Hu Tao had experienced too much these past few days, first the passing of her grandfather, and then going through thick and thin with him.
Feng Yi could feel that Hu Tao was currently lacking security, fearing that she might suddenly lose him one day as well.
At this moment, Feng Yi needed to do something.
He called out to Hu Tao and took out a golden notebook from his embrace, writing Hu Tao's name on it.
This was a page that had just cooled down today, and it was also a life-saving item that Feng Yi had specifically prepared for Hu Tao.
"Hu Tao, this was a parting gift from my teacher before I traveled. It's said to have miraculous effects. He cautioned me that if I ever met a girl I liked during my travels, I should write her name on it and give it to her."
Feng Yi resumed his old tricks, continuing to deceive her, "If this trick is ever exposed, I'll have to keep company with Cheng-ge."
Therefore, Feng Yi absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen!
"I think I've already met the girl I'm smitten with!"
Feng Yi tore off this golden page and solemnly handed it to Hu Tao.
"Feng Yi, are you confessing to me? Hehehe, this Hall Master is quite popular. If you want this Hall Master to like you, it's all up to your performance next!"
Hu Tao, who had been feeling a bit down just moments ago, instantly perked up. She snatched the golden paper from Feng Yi's hand and giggled mischievously.
"Wait a minute, do you still remember what I just said about this golden paper having miraculous effects? My teacher said that if you swallow the golden paper, you'll gain ten seconds of invincibility, immune to all damage."
Seeing Hu Tao pocket the golden paper and turn to leave, Feng Yi quickly called out to her. It was better to clarify the effect of this golden paper.
"Invincible for ten seconds, immune to damage? This paper is that powerful? What about you after you give it to me? You should take it back! This Hall Master is peerless in martial arts and doesn't need such a thing!"
Hu Tao reluctantly took the golden paper out of her pocket. Although she was reluctant, she was more concerned about Feng Yi's safety.
"Idiot! Your name is already written on the golden paper, so only you can use it. Besides, my teacher gave me other life-saving equipment, so you don't need to worry!"
Feng Yi tugged at Hu Tao's twin ponytails and laughed heartily. As long as he saved up his golden papers, they would accumulate into a terrifying amount.
By then, he could stand in place and let the Electro Archon attack him with her 'milk-fragrant' strike for a long time.
"Feng Yi, promise me, don't take risks lightly. I don't want to be organizing a funeral for you one day!"
Hu Tao solemnly instructed, and only then did she happily fold the golden paper and store it close to her.
She planned to put the golden paper in a sachet when she got back, for easy carrying.
"Alright, I promise!"
Feng Yi smiled slightly. Sometimes, danger couldn't be avoided just by wishing it away; being unable to control one's circumstances was the reality. But this didn't stop Feng Yi from agreeing, just to put Hu Tao's mind at ease.
Hearing Feng Yi's promise, Hu Tao skipped away with a happy spring in her step, appearing to be in good spirits!
Only then did Feng Yi resume his steps and head towards Wangshu Inn.
At the highest point of the Wangshu Inn's rooftops.
Xiao stood straight on the roof, gazing at the path from Liyue Harbor to Wangshu Inn.
He was waiting for Feng Yi to arrive for their appointment.
Standing still on the rooftop, looking into the distance, and feeling the gentle breeze, Xiao's thoughts inadvertently drifted to the past.
Xiao was not his real name, but a pseudonym given to him by someone out of safety concerns.
In his youth, Xiao was ignorant and was captured by a god, who exploited his weakness and bound him as a great demon under his command, forcing him to commit numerous cruel and bloody deeds.
Xiao committed many sins, crushed many dreams, and was even forced to swallow the beautiful dreams of his defeated foes, suffering immense pain yet being unable to resist.
Finally, on the battlefield of gods, Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon, met the master of the Yakshas.
History would later reveal the outcome of this encounter.
The Geo Archon freed the Yaksha and bestowed upon him the name 'Xiao.'
"In the legends of foreign lands, the character 'Xiao' represents a demon who has encountered suffering and endured trials. You have also gone through much, so you shall use this name from now on."
To repay the Geo Archon's kindness, Xiao took on the millennium-long burden of guarding Liyue.
Last night, Xiao communicated with the Geo Archon through a secret soul technique, inquiring about his opinion of Feng Yi.
The Archon's answer surprised Xiao; he had never heard the Archon praise a human so highly.
This greatly piqued Xiao's interest in Feng Yi, so he appeared on the rooftop to watch, hoping Feng Yi would not disappoint him.
"He hasn't broken his promise, very good!"
Xiao's hawk-like vision easily spotted a figure a thousand meters away, and he murmured softly.
The next moment, Xiao transformed into a green mist and vanished into the air.
Feng Yi arrived as promised, and Xiao nodded in satisfaction. It was now time to prepare how to impart his martial arts to him.
"Xiao, are you there?"
When Feng Yi arrived at the second-floor platform of Wangshu Inn with a plate of Almond Tofu, he found Xiao nowhere to be seen and called out.
"Could he have stood me up?"
It was a shame he had prepared a plate of Almond Tofu before coming up.
"It's not convenient here, follow me!"
Xiao appeared behind Feng Yi like a ghost, his tone devoid of any emotion, startling Feng Yi.
Feng Yi: "Like a ghost!"
Xiao's sudden appearance frightened him so much that he almost dropped the Almond Tofu.
As Xiao spoke, without waiting for Feng Yi to react, he leaped off the second-floor platform and ran off into the distance.
Feng Yi quickly got up to follow, not forgetting to bring the plate of Almond Tofu.
Finally, Xiao stopped in a secluded forest, where he had prepared some props beforehand.
Xiao picked up a bamboo stick from the ground and handed one to Feng Yi as a training weapon.
Before officially beginning to teach martial arts, Xiao had Feng Yi practice the basic stances of spearplay a hundred times as a warm-up.
Xiao himself, holding the Almond Tofu, stood aside, enjoying the deliciousness of the Almond Tofu while pointing out flaws in Feng Yi's basic stances.
Xiao ate the Almond Tofu slowly, his attention fully focused on the flaws in Feng Yi's movements, simulating in his mind how he could quickly defeat Feng Yi in a battle.
Xiao discovered that Feng Yi had no martial arts foundation, like a blank slate.
With no other martial arts habits to interfere, Xiao was confident that he could train Feng Yi to become accomplished in a short period!
Feng Yi's warm-up ended, and Xiao's Almond Tofu was also finished.
"My spearplay was honed through slaughter; offense is prioritized over defense. Further explanation is useless; you'll understand by experiencing it yourself!"
Xiao intended to explain his martial philosophy to Feng Yi in detail, but he faltered mid-sentence. He wasn't good at explaining.
Words ultimately couldn't convey his thoughts clearly, but the bamboo stick in his hand could!
Thus, Xiao, holding the bamboo stick, began to repeatedly strike Feng Yi.