Not only did it not count—
Because of the World Seed's excessively high rank, Lin En, as its vessel in this reality, was instinctively rejected by the will of the universe.
An ordinary transmigrator was insignificant in scale and rank—harmless.
But Lin En carried a World Seed.
That was akin to a foreign object entering a living body. The body's circulatory system would naturally attempt to reject it.
The manifestation of that rejection—
Was the "bad luck" Lin En had described earlier like a story, only for the captain to dismiss it as nonsense.
Fortunately, unlike Bennett's catastrophic, life-ruining misfortune, the World Seed's rank stood firm. Even before sprouting, it possessed a certain ability to counteract the rejection.
The universe's repulsion was ultimately a macro-level, unconscious response.
That gave Lin En room to leverage small forces to move great weight.
He couldn't avoid misfortune—
But he could prevent the worst outcomes.
That was why, despite repeatedly encountering the Wild Hunt in Nod-Krai, he had survived each time.
However, the rejection had never ceased.
It constantly occupied the vast majority of the World Seed's power.
As a result, Lin En could only access a minuscule thread of its strength—barely enough to enhance perception.
It also meant the Seed had lost its ability to autonomously absorb energy and grow.
Lin En had to gather nourishment for it himself.
Thankfully, Teyvat contained energy compatible with the Seed's needs.
The principles were too complex to explain clearly, though Lin En understood them.
In short—
Ordinary elemental power, Ley Line energy, even Abyssal power were unsuitable.
Only Light Realm power qualified.
And the required quantity was not as terrifying as he'd imagined for birthing an entire world.
At least, far less than expected.
So he had quietly siphoned Lunar Power in Nod-Krai.
Then spent a year discreetly collecting Phlogiston in Natlan.
At last, the total amount was nearly sufficient.
Yet perhaps in accordance with principles like "three births all things" and "all things come in threes," the total volume was enough—
But one final type was missing.
That, too, was part of the reason he left Natlan.
His target had always been Primordial Seawater—
The only other explicitly identified Light Realm power in the storyline he knew, aside from Lunar Power and Phlogiston.
What he hadn't expected—
Was to stumble upon an entire ship filled with Les.
And for the ship's owner to raise no objection while he subtly guided the World Seed to extract the Primordial Seawater components hidden within it.
Kind soul, Lin En thought sincerely.
This development overturned his subsequent plans entirely.
And he didn't mind in the slightest.
In fact, he was delighted.
Most of those plans existed only because he lacked strength.
Or rather—
Because his cheat hadn't been fully online.
But now…
Lin En gathered his focus and observed inwardly.
The absorbed Primordial Seawater completed the final missing piece required for "sprouting."
Within his Sea of Consciousness, a subtle ripple suddenly spread outward—
Flowing into every corner of his soul.
From illusion into reality.
It washed over his entire being, filling him with indescribable comfort—
And a surge of emotion akin to witnessing one's own birth.
No… not my own.
No—yes, mine.
More precisely—
My incarnation.
A—
World.
The moment that thought formed, the once-vague connection solidified.
He was completely linked to the nascent world just beginning to sprout.
And then—
He witnessed the grand spectacle of its birth.
When he emerged from that overwhelming sense of Birth and opened his eyes—
The first thing he saw was Aikefei's worried face.
"Lin En, are you alright?"
Concern colored her voice.
"I'm fine."
"Or rather—it's a good thing."
He rose gently, wiping his face.
Immersed in the world's birth, moved by that newborn resonance, tears had come naturally.
From Aikefei's perspective, however—
He had simply been sitting there and suddenly started crying.
Of course she'd worry.
He would comfort her properly.
But first—
"Let's go. We're leaving."
Extending his perception outward, Lin En quickly assessed the ship's condition and decisively called for retreat.
"Hmm? Okay."
Aikefei didn't hesitate. She instinctively reached to grab his hand—ready to pull him along.
Though Lin En led their partnership in many ways—
In terms of raw combat ability, he had been the weaker one.
He had only transmigrated a little over a year ago.
His cheat had been half-disabled.
How could he compare to Teyvat's seasoned fighters?
Even before obtaining her Vision, Aikefei had ventured alone into Dragonspine and returned safely.
Now, with a Vision in hand, this "escort to Fontaine" was in truth her acting as the main combat force.
So in emergencies—
Her instinct was always to take Lin En and run.
She was faster. More agile.
But now—
It was different.
Lin En didn't refuse her outstretched hand.
Instead, once he grasped it, he pulled gently—
Reversing their momentum.
The birth of his world-incarnation hadn't made him ascend instantly to the heavens.
But inside and out, he had undergone transformation.
As for the results—
"Ah!"
Aikefei gasped.
Her body instinctively tried to resist the sudden motion—
But the force she exerted felt like mud sinking into the sea.
In the next moment—
She found herself swept into Lin En's arms in a princess carry.
"Let's go!"
What just happened?
What had changed in him?
Questions flooded her mind.
But when he said "Let's go," they dissolved into calm.
It didn't matter.
If it could be said, he wouldn't hide it from her.
For now—
She would simply enjoy being held in his arms.
Wait…
Am I the first person he's ever carried like this?
The thought surfaced—
And she hurriedly suppressed it.
Not the time.
"Oh, right—Lin En. The Les—"
"Don't worry. I left a bomb."
He glanced back.
On the floor where he had sat moments earlier lay a small gem, glowing dark red in the gloom.
A solidified Phlogiston bomb.
Crafted by Xilonen.
Quality guaranteed.
He carried quite a few such items—gifts from friends in Natlan.
In truth, once he had extracted the Primordial Seawater component, the Les had already lost its addictive properties.
But its base substance might still be toxic.
If the ship sank and the bottles drifted elsewhere, only to be salvaged and consumed as beverages—
That would be troublesome.
Better to be safe.
Les…
Vacher… Marcel.
With that name passing silently through his mind—
Lin En stepped forward.
And leapt.