Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue. [44]
"What are you guys looking at? Am I just that good-looking?" he joked.
"Tch, shameless," Hu Tao pouted. "We all ate the same thing, but why did you react so dramatically? I almost called a doctor!"
"Your eyes completely turned dark gold," Keqing added cautiously. "It was as if they were filled with elemental energy. Are you feeling any discomfort now?"
"Nah, I'm good." Gu Sanqiu shook his head. "You didn't feel anything unusual after eating that?"
"Well, I did recall a bunch of memories, but nothing too dramatic. I'm happy with where I am now," Keqing said with a smile. "We all have to keep moving forward."
"Keqing~" Hu Tao wrapped her arms around Keqing's shoulder, rubbing her cheek affectionately against hers.
"I feel the same way! Guess we're just proper ladies who've had a good education, unlike some people who overreact."
"You're talking about me, right?" Gu Sanqiu shrugged. "Though it is kinda funny. Out of everyone, I'm the one who reacted the most. That's a bit strange."
"I'm actually more curious about what Zhongli remembered," Hu Tao said with a mischievous glint in her eyes, turning her gaze to Zhongli. "You're always so serious—don't tell me you're secretly a playboy with a bunch of old flames?"
"So? Did you recall anything about your past romances?" she teased.
Gu Sanqiu choked on his breath. Classic Hu Tao!
Whether Zhongli had any romantic entanglements, he couldn't say for sure. But what he did know was that Hu Tao really had guts!
Zhongli took it in stride, his expression unchanged. "You're all quite humorous. Tonight's dinner has been most enjoyable—not only did I get to meet you both, but I also savored an exceptional meal."
He took a slow sip of his drink. "But the night grows late. Both the Hall Master and Miss Keqing have responsibilities tomorrow. Perhaps we should reconvene on another day?"
"That makes sense," Gu Sanqiu agreed, snapping his fingers. From his waist, several talismans the height of a grown person flew out, gracefully cleaning the table.
"Sometimes, you really have to admit—having access to spiritual techniques is quite handy," Keqing commented with a sigh, watching the talismans work. "If one of our adjuncts at Yuehai Pavilion saw you using paper dolls for such menial tasks, they'd probably challenge you to a duel."
"Techniques are meant to make life easier. Why else bother learning them?" Gu Sanqiu rolled his eyes as the paper dolls neatly stacked themselves and marched off toward the kitchen like prisoners being led to their doom.
"Until next time, everyone!" Hu Tao waved cheerfully. "Sanqiu, make sure to treat me to dinner again when I'm back!"
"You say that like you're going to be gone for a long time," Gu Sanqiu waved back as Hu Tao and Zhongli made their way out. He and Keqing headed their separate ways as well, though not without a parting gift—a beautifully crafted jade bottle in his hand.
For some reason that Gu Sanqiu still couldn't quite grasp, Hu Tao had insisted on giving him a bottle of pure water, sourced from the Clear Pool and Mountain Cavern domain. According to her, it was to ensure her "good friend didn't get the short end of the stick" and to "uphold the dignity of the Hall Master."
The water was rare and precious, rivaling spiritual water in quality, and it more than made up for the ten thousand mora payment. Acquiring it, however, was no easy feat.
The domain was guarded by a creature called the Pure Water Spirit, or the Water Spirit of Qingce. It was notoriously territorial—an ultimate recluse of sorts. As long as you didn't provoke it, you could pass through the domain without incident. But if you ventured too close or trespassed in its territory, you could expect to be bombarded by water-based attacks, no matter how fast you tried to escape.
Worse yet, if you dared to cause trouble—say, by throwing a bomb or something equally idiotic—you'd be facing a literal stampede of water-formed beasts.
Gu Sanqiu's family archives documented this, and it was something he preferred not to bring up. There was a time, long ago, when one of his ancestors, along with a friend from another sect, decided to test their bravery by staging a "trial of friendship" in the domain. The idea, apparently borrowed from a foreign traveler, was to see if, in the face of danger, they would abandon each other or stand together and fight.
Thinking it would be amusing, Gu Sanqiu's ancestor and his equally misguided friend took along a bunch of supplies and raided a nearby Hilichurl camp for explosive barrels. To ensure the Pure Water Spirit would be sufficiently provoked, they even spiked the barrels with Pyro Regisvine petals and Electro Crystals.
Predictably, they were met with an angry tide of water beasts, and the entire domain's water was stirred into a furious torrent.
The good news? They passed the "friendship test." The bad news? They both spent nearly two months bedridden after the ordeal.
The story became a cautionary tale within the family, written down to warn future generations not to follow such foolish examples.
Gu Sanqiu uncorked the jade bottle and poured the pure water over the blossoming dish garden and the yam-and-apple tree he'd been cultivating.
The pale petals shimmered under the liquid, and a small, vibrant green sprout pushed its way from the soil, glowing faintly with life.
"Hm. So the pure water really does have an effect. But why did I end up with a plant that feels like it's older than my ancestors?" Gu Sanqiu muttered to himself.
While the family had long since made amends with the Pure Water Spirit by offering substantial gifts, Gu Sanqiu doubted the guardian would be too pleased if he came asking for more water now.
It was like someone slapping you across the face and then spitting on you. Sure, their parents might later come with a formal apology and a generous compensation, but how would you feel if that same person later showed up wanting to be friends? Most would barely tolerate it.
"Still, if pure water is this effective for cultivation, maybe it's easier to get than spiritual water," Gu Sanqiu mused. "According to records, the whole domain is filled with pure water. I could just rush in, scoop up a bucket, and run out… right?"
If the Pure Water Spirit truly viewed every drop of water in that domain as personal property, though, Gu Sanqiu figured he'd likely end up facing another stampede of water-formed creatures.
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