Hu Tao: Guest, One Half Each

Zhongli and Herta completed their transaction happily. Herta contentedly put away Zhongli's fur and blood.

Zhongli also received a byproduct of Herta's research on Qilin Blood: a potion capable of extending the lifespan of ordinary people by roughly 100 years.

After completing the transaction, Herta plopped back onto her bar stool and continued shopping.

Zhongli put away the 10 bottles of potion, bid farewell to Ye Yun, Welt, and Himeko, and returned to Teyvat.

Before he left, Ye Yun gave Zhongli a Teleportation Portal to take back with him.

For the past two days, Zhongli had been sneaking through the Teleportation Portal in Jean's office, which Venti used.

This wasn't a sustainable solution. For "big customers," Ye Yun was willing to provide a Teleportation Portal.

This made it convenient for customers to shop, and Liyue had no shortage of Primogems.

After passing through the Teleportation Portal, Zhongli returned to Teyvat.

The moment he landed, he transformed into a golden light and drifted away, flying all the way to Liyue Harbor.

Within Liyue Harbor, the weather suddenly changed dramatically.

"What's going on? Why did it get dark!"

"I don't know, let's go, let's go home quickly and bring in the clothes, it looks like it's going to rain."

"This scene feels familiar, doesn't it?"

"You're right, isn't this just like when Rex Lapis appears during the Rite of Descension every year?"

"Hiss!!!"

The next second, Zhongli appeared in his dragon form, using his Divine Power to envelop 10 bottles of the diluted Qilin Blood potion.

"These are elixirs of longevity, bestowed upon those who have made great contributions to Liyue."

With that, Zhongli threw down the 10 bottles of potion, and 10 golden lights flew into the streets and alleys of Liyue Harbor.

A total of 10 locations: the Jade Chamber, Yujing Terrace, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Bubu Pharmacy, the Millelith outpost, and so on.

On the Jade Chamber, Ningguang held the potion in her hands, filled with joy.

She never expected Rex Lapis to bestow such a precious elixir upon her.

Baishi, standing nearby, looked at Ningguang with envy.

"Congratulations, Lady Ningguang, on receiving the Adepti elixir."

Baishi was not jealous of Ningguang receiving the Adepti elixir from Rex Lapis; in her opinion, Lady Ningguang deserved it.

Lady Ningguang diligently governed Liyue, always considering its well-being.

In Bubu Pharmacy, Baizhu leaned back in his chair, his hands hanging limply, one of which still held the empty potion bottle.

Baizhu was so emotional he was in tears. After drinking the potion, his illness was completely cured.

Now, he finally didn't have to worry about his illness anymore.

Qiqi looked at Baizhu in this state, utterly confused.

Qiqi gently tugged at Baizhu's sleeve.

"Mr. Baizhu, don't cry... Qiqi will... stay with you..."

Baizhu snapped back to reality and patted Qiqi's hat.

"It's okay, Qiqi, I'm fine. Rex Lapis just bestowed a divine medicine that cured my illness.

Let's go, it's time for us to go out and treat patients. I can't let down Rex Lapis's high hopes."

Qiqi nodded blankly and ran into the counter to get Baizhu's medicine box.

Then, Baizhu put on his medicine box and led Qiqi out of Bubu Pharmacy to see patients.

Inside Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

Hu Tao was lying on Zhongli's exclusive rocking chair like a salted fish, rocking back and forth wildly.

She couldn't help it, she was too bored!

Just then, she saw Rex Lapis appear and bestow divine medicine.

One of them actually flew towards her side. Hu Tao immediately jumped off the rocking chair.

"Wow! I didn't expect This Director to get one too!"

Hu Tao took the potion and carefully put it away.

"I wonder where the Guest is? He hasn't been back for two days. I wanted to share this happy news with him."

As soon as Hu Tao finished speaking, Zhongli walked in from outside the door.

"Hall Master, I have returned."

As soon as Hu Tao saw Zhongli, she rushed over, circled him a few times, and looked him up and down to see if he was injured.

"Guest, where have you been these past two days? I wanted to consult you about an ancient burial ritual."

Zhongli walked to the rocking chair and sat down.

"I recently visited a friend."

Hu Tao let out an "oh," then immediately remembered the divine medicine Rex Lapis had just bestowed upon her. She quickly took it out and waved it in front of Zhongli.

"Guest, look! This is the divine medicine Rex Lapis gave me, hehe~"

Zhongli feigned surprise.

"I didn't expect the Director to receive a share as well. Congratulations, Director."

Hu Tao was quite pleased with Zhongli's flattery and patted his shoulder.

"You certainly know what to say."

Hu Tao looked at the potion and suddenly said,

"Guest, let's split this medicine in half. Didn't Rex Lapis say drinking one bottle can extend life by over a hundred years? Half of that is 50 years, so 50 years for each of us."

Saying this, Hu Tao handed the potion to Zhongli.

In Hu Tao's heart, Zhongli was like her own family, her elder.

One could say Zhongli had watched her grow up and was also good friends with her grandfather.

Hu Tao's idea was to let the Guest live longer so he could accompany her for more time.

Zhongli was surprised but also very pleased to see Hu Tao willing to share half the potion with him.

Zhongli was very comforted.

"Alright, thank you, Director."

This was Hu Tao's heartfelt intention, and he had to accept it. As for whether he would drink it, that was his decision; at most, he would just use a few little tricks.

Upon hearing this, Hu Tao handed the potion to Zhongli.

"Guest, you hold this first, I'll go find two cups."

After handing the potion to Zhongli, Hu Tao energetically ran into the house.

Soon, she rushed out with two cups and came before Zhongli.

Hu Tao took the potion, pouring it evenly into the two cups. The bottle was completely empty; not a single drop could be shaken out, even with force.

Hu Tao raised her cup.

"Come on! Guest! Let's have a drink! Hehe~"

Zhongli smiled and took the cup.

"Alright, let's have a drink."

Both of them drank it down in one gulp.

On the surface, Zhongli drank it, but secretly, he quietly channeled his Divine Power and transferred all the potion in his cup into Hu Tao's cup.

Hu Tao drank for a long time before finishing the potion in her cup.

Hu Tao put down her cup and let out a burp.

"Burp~ Why do I feel like I drank so much? This cup clearly isn't that big?"

Saying this, Hu Tao held the cup up to her eyes and looked inside curiously.

Zhongli said,

"After all, this is divine medicine. Maybe that's just how it is?"

Hu Tao thought about it.

"Maybe. Forget it, forget it, I've already drunk it. Guest, how do you feel? Why don't I feel anything?"

Zhongli smiled and said,

"Director, you are still young, so naturally you wouldn't feel anything. I, on the other hand, feel a warm sensation throughout my body."

Upon hearing this, Hu Tao believed Zhongli's words.

"Alright~ Oh right, Guest, could you go to Wuwang Hill with me tonight? I have a ritual I want to ask you about."

Zhongli sat down on the rocking chair and opened his fan.

"Alright, at that time, the Director can come call me."

Seeing that Zhongli agreed, Hu Tao cheered happily and skipped towards her room to prepare the things she would need for the evening.

Zhongli looked at Hu Tao's retreating figure and felt an inexplicable emotion, like "my granddaughter has grown up."

Thanks to the great up Mo Shang, Jin Se X Liunian, Ham Emperor, Silently Fighting the Great, and Evil Unilateral for the Monthly Passes.

Thanks to Xuan Chenjun for the reward!!!