The next morning, birds chirped on the eaves outside the house, and a ray of sunlight fell across Qiu Bai's face.
His closed eyelids slowly lifted as he let out a yawn. Sitting up, he stretched lazily.
In a flash of light, Meleaus's form shifted into Qiu Bai.
"Let's go see Ping'er."
"Wonder if she's finished her work."
Qiu Bai rubbed his chin, then stepped out of the room.
"Good morning, brother!"
Qiu Yue, sitting in a chair below, looked up at Qiu Bai in the attic and greeted him with a sweet smile.
"Good morning, sister."
"How come I haven't seen Zhongli and the others?"
Qiu Bai found her polite demeanor a little amusing. Looked like Morax had taught her well.
"Mr. Zhongli and Master Hu went out for breakfast."
"I wasn't that hungry, so I stayed behind."
Qiu Yue patted her stomach, then smiled up at Qiu Bai.
"Mr. Zhongli also said skipping breakfast isn't good."
"He's bringing me back a portion later."
She explained with a grin.
Qiu Bai chuckled. Rationally speaking, Qiu Yue shouldn't feel hunger. But since she chose to live as a mortal, she should follow mortal customs—three meals a day, no exceptions.
"True, skipping breakfast isn't good."
"I'm heading out to eat now too."
Looking at his adorable younger sister, Qiu Bai smiled, then slowly walked down from the attic.
"Bye, little sister."
He stood at the door, glancing back at Qiu Yue still seated in her chair.
"Mm, bye-bye, Qiu Bai."
Qiu Yue nodded and smiled.
Qiu Bai pushed open the door and stepped outside. Qiu Yue watched his back until he was out of sight.
"Sigh… where should I eat?"
"Better save some Mora. Wanmin Hall it is."
Rubbing his chin, Qiu Bai headed in that direction.
After a hearty meal, he slowly made his way toward Yujing Terrace.
As he walked, he spotted a familiar figure ahead—along with a small floating companion.
Lumine was holding a pile of strange-looking stones and materials.
"Lumine! Paimon!"
Qiu Bai called out from behind.
Lumine and Paimon turned at the familiar voice, a little puzzled.
"It's Qiu Bai!"
"Hey! Long time no see, Qiu Bai!"
Lumine and Paimon smiled and waved.
Qiu Bai walked up to them.
"What are those things you're carrying?"
He asked curiously.
"You're a Archon of Liyue, aren't you?"
"And you don't know what these are?"
Paimon waved her hand, clearly confused. Qiu Bai shouldn't be clueless about this.
"Qiu Bai, these are materials for Old Madame Ping."
"They're used to make a Serenitea Pot. Paimon and I spent ages finding them."
Lumine explained, sounding a bit tired. Judging from her face, it had taken quite some effort.
"Oh, materials for a Serenitea Pot."
"Perfect timing. I'm heading to Ping'er's place too."
"Let's go together."
Qiu Bai smiled after realizing what it was.
"Ping'er?"
"Isn't Madame Ping really old? What kind of name is that?"
Paimon scratched her head, confused by Qiu Bai's wording.
"Heh, you'll understand when we get there."
"Let's go."
With that, Qiu Bai walked ahead, and Lumine and Paimon followed behind.
...
They reached the upper level of Yujing Terrace.
Madame Ping was watering flowers—looked like they were Glaze Lilies.
Sensing someone's presence, she slowly turned around.
"Oh, children."
"You're back. Did you find the materials?"
Madame Ping looked kindly at Lumine and Paimon, then nodded at Qiu Bai.
"We got them!"
"Traveler, quick, hand them to Madame Ping!"
Paimon bounced happily, urging Lumine.
"Madame Ping, here are the materials."
Lumine nodded at Paimon, then placed the gathered items on the table.
"Oh, you're already here?"
"You sure got here fast."
A lively, slightly cutesy voice rang out from behind.
Qiu Bai, Lumine, and Paimon turned toward the sound.
A girl was walking toward them, wearing a red ceremonial hat that held back her waist-length coral-colored hair. From both sides of her head extended antlers that faded from white to yellow.
Her outfit was quite revealing—her waist and legs were exposed. A red-and-white scarf was connected to her red top, and over a black skirt she wore a red wrap with a yellow bow tied on the left.
Her arms were covered with white sleeves fastened with red guards, and a few white scales dotted her hands and sides.
"Hey, Yanfei!"
Paimon waved enthusiastically at her.
"Isn't that the legal expert of Liyue… Yanfei?"
Qiu Bai muttered to himself, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. Yanfei was also infamously known as "Liyue Zhang San."
"Madame Ping, we found the materials!"
"And who's this?"
Yanfei strolled over and glanced curiously at Qiu Bai standing nearby.
"Oh, Yanfei."
"He's one of Liyue's Adepti."
Madame Ping smiled as she explained, noticing Yanfei's confused expression.
"A-Adeptus?!"
"I thought you had fallen into a deep slumber!"
Yanfei was startled as she looked at Qiu Bai. She hadn't expected him to be the very Adeptus who brought down Osial with a single strike.
"Qiu Bai really tricked us pretty badly back then."
"But it's a long story."
Paimon glanced between Qiu Bai and Yanfei, offering a bit of explanation.
"Ehe~"
Qiu Bai grinned and scratched the back of his head.
"What's with that 'ehe'?!"
"You're just like that guy who sings for coins in the street!"
Paimon puffed up in frustration, hands on her hips, still not understanding why divine beings always liked to keep their identities secret.
"I'll explain it all properly when there's time."
"But for now, these old bones have a teapot to make."
Madame Ping chuckled as she looked at the cheerful group.
"Heh, I'm still not used to seeing you like this."
"You look so young… and pretty."
Qiu Bai smiled as he looked at her.
Madame Ping chuckled, and in the next moment, her appearance shifted—she transformed into Ping'er, smiling warmly at Qiu Bai.
"Whoa!"
"Madame Ping turned into a beautiful girl!"
Paimon gasped, covering her mouth in surprise as she looked at the transformed "Madame Ping."
"Hehe, what's so strange about that?"
"Adepti don't age—appearance comes from the heart."
Yanfei smiled as she explained from behind.
Then, with a few deft movements from Ping'er, a teapot was crafted—it was indeed a Serenitea Pot.
"Adeptus, I've finished yours too."
"I just made theirs first since these two were in such a rush, so I ended up a bit delayed."
As she spoke, another teapot appeared in Ping'er's hand—light blue all over, adorned with white auspicious cloud patterns.