40. So That's How It Is

Food Wars: Shokugeki no Sōma gained immense popularity after its publication. That was all thanks to Xiangling and several chefs or cooks who tried to cook dishes that appeared in the manga. Especially when Xiangling cooked the two kinds of dishes that appear in the manga.

Ryūhei was quite surprised when he returned to his shop as it was packed with customers. And when he heard people nearby, he immediately went inside and printed more copies.

Several hours later, he was finally able to relax after the customers who had gathered inside and in front of his shop discussing the contents of the manga had left.

The Dragon Ball manga started to be talked about thanks to the martial tournament arc. And they were mostly people from the clans who were trained in martial arts. So when two volumes were released today, many customers flocked to the store.

Whereas One Piece actually lost in terms of popularity because the story was so slow. But many still like it because of the antics of Luffy and the others. Other than that, Zoro's techniques were simply fascinating. Thus, many swordsmen fancied his techniques.

"Well, I'll continue to draw for the next volume."

— — — —

August, 23rd.

It was a few days after Ryūhei published his new manga. At that time, Zhongli contacted Ryūhei through a dream and vision by using an Adeptus Art, just like what he had done when they were going to meet with La Signora.

And as usual, Ryūhei went to the top of Mt. Tianheng to meet with Zhongli because it was a place where they could talk openly.

A ruin exist on it, and it seemed that it was part of the ruins at the foot of Mt. Tianheng.

Behind the ruin, Zhongli sat on a broken pillar while reading a book that was none other than a manga.

"Mr. Zhongli." Ryūhei called out to him.

Zhongli nodded at Ryūhei's arrival. Then, he said.

"Ryūhei. You have to be prepared, my plan will start in early November."

"That fast?" Ryūhei didn't think the response was so fast.

"The Cryo Archon immediately agreed to my proposal. Gnosis is a tempting offer to her after all. And she would likely send a person to create trouble in Liyue on my behalf."

"From your words, it seems that person isn't La Signora."

"No, but that person is definitely one of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers."

Ryūhei nodded at Zhongli's words. But, there was a thing that was always bothering his mind.

"Mr. Zhongli, do you know what the Cryo Archon wants to do with your Gnosis? Also, The Gnosis is the source of your godly power. I can't believe you wanted to let it go just for the sake of unifying Adepti and humans. It's kinda weird to be honest." But, a second after he said that, he bowed.

"Ah, I'm sorry. Not that I interfere with your decisions. But I just want to make sure if letting go of the Gnosis is worth it or not. You also explained to me about power. But if that power falls into the wrong hands, it will only trigger a catastrophe."

Snezhnaya didn't have a good reputation due to the Fatui all over the world. So, he was afraid that they would start a new war due to the Gnosis from another Archon.

"I already understood the reason why she wanted my Gnosis, as well as the other Archons'. But, I can't tell you the reason. You need to find the reason by yourself. Perhaps, if you open your shop in Snezhnaya, you'll find the answer. Still, you should watch out for the Fatui Harbingers. Those people aren't easy to deal with, especially with your current strength, it isn't enough if they are targeting you."

Zhongli warned him since almost all of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers were as strong as Adepti or perhaps above.

Ryūhei had been informed by Zhongli that The Eleven Fatui Harbingers were the executive heads of the Fatui and the Tsaritsa's lieutenants who had been given absolute authority.

They also have had their abilities boosted with the Delusions granted to them by the Tsaritsa, which makes them far more powerful than normal Vision holders. La Signora's ice power is an example of the Delusion. Though, that power seemed to be more threatening than the Vision.

Ryūhei himself also understood after sensing La Signora's power. And the fact that she was The Eight of The Eleven Fatui Harbinger, he guessed that the seventh to the first were much stronger than her. This made him feel a sense of urgency because he could indeed be in danger if targeted by them.

Even though Ryūhei had no intention of antagonizing them, having understood La Signora's nature despite meeting her for the first time, he suspected that the other members of the Fatui Harbingers were more troublesome. And maybe they purposely got Ryūhei in some trouble or perhaps they were looking for trouble for Ryūhei.

"Thanks for the warning, Mr. Zhongli. But, is this the reason you called me here? I don't think that's the only reason."

"Do you know where the Guyun Stone Forest is?" Zhongli replied with a question.

"Yeah, why did you mention it?"

"Guyun Stone Forest is a place where many ancient gods were defeated, some of them have been sealed beneath it, and their remnants still affect the area to this day. The remnant I'm talking about is naturally the karmic debt of those gods."

Ryūhei widened his eyes. Then, his gaze pierced the Guyun Stone Forest direction.

Seeing Ryūhei looking that way, Zhongli added while gazing down at the blue ocean surface and the jagged backdrop of the Guyun Stone Forest.

"The jagged cliffs protruding from the islands at Guyun are in fact the remnants of the stone lances I used in the battles long ago. So it wouldn't be strange for monsters to be corrupted by karmic debt once in a while."

"So you're saying that there are corrupted monsters?"

"Yes. Usually, I let my Director or an Adeptus purify it. But now is your turn. I want to see if you can take care of the karmic debt that was formed from the negative emotions of the ancient gods."

"Eh, now?" Ryūhei asked in surprise.

"Naturally." Zhongli replied nonchalantly.

Since Zhongli said so, Ryūhei immediately disappeared as he appeared at the Guyun Stone Forest in an instant.

Traveling through space was indeed quite a rare ability since only beings of Adepti level or higher could do it. However, knowing that Ryūhei used a power different from others, Zhongli felt that it wasn't strange if Ryūhei could do it. Though, he believed that Ryūhei shouldn't use teleportation so openly like that.

Yet, Ryūhei thought differently. Some people knew that he could perform techniques they thought of as mystic arts, and he didn't intend to hide it since it was necessary to show a little of his power. Otherwise, he would be seen as an easy target. Though, he didn't plan to show his trump card easily.

On the other hand, Zhongli already knew almost everything about Ryūhei's power. In addition, he taught Adeptus Arts to Ryūhei lately. So, it was pointless if Ryūhei wanted to hide his power from Zhongli.

— — — —

At the Guyun Stone Forest, especially on the highest jagged cliff, Ryūhei appeared at the foot of it.

He saw a Hilichurl camp guarded by a pack of Hilichurls, three Mitachurls, and unexpectedly there was also their chief, a Geo Lawachurl, and 3 abyss mages with three different elements.

More importantly, all of them were shrouded by dark energy formed by negative emotions. It was definitely the energy that Zhongli told him previously.

Those monsters hadn't noticed Ryūhei yet, so he intended to make the first move. Ryūhei already confirmed that he could absorb negative energy from others by touching, but he wondered whether he could do it from a distance.

Surprisingly, he could absorb it as long as he felt the negative energy. At the same time, those monsters noticed him the moment he absorbed the negative energy from them.

The chieftain, the Geo Lawachurl, roared and formed a shield created with the Geo element, the abyss mages immediately disappeared, intending to teleport to his location, and the Hilichurls as well as Mitachurls charged in his direction.

"So, that's how it is."

Meanwhile, Ryūhei suddenly had an idea after absorbing the negative energy from them. So he continued to keep some distance from them every time they charged at him.

At the same time, he created a black curtain to prevent anyone seeing what he wanted to do.

He absorbed the negative energy from them further, then drew the negative energy within his body while combining the two sources of negative energy.

He lit his eyes as he successfully combined the same energy from different sources and multiplied them by one other. As a result, the two energy sources destroy each other and form new energy, which is nothing but positive energy, the reversal of negative energy.

At the tip of his index finger, a small, but extremely bright red orb formed.

"Cursed Technique Reversal: Red"

*Boom*