Zhongli and Herta happily completed their transaction. Herta contentedly put away Zhongli's fur and blood.
Zhongli also received the byproduct of Herta's research into Qilin Blood: a potion that could extend an ordinary person's lifespan by roughly a hundred years.
After completing the trade, Herta plopped back onto her Bar Stool and continued shopping.
Zhongli put away the ten bottles of potion, bade Ye Yun and Welt farewell, and returned to Teyvat with Himeko.
Before he left, Ye Yun gave Zhongli a Teleportation Portal to take back with him.
For the past two days, Zhongli had been secretly following Venti through the Teleportation Portal leading to Jean's office.
This could not go on forever. For a "major customer," Ye Yun could spare a Teleportation Portal.
That would make it easier for customers to shop, and Liyue had no shortage of Primogems.
After passing through the Teleportation Portal, Zhongli returned to Teyvat.
The instant he landed, he transformed into a streak of golden light and drifted into the distance, flying all the way toward Liyue Harbor.
Within Liyue Harbor, the winds and clouds suddenly shifted.
"What's going on? Why did it get dark?"
"No idea. Come on, hurry home and bring in the laundry. It looks like it might rain."
"This scene feels strangely familiar. Don't you think?"
"Now that you mention it, isn't this what it looks like whenever Rex Lapis appears during the annual Rite of Descension?"
"Gasp!!!"
The next second, Zhongli appeared in his dragon form, using divine power to envelop ten bottles of diluted Qilin Blood potion.
"This is a medicine that prolongs life. It is bestowed upon those who have made great contributions to Liyue."
With that, Zhongli cast down the ten bottles. Ten streams of golden light flew toward the streets and alleys of Liyue Harbor.
The Jade Chamber, Yujing Terrace, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Bubu Pharmacy, the Millelith garrison, and ten other locations in total.
At the Jade Chamber, Ningguang held the potion in her hands, her heart filled with delight.
She had never expected Rex Lapis to bestow such a precious potion upon her.
Beside her, Baishi looked at Ningguang enviously.
"Congratulations, Lady Ningguang, on receiving this immortal medicine."
Baishi was not jealous that Ningguang had received immortal medicine as a reward from Rex Lapis. In her eyes, Lady Ningguang deserved it.
Lady Ningguang governed Liyue diligently and thought only of Liyue's welfare.
Inside Bubu Pharmacy, Baizhu reclined in his chair, his hands hanging limply at his sides. One of them still held the empty bottle of potion.
Baizhu wept with excitement. After drinking the potion, his illness had been completely cured.
At last, he no longer had to worry about his illness.
Qiqi was very confused by Baizhu's appearance.
Qiqi gently tugged on Baizhu's sleeve.
"Mr. Baizhu, don't cry. Qiqi will stay with you."
Baizhu came back to his senses and patted Qiqi's hat.
"It's all right, Qiqi. I'm fine. Rex Lapis just bestowed Divine Medicine that cured my illness.
Come, it is time for us to go treat the patients. I cannot disappoint Rex Lapis's high expectations."
Qiqi nodded blankly and ran behind the counter to help Baizhu retrieve his medicine box.
Then Baizhu slung the medicine box over his back, took Qiqi's hand, and left Bubu Pharmacy to make house calls.
Inside Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Hu Tao lay in Zhongli's personal rocking chair like a salted fish, rocking it wildly.
It could not be helped—she was too bored!
Just then, she saw Rex Lapis appear and bestow Divine Medicine.
One of the portions was actually flying toward her. Hu Tao immediately leaped from the rocking chair.
"Froggy Wow! I never thought this parlor director would get a share too!"
Hu Tao caught the potion and carefully put it away.
"I wonder where the adviser went. He hasn't been back for two days. I wanted to share such happy news with him."
The moment Hu Tao finished speaking, Zhongli walked in through the door.
"Parlor Director, I have returned."
The moment Hu Tao saw Zhongli, she rushed over, circled him several times, and examined him from head to toe for any injuries.
"Adviser, where have you been these past two days? I wanted to consult you about an ancient burial ritual."
Zhongli walked over to the rocking chair and sat down.
"I recently paid a visit to a friend."
Hu Tao gave an "Oh," then remembered the Divine Medicine Rex Lapis had just bestowed upon her. She hurriedly took it out and waved it before Zhongli.
"Adviser, look! This is the Divine Medicine Rex Lapis gave me. Hehe~"
Zhongli feigned surprise.
"I did not expect the Parlor Director to receive a portion as well. Congratulations, Parlor Director."
Hu Tao greatly enjoyed Zhongli's praise and patted him on the shoulder.
"You sure know how to talk."
Hu Tao looked at the potion and suddenly said,
"Adviser, let's split this medicine equally. Didn't Rex Lapis say that one bottle could extend your life by more than a hundred years? Half would be fifty years, so fifty years each for us."
As she spoke, Hu Tao handed the potion to Zhongli.
In Hu Tao's heart, Zhongli was family—an elder of hers.
It could be said that Zhongli had watched her grow up, and he had also been friends with her grandfather.
Hu Tao wanted the adviser to live a little longer, so that he could spend more time with her.
Zhongli was surprised that Hu Tao was willing to share half the potion with him, yet he was also deeply delighted.
Zhongli felt greatly comforted.
"Very well. Thank you, Parlor Director."
This was Hu Tao's heartfelt intention, so he had to accept it. As for whether he drank it or not, that was his own decision. At most, he would need to use a small trick.
Hearing this, Hu Tao handed the potion to Zhongli.
"Adviser, hold this first. I'll go find two cups."
After handing the potion to Zhongli, Hu Tao dashed energetically into the room.
Very soon, she rushed back out carrying two cups and arrived before Zhongli.
Hu Tao took the potion and poured it evenly into the two cups. She emptied the bottle completely; even when she shook it hard, not a single drop came out.
Hu Tao raised her cup.
"Come on, Adviser! Cheers! Hehe~"
Zhongli smiled and accepted the cup.
"Very well. Cheers."
The two drank it in one gulp.
On the surface, Zhongli drank it, but secretly, he used divine power to transfer all the potion in his own cup into Hu Tao's.
Hu Tao drank for quite a while before finally finishing the potion in her cup.
Hu Tao put down the cup and burped.
"Burp~ Why do I feel like I drank so much? This cup clearly wasn't that big."
As she spoke, Hu Tao held the cup before her eyes and curiously peered inside.
Zhongli said,
"After all, it is Divine Medicine. Perhaps that is simply how it is."
Hu Tao thought for a moment.
"Maybe. Oh, forget it, we've already drunk it. Adviser, how do you feel? Why don't I feel anything?"
Zhongli smiled and said,
"The Parlor Director is still young, so naturally you would not feel much. As for me, I feel pleasantly warm all over."
Hu Tao believed Zhongli as soon as she heard that.
"Okay~ Oh, right, Adviser, come with me to Wuwang Hill tonight. There's a ritual I want to ask you about."
Zhongli sat in the rocking chair and opened his fan.
"Very well. When the time comes, Parlor Director, come fetch me."
Seeing that Zhongli had agreed, Hu Tao cheered with delight and skipped back to her room to prepare the things she would need that night.
As Zhongli watched Hu Tao's retreating figure, he inexplicably felt as though his own granddaughter had grown up.
Thanks to up Lord Mo Shang, Lord Jinse X Liunian, Lord Ham Emperor, Lord Silent Strike, and Lord Evil Accelerator for their gifted Monthly Passes.
Thanks to Xuanchen Jun for the reward!!!
Before you continue