Chapter Sixty: Strolling Around

Improving sword skills is cool, but it's just par for the course.

Surprisingly, the mark on Zhang Yujiao's head caught Xianyu off guard.

He thought the mark would last maybe three to five days, but here we are, almost two weeks later, and it's still hanging around.

Well, that's not too bad. It gives the Cryo Crystal Butterfly enough time to absorb and strengthen.

Through the contract's info, Xianyu knows the next evolution is approaching fast.

Once the moment arrives, the Cryo Crystal Butterfly will step into a whole new realm, one beyond the Elemental Lord!

What that realm is, Xianyu has no clue, but it's definitely stronger than other Elemental Lords. That's a sure thing.

Because the Cryo Crystal Butterfly can fly on its own, gauging its strength is tricky. If, by then, Xianyu merges it with the "Demon God Crystal," its power will be even more formidable.

Possibly even stronger than Xianyu without using divine techniques!

The idea is fantastic, and the future looks promising.

...

Since the last return, Xianyu hasn't really ventured out.

But today, the improved sword skills put him in a good mood, so he decides to hit the streets for a stroll.

Strolling down the bustling streets, nobody pays attention to Xianyu. Sure, he had a bit of fame a while back, but that's ancient history now.

After all these days, people are pretty much over him. In this lively city of Liyue, there's something new happening every day, and Xianyu's deeds are just a drop in the bucket.

In Liyue Harbor, Xianyu doesn't have much to do at the moment. It seems there's nothing here that grabs his attention.

Apart from the known stuff in the game, he's basically a homebody, rarely stepping out.

Claiming to explore the city, he only walks a bit before scratching his head, wondering where to go next.

After a brief ponder, he decides to check out the shipyard at the harbor.

He heard that the ship there sails to Inazuma, and since he's got nothing better to do, might as well go see what the fuss is about.

Not that he's itching to visit Inazuma; it's just pure curiosity. Of course, if needed, he might throw in a few pieces of wood and make some Mora in the process.

More than just Mora, the crucial part is building some connections for future sea voyages.

At the shipyard, you can practically hear the "ping pong" sounds from a mile away.

As Xianyu gets closer, he indeed sees a bunch of people sweating it out, hammering away at the boards.

Not only are they building that massive ship, but there are also other small boats in the works.

Xianyu, eager to take a closer look, gets thwarted when someone stops him.

Apparently, it's an industrial zone, and they don't want any freeloaders. No entry for the likes of Xianyu. Oh well, it was a spur-of-the-moment idea, and if it's not allowed, so be it.

"Hey, come quick! The Southern Cross team just hit the jackpot again!"

"Hold on, isn't this just business as usual? Sure, the haul might be good, but I bet the fine notice is already on its way to their leader."

"Hush, keep it down. The Southern Cross crew is pretty friendly to us regular folks. Every time they return from a voyage, they bring in loads of fish."

"And the prices are reasonable, way better than those fishmongers!"

This conversation leaves the guy who didn't care earlier in contemplative silence.

Xianyu hears this and decides to join in.

Due to the crowd, he stands on a slightly elevated spot to observe.

He doesn't spot the leader of the fleet, indicating these folks are just part of the crew. This mission seems to be their own initiative, not a directive from the Big Dipper.

Although not led by the Big Dipper, judging by the items continuously being brought down from the ship, Xianyu figures these people must have some decent skills.

In the midst of it all, Xianyu spots several giant monstrous fish, even though they've been sliced into pieces, they're still twitching. This indicates just how resilient these bizarre fish are.

Apart from this, the wounds on the fish reveal a lot. Sharp-eyed as he is, Xianyu even notices some broken weapon fragments among them. Judging by the cleanly cut bodies, it seems they were severed with a single slash.

This only confirms that these monstrous fish are tough to take down, and only someone with considerable strength could achieve such feats.

"Seems like there are some capable folks in this fleet, definitely more than just one formidable person from the Big Dipper."

"The Southern Cross fleet has more than one Big Dipper captain. Their fleet can traverse the open seas, navigate through thunderstorms—all thanks to everyone on board working together."

"I think you, young man, aren't too bad yourself. Ever thought about experiencing the vastness of the sea?"

The voice comes from behind, prompting Xianyu to turn around.

The speaker is a person with a head full of white hair, yet their face doesn't betray old age; instead, it exudes a youthful vibe.

Moreover, considering Xianyu's earlier low-key remarks in this noisy environment, it's clear this old man is no ordinary person.

For this seemingly random and probing invitation, Xianyu has consistently declined. After all, he's not a protagonist with plot armor, and not everyone who approaches him has good intentions.

'The way he's acting suggests either he knows who I am or he has some ulterior motive, but aside from having some strength, I don't really have much else.'

"While the sea may be enticing, it's also filled with challenges, and I'm just a content person who's at peace with the current situation."

"So, sorry, old man, I don't have any interest in what you're proposing."

"But you, old man, at your age, still sound quite ambitious, huh?"

Xianyu doesn't know who this old man is. Judging by the situation, he seems related to the fleet, but beyond that, it's unclear.

"Hahaha, there's a saying in Liyue: ambition knows no age. But looking at you, young man, you seem more like an old man than this old man."

"Alright! Since you're not interested, let me get straight to the point."

Xianyu glances around, then at the old man. The old man smiles and makes a gesture, leading the way to a nearby moored ship.

Xianyu has heard of these moored ships; they stay in the harbor and don't sail out, essentially acting like inns.

Seated face to face, the old man begins, "I came here because I heard from my friends in the Fatui that you have a special kind of wood in your possession. It's sturdy and emits a unique aura. Do you still have it?"

"Fatui?"

Xianyu doesn't find it strange. When he crafted the scabbard, he knew many were aware of the Dragon's Blood Wood, and the craftsmen involved weren't exactly keeping it a secret.

As long as there are connections and a demand, it's easy to get some information.

But this old man in front of him is hard to read. Not only is he likely connected to the Southern Cross fleet, but also has dealings with the Fatui, making his background quite mysterious.