Hu Tao Is Monetizing My Existence.

"A Vision?"

Jiang Bai held the Vision in his hands, turning it over curiously. Aside from looking like an oversized glass bead, he couldn't tell what was special about it.

"Only those recognized by the gods can use it. Of course, you wouldn't sense anything unusual!"

For Hu Tao, being acknowledged by the gods was no big deal. But that didn't stop her from showing off a little in front of her new underling.

"Then how does one earn the gods' recognition?"

"That, I have no idea." Hu Tao folded her arms behind her head, unable to give a clear answer.

She had simply woken up one day and found the Vision beside her. If there was anything significant about that time, it was the fact that she had just returned from the brink of life and death.

But she hadn't thought much of it. She had merely taken a walk along the border of the afterlife and come back with a few new realizations.

"Alright then…" Jiang Bai knew he wouldn't get any useful information from her. He returned the Vision and moved on to another question.

"Is a Vision the only way to use elemental power?"

Hu Tao casually fastened the Vision back onto her waist, completely unbothered by the thought of losing it.

"Not necessarily. I heard that the Fatui from Snezhnaya can use elemental powers even without a Vision."

"Snezhnaya?"

"The people of Snezhnaya worship the Tsaritsa, the Cryo Archon. The Northland Bank in Liyue Harbor? That's owned by Snezhnaya."

"That means not many people can use elemental powers, huh?"

"Yep! That's why Vision holders are special."

"I see…" Jiang Bai fell into thought.

It wasn't that he wanted a Vision himself—he was just curious about how exactly a Vision connected to its wielder and allowed them to manipulate elemental energy. If he could figure that out, maybe there was a way to use elemental power without a Vision.

Perhaps the Fatui had already discovered such a method.

As they rounded a bend, the view suddenly opened up.

Hu Tao pointed to the peak of the mountain ahead. "See that blue glow on the mountaintop? That's a Statue of The Seven."

"That's the statue?"

Jiang Bai squinted into the distance. From afar, he could make out a towering figure emitting a soft blue radiance. The glow stretched skyward like a sword piercing the heavens. Even in broad daylight, it was clearly visible.

"Once we climb that mountain, we'll be there!"

With a flick of her hand, Hu Tao took the lead, her little ghost phasing out of her body to float beside her. It turned toward Jiang Bai and made a silly face at him.

Jiang Bai didn't believe this adorable creature was some underworld emissary. It was probably a guardian spirit of some sort.

Seeing it tease him, he pulled down his lower eyelid and stuck out his tongue in retaliation.

The little ghost, clearly provoked, puffed up and let out a dramatic "OoooOOooo!" while waving its tiny arms menacingly.

Jiang Bai simply made another face in response.

Frustrated that it couldn't scare him, the little ghost flailed wildly like a deflating balloon, attempting to pounce on him. But no matter how hard it tried, it couldn't get close—Hu Tao had it firmly in her grasp.

Jiang Bai could almost hear it screaming Aaaaghhh! in frustration.

He let out an amused chuckle, which only made the ghost angrier. Huffing in defeat, it retreated back into Hu Tao's body and refused to come out.

So the guardian spirit takes after Hu Tao, huh? Loves trying to scare people… too bad it's way too cute to be intimidating.

...

"Over the hills I go~"

"Crossing the rivers below~"

Hu Tao hummed a tune as they finally reached the mountain's base.

The path up was carved with stone steps, but even so, the climb was steep and arduous.

By the time they reached the summit, Jiang Bai was able to get a clear look at the towering statue.

It wasn't massive, but it wasn't small either. A cylindrical pedestal separated the statue from the ground, adorned with intricate carvings and embedded with softly glowing gemstones.

Atop the pedestal sat a hooded stone figure, leaning casually against an ancient-looking throne inscribed with runes. One foot rested lazily on the seat, while one hand held a faintly glowing cube.

The statue had no facial features, yet its posture alone exuded a sense of power and composure.

Jiang Bai tilted his head back, gazing up at the monument.

It wasn't quite what he had imagined. It wasn't grand or majestic—in fact, time had clearly taken its toll. The stone pillars were worn, and patches of grass had sprouted between the cracks.

Hu Tao stepped forward, standing before the statue. She pressed her palms together, closed her eyes, and said aloud:

"Lord of Geo, I wish you good health and endless happiness."

She hadn't just thought the words—she had spoken them aloud.

After her prayer, she turned to Jiang Bai and beckoned him over.

"This is the statue of our Lord of Geo. If you've got a wish, go ahead and make one."

Jiang Bai set down the supplies he had been carrying and asked curiously, "Will the Lord of Geo actually grant my wish?"

"Of course not! What are you thinking?"

Hu Tao knocked him lightly on the back of the head.

"Wishes aren't meant to be granted by someone else. They're just beautiful aspirations for yourself to work toward!"

The light tap didn't hurt, but Jiang Bai rubbed the spot anyway and gave her a half-lidded look.

"Then why didn't you make a wish?"

"I don't have any wishes. I just hope the Lord of Geo is happy every day!"

She shrugged, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"I heard that whatever you say in front of the statue, the Lord of Geo can hear."

As she spoke, she winked playfully.

So she's just flattering him to keep the old man happy.

Jiang Bai: "…"

Did the Lord of Geo really need flattery from her?

And who confirmed this whole "the Lord of Geo hears all prayers" thing? If he could hear every single one, wouldn't his ears be buzzing nonstop?

But still… what if it was true?

If he had a chance to get on a god's good side, might as well take it.

Pressing his palms together, he closed his eyes, put on a sincere expression, and said,

"I wish you good health and endless happiness, Lord of Geo."

Then, he respectfully bowed.

---

Far away in Liyue Harbor, a certain someone, sipping tea and enjoying the opera, suddenly felt a ripple of awareness.

The corners of his lips curved into a faint smile.

Was it because their actions amused him?

Or was it simply because he was in a good mood?

Ah, the vitality of youth.

Thinking that, he downed the rest of his tea in one smooth motion.

---

"Our mission today is to tidy up this place!"

Hu Tao grabbed a broom, brimming with enthusiasm.

Jiang Bai sighed knowingly. Yep. I knew we didn't carry all this stuff just for sightseeing.

Still, they were already here—it wouldn't feel right to leave the place untended.

Resigning himself to his fate, he picked up his hoe and got to work pulling weeds.

Statues of The Seven were scattered all across Liyue, some in places so remote that few mortals could reach them. While a few remained untouched, the more accessible ones were regularly maintained by the people of Liyue.

But weeds grew quickly, and even statues weren't immune to time's wear and tear.

Hu Tao swept away the fallen leaves, then climbed onto the statue with a cloth, diligently wiping it down as she muttered,

"Old man, don't get ticklish now. I'm just giving you a wipe-down. If it does tickle, just bear with it—I'll be quick!"