Genshin x Minecraft: Building the Temple of Virtue

Looking at Ryen's nonchalant expression, everyone opened their mouths to protest but ultimately chose to let it go.

This world didn't play by the usual rules.

They'd just have to get used to it.

"Xiao, you can head out now. I'll start working. Remember, don't go into the dark areas, and be careful."

"The most important thing is to stay away from the green monsters."

Xiao nodded slightly, his mind instinctively trying to activate his power to become the breeze and leave.

However, something strange happened—his divine energy felt dormant, unable to operate as usual.

Helpless, Xiao took up his axe and grabbed half a stack of coal before departing.

"Zhongli, take this."

Watching Xiao leave, Ryen handed Zhongli a set of ladders with a smile.

"You just need to follow behind me. As I build upwards, you place the ladders in a straight line on top of my blocks."

Zhongli nodded thoughtfully.

"So, this is how we ascend to the sky island? Seems much easier than floating stones."

Ryen turned to look at Ningguang and the others, who were eagerly awaiting his instructions.

To be honest, building the sky island's foundation could be easily handled by him and Xiao alone.

But Ryen wanted them to feel involved.

After thinking for a moment, he spoke again.

"Keqing, could you take a shovel and go out to dig up some dirt? We'll need it soon."

"Ganyu, go to the riverbank and collect some sand and gravel. Remember, use a shovel."

"When collecting gravel, watch out for flint; we need those too. For sand, bring some back and throw it into the furnace with coal to smelt into glass."

"Save the rest for concrete later when we have the time."

"Now, for Ningguang…"

Ryen scratched his head awkwardly.

He wasn't sure if this elegant lady would be able to handle these tasks.

Thankfully, Ningguang understood well and lightly laughed as she covered her mouth.

"If there's anything you need, just let me know. I'm not spoiled; I've been through my share of tough times."

Ryen immediately remembered her childhood—barefoot on the beach picking shells and then selling them in Liyue Harbor's streets.

Ningguang wasn't spoiled at all; she had struggled through life.

With that thought, Ryen handed her a wooden axe.

"Then I'll rely on you to chop some trees and gather wood. If there are saplings, don't forget to bring them too."

"Also, you can familiarize yourself with the crafting formulas. I think you're good at handling them, and you'll be the one providing technical support from the rear."

"Just don't go too deep into the forest—stay on the edges. It can be dangerous."

"I'll make you a stone sword as well. Even if you don't need it, it's better to have it as protection."

Ningguang appreciated Ryen's care.

Since ascending to her position, the people around her had changed often.

Yet, she rarely received genuine care without ulterior motives—especially from someone just offering friendship.

"Let's get started! Stay safe. With me and Zhongli here, you'll be fine."

Ryen waved his hand, casually digging around the ground and pouring water into a spot.

After all, it's always good to have some safety measures.

Ningguang and the others exchanged quick goodbyes and left together, laughing and chatting.

For now, they were just friends exploring this world, without rank or titles separating them.

"Tsk…"

Ryen turned to Zhongli, chuckling softly.

"So, should I call you Zhongli or Morax now?"

Zhongli wasn't surprised; he simply examined the ladders in his hands and spoke nonchalantly.

"By common reason, I'd prefer you to address me as ordinary Zhongli."

"I figured as much."

Ryen smirked, hands on his hips.

"If you want to act as Morax, I'd feel bad asking you to do menial tasks."

Zhongli gave a slight smile.

He appreciated Ryen's casual attitude, showing no pretense about his status.

After all, even after over six thousand years, Morax was still someone yearning for friendships, not just leadership.

Ryen took out a set of stone blocks and stood on the stone block he had already placed.

Zhongli casually dropped a ladder on top of the stone.

"It seems like a pretty simple job."

Ryen appreciated the efficiency of a qualified worker who understood the task right away.

Without hesitation, he jumped in place, stepping upward, then jumping again to step upward.

In the blink of an eye, Ryen ascended seven or eight blocks, roughly seven to eight meters.

Zhongli paused for a moment but quickly caught on, instinctively placing ladders and climbing up.

Surprisingly, due to a portion of Ryen's unique constitution, the climbing didn't drain his stamina, nor did he worry about falling.

It felt as if this was all etched into his bones.

Even though it was just a straight stone pillar, it didn't sway in the slightest.

Zhongli quietly admired the scene once again.

However, he didn't slow his pace.

The two continued building upwards in silence.

Eventually, after who knew how long, Ryen glanced downward.

The once expansive estate below had now shrunk to the size of a fist-sized dot.

Checking his remaining stone blocks, he found only twenty-four left from the full set.

"Forty meters in height…"

Ryen pondered for a moment before deciding not to build any higher for now.

Forty meters was sufficient, no need to reach the heights of Ningguang's Jade Chamber in the sky at hundreds of meters.

In the Minecraft world, the maximum height for blocks was only a little over two hundred.

Moreover, this was just the first phase of the sky island; there would be plenty of room for expansion in the future.

"Not going higher for now?"

Zhongli asked, his eyes scanning the breathtaking view around them.

From such a height, looking out over the mountains at their backs and the vast plains ahead,

with floating blocks, a sun, and clouds seeming so close by—

even at just forty meters, the grandeur of the landscape was breathtaking.

Zhongli couldn't help but feel awe, even though he had witnessed even more beautiful sights.

Still, this world was different.

New worlds brought new expectations.

At least, Zhongli felt that his sense of weariness wouldn't intensify until he had fully explored this world.

"Let's keep it at this height for now. We'll see if we need to go higher later."

Ryen shook his head, speaking softly.

"I still have a set of stone blocks. Next, I'll start spreading the ground. Once you've built the ladders, come up."

With that, Ryen crouched down, carefully placing blocks along the edge of the stone.

A simple platform emerged above Zhongli's head.

Zhongli picked up a ladder and climbed to the top of the stone platform.

In no time, Ryen had constructed a 4×4 platform.

Standing there, the space felt spacious enough for the two of them.

Standing atop the platform, Zhongli glanced around and sighed.

"Indeed, the view is even better… but I still don't quite understand."

"A rootless floating island, how can it stand in the sky without any foundation?

Just relying on a one-meter square stone pillar, no base at all…"

"Fascinating. If these blocks were spread across Liyue, the port would undoubtedly improve."

Ryen patted Zhongli on the shoulder, handing him half a stack of stone blocks.

"Isn't that what we're doing already? Liyue Port will only grow larger. We'll build cities everywhere—on land, in the sky, and even beneath the sea."

"Just wait with anticipation for that day."

Zhongli's mood seemed much lighter, a faint smile playing on his lips as he nodded.

"I'll look forward to it. What's next?"

Ryen snapped his fingers, his voice booming with confidence.

"Next, we're building a fifty-by-fifty square sky island!"

"You and I will work side by side, placing two blocks wide paths, spreading out twenty-five blocks in each direction."

Hearing this, Zhongli raised an eyebrow, speaking softly.

"That doesn't seem to leave enough stone… I think I understand why you sent Xiao to mine stone now."