Qiu Bai looked at Qiu Yue standing at the entrance of Liuli Pavilion with some confusion.
"Sister, have you prepared everything?"
Qiu Bai looked at his sister and asked curiously.
"Yes, it's ready."
"I've already bought more than a dozen dishes."
Qiu Yue nodded with a smile upon hearing the question.
"Then let's go find Azhdaha and Hu Tao."
"Let's see how their preparations are coming along."
Qiu Bai looked at everyone before him and said with a smile.
"Azhdaha, is that the Dragon King?"
"That guy is much scarier than the old man."
Venti placed one hand on his head, saying with some helplessness.
"What, did he beat you up before?"
Qiu Bai looked at the helpless Venti and asked with a smile.
"Well, not exactly."
"But his alcohol tolerance is like the old man, like a rock—no matter how much alcohol you pour, it doesn't affect him."
Venti spread his hands and said with a smile.
"So that's how it is."
Qiu Bai stroked his chin and murmured.
Then the group walked toward Azhdaha and Hu Tao's location.
"Director Hu, and Azhdaha!"
Paimon waved cheerfully toward Hu Tao and Azhdaha.
"Oh?"
"It's you all."
Azhdaha turned his head, saw Qiu Bai and the others approaching, and said with a smile.
"Hahaha, the Director has prepared everything!"
"Mmm, very good, I'm satisfied."
Hu Tao looked at the large box in her hands and nodded with satisfaction.
"But who is this person?"
Hu Tao turned around, looked at Venti, and asked with confusion.
"He's Zhongli friend, and also my friend."
Qiu Bai looked at Hu Tao and nodded with a smile.
"I didn't expect you would come."
Azhdaha looked at Venti and said with a smile.
"For an occasion like this, wouldn't it be inappropriate if I didn't come?"
"Don't you think?"
Venti looked at Azhdaha and explained with a smile.
"That's true."
Azhdaha nodded in agreement.
"Since everyone is ready, let's go to the designated place and set up."
"I'll go get something and then join you all."
Qiu Bai looked at everyone and said with a smile.
"Alright."
Everyone nodded, then carried their items toward the outskirts of Liyue Harbor.
Along the way, everyone was chatting and laughing.
Seeing them leave, Qiu Bai also nodded with a smile.
After finishing these tasks, Qiu Bai glanced at the sun.
"Is it almost afternoon already?"
"Let's go to Inazuma and see how Yoimiya preparations are coming along."
After saying this, Qiu Bai walked to a secluded area and instantly transported to Yoimiya shop in Inazuma.
"Yoimiya, how are the preparations going?!"
Qiu Bai called out to the shop.
"All ready, Mr. Qiu Bai!"
"Come over here!"
Yoimiya shouted back from a distant warehouse.
Qiu Bai walked in upon hearing this.
"This warehouse is really huge."
Qiu Bai surveyed the warehouse before him with some surprise.
"Hehe, of course it is."
"Festivals, festivals—how can they be lively without enough fireworks?"
Yoimiya looked at Qiu Bai beside her and said with a smile.
"The three hundred boxes of fireworks before you are all the fireworks Mr. Qiu Bai ordered."
"With a discount, how about 1.2 million Mora to take them all?"
Yoimiya looked at the numerous fireworks before her and said with a smile.
"Hehe, of course."
"Here you go, Yoimiya."
Qiu Bai said, then conjured a bag of Mora out of thin air.
"No need to count it."
"I trust Mr. Qiu Bai."
Yoimiya waved her hand dismissively.
She didn't even ask how Qiu Bai had produced the Mora.
After all, she had witnessed Qiu Bai abilities before, so she wasn't that surprised anymore.
"Alright, then I'll take them."
Qiu Bai nodded, then with a wave of his hand, the three hundred boxes of fireworks instantly disappeared.
"My goodness, I thought I wouldn't be surprised anymore."
"But Mr. Qiu Bai still amazes me."
Yoimiya looked at the vanished three hundred boxes of fireworks and said in amazement.
"Hahaha..."
"Well, I'll be going now, Yoimiya. See you later."
Qiu Bai said, then disappeared from the spot.
When he reappeared, he was already at the foot of Mt. Aozang.
With a wave of his hand, all the fireworks were arranged in a long line.
Each was placed far apart from the others, imbued with divine power.
With just a thought from Qiu Bai, these fireworks could be instantly ignited.
"Good, everything is ready."
"Now, let's go find Morax."
Qiu Bai looked at the arranged fireworks, nodded with satisfaction, then instantly transported to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"Old friend, you're back?"
"Where are Director Hu and the others?"
Zhongli looked at Qiu Bai who suddenly appeared before him and asked with confusion.
"Morax, let's go have some tea."
"Let's talk about the old days, what do you say?"
Qiu Bai looked at Zhongli and said with a gentle smile.
"Hehe, I didn't expect you to be in such a refined mood."
"Indeed, it has been a long time since we chatted together."
Zhongli chuckled lightly upon hearing this, stood up, and spoke.
"Let's go."
"To the stone table at Mt. Aozang."
Qiu Bai looked at Zhongli and said with a smile.
"Let's go."
Zhongli nodded and followed Qiu Bai out of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
The two walked on the land of Liyue, heading toward Mt. Aozang.
Qiu Bai didn't instantly transport Zhongli to Mt. Aozang because Zhongli wanted to see the scenery of Liyue.
Chatting along the way, after a long time, the two finally reached the foot of Mt. Aozang.
The sky had gradually darkened.
But the scenery of Jueyun Karst remained unaffected by the night, still ethereal and otherworldly.
"Let's go up."
Qiu Bai nodded to Zhongli and started climbing.
Upon reaching the summit, Zhongli and Qiu Bai stood by the stone table, looking at the scenery below.
Zhongli and Qiu Bai sat down.
Qiu Bai smiled, waved his hand, and a teapot appeared.
With another wave, two teacups appeared.
He poured hot tea into the cups, blew on it, and took a sip.
"Morax, the last time we had tea together like this."
"When was that again?"
Qiu Bai looked at Zhongli and asked with a smile.
"It was in..."
Zhongli frowned slightly, unusually falling into thought for a moment.
"It was a thousand years ago."
Then Zhongli looked at Qiu Bai and slowly spoke.
"I've already repaired your erosion, yet you still need to think for a while?"
"Our first tea together was indeed a thousand years ago."
Looking at the somewhat peculiar Zhongli, Qiu Bai smiled.
"Yes..."
"A thousand years ago."
Zhongli took a sip of tea, looked toward the slowly rising bright moon, and murmured.
"Actually, when we first had tea together."
"It was far more than a thousand years ago..."
Zhongli looked at Qiu Bai and said inwardly.
"But, I feel like..."
"This stone table seems to have grown much larger?"
Zhongli stroked his chin, looking at the huge stone table before him, and said somewhat strangely.
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Now you can read 30 chapters ahead on my P@treon [[email protected]/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)