Arkz wore a profound smile and said lightly:
"Since this water of purity can purify the Abyssal Power, can it also purify the resentment of the demon god?"
"Oh Immortal Xiao, I am very curious!"
"I wonder if you can enlighten me?"
Arkz's voice was not loud, but it was more shocking to Xiao's ears than a clap of thunder.
"Can... purify the resentment of the demon god?"
"Is there really such a possibility?"
Xiao lowered his head, contemplating how great the possibility was, while Arkz waited quietly beside him, without any sense of urgency or prompting.
In Arkz's view, even if the water of purity could not purify the karma on Xiao, it would not worsen Xiao's condition.
Moreover, based on his speculation, the water of purity might not only be useful for purifying karma but could also have a miraculous effect on healing the erode.
It wouldn't hurt anyway; he could just ask Zhongli to drink a cup when he arrived.
Thus, when Zhongli finally managed to get leave from Hu Tao through great effort and rushed to the underground cavern, he saw such a scene.
Arkz was holding the teacup towards Xiao's mouth, while Xiao, with a look of resistance, was pushing against Arkz's face with his hand, trying hard to maintain the distance between them.
Arkz: "Come on~, come on~, don't be shy, Xiao~~"
Xiao, his face bright red, refused: "Put the teacup down, I'll drink it myself."
"Cough, cough."
"Rex Lapis!!!"
"Yo! Zhongli, you've finally arrived."
Taking this opportunity, Xiao quickly retreated a large step, cautiously looking at Arkz like a vigilant cat.
Zhongli smiled: "It seems you two are getting along well. That puts my mind at ease."
In Zhongli's view, being able to have such close contact with Xiao, who was not good at interacting with people, without being pierced by the crescent pike a few times, meant their relationship must be very good.
"Me and him have a good relationship???"
Xiao looked doubtfully at his tightly clenched fist, then at the shameless Arkz nodding opposite him, and his fist immediately hardened.
If it weren't for you being the Rex Lapis's guest, I would have dragged you into the small woods for an 'massage' long ago!
Zhongli slowly walked to the tea table and used Geo Elemental Power to conjure another stone chair.
Rex Lapis was indeed Rex Lapis. As the God representing the Geo Element, there was no one in all of Teyvat whose control over the Geo Element was stronger than his (perhaps Azhdaha is one?).
Once an expert makes a move, you know what you're dealing with!
The patterns on this stone chair were exquisitely beautiful yet gave the impression of being naturally formed. The overall look was graceful and luxurious without being vulgar, high-end, grand, and classy, yet it didn't create a feeling of distance—it could practically be displayed as an art piece in a museum!
Although Arkz could also shape a carved stone chair using Geo Elemental Power now, it was far inferior compared to Zhongli's stone chair.
The aesthetic accumulation and accumulation of stories stemming from Zhongli's millennia of experience and memories alone were something a young man not yet 30 years old like Arkz could not compare to.
However, Arkz was not discouraged in the slightest; with the system's help, his future achievements would definitely not stop here.
Zhongli gestured for Xiao and Arkz to sit down, then took out a pot of tea from behind him.
"On the way, I passed by a tea house and found some excellent tea, which I am happy to share with you both."
"This tea is made from superior tea leaves from Qingce Village, blended with Liyue's mountain spring water. It has a long aftertaste and full flavor, making it a fine pastime for chatting with friends."
Arkz raised the teacup in his hand, took a sip, and savored it carefully.
"The aftertaste is sweet, leaving a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth."
"Mhm, the taste is good."
"Mr. Zhongli, this tea must be quite expensive, right?"
Zhongli smiled faintly: "One tael of tea is worth a thousand gold pieces, but its true value is realized when shared with friends."
"Even the most expensive tea is meant to be brewed and offered for tasting."
Arkz gave a thumbs-up and secretly thought, "As expected of the Rex Lapis, known as the God of Wealth—truly extravagant."
Xiao, opposite Arkz, was also carefully savoring the tea in his cup.
However, unlike Zhongli and Arkz, Zhongli savored the joy of gathering with friends, Arkz tasted the price of the tea leaves, while Xiao tasted the emotion contained within the tea leaves.
Rex Lapis was undoubtedly the person Xiao respected the most.
In Xiao's eyes, whether it was a cup of tea worth a thousand gold pieces or a cup of ordinary mountain spring water, as long as it was given by the Rex Lapis, it was the most precious treasure in the world!
After drinking the last drop of tea in his cup, Xiao reluctantly set the cup down.
Seeing this, Arkz picked up the teapot next to Zhongli and refilled Xiao's cup.
"Hehe, you're welcome. I know you like this tea, so drink a little more."
Xiao looked at the tea in his cup and was instantly speechless.
Is that me drinking tea?!
Hurry up and put it down, return the teapot to the Rex Lapis!!!
After about thirty rounds of tea, Arkz finally remembered the main business.
Arkz looked at Zhongli, who was sipping tea with his eyes full of memories, and said: "Zhongli, thank you for making the effort to come here with Xiao's help. There is something important I need to discuss with you."
Xiao quickly nodded, indicating that it was indeed a very important matter.
Seeing this, Zhongli put down the teacup in his hand, looked at Arkz, and the wisdom accumulated over thousands of years in his eyes put immense pressure on Arkz.
"Young friend Arkz, please speak."
Arkz picked up the water of purity from the table, shook it, and placed it in front of Zhongli:
"This is a potion I created based on a lost ancient formula I obtained by chance—the water of purity."
Zhongli nodded: "water of purity? I have heard of it."
"It seems to be a potion researched by a genius apothecary a few hundred years ago, which has the magical effect of stimulating the purest power within the body."
Arkz's eyes widened in surprise, and he exclaimed: "No way, you even know about this!!!"
Zhongli smiled faintly and said no more.
At this moment, Arkz truly understood the value of the introduction about Zhongli, which stated he possessed 'knowledge far surpassing ordinary people'.
Seeing Arkz's shocked expression, Xiao on the side also proudly puffed out his chest, feeling honored by association.
Arkz said dejectedly: "So, can the water of purity created by that genius apothecary a few hundred years ago also purify the Abyssal Power? Why is it not recorded in the historical documents of Mondstadt?"
"Teyvat truly has people of outstanding talent!"
"One must never underestimate anyone!"
Hearing what Arkz said, Zhongli couldn't hold back either and quickly asked:
"Wait!"
"The water of purity you created can purify the Abyssal Power?"
"Are you sure you're talking about the water of purity and not something else?!!!"
Seeing Zhongli's reaction, Arkz immediately understood that he had misunderstood; apparently, Xiao had not told Zhongli the news that the water of purity could purify the Abyssal Power.
Arkz couldn't help but curve his lips.
It seemed the deal with Zhongli still had room for negotiation.
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