Chapter 169

Nighttime, second floor room.

Xia Zhi took out a silver treasure chest from his inventory.

This was what he got from Diona today.

He chose to open it.

A blue potion appeared before his eyes.

[Mermaid's Voice]

Quality: Silver

Type: Set Potion

Properties: None

Effect: After drinking, voice becomes as enchanting as a mermaid's.

Hidden Effect: Drinking all seven set potions will activate the set properties.

Xia Zhi curiously examined this potion.

This was the third type of "set" item he had obtained.

The first was [Eternal Spirit Knife] and [Dragon-Turning Pot], they were set cooking utensils, eight pieces in total - collecting all would unlock their set properties. The second was [Spirit Silk Bamboo Brush], a set of writing implements, three pieces total.

This [Mermaid's Voice] was different, being a set potion.

Potions are consumable items, and compared to long-lasting items, consumables of the same price usually have stronger effects.

But this set of potions only had seven pieces, one fewer than the eight-piece cooking set.

It was hard to say whether [Mermaid's Voice] set's unlocked properties would be stronger than [Eternal Spirit Knife] set's.

Xia Zhi thought for a moment and opened [Shop], searching for [Mermaid's Voice].

He quickly found results showing its price as 50 points.

Beside this item were the other six set potions.

[Siren's Voice], [Fairy's Voice], [Angel's Voice], [Succubus's Voice], [Flower Spirit's Voice], [Celestial Fox's Voice].

Their effect descriptions were similar, all priced at 50 points.

Looking at the row of potions on his system panel, Xia Zhi thought for a while, guessing their set property would likely relate to "charm."

Among all attributes, charm and luck were the hardest to increase.

Having finally encountered this, he could try collecting the complete set.

However, there was no rush. Though Xia Zhi's current available points were enough to buy all six remaining potions, those were being saved for [Second Meditation Method]. He could consider buying these potions after purchasing [Second Meditation Method].

Xia Zhi opened the potion bottle and drank the blue liquid.

It had a slight sweet taste, quite pleasant.

After a moment, Xia Zhi tried speaking. His voice didn't seem very different but had gained a special quality.

This quality was hard to describe in words. If anything, he could feel his voice had become more pleasant to hear.

If his original voice was forgettable after hearing it, his current voice would make people feel joyful and memorable upon hearing it.

Xia Zhi lowered his head, thoughtful.

The 50-point price wasn't cheap, such an effect was reasonable.

But this was just one potion. If he drank all six remaining potions, would it become a situation where people would agree to anything he said without hesitation?

Just speaking casually would bewitch people?

Wouldn't that become hypnosis?

Invisibility hat, time-stopping hourglass, Master Key, telekinetic gloves, hypnotic voice, and increasingly pleasurable massage technique... his skill tree seemed to be developing in a strange direction...

Xia Zhi shook his head, put the empty potion bottle in his inventory, and started his daily basic tasks.

After finishing, he went to bed, entered the dream world, and continued gathering materials.

The next morning, Xia Zhi came downstairs to find it lively below.

Five employees were in the front hall cleaning tables and floors, preparing to open.

"Good morning, Boss!"

"Good morning everyone. Zhu Zi, how are you feeling today?"

"Great! I can work!"

"If you feel unwell, don't force yourself, remember to rest immediately."

"Okay!"

"Did you buy groceries?"

Shenhe nodded, saying: "Yes, Qiqi and I bought them, they're in the kitchen."

"Mm, I'll wash up first, then make breakfast. What would you like?"

"Century egg and lean meat porridge!"

"Anything else?"

"Scallion pancakes!"

"Alright, someone help me tend the fire."

"Okay! I'll do it!"

"Miss Zhu Zi, let me do it, you should rest."

"Well... okay..."

After Boss and Miss Chi Yu went to the back of the shop, Zhu Zi turned and asked quietly: "Haven't you noticed Boss's voice sounds much nicer today?"

Shenhe nodded: "Mm."

Qiqi also nodded: "Seems so."

Diona nodded too: "I felt that too."

The four employees discussed quietly for a while but reached no conclusion.

During breakfast, Diona looked at the black things in her bowl and asked hesitantly: "What's this?"

"Century eggs!"

"What bird lays century eggs?"

"They're duck eggs, but preserved for a while."

"Smells strange."

"Century eggs are like that. Might take some getting used to the first time, try it... How is it?"

"It's okay."

"Let me tell you, century eggs with chopped chilies are delicious too, great with rice! For lunch..."

"That dish is too spicy and stimulating, Zhu Zi, you can't eat that these days."

"..."

Zhu Zi lowered her head pitifully.

During morning business, Xia Zhi noticed most customers today wore typical Mondstadt clothing.

They seemed to know Diona, greeting her with smiles.

"Miss Diona, why are you working at this shop too?"

"Of course I'm working!"

"Can you make me some alcohol mixed with rainbow juice?"

"Don't even think about it! You drunkards... Here's your rainbow juice, 400 Mora total."

The customers laughed and paid, eagerly lifting their cups for a drink, looking satisfied.

"How is it?"

"Delicious, better than wine!"

The customers took two more sips, noticing Diona still standing by their table watching them, finding it strange.

"Miss Diona, anything else?"

"I wanted to ask when you're returning to Mondstadt?"

"In a few days. We rarely come to Liyue, need to look around. Besides, we haven't had enough rainbow juice yet."

"So you'll be coming back tomorrow, right?"

"Of course."

"I want to give you a commission."

"Commission?"

"Mm, help me deliver a letter to Springvale, tell my dad I'm working here now, doing well, tell him not to worry."

"That's no problem, we can go through Springvale on our way back. But adventurer commissions, no matter how small, need payment."

"I know! I'll pay your travel expenses!"

Hearing Diona's conversation with the Mondstadt adventurers, Xia Zhi nodded inwardly, feeling the cat girl was quite sensible.

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