Genshin, No sad stories

With this thought in mind, Jiang Chen decided to check if there were any real benefits.

If there were, then since Signora was also here, borrowing the Anemo Archon's Gnosis for a quick look shouldn't be a problem, right?

"I just want to take a peek—it's not like I'm going to do anything with it."

"Surely you won't refuse, right, Signora?"

Thinking this, Jiang Chen got busy while keeping an eye on Zhongli's movements.

Tracking Zhongli was ridiculously easy for Jiang Chen.

Even though Zhongli had concealed his divine aura and power, to Jiang Chen, he was still a glaringly obvious presence.

Too conspicuous.

By evening, Zhongli finally made his move—heading straight to Liyue Pavilion.

Since he wouldn't go there alone, that meant he had a meeting.

Noticing this, Jiang Chen smirked.

"Havria."

"Tell Lumine I won't be back for dinner."

"I'm going to freeload a meal today."

It was already the end of the workday. After shouting this to Havria, Jiang Chen left immediately.

Havria nodded.

"Understood."

She didn't ask further.

Probably meeting someone important… Morax, perhaps?

She didn't dwell on it. After packing up, she headed home.

Life now was fulfilling—she genuinely enjoyed it.

Havria made her way to Jiang Chen's house, which Ningguang had gifted him.

Currently, Havria, Guizhong, and Lumine all lived there.

But in a few days, they'd be moving back to the Guili Plains, where Jiang Chen would oversee the development project.

When Havria got home, she relayed Jiang Chen's message to Lumine.

Hearing this, Lumine's eyes narrowed.

"Seriously?!"

"Did that guy make plans with some woman for dinner?!"

"How dare he?!"

She immediately suspected Jiang Chen was out with a girl.

"It's probably Morax."

"Aside from Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu, Jiang Chen doesn't really talk to other women."

As Jiang Chen's secretary, Havria knew his social circle well.

Lumine blinked.

Morax?

So he went to find Zhongli, that freeloading bum?

"He must be eating something delicious!"

"How dare he go without me?!"

Paimon, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

She was convinced Jiang Chen was enjoying a feast without her.

How unfair!

"Eat, eat, all you think about is eating!"

Lumine glared at Paimon.

Was her brain just a food storage at this point?

Every day, it was just meals, snacks, more meals—what a glutton!

Havria couldn't help but smile at the lively bickering.

Meanwhile, at Liyue Pavilion…

Jiang Chen arrived just as Zhongli was sitting alone, sipping tea while waiting.

Without hesitation, Jiang Chen pushed the door open and walked in.

Zhongli looked up, surprised.

"Why are you here?"

He hadn't expected Jiang Chen to show up.

Jiang Chen grinned.

"Came to watch the fun."

"And to see the Gnosis."

He stated his purpose outright—he wanted to see what the Gnosis in the game looked like in reality.

This thing, crafted from the bones of a dragon sovereign, had always piqued his curiosity.

Zhongli didn't question it. Instead, he casually took out the Geo Gnosis and handed it over.

"Take a look if you want."

He didn't care much for it—otherwise, he wouldn't have been so willing to trade it away.

Jiang Chen examined the chess-piece-like object but found that it didn't trigger any rewards.

No rewards?

Well, that's disappointing.

Still, he fiddled with it, channeling his magical energy into the Gnosis.

The next moment, the Gnosis reacted, glowing faintly.

Jiang Chen's eyes lit up.

Even Zhongli looked surprised.

Jiang Chen could activate the Gnosis?

As the Gnosis resonated, Jiang Chen sensed something unusual.

This time, it wasn't his system reacting—but his body adapting.

He suddenly gained control over Geo elemental power.

Or rather, Geo magic?

Previously, his abilities had been Pyro-based.

Now, he had Geo as well.

Jiang Chen was delighted.

"It can do this too?"

"Not bad at all."

Lumine gained elemental powers by touching Statues of The Seven.

But Jiang Chen could acquire elements through Gnoses?

In that case, he'd have to ask Signora to let him see the Anemo Gnosis later.

"So you obtained elemental power this way?"

"Not bad."

"How about you become the next Geo Archon?"

Zhongli half-joked, watching Jiang Chen with interest.

If Jiang Chen could wield Geo now, maybe he could take over as the second Geo Archon?

After all, aside from Mondstadt and Liyue, most nations already had second-generation Archons.

Jiang Chen immediately rejected the idea.

"Absolutely not!"

"I have zero interest in being an Archon."

No way.

He wasn't interested in godhood.

Let someone else deal with that headache.

Seeing Jiang Chen's instant refusal, Zhongli sighed.

"You didn't even think about it?"

"Do you hate the position that much?"

Oh well. If Jiang Chen didn't want it, so be it.

"I'll need to borrow the Anemo Gnosis later."

Jiang Chen twirled the Geo Gnosis between his fingers.

Even though he hadn't gotten any system rewards, this was still a nice bonus.

Jiang Chen lived by one principle:

"It's fine if I don't use an ability—but I must have it."

Karna's Spiritual Foundation was already more than enough for him.

But Jiang Chen didn't mind expanding his arsenal.

Just because he didn't need it now didn't mean he wouldn't later.

Better to collect abilities while he could.

"The Anemo Gnosis?"

"That bard has already handed his over."

"It should be with Signora now."

No wonder Jiang Chen had come.

This was his goal all along, wasn't it?

Just as Zhongli pondered this, the door swung open again.

Signora walked in with Childe trailing behind her.

The moment Childe entered, he shot Zhongli a deeply resentful look—like a scorned lover glaring at a heartless cheat.

"Mr. Zhongli… you lied to me."

His voice dripped with betrayal.

Zhongli had scammed him.

Not only that, but he'd also spent all of Childe's money.

Who would've thought the Geo Archon would con people for free meals?!