"Little Yae, you're quite impressive."
Ren Kai had already used the Transformation Technique to become Madara again. He looked at the pink fox with clear amusement.
"Ah—so it's Lord Ban."
"In that case, I'll go back to sleep for a bit."
Yae Miko suddenly realized she wasn't in the Grand Narukami Shrine anymore.
That meant she could sleep in every day from now on.
With that thought, she started climbing back onto the bed.
"What are you thinking?"
"You ate so much yesterday. Shouldn't you exercise today?"
"Or do you want to become a fat fox?"
Ren Kai grabbed her by the scruff with a stern expression and walked out of the room.
"I don't want to…"
"I just want to sleep a little longer…"
The little fox rubbed her sleepy eyes with her fluffy paws.
Looking at the bright sunlight outside, she wore a miserable expression.
"If you don't behave, there will be no fried tofu or skewers today."
Ren Kai immediately used his ultimate weapon.
"Waaah…"
The fox fell into a dilemma.
She didn't want to wake up early.
She didn't want to exercise.
She only wanted to eat fried tofu and skewers until she was stuffed, then sleep happily.
"Heh."
"Choose for yourself. Acting cute won't work."
Ren Kai crossed his arms and looked down at the fox from above.
"…Fine."
"I'll exercise for a while."
Yae Miko recalled how satisfied she felt after eating so much the previous night.
Her eyes filled with determination.
For fried tofu and skewers—
She would give it everything she had.
"Morning exercise is essential."
"From now on, you'll wake up early every day to run."
"Follow me."
"If you fall behind, your fried tofu and skewers will be reduced."
After saying that, Ren Kai began running laps around the ship.
From time to time, he glanced back at the fox while gradually increasing his speed.
The pink fox pushed herself desperately.
For the sake of fried tofu and skewers, she used every bit of strength she had.
She barely managed to keep up with Ren Kai's ten-second sprint pace.
"Immortals truly are different from us."
Uncle Fu had just stepped onto the deck when he saw Ren Kai and the little fox running circles around the ship.
Their speed was astonishing.
The workers and guards who saw the scene were instantly inspired.
Even immortals trained diligently.
The atmosphere on the ship suddenly became far more energetic.
"Ow!"
After about ten minutes, the fox finally couldn't continue.
Her tiny legs slipped.
Just as she was about to fall—
Ren Kai spun around instantly and caught her.
Yae Miko smiled happily.
This trick worked again.
Now she could rest.
After placing the fox on his shoulder, Ren Kai suddenly accelerated.
He jumped off the ship and landed on the surface of the sea.
Then he began sprinting at full speed to test his limits.
The first step alone blasted a crater into the water's surface.
Like a blade of wind, Ren Kai sliced across the ocean.
Waves surged over two meters high behind him.
"AAAAAAAHHHHH!"
The pink fox screamed wildly.
The speed created powerful wind resistance.
She clung desperately to Ren Kai's clothes with both paws.
It was her first time experiencing such terrifying speed.
She screamed nonstop.
Morning sunlight shone brightly across Teyvat.
A gentle sea breeze blew across the ocean.
The fresh air made Ren Kai run even faster.
He completely ignored the fox's screaming.
"So this is the speed of an immortal?"
Mingyun leaned against the railing on the deck, watching Ren Kai in the distance.
"Young Master truly has sharp eyes."
"You discovered an immortal in Ritou and even recruited him into the Feiyun Commerce Guild."
Uncle Fu smiled happily.
It felt like heaven itself was blessing their guild.
"Uncle Fu, have you arranged breakfast tea?"
Mingyun asked with a grin.
The two exchanged knowing smiles.
"Of course."
"In addition to Liyue cuisine, I've also prepared fried tofu and skewers."
Uncle Fu had already arranged it earlier that morning.
Meanwhile, Ren Kai had begun running back toward the ship.
He slowed down slightly.
The fox had stopped screaming.
She had fainted from excitement.
So Ren Kai held her in his arms while jogging back more gently.
Halfway back, the fox woke up.
"Waaah…"
"Lord Ban, I'll never slack off again!"
She was still frightened.
She thought he had discovered she was trying to skip the morning run.
"Ahem."
"Good that you understand."
Ren Kai misunderstood completely.
He thought she was referring to sleeping in earlier.
Soon afterward, Ren Kai leapt gracefully back onto the ship with the fox in his arms.
"Good morning, Young Master Mingyun. Uncle Fu."
He had already noticed them waiting nearby.
"Good morning, Mr. Ban."
"Your speed on the water is incredible."
"At that rate, you might not even need a ship to reach Liyue."
Mingyun said with admiration.
"Yes, yes!"
"Mr. Ban is truly powerful."
"When you have time, perhaps you could train the guards of the Feiyun Commerce Guild."
Uncle Fu added eagerly.
"I hope we didn't disturb your rest."
Ren Kai replied politely.
"Ugh… bleh…"
The fox suddenly started retching.
She gagged repeatedly, though nothing came out since her stomach was empty.
Ren Kai quickly began massaging her back.
After a short while, she felt much better.
The earlier fright had probably caused some lingering discomfort.
"Mr. Ban, since you and the immortal beast have finished exercising, please come enjoy some Liyue breakfast cuisine in my cabin."
Seeing that the fox had recovered, Mingyun extended the invitation.
"Wow!"
"Does that mean there will be fried tofu and skewers again?"
The fox instantly revived the moment she heard the word "food."
Her eyes sparkled brightly.
"Yes, yes."
"We've prepared them specially for you, Immortal Beast."
Uncle Fu replied immediately.
"You only ever think about fried tofu and skewers."
"Young Master Mingyun, Uncle Fu—please don't spoil her too much."
"One serving of either fried tofu or skewers per day is enough."
Ren Kai worried that Yae Miko might grow up to become a fat fox.
A balanced diet was important.
"Understood."
"I'll have the food delivered to Young Master Mingyun's cabin."
Uncle Fu memorized the instruction carefully.
Mr. Ban's words had to be taken seriously.
He headed to the kitchen and quietly reduced the portion of fried tofu and skewers by half.
Meanwhile—
The pink fox glared angrily at Ren Kai.
She began scratching his clothes with her tiny claws.
Scratch scratch scratch.
I'll claw you to death!