Genshin x Minecraft: Building the Temple of Virtue

Liyue Harbor.

In a secluded courtyard nestled at the base of Mount Tianheng, Ryen, Keqing, and Ganyu sat together in the main hall, sharing a quiet moment over tea.

Well, to be precise, Ryen was drinking tea, while Keqing and Ganyu remained frozen in a state of stunned silence.

After showing Ganyu the two-way portal back in The Chasm, it wasn't long before Keqing returned. Seeing the blank expression plastered across Ganyu's face, Keqing naturally became curious and asked what had happened.

And then…

Keqing was floored as well.

The two followed Ryen back to Liyue Harbor, dazed and disoriented, as if caught in a dreamlike stupor.

That left Ryen in an awkward spot.

Who would've guessed that the teleportation waypoint would require elemental energy to activate?

Ryen didn't have any elemental power! His so-called Pyro Vision was practically just a glorified AK-47!

After fiddling with the waypoint for ages, she tried asking Ganyu and Keqing for help, but they were still too shocked to respond.

In a moment of desperation, Ryen experimentally poked the waypoint with his Enma Blade.

Surprisingly, it worked.

Ryen was dumbfounded. He quickly ruled out the possibility that this teleportation device was related to the Khaenri'ahian elemental alchemy technology.

The Enma Blade didn't possess any elemental energy.

If anything, the blade embodied only one type of power: the ability to slice dimensions, creating phantom blades.

Spatial power.

Ryen hypothesized that the teleportation waypoint might be connected to those from the First Throne. After all, spatial abilities in Teyvat were often linked to the Abyss—and by extension, to the enigmatic rulers of the First Throne.

But he wasn't particularly invested in figuring it out.

Who cared about the Abyss or its rulers? If they could withstand a punch from him, then they'd have the right to make demands.

With the divine force of Steve's Fist, even gods would scatter to dust.

Even entities immune to physical damage wouldn't escape having their souls obliterated.

And besides, what did the Abyss have to do with him? Ryen wasn't here to make enemies.

If they ever did cross him, he could just set up an automated redstone cannon outside the Abyss gate and bombard them endlessly.

Seeing that Keqing and Ganyu were still in a daze, Ryen began surveying the house where they had brought him.

Truth be told, Ryen's original plan was to buy a plot of land with Keqing and build his own house using resources from his Minecraft world.

The only problem? He was flat broke.

Over the past year, except for the occasional treats Keqing brought to share, Ryen had been surviving on apples from Minecraft.

Or worse, stealing bread from the villagers.

He was practically destitute, save for a hundred blocks of wood.

Thankfully, Keqing had mentioned beforehand that there was a house he could stay in temporarily.

The idea of building his own place could wait. For now, he'd save up resources and eventually construct a floating island.

This courtyard residence suited Ryen's tastes perfectly.

It was quiet and located at the foot of Mount Tianheng—far enough from the bustling crowds to offer privacy, yet close enough to avoid complete isolation.

The house wasn't particularly large, but it had everything one might need: a small garden, a pond, and even a vegetable patch.

A vegetable patch.

Knowing Keqing's pragmatic nature, it made sense that she'd prioritize something so practical.

Aside from that, there were four or five side rooms, all designed in a quaint, traditional style.

Overall, Ryen was quite satisfied.

He hadn't spent a single Mora—this was all offered out of friendship. It wasn't his place to nitpick.

Retracting his gaze, Ryen looked back at Keqing and Ganyu, who were still lost in thought.

Setting down his tea cup, he sighed in exasperation.

"Are you two still not over it?"

Neither of them responded.

Ryen rolled his eyes, raised his voice, and knocked on the table.

"I said, snap out of it!"

Finally, the two women blinked back to reality, though their expressions were still complex.

Initially, they had thought Ryen was just an ordinary outsider.

But who could have predicted he carried such a monumental secret?

An entire world.

The implications of a whole world were staggering: limitless resources, boundless potential, and the capacity to redefine the future itself.

With such a foundation, anything seemed possible.

At its simplest, Ryen could flood Teyvat with resources from his world and instantly upend its existing order.

Keqing and Ganyu couldn't help but imagine the transformative possibilities of cultivating an untamed world—a realm that could revolutionize all of Teyvat.

Yet now, the most astonishing revelation was that Ryen was willing to share this world with them.

Such trust and generosity were almost beyond comprehension.

"Jiang… Ryen…"

Keqing's throat felt dry, her voice raspy as she struggled to speak.

"This world…"

"Mine! What do you think? Surprised?" Ryen spread his hands with a cheeky grin.

"So… the personal matters you've been dealing with for the past year, refusing to come to Liyue Harbor, were…" Ganyu blinked at Ryen, her expression utterly adorable in her confusion.

Ryen had to resist the urge to pinch her soft little horns. He was pretty sure she'd faint from embarrassment if he tried. Instead, he simply spread his hands and continued with a warm smile:

"Exactly! I've been developing my world, laying the groundwork. It's a very unique place."

"While it already has villages and some form of civilization, humans there aren't particularly intelligent. Plus, there are plenty of monsters roaming around."

"I had to use some unconventional methods just to stabilize my position in that world."

Keqing rubbed her temples, clearly overwhelmed.

"This is… absolutely absurd."

Teyvat was no stranger to outsiders. Foreigners weren't exactly common, but they weren't unheard of either. Many even had unique abilities.

But Ryen's "uniqueness" was on an entirely different level.

What kind of outsider carried an entire world with them?

And not just any world—a wild, untamed one without established nations or civilizations. A world ripe for exploration and development.

Even Keqing couldn't deny that if the Geo Archon himself learned of this, he'd undoubtedly take an interest.

The possibilities of such a world were endless—resources, opportunities, solutions to countless problems faced by Liyue…

"Ryen, are you sure about this? Telling us such a significant secret?"

Ganyu bit her lip, her voice filled with concern. She quickly added:

"Of course, I'm not doubting your trust in us, and I'm deeply moved by your faith, but… this is an entire world we're talking about…"

Ryen waved dismissively, smiling.

"It's fine, Ganyu. Didn't you say yourself that you'd never betray me? If you're willing to say that, then I'll believe it."

Ganyu nodded earnestly, her expression solemn.

"By the name of the Geo Archon, I swear—if I ever betray Ryen, then I will—"

"Alright, alright." Ryen interrupted her with a laugh, patting her shoulder gently.

"There's no need for oaths. I trust you. Besides, inviting you both to this endeavor wasn't a whim. I have my reasons."

"That world is incredibly special. Its value might be far beyond what you could even imagine."

"But precisely because of that, developing it alone is dangerous. If we want to fully explore its potential, we need an organized system—a base for operations, defenses against monsters, technological advancements…"

"All these things… I can't do on my own. I need your help."

For Keqing and Ganyu, Ryen's words were nothing short of revolutionary.

He wasn't just talking about developing a new land; he was describing the creation of a civilization.

From nothingness to a thriving society—a feat akin to the legendary accomplishments of the Geo Archon himself.

The very thought filled them with fiery determination.

"Ryen!"

Keqing suddenly grabbed his hand, her excitement barely contained.

"Please let me join! I won't let you down. I'll give it everything I've got to help you build a civilization in that world!"

"We should start immediately! Let's survey the area first. Then tonight, I'll draft a comprehensive plan for you!"

Ryen blinked, caught off guard by her fervor.

"Whoa, whoa, calm down. I think you might be getting the wrong idea… But fine. Let me first show you something unique about that world's resources."

With that, Ryen opened his inventory and pulled out two birchwood blocks.

"Pay attention. What I'm about to show you might completely overturn your understanding of the world!"

His tone was so serious that it instantly put Keqing and Ganyu on edge.

Ganyu even activated a protective adeptal barrier just in case.

Carefully, Ryen stacked the two blocks one on top of the other and then stepped aside, gesturing for them to watch closely.

"???"

Ganyu stared blankly, completely lost. After a long silence, she finally asked hesitantly:

"Is that it? Just… two perfectly shaped wooden blocks?"

Ryen's lips curled into a mysterious smile.

"Keep watching."

The moment he finished speaking, Ryen swung his fist at the bottom block a few times.

With a crisp cracking sound, the block shattered into tiny pieces, leaving a small birchwood crystal floating in the air.

But that wasn't what caught Keqing and Ganyu's attention.

Their gazes were fixed on the remaining wooden block—suspended in midair.

With nothing supporting it, the block floated silently, defying all logic.

After a long pause, Keqing abruptly stood up, pointing at the hovering block in disbelief.

"This… How is this even flying?!"