Is Fengyi a good person?
Zhongli couldn't be sure, but he could feel that Fengyi harbored no ill will towards Hu Tao, and that was enough!
Hu Tao, you're injured?!
As an ancient god who had lived for thousands of years, Zhongli could tell at a glance that Hu Tao's soul was damaged.
But miraculously, Zhongli discovered that Hu Tao's damaged soul could actually repair itself!
"Hmm! Some accidents happened, but it's fine now. Mr. Zhongli, you don't need to worry!"
Hu Tao mumbled, glossing over the truth because it was a bit embarrassing to admit.
Seeing that Hu Tao was alright and didn't wish to elaborate, Zhongli didn't press the matter further, only advising her to rest more.
"Mr. Fengyi, I am Zhongli, a guest consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. It's our first meeting, and I thank you for your help to Hu Tao!"
Zhongli turned his gaze to Fengyi. As Hu Tao's elder, he needed to vet her companions.
No one knew his origins; Zhongli had been a guest consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for a long time.
He had watched Hu Tao, that little girl, grow up, and in a sense, Zhongli was her elder.
In the past, Hu Tao's impetuous and mischievous nature had given him quite a headache.
Not long ago, Hu Tao's grandfather passed away, and Hu Tao had quietly disappeared.
Zhongli knew that Hu Tao must have gone to the boundary, attempting to meet her grandfather's soul.
But Hu Tao didn't know that the souls of past Wangsheng Funeral Parlor directors did not pass through the boundary where souls lingered.
Worried about Hu Tao, Zhongli transformed into an old woman and went to the boundary to persuade her.
Zhongli appeared after Hu Tao had run out of food, helped her resolve her inner turmoil, and then returned to Liyue ahead of her.
Who would have thought that Hu Tao would still encounter a bit of trouble on her way back to Liyue?
However, it was a close call, and she had made a new friend.
In the past, due to her peculiar personality, Hu Tao had always been alone and lacked experience in making friends.
Now that she had suddenly made a friend, Zhongli worried she might be deceived, and it was his duty to look out for her.
"Mr. Zhongli, hello! My name is Fengyi. I am a traveler from another land, invited by Hu Tao to travel in Liyue!"
Facing Zhongli, Fengyi felt a strange sensation, as if he were facing his father-in-law.
He found it a bit odd!
But regardless, making friends with Zhongli was a wise move.
Zhongli was among the top-tier gods on the continent of Teyvat; such a powerful ally wasn't easily found!
Fengyi wouldn't miss this opportunity, believing in the saying, "The one who is close to the water gets the moon first."
"Traveling to Liyue? I happen to be quite familiar with Liyue. It's getting late today, but I can take you sightseeing another day."
Zhongli glanced at the darkening sky, exchanged a few pleasantries with Fengyi, and then departed.
There would be plenty of time in the future; his assessment of Fengyi wasn't urgent.
After parting ways with Zhongli, Fengyi found the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's attic.
Led by a maid, Fengyi first settled Hu Tao and then proceeded to his own guest room.
Full and content, Fengyi lay on the bed, clearing his mind, finally having time to ponder his future life plans.
In truth, Fengyi harbored no ambitions of overthrowing gods or dominating Teyvat.
According to his wishes, he simply wanted to spend his days in the mortal realm with a few cherished companions, living a carefree life.
He longed to experience the beauty of Teyvat without the worries of food and shelter.
But Fengyi knew this was merely a distant hope!
Who knew when a god might suddenly appear, take a disliking to him, and eliminate him on a whim!
This was not undue worry!
Before him, there had been two other travelers from different worlds on the continent of Teyvat, but what was their fate?
One was beaten, the other sealed!
As the elder brother, Aether should have already regained his strength, taken control of the mysterious Abyss Order, and begun plotting to overthrow the Heavenly Principles.
As for his sister, Lumine, her whereabouts were still unknown, likely in slumber somewhere.
With such dire precedents, how could Fengyi not worry about the Heavenly Principles' enforcers finding him?
All Fengyi could do was seize the time, strengthen himself as much as possible, so that when the Heavenly Principles' enforcers came, he could put up at least a little resistance.
Of course, if he could miraculously survive, that would be even better!
As for ways to strengthen himself, there were many. Fengyi planned to adopt the most convenient method: finding allies!
First, since the Heavenly Principles' enforcers were a common enemy, Fengyi, Aether, and Lumine were natural allies.
These were the easiest allies to win over!
Secondly, there were the gods under the Heavenly Principles. Fengyi wanted to try to win them over.
For example, Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon of Liyue; Barbatos, the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt; and the Electro Archon, Ei, of Inazuma, among others.
Although it would be difficult, Fengyi wanted to try his best.
Further down the line, the adepti below the gods were also within Fengyi's consideration.
For instance, the Three-Eyed and Five-Visaged True Monarchs of Liyue, while perhaps slightly inferior to the Seven Archons, were still formidable powers.
Finally, there were those with Visions.
Such as Hu Tao, Keqing, Eula, and so on.
Although their strength was far from that of the adepti or gods, quantity could lead to a qualitative change!
Currently, there were roughly three years until the main storyline of Genshin Impact began.
Fengyi, located in Liyue, planned to recruit allies through three avenues.
First, he would recruit individuals like Hu Tao, who possessed Visions.
Second, he would recruit the guardian deity of Liyue, Rex Lapis.
This was also why Fengyi chose to befriend Zhongli.
Third, he would recruit the Three-Eyed and Five-Visaged True Monarchs.
However, to contact the adepti, Ganyu was crucial.
After all, Ganyu possessed adeptal blood and had interacted with the adepti since childhood.
Contacting the adepti through Ganyu would be the most natural approach!
If he could become friends with Ganyu, and through her be introduced to the adepti, it wouldn't arouse their suspicion.
Recalling their encounter, Fengyi seemed to have offended Ganyu today.
This was rather problematic!
Fengyi rubbed his temples, which were aching from overthinking. He needed to find a solution!
He heard that Ganyu liked to eat the petals of Qingxin flowers.
These were small flowers with green stems and white petals that grew on the high mountains of Liyue.
Fengyi remembered that there were many of them on the mountaintops around Mt. Qingce.
He planned to find time tomorrow to pick some and offer them as an apology gift.
Sleep! Sleep!
With his mind made up, Fengyi stopped thinking. He lay on the bed and soon fell into a deep sleep.
The next day!
Fengyi woke up early and went out, intending to take advantage of the cool weather to go to Mt. Qingce to pick Qingxin flower petals.
Passing by a teahouse, Fengyi spotted a familiar figure: Zhongli.
"Mr. Fengyi, have you had breakfast yet? If not, you can join me!"
The moment Fengyi noticed Zhongli, Zhongli had also noticed Fengyi and saw it as a good opportunity to understand Fengyi better, thus inviting him for breakfast.
"Then I won't be polite!"
Fengyi wasn't hungry originally, but as soon as he saw the steaming buns in the steamer basket, his stomach began to rumble.
Besides, this was a good chance to foster a connection with Zhongli.
Fengyi and Zhongli found an unoccupied table and sat down.
Fengyi: "Boss, ten baskets of buns and a pot of tea!"
Zhongli: "We're only two people, and we're eating this much?"
Fengyi: "My apologies, I forgot about you. Boss, twenty baskets of buns and two pots of tea!"
Zhongli: