Good things deserved appreciation

With Xiao lending a hand, dealing with the Hilichurl tribe was fairly easy.

Looking at the subdued Hilichurls tied together, Lin Yi remembered that they, too, had once been inhabitants of this continent. After robbing them of everything valuable they carried, he let them go.

Keqing watched from the side, finding it hard to tell whether Lin Yi or the Hilichurls were the real bandits...

Perhaps their luck was good: the Luxurious Chest before them had successfully unlocked.

When Lin Yi opened it, he found not only a considerable amount of Mora and a few Ascension Materials, but even a four-star Artifact.

"Artifacts always seem rarer than weapons and such. In the draw description for Lin Yi's Rich Lady Raising System, the odds of getting an Artifact are lower than those of getting a weapon."

Although exploring the wilderness offered a chance to obtain Artifacts, putting together a set with matching stats that could also stack special bonuses was still no easy task.

Keqing's and Xiangling's eyes lit up at the sight of the four-star Artifact in his hand.

The caravan members helping clean up the area knew that Artifacts were not something they could use. Valuable as it was, they merely envied it fiercely and entertained no other thoughts.

Looking at the three people beside him, Lin Yi considered it, then handed the Artifact to Xiao.

"What is the meaning of this? I do not need it."

"You spend every day either fighting or on your way to a fight. Even the slightest increase in strength could make a difference on the battlefield. Keqing is a civil official, and Xiangling is a little chef. You're obviously the best person to take this."

Xiangling bounced about as she added that, while the Artifact's stats were indeed good, its element did not match hers, so it would be useless to her.

Keqing likewise raised no objection and agreed that they should give the Artifact to Xiao.

"But surely you need this at your current stage as well, Mr. Lin Yi?"

"Hey, you know I'm a god. Anything below five stars is beneath my status. If I'm going to use something, it has to be the best. Besides, if I'm short of anything, I can just ask my wife for money."

"In that case, I shall accept it with my deepest thanks."

As calm and gentle as ever, Xiao looked at the Artifact in his hand. Its element matched his own, and it could improve his strength considerably.

When he looked back at the three people before him, for a fleeting moment, they reminded him of several dear friends from years ago.

The sight stirred old grief. Those people were gone, leaving him awash in emotion.

In an instant, Anemo Sigils appeared beneath Xiao's feet. At the same time, the power of his Karmic Debt poured out and wound around the Artifact, drawing forth the glow of its power.

Before long, five pillars of light appeared around Xiao's body. Countless threads linked those pillars together, empowering him.

This appeared to be how Vision holders equipped Artifacts.

It was clear that, apart from the Blue Oni Fanged Mask, Xiao's Artifacts were an assortment of two- and three-star pieces, with inconsistent quality and elements.

Now that he had integrated a four-star Anemo Artifact, not only had his strength increased greatly, but his entire aura had visibly changed and grown stronger.

After integrating it, Xiao clenched his fists and felt the power within him. He discovered that his suppression of the Karmic Debt inside his body had also become more stable.

"Thank you once again."

Lin Yi stepped forward and patted his shoulder. There was no need for thanks. After all, Liyue's demon gods were not something they could clear out in a few days. For now, he should stay with the group and get some proper rest; they would reach their destination soon.

Meanwhile, at Wangshu Inn.

Venti plucked his strings, his melodious singing rising and falling, leaving his listeners entranced.

He had just met with a blond-haired fellow, and their conversation had been quite pleasant.

However, the sprite accompanying him, named Paimon, had left Venti somewhat puzzled-even shocked.

"Where has the person I'm truly waiting for gotten to now?"

There was more to Venti's words than met the ear. He might have seemed frivolous, but apart from the other gods, who could see through his thoughts?

"A table for four honored guests!"

Venti had just set down his lyre when he heard the voice greeting the guests.

As Mondstadt's god, he was nevertheless short of funds and had little concept of money.

For his everyday drinks and meals, he mostly relied on drawing attention and singing for tips...

But just as he went downstairs, hoping to join a table and cadge some wine...

The one man and three beasts taking their seats stunned him.

The man had his back to him.

His figure stood tall and steady, his presence as imposing as a mountain. That awe-inspiring feeling reminded Venti of an old friend.

"Why does this man's aura feel so much like Morax's?"

Driven by curiosity, Venti walked straight over and sat beside Zhongli.

"Hello, allow me to introduce myself..."

"No introduction is necessary. We know each other."

Zhongli calmly savored his tea. He was more than familiar with Venti, his noisy old neighbor, the Anemo Archon.

"Morax, it really is you?"

A chatterbox by nature, Venti peppered Zhongli, who had taken human form, with questions. He looked anything but serious.

The Three True Lords accompanying old Zhongli on his outing were also somewhat dazed to see the two gods together.

One was noisy and frivolous; the other was a composed, retired old official.

Had these two joined forces countless years ago, the chaos wrought by the demon gods would surely have ended centuries earlier. Their power was easy to imagine.

"What put you in the mood to visit Wangshu Inn today?"

"The world is so vast. One must get out and wander from time to time."

As they chatted, the two gods and the Three True Lords once again turned to the subject of the new Geo Archon, Lin Yi.

And Lin Yi was precisely the person Venti was waiting for.

"I always feel that this boy is unreliable. His words sound lovely, but who knows whether he can actually deliver in the future?"

"He doesn't have even one percent of Mr. Zhongli's strength. In a place as dangerous as Teyvat, even survival is a problem. He still has a long road ahead."

Venti listened quietly, helping himself to a couple of cups of Pagoda Flower Wine now and then, entirely at ease.

Just then, an inn attendant called out loudly.

"The goods caravan from Liyue has arrived!"

"Accompanying them are the Geo Archon, Lin Yikesi; the Yuheng, Keqing; the Conqueror of Demons, Xiao; and the chef, Xiangling..."

Speak of the devil, and he appeared.

A moment later, Lin Yi brought the others from his party into the inn, hoping to enjoy a proper rest and sample Wangshu Inn's cooking.

Just as the four sat down and prepared to order...

Xiao swept his gaze across the crowd and immediately pinpointed Zhongli's location.

"Be careful. The guests over there are not people you or I can contend with."

"All are equal before a handgun. Let me see who you're talking about... Well, well, old Zhongli?"

Zhongli looked over at the sound of his voice. The quiet authority in his gaze stirred a familiar sense of reverence in Xiao.

Zhongli, however, remained calm at the sight of Xiao.

Since their upcoming discussion involved confidential matters, Lin Yi sent Keqing and Xiangling aside to eat and drink whatever they liked.

He then brought Xiao over and sat beside Zhongli and the others.

"Allow me to introduce him: your former superior, Morax. He's retired now and goes by Zhongli."

"You really are Morax!"

Xiao's expression was exactly like Venti's when he had learned Zhongli's identity.

Having followed the former god for a thousand years, Xiao knew his strength well. How could he possibly have died suddenly at the ceremony to invoke him?

Zhongli briefly explained his plan to fake his death, and only then did Xiao understand.

"I wrongly blamed Lord Lin Yi."