"Grand Sage Idris, then what about the remaining two Abyss Mages?"
Nahida asked, looking at them with uncertainty.
"We can't have them boiling water, right?"
After all, they had captured quite a lot already. If every Abyss Mage was used for power generation, wouldn't they end up with more electricity than they knew what to do with?
"Of course not," Idris replied calmly.
"The Cryo Mage will be used as a living refrigeration unit. As for the Pyro Mage—burning firewood is a waste. He'll go forge steel."
Just two sentences—yet the fate of the Abyss Mages was sealed.
Zhongli and Shenhe were both slightly stunned.
This… was not something a normal person could say.
The Abyss Mages themselves probably never imagined that after working so hard for their own side, they'd end up reduced to industrial tools.
As for the non-elder Abyss Mages, whose internal energy reserves were limited, Idris had other plans.
They would serve as bait.
His Abyss portal would be handed over to the Dragon King for the time being. From now on, that fellow's daily job would be hunting Abyss Mages. Sumeru's manpower had finally caught up—so productivity couldn't lag behind.
As for what happened after the Abyss Mages were exhausted?
That was a problem for the future.
After all, even Idris didn't know what nonsense the system might reward him with next.
Almost as if responding to his thoughts—
A familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
"Detected major alterations to Shenhe's storyline."
"Reward issued: Laser Manufacturing Technique."
"Reward successfully delivered."
Idris's eyes lit up.
Perfect timing.
Laser Manufacturing—this was no ordinary reward.
He immediately checked the details.
Laser Manufacturing was an ultra-precision technique that used concentrated energy beams for cutting, forging, engraving, drilling, and even combat applications, all at astonishing efficiency and accuracy.
If integrated into Sumeru's production system…
Idris's thoughts raced.
This isn't just an upgrade—this is an industrial revolution.
He suddenly remembered his old idea of laser cannons. He'd once shelved it due to a lack of infrastructure.
But now?
As long as the industrial base caught up, this thing would practically build itself.
"Looks like I need to rethink how we use these Abyss Mages," Idris murmured.
He had already begun planning how to combine laser manufacturing with Abyss Mage "labor" to push Sumeru's productivity into absurd territory.
Zhongli and Shenhe watched Idris's expression change—sharp, focused, overflowing with ambition—and couldn't help but feel it.
This young Grand Sage… really was dragging them toward an entirely new era.
As for the Abyss Mages?
No matter how capable they were, in Idris's hands, they had only one destiny:
Tools.
After leaving the laboratory, night had already fallen.
Zhongli and Shenhe were arranged lodging and sent off to rest. Idris, however, immediately summoned Sumeru's craftsmen and scholars.
He introduced the concept of laser manufacturing and displayed the system-generated blueprints.
The reaction was explosive.
"This… this is impossible!"
"No—this is genius!"
"An entirely new form of production?!"
One elderly craftsman trembled with excitement.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We'll create miracles never before seen!"
Because they had Idris, Sumeru's technological path had already surged far ahead of any other nation.
Idris stood before them, voice steady and resolute.
"Yes. We will open a new era—one defined by Sumeru itself. Laser manufacturing is only the beginning."
The room erupted into discussion.
Some craftsmen began sketching applications immediately.
Scholars dove into theory, hungry for deeper understanding.
Watching them, Idris felt genuine satisfaction.
This—this collective drive—was Sumeru's true power.
With people like this, Sumeru standing atop the continent was only a matter of time.
Even late into the night, the laboratory lights stayed on.
Many urged Idris to rest—but no one could persuade him.
Officially, he said it was because technological development couldn't be neglected.
Unofficially…
Nahida had called those three back.
If nothing went wrong, they were probably waiting at home.
Freshly bathed.
Just imagining it made his legs feel weak.
"The hardest thing to bear is a beauty's kindness."
Ancient wisdom truly never lied.
Early the next morning, Idris returned home with dark circles under his eyes.
The other three had already left.
Only Nahida remained.
She had wanted to scold him—but seeing his exhaustion, her expression softened instead.
She quietly poured him a cup of warm tea.
"I hate you," she muttered.
"You didn't come back, didn't sleep… and you're always the one who says the body is the foundation of everything."
Idris took the tea and smiled bitterly.
"Some things have to be done personally to feel at ease. You didn't sleep either, did you?"
Nahida lightly punched him.
"I was waiting for you! And them, too… but when you didn't come back, I sent them home. Everyone's busy."
"Don't do that again next time," Idris said, patting her head.
She mumbled,
"A chef in Liyue told me—men are happiest when their wife is waiting for them when they come home. Was he lying?"
Idris froze.
"???"
What kind of chef spreads this kind of nonsense?!
One wife might be "comfortable."
Four?
That was asking for an early grave.
And these weren't ordinary people—they wielded elemental power.
If he didn't handle things carefully…
If the balance tipped even slightly…
Forget being Grand Sage—
His entire harem would implode.
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