Fontaine, Palais Mermonia.
Furina flopped onto her bed with a groan.
"I'm exhausted."
Focalors, in the mirror, couldn't resist teasing her. "But you didn't do anything today. Neuvillette handled all the trials."
"Hey, maintaining a dignified expression on the judge's seat all day is hard work!"
"Fine, fine."
"I deserve a reward for my efforts."
"You're hopeless."
Furina rolled over and pulled out the small device.
She swiped the screen, revealing the wallpaper of Xia Zhi.
Even after five hundred years, she never tired of looking at it.
After admiring it for a few seconds, she tapped the lock screen and entered the password.
"1027."
She'd never changed it.
The home screen appeared.
Furina expertly tapped the [Books] icon.
A long list of titles appeared.
"Which one should I read today?"
She murmured to herself.
"Focalors, what do you think?"
The reflection huffed. "Read whatever you want! Don't ask me!"
"Prude…"
Furina muttered under her breath.
Focalors heard and grew even more exasperated.
It was all these books' fault!
Furina used to be so pure!
Like a blank sheet of paper!
Not a single stain on her soul!
But then, out of curiosity, she tapped that [Books] icon—and she was corrupted! Turned into this!
It was all that author's fault!
Xia Ci, was it?
Even if she was Xia Zhi's cousin, Focalors would make sure to settle this score with her one day!
---
Inside the treehouse.
The bed had already been made—Shenhe had done it earlier. So considerate.
Xia Zhi lay alone on the bed, feeling a bit bored.
Lately, he'd been reading A Detailed Explanation of Faith Power every night before bed—it had become a habit.
But now that he'd fully absorbed the book, there was no point in rereading it.
Should he buy a new book from the [Shop]?
As he considered it, he remembered Mountain Shaper visiting the kitchen that morning and slipping him a small notebook—a travel guide he and Moon Carver had written.
Might as well use it to kill time.
Xia Zhi took out the notebook, propped himself up, and started reading.
After a few pages, his expression grew strange.
This…
Madame Ping used to be like this?
Who would've thought…
But wasn't this supposed to be a travel guide?
Why was it all just blackmail material on Madame Ping?
Did Mountain Shaper accidentally give him the wrong notebook?
Xia Zhi pondered this.
Then he kept reading.
Ping… she really was something, huh?
---
The following morning.
As soon as Xia Zhi stepped out of his treehouse, he heard the sharp whoosh of a weapon cutting through air, accompanied by a girl's spirited shouts.
Yaoyao's voice.
Following the sound, he walked over.
Through his omniscient vision, he saw Yaoyao practicing spear techniques.
Last year, the little girl had struggled to wield a spear taller than herself.
Now, she was as tall as the spear, and her strength had grown too.
Madame Ping stood nearby, offering guidance: "Keep your stance steady, thrust faster— Oh, Master Xia, you're awake."
"Good morning, Madame Ping. Yaoyao's already training this early?"
"Yes."
"You're quite the demanding teacher."
"Yaoyao's at the stage where she must build her foundation. Not a single day can be wasted."
"That's true."
Distracted by Xia Zhi's arrival, Yaoyao's form faltered slightly.
Madame Ping immediately frowned. "Focus when you train!"
Once the set was complete, Yaoyao, panting, walked over with her spear. "Big Brother, good morning!"
Xia Zhi smiled. "Morning, Yaoyao."
Madame Ping, however, remained stern. "Come here!"
"Okay."
"Stand straight!"
"Mm."
"Look at your form just now—it's getting worse! Your senior sister Xiangling...."
As the scolding continued, Yaoyao lowered her head and mumbled, "I am trying…"
Madame Ping was about to say more when Xia Zhi suddenly spoke up.
"Yaoyao was practicing the Tumbling Chain Spear, right?"
Madame Ping turned, surprised. "Yes."
Yaoyao was even more astonished. "How did you know, Big Brother?"
Xia Zhi smiled. "I could tell from the sound. I know a little about spear techniques myself."
"Really?"
"Yaoyao's form was mostly correct. The slight errors aren't her fault—they're mine."
"Master Xia…"
"Yaoyao's grown so quickly recently. She hasn't fully adjusted to her new height and strength yet, so it's natural for her movements to be a bit off."
Madame Ping fell silent.
She knew that was the reason.
It was both a blessing and a challenge.
Yaoyao just needed more practice.
That was why she'd insisted on accompanying her on this trip.
As her master, it was her duty to guide her properly.
Xia Zhi turned to Yaoyao.
"For the sixth stance, try leaning back half an inch. For the eighth, lower the spear tip by two finger-widths…"
Madame Ping's expression grew increasingly bewildered.
Wait, the Tumbling Chain Spear was her original creation. How did he know it so well?
And he wasn't even looking—just listening! That was absurd!
Even Rex Lapis himself, a true Spear Master, probably couldn't do something like this so effortlessly!
While Madame Ping was still reeling, Xia Zhi finished explaining the adjustments to Yaoyao.
"Got it?"
"Got it!"
"Then try again."
"Okay, Big Brother!"
Yaoyao obediently returned to the center and began the sequence anew.
This time, her form was flawless.
"Big Brother, you're amazing!"
"Of course. What do you want for breakfast?"
"Shredded chicken noodles!"
"Coming right up."
"Thank you, Big Brother!"
Xia Zhi patted Yaoyao's head, and she beamed with delight.
Watching this heartwarming scene, Madame Ping pursed her lips.
Hey, who's the master here, you or me?
You already took Xiangling—are you going to steal Yaoyao too?
Xia Zhi turned to her. "Madame Ping, what would you like for breakfast?"
"Noodles with Mountain Delicacies, if that's possible."
"Of course."
"Thank you, Master Xia."
"My pleasure."
A glimmer of anticipation flashed in Madame Ping's eyes.
Disciples? Who cared.
Divine favor was better than immortal blessings anyway.
---
Xia Ci left the Serenitea Pot to check on the hovercar's progress.
Good, they hadn't strayed off course.
After consulting the map, she adjusted the car's altitude and used Yaoyao's telescope to scan ahead.
In the distance, she could see a massive inn built around an ancient tree.
The Wangshu Inn, standing proudly at the southern edge of Dihua Marsh.
A resting place for merchants and travelers alike.
Xia Ci put away the telescope and returned to the Serenitea Pot.
"We'll reach Wangshu Inn in about an hour."
Xiangling gasped. "So fast! It took me three days with a merchant caravan last time!"
"Are we staying at the inn? I think our treehouses are way cozier."
"We should still visit. This is a trip, and Wangshu Inn is a Liyue landmark—we can't miss it."
"True."
"I heard the inn's always packed with people."
"Mostly Mondstadters and Liyuens, but there are tourists from other regions too."
"Then I should change and freshen up."
"Me too!"
"Don't take too long—breakfast is almost ready."
"Got it!"