Upon seeing Cloud Retainer's colorful feathers, Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver didn't think she had a strange illness; instead, they immediately thought of Ryan.
The most concerning aspect of his pills was the possibility of bizarre side effects.
Therefore, the two Adepti burst out laughing.
Subsequently, the two Adepti were chased all over the mountain by an enraged Cloud Retainer, and Yaoyao couldn't even calm her down.
Meanwhile, Ryan was still unaware that his Rainbow Feather Pill had embarrassed Cloud Retainer in front of the other two Adepti; he was currently diligently refining a new pill.
It seemed too many rare ingredients were added this time, and it was Ryan's first time refining so many rare ingredients together. By the time the pill solidified, it was already night.
However, he had started refining the pill in the morning, so it couldn't have been ready by that same night. Therefore, it must have been the night of the second day.
The Rite of Descension was one day closer, with five days remaining.
A golden pill slowly flew out from the pill furnace, which had landed and extinguished its flame, appearing before Ryan.
"Golden light traces the origin to illuminate the pill's soul, manifest!"
As the golden light in his eyes swept over it, the pill, warm in his hand, had its effects appear in Ryan's mind.
[Qilin Pill (3-star): Upon consumption, the body part where the medicinal power gathers gains the power of the Qilin and can be imbued with color.]
"Three-star! And it can be imbued with color!"
Upon learning the effects of the pill in his hand, Ryan's eyes lit up. He excitedly cupped the pill in both hands, fearing he might drop it.
This was his first time refining a three-star pill that could be imbued with color. Although the Longevity Pill he previously refined using Geo Archon's divine power was also three-star, it could not be imbued with color.
"The part where the medicinal power gathers, meaning only one body part benefits. So if it gathers in the arm, wouldn't it become a Qilin arm..."
Looking at the Qilin Pill in his hand, which was gradually cooling down and slowly losing its golden light, Ryan mumbled with some excitement.
But the most important thing now was imbuing with color!
"But I can't imbue it with color in the city; it might disturb the residents..."
"I'd better go to the mountains."
Ryan thought for a moment and decided to go to Mt. Tianheng to imbue the pill with color.
If he imbued it there, even if it disturbed the residents, he would have already escaped before being caught.
Thinking of this, Ryan immediately set off, disregarding the fatigue and hunger from refining pills for over a day, and hastily left Wangshu Inn.
And just as Ryan left Wangshu Inn.
"Eh? Why does Liyue's weather change so suddenly these past few days? It's been so hot for two days, so why is it cooling down at night..."
The inn owner, who had just showered and changed into light clothes, suddenly felt a bit cold. He couldn't help but scratch his cheek, muttering in confusion...
Ryan, having left Wangshu Inn, headed straight for Mt. Tianheng, and the road out of Liyue Harbor happened to pass in front of Bubu Pharmacy.
"..."
"Are you after Qiqi again?"
The person approaching was a Damselette named Hu Tao. Both paused, then Hu Tao was the first to point at Ryan and speak.
"Wow, Hu Tao, don't slander me. I'm just passing by... But you, I saw you coming down from Bubu Pharmacy with my own eyes. Are you after Qiqi again?"
Ryan immediately explained that he was just passing by and turned the tables.
"How could This Master be that kind of person? I caught Qiqi with you the night before last, and I caught Qiqi by myself yesterday. Today, Qiqi should at least rest for a day."
Hu Tao immediately retorted.
However, from her words, it could be inferred that in the day or so Ryan was busy refining pills, she had secretly tried to catch Qiqi again.
But clearly, she hadn't succeeded either.
"Speaking of which, it's strange. Yesterday, Qiqi was suddenly very clever. She immediately hid when she saw This Master, making This Master search for a long time. She's usually not this clever."
As she spoke, Hu Tao touched her chin with one hand, looking somewhat puzzled.
"If someone wanted to bury me, I'd hide very quickly too."
"Alright, alright, I'm leaving now. I still need to leave the city."
Ryan said speechlessly, then intended to bypass Hu Tao and exit the city.
"Wait!"
Seeing Ryan about to leave, Hu Tao hastily blocked his path.
"What's wrong...?"
Looking at the Damselette in front of him, who had spread her arms to block his way, Ryan was a bit confused.
"Hehe~ That night, Yuheng Star said you and Ganyu seemed very familiar. Can This Master ask you for a favor?"
Hu Tao, blocking Ryan's path, curled her lips slightly and inquired. Although she clasped her hands in a requesting gesture, her cunning expression made it difficult to fathom her intentions.
"Wow oh... Hu Tao, your fingernails are black. Why don't you go see a doctor? Bubu Pharmacy seems to still be open."
Ryan was startled for a moment, then suddenly pointed at Hu Tao's black fingernails, reminding her.
"Don't be silly, This Master calls this nail art, okay?"
"Never mind, never mind. If you don't want to help, then don't."
Hearing Ryan try to change the subject, Hu Tao simply waved her hand, giving up the idea of asking Ryan for help.
"Then what do you need Ganyu for?"
Seeing Hu Tao directly planning to leave, Ryan hesitated for a moment but still asked.
"Hehe, of course it's something important! This Master has been investigating all day today and found that there's hardly any record of Qiqi's past."
Hearing Ryan's words, Hu Tao, knowing that things were looking up, immediately turned around happily and explained.
"Something about Qiqi...?"
Ryan scratched his head.
"Yes, yes. Qiqi is a zombie with a bad memory. After Baizhu brought her to Bubu Pharmacy, she no longer remembers her past."
"But This Master found that her obsession with living is very strong, and it's this obsession that has caused This Master to fail repeatedly. So I need to investigate Qiqi's past to help her let go of her obsession and pass on peacefully."
Hu Tao didn't hide anything, explaining in detail what she wanted to do.
She had searched for a long time herself but found no clues.
"Oh... you know that Ganyu is an Adeptus who has lived a long time, so you want to ask her if she knows, right?"
Ryan immediately understood Hu Tao's purpose, and his way of addressing Ganyu returned to normal.
"Mm-hmm. After it's done, when we hold Qiqi's funeral, This Master will invite you to the feast too."
Hu Tao nodded, confirming.
"I see... But Ganyu has stayed in Liyue Harbor for over two thousand years and hasn't gone out much, so she might not know."
"Hmm, anyway, I'll ask her next time."
Learning that Hu Tao wanted to understand Qiqi's background, Ryan agreed to help ask.
"That's wonderful! When you've asked, you can come find This Master at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor anytime. Here, this is a Wangsheng Funeral Parlor coupon, it has the address of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor on it!"
Hu Tao nodded contentedly, took out a Wangsheng Funeral Parlor coupon, and stuffed it into Ryan's hand.
Then Hu Tao hummed a tune and left, seeming to be in a very good mood.
"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor grand sale, buy one get one free..."
"Ew~"
Seeing the content on the coupon, Ryan felt a bit disgusted and almost threw it away, but he held back and simply put it into his Bolsa Qiankun.
Then Ryan glanced at Qiqi, who was peeking out with a small head from behind Bubu Pharmacy's door, looking over from afar. He waved and greeted her.
But Qiqi didn't respond; instead, she pulled her head back and hid.
Ryan didn't mind, turned around, and continued towards Mt. Tianheng...