"Come on, kid! Join me on the seas!" Beidou slung her arm around Gu Sanqiu's shoulders. "From now on, you'll be the Crux Fleet's personal chef. We'll feast like kings! I'll even introduce you to some lovely ladies from foreign lands. Interested?"
"Tsk, you know Inazuma, right? When my fleet first sailed there, I met the princess from the Kujou Clan, the daughter of the Tenryou Commission. Let me tell you, once you see her, even the most clueless blockhead would be smitten."
The princess of the Tenryou Commission?
The first thing that popped into Gu Sanqiu's mind was a small turtle crossing the ocean on ice...
But then he thought about the graceful and elegant White Heron Princess. Indeed, her beauty and presence would probably leave anyone stunned at first sight.
"Huh? Not interested?" Beidou was a bit surprised, then snapped her fingers as she thought of something. "What about Mondstadt? I've got connections there too. I could introduce you to someone from the land of the Anemo Archon."
Gu Sanqiu sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I can't get to Inazuma by myself. Even if I wanted to fly there, it's way too far. But Mondstadt? I can pack up and walk there anytime. Why would I need your connections for that?"
"Huh, good point. After all, Mondstadt and Liyue do share a border." Beidou nodded in agreement. "But man, you really are a homebody, huh? You should get out more and see the world. You're young—don't waste it being cooped up."
"And what's wrong with staying in? I'm proud of it." Gu Sanqiu rolled his eyes and ladled a portion of the stew into a large pot nearby.
"Sanqiu, what are you doing? Planning to hoard the rest for yourself?" Hu Tao's eyes gleamed with suspicion, like a StarCraft player preparing for a base trade.
"If you can finish the remaining stew by yourself, I'll concede defeat." Gu Sanqiu said lazily, "I called for a delivery service. This pot of... I'm not sure if it's fish stew or lamb stew, but it's headed for the orphanage."
"Why else do you think I got up so early to start cooking? I don't do it just for fun."
"Fish stew or lamb stew?" Granny Ping mused. "So that fish-tailed sheep creature was real?"
She made the connection, but didn't voice it aloud. After all, it involved Gu Sanqiu's personal secrets. And as a guest here for a meal, it wasn't her place to pry.
"Still, it wouldn't hurt to share some with old friends," Granny Ping chuckled as she requested another large pot from Gu Sanqiu and began ladling some of the stew for herself.
Beidou and Hu Tao exchanged a glance, then simultaneously stood up to fill their bowls again.
ヽ(￣ω￣(￣ω￣〃)ゝ
There was a mutual understanding among them: they were all serious about their food.
After bidding farewell to his guests, Gu Sanqiu lazily pushed the dishes aside and pulled out the spiritual soil he had purchased, ready to start digging.
With the help of Geo elemental power, he quickly plowed a large section of the courtyard. The spirit-rich soil was spread evenly across the ground.
"This kind of work isn't for the faint-hearted," Gu Sanqiu muttered, stretching his slightly sore arms. As he laid down the soil, strands of elemental energy seeped into his body. If an ordinary person tried this, they would likely pass out from an overdose of spiritual energy.
"But it's worth it," Gu Sanqiu said, patting his waist pouch. A few colorful flowers and a strange, black root tumbled into the soil.
Item: Blooming Beauty Package
Source: Eternal Garden Co.
Note: Though lacking in spiritual energy, these flowers are quite pretty. A classic marketing ploy aimed at women. Personally, I'm not impressed.
Item: Yam-Apple Tree
Source: Agricultural Academy from another world
Note: A hybrid with yam-like roots and apple fruits. The apples have a peculiar taste and are more like health supplements than fruit. They are particularly beneficial for middle-aged men with kidney issues.
"A yam-rooted apple tree? So, this thing is edible after all?" Gu Sanqiu pondered as he planted the strange root, imagining it quivering nervously in the soil.
"Better not overdo it," he thought, aware that plants that absorbed elemental energy had a tendency to drain it from their surroundings. He wisely spaced them apart, then sat down and used his elemental senses to monitor their growth.
"Well, their pulse and rhythm seem normal, at least. Better than that fire rose I tried to grow last time."
So far, he was satisfied. After all, plants that didn't even need watering and could thrive on elemental energy alone were perfect for someone like him.
Low maintenance.
Besides, he didn't have any spiritual water to nourish them with. Spiritual water was even more precious than the soil, and those who controlled it were ancient sects guarded by powerful elders. Even if Gu Sanqiu revealed his identity as a Fengxiang Man, acquiring some spiritual water would be a challenge.
And since his Golden Finger could provide him with these useful plants, it would be a waste of resources to spend spiritual water on them.
As night fell, faint murmurs echoed through the air from the Fengxiang Room. The flowers from the Blooming Beauty Package swayed gently to the sound, and their simple petals began to take on a jade-like luster.
Creak.
The door to the Gu family estate opened.
Gu Sanqiu's right hand twitched slightly. He had heard the sound of the door opening, but continued reciting his incantations, maintaining his pace and respect for the sacred words.
Once he finished, he bowed to the large cauldron and slowly backed away.
Outside the Fengxiang Room, a figure in a black robe stood among the flowers, observing them intently, not turning when the door opened.
"It seems our guest is familiar with my family's customs," Gu Sanqiu said as he closed the door.
The black-robed figure finally turned, his voice hoarse. "These flowers... Did you grow them?"
"I did."
Gu Sanqiu admitted it easily. Since the flowers had come from his Golden Finger, he figured he might as well take credit.
"Night descends, silence reigns, the Fengxiang Door opens. Gods and ghosts may enter, but mortals must stay away," Gu Sanqiu recited as he bowed. "How can I assist you, honored guest?"
"Heh, they say this generation's Fengxiang Man is a bit unconventional, but you don't seem so bad."
The black-robed man pointed at the flowers. "May I take one?"
"These flowers seem to only survive in spiritual soil. I can't guarantee they'll live if you take one with you."
"Spiritual soil?" The man stomped lightly, then chuckled. "I didn't notice that earlier. A mistake on my part."
"Young man, I was passing through Liyue Harbor and wanted a place to rest. But it seems the world has fewer places for us to find refuge. I'd like to stay here for a meal and some rest."
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