It cost 50,000 points to buy the Grass God's Godhead and 3,000 points to buy the Wood Release Ninjutsu Collection, totaling 53,000 points.
After this expenditure, Smith's balance dropped drastically from 58,500 to a mere 5,500 points overnight. Despite the steep cost, he was more than satisfied with his purchase. Holding the scroll of the Wood Release Ninjutsu Collection in his hands, he eagerly scanned its contents, and a pleased smile crept onto his face.
As he had hoped, the techniques within the scroll could be used even without chakra. The divine energy from his newly acquired Grass God's Godhead could serve as a perfect substitute for chakra, making the legendary abilities of Wood Release accessible to him. The collection not only detailed the necessary hand seals but also contained Hashirama Senju's personal insights on developing the techniques. Given time, Smith was confident he could master and even surpass Hashirama's Wood Release.
"So, you really got your hands on the key to becoming a god," Keqing remarked, still processing the drastic change in Smith's status. Not long ago, he had seemed like an ordinary person, yet now, he was stepping onto the path of divinity. If he continued at this pace, he might even rival a demon god within days.
Her eyes then drifted to the scroll in Smith's hand. "Wait, did you buy Wood Release ninjutsu?" she asked, curiosity flickering in her gaze.
"Yep, this is some good stuff," Smith replied with a grin. "Come on, I'll show you something cool."
Before Keqing could protest, Smith wrapped an arm around her waist and soared into the sky, heading toward the peak of Tianheng Mountain. At first, she instinctively struggled, but once she realized she was flying safely in his arms, she relaxed and allowed him to carry her.
Unlike the feeling of gliding with Wind Gliders, being carried by Smith felt completely different. It was comforting and secure. As she held Pichu close to her chest, Keqing let herself enjoy the experience, her eyes filled with wonder as Liyue Port grew smaller beneath them.
Once they landed, Keqing took a moment to steady herself. "Huff… That was… something else," she muttered. Her legs felt weak, making it difficult to stand properly. She attempted to step away from Smith but nearly stumbled, still affected by the thrill of flight.
Smith glanced around. "This is my first time here," he mused. Tianheng Mountain had once served as a natural barrier that protected Liyue during times of war. However, in the age of peace, it now restricted Liyue Port's expansion. The city's high housing prices were a direct consequence of this limitation—too many young people worked their entire lives yet still couldn't afford a home.
Developers like Keqing were often blamed, but in reality, there was simply not enough land to build upon. It wasn't a matter of greed but necessity.
"Alright, watch this," Smith said, guiding Keqing closer. With a focused expression, he formed a series of hand seals. Almost instantly, thick wooden beams emerged from the rocky ground, intertwining and shaping themselves into a sturdy wooden house about 20 square meters in size.
Keqing's eyes widened in shock. "This… this…?" She stepped forward and placed her hands on the structure, testing its solidity. "These materials are incredibly strong! Stronger than ordinary wood. This house is sturdy and well-formed. Aside from the somewhat simple design, there are no major flaws."
Excited, she pushed against the wooden structure, only to find that it wouldn't budge.
Smith chuckled. "It's not perfect yet. I still need to refine my control over this ability. Once I master it, I'll be able to create even more refined and beautiful structures."
Keqing's eyes sparkled with newfound enthusiasm. "I need to get a Grass Elemental Vision next! I want to learn this ability too!" she declared with determination. "Just imagine—if I could do this, we could solve the housing crisis in Liyue!"
She was already picturing a future where every citizen of Liyue had a home of their own. If the resentment of the demon god in Guili Plains was dealt with, she could take Smith there to construct houses for everyone.
However, Smith quickly intervened. "Hold on, Keqing. We can't just go around building houses for free."
She frowned. "Why not? Isn't this a perfect solution?"
"Not exactly," Smith explained. "Think about the economic impact. If we single-handedly build all the houses, what happens to the construction workers? They'd be out of jobs. And if people lose their jobs, their spending power drops, which could lead to an economic decline. We have to be careful."
Keqing's expression shifted as she considered his words. As a businesswoman and one of Liyue's Seven Stars, she understood the delicate balance of the economy. She recalled the effort they had put into handling unemployment when the issues in the Chasm arose.
After a moment, she nodded. "You're right. It's something I need to control carefully as a Seven Star. I was too hasty. But… in emergency situations, this ability would be invaluable. I might not use it for mass construction, but I still want to master it."
Smith nodded approvingly. "That's the right mindset. This kind of power should be used wisely."
With that settled, he decided to test another technique. Clapping his hands together, he activated another Wood Release technique. A massive wooden construct, over ten meters tall, burst from the ground.
Keqing took a step back, stunned. "What is that?!"
"A wooden golem," Smith answered, admiring his handiwork. "It's one of the strongest Wood Release techniques. This is just the beginning—once I fully master it, I'll be able to summon even more powerful constructs."
Keqing stared at the towering figure in amazement. "I need to learn this! No, I must learn this!"
Smith chuckled. "We'll see about that. For now, let's focus on refining what I've already learned."
As the sun began to set, Keqing and Smith stood atop Tianheng Mountain, gazing down at Liyue. They both knew that change was coming—Smith was no longer just a traveler. He was a god in the making, and his powers would reshape the future of Liyue and beyond.
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