"You wish! Do you think this is something Mora can buy?"
Was Feng Yi the type of person who lacked Mora? To think that a mere five hundred million Mora could sway him was to underestimate him greatly.
"How about a billion? With my current authority, this is the highest amount I can mobilize..."
Childe looked at Feng Yi with anticipation. Although each Fatui Harbinger had an annual spending limit of no more than three hundred million Mora, emergency regulations allowed for a temporary overdraft in dire circumstances, to be deducted from future allotments.
"This... well, let's be clear, it's not about the money. It's purely because of our deep friendship that I'll sell you an extra drop!"
Feng Yi: *I didn't want to, but he gave me too much.*
With this Mora, he could hire Zhongli and Osial to extract the Archon's essence and sell it as wine, potentially doubling his investment.
"I understand, I understand!"
Childe smiled happily. As Feng Yi had said, this life-giving water, which was already extinct and could save lives, was beyond measure in Mora. Even if it were a trade, it would have to be for treasures of equal value.
Feng Yi's agreement to sell him an extra drop was sufficient proof of their profound friendship.
Childe's heart warmed; Feng Yi was indeed his dearest friend!
He drank one drop and kept another, not even willing to discard the empty bottle. Upon returning, he could dilute it with water to savor the taste.
After consuming the life-giving water, Childe's physical condition visibly returned to its peak, even healing the hidden injuries sustained from using the Delusion in the Golden House.
Truly a precious treasure!
"The game of hide-and-seek with Tort was supposed to end now. Please guide Tort to find me here."
With his body restored, he no longer needed to hide from Tort. The parting gift would be personally handed to him.
After Feng Yi and the others left, Childe couldn't help but take out the jade bottle containing the life-giving water to play with. Unbeknownst to him, this scene ignited the covetous desire of the observing 'Dottore'.
'Life-giving water? A legendary sacred artifact of the ancient spirits, extinct for millennia. I never expected there to be any remaining in the world...'
Dottore couldn't help but feel puzzled. Who exactly was this friend of Childe's? And what was his relationship with the reclusive Elf tribe?
What concerned him now was how much of the life-giving water this person still possessed.
He had considered using force to compel the individual to surrender the remaining life-giving water. However, recalling how this person had single-handedly repelled the Vortex God Osial during the recent Archon War, their power was unfathomable. He had no confidence in a direct confrontation.
Yet, the life energy within the life-giving water could greatly benefit his research on the corrupted power of divine remnants, making him unwilling to give up so easily!
This matter required further deliberation...
However, the remaining bottle of life-giving water in Tartaglia's possession was something he could still scheme for.
...
"Hey, Brother, I found you! Tort is an expert at hide-and-seek!"
Guided by Feng Yi and the others, Tort successfully located Childe hiding in the room.
"My, my, how were you found so quickly? Tort is truly amazing! Here is your reward!"
Childe smiled and handed Tort the prepared gift.
"Wow! This isβ!!"
Upon seeing the gift, Tort's eyes lit up, and he let out continuous exclamations.
"There are 'Cyclops' toys in this style? It even has my name engraved on it! It's a 'Cyclops' toy that belongs only to Tort!"
"That's right! This is a Teyvat super limited edition 'Cyclops', one of a kind!"
Seeing how much Tort liked it, Childe also felt a surge of happiness.
"Brother is the best, the best brother in the whole world! Brother will never make Tort sad..."
Tort hugged his brother's leg tightly, feeling like the happiest younger brother in all of Teyvat.
"Then, Tort, it's time for us to return to Snezhnaya. Let's say goodbye to Brother Feng Yi and the others."
After the recent events, Childe couldn't bear to let Tort return to Snezhnaya alone. He would personally escort him back. Besides, he had matters to report to Her Majesty the Tsaritsa himself.
"Brother Feng Yi, Sister Lumine, and Paimon, we had a wonderful time today. We hope you'll visit Snezhnaya when you have time. Tort will show you around!"
Tort waved goodbye to Brother Feng Yi and the others.
"Yes, we will definitely visit when we have the chance."
Feng Yi waved back with a smile. He was destined to visit Snezhnaya eventually; it was only a matter of time.
After Childe took Tort away, Feng Yi, holding the black card Childe had left, went to the Northland Bank to withdraw some Mora. With this money, he treated Lumine and Paimon to a grand time.
Liyue's night was truly beautiful.
The streets were bustling with activity, food stalls lining both sides of the road. The three of them ate their way through, becoming stuffed but still not trying every type of cuisine.
Behind them, countless lights blazed, and Feng Yi knew that there were people carrying heavy burdens.
After a busy day, Master Feng told Paimon to rest early and spent time alone with Lumine, exploring the mysteries of the human body.
...
Childe, with Tort in tow, returned to Snezhnaya by fast boat overnight. After safely delivering Tort home, he prepared to meet Her Majesty the Tsaritsa.
"Long time no see, Tartaglia. Are you satisfied with the power of the 'Delusion'?"
Just before the Tsaritsa's palace, Dottore blocked Childe's path.
Childe narrowed his eyes. He could sense that the 'Dottore' before him was not his true form.
However, this greeting made Childe suspect that the anomaly in the ruins was orchestrated by him in secret.
"Long time no see, Dottore. I am quite satisfied with the power of the 'Delusion'. Please let me pass, I have urgent matters to report to Her Majesty..."
Childe replied coldly, not wanting to engage in further conversation, fearing he might punch Dottore in the face.
"There's no hurry for your report. I know you have a drop of life-giving water on you? I'll offer ten times the Mora for it!"
Although Dottore used a questioning tone, his attitude was exceedingly forceful, as if issuing a command.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Move aside. You cannot bear the responsibility if I'm late reporting urgent matters to Her Majesty..."
Childe's pupils suddenly constricted, but he quickly regained his composure. He hadn't expected Dottore to know even this.
He was cautious, certain that besides himself and Feng Yi's group, there were no other people or creatures present. How had the news leaked?
However, it no longer mattered. Dottore wanting to exchange ten times the Mora for the life-giving water in his possession was sheer wishful thinking!