Leaving

Seeing that it was about time, Lin Feng went to the inn where Yun Shan was staying to see off his generous patron as agreed.

Yun Shan and Yun Lu had already packed their things. After escorting them to the entrance of The Chasm, Lin Feng bid them farewell. Uncle Yun Shan remained as warm and enthusiastic as ever, repeatedly reminding Lin Feng that if he ever came to Liyue, he had to visit the Feiyun Commerce Guild.

Knowing that she had narrowly escaped death this time, Yun Lu thanked Lin Feng once more before leaving. She also quietly slipped him a small package, telling him that he had to wait until he got back before opening it.

Unable to refuse, Lin Feng could only accept it.

Under the Millelith's escort, Yun Lu, who kept looking back, and Yun Shan, who still looked like an ordinary merchant, gradually disappeared into the distance. Lin Feng also planned to head back.

Before leaving, Lin Feng suddenly stopped and looked up at the tunnel guarded by the Millelith. For some reason, he felt an urge to rush straight inside, as though the other side was the homeland he had been separated from for so long. Perhaps this was what they called a sense of cultural belonging?

He had clearly never been to Liyue, yet he still held an indescribable feeling for that land.

Suppressing those feelings, Lin Feng set off on his return journey—at least for now, it was not time yet. He still had things in Sumeru that he had to finish.

Three days later, Tighnari finally returned to Gandharva Ville. After personally inspecting the remains of the Withering, Tighnari was greatly shocked by Lin Feng's destructive power.

Although the final report attributed the collapse to changes in the ley lines, after seeing Lin Feng's utterly innocent expression, Tighnari still felt that the circular pit, now turned into a small lake, was inseparably connected to the person who had dealt with it: Lin Feng.

After dealing with the Scholar sent by the Akademiya to investigate, Lin Feng, who had complete faith in Lesser Lord Kusanali's craftsmanship, temporarily returned to his Daily Life:

He carried out routine patrols during the day, occasionally asked Tighnari about how to use the Dendro Element, and studied knowledge about Teyvat at night—Lin Feng was already able to read some complex papers on his own.

After falling asleep, Lin Feng would chat with Lesser Lord Kusanali when she occasionally visited. They mainly talked about things Lin Feng encountered in his daily life, as well as stories from his previous life, including fairy tales.

Lin Feng was very interested in the toys Lesser Lord Kusanali made, and sometimes asked Nahida to teach him how to play with them—though Nahida was usually the one having the most fun in the end.

Although he was occasionally kicked out of the dream for touching Lesser Lord Kusanali's Ears or the leaves on her head, the Lesser Lord Kusanali who had no one to talk to would return again after a few days—and Favorability did not decrease.

And so, amid his fulfilling Daily Life, Lin Feng deepened his understanding of Teyvat—and developed his combat methods.

Three months later.

Looking at the Hilichurl Camp before him, which had been completely wiped out by the Poisonous Spores Lin Feng released without putting up the slightest resistance.

Tighnari officially agreed to Lin Feng's request to leave Gandharva Ville.

"Although I knew you would leave sooner or later, this speed still came as quite a surprise."

On the way back, Tighnari looked at Lin Feng with a hint of gratification.

"Whether in theoretical knowledge or combat techniques, you learn so quickly that it even gives me a sense of frustration."

"Sometimes, I wonder whether I should study how to grow a brain too."

Tighnari teased Lin Feng.

"Perhaps that is the sorrow of a genius." Knowing Tighnari was joking, Lin Feng replied smugly.

"But after coming to Gandharva Ville, I have spent less than half a year here in total. You are actually willing to let me leave?" Lin Feng was somewhat surprised that Tighnari had agreed to his resignation request so easily.

"You have the nerve to say that? Didn't you write that resignation letter saying, 'The world is so big, I want to see it' yourself?" Tighnari expertly fired back at Lin Feng.

"Besides, whether it is theoretical study or practical ability, I cannot find any fault with you. Naturally, I have no reason to stop you from leaving."

Tighnari smiled. He was clearly very satisfied with Lin Feng, this top student who had graduated at lightning speed.

"Everyone will see you off at tomorrow's farewell banquet. Do not forget to come."

"What a pity. I have only just had an easy stretch, and who knows when another newcomer with a Vision will join us."

Tighnari was quite troubled by his heavy workload.

"Do not worry, that day will not be far off. Though he may not be very smart, a great Forest Ranger will definitely join in the future."

Lin Feng comforted him.

"Then I will head back first and see if there is anything else I need to pack."

Lin Feng bid Tighnari farewell.

"Mm, get some rest early, and do not forget tomorrow night's farewell ceremony."

Still worried, Tighnari reminded him once more.

Lin Feng waved and returned to his residence.

"Clothes, medicine, Mora, food..." Looking at his considerable amount of luggage, Lin Feng desperately wanted a Serenitea Pot like the Traveler's.

Among this luggage was one item that seemed utterly out of place—a jade hairpin.

Seeing it, Lin Feng could not help recalling where it had come from.

—When he had seen Yun Lu off, she had slipped him a small package containing nothing but a letter and a hairpin.

In the letter, the young girl said that she wanted to repay Lin Feng for saving her life, but she had nothing suitable to give as a gift. So, she gave Lin Feng the hairpin she wore. If Lin Feng needed Mora, he could sell it for some emergency funds.

This is what it means to be rich. Looking at the hairpin worth over a hundred thousand Mora, Lin Feng complained inwardly.

Even so, Lin Feng had no intention of selling the hairpin. With the five hundred thousand Mora from Yun Shan and the bounties he had earned from clearing monsters, he would not be short of money anytime soon if he spent normally.

I should find a chance to return it to her. I had no idea it was such a valuable item back then. Having made up his mind, Lin Feng carefully put the hairpin back into the package.

As he looked around the small room where he had lived for only a few months, Lin Feng suddenly felt reluctant to leave.

—Though he had not been here long, this truly was Lin Feng's first home.

Setting those stray thoughts aside, Lin Feng packed his things and lay down on the bed, preparing to see the little one who had prompted him to leave this place.

The familiar green space.

Though it was a dream, it was still filled with the scent of life and vegetation.

Lesser Lord Kusanali sat across from the table where Lin Feng usually sat, watching speechlessly as he expertly picked up various Snacks and began eating.

"Are you sure you want to accept my commission?"

"Although I do not know where your power came from back then, if we go by the level of strength you have shown so far, dealing with a Withering Manifestation is still quite dangerous."

Nahida looked at Lin Feng, seemingly hoping that he would reconsider carefully.

Thank you all for your support. If possible, please do not let the chapters pile up before reading. Many thanks.