[ * Additional suggestion: Through the mental communication established by the system, the Host can attempt to reach a "contract" or "transaction" with the target entity, exchanging unique knowledge, technology, or materials from this Universe for the "Serenitea Pot" or its refining license/knowledge. The target character "Zhongli" (Geo Archon Morax) has vast experience, maintains an open attitude towards contracts and transactions, and may have an investigative interest in otherworldly knowledge, making him an excellent communication target. ]
[ * Risk warning: Cross-World communication and transactions involve uncertainty, and the target entity's attitude is unknown. The risk of actually crossing Worlds is extremely high. Even if the "Serenitea Pot" is obtained, its activation and use will require corresponding techniques or conditions, which must be clarified during the transaction. ]
[ Please evaluate carefully, Host. The system will provide corresponding assistance based on your final decision. ]
The system's information flow was clear and cold, analyzing the pros and cons with absolute clarity.
Local manufacturing was basically a no-go; the best method was to go to the Teyvat continent and get a ready-made one.
But how to get there was a huge problem, and how to negotiate and trade after arriving was another test.
Moreover, even if she got it, whether it could be used smoothly here was still a question mark.
Artoria leaned back in her chair, silent for a long time.
Minerva sat quietly to the side, her optical sensor fixed on her, not disturbing her thoughts.
The sky outside the window gradually darkened, leaving only a line of crimson at the junction of sea and sky.
The room had no lights on, save for the ambient light controlled by little ai.
Serenitea Pot... Teyvat... Zhongli... Cross-World...
Words swirled in her mind.
The temptation was huge.
A portable paradise meant an absolutely safe stronghold, nearly infinite storage space, or even a mobile Base or shelter.
For her future journey, especially in this crisis-ridden Marvel Universe, its value was immeasurable.
But the cost and risks were equally huge.
How to get to Teyvat?
Among the beings she currently knew, the Ancient One might have the ability to perform dimensional travel, but involving an entirely different World, would she be willing to help?
Odin might also be able to, but the Bifrost was broken, and her relationship with Asgard hadn't reached the level where she could casually request this level of help.
The Space Stone? She didn't know where that thing was now, and it involved even bigger complications.
Her own strength... there was no hope of tearing through the World barrier in the short term.
"The path provided by the system... using existing channels or borrowing external power..." Artoria muttered to herself.
Dark Dimension? Don't even think about it.
Quantum Realm? That place was even stranger, and how to enter it or locate Teyvat was a problem.
Borrowing the power of the Ancient One or Odin... perhaps it could be tried, but it would require sufficient reasons and exchange conditions.
"Minerva," she suddenly said, "What do you think... if we use some Asgard materials, or... some technology unique to this World, like some of Tony's clean energy technology, or some non-core cutting-edge technology from S.H.I.E.L.D., as bargaining chips to exchange for the Serenitea Pot with Mr. 'Zhongli', what is the success rate?"
Minerva's optical sensor pulsed with blue light, quickly analyzing: "According to the target character traits provided by the system: 'vast experience', 'open attitude towards contracts and transactions', 'potential interest in otherworldly knowledge'. Combined with the valuation of the trade items: rare Asgard materials contain unique Universe rules and have high value; cutting-edge technology from this Universe represents another path of civilization development and has research value. If the transaction ratio is moderate and we can prove the authenticity of the materials and the uniqueness of the technology, the preliminary estimate of the transaction success probability is between 51% and 68%. But the key premise is: establishing effective communication and having the other party recognize the value of the trade items. In addition, the rarity of the 'Serenitea Pot' in the Teyvat continent is unknown; it might be considered not for sale or require a higher price."
51% to 68%... not high, but worth a try.
Especially if the communication target was that Geo Archon who valued "contracts," at least she wouldn't have to worry about the other party turning hostile or cheating for no reason.
"Then, the remaining problem is... how to reach Teyvat, or at least establish a stable communication channel."
Artoria's fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, "The system says it can establish a temporary mental communication channel... This could perhaps be the first step. First, 'chat' with Mr. Zhongli, confirm his intent, and perhaps even reach a preliminary 'intent contract'. As for how to actually deliver... we can think of a way later. Perhaps, for an existence like him, he might have means to transfer items across Worlds? Or, we could agree on an 'intermediate zone' that both sides can reach?"
The plan was gradually becoming clear.
First, contact Zhongli through the system and attempt to negotiate the transaction.
If a preliminary agreement could be reached, then focus on solving the "delivery" or "pickup" problem.
This was more targeted than blindly looking for ways to travel or directly begging the Ancient One or Odin for help, and it also left room for maneuver.
"Minerva, record this."
Artoria sat up straight, a decisive light flashing in her eyes, "The plan is divided into three steps: First, establish mental communication with Zhongli in the Teyvat continent through the system and attempt to open transaction negotiations. The initial bargaining chips are set as: a small sample of stardust, analysis data of Uru ore, and a brief introduction to the basic principles of Tony's arc reactor and the underlying logic framework of the Jarvis AI. The goal is to exchange for a fully functional 'Serenitea Pot' or obtain its refining method and permission."
"Second, during the communication, probe the other party's views and possibilities regarding physical delivery methods. At the same time, we on Earth will start actively collecting and researching information about stable cross-dimensional channels, especially records related to Kamar-Taj and Asgard. And... be prepared to ask for help from the Ancient One or Odin, but that is the last resort and would require more sufficient reasons and exchange conditions."
"Third, depending on the negotiation results and delivery methods, formulate a specific action plan. If the other party has the ability to teleport, that would be best. If we need to go there, we will do everything to solve the travel problem. If physical delivery is temporarily impossible, at least finalize the contract to ensure the transaction is established."
She looked at Minerva: "What do you think?"
"The logic is clear, risks are controllable, and it is executable."
Minerva nodded in agreement, "Suggestion for supplementation: When contacting Tony to obtain authorization for technical data, you need to partially disclose the plan, but you can blur the specific transaction target and details of the 'Serenitea Pot', using the excuse of 'obtaining an advanced space storage technology'. At the same time, be cautious about using Asgard materials to avoid attracting unnecessary attention from Odin."
"Exactly."
Artoria nodded, a plan forming in her mind.
Although the road ahead was still full of unknowns and challenges, at least there was a clear direction and feasible steps.
The temptation of the Serenitea Pot was worth her taking this risk and conducting this cross-World transaction.
After formulating the "three-step" strategy for obtaining the Serenitea Pot, Artoria didn't feel relaxed; instead, a deeper excitement, mixed with anticipation and nervousness, swelled in her chest.
Crossing Worlds and making a deal with an otherworldly god sounded like a plot only found in fairy tales, but it was about to become a reality she had to face.
She sat at her desk, her fingertips unconsciously toying with a small piece of cold stardust, her gaze unfocused as she repeatedly simulated the possible opening of the conversation with Zhongli in her mind, and how to display her chips to appear sincere without looking weak.
Various thoughts flooded in, giving her a headache.
Minerva was quietly organizing the plan outline just formulated, entering the key points into an encrypted file.
In the room, there was only the slight hum of instruments running and the eternal sound of waves outside the window.
Just then, perhaps as some kind of rebound after her mind was too tense, or perhaps due to a strange sense of dependence and closeness to the "system"—that existence which always remained shrouded in mystery yet acted like the solidest backing—a completely inappropriate, even somewhat childish thought popped into Artoria's mind without warning.
She blinked, looking at the piece of stardust refracting faint light in her hand, then looked up "at" the Land of Nihility deep in her consciousness where the system resided.
A slightly sly and... a thought of near-coquetry that she hadn't even realized herself, like a small pebble thrown into still water, gently rippled out:
"System, oh system..." she whispered in her heart, with a kind of aggrieved feeling that she found funny herself, "Look, although I don't know how the system time is calculated, I've been running around, fighting, learning, cultivating, worrying about this and that for a year... even if there's no merit, there's hard work, right? Seeing as... well, according to Earth customs, shouldn't there be some 'year-end bonus' or something? Or... 'New Year's money'?"
She was just too tense and wanted to find a reason to relax, and incidentally... perhaps subconsciously, it was also a form of unconscious venting about the seemingly hopeless and difficult task of obtaining the Serenitea Pot.
"Coquetting" with the system for "New Year's money"? This thought was so absurd it made her want to laugh.
However, the moment this near-joking thought was transmitted—
[...]
The system's electronic voice, which usually responded instantly with a unique rhythm, appeared for the first time with an extremely short, yet exceptionally clear... hesitation.
It wasn't a delay; it was more like an instruction or interaction that exceeded the preset logic framework, causing this existence that had always been cold, efficient, and rational to experience a momentary "crash."
Artoria could even "feel" that in the area deep in her consciousness representing the system, countless invisible data streams and logic gates seemed to collide and flash chaotically in that instant, emitting a silent, almost "buzzing" chaotic noise.
Immediately following was a longer, unsettling silence.
"Uh..."
The joking expression on Artoria's face stiffened, and her heart skipped a beat.
Oh no, did she... crash the system?
Or did this meaningless "junk information" trigger some defense mechanism or... annoy it?
Although the system didn't seem to have a setting for "emotions," but...
She suddenly felt a bit guilty and regretful, and just as she was about to try to call out or apologize in her consciousness—
"Bang!"
A dull thud, not loud but exceptionally clear, suddenly came from the desk in front of her!
Artoria and Minerva were both startled by the sound and turned their heads instantly.
They saw that right in the center of the smooth solid wood desk in front of Artoria, an object had appeared out of thin air.
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