After the meeting dispersed, Zhongli and Shenhe followed Nahida into one of Sumeru's most tightly guarded areas—the Restricted Technology Zone.
This was a place normally closed to outsiders. Even earlier that day, the two of them hadn't been brought here.
As one of Sumeru's core pillars of power, the technology zone contained countless creations that immediately left both Zhongli and Shenhe stunned—row upon row of unfamiliar devices, complex blueprints, and large-scale models.
Almost everything they saw was beyond ordinary understanding.
Nahida occasionally stopped to introduce a piece or two, though most of what was displayed were still prototypes—models rather than finished products. Even so, that alone was more than enough to inspire awe.
A birdlike aircraft with wide, elegant wings.
Massive four-wheeled vehicles with bold, angular frames.
Each one felt utterly extraordinary.
The softly lit exhibition hall radiated a sense of futurism that felt almost unreal.
"This place… truly exceeds expectations,"
Zhongli said quietly, his gaze sweeping across the models.
He found himself asking a question he hadn't expected to:
Just how far has Sumeru's technology progressed?
"I've never seen designs this refined,"
Shenhe said, unable to hide the excitement in her eyes.
She pointed toward the aircraft model, shaped like a soaring bird.
"Does this… really mean people could fly one day?"
Her tone carried disbelief—and anticipation.
Nahida smiled and guided them closer.
"This is an unproduced flying vehicle," she explained proudly.
"It's designed to greatly improve transportation between cities. If completed, it would use a new form of energy—faster, more efficient, and far more convenient than teleportation."
She paused, then added casually:
"And it can be used in combat too."
Zhongli felt his breath catch.
He had heard rumors of Sumeru's development, but hearing and seeing were two very different things. Until now, he'd thought those stories were exaggerated.
Now he realized—
Sumeru was far ahead of what the world believed.
"This kind of technology…"
he murmured,
"even as concepts, they're already terrifying."
Shenhe frowned slightly.
"I still can't quite imagine it flying in the real world," she admitted.
"Being in the sky like that… it feels unreal."
"Technology takes time," Nahida said gently.
"But we'll see it one day. Science has no limits."
Then she added cheerfully:
"That's something Grand Sage Idris always says."
They moved on to another massive model—a sleek, streamlined vehicle that immediately caught their attention.
It looked nothing like a carriage.
This, in fact, was one of Idris's personal designs—a sports car concept.
According to him, technology might be the greatest productive force, but if no one uses what you build, it has no value.
In short:
Even innovation had to be profitable.
"This is called a super vehicle," Nahida explained.
"Grand Sage Idris plans to mass-produce it someday, for people without Visions who still need to travel."
She gestured toward the terrain map beside it.
"Sumeru's roads are difficult. This would greatly improve efficiency."
"No horses?" Shenhe asked, eyes bright.
"No horses," Nahida said happily.
"It runs entirely on energy technology."
Zhongli and Shenhe exchanged a glance, both clearly shaken.
This wasn't just innovation—it was a complete restructuring of how ordinary people lived.
"Can something like this really be made?" Zhongli asked quietly.
"Or will it take decades?"
Nahida's eyes shone with certainty.
"Grand Sage Idris has already prepared everything. Every model here has been precisely calculated for performance and safety. Time has never been a barrier to true innovation."
She rested her hand on the vehicle's smooth surface.
"Sumeru has gathered the greatest scholars and craftsmen in all of Teyvat. With enough effort, this won't just change Sumeru…"
"It will change the entire continent."
"A… technological revolution,"
Zhongli repeated slowly, tasting the unfamiliar phrase.
For gods, technology had never seemed important.
But not everyone was a god.
A nation couldn't rely solely on divine power.
Shenhe's eyes sparkled.
"If this succeeds… it would be extraordinary. I never imagined people could travel like this."
Zhongli nodded, deep respect settling in his gaze.
"I finally understand," he said quietly.
"Why even Liyue's Tianquan treats Sumeru with such courtesy."
"And why even Inazuma—so closed and proud—chose to cooperate."
Nahida clenched her fists excitedly.
"Grand Sage Idris does everything himself—from foundations to the highest levels. That's why everyone trusts him!"
As the tour continued, Zhongli and Shenhe stopped expressing surprise altogether.
They had grown numb.
With strength like this…
who wouldn't want to stand beside Sumeru?
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito