Lumine stared blankly at the floating desktop interface.
She was genuinely shocked.
"You built the internet?!"
After a moment of stunned silence, she whirled on Jiang Chen.
How the hell was he this fast?!
"Nope."
"It already existed."
"Sumeru had this system—just extremely primitive."
"Then I resurrected the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, and Irminsul became her Noble Phantasm. After that? Easy."
Irminsul collected information from leylines, and the Terminals accessed it through the World Tree.
Previously, only Sumeru's citizens could use them—outside the region, they were useless.
But now?
The reborn Greater Lord had turned Irminsul into her personal Noble Phantasm.
Anywhere leylines existed, the Terminals would work.
And Irminsul no longer belonged to Teyvat.
It was hers—and, by extension, Jiang Chen's.
Lumine's eyes gleamed with understanding—and then excitement.
"This is perfect!!"
"Let me see… You even have Weibo?!"
"Do you have admin rights?"
"Once more people join, pin my posts."
Ohhh, the internet era had arrived.
Time to teach her dear brother the consequences of abandoning his sister.
Aether would become Teyvat's first victim of cyberbullying!!
And she'd studied the art of online warfare.
Jiang Chen recognized that dangerous glint in her eyes.
"Give it some time."
"At least wait until the Terminals spread to other nations."
He wasn't just permitting it—he was encouraging it.
Lumine's grin turned feral.
"Deal~!"
The more users, the better.
Ideally, her brother would also get online.
No—he definitely would.
Once Jiang Chen popularized the Terminal, Aether would log on.
And then?
Full. Platform. Exposure.
She could already taste his despair.
Nearby, Cloud Retainer fiddled with her Terminal, utterly fascinated.
How had it changed so much?
And the content was delightful.
After just a few minutes, she was hooked.
So many people to chat with!
And with anonymous usernames?
The possibilities were endless.
Hmph. This one shall master it swiftly.
Adjusting her glasses, she dove into research mode.
A new internet addict was born.
Guizhong, however, focused on the technical aspects.
"So it connects anywhere leylines exist?"
Jiang Chen nodded.
"Exactly."
Guizhong's eyes sparkled with realization.
"No wonder you sought out the Greater Lord."
"This changes everything."
She finally grasped Jiang Chen's vision for the "internet."
Leaning forward, she asked eagerly:
"I'm so curious about your world now."
"Tell me more?"
She wanted details about modern society.
Many of Jiang Chen's inventions were replicas of his world's technology.
What else were they missing?
Cloud Retainer perked up, equally interested.
Under their expectant gazes, Jiang Chen began explaining—cities of steel and glass, instant global communication, virtual realities…
Guizhong listened intently, absorbing every word.
Modern life revolved around the internet.
This Terminal was pivotal.
Its future impact would be immense.
But—wasn't it under Sumeru's control?
Then it hit her.
The Greater Lord was Jiang Chen's ally.
Effectively, it was his system.
No need for concern.
After chatting, the group dispersed for the night.
But Jiang Chen wasn't done.
He retreated to the Throne of Heroes and summoned Makoto.
In Tenshukaku, Makoto—mid-conversation with Ei—suddenly froze.
"Ei, wait here."
"I'll be back soon."
Then she vanished.
Ei: "???"
Where did she go?!
But since Makoto had warned her, Ei didn't panic.
(If her sister had just disappeared, she'd have razed Inazuma in worry.)
Makoto materialized in the Throne of Heroes, confused.
"Why summon me so late?"
Was this… a bedroom invitation?
Her heart raced.
Should she… agree?
Jiang Chen, oblivious, shoved a crate toward her.
"Take these back."
"Now we can communicate remotely."
Makoto: "…Oh."
Not what she'd imagined.
She examined the contents.
"These are… Buer's creations?"
The familiar energy surprised her.
She knew the Greater Lord.
"Yes."
"I resurrected her too."
"The Terminals now work everywhere."
"I'm mass-producing them."
"Tomorrow, I'll add everyone to a group chat."
"Easier coordination."
Makoto's eyes widened.
"Buer is back?"
"I see!"
Without further questions, she stored the Terminals.
"That's all. You can return now."
"I'll friend you later—we'll talk online."
Then he disappeared.
Makoto: "…"
Men.
Shaking her head, she teleported back to Ei—who immediately pounced.
"Sister! Where did you go?!"