Lisa blinked, looking at her fingers and pinching them hard. Indeed, it didn't hurt anymore.
If it weren't for her clothes soaked with sweat, she would have thought she was dreaming.
"What kind of magic potion is this, that can even cure the Abyssal Curse..."
Lisa looked at Shào Yún in disbelief. She had so many questions she wanted to clarify—what kind of potion could eliminate the Abyssal Curse?
Shào Yún also hadn't expected it to actually work. Looking at Lisa now, she had recovered completely, even healthier, to the point of being described as full of vim and vigor.
"I just tried it on a whim, I didn't expect it to actually work." Shào Yún looked at the little remaining potion, put the stopper back in, and planned to put it away.
"Wait a moment!"
Lisa grabbed Shào Yún's wrist, her eyes fixed on the green glass bottle in his hand, as excited as a gold prospector spotting gold.
Shào Yún was surprised by Lisa's excitement and paused, looking at her with a strange expression.
"Uh, Miss Lisa, don't get too excited..."
"Ah, ahem."
Lisa collected herself, quickly retracted her hand, and softly coughed to cover up her previous actions. But she still shamelessly asked, "Mr. Shào Yún, could you..."
Even though she was being shameless, asking for something from someone still made her hesitant.
Shào Yún noticed Lisa's gaze fixated on the bottle in his hand and dangled it in front of her.
"You want it?"
Lisa nodded gently, her eyes focused on the potion in Shào Yún's hand, revealing a hint of longing. Her expression was a little nervous, as if she were worried Shào Yún would refuse her request.
For a potion that could eliminate the Abyssal Curse, it went without saying that Lisa would be intensely interested; any mage would be.
Lisa was certain that if this item appeared at The Akademiya in Sumeru, those sages would cast all pretense of dignity aside and fight tooth and nail just to get their hands on this miraculous potion.
Looking at the potion, Lisa's hand unconsciously reached out, as if wanting to snatch the potion directly from his hand.
Shào Yún looked at the Special Tonic, which had now become a 'used' Special Tonic, its efficacy reduced.
Thinking about how he could possibly give someone such a low-grade item, he put it away into his backpack.
Seeing the potion being put away by Shào Yún, Lisa's lips unconsciously turned downwards, genuinely disappointed.
However, on second thought, how could such a precious potion be given to someone she had only met a few times?
But still, he had saved her after all. Lisa was still contemplating in her heart what kind of thank-you gift she should prepare.
"Here, take this one. This one is unopened."
Shào Yún's words struck Lisa's ears like a thunderclap. She couldn't believe what she had heard. Her eyes widened, her face filled with shock and disbelief.
Seeing Lisa staring blankly at him, Shào Yún was puzzled and directly placed the tonic into her hand.
"Hey, are you alright?" Shào Yún waved his hand in front of Lisa's eyes. "Are you still very weak? You keep zoning out. Should I inform Acting Grand Master Jean and have her send you back to rest properly?"
"Ah." Lisa looked at the potion in her hand, it felt somehow unreal. Such a precious potion, just given away for free?
To be honest, Shào Yún felt a bit of a pang too. After all, the materials were hard to find and required a lot of resources. But she had asked for it.
Ah well, he'd just consider it gaining Honor Points.
"Thank you, I don't know how I can ever repay you." Lisa's charming vocal tone returned, and she smiled softly.
"It's just a small matter, hardly worth mentioning." Shào Yún replied politely, but inwardly he pondered what gift Lisa would give him. Perhaps a weapon from the Blacksmith for free? Or maybe have Sumeru Department Store send him a brand new set of clothes?
As Shào Yún fantasized about what she might give him, his gaze unconsciously drifted towards Lisa. In Lisa's eyes, his gaze was a little... low.
Lisa gently caressed her neck, her fingers gliding almost imperceptibly over her skin, a hint of flirtation in her eyes. She said in a low, magnetic voice, "I'll prepare a thank-you gift, but for now..."
Saying this, she touched her sweat-dampened hair and raised an eyebrow at Shào Yún.
"Staring at a lady drenched in sweat is hardly gentlemanly."
Realizing he had zoned out and his gaze had been impolite, he quickly turned his head away.
"Ah, sorry, I was distracted just now, thinking about something."
Lisa's lips curved upwards, a hint of teasing in her eyes. Her nimble and sly gaze swept lightly over Shào Yún's face.
"Oh? You weren't perhaps thinking about what's underneath..." As she said this, Lisa slowly placed her hand on her collarbone, her hand then slowly moving downwards.
Shào Yún looked somewhat embarrassed and began to back away, gesturing as if begging for mercy.
"I apologize, Miss Lisa, I meant no offense. I just remembered I have something else to attend to, so I'll be going now."
He turned and left. Lisa quietly watched Shào Yún's retreating back and waved.
"What a shame. Do visit me more often when you have time. I'll prepare some delicious tea and snacks."
"Thank you, Miss Lisa. I will definitely come when I have the time."
Shào Yún quickly arrived at the library entrance. Just as he was about to push the door open, he had a sudden idea and decided to check on her again, so he looked back towards Lisa's direction.
"Remember to rest well. The potion has helped you eliminate the negative effects and replenished your stamina, but it's best to get plenty of rest."
"Thank you for your concern, handsome and charming gentleman." Lisa placed her hand over her mouth and blew a light, short kiss.
Seeing Lisa's flying kiss, Shào Yún was secretly delighted. These two bottles of Special Tonic were not used in vain.
...
Quest Complete. Lisa's Afternoon Tea unlocked. Can be triggered between 14:30 and 15:00 during free time in the afternoon at the Knights of Favonius Library. Cannot be triggered at this stage.
Just as he stepped out of the Knights' Headquarters, the system immediately popped up a notification that Lisa's Afternoon Tea had been unlocked.
This was understandable. But free time afternoon, could it be free exploration time? That's possible, since he was still in the middle of the main quest.
He put the matter of afternoon tea aside. Because he had met with Lisa, he didn't have time to go to Amber's house to change. He decided to find Venti directly at the Goth Grand Cathedral.
Leaving the Knights' Headquarters, he thought he could reach the Goth Grand Cathedral by just climbing a few steps. He never imagined he would have to pass through several so-called residential areas.
Fortunately, although Mondstadt City had only gotten bigger, its basic layout remained the same. As long as he kept going uphill, he would reach his destination.
After climbing the final set of stairs, a grand and solemn building came into view—the Goth Grand Cathedral, with its towering spires as its most distinctive feature.
In the plaza in front of the cathedral stood a tall statue of the Anemo Archon. Looking at the beautiful scenery before him, he involuntarily took out his notebook and began to sketch, recording this unique landscape.
Just as he finished drawing, he heard Paimon's voice shouting from afar.
"Stop right there, don't run!"
At the sound of her voice, the system updated the quest.
Current Quest: Intercept Venti.
The moment it was issued, a green figure was seen running up from below, heading towards the plaza above.
Upon closer inspection, the person was none other than Venti. Looking closer, a hint of playfulness flickered across his face, as if he were playing a chase game with Lumine and Paimon.
Calculating the time, the plot had reached the point of encountering Venti. Since he was asked to intercept him, he would do just that.
Shào Yún darted into the bushes beside the steps he had ascended, remaining motionless, as if he had merged with the foliage.
He waited silently, his eyes fixed on the steps ahead, contemplating how to stop him. Should he surprise Venti with a sudden scare?
At that very moment, Venti appeared on the steps. Shào Yún's eyes instantly sharpened, he held his breath, waiting for the optimal moment.
Venti glanced back at the two pursuing him from a distance and smiled relaxedly, unaware that Shào Yún, like a fierce brown bear, had leaped out from the bushes and appeared before him.
With a quick turn, Venti, caught completely off guard, ran headfirst into him, his face hitting Shào Yún squarely.
"Ah!" Venti stumbled back, closing his eyes and covering his nose.
Knowing he had bumped into someone, he quickly apologized.
"Sorry, sorry. I didn't see you."
Huh? How could the Anemo Archon, Barbatos, be so careless?
Ah, he remembered. His attempt to purify Stormterror was interrupted by them, and he suffered a backlash from the curse.
Even the Dragon of East Wind was affected and turned into the unrecognizing Stormterror.
Lisa had also suffered unbearable pain after touching a cursed crystal, and it was his Special Tonic that cured her.
It was understandable that Venti's strength would be somewhat reduced due to the influence. Perhaps his senses were dulled after being injured.
But, what needed to be done still had to be done. Lumine and Paimon were looking for him, he couldn't let him escape, but he also couldn't use force. He just needed to stand in front of him and block him.
"My travel companion seems to be looking for you, so you can't leave."
Back in the Whispering Woods, Shào Yún had spoken, and Venti recognized the voice.
Opening his eyes, he looked at the burly man before him, as imposing as a giant bear. Confirming it was the person he had met in the Whispering Woods, and realizing he was allied with Lumine, Venti looked at him with a knowing gaze.
"Oh, it's you. I've been caught."
Venti saw that he was blocked but had already achieved his goal of luring Lumine and Paimon to the statue of the Anemo Archon. There was no need to run, so he stood obediently in place, waiting for Lumine and Paimon to catch up.
However, Venti had created a considerable distance, and the two still had some running to do. Seizing this opportunity, Venti decided to ask the name of this person he was meeting for the second time.
"By the way, sir, whom I've had the pleasure of meeting once before, may I ask your name?" he asked playfully.
Since Venti had no ill intentions, and neither did he, there was no harm in telling him his name.
"Under normal circumstances, my name is Shào Yún."
The phrase "under normal circumstances" piqued Venti's curiosity.
"Oh? And what about special circumstances?"
"That depends on the situation. I'll just make something up when I need to."
"Haha, you're truly amusing." Venti was amused by Shào Yún's humorous reply.
"Oh, right, my name is Venti."