"Strange. Isn't this the Jar Shop? How come the smells coming from it are better than any restaurant in Liyue?"
"Right? I really want to go in and see what's inside. Since when does a jar shop emit such amazing aromas?"
One curious person after another spoke up.
"Lady Ningguang."
"Lady Ningguang."
Just as they were about to head inside, respectful voices suddenly rang out, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Ningguang was walking over, accompanied by a bespectacled secretary.
Many recognized her. That was Ningguang's personal secretary, Baishi.
"Whoa!"
Seeing Ningguang's arrival, someone gasped.
I just happened to see the Tianquan of Liyue in person!
"It's the Tianquan of Liyue! When I was in Mondstadt, I heard that she was elusive, like a dragon hiding its tail. But I saw her the moment I arrived! My luck is incredible!"
"She's so beautiful! I heard that the Tianquan of Liyue is at the top in both beauty and wealth."
"Good day, Lady Ningguang!"
"Lady Ningguang must be here to open jars! She came to open jars before."
"Yeah! If it weren't for the purchase limit, with Lady Ningguang's wealth, she could buy out the entire shop."
One by one, people murmured in low voices as Ningguang approached.
As they whispered, Ningguang, accompanied by Baishi, smiled and nodded at the crowd in greeting.
Then, under everyone's gaze, she stepped into the Jar Shop.
"Uh."
But the moment she entered, she froze.
Even someone as experienced as her, who had weathered countless storms, was stunned when she saw the lively roast suckling pig.
Not only was she stunned, but Baishi beside her was also dumbfounded.
She came here with Lady Ningguang to open jars. But the moment they arrived, they saw a roast pig, dripping with oil, radiating a rich aroma, and hopping around alive.
She had heard Lady Ningguang say that the jars in this shop contained all sorts of bizarre items. But this was beyond bizarre.
"Lady Ningguang!"
Seeing Ningguang and Baishi enter, Chef Mao snapped out of his daze and quickly greeted them.
"There's no need to be so shocked."
Felix spoke calmly to Chef Mao and Xiangling, who had regained their senses. "In that world, there are chefs who walk a unique path to grow stronger. They hunt these so-called gourmet creatures and eat them to increase their power."
"The more they eat, the more delicious the food they make, and the stronger they become. With their strength, they conquer ingredient after ingredient from various places. This roast pig is only a low-level ingredient."
"If it were a powerful ingredient and you ate it, you'd overdose. And then you'd die."
Thinking about the gourmet world, Felix found it absurd.
"A place like that exists?"
Hearing Felix's words, Xiangling's eyes widened with excitement. "Mr. Felix, can you tell me where that place is? And how to get there?"
She felt that such a place was exactly what she needed.
She had always pursued the ultimate cuisine, and she was certain she could find it there.
Nearby, Ningguang, who had just arrived, narrowed her eyes slightly.
The place Felix is describing... I've never heard of it.
Since becoming one of the Liyue Qixing, she had seen and heard much. Merchants from Mondstadt and Inazuma visited daily. But she had never heard of a world like this.
This roast pig shattered conventional understanding. Fully cooked, yet alive and moving. She had never seen anything like it.
"It's too far. You can't get there."
Felix shook his head with a smile. "You haven't even mastered the cuisine available here yet. Have you explored every corner of Liyue? Even if you used that fishing rod to sweep through Liyue, it would take you most of your lifetime."
"Besides, there's no need to pursue that place. Now that this roast pig has appeared, you can continue opening jars in the future. You'll pull all kinds of gourmet foods, even recipes. These are ready-made. You only need to open jars, and you'll have the chance to obtain them, right?"
"Oh, right!"
Hearing this, Xiangling's eyes lit up.
The shopkeeper is right! Why am I chasing after that place?
I just need to open jars! I can pull all kinds of gourmet food from the jars. That's more than enough for me to study.
Why would I go out of my way to travel far?
"I didn't think it through."
Xiangling looked at Felix gratefully. "Thank you, Shopkeeper! I'll come regularly to open jars from now on!"
If not for the purchase restrictions, she would have bought every single jar in the shop!
Seeing Xiangling's gratitude, Felix's face broke into a radiant smile.
A long-term customer secured. Great news.
"We won't eat this roast pig. We can keep it as a pet."
Xiangling said, reaching out to hold the roast pig.
Such a unique ingredient-creature. It would be a waste to eat it. Better to raise it.
If raised properly, it would be like a golden goose.
Hearing Xiangling's words, Chef Mao nodded in agreement.
He was curious about the creature too. And he couldn't bring himself to eat it.
When Xiangling reached out, the lively roast pig tilted its head, looking at her, then jumped into her arms.
"Ah! So oily!"
The moment the pig leaped into her embrace, Xiangling felt her clean skin suddenly become greasy.
Her face showed a bit of distress. I wasn't careful.
But since she was already holding it, she decided to keep it in her arms.
She didn't leave. Instead, she turned her gaze toward Lady Ningguang.
Lady Ningguang must be here to open jars too. I want to see what she'll pull.
"Lu..."
At that moment, Guoba, clutching Chef Mao's leg, saw the roast pig take his spot. A glint of sharpness flashed in his eyes.
The roast pig, nestled in Xiangling's arms, suddenly felt a strange sense of malice. Uncomfortable, it shifted and pressed itself lower into her arms.
"Ningguang came again. I told you to come yesterday. Why didn't you?"
Outside the Jar Shop, Childe frowned as he watched the crowd lingering outside, listening to their gossip. He turned to Andrei, the Northland Bank manager standing behind him.
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