Lumine and Paimon took out the ancient artifacts, intending to return them to Lingya.
Even though Lingya no longer walked the world as the God of Salt, her identity could not be changed.
Just as Zhongli no longer walked the world as Rex Lapis, yet anyone who knew the truth would never deny that he was Rex Lapis.
Since that was the case, these artifacts unearthed from the God of Salt's ruins were best returned to their rightful owner.
However, Lingya said: "Since I am no longer the God of Salt, whoever found these two relics naturally gets to keep them."
[No need to check the livestream chat—I already know Stelle's expression right now must be extremely smug.]
[Smug? Not quite—but she's definitely being cheeky.]
——Reality
Stelle wore a beaming smile: "Oh my, how polite. Then I won't hold back."
But the next plot segment successfully shattered Stelle's smile.
Jun Bai casually took the two relics from Lingya's hands, smoothly intercepting them.
Lumine, Paimon (staring): "…"
Jun Bai: "Didn't Zhongli say to leave them with me for handling?"
Paimon: "But now Miss Lingya has given them to us."
Jun Bai: "Are you two seriously thinking I'd shamelessly take away the gifts Lingya gave you?"
Jun Bai: "Ask Yiya—am I that kind of person?"
Yiya: "Yiya!" (He's not!)
[Using Yiya as your witness? Isn't that just colluding with yourself?]
[So what does Big Bro Bai want these two things for? Does Fengdeng Lou suddenly lack salt?]
[With Fengdeng Lou's scale, they use massive amounts of salt every day—but they definitely aren't short on it.]
Stelle looked utterly aggrieved: "He's stealing the fruits of my grave-robbing labor. I want…"
Jun Bai: "The two items left by Havria can only be used to produce salt."
Jun Bai: "If your goal is traveling the seven nations, these two things won't help you much. I'll take them back, reforge them, and turn them into small accessories that can actually be useful."
Jun Bai: "Once they're done, I'll have Yiya notify you to come pick them up at Fengdeng Lou."
Stelle smiled gently: "…How about I trade you a 40-point artifact instead? That way the damage will be a bit higher."
"Big Bro Bai, really—you're being so coy with me when we're this close. How naughty~"
[Dear Stelle, I still prefer your earlier untamed look—bring it back.]
[From Jun Bai to Phoenix Perches, from Phoenix Perches to Fengdeng Lou, from Fengdeng Lou to Yiya—products from the Marshal are always top quality. Already looking forward to the little accessories the Marshal makes himself.]
Lingya: "So Marshal is saying my things are completely useless?"
Jun Bai: "To a merchant, an inexhaustible supply of salt is naturally very useful."
Jun Bai: "But to an adventurer like Lumine, that use is naturally not very significant."
Paimon (quietly): "Actually, it's still very useful—at least we won't have to worry about travel expenses anymore."
Lumine (quietly): "Do you know how to do business? Just say we won't worry about travel expenses—we're not going to sell salt."
Paimon (quietly): "I don't, but I believe Fengdeng Lou would buy the salt we sell."
[Chen Yuan, Ning Yao: ? Do we look like suckers?]
[Now that you mention it—if they can only produce salt, it really doesn't help much with traveling.]
Jun Bai: "If you really want to rely on selling salt to Fengdeng Lou for travel funds in the future, I can just give them to you directly."
Lumine: "No need. Paimon's opinion doesn't matter. The accessories—we'll leave them to you."
Yiya: "Yiya~" (Please please)
Jun Bai: "No problem."
Paimon: "Why doesn't my opinion matter?!"
Jun Bai: "Since we've already eaten and the main business is done, we'll take our leave now."
[The bottom of the food chain: Paimon.]
[Ah? Leaving already? This Story Quest just started less than ten minutes ago!]
[In that case, maybe the quest really ends here. After all, I feel like Jun Bai doesn't need a Story Quest to fill out his character.]
"But Story Quests aren't necessarily just for filling out character." Stelle said. "They can also be for delivering knives."
"Oh, congrats to the prophet earlier—your prediction came true. Werewolf, make it quick and quiet when it's your turn tonight."
Lingya: "Everyone, please wait a moment."
Jun Bai, Yiya: "Hm? / Yiya?"
Lumine, Paimon (stopping): "Something wrong?"
Lingya: "Although with the Marshal here my worry might be unnecessary, I still need to remind you all—Qingce Village has not been peaceful lately."
Paimon: "Miss Lingya, are you talking about the Ley Line disturbances? We already know about that."
Lingya: "Ley Line disturbances are one thing, but there's another point I need to tell you."
Lingya: "The monsters near Qingce Village seem to have been corrupted by god remnants. I suspect a very formidable being has been recreated by the Ley Lines."
[Another god fight?]
[I think that's not the point—the point is the Marshal just stood up! His expression turned cold in an instant!]
[I think I know who this god is.]
"I think I know too." Stelle said thoughtfully. "Let me switch teams first—I have a feeling there's a tough battle coming."
Stelle swapped her team to: Jun Bai, Yiya, Venti, Xingqiu. This was her most expensive, best-feeling, and easiest-to-operate team.
It was also her team with the most explosive damage output.
[Tough battle (×) Circle Kick (√)]
[Second Brother's debt needs to be settled properly with that guy on Jun Bai's behalf.]
[Jun Bai: On my behalf? I'm right here—no need for anyone else. I'll handle it myself!]
Paimon: "A very formidable being… Could it be a god that got recreated by the Ley Lines?"
Lumine: "Paimon!"
At this moment, Jun Bai's face was icy cold, an aura of "strangers keep away" radiating from him. Even Yiya ran to Lumine's side, not daring to approach the current Jun Bai.
Jun Bai: "I understand. Thank you for the warning."
Jun Bai: "Traveler, Yiya—let's go."
Jun Bai walked out first, even forgetting to say goodbye to Lingya.
Lingya: "Phenex, this is…"
Lumine: "There's a reason for it. But judging by Jun Bai's current state, Qingce Village will probably return to peace very soon."
Lumine, Paimon, and Yiya bid farewell to Lingya, then followed Jun Bai out of her home.
Paimon: "Jun Bai, could the god recreated by the Ley Lines be the dragon you mentioned before?"
Jun Bai: "I don't know."
Paimon: "Eh?"
Jun Bai: "Back during the Archon War, more than one god fell in Qingce Village. The dragon was just the strongest among them—so we can't rule out other possibilities."
Lumine: "What if it's not the dragon?"
Jun Bai: "Then that guy's just unlucky—freshly revived and already about to go back."
Lumine: "And if it is the dragon?"
Jun Bai: "Then I need to settle accounts with him properly."
The camera gave a close-up of Jun Bai's chilling gaze.