I left the port of Liyue at a leisurely pace, leaving behind the bustle of merchants and sailors.
My goal was simple: to find one of the teleportation points the Traveler usually uses.
However, after wandering through several streets and paths, I didn't find a single one.
(Hm... I should've expected this. Though Teyvat has ley lines everywhere, the ones in the Harbor must be so worn out that they couldn't possibly sustain a stable teleportation point—not without some lunatic like the Hexenzirkel witches making them explode in someone's face.)
I huffed in resignation and decided to keep exploring the outskirts. Maybe farther away, in less crowded areas, I'd have better luck.
That's when movement at the edge of the path caught my attention.
A small Hydro Slime, bouncing cheerfully between the bushes.
(Perfect. I can use this to test a couple of things.)
I closed the distance in a blink, channeling energy into my fist with precision.
"Divine Strike."
Poyon.
The sensation was... anticlimactic.
My fist bounced off the slime's rubbery texture like I'd punched a wet mattress.
(Seriously? Zero damage? ... Aqua, why are your attack skills so useless even when wielded by a Vidyadhara?)
The slime kept bouncing as if nothing had happened—if anything, it seemed even happier now.
I let out a tired sigh and muttered to myself:
"One of these days... I'll challenge Furina to a duel of offensive incompetence. Let's see who disappoints more."
Deciding to switch tactics, I raised my hand in a gun shape, aiming with two fingers, and whispered:
"Bang"
An invisible telekinetic bullet shot forward at high speed and struck the slime dead center.
Pop!
The slime burst like a water balloon under the sun.
(Heh... Never thought recreating Makima's technique would be this satisfying. Thanks, Tatsumaki.)
I shook off the slime remnants that had splattered onto my clothes and resumed walking at a leisurely pace.
The path led me to a more open area, where the scent of the sea mingled with the aroma of spices cooking over fire.
(That smell again...? It's just like the one from Wanmin Restaurant.)
As I approached, I spotted a small makeshift setup near the dock—a red fabric canopy, a couple of folding tables, and, standing in front of a large bubbling pot, a familiar figure.
A young girl with dark blue hair tied into two high buns was energetically stirring a massive wooden spoon.
(Xiangling... the Archon of Cuisine. I'd seen her before at the restaurant, though I was too busy to pay much attention.)
I decided to approach calmly.
Before I could even greet her, Xiangling looked up, her golden eyes lighting up with excitement.
"Ah! You're the guy who came to breakfast with Miss Ganyu!" she exclaimed, setting the spoon aside and bouncing over eagerly.
I gave a slight nod. "Dan Heng. Good to see you again."
Xiangling grinned from ear to ear, as if she'd just stumbled upon a rare ingredient. "How lucky! I was just thinking about testing a new dish, and I need fresh opinions. Would you like to be my guinea pig—uh, I mean, my special guest?"
("Guinea pig"? That sounds suspiciously unsettling...)
Still, Xiangling's enthusiasm was so genuine that I couldn't outright refuse.
Besides, after seeing what her family cooked at Wanmin Restaurant, I doubted anything she made could be bad.
"Sure," I agreed. "As long as there are no slimes in the recipe."
She let out a giggle. "Don't worry! Today's not extreme cuisine day!"
With unstoppable energy, Xiangling guided me to one of the makeshift tables and vanished behind her giant pot.
Within minutes, she returned with a steaming bowl filled with rice, stir-fried vegetables, and spicy glazed meat.
"Try this! I call it 'Tempest Stir-Fry,' inspired by the crazy weather that sometimes hits the docks."
I picked up the chopsticks, took a bite, and was met with a perfectly balanced explosion of flavors—spicy, sweet, and umami.
(Delicious... It lives up to the girl who treats the God of the Stove like a lighter.)
"It's amazing," I said sincerely.
Xiangling clapped her hands, nearly knocking over a bowl of spices. "I knew it'd work! Even a high-ranking Adeptus approves!"
I paused.
"High-ranking Adeptus?"
She nodded eagerly. "Of course! Everyone at the restaurant was saying you're an Adeptus who left seclusion to visit Liyue! And you've got those elegant horns! You look like you walked straight out of an ancient painting!"
(Now that I think about it... most ordinary citizens of Liyue don't know the Adepti. It's funny how even someone like Ganyu, who works directly with the Qixing, goes unnoticed.)
I chose not to correct her. She didn't seem malicious—just genuinely excited.
"I guess I'll have to be more careful walking around the harbor now," I remarked with a small smile.
Xiangling laughed, oblivious to my internal resignation.
"If you ever need help finding ingredients, or want to try more exotic dishes, don't hesitate to come find me!"
I thanked her and stood up after finishing the meal. Xiangling returned to her pot, humming a light tune as she prepared more dishes for passersby.
(Time to head back too.)
As I made my way down the winding paths, the lively sounds of Liyue Harbor gradually grew clearer - the chime of bells, the murmur of waves, and distant conversations blending into a familiar symphony.
I passed by Wanmin Restaurant, where I'd shared breakfast with Ganyu that morning. Now the place buzzed with activity: families, merchants, and adventurers crowded around tables, laughing over steaming dishes.
Finally, I reached the residence assigned to me by the Chamber of Commerce.
Pushing the door open, I began settling in.
I removed the lightweight bracers from my ceremonial attire, placing them on a small cabinet. The rest of the outfit, comfortable and flexible, needed no further adjustments.
Sitting by the window, I watched the moon slowly rise, casting its silver glow over Liyue's rooftops.
(I can't sleep...)
I reclined on the bed in my room, staring at the wooden ceiling. Though I'd managed to sleep the previous night, it had been more from the mental exhaustion of suddenly appearing in this world than any real need for rest.
(Now that I think about it... Yatogami Tohka was also a pure spirit, yet she still slept and ate. I suppose it's more of an acquired habit. Setting aside food - which I do enjoy - back in my world, sleeping past midnight was more necessity than pleasure.)
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I ran a hand down my face. Nights in Liyue were peaceful, with only the whisper of wind and ocean waves breaking the silence.
(What can I even do in a world like this? The technology here is... inconsistent. There are advanced mechs and automatons, but no trace of phones or computers. No internet, no games, no discussion forums...)
A sigh escaped my lips.
(If only I had my console...)
But then a thought struck me.
(Ah, right. The Gate of Babylon stores all kinds of artifacts and knowledge. If it contains legendary weapons, why not books? Grimoires, alchemy treatises, stories from other worlds...)
A smile spread across my face. I extended my hand, and with a gentle motion, an old leather-bound tome materialized in my palms. The pages carried the scent of ancient ink and parchment.
"Well... at least I won't be bored."