Hu Tao Is Monetizing My Existence. [32]

Over time, Jiang Bai had discovered various ways to use the Geo element.

The first method was the most basic—forming temporary Geo constructs. He could create stone stools, chairs, pillars, and walls, all with minimal energy consumption. Given its properties, he had named this technique [Elemental Aggregation].

The second method was what he called [Elemental Creation].

Unlike [Elemental Aggregation], which only gathered and shaped Geo energy temporarily, [Elemental Creation] allowed him to manipulate the surrounding Geo elements on a deeper level. He could repair cracks in the ground or even construct permanent stone structures. As long as he had enough elemental energy, he could theoretically form bridges, mountains—anything.

At first glance, the two techniques seemed similar, but they were fundamentally different.

[Elemental Aggregation] worked like a shepherd and a flock of sheep. His elemental energy acted as the shepherd’s dog, temporarily gathering the scattered elements into a stable form. But once the energy left, the elements would disperse again.

[Elemental Creation], on the other hand, was more like molding clay. Using the Geo element as a medium, he could guide the surrounding elements into a stable, lasting structure—like shaping a figure out of clay that would remain intact unless external force disrupted it.

However, this method demanded an incredible level of mental focus and control, not to mention high energy consumption. With his current mastery, he could only create small objects. Anything larger would completely drain him.

The third technique, which he called [Elemental Enchantment], was what he had just used.

By imbuing his weapon with Geo energy, he could enhance its attack power and destructive force while also reinforcing the weapon itself.

Beyond weapons, he had also experimented with applying the element directly to his own body. As for what else he could do with it… he had yet to figure that out.

A golden glow flared around Jiang Bai, the Geo energy surging within him.

He bent his front knee, pushed off with his back foot, and launched himself forward. The stone pillar beneath him shattered into golden fragments as he propelled himself through the air like a human missile.

Taking advantage of the Ruin Guard’s brief pause between attacks, he plunged down from above, his fist brimming with Geo energy as it smashed directly into the machine’s core.

Crack—

A spiderweb of fractures spread across the core before it shattered into pieces.

The Ruin Guard, which had been in the process of switching attack modes, instantly lost power and collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud, sending dust billowing into the air.

Jiang Bai exhaled sharply and turned to check on Hu Tao.

She was still effortlessly handling two Ruin Guards at once.

Like an agile fire butterfly, she flitted between the massive machines, her form occasionally flickering into a translucent state, as if slipping into another world. The Ruin Guards’ attacks failed to land on her at all.

Her polearm, wreathed in blazing flames, left deep, searing wounds with every strike.

As both Ruin Guards briefly staggered, a white spirit emerged from her ring.

With a crisp, playful voice, she called out, “[Pyre, pyre, pants on fire!]” 

A fiery explosion erupted, consuming the machines in its wake. The Ruin Guards went completely still.

“Phew—mission accomplished!”

Seeing that Hu Tao didn’t need his help, Jiang Bai picked up his weapon, the [Debate Club], from the sand. After wiping off the water, he secured it back in place.

“You’re pretty good, kid,” Hu Tao teased. “You actually finished before me!”

She had been watching his battle. Unlike her nimble, elusive style, Jiang Bai’s approach was pure brute force—no tricks, no fancy footwork, just smash through everything.

And the scariest part? He had the sheer strength to make it work.

Jiang Bai, who had just one-punched a Ruin Guard, scratched his head with a sheepish grin, looking innocent and harmless.

“It was just luck. You’re still way more impressive, Director Hu!”

Hu Tao patted his shoulder like a wise elder. “No need to be humble! A disciple of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor should be as strong as possible!”

Jiang Bai chuckled and dropped the modesty.

“What about the Ruin Guards? Just leaving them here?”

“Once the core is destroyed, they’re just heaps of scrap metal.” Hu Tao shrugged. “Unless you wanna take some parts as souvenirs?”

She wasn’t sure if these things had any real use. She hadn’t heard of any merchants buying them, and melting them down for metal was hardly worth the effort—their material composition was too mixed.

Besides copper and iron, the Ruin Guards also contained minerals of unknown origin. Extracting pure metal from them would be costly and inefficient.

As for studying how they were built and how they functioned autonomously… perhaps someone had tried, but whether they succeeded was another story.

Jiang Bai walked over to the two Ruin Guards Hu Tao had defeated and pried out their intact cores. He wasn’t sure what they were good for, but he figured they’d make decent keepsakes.

“Let’s keep moving.”

The two continued forward, leaving behind the lifeless Ruin Guards—some sprawled across the sand, others half-submerged in the sea.

No one knew where they had come from, only that they wandered the ruins as if guarding something.

But whatever they had once protected was long gone.

Now, their hollow cores stared endlessly at the sky, their purpose forgotten with time.

“Director, isn’t it kinda weird how many ruins are around here?”

All along their path, broken stone pillars and scattered remnants of Ruin Guards littered the landscape.

The massive stone columns bore intricate carvings, their craftsmanship so exquisite that it was hard to imagine how grand the structures must have been when they were whole.

“Morax struck this place with his Geo spear over two thousand years ago,” Hu Tao said casually. “After that much time, of course there are ruins everywhere.”

Not everyone in Liyue lived in Liyue Harbor—many resided in settlements scattered throughout the region.

Perhaps long ago, people had lived here too. Over time, they must have migrated elsewhere, leaving these ruins behind.

“But… the carvings on these stone pillars don’t look like Liyue’s style.”

Jiang Bai studied the engravings closely. They formed a continuous triangular pattern with circular rings inside. He had noticed similar designs on the Ruin Guards themselves.

Liyue’s architecture, however, typically featured huiwen (key-fret patterns), which were distinct and easy to recognize.

“Maybe this place belonged to the followers of a defeated god,” Hu Tao mused.

Different gods had different followers, each with unique beliefs, traditions, and artistic styles. No one knew exactly what kind of civilization had once thrived here.

Jiang Bai recalled hearing the term ‘Archon War’ before. He had been curious at the time but never got a proper explanation—mostly because Hu Tao had been too lazy to answer.

But now that he had the chance, he seized the opportunity.

“A defeated god? So… there was a great war between the gods?”

“Yep. The Archon War was brutal,” Hu Tao confirmed. “That’s actually when the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was founded. Back then, though, we weren’t handling funerals—we were more like doctors…”

—

This is a fan translation of 胡桃拿我冲业绩 by 余溯. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!