It seemed Director Hu Tao of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had come to the Jar Shop to open jars as well.
"No, I've already opened my jars for the week."
Hu Tao shook her head in response to Beidou's assumption. "I'm here to ask the Shopkeeper a question."
As she spoke, her beautiful plum-blossom eyes stared intensely at Felix.
Felix: "..."
Meeting Hu Tao's gaze, the corner of Felix's mouth twitched imperceptibly.
He really didn't have a way to shrink her back. He didn't sell breast reduction potions.
If she wanted to change back, she would have to keep opening jars and hope the RNG gods blessed her with a specific item.
"I see," Beidou nodded, accepting the answer.
"Um, Director Hu," Huixing, the navigator, leaned in curiously. "On the way here, I heard people talking about a 'Soul Out-of-Body' service at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"Is it true that you can knock people's souls out with a stick?"
Huixing had heard the rumors buzzing in the streets. Director Hu could supposedly separate a soul from its body with a single bonk. That sounded like Adepti magic—something only the illuminated immortals should be capable of.
Seeing the legendary Director Hu in person, Huixing couldn't suppress her curiosity.
Qianyan and Furong also looked at Hu Tao with expectant eyes.
"Of course it's true!"
Hu Tao grinned, her earlier moodiness vanishing instantly. "I can do it right now if you want! Do you want to try? I can knock you out of your body this very second!"
She whipped out the Soul Staff and made a few practice swings near Huixing's head, gauging the distance.
"No, no, thank you!"
Huixing scrambled backward, waving her hands frantically. The gleaming stick looked terrified.
She was curious, not suicidal!
"I want to! I want to!"
While Huixing retreated, Qianyan stepped forward, her eyes sparkling. "Director Hu, does it have any side effects? How much does it cost? Can I get a discount? Or maybe... free?"
She looked at Hu Tao with pleading, mora-shaped eyes.
"No side effects at all," Hu Tao assured her with a mischievous grin. "And free? Sure! Since you're Beidou's crew, and the Crux has done so much for Liyue, consider it a professional courtesy!"
The Crux Fleet was famous for protecting merchant ships from pirates in Liyue's waters. They were practically a second navy, and Hu Tao respected that contribution.
"Really?!"
Qianyan looked like she had just won the lottery. "Do I need to prepare anything?"
"Nope!"
Hu Tao giggled. "Just stand there!"
Bonk!
Before Qianyan could even blink, Hu Tao swung the staff and smacked her squarely on the forehead.
With a soft thud, Qianyan's physical body crumpled to the floor like a sack of potatoes.
At the same time, a translucent, glowing version of Qianyan floated out of the body.
"Eh???"
Beidou and Xiangling's eyes widened. Even with their Visions, seeing a soul detach so cleanly was shocking.
Furong and Huixing gasped, staring at their friend's spirit.
It was real.
"So... so amazing..."
Ghost-Qianyan looked at her hands, delight washing over her spectral face. "I feel so light! I can fly anywhere I want!"
She zoomed around the shop like a gust of wind, swooping and diving with incredible speed.
Whoosh! She flew right out the front door.
"Holy crap!"
"Is that... a soul?!"
Doyle and Wenqi, the guards outside, nearly dropped their spears as a glowing woman flew past them.
"That's definitely a soul... wait, isn't that the girl who went in with Captain Beidou?"
"Director Hu went in earlier... did she just knock that girl's soul out?"
"Insane. I waited all afternoon at the Funeral Parlor for nothing, and the show happens here?"
The crowd outside, still buzzing from Beidou's giant sword reveal, went wild again as they saw the ghost flitting about.
"Ooh!"
Qianyan noticed the crowd staring and frowned. Feeling shy, she zipped back inside the shop.
She floated over to Furong. "Furong! You should try it! It's really fun!"
"Pass," Furong shook her head vigorously. Seeing her friend's limp body on the floor was creepy enough.
"As expected of the Wangsheng Director," Beidou marveled. "To perform Adepti arts so casually... impressive."
"Hehe." Hu Tao preened under the praise, not bothering to correct her that it was the stick doing the work.
"Alright, that's enough playing," Beidou called out to the floating spirit. "Your body is getting dirty on the floor."
"Ah."
Qianyan looked down at her physical form splayed on the dusty shop floor. She quickly dove back into it.
Gasp.
Physical-Qianyan sat up, coughing slightly. She dusted off her clothes with a grimace. "My new outfit... it's all dirty."
"You just experienced astral projection and you're worried about laundry?" Huixing teased. "Just buy a new one later."
"Shopkeeper, five more jars!"
Beidou turned back to the counter, excitement burning in her eyes. "I want to see what else I can get!"
"Captain Beidou, I think you're too excited," Felix chuckled. "You bought ten jars initially. You've only opened five. Look in front of you."
He pointed to the remaining five clay pots still sitting on the counter.
"Uh."
Beidou froze. She looked down.
Sure enough, five unopened jars stared back at her.
"Oh. Right."
She flushed with embarrassment, coughing loudly to cover it up. "My mistake! Opening the sword got me too fired up. Hahaha!"
"Ahem."
She quickly grabbed the sixth jar to hide her blunder.
Bang!
A stack of paper fell out.
[Square Explosive Tags]: White square paper tags with the character 'Explode' written in the center, surrounded by a magical formula script. They detonate when triggered by external force or chakra.
"Paper talismans?" Beidou picked them up.
"Explosive Tags," Felix explained. "Stick them on a surface, and they explode on command or impact. You can wrap them around weapons—like throwing knives—to create explosive projectiles. And yes, they are waterproof."
"Waterproof explosions?" Beidou's eyes lit up. "Now that is useful for naval combat."
"I have to say, Captain, your luck is formidable," Felix commented. "Six jars, six items. And most of them are highly practical."
Most people pulled at least one empty jar by now. Beidou was on a roll.
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