"Uh... excuse me, what were you saying? I zoned out for a moment!"
Feng Yi knew spacing out during a conversation was bad, but the properties of the golden fragment made it difficult for him to calm down?!
Three golden traits, this was the most outrageous one Feng Yi had encountered so far.
Feng Yi felt the first two golden traits were negligible, but the third trait was absolutely god-tier!
Although Feng Yi wasn't sure of the efficacy of the Water of Life derived from the golden fragment yet, based on his memories from his past life, he could make a simple inference.
In some legends, the Water of Life was dew condensed from the World Tree worshipped by the Elves, a treasure upon which the Elf race depended for survival.
The Elves used the miraculous effects of the Water of Life to quickly heal injuries and diseases, and extend their lifespans...
It was said that the long lifespan of the Elf race was related to the Water of Life.
Some also said that while the Elves were favored by the heavens and had long lives, they were not without racial limitations. The Elf race had a very low birth rate and could only conceive new life with the help of the Water of Life...
Of course, these were just unsubstantiated rumors!
Other legends regarded the Water of Life as a divine medicine bestowed by the gods, capable of granting eternal life...
Granting eternity might be an exaggeration, but extending lifespan should be achievable.
Hu Tao was not an immortal deity, and human lifespans were ultimately finite, but Feng Yi truly did not wish to see the day Hu Tao bid him farewell forever.
If his speculations were true, then Feng Yi could resolve Hu Tao's concern about her limited lifespan.
Faced with the dazzling words "extend lifespan," how could Feng Yi remain calm?
"Respected River God, the Pure Water Sprite Lottia is willing to follow you, to tread every inch of Teyvat's land and rivers alongside your footsteps, spreading your radiance to every corner..."
Lottia bowed her head to Feng Yi, holding a water droplet emitting a blue aura in her hand as a token of her loyalty.
Besides the previous Water God who created her, this was the first time Lottia had sworn an oath of allegiance.
"There's no need for that. I prefer interactions between friends over the relationship between a servant and a master. If you're willing, we can become good friends who help each other!"
Feng Yi pushed back the blue water droplet Lottia offered.
Accepting Lottia's allegiance would mean irrevocably becoming an enemy of the current Water God whom he had never met.
Such a significant karmic tie was not something anyone could easily accept.
At least, Feng Yi did not possess such capability at the moment.
Feng Yi spoke with some reservations. If, later, he had sufficient strength and the current Water God happened to cause him trouble, Feng Yi wouldn't mind helping Lottia teach them a good lesson.
While being bold was satisfying at the moment, sometimes being prudent could avoid many unnecessary troubles.
"This is Lottia's honor!"
Lottia retracted the blue water droplet into her body, not realizing Feng Yi's considerations.
In her eyes, it was an immense honor for Feng Yi, a deity, to be willing to set aside his status and befriend her.
Given that, what more could she ask for?
Lottia transformed into a stream, encircling Feng Yi, and finally became a ring of flowing water, which Feng Yi wore on his hand.
Feng Yi stepped on the water, walking out of the lake, as if he were a deity controlling the power of water.
All water within his reach obeyed his command!
"Daddy, you're back? Did that mean water get chased away by Daddy?"
Yuan Bao happily ran to greet Feng Yi upon seeing him return.
"It's good that nothing happened!"
Xiao nodded gently to Feng Yi from behind Yuan Bao, expressing his concern.
"Of course, Daddy already fought with her, and she won't bully Yuan Bao anymore!"
Feng Yi kissed Yuan Bao's chubby little face and said. It wasn't the right time yet; he would introduce Lottia to Yuan Bao later.
Lottia was naturally gentle, and Feng Yi felt she wouldn't take offense at Yuan Bao's impolite address... probably?
Lottia: For Master Feng Yi's sake, I shall forgive your impolite address...
After everything was settled, Feng Yi hugged Yuan Bao and bid farewell to Xiao.
The agreed-upon time with Keqing was approaching, and Feng Yi had to hurry to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to meet her.
"Keqing, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting!"
As Feng Yi arrived at the entrance of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, he saw Keqing's expectant figure.
"It's alright. I just finished my duties and came out for some fresh air. It's a coincidence that we met..."
Keqing tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear and showed Feng Yi a joyful smile.
'Who exactly is this person? How could they make an esteemed Keqing wait so long?!'
The guards at the gate couldn't help but gape. They had personally witnessed Keqing looking out repeatedly and pacing by the entrance.
The guards had initially thought the person Keqing was waiting for was Ningguang.
After all, in the entirety of Liyue, besides the reclusive Adepti, only Ningguang, one of the Liyue Qixing, could warrant such importance from Keqing.
But reality had exceeded their expectations. However, they had already secretly noted Feng Yi's appearance.
After all, this was someone who made the esteemed Keqing eagerly anticipate their arrival!
In the future, if they encountered him, they would need to be perceptive to avoid offending such a distinguished individual.
The guards wouldn't have imagined that this small, inadvertent act today would become an opportunity for their future promotion.
Even many years later, when discussing this matter with colleagues, they would still speak with a sense of relief and pride.
"Let's go to the Warehousing Department first. I ordered some exquisite jade stones to be stored there; they'll be perfect for decorating the hot spring pool!"
Keqing led the way, explaining as she went.
Warehousing Department, Room B-15.
Feng Yi: You call this "some"?!
Feng Yi looked at the crystal jade stones filling the warehouse and suddenly felt a unfamiliarity with the word "some."
'So many jade stones, this must be worth millions of Mora at least!'
The room was filled with jade stones piled up like gravel, reflecting the midday sun, blinding Feng Yi.
"Feng Yi, you... you saved me last time and provided such precious ingredients for medicinal cuisine. I know these jade stones, worth a mere twenty million Mora, cannot fully repay this favor, but please accept my sincerity!"
For this life-saving kindness, Keqing had long resolved to repay Feng Yi handsomely!
However, Keqing had nothing but Mora. Although these jade stones were precious, in Keqing's heart, they were worthless compared to her feelings for Feng Yi!
"Keqing, you're too kind! These jade stones are so precious, how can I accept them?!"
Feng Yi said this verbally, but his right hand unconsciously reached for the Serenitea Pot at his waist.
It was still poverty that limited Feng Yi's imagination. He had never dared to be so extravagant as to pave a hot spring pool with materials worth twenty million Mora!