Thirty seconds passed quickly.
Ling Feng felt his strength return and slowly got up from the ground, stretching his limbs.
His eyes fell on the unconscious Tu Shan Hong Hong. Ling Feng first stepped forward and picked her up in a princess carry.
Fortunately, Tu Shan Hong Hong was still small and not very heavy. Otherwise, Ling Feng might not have been able to carry her, as he was only seventeen and not yet an adult.
Looking at Tu Shan Hong Hong's body covered in scars and dust, Ling Feng felt a pang of inexplicable heartache.
Tu Shan Hong Hong was one of his favorite characters in Chinese animation. Her domineering and powerful persona was her trademark, but in her current state, she looked quite pitiful.
Ling Feng gently placed Tu Shan Hong Hong under a tree, letting her lean against the trunk. Just as he was about to use his clothes to wipe her face, he realized his own clothes were incredibly dirty.
Covered in dust and mud, Ling Feng could only smile sheepishly. He walked to the Battle God's Blade, retrieved it into his system space, and then ran to a nearby spot to pull out the Dragon's Roar sword stuck in the ground.
Ling Feng went to the lake. First, he cupped some water in his hands to quench his thirst. The previous battle had made him extremely thirsty. He needed to rehydrate before washing the dirt off his face.
"Phew~ Comfortable."
Ling Feng felt refreshed, enjoying the cool breeze on his cheeks. It was simply exhilarating.
Afterward, Ling Feng washed the mud off the Dragon's Roar sword and then stored it in his system space.
Ling Feng turned to look at Tu Shan Hong Hong not far away. Seeing her condition, he remembered the system had said she hadn't drunk or eaten for several hours.
Even demons would get thirsty and hungry, especially after a fierce battle. Ling Feng was also hungry. He hadn't eaten since noon yesterday, and his stomach was rumbling in protest.
"Never mind, I'll give Tu Shan Hong Hong some water first before worrying about food."
Ling Feng got up and walked towards the simple tent where the iron pot was placed, intending to use it to collect water.
"Whoa, where did this huge wind come from?"
Just then, a strong gust of wind suddenly blew, carrying sand that made Ling Feng unable to open his eyes. When the wind subsided, Ling Feng slowly opened his eyes.
He saw a crane, predominantly white and sky blue, standing before him. It was slightly taller than him and exuded an ethereal aura.
Ling Feng immediately recognized it as the gluttonous and tsundere True Monarch residing on Mount Aocang.
"Crane?"
Ling Feng feigned surprise and took a few steps back. Then, he retrieved the Dragon's Roar sword from his system space, held it in front of him, and assumed a defensive stance.
The reason for this was that Ling Feng knew he had just arrived in this world. If even the True Monarch of Clouds-Assisting-Winds knew him, who knew what else would be revealed later.
Therefore, Ling Feng had to pretend he didn't recognize her and act cautiously.
"Person from another world, there's no need for caution. I am the True Monarch of Clouds-Assisting-Winds. I have appeared now because the immortals have observed your aptitude for learning immortal arts. Would you be willing to become our disciple?"
"Disciple?"
Ling Feng was bewildered by the offer. He had just been wondering why the True Monarch of Clouds-Assisting-Winds had appeared so suddenly.
She hadn't shown up at all during his intense fight with Tu Shan Hong Hong, but now she appeared after the battle was over.
He had assumed the True Monarch of Clouds-Assisting-Winds didn't care about such matters, as the lives of mortals were of no concern to her.
So, it seemed the sun had risen in the west. She had appeared on her own initiative, intending to take him as a disciple.
Ling Feng had a vague idea of the reason. It was likely that the True Monarch of Clouds-Assisting-Winds had sensed the change in spiritual energy and discovered his situation, as he was cultivating right at their doorstep.
[Ding! Side quest issued: Take a Master! Please check for details.]
Ling Feng was taken aback. The system had actually issued a quest. He quickly brought up the quest panel with a thought.
[Side Quest]: Take a Master
[Quest Difficulty]: Easy
[Quest Time Limit]: Three minutes
[Quest Description]: Become a disciple of the Demon Subduing Great Sage, True Monarch of Clouds-Assisting-Winds, True Monarch of Moon-Cutting Sun-Carving, True Monarch of Water-Smoothing Mountain-Piling, and Granny Ping.
[Completion Reward]: Ten Wish Power, one Marrow Cleansing Pill, Intermediate Culinary Skill.
"??? System, you expect me to become a disciple of the Liyue Qixing immortals in three minutes? You call this an easy quest? Are you kidding me?"
Ling Feng's jaw dropped upon seeing the quest description. How could this be an easy quest? Becoming a disciple of multiple immortals in three minutes wasn't easy at all.
In three minutes, let alone becoming their disciple, it was a question if he could even see them.
Wait, that's not right!
Didn't the True Monarch of Clouds-Assisting-Winds just mention "immortals" (plural)?
"I am willing."
Ling Feng couldn't be bothered to question it. Even if it wasn't plural, he would take one master first.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the side quest "Take a Master". Rewards have been issued to the system space.]
"Excellent. From now on, you shall be the common disciple of us immortals. We will teach you immortal arts, but remember, if you use immortal arts to harm the world, we immortals will personally deal with you!"
The True Monarch of Clouds-Assisting-Winds said with a warning tone. She did not wish for the disciples of the immortals to be evil individuals.
"Yes, Master! Disciple has something to say, and I am unsure if it is appropriate."
Ling Feng bowed respectfully. Since he had taken a master, he had to show respect, which was a traditional Chinese virtue.
"Speak freely."
The True Monarch of Clouds-Assisting-Winds replied, tilting her head slightly, a hint of joy in her voice. After all, this was her first formal disciple, and he was quite good-looking and respectful. (I will explain the matter of Shenhe later.)
"Am I not a person from another world? Why would Master and the others intend to take me as a disciple?"
Ling Feng voiced the doubt in his heart. Logically, he should be considered an outsider.
After all, he had transmigrated with his original body, not like others who had soul transmigration. How could the immortals so easily take him as a disciple?
"It matters not. I shall first tell you about this continent."
"This continent is called Teyvat. There are quite a few people who come from other worlds, so you need not be concerned about your identity as a person from another world."
"As for why we are taking you as a disciple, there are many reasons."
"The primary reason is that the Geo Archon has initially recognized you, and moreover, you, as an ordinary person, can cultivate, and you bear no karmic sin."
"On this account, the Geo Archon has entrusted me to accept you as a disciple on behalf of the other immortals and teach you immortal arts. From this day forth, you are our disciple."
Ling Feng instantly understood. It was the Geo Archon's will. And since the Geo Archon was still alive, it meant the story had not yet begun, or had not yet reached Liyue.
As for why the Geo Archon would have the immortals teach him immortal arts, according to the plot, it would be after Morax retired.
He couldn't easily appear at every crisis, because at that time, he would have entrusted Liyue to its people. Only when Liyue was on the verge of destruction might he reappear and intervene.
Although Ling Feng had cultivated, he was still human.
Therefore, he could be molded into a guardian of Liyue, protecting Liyue as a human.
If he encountered something he couldn't resolve alone, he and the other immortals could handle it. If even their combined efforts were insufficient, then it would be time for Zhongli, i.e., Morax, to personally intervene.
Zhongli was much more reliable than Venti next door. At least, before retiring, he had left many safeguards for Liyue, while Barbatos Venti was either slacking off or slacking off.
Ling Feng muttered to himself.
……
On the big tree in Windrise, a green figure was leisurely leaning against the trunk, savoring the wine in his hand. Suddenly.
"Achoo, achoo."
"Who's talking about me behind my back? Never mind. The wine is finished. I should head to Angel's Share again. Eh heh."