The morning sun filtered through the bamboo groves surrounding Bubu Pharmacy, casting dappled shadows across the stone path as Shinzō approached the renowned medical establishment. At his side, Blaziken walked with measured steps, its flames burning low and controlled in respect of the medical environment. Shinzō carried an ornate wooden case crafted by Master Zhang—a specially designed container for the assortment of Pokémon medicines within.
"Remember," Shinzō murmured to Blaziken, "we're dealing with Liyue's premier pharmacist. He'll have questions we can't easily answer."
Blaziken nodded sharply, its intelligent eyes focused as they reached the entrance, where the pharmacy's distinctive herbal scent wafted through the open doors. The building stood serenely among the bamboo, its traditional Liyue architecture belying the cutting-edge medical research conducted inside.
A small bell chimed as they entered. The interior was immaculately organized—shelves lined with labeled jars of herbs, minerals, and compounds that represented the pinnacle of Teyvat's pharmaceutical knowledge.
"Ah, Manager Shinzō," came a smooth, melodious voice. "Punctual as always."
Dr. Baizhu emerged from behind a silk screen, his slender frame draped in elegant green robes that matched his hair. The small white snake, Changsheng, was coiled around his neck as usual, her intelligent eyes studying Shinzō with undisguised curiosity.
"Thank you for agreeing to this consultation, Dr. Baizhu," Shinzō replied with a respectful bow. "I believe our collaboration could benefit both our establishments."
Baizhu's smile was pleasant but calculating—the expression of a businessman as much as a healer. "Your message mentioned 'revolutionary medical compounds.' A bold claim, even from the man who introduced Pokémon to Teyvat."
"One I'm prepared to demonstrate," Shinzō assured him, placing the wooden case on the consultation table.
Before he could open it, there was a soft shuffling sound from the back room. A small figure with pale blue-tinted skin and a gold-trimmed hat emerged, moving with the stiff, deliberate motions that had become familiar to Liyue's residents.
"Qiqi heard... new medicine," the zombie child said, her monotone voice nevertheless carrying a hint of curiosity. "Qiqi is... interested."
"Ah, perfect timing," Baizhu said smoothly. "Qiqi's extensive knowledge of herbs will be valuable for our discussion."
Shinzō nodded respectfully to the zombie pharmacist apprentice. "I'm honored to have your expertise as well, Miss Qiqi."
As Blaziken stood attentively beside Shinzō, its flames dimmed to mere embers in respect of the pharmacy environment, Qiqi tilted her head slightly to observe the Fire-type Pokémon without fear or surprise. "Not... a normal animal," she stated matter-of-factly. "Fire energy... without Vision."
"Indeed," Shinzō confirmed. "Blaziken is a Fire and Fighting-type Pokémon. Their species has natural flame-producing abilities without needing what you call a 'Vision' in Teyvat."
This caught Baizhu's full attention, Changsheng lifting her head with interest. "Fascinating. And these medicines you've brought—they're designed for such creatures?"
"They are," Shinzō confirmed, unlatching the case. "But with adaptation, they could revolutionize human medicine in Teyvat as well."
The case opened to reveal three tiers of neatly organized vials, bottles and sprays. Each container gleamed with vibrant colors—purple for Antidotes, yellow for Paralyze Heals, blue for Awakenings, and the distinctive red of Potions in various sizes.
"These," Shinzō explained, lifting a standard Potion, "are the foundation of Pokémon medicine. A basic Potion can accelerate natural healing to close wounds and restore vitality almost instantly."
Baizhu leaned forward, his scholarly interest evident. "Instantaneous wound closure without a Vision's power? How is this achieved?"
"The base compound contains energy stimulants that activate and accelerate the body's natural healing processes," Shinzō explained, choosing his words carefully to translate Pokémon world concepts into terms that would make sense in Teyvat. "The formula varies depending on the intended effect."
He opened the vial, allowing Baizhu to examine the liquid. The doctor wafted the scent toward himself with a practiced motion, his eyes widening slightly.
"Remarkable... I detect similar compounds to what we use in our most potent vitality tonics, yet there's something else—an energy catalyst I'm not familiar with."
"That would be the essence component," Shinzō confirmed. "It's derived from berries that grow in my... homeland."
Qiqi had moved closer, her normally vacant eyes showing rare focus as she inspected the array of medicines. Without asking permission, she reached for an Awakening—the blue liquid designed to rouse Pokémon from induced sleep.
"This smells like... Violetgrass and... something Qiqi doesn't know," she observed, her clinical assessment impressive despite her childlike appearance.
"You have an excellent nose, Miss Qiqi," Shinzō praised genuinely. "The unfamiliar component is Chesto Berry extract, which stimulates brain activity."
Baizhu had moved on to examining a Revive—the crystalline medicine that could restore consciousness to fainted Pokémon. His eyes narrowed with professional interest.
"This appears to be a stabilized form of pure life energy," he murmured, holding the crystal up to the light. "Something our alchemists have theorized but never achieved."
Changsheng flicked her tongue, as if tasting the energy emanating from the crystal.
"The applications would be... significant," Baizhu continued, his voice taking on the tone he reserved for particularly profitable ventures. "I assume you're proposing some form of partnership?"
Shinzō smiled, recognizing the business calculation behind the doctor's scholarly interest. "Indeed. I can supply the specialized components from my greenhouse, while Bubu Pharmacy could contribute local herbs and expertise to create Teyvat-adapted versions."
He reached into the case's bottom compartment and produced a leather-bound journal. "I've prepared formulations that substitute local ingredients where possible. With your expertise, we could refine these for human use."
Baizhu took the journal with evident interest, leafing through pages of meticulously documented medicinal formulas. Changsheng stretched toward the pages, as interested as her master.
"Qiqi," Baizhu said without looking up, "please bring the specimen case from my private study."
The zombie girl nodded and shuffled away, returning moments later with an ornate box inlaid with Geo symbols. When opened, it revealed dozens of small compartments containing rare herbs, minerals, and other pharmaceutical components.
"Perhaps a practical demonstration?" Baizhu suggested, his eyes gleaming with scientific curiosity. "I'm particularly interested in this 'Full Restore' concept. The idea of simultaneously healing wounds and curing abnormal status conditions with a single compound..."
Shinzō nodded, pleased by the doctor's enthusiasm. "That would be an excellent starting point. The Full Restore is one of the most advanced medicines, combining elements from several specialized formulas."
For the next several hours, the three worked together at Bubu Pharmacy's specialized compounding table. Shinzō explained each component's purpose while Baizhu suggested Teyvat equivalents. Qiqi's encyclopedic knowledge of herb properties proved invaluable, her memory perfect despite her otherwise forgetful nature.
"Qiqi remembers... Glaze Lilies have... similar properties to this... 'Lum Berry,'" she offered during a particularly challenging substitution problem.
"Excellent suggestion," Shinzō praised. "The soil around Qingce Village does share mineral properties with regions where Lum Berries thrive."
As they worked, Blaziken helped by maintaining precise temperatures with its controlled flame abilities—a talent that proved invaluable for certain volatile compounds that required exact heating. The Fire Pokémon's discipline impressed even the meticulous Baizhu, who remarked on its precision.
By midday, they had successfully created a prototype "Teyvat Restore"—a modified Full Restore using local ingredients with only a small quantity of imported components from Shinzō's supplies.
"The real test," Baizhu mused, examining the shimmering blue-green liquid they'd produced, "would be practical application."
As if on cue, the pharmacy door chimed, and a Millelith soldier entered, supporting a colleague with a visible limp and pained expression.
"Dr. Baizhu," the uninjured soldier called, "Lieutenant Wu twisted his ankle badly during training. Captain says to get him fixed up quickly—the diplomatic delegation from Inazuma arrives this evening."
Baizhu turned to Shinzō with a raised eyebrow. "A fortuitous opportunity, wouldn't you say?"
Shinzō hesitated. "The formula hasn't been properly tested on humans—"
"I volunteer," Lieutenant Wu said through gritted teeth. "If it's from Bubu Pharmacy and The Pokémon House, I trust it's safe. And I need to be on duty tonight."
After a moment's consideration, Shinzō nodded. "A sprained ankle is within the reasonable treatment parameters."
With careful precision, Baizhu applied a small amount of their creation to the lieutenant's injury. The effect wasn't as instantaneous as a Pokémon medicine, but within minutes, the soldier's pained expression relaxed. Ten minutes later, he was cautiously putting weight on the formerly injured ankle, his eyes wide with amazement.
"It's... almost completely better," he marveled, taking experimental steps. "Not even a trace of pain."
"Fascinating," Baizhu murmured, making notes. "The healing rate is approximately five times faster than our standard compounds, yet uses only half the rare ingredients."
After the grateful soldiers departed, Baizhu turned to Shinzō with newfound respect in his eyes. "I believe we have the beginnings of a very profitable partnership, Manager Shinzō."
"I had hoped you'd see it that way," Shinzō replied. "Though I should note that my interest goes beyond profit. Pokémon medicines have saved countless lives in my homeland. Bringing that benefit to Teyvat feels like a responsibility."
Baizhu's smile turned knowing. "Ah, the satisfaction of healing. It's a noble sentiment... though not incompatible with sound business."
Changsheng seemed to chuckle, a soft hissing sound from around Baizhu's neck.
Their discussion was interrupted when Qiqi, who had been quietly organizing ingredients, suddenly dropped a jar. It shattered on the floor, but the zombie girl didn't move—she stood frozen, staring at Blaziken's flames.
"Qiqi sees... Qiqi remembers..." she whispered, her voice unusually animated. "The warmth... like the day when... before the cold came..."
Her voice trailed off, her eyes momentarily clear before clouding again with her usual vacant expression.
"Fascinating," Baizhu whispered, watching the interaction with intense interest. "Your Pokémon seems to have triggered something in Qiqi's fragmented memories."
Shinzō observed carefully as Blaziken approached Qiqi, its flames diminishing to a gentle warm glow. The Fire-type Pokémon extended its clawed hand slowly, radiating a controlled, comforting heat. To everyone's surprise, Qiqi extended her normally stiff fingers toward the warmth—a surprisingly natural gesture for someone usually so mechanical in movement.
"There's... something about your Blaziken's energy signature," Baizhu observed, his voice hushed. "It seems to resonate with Qiqi's unique condition."
Shinzō nodded thoughtfully. "Fire-type Pokémon like Blaziken have connections to life energy itself. In my homeland, they're known to have associations with vitality, renewal, and the fundamental warmth that separates living beings from... other states."
Baizhu's eyes sharpened. "Other states," he repeated softly. "An interesting choice of words."
A moment of silence hung between them as both men recognized the implication. Shinzō knew of Baizhu's intense interest in immortality—it wasn't exactly a secret in Liyue—and Qiqi's existence as a resurrected being through adepti power represented something adjacent to what the doctor sought.
"Perhaps," Shinzō suggested carefully, "part of our research collaboration could include studying how Pokémon energies interact with unique physiologies like Qiqi's."
"I would be most interested in such research," Baizhu agreed, his voice maintaining its pleasant tone though his eyes had taken on a calculating gleam. Changsheng flicked her tongue rapidly, as if excited.
Qiqi, meanwhile, had retrieved a small notebook from her pocket and was writing carefully. "Qiqi must remember... Blaziken... Fire-type... warm... like before..."
"Well then," Shinzō said, returning to the business at hand, "shall we discuss terms? I propose a similar arrangement to what I've established with the Poké Ball crafters—Bubu Pharmacy receives production rights and sixty percent of profits for adapted medicine formulas, while The Pokémon House provides the essential imported components and handles distribution to Pokémon trainers."
Baizhu stroked Changsheng thoughtfully. "Add exclusive research rights to Pokémon medicine applications for human treatment, and you have an agreement."
"With appropriate oversight," Shinzō countered smoothly. "Some Pokémon medicines could be dangerous if improperly adapted for human use."
"Of course," Baizhu agreed with a slight bow. "Safety is paramount at Bubu Pharmacy. Our reputation depends on it."
As they finalized the details, Shinzō watched Qiqi continue to interact with Blaziken. The zombie girl seemed unusually animated, occasionally writing notes in her memory book when the Pokémon's flames flickered in particular patterns.
Later, as they prepared to leave, Qiqi approached Shinzō directly—a rare initiative from the normally passive girl.
"Manager Shinzō," she said formally, "Qiqi requests... regular visits from Blaziken. For... medical research."
Shinzō glanced at Baizhu, who nodded encouragingly. "I think that could be arranged, Miss Qiqi. Perhaps weekly sessions?"
"Acceptable," the zombie girl replied with a tiny nod. "Qiqi will... prepare herbs for next experiment."
As they departed Bubu Pharmacy, the wooden case now containing samples of local ingredients to complement his Pokémon medicine stock, Shinzō reflected on the unexpected developments of the day. What had begun as a business venture had opened doors to deeper mysteries—Qiqi's condition, Baizhu's quest for immortality, and the unexpected effects of Pokémon energies in Teyvat.
"We've stirred up more than medicine today, haven't we?" he murmured to Blaziken as they made their way back toward Liyue Harbor. The Fire-type Pokémon nodded solemnly, its flames briefly intensifying in agreement.
The sun was beginning its descent behind the mountains, casting Liyue in the golden light of late afternoon. In the distance, Shinzō could see the harbor bustling with activity as preparations continued for the Inazuman delegation's arrival.
Back at Bubu Pharmacy, Baizhu carefully secured the prototype "Teyvat Restore" in his private cabinet. "Changsheng," he whispered to his serpentine companion, "I believe our fortunes have taken a most interesting turn."
The snake flicked her tongue in agreement, her eyes fixed on the glowing medicine.
In her room, Qiqi methodically reviewed her memory notebook, her finger tracing over the freshly written words: "Blaziken helps Qiqi remember. The warmth that chases away cold. Must not forget."
For once, the memories didn't slip away as quickly as they came. Something about the Fire-type Pokémon's energy had created a more lasting impression in her fractured mind.
As night fell over Liyue, three different establishments prepared for a new era in Teyvat medicine—one that blended the ancient wisdom of the harbor city with the otherworldly science of Pokémon healing. And somewhere in the shadows between them, new possibilities stirred, waiting to be discovered.