Chapter 232

After lunch, Xia Zhi returned to his room on the second floor to take a nap and get some much-needed rest. Last night had been exhausting, and he hadn't slept well.

Before lying down, Xia Zhi retrieved the diamond treasure chest from his inventory—an item he had earned by "grinding" Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. He couldn't help but feel that the past few days had been incredibly fruitful. Once he'd accumulated enough initial resources, his abilities started snowballing.

He opened the chest.

A plain-looking small bottle appeared before him.

[Essence Bottle] 

Quality: Diamond 

Type: Utility Item 

Traits: Conversion, Mixing, Contain 

Effect: Absorbs sun and moon essence; perfectly mixes any liquids; nurtures stored liquids, enhancing their potency over time. 

Hidden Effect: +100% to the effects of healing skills and consumable medicines.

The description of the bottle's effects was simple, but based on Xia Zhi's experience, the simpler the description, the more powerful the item. 

What's more, the hidden effect essentially doubled his healing capacity. 

As a "healer" archetype, he couldn't possibly refuse such an item.

After fiddling with the bottle, Xia Zhi activated its [Stealth Mode] and placed it on the windowsill to let it automatically absorb the sun's essence. Then he climbed into bed and fell asleep.

---

Xia Zhi didn't wake up until around three in the afternoon.

He rubbed his eyes, got out of bed, and walked over to the windowsill to pick up the [Essence Bottle].

Upon inspection, he found that the bottle had already condensed a small droplet of golden liquid. He poured it out and stored it in his inventory for a closer look.

[Essence of the Sun] 

Quality: Special 

Type: Consumable 

Trait: Nourishing 

Effect: A mysterious liquid produced by the [Essence Bottle] absorbing sunlight, capable of nurturing all things. 

Hidden Effect: +50% effectiveness on living beings.

After some thought, Xia Zhi crafted two [Divine Wooden Staffs], consuming some of his mental and divine energy, before retrieving the small droplet of golden liquid from his inventory.

There was no need to drink it. As soon as the droplet touched the palm of his hand, it was absorbed automatically.

Warmth flooded his body, like being bathed in gentle, nourishing dew. His mental and divine energy quickly returned to full capacity.

The nourishing effect was incredibly potent.

This was the [Essence of the Sun]. If used at night, it would likely turn into [Essence of the Moon].

Xia Zhi set the bottle back to [Stealth Mode], placing it on the windowsill to continue absorbing sunlight. Then, he left his room, went downstairs, and freshened up.

---

By this time, the shop was already open for business.

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was still sitting in the same corner as earlier, holding a book and reading quietly.

Xia Zhi walked over and sat beside her.

"What are you reading?"

"Your novel."

"I didn't expect you to enjoy this kind of thing."

"I didn't expect you to write this kind of thing."

"This is art!"

"You have ulterior motives."

"Can we retire that phrase?"

"Update your novel."

"???"

Xia Zhi stayed with her for a while. Around four o'clock, Zhongli arrived, as he usually did.

"Ah, Mr. Zhongli is here! Please, have a seat! Oh, let me introduce you—this is my cousin, Xia Ci. Xia Ci, this is Mr. Zhongli, a consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor next door."

"…"

"…"

Zhongli and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata looked at each other in silence.

Xia Zhi, watching from the side, found this reunion scene between old friends highly entertaining. Waiting all day for this moment had been worth it.

After a moment, Zhongli formed a divine barrier, isolating their table from the attention of other customers.

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata gazed at him, her eyes tinged with nostalgia.

"Morax, long time no see."

"It has been a long time. I thought you had passed on… How did you become Xia Zhi's cousin?"

"It's a complicated story, and I can't explain it in detail."

"No matter. To see an old friend again is fortune enough."

"Your demeanor hasn't changed."

"I've lived far too long."

"What about the others? Do you still gather in Liyue as you used to?"

"No. After the journey to Khaenri'ah, only Barbatos and I remain."

"…That battle was so devastating? What happened on the battlefield back then?"

"…"

Zhongli fell silent and did not answer her question.

"You can't say?"

"My apologies. It's part of my contract."

"I see."

With tacit understanding, the two gods shifted the conversation to other topics. 

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata asked Zhongli about major events across the Seven Nations over the past 500 years. Zhongli, with his impeccable memory, recounted everything in detail.

Xia Zhi brought them juices and snacks, sitting nearby to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Stories of Fontaine's pure water spirit escaping, Sumeru's political reforms, Inazuma's Sakoku Decree, Mondstadt's dragon crisis… 

After listening for a while, Xia Zhi couldn't help but feel that Liyue had been the most stable of the Seven Nations over the last five centuries.

---

When the Summer Shop closed for the day, Zhongli dispelled the barrier and took his leave.

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata remained seated, her head lowered, brows slightly furrowed as she sorted through the massive influx of information she had just received from her old colleague.

Xia Zhi didn't disturb her.

It was Friday, and Ganyu stopped by the shop with a delivery of fruit. Accompanying her were Ningguang and Baishi, her personal secretary.

"Shenhe, this is a thank-you gift for you," Ningguang said.

"Hmm?"

"I heard from Xia Zhi that you love candy, so I gathered every type of candy available in Liyue for you. I hope you like it."

Shenhe glanced at the boss, a trace of subtle awkwardness flashing across her face, before accepting the bag.

"Thank you. I really like this gift."

"I'm glad to hear that. There's one more thing." 

Ningguang handed over a document.

"What's this?"

"The property deed for the neighboring shop. I noticed Xia Zhi's shop is doing so well and thought it might need expanding. So I purchased the shop next door. Consider it a gift to thank you for your help at Guyun Stone Forest."

So the new owner was you?!

Shenhe couldn't help but feel a peculiar sense of satisfaction. Finally, the boss's bed would be available again.

"Thank you, Lady Ningguang."

Xia Zhi "looked" at the deed in Shenhe's hand, feeling that his high luck stat had ultimately come through.

"Xia Zhi, I'll leave things in your hands as usual," Ningguang said.

"Of course, Lady Ningguang. Please, come inside."

Moments later, strange noises began emanating from the back room.

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata instinctively raised her head, glancing in the direction of the sounds.

Those noises… they sounded suspiciously like the ones she'd heard last night from Shenhe's room…

She looked around at the other people in the shop. Everyone seemed calm and unbothered, as if this was perfectly normal.

So… this must be… a massage?

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