When the adventurers holding the light novels heard Bennett's voice, they instinctively turned around and looked at him with some surprise.
Before reading this light novel, they had been ordinary adventurers just like Bennett. But after reading it—if the stories were true—Bennett was certainly no ordinary person.
Several adventurers familiar with Bennett quickly walked over with the light novel. "Bennett, have you read this light novel? Is it all true? Were you really found by your dad in the Valley of Despair?"
They crowded around Bennett, pressing him for confirmation.
In the midst of the crowd, Bennett's eyes first filled with confusion, then grew a little angry. Himself found in the Valley of Despair? Who started that rumor?
"How could that be? Don't talk nonsense. I'm my dad's real son."
Though he firmly believed he was his dad's biological son, Bennett had seven dads. Which one's real son was he? Even Bennett himself was confused.
The adventurers held up their light novels. "It's written right here in this book. It's got stories about Lord Barbatos, the Raiden Shogun of Inazuma, and even you, Bennett. Read it yourself and see if it's true."
They thrust the book into his hands and urged him to open the first page.
Bennett was both puzzled and curious. What kind of stories could make these adventurers so excited? Despite his doubts, he opened the light novel. The first story wasn't about him—it was about Inazuma's Raiden Shogun.
"Bennett, skip to the eighth story. The eighth story is about you and your dad."
Following their advice, he jumped straight to the eighth story. He read how his dad had risked his life to reach the end of the Valley of Despair, how he had found baby Bennett in a treasure chest, raised him, and how later Bennett lost his companions one by one until he became a solo adventurer.
After reading it all, Bennett's usually cheerful expression turned serious. The surrounding adventurers grew puzzled.
"So, Bennett, is it all true? Did you really get your Vision in the Valley of Despair? Was there really a treasure chest there?"
They stared at him like he was a treasure themselves.
Bennett thought of his seven departed dads. His expression grew somber. "I don't know about the parts describing my dads' adventures. But the parts about my adventures are true. I did awaken my Vision in the Valley of Despair."
Though his expression was downcast, his heart was full of questions. How did the author of this light novel know about his adventures? The details matched perfectly—even his state of mind was described with uncanny accuracy.
After a long moment, Bennett's gaze grew determined. "Please tell me—who wrote this light novel?"
The Yae Publishing House salesperson hurried forward. "Our chief editor wrote it, but she only recorded the stories told by a certain storyteller."
Then the salesperson earnestly told Bennett about the storyteller at Wangshu Inn.
Hearing this, Bennett's eyes became resolute. He murmured, "Liyue Harbor, Wangshu Inn? I've never adventured outside Mondstadt before. This is my chance. Target: Wangshu Inn in Liyue Harbor. Benny's Adventure Team, move out!"
With that, he handed the light novel back to the adventurers and walked away alone, embarking on a new adventure—to find the storyteller and his dad's reincarnation.
The remaining adventurers didn't stay idle either. They passed the light novels around, some even forgetting their commissions. Soon, everyone had finished reading and began eagerly awaiting the protagonist's next reincarnation.
Meanwhile, inside the Adventurers' Guild, which was usually bustling but now eerily quiet, Katheryne the receptionist was baffled. "No adventurers coming to take commissions today? Not even the gossips?"
Just then, an adventurer holding a light novel walked through the door. "Miss Katheryne, look at this light novel. I think you'll be interested."
Katheryne looked confused. "A light novel? Did you come to take a commission?"
"Not at all—I came to sell you a light novel."
Katheryne was dumbfounded. Strange things happened every year, but this year was especially odd. Adventurers weren't adventuring anymore? They'd switched to selling light novels?
...
While Yae Publishing House's light novels were selling like hotcakes in Liyue Harbor and spreading through Mondstadt, at Wangshu Inn, Li Mo had just finished breakfast and a cup of tea. He walked to the stage, unaware of Yae Miko's activities. Not that he would have stopped her—the more people who heard these stories, the better for completing his mission and the richer his rewards.
When Li Mo appeared on stage, the audience was already packed below.
"Storyteller, this should be the ninth life, right? Nine lives and you still won't tell Lord Rex Lapis's story?"
"Even if not Lord Rex Lapis, how about one of the adepti?"
"Or Lady Ganyu's story? I heard she's lived for thousands of years—is that true?"
Facing their questions, Li Mo sat on stage and spoke slowly. "After the death of Bennett's dad in the eighth life, he did not enter the underworld. He entered the cycle of reincarnation once more."
"In the ninth life, he was reincarnated in Liyue during the era of the war between the adepti and the demons."
"He became a yaksha."