Venti thought to himself, "I didn't expect Arkz's tea to be this delicious. I can't even imagine how good the wine he brews will be."
Thinking of this, Venti couldn't help but look forward to it.
The delicious carrot was already wonderful when eaten raw, but after being processed by Arkz's Traveler cooking skills, the food made from carrots and fresh ingredients became even more tempting.
Herman took large mouthfuls of the delicious carrot dish in front of him, while not forgetting to serve Ellin and his wife. Although Herman usually enjoyed a small cup of fine wine, in the face of so many delicious, special dishes that could increase strength and heal injuries, even the aged vintage from Dawn Winery held no appeal for him.
On the other side, Diona was heartily devouring the steamed Fish slices with carrot in front of her. The sweet and refreshing carrot paired with the fresh, sweet Fish meat was simply an unparalleled delicacy, making Diona unable to help but shake her ears and tail, her eyes comfortably squinting.
And Diona's father, Duraf, was eating the smoked meat stir-fried with carrots in front of him with large bites. Compared to the light and sweet flavor Diona preferred, he still favored the strong flavor of smoked meat paired with heavily seasoned carrots.
Taking a bite of smoked meat and carrot, followed by a sip of tea—what enjoyment.
Regarding his daughter Diona, Duraf took a completely hands-off approach. Diona had been very independent since she was little and rarely made him worry in her daily life. When Diona ran away from home to venture out alone in Mondstadt, Duraf was extremely worried.
However, after discovering at Cats Tail Tavern that Diona was being well cared for by Margaret and had found a good job, he could only set aside his worries and respect Diona's choice.
Instead, Siegfrieda was beside Diona, helping her pick out the small Fish bones from the Fish meat and serving her dishes she wanted to eat, as Diona's hands were too short.
As for Amu's side, it was completely lively and bustling. The members of the Patrol Team were all carefully selected in Springvale by Gray, the old Knight. They were of similar age and their conduct was impeccable, so Amu got along very well with his Patrol Team friends.
The Patrol Team members did not discriminate against Amu because of his appearance or identity.
At this moment, Amu and his Patrol Team friends were at the dining table, starting to compete with each other on who could eat more and faster, all of them eating heartily with their stomachs wide open. Mutual serving of dishes and warm, gentle yielding? Not happening!
Gray also watched the competition among the young men under him with great amusement. Healthy competition could not only improve the competitors' strength but also deepen their friendship, much like athletes at the Olympics competing fairly against each other, constantly surpassing human limits, and cherishing one another.
With Gray watching from the side, the Patrol Team's competition proceeded fiercely yet gently. These teammates and Amu treated the dining table as a competition arena, competing intensely but tacitly maintaining the boundaries so as not to affect others enjoying the delicious food.
At this grand and delicious carrot Banquet, everyone left satisfied, having come with high spirits and departed content. Every one of them ate to their heart's content.
After seeing the guests off, Arkz directed the wooden puppets to clean the tables and leftover food. Arkz usually poured these leftovers into the river channel near the farm. Every time he cleaned up this kitchen waste, the Fish in the river would become unusually excited.
Although it was all leftover food, it still contained special effects. After a few days, these Fish that fought for food grew exceptionally strong and plump, looking very tempting.
Ellin originally planned to escort her parents part of the way by carriage, but Herman refused. Ellin's mother even pushed Ellin back to the farm, urging her to perform well and train diligently.
Herman was a powerful explorer in his youth. Now that his strength had recovered, even if chased by a Ruin Guard or an Abyss Mage, he could retreat safely with Ellin's mother. Safety was not a concern at all.
And Ellin's mother, after being nourished by Arkz's grand meal, had also seen her physical fitness greatly improved. Previously, walking back to Mondstadt from Springvale might have left her dead tired, but now this journey was completely effortless for her.
After sending the guests off, Ellin, Amu, and Siegfrieda gathered together to help Arkz clean up the messy farm after the banquet.
It was then that Venti popped up from somewhere, patted Arkz on the shoulder, and said, "Yo-ho! Long time no see, my good friend."
When Arkz saw it was Venti, he turned back to continue directing the wooden puppets to wash dishes, without even looking at Venti, and asked, "Venti, you haven't left yet?"
Venti clutched his chest, looking heartbroken, and asked dramatically like an actor in a play, "Arkz, are we not the dearest of friends? Why are you treating me so coldly!"
"Wuwuwu~~~"
Arkz crossed his arms, giving Venti a sidelong glance as he watched him cry dramatically without shedding a single tear, quietly observing his performance.
Venti covered his face and cried for a while, then suddenly turned around and made a face at Arkz: "Heh heh, surprise!"
Arkz's expression turned disgusted. He pushed Venti's face away and asked, "Have you finished researching my Cleanse magic? Don't tell me you've been soaking in the tavern drinking this whole time."
Venti scratched his head, his expression becoming guilty. Fortunately, he had prepared on his way over, otherwise Arkz would have guessed correctly, as he had indeed spent the last few days with the thirty thousand Mora Arkz gave him drinking in the bar.
The thought of those blissful days made Venti incredibly excited. He had not only paid off the debt he owed at Angels Share but also had ten thousand Mora left over.
With Mora in hand, even Master Diluc, who usually gave him the cold shoulder, had to obediently mix drinks for him.
Although Diluc always wore a sullen expression towards everyone, and when he served as a temporary bartender, he would diligently perform his duties as a bartender as long as he was paid, mixing drinks for customers who paid Mora was naturally included.
Arkz looked at Venti in surprise, thinking, "Could it be that this slacker is actually not slacking off?"
Facing Venti, Arkz did not hide his doubt and asked directly, "You actually developed a Dendro Element version of 'Cleanse'?"
He really couldn't imagine how the Dendro Element would remove stains from one's body or clothes.
Venti blinked, his tone carrying a hint of pride, "Although I didn't develop a Dendro Element version of 'Cleanse,' but—"
"I have a way to let you master the Anemo Element version of Cleanse!"
Saying this, Venti pulled out a pinwheel-shaped pendant from behind him, handed it to Arkz, and then explained, "I carved the magic array for the 'Cleanse' move onto the necklace. As long as you spin the pinwheel's blades once, it will trigger the 'Cleanse' move."
"Furthermore, this pendant can automatically collect and replenish Anemo Element. When the Anemo Element is full, this little thing can cast the 'Cleanse' skill more than ten times."
Arkz brought the pendant Venti gave him close to his eyes, carefully examining the array patterns on it, curiously investigating this magical item.
As Arkz gently flicked the blades of the small pinwheel on the pendant, a stream of Anemo Element flew out from the pendant, transforming into a gust of air that circled Arkz's entire body. When the airflow dissipated, the grease and dust on Arkz's clothes had all vanished.
Seeing this miraculous scene, Arkz's imagination ran wild, and he asked, "Venti, what if I carve the formation arrays of elemental attack moves onto props? Ordinary people holding these props could also release elemental attacks. Someone should pay a high price to buy them, right?"
Venti smiled and explained, "The 'Cleanse' formation array looks simple, but it actually has extremely high requirements for the array carver. Not only must one skillfully master and finely control the element, but one must also understand and grasp the small skill of 'Cleanse' very thoroughly."
"In all of Mondstadt, you won't find a human who is more proficient in the 'Cleanse' skill than I am."
Arkz nodded. Venti, as the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, had a love for drinking that dated back thousands of years. Every time he got completely drunk and needed to dispel the smell of alcohol from his body, he had to use this skill. With such high frequency and long-term use, how could his Proficiency not be high?
Venti continued, "Moreover, the elemental fluctuations of attack moves are very volatile, and ordinary materials simply cannot bear them."
Saying this, Venti patted Arkz on the shoulder and comforted him, "If you want to make money by selling magical props, I advise you to wash up and go to sleep early."
"However," he added, "if you really want to learn, I can introduce you to someone—the alchemist Albedo. He is an expert."
Arkz fiddled with the pendant in his hand, analyzing the formation array on it as he said, "The famous Kreideprinz, Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius, leader of the investigation team. I didn't expect you to know such an impressive person."
Venti proudly patted his chest and said loudly, "Of course! Don't let my approachable demeanor fool you; I've been the champion for three consecutive years in Mondstadt's 'Most Popular Bard' competition. Isn't it normal for me to know some big shots?"
Arkz's lips curled up, his smile turning sly, "Oh? Then do you know Acting Grand Master Jean of the Knights of Favonius? I have long admired this Acting Grand Master Jean. Can you introduce me?"
Venti confidently thumped his chest, "Isn't she just the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius? Your brother will arrange it for you right now!"
Arkz continued to entice him, "Oh, my good brother, you truly move me. If you can really introduce Acting Grand Master Jean to me, you can drink the wine from my farm for free from now on!"
Venti was instantly shocked, his mind clouded by the good news. The words "free to drink" immediately occupied Venti's brain, making him lose all sense of direction.
With such a large farm, Arkz would definitely develop the brewing industry later. Judging by Arkz's cooking and tea-making skills, Venti was even more confident in the wine Arkz would brew than Arkz himself.
While drinking tea just now, he was already worrying about how to come to the farm to mooch free wine after Arkz started brewing. Now, Arkz was practically offering the chance to mooch wine right to him!
If he missed this, Venti would regret it for the rest of his life, even waking up in the middle of the night to slap himself twice.
His mind muddled by Arkz's generosity, Venti immediately patted his chest and guaranteed, "Arkz, from today onwards, you are my big brother. If you need anything, just come to me for help."
The dagger was revealed now that the map was unfolded. Seeing Venti fall into the trap, Arkz immediately made his move, taking Venti's hand and saying, "Then, big brother, I won't hide it from you. Acting Grand Master Jean is the leader of the Knights of Favonius; her family is large and her status is high. I worry that she might look down on a mere farmer like me."
"If things don't go smoothly with Acting Grand Master Jean, can you introduce me to another pretty young lady?"
Venti heartily thumped his chest and confidently said, "Any beautiful girl in Mondstadt city—you just name one, and your little brother guarantees to introduce you and make the connection."
Arkz stopped concealing his intentions and burst out laughing, "You said that!!!"
"I think that little nun named Barbara from the Knights of Favonius Church is quite pretty. I have my eye on her."
Venti: "..."
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