Since it was about surveying public opinion, they definitely had to ask for the public's thoughts.
Traveler had many friends in Liyue, and for a moment, he couldn't decide who to look for first.
"How about we go find Hu Tao first?" Xiangling thought for a moment and said.
"Although she always pops out and startles me, she can always give some unique suggestions in certain areas."
"Besides, we're quite close to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. It's just across the bridge."
"That's true. Then let's go find Hu Tao first!" Paimon nodded and said.
They arrived at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, where Hu Tao was standing in front of the main gate, looking at a notice board, seemingly deep in thought.
"Hu Tao!"
"Oh my, oh my? Isn't this Traveler, Xiangling, and little Paimon? What brings you here today?" Hu Tao turned around and said with a smile.
Xiangling scratched her head: "It's the Moonchase Festival, isn't it? I'm going to participate in this year's Chef King Competition, so I wanted to ask if you all have any thoughts or opinions."
"I don't have any thoughts. As for opinions... as long as you don't do things like Qingxin with Slime, anything goes."
As soon as Hu Tao mentioned this, she couldn't help but gag.
She just didn't understand why anyone would think of making such oddly flavored dishes. It was scarier than chewing cilantro dry!
"Uh... Eh heh?"
"In short, as long as it's a normal dish, I don't care at all~"
"But if you're asking for ideas, I do have a candidate in mind," Hu Tao said.
Paimon: "Eh? Don't tell me it's Morax?"
"Of course not! My consultant left early this morning, saying he was going to look for medicinal ingredients, and they're all rare ones that Bubu Pharmacy might not even have."
Xiangling: "Then who are you talking about?"
"Hehe, this brings us to last night!" Hu Tao smiled.
"Do you know that an Inazuman Young Miss has arrived in Liyue? She even knows Morax! Think about it, someone who can know my Old Timer with his picky taste must have a high quality of life!"
"If you ask me, you might as well go ask her. Perhaps a foreign flavor can give you different inspiration!"
Paimon: "Oh, right! The stones of other hills may be used to polish one's own jade. This isn't a bad idea!"
Xiangling: "But I don't know her. Wouldn't it be rude to bother her suddenly?"
Hu Tao: "Oh, Xiangling, you don't have to worry about that. Traveler knows that Young Miss, and he even brought her from Inazuma, which is currently in lockdown, to Liyue Harbor!"
"Eh? Is that so?"
Xiangling turned to look at Traveler, only to see him standing with his hands on his waist, looking very proud.
"That's right, it's me!"
"But Paimon can use idioms too? That's an eye-opener."
Paimon: "Hey~"
Xiangling: "Pfft... It's really interesting to watch you two bicker. Since Traveler knows her, then it's easy. This way, it won't be considered bothering her when I go."
Paimon: "Xiangling, don't say that. Let me tell you, that guy is very particular about food. In Inazuma, he often frequented big restaurants like Liuli Pavilion and New Moon Pavilion. How can a chef like you say it's bothering her?"
Xiangling: "Mainly, I still don't know her... But do you know where she is?"
Xiangling turned to look at Hu Tao, who spread her hands, indicating helplessness.
"Perhaps, you can wander around the city, and you might just run into her?"
"That's true. Then let's proceed with the original plan for now. It's best if we run into her; if not, then we'll see!"
Because of the Waypoint, Traveler didn't know where Shiki went. The other party could also teleport using the anchor, just like him. She might even be in Inazuma right now.
If she had known, she would have spoken up earlier, and wouldn't have said so few words until now.
The group set off again. Their next stop was Bubu Pharmacy. Xiangling felt that Baizhu, who was skilled in pharmacology, might offer some different insights.
...
Half an hour later, Yujing Terrace
After a brief inquiry by the Thousand Rock Army, Shiki and Ayaka ascended to Yujing Terrace. Then, in a cluster of blooming Glaze Lilies, they saw a stooped, ordinary-looking old woman.
No one would have expected that an old woman who normally enjoyed flowers and tea here was actually an Adeptus.
Although Shiki already knew that the other party was Granny Ping, she still gracefully stepped forward and softly asked:
"Excuse me, are you Granny Ping?"
"Hmm?"
Granny Ping looked up at the girl in front of her, holding a paper umbrella and wearing a luxurious long-sleeved kimono. A hint of nostalgia appeared in her eyes. Once upon a time, she too loved to dress up like the other party.
Next to the girl was another white-haired girl also wearing a white long-sleeved kimono. She gently held the other's arm, looking very much like a young wife nestled in her husband's embrace.
Thousands of years had passed, and she had seen love that transcended gender, and love that transcended species (Adepti and humans), but she had truly never seen both.
'How wonderful. I hope you two can continue to walk so intimately together.'
"It's this old woman. He has already told me everything," Granny Ping nodded and said.
"The path of Adeptal arts involves many things. Which one do you wish to learn first?"
"Of course, Changsheng. I presume you already know this answer."
As Shiki spoke, she gently bowed. Although she had only learned a part from Ayaka, when it came to acting the part of a Young Miss, she did not do any worse than Ayaka, the real thing.
"Haha, just as this old woman expected! It seems your little girlfriend next to you is truly fortunate to have someone who cares for her so much and loves her so deeply."
Granny Ping slowly extended her aged hand, then gently touched the girl's forehead. A cultivation method that she had practiced from ancient times until now was thus transmitted into the girl's mind.
"With your talent for cultivating Adeptal power on your own, this cultivation method should not be a problem for you. If you wish to learn anything else or have any questions, come find this old woman again."
Shiki did not reply. She stood still as if stunned. Just as Ayaka couldn't help but ask what was going on, a peculiar fluctuation spread from the girl's body.
The Adeptal power she had cultivated earlier began to circulate through her meridians along a specific path. After they completed one full grand cycle, Shiki felt that both her body and her Adeptal power had undergone subtle changes.
She couldn't describe the feeling. It was a bit like someone who had been tired for a long time suddenly sitting down, or someone bored suddenly encountering something that made her happy—it was exhilarating!
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