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It had to be said that Childe's mechanical skills were exceptionally strong, likely a byproduct of his immense talent for combat. After diving into Digging the Ground for Ascension, he familiarized himself with the controls remarkably fast—certainly faster than the industrious Keqing.
In terms of mental resilience against setbacks, Childe was also a force to be reckoned with. One could say he was the type who became more courageous the more he struggled. Every time he plummeted back to the "happy hometown," his desire to conquer the challenge only burned brighter. However, even a Harbinger has his limits.
Childe's personality was his own worst enemy in this game. He wasn't the type to move steadily or advance with caution; instead, he preferred to take massive risks, swinging the hammer in wide arcs to fly upward. This high-risk style meant his frequency of returning to the starting tree was incredibly high. Over time, even the most persistent warrior would feel a sense of restlessness creeping into his heart.
The irritation mounted as he climbed higher and higher, only to watch it all vanish in a single slip.
"Gaia!"
Comrade Childe finally hit his breaking point, shouting out the name like a certain hot-blooded man from another world. He was truly overwhelmed. It had been years since he had faced such frequent and repetitive failure. This broken game called Digging for Ascension didn't seem like much at first, but the more he played, the more he realized it was purely designed to be revolting. The map was a masterpiece of frustration; a single mistake sent you into a freefall that almost always ended at the very beginning.
"Boss Li Mo, is it actually possible to pass these two games?"
Childe was so depressed he was ready to give up. He turned toward the counter to voice the question that was now on everyone's mind. The onlookers leaned in, eager for an answer. Li Mo looked back at them with a touch of playful contempt.
"If the path is uneven, don't blame your feet. These two games were classics in my world. How could it be impossible to pass them?"
"You youngsters need to learn patience," Li Mo continued with the air of an earnest teacher. "Swinging the hammer requires rhythm and precision. And when you're in the Silent Hill corridor, you have to pay attention to every clue. If you find the trick, you'll clear it soon enough."
His lecture left the crowd feeling quite sheepish. It was true; they had all been far too anxious. The internet cafe had only been open for two days, and they had barely scratched the surface of these new titles.
The day passed quickly, and because Li Mo had a formal invitation to the Jade Chamber, he closed the shop early at eight o'clock. After today's influx of players, his total emotional points had climbed to over 7,000. He planned to look into upgrading the cafe once he returned from the banquet.
Taking the specialized "elevator" platform from Yujing Terrace, Li Mo ascended hundreds of meters into the sky to reach the Jade Chamber. The structure was far more grand than it appeared in any game—a true floating palace. If Liyue were ever to face a powerful enemy, the Jade Chamber would serve as a formidable strategic fortress in the clouds.
"Boss Li Mo, welcome. Thank you for gracing the Jade Chamber with your presence."
Ningguang was waiting for him outside the main entrance. As soon as he stepped off the platform, she greeted him with a warm, graceful smile.
"Lady Ningguang is a very busy person. I'm honored to be invited to dinner. I hope I'm not intruding on your schedule," Li Mo replied politely as he followed her inside.
Looking at the woman before him, Li Mo couldn't help but feel a sense of genuine admiration. Ningguang was a miracle—a girl who started as a penniless merchant on the docks and rose through sheer brilliance to become the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, the pinnacle of power in the harbor. She was a business genius of a level rarely seen in a century. Merchants across Teyvat spent their lives hoping for just a few words of advice from her. Wealthy, powerful, and radiating the aura of a sophisticated noblewoman, she was exactly the type of person Li Mo found most impressive.
The banquet tonight was an intimate affair, with only Ningguang and Li Mo in attendance. As a representative of the Qixing, she was extending a hand of friendship. Li Mo surmised that Zhongli must have spoken to her in a dream to smooth the way.
Ningguang's love for Liyue was profound. Had it not been for the Archon's intervention, this meal likely would have been an interrogation disguised as a dinner. She might have even been prepared to make personal sacrifices to ensure the city's safety. But with Rex Lapis's seal of approval, the conversation remained light and focused on her curiosity about the world Li Mo had come from.
"Are you asking about the business models from my home? I'm just an amateur, really. I know a bit, but I'm not sure how well they would apply to Teyvat."
"Oh? Why is that? Please, clarify for me, Mr. Li Mo."
"Well, let's put it this way: the continent of Teyvat is relatively small, and the wilderness is infested with monsters. The actual range of human activity is limited. If you want to truly expand the economy, you first have to solve the problem of land and resource security."
"That is a fair point," Ningguang agreed thoughtfully. "Liyue Harbor is vast and grows a little every year, but it still feels a bit crowded at times."
They ate and chatted comfortably, and ten o'clock arrived before they knew it. Seeing that the hour was late, Li Mo offered his thanks and prepared to depart.
As she saw Li Mo back to the elevator, Ningguang watched his retreating figure with a thoughtful gaze. She felt that he was someone worth knowing better. To be honest, she wasn't exactly young anymore; she was nearing her thirties, much like her friend Beidou. For years, she had poured all her energy into commerce and the construction of Liyue, leaving very little room for a personal life. Though she had countless suitors, none had ever managed to pique her interest.
Could this visitor from another world, this guest of the Emperor, be the one she was looking for? Only time would tell.