Yujing Terrace.
After lunch, in order to prepare the materials for boiling the perfumed balm, Ye Xi took Dehya and the others to gather Silk Flowers in the courtyard.
As the administrative district of Liyue Harbor, the flowers here were naturally meant for decorative aesthetics. On ordinary days, with the Millelith standing guard, passersby were not permitted to pick the flowers. However, thinking of Ye Xi's status, not a single one of the Millelith dared to say a word. Instead, they whispered among themselves, looking at Ye Xi while practically eating lemons out of jealousy. There was no helping it; they were truly envious!
The courtyard was large, and there were very many flowers. Ye Xi casually picked two blossoms before spotting a hunchbacked old grandmother in the corner. At this moment, Lumine was speaking to her.
Seeing Ye Xi walk over, Lumine hurriedly introduced them: "Ye Xi, this is one of Liyue's Adepti, Madame Ping."
Ye Xi nodded; of course, he remembered this Adeptus. The impression left by Madame Ping's shockwave was quite profound.
Madame Ping exchanged pleasantries with a chuckle: "Little friend Ye Xi, these days, the Lord of Geo is always mentioning you. I have also heard quite a few of your heroic deeds. Thank you for suppressing Azhdaha. This can be considered helping those children of the Qixing solve a major problem."
"It was a simple effort, no need to worry about it."
Ye Xi waved his hand. He still had a very favorable impression of this Adeptus, so he asked, "Are you doing something?"
Lumine took out a bejeweled teapot and said with a beaming smile, "I'm asking Madame Ping to help repair my Serenitea Pot! Hehehe, inside here is a small world! It's my little home! Envious, aren't you? When the time comes, I'll abduct all your wives into my pot! You can just wait and cry!"
Looking at Lumine's radiant, punchable face, Ye Xi felt a bit amazed internally. Of course, it wasn't because of Lumine's words, but because he thought of something.
The Serenitea Pot is a good thing!
Last night, the [Space Portal] skill he obtained seemed to be a perfect match for the Serenitea Pot! Since he had the super power of portals, why did he still need to keep his home in Sumeru? If he set up a home inside the Serenitea Pot and then designed portals to connect to various regions... wouldn't that be incredibly convenient!
Moreover, the world inside the Serenitea Pot was extremely private, with absolutely no outsiders! There was no need to worry about enemy attacks, or being peeped at and monitored! The more Ye Xi thought about it, the more moved he felt, becoming increasingly fond of the Serenitea Pot!
Seeing Ye Xi attracted by her Serenitea Pot, Lumine immediately looked smug. "Hehe, how about it? Envious, right?!"
Madame Ping smiled kindly and spoke, "Come, let this old woman take a look for you. Let's see how the realm within your pot is doing."
Saying this, she opened the lid. One could view the realm from the mouth of the pot. However, aside from wilderness, there was only a dilapidated small wooden hut inside. The teapot spirit at the door, [Tubby], had nearly turned into a stone statue.
"Uh... Traveler, your pot has nothing in it, so it doesn't need maintenance either."
Now, Lumine instantly looked ashamed.
Ye Xi's gaze was full of playfulness as he teased, "You call this a home?"
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Lumine scratched her head, only able to use a smile to alleviate the awkwardness. Just a moment ago she was talking about taking Dehya and Keqing into the pot, but with this kind of broken wooden hut, even she didn't want to live in it herself.
"Th-There was no way! My funds have been so tight along the journey, I simply couldn't afford to buy too many things to decorate. I also... don't really understand architecture... And... if camping in the wild, if Paimon and I went into the pot, the Serenitea Pot would still be outside. It would be very easy for someone to take it away..."
The more she spoke, the less confidence Lumine had. However, these words made Ye Xi understand the defects of the Serenitea Pot. Indeed. If everyone went into the pot while the Serenitea Pot remained outside, it was obviously very dangerous. It was very likely that after sleeping in the Serenitea Pot, one would come out to find themselves in a Treasure Hoarder's vault. If the person who found the pot took a look inside, that would be even more dangerous!
Moreover, the Serenitea Pot looked so bejeweled and particularly conspicuous. This point was the fatal factor preventing the Serenitea Pot from becoming a divine artifact. However, it wasn't a problem. He had a way to solve it.
Thus, he reached his hand toward the Serenitea Pot.
"Eh!? You... what do you want to do!"
Seeing Ye Xi take away the Serenitea Pot, Lumine looked as if her small treasury had been robbed, tears about to flow out.
Ye Xi laughed loudly, unable to resist the urge to tease her, so he said, "This is mine now."
"Eh!? Boohoo... you can't do this..."
Lumine reached out trying to grab it, but Ye Xi simply held the Serenitea Pot high up. No matter how Lumine jumped, she couldn't touch it. Finally, with a flying lunge, she crashed into Ye Xi's embrace. Seeing she couldn't get it back, Lumine used the tactic of acting spoiled. She squatted on the ground hugging Ye Xi's thigh, imploring, "Master, this is my last treasury, I beg you... have a heart! Madame Ping, look! He's robbing my Serenitea Pot! Boohoo..."
Seeing her appearance of a crying and fussing little girl, Madame Ping at the side also laughed out loud.
The surrounding Millelith all received critical damage at this moment, each one clutching their chest in a bout of angina.
"Damn it! Actually showing off public displays of affection in broad daylight!"
"Ahhh! Jealousy is making my cell walls separate!"
"Why! Why can they be so dazzling!"
"My eyes! Ah—! I'm blind!"
"It's good to be young, sigh, truly sweet."
"Even our hero of Liyue Harbor is like this, it breaks my heart!"
"..."
This appearance of Lumine, in the eyes of passersby, was clearly that of a little girl in the honeymoon phase of love. Even Ye Xi found it cute.
Madame Ping smiled and said, "It's fine, this old woman will make another one for you! Hehehe..."
However, Ye Xi waved his hand. "No need, I was teasing her. I can make it myself."
As soon as these words came out, Madame Ping was instantly very astonished. "Make it yourself?"
The skill of this Realm within the Pot was something she had only learned after a thousand years of bitter cultivation; how could it be so easy? She was very curious how Ye Xi would create a Serenitea Pot.
Lumine was also attracted by this sentence, standing up to see what was happening. Ye Xi picked up the Serenitea Pot and activated a skill.
[Copy]
The skill activated, and the composition of the entire environment within the Serenitea Pot appeared in his mind, becoming a model.
[System Notification: Scanning...]
[Scanning complete, copy content can be selected!]
This design was truly much more convenient. He could decide which parts to copy and which parts to discard based on his consciousness. He didn't want that broken wooden hut of Lumine's, so he directly excluded it. And the teapot spirit [Tubby]. He couldn't copy things with life and consciousness, so [Tubby] naturally wouldn't work either. As for the vegetation in the pot, it seemed to be composed of Adeptal Energy and did not belong to living things, so he found he could actually copy it.
This was really convenient enough. After selecting everything, he activated the skill.
[Paste]
Shua—
In his other hand, an identical Serenitea Pot impressively appeared.
"Eh—!?"
This method thoroughly stunned Lumine.
"No way! Is it this amazing!"
Lumine looked left and right, simply unable to distinguish which one was hers! Madame Ping was also astonished, hurriedly speaking up, "Little friend, can you let this old woman take a look too?"
Ye Xi generously handed the new Serenitea Pot over. Seeing the Serenitea Pot in her hand, Madame Ping immediately used Adeptal Energy to sense it. She opened the lid, and the world inside was presented before her eyes. Lumine also leaned in, and soon she discovered that the realm in this pot was exactly the same as hers!
Now, both people were shocked. Madame Ping's heart was filled with horror; she couldn't understand how Ye Xi did it. She was still very confident in the ability of the Realm within the Pot; among the Adepti, very few could create a realm to her level! Yet Ye Xi did it without expending the slightest effort! And it was done in the blink of an eye! Even for her, making this pot required consuming quite a bit of Adeptal Energy and time! It was simply incredible! She couldn't help but marvel; as expected of the person the Lord of Geo had his eyes on.
Ye Xi took the opportunity to speak. "Madame Ping, I have a matter to ask of you. This pot, I plan to deposit it with you. I have another way to enter and exit the Serenitea Pot."
That's right. Giving the Serenitea Pot to Madame Ping meant she could not only maintain it frequently but also protect the Serenitea Pot from being taken by others. This was an Adeptus! Could any bodyguard be more reliable than an Adeptus? Moreover, Madame Ping presumably wouldn't have thoughts of prying into his affairs. Even if she took a couple of looks, it didn't matter since the other party was Madame Ping. She was once a top-tier beauty too! If not for the Dust Demon God Guizhong passing away, she wouldn't have turned into this image. If he handed it to Cloud Retainer, that woman would definitely peek every day and then be restless.
Madame Ping was the best candidate!
Hearing the [Portal] Ye Xi mentioned, Madame Ping was amazed once again in her heart. She hadn't expected that one could actually open a door within the realm! This was indeed a novel idea. Thus, she nodded. "Good, since Little Friend trusts me, this old woman will look after it for you."
"Then many thanks, Adeptus."
Suddenly, Madame Ping changed the subject, smiling as she said, "However, this old woman also has a request."
"Oh?"
"Speak freely. As long as I can do it, I will definitely help."
Ye Xi was a bit surprised. Although he didn't know how difficult an Adeptus's favor would be, since she helped him, reciprocity was required; he couldn't get something for nothing.
"Hehehe... you will definitely be able to help with this!"
Madame Ping still remembered her precious disciple's words; naturally, now was the best opportunity! She spoke directly: "Actually, that precious disciple of mine has a very good impression of you."
"Disciple!?"
Ye Xi was slightly stunned, subconsciously thinking of Yaoyao. That would be too punishable; that was truly a sentencing event, highly warranting a verdict. No matter what, one should wait four or so years, right!? However, he quickly thought of Xiangling. Madame Ping had a total of two disciples; Yaoyao was the small disciple, and the eldest disciple was Xiangling.
"You have met my precious disciple too; her name is Mao Xiangling, the little chef of Wanmin Restaurant. If you have the heart, go find her to play often. That child has a lively and active personality; she is a bit boisterous, but she is very simple and cooks a good meal. I hope you won't dislike her."
Hearing Madame Ping's words, Ye Xi nodded. "So that's it. Xiangling is indeed a good girl. I will go find her when I have time. Once I finish building the Serenitea Pot, she can also go directly into my pot from your place."
"With your words, this old woman is at ease."
Just as they were speaking, the sound of messy footsteps suddenly came from the stairs at the side. Ye Xi looked back and couldn't help but be very surprised! He saw Zhongli being escorted by a group of Millelith, walking right toward Yujing Terrace. This combination was truly rare!
"Lord of Geo..."
Madame Ping was a bit worried seeing this. Currently, Zhongli was just an idle person; what business could the Millelith have with an idle person!? This situation was very likely related to his identity being detected!
At this time, Zhongli also saw Ye Xi and immediately cast a gaze over, as if hoping he would keep up.
"Secretary Baixiao, I have invited Mr. Zhongli."
Waiting at the entrance of Yuehai Pavilion, Baixiao nodded and said, "Many thanks for your help, Instructor Feng. Then, Mr. Zhongli, please follow me. Lady Ningguang and Lady Keqing are both waiting for you!"
Hearing that Keqing was also there, Zhongli knew clearly in his heart. Thus he turned back and spoke, "Little friend Ye Xi, can you walk with me?"
Hearing Zhongli's words, Ye Xi had to catch up and say, "Take me along too."
"Eh!? Master Ye Xi also wants to see Lady Ningguang!? I... I understand!"
Baixiao's face flushed slightly red. She hadn't expected something unexpected to occur, and hurriedly led the way in front. Going up the stairs, they reached the reception room of Yuehai Pavilion. After Baixiao knocked on the door, she went in to explain the situation, then opened the door.
"Mr. Zhongli, Master Ye Xi, please come in!"
Inside the room, besides Ningguang and Keqing, even Ganyu was there. At this moment, Ganyu's expression was very fearful. And seeing Ye Xi, Keqing immediately came to Ye Xi's side. "Master, you came."
"Mn."
After Ningguang sent Baixiao away, there were no outsiders in the room. She got straight to the point, standing up to bow and say, "Greetings to the Lord of Geo."
Hearing this title, Zhongli was not surprised. Instead, he sighed and said, "As expected, was it already detected by you all?"
This sentence was obviously a tacit admission of the identity of Rex Lapis. Ningguang and Keqing's eyes lit up; it meant their guess was not wrong!
Zhongli sat on the wooden chair and looked at Ganyu to the side. Ganyu's small face went pale, and she hurriedly waved her hands. "N-No, I didn't say it, Lord of Geo!"
"Lord of Geo, this matter was deduced by Ningguang and me; it has nothing to do with Ganyu."
Keqing hugged Ye Xi's arm, hoping Ye Xi could help; she was worried Ganyu would be punished. Ye Xi knew Zhongli wouldn't make things difficult for Ganyu. After all, she was an Adeptus who had protected Liyue for thousands of years; how could he get angry over such a small matter?
Zhongli smiled upon hearing this. "Rest assured, I will not blame Ganyu. It is just that, nowadays I am already a mere idle person and have this new identity of [Zhongli]. You may simply address me as [Zhongli]. Speak, what business do you have with me?"
Ningguang and Keqing were both very helpless. What did he mean by an idle person? A mere idle person, Rex Lapis?
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