This time, Mu Yang followed the system's advice.
He didn't target the Heavenly Principles' power again.
The cost-benefit ratio was too low,
and its effects weren't immediately apparent.
Boosting his overall combat strength was the better deal.
Though he was growing stronger,
he still didn't know how he measured up against Teyvat's ancient dragons
or if he could suppress someone like Scaramouche.
Before version 4.0's Fontaine storyline,
he should absorb the Nails in Mondstadt and Liyue.
Then he'd know the gap…
Mu Yang opened his eyes from meditation.
Taming the power had taken some time.
It was already afternoon.
Mu Yang left the office and headed to the second floor's [Muyu Snow City].
As soon as he arrived, he noticed a problem.
The customer flow was much lower than before.
Last year, afternoon tea time would've been packed.
Now, only a few scattered tables were occupied, some playing cards.
Mu Yang approached and saw it was Genius Invokation TCG.
Given the timeline, Genius Invokation TCG should indeed be gaining popularity.
After all, the Invokation King event was coming in version 3.7.
But Genius Invokation TCG alone wasn't enough to pique Mu Yang's interest.
There was another reason he came to this table:
The players were Kirara and Xinyan.
Xinyan was his employee, so playing cards with customers was fine.
But Kirara, a gold-star courier, was slacking off?
Adhering to the principle of not interrupting a game, Mu Yang didn't say anything.
He just watched as Kirara lost the match.
In truth, eating a damage-reduction dish and using the opponent's Pyro summon for an Overloaded swap
could've turned the game around next round.
Kirara pouted, slumping on the table, her tone helpless.
"One win, nine losses. Xinyan, you're too good…"
Xinyan, tidying up the card table, comforted her, "Not bad! But I'm nowhere near Shenhe."
"She's still undefeated."
Mu Yang wasn't surprised by Xinyan's words.
Yup, that's right—Shenhe's just that talented.
Wait, no—why did he feel like a proud dad hearing someone praise his daughter?
Mu Yang cringed at himself.
Better find Shenhe and ask about the shop's recent business.
As he approached the counter, Shenhe spoke up.
"Master, that's Genius Invokation TCG."
She assumed her Master, unfamiliar with the recent trend, needed an explanation.
Mu Yang didn't stop her, listening as his disciple explained the rules.
Once she finished, he asked about the shop's business.
The young girl panicked,
feeling she'd failed her Master's trust
by not managing [Muyu Snow City] well.
Downstairs, [Three Bowls Won't Cross the Harbor] was still thriving.
This made her feel even worse.
But Mu Yang didn't blame Shenhe.
He knew his businesses well.
The downstairs tavern focused on strong liquor and storytelling.
The wine, sourced from Dawn Winery, was top-notch.
Storyteller Tian had been in the game for years,
supported by Mu Yang's scripts
and Zhongli, the ultimate Rex Lapis critic, refining the stories.
Plus, [Three Bowls Won't Cross the Harbor]'s customers—sailors and dockworkers—
only cared about good food and drink, not fussiness.
Business naturally boomed.
[Muyu Snow City] was different.
It catered to younger customers, focusing on innovative cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.
If the menu didn't update regularly, customers would get bored.
Though Mu Yang hadn't investigated thoroughly, he suspected competitors were stealing business.
Shenhe holding things together during his 200-day absence was already impressive.
This was the commercial capital, after all—competitors were sharp.
Mu Yang examined the menu.
Shenhe said, "Lumine and I tried creating some new items, but they didn't meet Master's standards…"
Mu Yang reassured her not to lose heart.
"You've done very well. The Genius Invokation TCG idea was yours, right?"
Bringing this emerging card game into the shop
showed Shenhe's sharp instincts.
The young couples who came here
playing a round while sipping drinks was a clever draw.
"Yes, Master. Xinyan thought it was a great idea too…"
"It's a good idea, but it's still missing something."
"Please enlighten me, Master."
Shenhe was still learning, so he'd teach her another trick.
With that, Mu Yang picked up a pen, thought for a moment,
and designed several card backs inspired by Rex Lapis, Cloud Retainer, and others.
Shenhe held up a lifelike crane card. "This is… Master Cloud Retainer?"
At this moment, Xinyan and Kirara approached.
"Welcome back, Mu Yang. These are…"
Kirara's eyes lit up.
Looking at the card back's dimensions, "These are for Genius Invokation TCG, right?"
"What? You designed these, Mu Yang?"
Xinyan knew Mu Yang was resourceful but was still amazed.
Imagine using a Rex Lapis card back—how cool would that be!
"Pick one you like."
"Really?"
Mu Yang let her choose as an employee perk.
Kirara loved the card backs too,
but, not knowing Mu Yang well, she was too shy to ask.
Xinyan, picking up on her thoughts, made a quick introduction.
Mu Yang was surprised. "So, you're Komaniya Express's gold-star courier. I've heard of you."
"No, no—I'm the one who's heard about you from Xinyan and Shenhe…"
Kirara was a regular at the shop.
After delivering in Liyue Harbor, she'd rest here,
eventually becoming friends with Xinyan and Shenhe.
With this connection, Mu Yang designed a unique cat-themed card back for her.
Kirara, not wanting to seem greedy, said,
"How about this, Mr. Mu Yang? Need anything delivered?"
"That way, I'll feel better accepting it…"
Mu Yang thought for a moment. "Now that you mention it, I do. Could you deliver a package to Narukami Island? Thanks."
Hearing it was for Inazuma, Kirara patted her chest, guaranteeing express delivery.
But when she saw the package's contents and address,
she regretted her confidence.
This delivery's weight was worth more than her custom cat card back.
Tofu and pickled vegetables, sent to Narukami Shrine.
Recipient—Yae Miko.
Putting her favorite and least favorite things in one package.
This was a prank, right?
It had to be!