Chapter 13: Keqing, the "Scraping" Master

"Sword out, shadow follows!"

Keqing unleashed her Elemental Burst, transforming into a sword shadow and darting rapidly through the air. Dozens of sword slashes struck a massive boulder, producing metallic clanging sounds.

"Haah... haah..." Keqing panted heavily. This was already the third time she had used "Stellar Restoration," and her stamina was nearly depleted.

"This is strange," Yun Fan muttered, watching with a bewildered expression. He could sense that Keqing's Elemental Burst consumed a significant amount of Electro energy.

In theory, this level of Electro energy should have been enough to shatter the boulder. Why had it only left shallow, half-foot-deep gashes on the surface?

"Keqing, do it again!"

"Yes..." Keqing forced a bitter smile. Was this master even reliable? Though she thought this, her movements didn't stop.

"Sword shadow like me, cutting through all odds!"

As Keqing unleashed her Elemental Burst once more, Yun Fan heightened his senses to the limit, following the flow of her elemental energy.

"I see now," Yun Fan finally understood the issue. The reason Keqing's damage was so low lay in her inefficient use of Electro energy.

When Keqing used "Stellar Restoration," most of her Electro energy dissipated during her high-speed movements and sword flashes. The actual sword strikes, which were supposed to deal damage, carried very little Electro energy.

This created an awkward problem. The Electro energy and sword shadows scattered during her high-speed movements could disrupt the enemy's vision. If she were to abandon this, the multi-hit slashes would increase her damage but also make her attacks easier to interrupt.

Yun Fan explained this to Keqing. After a moment of silence, Keqing looked at him with her purple eyes, pleading.

'That expression is unfair,' Yun Fan thought, feeling a headache coming on. Who taught Keqing to look at people like that?

"Let me teach you my combat skill first," Yun Fan decided to impart "Purple Thunderclap" to Keqing. This was Jing Yuan's signature move, and its power was undeniable.

To achieve maximum destructive power with this skill, precise control over elemental energy was essential.

"Watch closely. This is a combat skill even Rex Lapis has acknowledged..."

Time flowed like sand in an hourglass, and soon, the afternoon passed. Dusk fell, and the crescent moon peeked out from the horizon.

"That's enough for today. You can go—" Yun Fan suddenly realized a serious problem: where would Keqing stay during these three days? Bringing her back to Cloud Retainer's abode? No, that wouldn't be appropriate.

Letting her camp outdoors? Who in their right mind would let such a cute girl sleep outside?

Noticing Yun Fan's dilemma, Keqing whispered, "Yun Fan, I can just find a place here—"

"No," Yun Fan cut her off. "As your master, how can I let you sleep outdoors? Wait here for a moment."

Yun Fan focused his thoughts. 'Void Archives, come out and help me solve this problem.'

Void Archives: '...'

'Holder, the Primordial Code is not a babysitter.'

With that, Yun Fan was blocked by the Void Archives.

Feeling awkward, Yun Fan suddenly had an idea.

'Right, I can just ask Cloud Retainer for a realm gadget similar to the Serenitea Pot!'

Having found a solution, Yun Fan turned to Keqing and said, "Stay here and don't move. I'll go buy some oranges."

Before Keqing could respond, Yun Fan dashed toward the summit of Mt. Aocang.

"Cloud Retainer, lend me a realm gadget." Cloud Retainer, who had been engrossed in her mechanical studies, was startled by Yun Fan's sudden appearance. The gear in her hand fell to the ground, scattering a pile of freshly assembled parts.

"Yun! Fan!" Cloud Retainer was about to explode in anger when Yun Fan covered her mouth with his hand. The warmth of his palm and the overwhelming masculine aura caused the shut-in adeptus's brain to short-circuit.

"Just lend me a realm gadget."

"Oh..." Cloud Retainer numbly handed over the gadget.

Yun Fan examined the small teapot in his hand and nodded in satisfaction.

"Thanks!"

After Yun Fan left, it took Cloud Retainer a while to regain her composure. Instead of erupting in anger as before, she silently picked up the scattered parts. The setting sun's rays fell on her face, revealing a faint blush.

"Keqing, you can stay here during your training sessions from now on," Yun Fan handed the small teapot to Keqing.

Keqing took it, opened the lid, and peered inside at the empty teapot. Her cheeks puffed up adorably, as if to say, Are you kidding me?

"Haha, this teapot isn't used like that. You need to place your hand on it," Yun Fan took Keqing's hand and placed it on the lid.

'Am I being held by the hand?' Keqing's cheeks flushed. She stole a glance at Yun Fan, but unfortunately, his mask obscured his face, leaving only a dragon's head visible.

"Infuse it with elemental energy," Yun Fan instructed. Keqing nodded and did the same.

A dizzying sensation washed over them, and the next moment, they found themselves standing on a grassy field.

The field was furnished with lounge chairs, a tea table, and a crafting bench. A large "golden sun" hung in the sky, less scorching than the real sun but radiating a pleasant coolness.

A simple yet elegant house stood not far away. The minimalist and refined architectural style appealed greatly to Yun Fan.

"Yun Fan, where is this?" Although Keqing was one of the Liyue Qixing, she had never seen such an adeptus artifact before. She was deeply curious.

"We're inside that small teapot. This is an adeptus realm gadget. You can call it the Serenitea Pot."

"Serenitea Pot?" Keqing repeated the name, then smiled brightly. "Thank you, Yun Fan. I love it."

"Ser—" Seeing Keqing's smile, Yun Fan swallowed the words 'I'll lend you the Serenitea Pot for now.' He could always make another one for Cloud Retainer later. Though, it felt a bit like taking something from one woman to give to another—quite awkward.

"As long as you like it. Rest early. To leave, just channel elemental energy and silently think 'return.'"

Yun Fan didn't worry about food. After all, he couldn't cook, and he trusted Keqing's survival skills. Her "desperate survival grilled fish" was legendary.

With that, Yun Fan prepared to leave the Serenitea Pot but noticed Keqing still staring at him.

"Is there something else?" Yun Fan asked, puzzled.

"Yun Fan, can you take off your mask?" Keqing wanted to see Yun Fan's true face, to know what lay beneath the mask.

"Not yet," Yun Fan adjusted his mask and shook his head.

"Then when will it be time?" Keqing pressed.

"In three or four years, when you've truly grown into a Yuheng who can stand on her own."

With that, Yun Fan vanished.

"Am I... not qualified yet?" Keqing murmured.