The night of cultivation quickly ended.
Having worked late for days, Su Han chose to rest. However, he did not sleep with the Raiden Shogun. He chose Ganyu.
Since their first intimate night, events had piled up, and they hadn't had time alone until now.
The tender little Cocogoat was as shy as before, lying on the bed beneath a thin black veil.
"That... do we really not have to worry about the Raiden Shogun? If she minds, I can return to Liyue and be with you then..."
Though she spoke of leaving, Ganyu's eyes were full of affection. Clearly, her words were not sincere. They had just declared their feelings, but endless matters had kept them apart. She yearned to rekindle their closeness.
Su Han lay down and pulled his little wife into his arms. "Today is with the Raiden Shogun's permission... relax."
He had spoken with Ei about this beforehand. Otherwise, if they were embracing and she suddenly materialized the Musou Isshin, he might very well become impotent from shock. But gaining her approval changed everything.
Ganyu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
The night was quiet.
The next day, Su Han's mood was excellent. Good fortune continued to follow him. When he arrived at the office, someone reported good news.
After continuous effort by the salvage team, they found eight more fragments. Combined with the previous ones, he now had eleven pieces. One of the fragments was nearly three meters in size. This was enough to refine a pill cauldron.
Su Han quickly called Zhongli in the group chat. He had spent tens of thousands of Mora on him these past two days. It was time for him to work.
Ten minutes later, the two gathered on the beach near Tatarasuna.
Su Han looked at the fragments and asked Zhongli, "Can you refine them into a magical artifact?"
"It is simple. I have dabbled in the refinement arts of Mt. Shu recently. Refining a single cauldron should be no problem!"
Zhongli dismissed the workers. His eyes glowed. Pillars of rock instantly rose from the ground, each carved with runes. These runes represented smelting, fire, and fusion—the essence of the ancient refinement techniques of the adepti.
"Awaken..."
Zhongli gently pointed his hand. The fragments flew into the air. Countless runes lit up.
"Burn!"
BOOM!
A nameless fire blazed fiercely. The flames were terrifyingly hot, surpassing even Hu Tao's Pyro. Even for the God of Geo, controlling this fire of refinement was an impressive feat.
The sturdy Mikage Furnace fragments quickly melted under Zhongli's control. The powerful flames could evaporate seawater nearby.
When all the fragments were melted, Zhongli twisted his palm. The refinement array rotated, and the liquid quickly took shape.
"What kind of cauldron shape do you prefer?"
"Uh... just something that can refine medicine! You decide..."
Liyue had many incense burners and cauldrons.
Zhongli nodded. "Then I'll sculpt a form at random."
An invisible hand continuously carved the liquid metal. Before long, a golden cauldron appeared before them.
It was about thirty centimeters tall.
Of course, the refinement was not yet complete. Power had to be inscribed.
One magical formula after another was continuously branded onto the cauldron. After about fifteen minutes, Zhongli smiled.
"It is done. Inspect it. See if it meets your requirements."
"Alright!"
Su Han took the cauldron and began inspecting it. Although Zhongli said he sculpted it randomly, the cauldron was aesthetically pleasing. Its exterior was a gilded dragon pattern, and the overall design resembled the scenery of the Guyun Stone Forest.
Zhongli explained, "I inscribed thirty-six arrays inside, containing the meaning of the universe. It can accommodate up to five hundred tons of medicinal herbs or materials. And it has the ability to convert elemental power. You can refine without needing external fire."
"Truly amazing. This cauldron is more than enough." Su Han nodded in satisfaction. With this, refining the Dragon Pearl pill surely wouldn't fail.
Suddenly, he remembered something and asked Zhongli, "What if we refine those sealed Demon Gods?"
Zhongli smiled gently, looking out at the distant sea. "Let them be. We fought together back then, and there was no choice. If there is a chance, I still want to have a drink with those old friends... However, there is one place you can go. You might have some gain."
"Oh? Where?"
"Sal Terrae!"
Su Han suddenly realized. Sal Terrae, the domain of the Salt God.
Zhongli murmured, "Havria was a kind person, similar to the former Electro Archon. Alas... her strength was very weak. Even among the Archons, she was at the bottom. If you go to Sal Terrae, you might find something..."
Before Su Han could react, Zhongli had vanished. Even Kujou Sara, who was nearby, didn't know when he left. But her respect for this man with golden eyes grew boundless.
"Lord Su Han, may I ask, who is this adeptus..."
"He is the oldest follower of Rex Lapis, and his strength is incomparably powerful. If you encounter him, remember to show respect..."
"Yes." Kujou Sara naturally trusted Su Han's words.
With the cauldron successfully forged, Su Han flew back to Tenshukaku, preparing to start the alchemy. As for Havria, the Salt God Zhongli mentioned, he couldn't go there yet, but after dealing with the current affairs, he might explore it. Even if he could only get her old artifacts, he could refine some good treasures. After all, they were things in the hands of an Archon.
In Tenshukaku.
The Raiden Shogun looked at the small item in Su Han's hand and asked doubtfully, "Can that refine medicine?"
"Mm, don't look at how small the cauldron is... in fact, it can hold many things. There is a spatial array inside. Holding five hundred tons is no problem!"
As he spoke, Su Han took out the things he had prepared. First, he threw in the Dragon Pearl. Then the Jiao-dragon blood, the cultivated Blood Bodhi, and some precious herbs.
Flames blazed fiercely inside the cauldron. The Dragon Pearl was incredibly restless. But the cauldron was extremely sturdy, remaining completely stable no matter how it impacted the walls.
Su Han then controlled the liquid medicine to fuse in. In full concentration, he forgot the passage of time. Until the Dragon Pearl and the medicinal liquid completely turned into pills. Su Han finally woke up.
"Phew... successfully refined!"
The cauldron opened. A rich medicinal fragrance drifted out. The entire Tenshukaku was filled with a pleasant aroma.
The Raiden Shogun walked over and asked, "Successfully refined?"
"Mm. Only twelve pills in total. Any more would affect the medicinal efficacy... Do you want one?"
Looking at the silver-lighted pill, the Raiden Shogun shook her head. "This body is very sturdy, and... even if it breaks, I can replace the parts. There is no need to eat it... Besides, it would be a waste."
"Waste what! Don't say such things. You are not a puppet... you are my wife!! If I had more Five-Colored Divine Clay, I would sculpt a body for you too..." Su Han corrected the Raiden Shogun's idea.
Her body no longer belonged to herself. It belonged to the two of them.
In the past, the other party might treat herself as a tool, allowing her to destroy and replace parts at will. But since she followed him, she had to live like a human. Sooner or later, he would truly turn her into a human. If she continued to regard herself as a tool, with the Raiden Shogun's character, a split with Ei would happen eventually. That was something he didn't want to see. Therefore, correcting her now was necessary.
Looking at his unquestionable gaze, the Raiden Shogun suddenly smiled. "Alright... I understand. I'll listen to you from now on! I'll eat it, okay..."
She took a pill from the air and put it into her mouth. Then she swallowed it.
Although the Raiden Shogun was a god, even gods suffer from erosion (loss of lifespan). And this pill increased lifespan, countering erosion. Her strength naturally wouldn't increase, but the degree of erosion decreased.
After eating the pill, Su Han's expression brightened a lot.
The Raiden Shogun asked, "How are you going to distribute the remaining pills? There are many people in the Multiverse Mission Group..."
"I plan to distribute them according to the situation. But... a few people must take it!"
If there was no danger to lifespan, there was no need to take the pill. But people like Lisa absolutely had to take it, because her lifespan was very short. Taking this pill would alleviate her worries.
Moreover, everyone in the group had different potentials. Giving it to people with average potential was far less effective than giving it to people with high potential.
So, Klee, Shenhe, and Beidou were the best choices. Jean and Eula in Mondstadt could also take one. And Kamisato Ayaka in Inazuma could also take one.
Su Han even wanted to let Hanachirusato's soul try it. If effective, he would then give one to Bosacius's soul.
Why save Hanachirusato? Not only because her identity was pitiful, but... as long as she fully awakened, the entire fox clan in Inazuma would be unsealed. This was a very powerful force.
When the Kitsune Saiguu was devoured, the foxes who followed her all turned into statues, constantly protecting Inazuma! If Hanachirusato appeared, all these Adeptus Foxes would awaken!
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