Genshin Impact: My villain system is a little different.

Even Jiang Ning hadn't expected his seclusion would last three days.

However, the results of these three days were very satisfying.

Jiang Ning's ascension to an archon's body came naturally, without the thunder and lightning trials seen in other worlds.

Just a chance moment, a sneeze, and he ascended.

Perhaps this was a characteristic of Teyvat? Afraid any celestial phenomena might break the false sky.

The Memory of Dust also showed some movement. Jiang Ning could sense Guizhong's soul inside, though still sleeping.

After "injecting" so much energy into Guizhong this time, she needed time to digest it.

Havria, looking at Jiang Ning and sensing his immense power and physical refinement, said:

"Seems you've gained quite a lot. Well done."

"Yes, this surprise was really good. I'm very satisfied."

Jiang Ning clenched his fist, saying.

Then he noticed Havria looking him up and down.

"What is it?" Jiang Ning couldn't help asking.

Havria shook her head, then uncertainly asked: "Did you... grow taller?"

Jiang Ning was stunned, quickly taking out a mirror: "Really?"

Having given up hope of growing taller for so long, someone was saying he'd grown?

Comparing with the mirror, Jiang Ning was overjoyed. He had indeed grown taller, and he claimed his eyes were rulers - wouldn't he know if he'd grown or not?

"About three centimeters."

To be sure, Jiang Ning took out a ruler and had Havria measure him, immediately feeling refreshed.

Three centimeters! Hehe, I'm so tall now.

Jiang Ning said seriously: "No wonder my clothes feel short now, so it's because I grew taller... Hehe, I'm so happy."

Havria could barely keep a straight face: "Is it that big a deal?"

Besides, weren't these clothes made by Xianyun? Using adeptal arts for dust-proofing and fit, automatically adjusting to your growth... How could they be short?

"Sister Havria, you don't understand. This is a matter of heart, a great progress."

Havria pursed her lips, unable to comprehend. Shouldn't he be happy about obtaining an archon's body?

He'd truly ascended.

"System, come explain. Didn't you say I wouldn't grow taller?"

[Perhaps because of your increased physical strength, you can automatically grow taller? Let me check... Yes, the manual says as physical strength increases, height increases too, but it stabilizes at 190cm.]

"Really, System?" Jiang Ning's eyes practically glowed.

190cm was like Mount Everest to him now.

Jiang Ning could already imagine himself, usually princess-carried by Shenhe, reversing roles and carrying her instead.

[...]

The System didn't mention that the manual also said one needed to strengthen to the point of being able to shatter space and tear through time's river with pure physical strength to reach that height...

Anyway, Jiang Ning had something to look forward to.

But before fully growing up, he'd still need to be the small horse pulling big carts for a while.

Just for an unknown time.

"Time to end seclusion. Let me see... Today Keqing isn't negotiating with them? Isn't this work time? How strange."

Jiang Ning muttered, preparing to go out and look.

Outside, Keqing was writing furiously, seemingly writing a letter, her soft pink cheeks slightly puffed, brows furrowed, looking unhappy.

"Hm?"

Feeling a wave of energy, Keqing looked at her bag where something seemed to be glowing.

Recognizing what was glowing, Keqing's face brightened.

This should mean Jiang Ning was ending seclusion, right?

Sure enough, the next moment, Jiang Ning's figure appeared in the room with a flash of light.

"Jiang Ning, you're out!"

Keqing was delighted.

"Mm-hmm, what's wrong, Keqing? You look unhappy... I feel like you've been angry ever since coming to Inazuma?"

Jiang Ning naturally sat down with Keqing.

"Isn't it because these Inazuma people are too infuriating?"

Keqing began pouring out her complaints.

"Let me tell you, these past few days, these people have been extremely arrogant. Do they really think they can bully Liyue?"

Hearing his Keqing cat had been wronged, Jiang Ning's face immediately became serious:

"Want me to join the negotiations?"

Before he was afraid of not being able to beat the Raiden Shogun so he laid low, but now, Jiang Ning's hands were itching. Why hide? No more hiding.

Keqing frowned: "No need. This is negotiation between nations, between people. If our god steps in first, it would seem like we're afraid."

"Besides, though human governance is based on divine supervision and backing, we can't bring out the gods every time we face difficulties, right?"

Seeing Keqing so decisive, Jiang Ning didn't insist, just said:

"Anyway, if anything happens, tell me. If their Raiden Shogun steps in, I won't pretend anymore."

"Mm, okay."

Keqing felt warmth in her heart. No wonder Jiang Ning once told her Teyvat needed gods - having backing really was different.

Not having a sword versus having one but not using it were two different things.

Jiang Ning said: "Then can I go about freely?"

Keqing waved her hand, making a shooing gesture: "Mm, go ahead... I still have a letter to send back to Liyue. Since Inazuma is so arrogant, we'll just cut off their food imports, and we won't accept any Inazuman goods either. I want to see how long Inazuma can stay arrogant."

Jiang Ning laughed - Keqing was truly decisive. Given Inazuma's current state, there was no question of siege lasting months or half a year.

Inazuma was already struggling with food, probably would have to bow their heads after just one or two weeks of Liyue cutting supplies.

As for people starving... surely no one thought national leaders would soften their hearts out of mere sympathy?

This was international affairs - all sorts of extreme measures would appear. After all, it wasn't their nation's people dying, wouldn't affect their rule.

Moreover, in the original story, those who helped hoped Inazuma would end its isolation - so this current favor would be future Mora.

Besides, they weren't completely cutting off supplies - wasn't Beidou still selling food to the Kamisato Commission? Then they used it to aid the people.

As for whether other commissions would confiscate this food from civilians... that wasn't their concern anymore, they'd done their best.

In short, Keqing was truly angered - she wanted to make Inazuma's commissions come beg her with bowed heads.

"Let me use your Serenitea Pot, I need to give something to Ganyu and the others."

Keqing said.

Jiang Ning said: "Just use it freely, didn't I give you the permit?"

"Still should tell you... I won't keep you, I have things to do, go ahead."

In work mode, Keqing ignored everything else, leaving Jiang Ning alone.

Jiang Ning smiled helplessly, then quietly left the room.

...

Inazuma's sky was always gloomy, streets always quiet.

Havria asked: "So where are we playing?"

Jiang Ning said: "Let's go to the Grand Narukami Shrine, seems to be Inazuma's most iconic spot."

As for the most iconic place... that would definitely be the Raiden Shogun's Tenshukaku, but that wasn't exactly a tourist spot.

"Besides, Sister Havria, the materials for your body are ready, just afraid I'm not skilled enough..."

"Mm, I'm not in a hurry. Just arrange it as you see fit," Havria smiled gently.

She wasn't eager to restore her body now - without it, she had a valid reason to travel with Jiang Ning to various nations.

But after restoring her body, indebted to Jiang Ning, she'd have no proper reason to follow him.

Unless she played out a fox's repayment of kindness.

The Grand Narukami Shrine was built on the mountainside. Regular people took a long time to reach it, but for Jiang Ning, it was just a moment.

He flew straight up.

When Jiang Ning landed, a small shrine maiden before him was almost stunned.

Working here for years, this was her first time seeing someone fly up.

But seeing Jiang Ning's appearance and white hair, she immediately understood - this was the honored guest Lady Guuji mentioned.

From Liyue, not to be neglected.

So she actively guided Jiang Ning into the shrine.

Speaking of which, befitting a shrine serving gods, the shrine maidens were all exceptionally beautiful. Though not world-shaking beauties, they were still charming.

Looking at the shrine, Jiang Ning felt his Old Zhongli didn't know how to enjoy life.

As a god, couldn't he set up something like a shrine?

In Liyue terms, should it be called an ancestral hall or temple?

But thinking of temples reminded him of bald monks, comparing to Inazuma's ladies...

Jiang Ning thought better of it - unless all divine attendants were beautiful ladies, better not bother.

"What wind brings our little one here today?"

Yae Miko walked gracefully from behind the shrine, her dress swaying to reveal jade-like calves.

"I'm touring Inazuma, so the Grand Narukami Shrine is definitely a must-visit."

Jiang Ning said.

"But little one, you flew up here? Quite startled my shrine maiden."

Yae Miko's eyes flickered - seems this little one wasn't ordinary... but why did he appear completely normal to her?

Curious, Yae Miko used elemental power to sense around Jiang Ning.

However, when her perception reached within three meters of Jiang Ning, the next second, Yae Miko saw not a harmless youth.

Instead, she saw a sleeping, lurking dragon, solid as bedrock, with fierce winds circling around and flames bringing happiness and warmth.

Three divine authorities?!

Yae Miko quickly withdrew her perception, breathing heavily, her legs almost unsteady.

Jiang Ning showed a mysterious smile: "Lady Guuji, casually probing others isn't very polite."

If he hadn't deliberately revealed something, Yae Miko might really have thought him ordinary.

Yae Miko forgot her usual etiquette and tone, staring hard at Jiang Ning:

"Who exactly are you?"

Jiang Ning said: "Jiang Ning."

Yae Miko seemed about to bristle: "That's not what I'm asking! What is your identity?"

Jiang Ning said: "Just an ordinary Liyue special envoy..."

Though are your Inazuman intelligence networks this poor? You don't know about such big events in neighboring Liyue?

Jiang Ning was skeptical.

You say the Sakoku Decree is effective? As a divine attendant, she didn't recognize him.

But if you say it's effective... honestly, Beidou had reportedly smuggled many things in and out of Inazuma already.

Current Inazuma, to skilled smugglers, was like a beautiful maiden sleeping with doors wide open at night, symbolically wearing clothes.

Anyway, Sister Beidou was making a fortune.

Seeing Jiang Ning unwilling to explain, Yae Miko took a breath:

"What... do you think of Inazuma?"

After her initial shock, Yae Miko gradually calmed down.

Now she just needed to treat Jiang Ning as a somewhat special foreign god.

Jiang Ning played dumb: "Me? No particular thoughts, some scenery is quite beautiful."

Implying everything else wasn't great.

Yae Miko said: "Then, during your time in Inazuma, why not let my people be your guide? Guarantee you'll experience Inazuma's beauty."

Jiang Ning said: "No need, I'll explore myself. Don't bother me."

Joke - this fox didn't seem simple. Jiang Ning's instincts told him if he really trusted this fox and followed her arrangements, he might be sold without knowing what happened.

Maybe one day while tourist-checking spots, he'd suddenly meet the Raiden Shogun face to face and start fighting.

Fighting was fine, but wait until he found everything he needed.

Yae Miko's expression didn't change: "Alright then, enjoy your time in Inazuma."

"Check, check."

Jiang Ning took out his Kamera looking at the Sacred Sakura.

"Want to try our fortune slips? They're very accurate."

Yae Miko tempted.

Jiang Ning thought for a moment, saying: "Give me two then. One for myself, one for someone else."

"What kind do you want?"

Jiang Ning thought seriously, then said: "Safety for the other person, and romance for myself."

Yae Miko was stunned, then smiled suggestively.

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