The sun hung low over the horizon as Xander crossed the final wooden bridge, its planks creaking under his boots. He passed beneath the towering Stone Gate, a natural archway of jagged rock that marked the boundary between Liyue and Mondstadt. The transition was immediate—the rugged, mountainous terrain of Liyue gave way to the rolling plains of Mondstadt, a land of open fields and gentle hills. The air here felt lighter, infused with the faint scent of dandelions and the whisper of Anemo energy. The sky stretched wide, a canvas of blue dotted with fluffy clouds, unmarred by the looming peaks of Liyue's landscape.
Xander paused for a moment, taking in the sight of Mondstadt's border. The grass beneath his feet was soft, a vibrant green that shimmered in the morning light. Windwheels spun lazily in the breeze, their petals a blur of color against the emerald expanse. In the distance, he could see the faint outline of Mondstadt City, its windmills turning slowly atop the city walls. The promise of adventure beckoned, but so did the immediate dangers of the wild.
He had barely taken a few steps into Mondstadt's territory when a group of ice slimes emerged from the riverbank to his left. Their gelatinous bodies glistened with frost, the air around them chilling as they wobbled toward him. A faint mist trailed in their wake, the ground beneath them icing over with each bounce. Slimes were a common nuisance in Teyvat, their elemental nature making them relentless aggressors. They attacked anything within their field of vision, a trait that made them both predictable and annoying.
Xander sighed, his hand resting on the hilt of the Shadowfang Blade. "Always slimes—don't you ever get tired?" he muttered. Small slimes were easy enough to dispatch, their bodies bursting with a single strike. But larger ones, like the ones approaching now, were a different story. These ice slimes were C-rank threats, their elemental power capable of freezing a common person solid. Their icy aura could cause fatal damage, a danger to any unprepared traveler.
Before he could draw his blade, a fiery spear whirled through the air, striking the lead slime with a burst of Pyro energy. The slime let out a high-pitched squeal as its icy body melted under the heat, collapsing into a puddle of shimmering liquid. A second spear thrust followed, piercing another slime, its flames spreading to the others in a chain reaction. The remaining slimes writhed, their forms dissolving into the grass as the fire consumed them.
Xander turned to see a familiar figure standing by the river, her red and gold outfit a stark contrast to the green landscape. Xiangling, the fiery chef of Wanmin Hall, twirled her spear with a grin, her Vision glowing at her waist. Beside her stood Guoba, the small bear-like creature who was her constant companion. Guoba's round eyes sparkled with delight as he munched on a chili pepper, a tiny puff of flame escaping his mouth with each bite. The sight made Xander chuckle—Guoba, or as he sometimes called him, Lord Mark Hughes, was as endearing as ever.
"Hi, Xiangling," Xander called, waving as he approached.
Xiangling's face lit up, her ponytail bouncing as she turned to him. "Huh? It's Brother Xander!" she exclaimed, her voice bright with excitement. Guoba waddled over, his stubby arms waving in a happy dance, his fat little body swaying with joy. The sight warmed Xander's heart—he'd always had a soft spot for the duo.
Xander and Xiangling had met back at Wanmin Hall in Liyue Harbor, before she'd set out for Mondstadt. Their shared love of food had forged a quick bond, despite their differing approaches to cuisine. Liyue's dishes reminded Xander of his homeland, though some recipes were missing from Teyvat's repertoire. While he wasn't a skilled cook himself, he'd eaten enough in his past life to offer Xiangling ideas. He'd even fed golden shrimp balls to Guoba, earning the little creature's undying affection. Those moments of culinary exchange had cemented their friendship, a connection that felt as warm as the Pyro energy Xiangling wielded.
"Well, what's your haul like in Mondstadt?" Xander asked, smiling as he ruffled Guoba's head. The bear let out a contented chirp, nuzzling into his hand.
Xander couldn't help but feel a surge of pride—he'd earned the affection of a demon god's kin, after all. Guoba, once a mighty deity, now reduced to a cuddly companion, was a testament to Teyvat's strange history. If he could charm such a being, surely he could handle greater challenges—like, say, the Raiden Shogun herself. The thought made him smirk, his confidence bolstered by the moment.
Xiangling beamed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "The harvest has been amazing! Mondstadt's cuisine is so different from Liyue's—it's given me tons of inspiration." She gestured to the riverbank, where a small pile of slime condensate glistened in the sunlight. "Just this morning, I perfected a new dish: Iced Slime Chicken with Aloe Lizard Pepper Sauce. You've got to try it!"
She reached into her Vision's storage space, a faint glow of Pyro energy shimmering as she retrieved a plate. The dish she presented was… unconventional, to say the least. A mound of unidentifiable ingredients sat on the plate, a mix of vibrant colors that clashed in a way that was both intriguing and alarming. The slime condensate gave it a gelatinous sheen, while chunks of chicken and aloe glistened with a spicy red sauce. The name alone—Iced Slime Chicken with Aloe Lizard Pepper Sauce—was enough to make most people recoil.
Xander's mouth twitched, a mix of amusement and apprehension crossing his face. "This dish of yours… it's certainly creative," he said, his tone diplomatic. He glanced at Xiangling, her expectant gaze shining with hope, and sighed inwardly. He'd never been one to disappoint a friend, especially not a girl as earnest as Xiangling. Besides, his enhanced constitution could probably handle whatever culinary chaos she'd concocted.
"If I don't brave this, who will?" he thought, steeling himself as he accepted the chopsticks she offered. He picked up a piece of the dish, the texture unsettlingly squishy between the chopsticks, and brought it to his mouth. The first bite was a shock—a strange, almost slimy sensation from the condensate, followed by a burst of spicy heat from the pepper sauce. But beneath the oddity, the chicken was tender and flavorful, the aloe adding a refreshing note that balanced the heat.
He chewed thoughtfully, his expression shifting from uncertainty to surprise. "It's… not bad, actually," he admitted, swallowing the bite. "The taste is strange, mostly because of the slime, but the chicken and aloe work well together. The spice is spot-on."
Xiangling clasped her hands together, her smile widening. "Really? I'm so glad you like it!"
Xander nodded, though he couldn't resist adding a gentle critique. "That said, you might want to refine the recipe a bit. Not everyone's going to be okay with slime as an ingredient—it's a tough sell."
Xiangling tilted her head, stroking her chin as she considered his words. "Hmm, you're right. I'll tweak it some more—maybe I can mask the slime's texture with something else." Her eyes lit up with determination, already brainstorming new ideas.
With the tasting done, Xiangling gathered her slime condensate, Guoba helping by nudging the vials into a small sack. "I'm heading to Clear Springs Town next," she said, slinging the sack over her shoulder. "I want to study the differences in meat quality between Liyue and Mondstadt's beasts. Where are you off to?"
" Mondstadt City," Xander replied, adjusting his cloak. "Clear Springs is on the way—we can travel together."
Xiangling clapped her hands, delighted. "Great! Let's go!" Guoba let out a cheerful chirp, waddling after them as they set off.
The dirt road through Mondstadt was smooth and flat, a stark contrast to Liyue's rocky paths. Xander summoned his off-road motorcycle, its sleek black frame gleaming in the sunlight. The engine roared to life, a low growl that echoed across the plains. Xiangling hopped on behind him, her arms wrapping around his waist, while Guoba nestled in front, his tiny paws gripping the handlebars. The bear's round face lit up with excitement, his tongue lolling out as the wind rushed past.
They sped through the countryside, passing the Dawn Winery with its sprawling vineyards. Rows of grapevines stretched across the hills, their leaves a vibrant green under the sun. The winery's manor stood atop a rise, its red roof a splash of color against the blue sky. Diluc's estate was a symbol of Mondstadt's prosperity, its wines renowned across Teyvat. Xander couldn't help but admire the view, though his focus remained on the road ahead.
As they rode, Xiangling's warmth against his back was a comforting presence. She was a petite girl, her frame small but brimming with energy. Her red outfit, with its short skirt and gold accents, was practical yet eye-catching, a perfect reflection of her fiery spirit. Guoba, sitting in front, was a soft bundle of warmth, his fur tickling Xander's hands as he steered. The bear's Q-bomb texture, as Xander called it, was oddly satisfying, a contrast to Xiangling's lively chatter.
"Xiangling's really something," Xander thought, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "She's one of the few characters whose outfit is so revealing yet doesn't feel out of place." Her confidence and unapologetic passion for cooking made her endearing, a bright spark in Teyvat's vast world.
His thoughts drifted to the second creation broadcast, a mischievous idea taking root. He'd already planned to feature the Raiden Shogun in a future video, a first cut at the Four Gods. But Xiangling and Ying, the Traveler, could make for an entertaining duo as well. A spoof featuring their culinary misadventures might be just the thing to lighten Teyvat's mood—and perhaps stir up some chaos in Inazuma.
The road to Clear Springs Town was peaceful, the wind carrying the scent of wildflowers and fresh grass. But as they neared a small grove, the tranquility shattered. A group of hilichurls emerged from the trees, their crude masks painted with tribal symbols. They wielded clubs and crossbows, their grunts filling the air as they charged toward the motorcycle.
Xander's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on the handlebars. "Hold on tight!" he shouted to Xiangling. She nodded, her spear already in hand, while Guoba let out a determined huff, a tiny flame flickering at his mouth.
Xander revved the engine, the motorcycle surging forward as the hilichurls closed in. A crossbow bolt whizzed past, narrowly missing Guoba, who squeaked in alarm. Xiangling thrust her spear, a burst of Pyro energy igniting the nearest hilichurl. The creature shrieked, its wooden club catching fire as it stumbled back.
Xander swerved, dodging a club swung by a larger hilichurl, its mask adorned with feathers. He drew the Shadowfang Blade with one hand, the dark steel humming as he slashed. The blade cut through the hilichurl's club like butter, sending the creature sprawling into the grass. Another hilichurl lunged, its claws outstretched, but Xander teleported in a flash of blue light, reappearing behind it. A single strike felled the beast, its body crumpling to the ground.
Xiangling spun her spear, summoning a ring of fire that engulfed the remaining hilichurls. The flames roared, the heat scorching the grass as the creatures howled in panic. Guoba contributed with a fiery belch, a small fireball exploding among the enemies. The combined assault was too much—the hilichurls scattered, their retreat marked by trails of smoke and singed fur.
Xander slowed the motorcycle, his breath steady despite the skirmish. "Nice teamwork," he said, glancing back at Xiangling.
She grinned, twirling her spear before stowing it. "We make a great team! Guoba, you were amazing too!" The bear chirped happily, nuzzling against Xander's arm.
They continued their journey, the road to Clear Springs Town now clear. The town came into view, its thatched roofs and wooden fences a quaint contrast to Mondstadt City's grandeur. Xander dropped Xiangling and Guoba off at the town's edge, waving as they headed toward the local hunters' guild.
"Take care, Xiangling—don't feed anyone too many slime dishes," he called, a teasing note in his voice.
She laughed, waving back. "I'll perfect the recipe, just you wait! Safe travels to Mondstadt, Brother Xander!"
With a final nod, Xander revved the motorcycle and sped toward Mondstadt City, the wind in his hair and the promise of new adventures on the horizon. The Shadowfang Blade at his side thrummed, eager for the chaos to come.
***
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