Genshin Impact: Template System

Honestly, the position itself didn't matter much. The real highlight was being able to send the bills to the Grand Narukami Shrine. 

Wait, why was he so excited about sending bills to the shrine? Was he turning into a freeloader like that social parasite Zhongli? Akio pondered. 

Meanwhile, in Liyue, Zhongli, who was enjoying a performance at the opera house, suddenly shivered, feeling an inexplicable sense of malice directed at him. 

"But, do you really trust me that much? The Great Divine Official is a high-ranking position in Inazuma, right?" Akio asked Yae Miko. "And you're just giving it to me?" 

"Perhaps. I've always trusted my instincts. You're someone worth trusting," Yae Miko nodded. The reason she could offer this position to Akio, aside from her trust in him, was that the Great Divine Official had no real power and couldn't control military or political affairs. 

"Ahahaha, the soup is here!" At that moment, the waiter arrived with two clay pots of soup. 

"Lady Guuji, esteemed guest, this is our restaurant's latest soup creation. Please give it a try and provide some feedback." 

"Oh?" Yae Miko's interest was piqued. She scooped a spoonful and tasted it. New dishes always excited her. 

"Lady Guuji, how is it?" the waiter asked eagerly. 

"Hmm~ The soup is light yet flavorful, the minced meat is fresh, and the aroma of the vegetables is intoxicating. The taste is exquisite and leaves a lasting impression," Yae Miko praised, clearly satisfied. 

"Really? That's wonderful!" The waiter was overjoyed. Yae Miko's palate was notoriously picky, so her praise meant the new dish was a resounding success. 

"Indeed! This is one of the most delicious soups I've ever had," Akio said after taking a sip, genuinely impressed. In his previous life, his family was wealthy, and he had tasted many state banquet-level soups. This one was definitely among the best. 

The waiter, delighted by the compliments, happily served the rest of their dishes. 

"So, this is fried tofu?" Akio looked at the beautifully presented dish in front of him and curiously picked up a piece with his chopsticks. 

"Erika's cooking is as excellent as ever," Yae Miko said, savoring her favorite fried tofu. 

"So, how is it? Isn't fried tofu the most delicious food?" Yae Miko asked Akio. 

"Tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked. It's a rare delicacy," Akio nodded in satisfaction. As a foodie, he usually preferred meat, but the fried tofu was truly exceptional. 

Thinking this, Akio gave Yae Miko a curious look. Wait, wasn't Yae Miko a fox? Why was her favorite food fried tofu? Shouldn't she prefer meat? 

Take Kirara, for example. Even in human form, she still craved sparrows. 

"Detected that the host has tasted Yae Miko's favorite food. Unlocking the Steel Body template." 

"The current Steel Body template is equivalent to the body of a deity, allowing the host to ignore attacks below the deity level and gain super strength," the system's voice announced. 

Akio felt a warm surge in his body, followed by a significant increase in his physical strength. 

"System, you're really… unpredictable," Akio thought. He hadn't expected to receive such a great reward just from eating fried tofu. This system was truly mysterious. 

Although he had the Herrscher of the Void template, giving him combat power comparable to a deity, the physical strength of a Herrscher was likely inferior to that of a deity. 

The Steel Body template instantly filled that gap in his physical capabilities. 

"Hmm?" Yae Miko noticed the change in Akio, sensing a sudden surge of immense power within him. 

"Did you just regain some of your power?" Yae Miko asked in surprise. 

"Yes," Akio nodded. With the Steel Body and the Herrscher of the Void's abilities, he now felt confident enough to face the Raiden Shogun head-on. 

"I'm so envious of you deities. Gaining power seems so effortless for you," Yae Miko said with a hint of envy. Deities were born with power surpassing all other beings, and even the weakest deity was beyond the reach of mortals. 

Meanwhile, they had to rely on diligent cultivation, and even then, few could ever hope to reach the level of a deity in their lifetime. 

Akio shrugged. Indeed, he had gained his power quite easily. The same was true for deities—they were born as supreme beings, and their power grew over time even without cultivation. 

"Aren't you a immortal fox?" Akio asked. 

"I'm different," Yae Miko shook her head. "As a child, I was just like the wild foxes, with no spiritual intelligence, enduring the elements and being bullied by other creatures." 

"If it weren't for the Hakushin bloodline and Lady Saiguu's guidance, I might have starved to death on some rainy day centuries ago." 

At this, Yae Miko's expression turned slightly sorrowful. "Lady Saiguu…" 

Akio looked at the slightly melancholic Yae Miko and suddenly remembered the background story of the "Hakushin Ring." 

Behind her mischievous and teasing demeanor, Yae Miko had endured five hundred years of loneliness. The great calamity of Inazuma had left her as the sole survivor of the Hakushin bloodline, with all her former friends and mentors gone. 

Perhaps her love for stories and her playful nature were just shields to hide her sorrow and solitude. 

"Ding~ I am the black that descends to hell! I am the white that ascends to heaven! Born before creation, existing after annihilation. Congratulations, host, for unlocking the weapon—Abyss Flower! Congratulations, host, for unlocking the S-rank template—Herrscher of Rebirth!" 

"Whoosh!" Akio stood up abruptly. The Herrscher of Rebirth? With absolute powers of creation and annihilation, if the Herrscher of the Void represented ultimate offense, then the Herrscher of Rebirth represented life and death. 

With the power of the Herrscher of Rebirth, Akio now held absolute control over life itself. 

"What's wrong?" Yae Miko looked at Akio, puzzled by his sudden reaction. 

"Miko, head back to the Grand Narukami Shrine first. I have something I need to test. I'll come find you later," Akio said, eager to try out the powers of the Herrscher of Rebirth. 

"Wait!" Yae Miko suddenly reached out and grabbed Akio, handing him a map. "I know you're a deity, but still, be careful. I'll be waiting for you at the shrine." 

Yae Miko knew when to step back. Since Akio was in such a hurry, she wouldn't follow him. 

"Alright," Akio nodded. The next moment, he disappeared, teleporting to the coastline.