It was as if he'd known how to use this skill from the moment he was born, as if it were an instinct.
With just a thought, he could activate it.
Most importantly,
when Ganyu used Mountain Marsh Lin Ji, it left behind a blue ice lotus.
But when Fang Xun used it, it left behind a brilliant golden lotus, its center seeming to burn with roaring flames!
When the lotus exploded, its destructive power was immense,
on par with Eula's ultimate!
How was this a life-saving skill? It was practically a nuclear explosion!
Fang Xun understood now.
The skills granted by the system were the original skills, but with just a tiny little boost to their damage!
So, if Fang Xun drew enough skills and got powerful enough artifacts,
wouldn't it be possible for him to blast out a Dragon Ruins or cleave open a Musoujin Gorge?!
Who said a mortal body couldn't rival the gods?
Fang Xun had something to say about that!
Although Mountain Marsh Lin Ji dealt an absurd amount of damage, Fang Xun couldn't use it carelessly.
After all, this was Liyue, a land that stood for order and contracts.
If he made too much of a commotion, the Millelith or even the Liyue Qixing might come.
Fang Xun had only just arrived in Liyue and didn't know his way around. It was best to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Fang Xun exited the system interface, and time began flowing again.
Little Ningguang stared at the meal Fang Xun had brought over, hesitating for a long while.
In the end,
she picked up the container of Tender Jiao Jiao Chicken,
leaving the other container, which held Peaceful Four Directions, untouched.
"Brother Fang Xun, I appreciate your kindness, but I can't accept everything you've given me."
"You only ate one of my grilled fish, so it wouldn't be right for me to take both of your dishes."
"Ningguang isn't a selfish child, so I'll just take this Tender Jiao Jiao Chicken!"
Ningguang smiled sweetly, her pretty eyes curving into crescents.
She was so considerate it made one's heart ache.
Even though Fang Xun had offered her two dishes in exchange,
Little Ningguang had only chosen one. She wouldn't take more than her fair share.
She had principles of her own.
For a moment, Fang Xun felt a jumble of emotions.
He knew Ningguang had been strong even as a child, but she still exceeded his expectations.
This little girl was at an age when she should have been carefree, yet she already knew far too much about being responsible.
The saying "Children from poor families grow up early" was absolutely true.
Seeing how sweet and sensible the little girl was, Fang Xun naturally wanted her to take all the food.
Taking a deep breath, he said slowly, "You're still growing and need proper nourishment, understand?"
"If you feel bad about taking this extra serving of Peaceful Four Directions, how about we make another deal?"
"I'll give you this Peaceful Four Directions in exchange for a whole day of your time tomorrow. How does that sound?"
Little Ningguang found the idea quite novel.
"Brother Fang Xun, you want to buy my time?"
She thought her time had never been worth anything.
No one would want to buy the time of a poor little girl like her, so she couldn't understand what Fang Xun was getting at.
Fang Xun nodded and said earnestly, "That's right. I've only just arrived in Liyue, so I don't know this city very well."
"So, I'd like to find a guide to show me around and help me get to know the city."
"Little Ningguang, do you know Liyue well?"
Ningguang nodded at Fang Xun's question. "I do!"
After all, Ningguang often sold goods in the streets and alleys of Liyue.
She'd been everywhere there were people.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her a living map of Liyue.
A faint smile touched Fang Xun's face as he spoke softly. "That's good."
"Then you can show me around Liyue tomorrow, and this Peaceful Four Directions will be your fee. How does that sound?"
"Sure!" Ningguang agreed at once, without even thinking.
As a little businesswoman,
she'd already been calculating in her head whether she could earn a serving of Peaceful Four Directions in a single day.
The answer was obviously no.
In that case, it was a good deal.
More importantly,
Ningguang already had a good impression of this big brother from a foreign land, Fang Xun.
Even if Fang Xun hadn't offered her any payment, Ningguang probably would have agreed to guide him tomorrow.
"Then you can have this Peaceful Four Directions." Fang Xun picked up the container and handed it to Ningguang.
"Mm-hmm, thank you, Brother Fang Xun." Ningguang nodded and thanked him again.
She knew perfectly well,
Fang Xun could easily find any guide on the streets of Liyue.
A guide like that wouldn't charge much.
Trading a serving of Peaceful Four Directions for a whole day of her time was really just Fang Xun helping her.
How could Little Ningguang not understand that?
She'd never met anyone as kind as Fang Xun, and she didn't know how to show her gratitude.
All she could do was thank him again and again.
Before she met Fang Xun, Ningguang had felt that Liyue was vast and crowded.
She couldn't see even a glimmer of light here. All around her were darkness and bone-chilling winds.
But then Fang Xun appeared, and the gloom in Ningguang's heart lifted.
Looking at Fang Xun's profile, Ningguang couldn't help sighing, "If this is a dream, I hope I never wake up."
"Brother Fang Xun, I'll see you tomorrow!"
Ningguang gathered up the containers, then waved goodbye to Fang Xun,
and disappeared at the end of the road.
Ningguang's farewell took Fang Xun by surprise.
He'd thought she would open the containers right away and start eating.
After all, while grilling the fish, she'd been so hungry that her stomach had been growling nonstop.
Fang Xun still remembered how the little girl had blushed in embarrassment.
And yet, this little girl who was so hungry
hadn't rushed to eat when she saw the food. Instead, she'd chosen to take it home.
Fang Xun soon understood why she'd done that.
Ningguang must have thought the meal was so sumptuous that she wanted to take it home and share it with her family.
He couldn't help thinking again that this little girl was so considerate it made his heart ache.
Watching Ningguang disappear into the distance, Fang Xun continued eating his grilled fish and said, "I hope that money will ease some of the pressure she's under."
That's right.
Fang Xun had secretly tucked a bag of Mora into the container he'd given Ningguang.
There were only fifty thousand Mora.
Of course, he hadn't given her the money outright. He'd lent it to her.
She could pay it back once she had money of her own.
Before you continue