Instead of sleeping, Lu Heng fiddled with the Yuqi Civilization Core—or as he preferred to call it, the "Civilization Core."
The metallic sphere, shimmering faintly silver under the light, sat on the table.
After a brief moment of thought—
A flash of inspiration struck.
Lu Heng actually went and grabbed a trash can.
Inside were all the snack wrappers Furina had thrown away.
"You—make me a smartphone."
Beep—
It heard the command.
Under Lu Heng's watchful gaze, the metal sphere stretched out delicate, spider-like legs, transforming into a palm-sized arachnid that scurried into the trash can and began devouring everything inside.
Once it finished, its mouth expanded grotesquely, bloated and full.
Then, right before Lu Heng's eyes, a smartphone began printing out from its maw.
"Damn, that's insane."
Lu Heng couldn't even begin to comprehend it. Four-dimensional transformation?
No wonder it's called the "Civilization Restarter"!
If this thing were in a post-apocalyptic world, it could probably eat through an entire ruined skyscraper and spit out a tank, huh?
Lu Heng didn't bother pondering how it achieved matter conversion. If it works, it works.
He picked up the phone.
It booted up normally.
It even had a pre-installed OS.
Then again, it made sense—it must've stored the technological records of its original civilization.
"It can even replicate software?"
"But what the hell are these apps?"
Lu Heng glanced at the unfamiliar icons and an interface that operated completely differently from what he was used to.
"Gonna need some tweaks." He was getting invested now.
This thing was brilliant—imagine being able to instantly contact anyone.
No more relying on archaic communication methods.
Take Tartaglia, for example.
With this, would he still need to write letters to the Tsaritsa?
Just video-call her, kowtow right in front of her, and she'd have to cough up the money, right?
...Though, given Tartaglia's personality, he probably wouldn't resort to kowtowing.
"This is amazing. How much would this thing cost to mass-produce?"
Lu Heng glanced at the now-empty trash can, then at the phone in his hand.
Hey, forget the production cost—just look at the sheer technological advancement and insane utility. Isn't this worth 10,000 Mora?
Before the advent of cards, it might've been worth hundreds of thousands!
But now, with cards in the picture, pricing it around 10,000 seemed fair.
"Average families might not afford frequent card pulls, but a smartphone should be manageable, right?" Lu Heng mused, then suddenly felt like he belonged on a lamppost.
But then again—
Had he actually exploited anyone?
"Whew—"
"Feel better now."
Lu Heng shot a glance at the dormant Civilization Core on the table, then rummaged through his cards.
He tossed it a pile of random materials.
"Set up a network for me. Mass-produce more phones. The operating specs are here."
"Oh, and—"
Lu Heng swiped a finger across his forehead, extracting a glowing mote of light that took the shape of a tiny Qiqi.
It was his memory of Genshin Impact, directly fed to the Civilization Core.
"Make this game too." Since we're spoiling, let's go all the way!
I'll just leak the entire plot for you!
"Where's the Traveler now?" Lu Heng wondered.
He activated [Future Computer].
Its power interfaced with the world, flooding Lu Heng's vision with endless streams of data.
In an instant, he had his answer.
"The Abyss Order messed up again? The Prince got sidelined? Lumine's waking up in three days?"
This is the power of technology?
Fortune-telling is OP!
Lu Heng's expression turned contemplative.
If the Traveler was about to wake up and begin her journey, how would she fare in this completely altered Teyvat?
If she followed the original storyline, she wouldn't even make it past Fontaine's arc!
But if she deviated, things got complicated—[Future Computer] had already generated millions of possible outcomes.
"Ahem."
Lu Heng shook his head. While the Traveler's actions in some arcs were... questionable, she was generally alright.
Looking forward to her performance.
"Time for bed!"
Next morning, 7:10 AM.
Knock knock.
"Lady Furina, time to wake up."
Sedene gently rapped on the door, waiting.
She expected Furina to mumble a response and go back to sleep like usual—
But instead, rustling clothes and movement came from inside.
"Huh?"
Sedene blinked in surprise.
Moments later, the door swung open.
"Lady Furina, shall I prepare breakfast?"
"No need!"
Furina shook her head and bolted downstairs.
She stormed straight into Neuvillette's office.
"Lady Furina?" Neuvillette looked up, startled.
She's up this early?!
"This is about Fontaine's fate—no questions, just come with me!"
"?"
Neuvillette's expression turned grave.
Something felt off.
Following Furina, he arrived at the card shop by 7:30.
"Lu Heng, we're here!"
"Honestly thought you'd sleep in."
Lu Heng chuckled, handing them each a cup of soy milk.
"Made from spiritual soybeans. Try it?"
Furina gulped hers down in one go—glug glug—while Neuvillette sipped it thoughtfully.
"Hmm... Nutritious. The water quality is excellent—smooth, with a hint of sweetness."
Neuvillette, ever the connoisseur of water, gave his professional assessment.
Lu Heng didn't comment, simply saying, "Now that everyone's here, let's go."
With that, he opened a portal.
"Opéra Épiclèse?" Neuvillette frowned.
The three stepped through, arriving in the empty opera house.
No trials, no performances—just silence.
"You're all early!"
Focalors, seated in the audience, waved as the portal appeared.
"You—"
Neuvillette froze, glancing between Furina and Focalors. "What is this?"
"Long story short—"
Furina summarized the original prophecy and its consequences. As Neuvillette listened, his brows furrowed deeper.
"Focalors, you—"
Learning he'd been manipulated, Neuvillette should've been furious.
But remembering Focalors' sacrifice—her life exchanged for the Dragon's Authority to save Fontaine—his anger faded.
That moment with Callas... It had taught him something.
He once believed individual life was paramount.
But Callas proved him wrong—a father's love for his daughter outweighed his own survival.
And Focalors was the same.
To protect Fontaine, to deceive the Heavenly Principles, she schemed, sacrificed, and died.
The resentment in his chest dissolved.
He'd been tricked into coming to Fontaine.
But the people he'd met, the faces he remembered...
Neuvillette's expression softened.
With a sigh, he admitted, "As things stand... I cannot bring myself to pass judgment."
He turned to Lu Heng.
He was Furina's miracle. Focalors' miracle. Fontaine's miracle.
His existence—and that shop—would alter everyone's fate.
"So," Neuvillette asked, "you've devised a new plan?"
"Yep!"
Furina planted her hands on her hips. "I'll use the Throne of the Ancient God to rewrite everything!"
Neuvillette paused.
He knew of that card.
After a moment, realization dawned. "Ah. That's how."
"Your incomplete Dragon's Authority? I'll have the world replicate a copy for you," Furina declared.
"...Agreed."
Neuvillette nodded.
"So it's settled?" Focalors glanced around, lingering on Lu Heng.
It felt... too easy.
Like a few words over tea had resolved a prophecy of doom.
And the one who'd made it so simple was—
Him.
"Obviously!"
Furina puffed up proudly. "I am the king! I permit! I acknowledge! I decide all!"
Neuvillette side-eyed her but stayed silent.
Focalors smiled faintly.
Furina, deflating at the lack of reaction, shot Lu Heng a pleading look.
Give me something, please!
Ahem.
Lu Heng cleared his throat. "Now, everyone, allow me to introduce a new product!"
"Eh?!"
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T/N:
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