Shen Qin explained, "The energy used to activate the Skyshield comes from the ley lines, so there's no need to worry about consumption. Just keep it running constantly. The system will automatically identify whether someone is friend or foe and either intercept or allow them through. It can also be configured manually. When it detects an attack that might harm the city or its people, it will activate defense mode on its own."
"Oh right, I also embedded an intelligent terminal into the main shield generator. It actually has a lot of functions…"
As he spoke, Shen Qin raised his hand to summon a virtual screen and issued a command: "Call Sucrose."
After three beeps, the screen lit up, showing her weaving through a crowd while shouting, "Klee! Slow down! I'm running out of stamina!"
Shen Qin and Jean: …
Sucrose looked down at the screen and said to Shen Qin, "Klee is dragging me all over Mondstadt chasing after the Stormterror. I'm dying here. If it's important, contact Albedo instead!"
The screen cut off immediately.
Shen Qin spread his hands helplessly like a defeated bear. But there was no need to contact Albedo anymore. The Stormterror had flown to the far side of Mondstadt, far from the Knights' Headquarters. Since Klee was over there, the demonstration had already made its point.
"This is the first function. Using all the shield generators, I created a massive terminal network covering the entire city. Anyone with a terminal can transmit data and have real-time video calls within Mondstadt."
Ignoring the stunned Jean and Keqing, Shen Qin pulled out a card and handed it to the contemplative Diluc. He then configured some settings on his smart wristband and instructed him to fly a kilometer away on a glider, destroy the card, and hide somewhere discreet.
"Right now, Diluc's identity is set as a suspicious assassin in the system. However, the card I gave him grants him unrestricted access within Mondstadt and constantly syncs his location to the system."
The virtual screen showed a directional map centered on Shen Qin. A green dot moved away from the center, but soon, it turned red, and the wristband blared an ear-piercing alarm.
"If the authorization card leaves the holder, the system will issue a warning and track his exact location."
Shen Qin borrowed a glider from a nearby knight and handed it to Keqing. He then led her and Jean to a hidden corner of the city where they found Diluc, calmly leaning against a wall.
"But if I set Diluc's identity as a Knight of Favonius, then even without the card, the system will consider him a safe individual."
Sure enough, after Shen Qin made the change, the red dot on the map turned green again.
"What if Diluc performs a dangerous action?" Shen Qin asked. "Diluc, try attacking me with your claymore—just don't exceed the shield's threshold."
"No problem." Diluc drew his claymore and struck Shen Qin. The attack landed on the shield, causing no harm, but the wristband sounded an alarm again, and the green dot turned red.
"Once the system determines suspicious behavior or criminal actions, the person will be flagged as a suspect. The Knights can then use the location data to find and investigate him."
"This entire smart system for managing and protecting city order—I call it the Sentinel System. Notably, every operation is recorded in the system's lowest-level backend, including operator info. These logs cannot be deleted or altered. So, there's no need to worry about insiders abusing their access to shield criminals—every action leaves a trace."
"That's the second function."
Jean and Keqing were visibly moved. They understood how vital the Sentinel System could be to national security. With it, enemies would be exposed no matter where they hid in the city—it would be an excellent tool for unearthing foreign spies.
No need to mention whether Liyue and Mondstadt had planted agents in each other's territories at a time like this.
"It seems the second function is tailored for major powers like Mondstadt and Liyue," Diluc observed. "Whereas the first function could be commercialized—release smart wristbands or other terminal forms with defense functions removed?"
He remembered that when the wristbands were first developed, Shen Qin had said it wasn't the right time to go public.
Shen Qin nodded. "Exactly. But I'm not planning to release it just yet—I'm still waiting for the right moment."
"Shen Qin, I sincerely request that you design a Skyshield and Sentinel System for Liyue as well," Keqing said earnestly.
She had given up on recruiting him back to Liyue, but after seeing the effects of these two systems, the idea came rushing back.
Just these two alchemical inventions alone would make him worthy of a seat among the Liyue Qixing. If Ningguang learned about this, she might even offer him the Jade Chamber.
Who knew what other genius ideas lay in that mind of his—and how much they could strengthen Liyue's national power once realized.
Still, it couldn't be rushed. She would have to slowly build his sense of belonging to Liyue, subtly guiding him to contribute more, even if she couldn't get him to return.
If Shen Qin knew what she was thinking, he'd probably burst out laughing. Liyue didn't need to go through all that trouble. Because of the great homeland in his previous life, he would unconditionally help Liyue regardless.
"I have no problem with that," Shen Qin agreed readily. "But only after we handle Mondstadt's problems first."
After a long, impotent rage, Stormterror slunk back to Stormterror's Lair. It passed through a wind barrier and landed on the top of the central tower, locking eyes with a golden-haired youth standing at the cliff's edge. Without a word, it retreated into its nest.
"Your Highness… it failed… It couldn't even break through that thin shield," four Abyss Mages of different elements knelt before the youth.
"No matter. Destroying Mondstadt was never our plan…"
A portal to the Abyss opened behind the boy. He turned and walked into it.
The Abyss Mages exchanged glances.
"Well? Hurry up! We need to prepare the next phase of the plan."
They promptly followed him into the portal.
Stormterror curled up in the shadows of the old building. It glanced at the direction where the golden-haired youth disappeared, then tucked its head under its wings.
It felt lost. When it had been blocked by the shield while attacking Mondstadt, it was furious, ready to tear it down and rampage through the city. But once it cooled down… part of it felt relieved that it was stopped.
These weak and heartless humans… I'm supposed to hate them!
I shouldn't feel sympathy for them. I am the pinnacle of Anemo lifeforms. I am the unique and supreme Dvalin. They are nothing more than fragile beings living under the mercy of gods.
No mercy. Only vengeance!