"Ah, I should have brought the old man along. It's a mistake to think in fixed patterns."
Gu Sanqiu darted past rows of trees, heading straight for Wu Wang Hill.
After receiving Hu Tao's "call for help," Gu Sanqiu decisively collected his "daily sign-in gift," quickly packed, and set out overnight.
Only after leaving did he realize that he had been avoiding Zhongli purely because his soul had not fully integrated. If Zhongli discovered he was a visitor from another world, it would be disastrous.
Now that his souls were merged, as long as he didn't speak, he was "inclusive" and "as solid as a rock." Zhongli would only see him as an odd disciple of Xiangsheng.
But it was too late to think of this now. Turning back to call for help would be less efficient than continuing the journey. After all, the entire Liyue was under that man's domain, and Gu Sanqiu didn't believe Master Erzhong would let anything happen to Hu Tao.
Rustle, rustle—
A sound of rustling vegetation came from behind Gu Sanqiu, followed by several green projectiles flying toward him.
"No wonder they say that with a bit of courage, ordinary people can handle these things."
Gu Sanqiu took out his golden fishing rod, shattering the incoming green projectiles.
"However, if encountered by a large group of slimes, even the Qianyan Army would have a tough time."
Turning back, Gu Sanqiu's pupils flashed red, and the suppression of the corresponding element instantly scared the three slimes into retreating, no longer obstructing his path.
"Elemental power, this stuff is indeed the core of Teyvat. But to be honest, the slimes' immunity to the same element seems a bit unfair."
Fast-forward to "Reborn as the Slime God," "Teyvat Slime Raising Diary," and with a set of elemental fusion methods, perhaps just washing his face would allow him to confront the true Celestial.
"However, without the acknowledgment of the Vision, it seems I still can't release elemental power externally. Spitting flames or fragrant words is entirely impossible."
With the sunrise, Gu Sanqiu followed the official road, immensely grateful for the Seven Stars' work efficiency. Aside from taking shortcuts initially, he didn't encounter any hilichurls or similar monsters.
"Boss, give me two servings of almond tofu and a grilled fish. I'm in a hurry."
"Hey, is this your first time at our inn?"
Philgordette smiled at the sweating Gu Sanqiu. "Two servings of tofu and a grilled fish coming right up. Please wait a moment."
In the kitchen, Yan Xiao stared seriously at Gu Sanqiu, who was sipping tea, with his right hand holding a kitchen knife never relaxing.
"Alright, he means no harm, just appeared in a strange way. What's the big deal? Hurry and cook."
A slovenly uncle patted Yan Xiao's shoulder. "If we make the guests wait too long, the boss will blame us."
"Bah, you shameless freeloader."
Yan Xiao cursed as he walked back to the stove. "The people below didn't see him at all. How did this guy get up here? If he were a villain targeting the inn, it would be disastrous."
Packing two portions of the legendary "Rex Lapis tool," Gu Sanqiu quickly finished a few bites, decisively jumped down right in front of everyone!
Splash—
Gu Sanqiu's back lightly shifted, and a pair of golden wings with black patterns unfurled. Adjusting his direction, he continued toward Dihua Marsh.
"Wind glider, huh."
Philgordette thoughtfully watched Gu Sanqiu's departing figure, her right hand sliding on the counter, considering whether to include him in the recent intelligence log.
He arrived without using the lift and could freely manipulate a wind glider. The crucial point was that she had never seen this guy before.
"Coming from the direction of Liyue Harbor, why hasn't there been any intelligence on such a person?"
Philgordette didn't know that Gu Sanqiu had traveled under the cover of darkness, speeding toward this side.
Even if the Qianyan Army noticed his movements, the intelligence department, considering his Xiangsheng lineage, would take a while to process the information. No matter how fast they were, their intelligence speed couldn't match Gu Sanqiu's pace.
"A flurry of operations fierce as a tiger, yet the speed feels like a snail."
Glancing at the setting sun, Gu Sanqiu then eyed the oddly hued Wu Wang Hill without hesitation and entered.
However, entering Wu Wang Hill alone at this time was akin to courting death like a character in a horror film.
Did he think he was the protagonist with immortality and countless scapegoats?
"If not for the fact that Wu Wang Hill has been trouble-free for years, this massive grave would have been flattened long ago."
Glancing at the flickering blue flames beside him, Gu Sanqiu blew a breath at one.
Boom—
The small blue flame visibly grew larger. This seemed to trigger something, causing the blue flames from various places to rush towards Gu Sanqiu, intent on surrounding him!
!!!∑(Дノ)ノ
"What the! Were you guys bees or ants in a past life!"
"This doesn't match the family records at all!"
Gu Sanqiu ran for his life, having just blown a breath that fed these yin-attribute flames with a bit of living aura, essentially a potent tonic.
But he didn't expect such severe consequences!
Faced with a sky full of blue light spots, Gu Sanqiu could only shoot a signal into the air and run, knowing even Hu Tao would be cautious, let alone a mere mortal like him without a Vision.
"Oh?"
In a small dilapidated house not far away, Hu Tao looked up at the sound of the signal flare. Seeing the golden fireworks, she smiled happily.
"Hehe, reinforcements are here."
Following that, a red signal flare rose into the sky, blooming into a short-lived flower.
"Found the direction!"
Glancing at the signal flare while running, Gu Sanqiu almost twisted his neck.
A sharp whistle sounded from his mouth, and a furious bird cry echoed from the sky, its piercing sound scattering the blue flames behind Gu Sanqiu!
A giant shadowy eagle descended, bringing with it a fierce black wind that blew away the blue flames forming a fire wall, its eyes full of unrestrained killing intent!
"Phew—at the critical moment, I can always rely on you."
Gu Sanqiu sighed in relief. This time, he had really courted death, not expecting such severe consequences from blowing a breath at those things.
If that was the case, he should have extinguished the life flames on his shoulders before entering Wu Wang Hill. However, he wasn't sure if these ancestral practices were effective.
"Let's go find Hu Tao. I'll rely on you for the rest of the journey."
Half an hour later, Gu Sanqiu easily found his target. This silly girl was sitting on the ground, swaying and entertaining herself.
"Why did you call me here? The weather's getting colder, at least sit on something."
Gu Sanqiu extended his hand, and the shadowy eagle soared back into the sky, monitoring all suspicious movements.
"Wow, what a cool bird. I want one!"
Hu Tao grabbed Gu Sanqiu's arm with stars in her eyes. "Hey, if your black bird has chicks, can you give me one? It will be the signature mascot of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!"
"With such a handsome bird, our business will definitely thrive. Hahaha."
"Focus."