimed he could be her benefactor— and he truly meant it.
With just what she'd seen so far, even without inter-world trade, Ningguang believed she could become the wealthiest person in Teyvat within ten years.
Perhaps even richer than Mora's creator—the Geo Archon himself.
But—
Her two-day absence had thrown Liyue's administrative work into chaos.
As one of the highest-ranking Qixing under the Archon, her sudden disappearance—
along with three secretaries—
caused quite a stir.
To investigate, the ever-diligent secretary of the Qixing, Ganyu, came in person.
Ganyu had worked nonstop for thousands of years without complaint.
And Ningguang?
Serving as Tianquan for how long?
And she already dared to skip work?
Worse—she took her entire office staff with her.
Unacceptable.
Thus Ganyu came to the Jade Chamber.
But after searching everywhere—
left, right, up, down—
Ningguang was nowhere to be found.
She stood alone in the empty office, staring at the barren desk.
Weren't documents supposed to be delivered here?
Why wasn't there a single sheet?
She had come prepared to cover Ningguang's work by pulling an all-nighter herself.
But now?
She didn't even have anything to work on.
"Ganyu?"
The voice behind her made her jolt upright instantly, all drowsiness evaporating.
"N–Ningguang? How are you here?!"
Just a moment ago, the room had been empty.
How did she appear?!
"This is the Jade Chamber.
Is that really a question you should be asking me?"
Asking the homeowner why she's at home?
Even if ownership had technically changed, this place was still hers.
"I heard you… postponed two days of work?"
Ganyu, poor at social nuance, simply stated her purpose directly.
"It's caused delays all across Yujing Terrace.
Some areas even came to a complete halt.
So I wanted to check if you encountered any trouble."
She phrased it extremely politely.
If it were Keqing, she'd have said:
"Why did you skip work for two days?"
"There was a matter to handle.
Ganyu, come with me.
You're someone I can trust."
Originally, Ningguang had hesitated.
But Ganyu had dedicated millennia to Liyue, never involving herself in Qixing politics.
She was no rival— just a dependable, loyal partner.
"M–me?"
Still confused, Ganyu followed Ningguang
into the transport capsule.
And then—
within a few seconds—
Her eyes widened to their absolute limit.
Because in what felt like a blink,she was no longer in Liyue.
The architecture around her, the atmosphere—everything—
was utterly alien.
"Am… am I still in Liyue…?"
"Of course not," Ningguang replied with a serene smile.
Ganyu stared blankly.
"…Huh?"
—------------------------------
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