Current Balance:
Crystals (Miracle Crystals): 15
Star Stones (Spacetime Crystals): 100
After personally slaying the Herrscher of the Void, Chen Li received another 10 Crystals.
It seemed that kill-stealing was indeed necessary.
Although the outcome might have been the same if Argenti, as Chen Li's "Curio Summon," had dealt the final blow, Chen Li hadn't dared to take that gamble.
As for the 100 Star Stones, they were the result of changing the established outcome: "The Herrscher of the Void, who was supposed to be defeated by Elysia, ultimately died at the hands of Chen Li."
If a transmigrator doesn't stir things up in a world, can they even be called a transmigrator?
And the more chaos you create, the more Star Stones you get.
It made perfect sense.
---o---
"Chen Li, are you really planning to donate the Herrscher of the Void's remains to the Flame-Chasers?" Elysia asked as she drove.
"Mhm," Chen Li nodded.
"The Herrscher Core, too?"
"Mhm," Chen Li nodded again.
"I thought you'd keep the Herrscher Core for yourself. After all, didn't you say you can use anything as a forging material? You were even picking up Honkai crystal shards earlier," Elysia said, glancing over at Chen Li.
"Don't look at me, watch the road! You're already breaking traffic safety rules by driving in high heels!" Chen Li exclaimed hastily.
"Don't worry, even if the car flips, I can get us both out," Elysia said. Though she said that, she did turn her head back to focus on the somewhat dilapidated highway.
"Of the countless roads, safety is number one. Drive without care, and your loved ones will cry a river of tears!"
"Yes, yes, I get it. Now, can you answer my question?" Elysia nodded with an air of mock seriousness.
"Because... at the end of the day, I'm an outlander. This Herrscher Core can be put to much greater use if it stays in this world," Chen Li explained.
Chen Li was no saint, nor was he a selfless person.
But he saw no need to fight for things that weren't essential to him.
The Herrscher Core was powerful, so what?
If he took it back to his own world, would it even work? No.
The principles behind spiritual energy and Honkai energy were completely different.
Curios, however, would work. That's why Curios were the priority.
His dad once told him: Herrscher Cores aren't important, Curios are!
Besides, when the Herrscher of the Void dropped its Material Card, all of its conceptual Entries had already been transferred into the [Material Card]. While he could still use the physical core to forge conventional items like Divine Keys, it held little meaning for him.
The value of a Material Card was that he could extract specific Entries from it at any time. Unlike other items, which had to be fully consumed or have their properties preserved with Miracle Crystals once placed in the Flames of Miracle.
And because the Herrscher of the Void's body had lost its conceptual Entries to the Material Card, it wouldn't crumble into dust like the [Knight's Broken Sword]. All of its original powers remained; it was just that its source concepts could no longer be extracted.
"For the sake of this world? Are all outlanders who travel between worlds as considerate as you?" Elysia seemed a little surprised.
"Thank you for the compliment. But I suspect that vile outlanders are the majority. People like me, the Lawful Neutral ones, are probably in the minority," Chen Li said, sounding a bit uncertain.
"I see."
"Besides, Elysia, don't think too highly of me. My willingness to hand over the Herrscher's remains and core is also a way to trade for more resources from the Flame-Chasers," Chen Li added.
For example, Soulium.
However, Chen Li wasn't sure if the Flame-Chasers had access to a material like Soulium at this point in time, so he kept that thought to himself.
"Mhm, it's even more interesting how you constantly deny your own kind actions," Elysia said, her interest piqued.
"..."
Someone once said that only kind people, after being deeply hurt, will put on the facade of a bad person.
Whereas bad people often disguise themselves as good.
These words weren't entirely accurate, but they held a grain of truth.
"Hey, why did you stop talking, Chen Li? Chat with me a little, otherwise I can't guarantee I won't get bored and fall asleep at the wheel," Elysia complained.
"Don't say such terrifying things with that teasing look on your face! What do you want to talk about?"
"I just want to interview you about your thought process."
"No more interviews. If you keep it up, I might actually decide to keep the Herrscher of the Void for myself."
"Alright, alright."
"..."
Having the Herrscher of the Void wasn't important to Chen Li; ensuring this world didn't have the Herrscher of the Void was what mattered.
The Second Divine Key, Thousand-Realmed Ichimonji, while not as destructive as other Divine Keys, was of immense significance.
Taking the Second Herrscher's core could have ripple effects that might indirectly lead to the world's destruction.
And by orchestrating such a major change, Chen Li would naturally obtain a massive amount of Spacetime Crystals (Star Stones).
On one hand, there was the temptation of disrupting spacetime and destroying a world for an instantaneous, colossal reward. On the other, there was the patience of slowly harvesting the fruits of his labor by creating and spreading miracles.
But Chen Li wasn't worried about losing control. After all, Miracle Crystals were far more precious than Star Stones.
And while he did have a mischievous streak at times, Chen Li had no interest in destroying worlds.
Just as Chen Li was contemplating how to acquire more Miracle Crystals, he felt a gentle weight on his head.
Elysia's slender fingers, like soft feathers carrying a faint warmth, were gently stroking his hair.
"It's wonderful that you can resist temptation, Chen Li. This is encouragement from a beautiful girl, so you'd better treasure it," Elysia said, patting his head lightly.
Chen Li turned his head to see Elysia with a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Those who know how to resist temptation are always destined for great things. I hope your future path is a smooth one," Elysia said in a cheerful tone.
Elysia never hesitated to offer encouragement to others.
"So..."
"So?" Elysia leaned in, eager to hear what Chen Li would say next.
Would it be something embarrassing?
Or some tsundere remark born from flustered anger?
Elysia was full of anticipation.
"So, do you admit that the goddess of Pure Beauty, Idrila, possesses a beauty that is unparalleled in this world?" Chen Li tilted his head.
"Ugh, Chen Li, your attempt to change the subject is so clumsy. And has anyone ever told you not to use the words 'unparalleled in this world' to describe another beautiful girl in front of a beautiful girl?" Just as Chen Li expected, Elysia's cheeks puffed out in a pout.
Chen Li shrugged.
You want to make me blush? A simple head pat isn't nearly enough!
Preaching Progress: 1/30