After a long period of interaction, Ganyu's friendship increased once again.
This also meant unlocking more voice lines and actions.
Immediately after, Makoto focused his attention on the extra item, the 'Earth Shrine Key'.
In the game, every nation has buildings called 'Earth Shrines', which contain treasure chests inside.
By opening an Earth Shrine chest, one can obtain a series of growth materials, as well as a fixed forty Primogem.
For players, forty Primogem is still very appealing.
To open an Earth Shrine's treasure chest, the prerequisite is to possess an Earth Shrine Key.
Looking at the Mondstadt Earth Shrine Key in his backpack, Makoto made a decision.
When he travels to Mondstadt in a while, he'll open the Earth Shrine's treasure chest then.
Withdrawing his thoughts, Makoto exited the system interface and returned to their residence with Ganyu.
Having been out for so long, he wondered if the Little Ones were behaving at home, or if they were causing trouble.
Makoto had to go back early, otherwise he was afraid the Little Ones would turn the house upside down and tear it apart.
Ganyu followed closely behind Makoto, and the two walked side by side.
Perhaps because of the increased friendship, Ganyu held Makoto's arm even tighter on the way back.
At this, Makoto couldn't help but laugh.
It was one thing for the Little Ones to be clingy, but he didn't expect Ganyu to be so clingy too.
Ganyu's large, flickering eyes were full of Makoto, and only Makoto.
Love for someone cannot be hidden; even if one covers their mouth, it will escape through their eyes.
...
Today, an uninvited guest arrived at Makoto's home.
A petite figure stood at the kindergarten gate, her large, watery eyes curiously surveying the building before her.
The girl had a head of glossy black hair tied into twin Horsetails, looking very playful and cute.
The newcomer was Hutao from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Earlier, when she met Makoto at Wu Wang Slope, she felt that he had an unusual aura about him.
Out of curiosity, Hutao came to investigate.
"Who are you... who are you looking for...?"
At this moment, Qiqi walked out of the house and asked Hu Tao at the door.
Normally, when Makoto was not home, Qiqi was responsible for everyone's safety.
Now, upon discovering a stranger lingering at the door, Qiqi naturally came out to check the situation.
Taroumaru followed closely beside Qiqi, still having a mouthful of kibble he hadn't swallowed.
"My name is Hu Tao, Hu as in 'eating and drinking', but Tao is not 'naughty' Tao!"
Hutao put her hands on her hips and introduced herself, her high Horsetails bouncing lively.
But Qiqi, standing opposite her, looked utterly bewildered, her eyes full of confusion, clearly unable to understand Hu Tao's words.
"Eh, isn't it funny?"
Hutao stared intently at Qiqi.
She felt that the strange aura on Makoto came from the girl in front of her.
Hu Tao stared at Qiqi, then asked, "What's your name?"
"Qiqi... My name is Qiqi... This is the name Makoto told me..."
Xiao Qiqi's peach-blossom-colored eyes were very innocent.
She had long forgotten her own name.
She only remembered that when she first met Makoto, he said her name was Qiqi.
Since then, Qiqi had always called herself that.
"Qiqi... I've remembered your name."
The name Qiqi was easy to remember; Hu Tao only repeated it twice in her mouth and then committed it to memory.
At this moment, Xiao Qiqi looked at Hu Tao in front of her and said in a milky voice, "Hu Tao... Are you looking for Makoto? He's not home today..."
Hu Tao raised an eyebrow and retorted, "Makoto? Is that the big brother's name?"
"I'm not looking for him, I'm looking for Qiqi."
Qiqi blinked her big eyes, her voice full of confusion: "Ah... looking for me...?"
"Why are you looking for Qiqi...?"
Hu Tao said seriously, "Qiqi, you don't belong to this world."
After a simple observation, Hu Tao had already determined that Qiqi had long since passed away.
No body temperature, expressionless face, slightly stiff body.
She was a pitiful soul imprisoned in the mortal world, unable to find release.
Hu Tao wanted to help Qiqi escape her suffering.
Besides holding funerals, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business also involved sending the deceased to their rightful resting place.
Hu Tao imitated her grandfather's earnest tone and said to Qiqi, "I need to take you away, to rest in peace."
Qiqi tilted her head, her eyes growing more confused: "Qiqi rests in peace... Then will Makoto also rest in peace with her?"
Xiao Qiqi didn't understand the meaning of 'rest in peace'.
She simply thought that no matter what, she wanted to be with Makoto.
Wherever Makoto was, Qiqi would be.
She was unwilling to go anywhere without Makoto.
Hu Tao was clearly stumped by Qiqi's words.
She scratched her head and replied with difficulty, "Makoto cannot rest in peace with Qiqi."
"Because Makoto is still alive, unlike Qiqi."
"Alright, alright, let's go quickly. It's getting late."
Hu Tao said, extending her hand towards Qiqi.
According to her grandfather, these deceased individuals must be taken away at the yin hour and yin moment.
Time was limited, and they couldn't linger.
Xiao Qiqi shook her head, her eyes full of refusal: "No... Qiqi isn't leaving... Qiqi wants to stay with Makoto..."
As she spoke, Qiqi ran from beside Hu Tao and hid behind Makoto, who was walking towards them.
"Qiqi doesn't want to be separated from Makoto..."
"Qiqi likes it here... likes Makoto..."
Makoto looked at the pathetic Qiqi hiding behind him, then at Hutao standing at the door.
So you're Hu Tao, huh, coming to bully my Qiqi?
...
Recently, the data has been dropping, and everyone should be able to see the problem from the number of people urging for updates.
This is also the biggest drawback of fanfiction; it has a very short lifespan and is rarely written long.
Families, please give some free gifts, I'm struggling a bit.
Don't be afraid to laugh, the author of this book wants to write it long, to about a million words.
After finishing the Mondstadt plot, I also want to write the story of the Sumeru Lesser Lord Kusanali.
I hope everyone can support with some gifts to help this book go further.
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I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"