Bai Shi Dong Tian, Hyperion Laboratory.
Keqing stood beside Ling Feng, her gaze curiously fixed on the characters displayed on the computer screen.
[Honkai Energy Adaptability: A]
"What does this mean?"
Keqing's bright purple eyes held a hint of confusion.
Ling Feng hadn't expected Keqing's Honkai energy adaptability to be so high.
Truly a born god-like being, with an extraordinary physique. It wasn't surprising that her Honkai energy adaptability was high.
Having a strong physique and power didn't necessarily mean high Honkai energy adaptability, but it generally wouldn't be low.
Keqing, though nourished and strengthened by her Vision, was still a mortal. Her Honkai energy adaptability being this high was already rare.
"Honkai energy is the name of an energy in this world. It's much, much stronger than Elemental Power, almost capable of anything."
"What Elemental Power can do, Honkai energy can do, and what Elemental Power cannot do, it can still do."
"In essence, if you were to fight using Honkai energy, you could completely overwhelm yourself fighting with Elemental Power."
"The two energies are on completely different levels."
Keqing's eyes widened. She was deeply shocked, but also harbored a sliver of doubt and disbelief.
It was hard to convince her with just words.
"Ling Feng, do you have any blacksmith friends? My sword is quite damaged."
"I might also need to borrow some money from you."
Speaking of borrowing money, Keqing's voice suddenly softened, her cheeks flushing, her gaze darting away, unable to meet Ling Feng's eyes directly.
It was the first time she had ever borrowed money from anyone, especially from Ling Feng, who was her assistant. The thought made her feel utterly ashamed.
The dignified Keqing, now worried about money. The shy Keqing was quite cute... Ling Feng's lips curved into a subtle arc, and he smiled leisurely.
"Borrowing money is a small matter. Let me see your sword."
Keqing retrieved the Lion's Roar from her Vision and handed it to Ling Feng.
"This damage is indeed quite severe."
Ling Feng took the sword and examined it carefully. The once silver-white, sharp blade of the Lion's Roar already had some nicks.
There were also several fine cracks on the blade. For a sword, this was considerable damage.
"Those monsters have incredibly thick hides, and their claws are unusually sharp. All of that combined has caused severe damage to the Lion's Roar," Keqing said with a hint of helplessness.
Such a divine weapon as the Lion's Roar was incredibly difficult to acquire in Liyue, practically priceless and unobtainable, a top-tier weapon.
Ling Feng nodded. Keqing's words were accurate.
If ranked according to the game's tiers:
One-star weapons: very common, sold in most blacksmith shops, entry-level weapons for adventurers.
Two-star weapons: materials are better than one-star, considered premium weapons accessible to ordinary people.
Three-star weapons: mostly standard issue, difficult to obtain from the common market, high price, very rare. Adventurers who owned them were usually seasoned veterans, obtained from ruins.
Four-star weapons: considered shop treasures in renowned blacksmith shops, only accessible to high-ranking officials or elite forces of various nations.
Materials were rare, priceless, and rarely seen.
Five-star weapons: legendary, divine weapons passed down through generations, possibly owned by families with long histories.
"Here, this one's for you. I don't need it anymore. It's just taking up space with me."
Ling Feng took his own Lion's Roar from his Sword-Nurturing Gourd and handed it to Keqing.
This Lion's Roar had been nurtured in the Sword-Nurturing Gourd for years. Its spiritual essence had made it even more extraordinary, sufficient for Keqing to wield.
Keqing didn't refuse. She took the sword and tested it. With a set of Yunlai Swordplay, her movements were fluid and natural, fitting her perfectly.
*Zzzt, zzzt.* Purple lightning flashed around the blade.
"What a fine sword!"
Keqing's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but praise it.
Compared to her own Lion's Roar, this one was sharper, and using Elemental Power felt incomparably smoother.
At the same time, the Electro resonance was stronger, more than doubling the power of her Electro attacks!
Her previous sword had only managed to enhance them by twenty percent.
Keqing immediately became fond of it.
For a sword practitioner, a good sword held immense allure.
Keqing's previous Lion's Roar: "So love can disappear, can't it?"
If it could speak, Ling Feng would surely reply, "Love doesn't disappear; it just transfers."
"I'll find some time to reforge it..." Ling Feng said, walking towards the door, putting away the Lion's Roar.
"Let's go, I'll help you get accustomed to Honkai energy first."
Keqing heard him, sheathed her sword, and quickly followed Ling Feng.
A while later.
Ling Feng and Keqing entered a spacious training room. Keqing glanced around and then turned to Ling Feng, asking,
"What should I do?"
As she spoke, Keqing recalled the heart-pounding energy she had felt.
Ling Feng pondered for a moment and said,
"You've just encountered this power. Let's take it step by step. Try to mobilize it just as you would Elemental Power."
Fortunately, Keqing had experience with Elemental Power and could mobilize her internal strength with ease.
For martial artists, controlling one's own power was a fundamental skill.
Honkai energy was too wild. It was best to proceed slowly and steadily; safety was paramount.
"Okay."
Keqing nodded slightly, closed her eyes, and gathered her thoughts, cautiously attempting to mobilize the Honkai energy within her.
As it was her first time touching this power, she was still unfamiliar with it, and her mobilization efforts were clumsy. It took several attempts before she succeeded.
"Gather the energy in your palm, concentrating it to a single point."
Hearing this, Keqing opened her eyes, extended her delicate, slender right hand, and followed the instructions.
Soon, energy surged in Keqing's palm. Perhaps due to her frequent use of Electro, her Honkai energy also leaned towards Electro.
Purple arcs of electricity frequently flashed and intertwined, gradually condensing into a purple electric orb about the size of a glass marble.
As the energy converged, its volume continued to expand.
In a short while, the purple electric orb grew to the size of an apple.
Without Ling Feng's prompt, Keqing threw the "apple" in her hand.
The "apple" landed and exploded like a grenade, with a one-meter radius of raging currents intertwining like a pool of lightning, dissipating after three seconds.
"We'll just adapt to this power today. We'll continue later."
Half a day later~
"Holy crap! Keqing, aim properly! The Titan is over there!"
In the training room, Ling Feng dodged frantically, weaving left and right. Streaks of crackling purple lightning sword qi narrowly missed him by millimeters.
Keqing quickly sheathed her sword. Only then did Ling Feng stop dodging and slowly walk towards her.
"Sorry, I just learned this move, my aim is a bit off..."
Keqing's ears drooped, and she lowered her head, her cheeks flushed, her hands clasped behind her back, swaying slightly.
*Hiss* So cute!
It was the first time Ling Feng had seen Keqing act so shyly, like a maiden.
Future! Where are you, Future! Take a picture of this adorable Keqing for me!
"Ahem, it's alright, let's continue..."
After that, Ling Feng deeply regretted saying those words.
"Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap!"
"Keqing, are you really not aiming at me?!"
"... (The following is omitted for a thousand words!)"
Ling Feng embarked on his dodging journey once more, only ending when he finally retreated into the safety of the control room.
Looking at the training ground, Keqing, the Sword Immortal, leaped backward, her sword emitting qi, like a Gatling gun spewing blue fire.
A Titan's cannonball exploded before him the moment it left the barrel.
Damn it, if Keqing had this much power in Genshin Impact, she would be a top-tier character one hundred percent.
"Speaking of which, Keqing's current strength is already equivalent to an A-rank Valkyrie. If her aim were better, her sword qi stronger, and her control over Honkai energy more refined, she might not be weaker than an S-rank Valkyrie."
Ling Feng thought to himself.
It was indeed the right decision to teach Keqing how to condense sword qi. This was the true demeanor of the Yuheng Star.
...
The next day, Keqing, wearing her school uniform, entered the classroom with Ling Feng.
Since she had chosen to fight, she naturally had to learn some knowledge.
"Hello everyone, I am Keqing, from Shenzhou."
"I look forward to your guidance in the future."
Below the stage, the Valkyries watched Keqing, their discussion buzzing.
It wasn't just her beauty, but also Keqing's undeniable aura of a well-bred lady.
"Keqing..."
Since she was from Shenzhou, it was only natural to offer some support. Besides, I need a teammate... Fu Hua adjusted her glasses, looking at Keqing on stage.
St. Freya Academy had cooperative exams for two teams of two.
"Classmate Keqing, please take the empty seat next to Fu Hua. You are both from Shenzhou."
Jizhi pointed to the empty seat next to Fu Hua and said.
"Yes, Teacher Jizhi."
Seeing that everything was proceeding smoothly, Ling Feng left the classroom as it wasn't his class time yet.
"Fortunately, Keqing didn't reject information imprinting like Zhen and Tu Shan Hong Hong, otherwise I would have had to work hard again."
"Speaking of which, my dorm is almost becoming a reception dorm for people from other worlds."
Ling Feng covered his forehead and chuckled, complaining.
"Let's go play games in the office."
Ling Feng hummed a tune and strode towards the office with an air of supreme confidence.
"What? Playing games during work hours? Good for you, Ling Feng!"
"Holy crap, Principal, what are you doing here?"
"Hmph, since you're so free, come with me to move bricks! We need to make the school gate a bit taller."
...
Tian Qiong City. Under the night sky, the neon lights of the street buildings were dazzling. Just like during the day, there were many pedestrians, bustling with life.
In an ordinary clothing store, there were few customers, making it feel somewhat empty.
Ling Feng, wearing a loose black overcoat, propped his chin with his right hand, bored, sitting on a soft bench provided for customers.
He was originally playing PUBG at home, enjoying being a bush camper in the jungle map and ambushing people when Keqing dragged him out to shop with her.
Zhen and Hong Hong weren't with them; they were engrossed in watching anime.
"Sigh... why do girls like shopping so much?"
Ling Feng sighed, a little confused.
"Ling Feng, what do you think of this outfit?"
Keqing's voice came from behind him.
Hearing this, Ling Feng turned, looked up, and was stunned by Keqing's appearance, his eyes filled with surprise and admiration.
Keqing was wearing a dark purple off-the-shoulder woolen sweater. Her fair, tender shoulders were exposed, and the sleeves were somewhat wide, yet held a unique charm.
Around her neck was a black and white scarf, and her long twin tails gently swayed behind her shoulders.
Her lower half was a long white skirt, cinched with a belt at the waist, partially revealing a pair of slender, black-stockinged legs.
So beautiful!
This was the reason for Ling Feng's astonishment.
As for the surprise, it was because he had seen Keqing dressed like this in wallpapers released by Mihoyo.
Ling Feng smiled slightly and praised her from the bottom of his heart.
"Beautiful! It suits you perfectly!"
"Then I'll buy this one."
Keqing smiled sweetly, as if bathed in spring breeze, one could tell she was in a very good mood.
No girl disliked being praised for her beauty, though some were exceptions.
If it were a stranger, most girls would become wary and guarded.
Ling Feng suddenly felt that shopping wasn't such a bad thing after all.
When paying, Keqing didn't go back to the fitting room to change. She paid while wearing the new outfit.
She planned to go shopping in this new outfit, while her original clothes were placed in a bag given with the purchase, which Ling Feng was carrying.
On the street, Ling Feng and Keqing walked side by side. To other pedestrians, they looked like a couple out shopping.
Keqing curiously observed her surroundings, taking it all in.
Her curiosity about this other world was satisfied.
Basically, everyone who arrived in another world would feel curious about it.
Keqing's reaction was normal.
After walking for a while, Ling Feng's gaze fell upon a milk tea shop called "Shuyi." Seeing the familiar name evoked memories.
"Shuyi"... It's been a while since I've patronized it. Let's get some milk tea... Ling Feng's eyes flashed with reminiscence. He turned to Keqing and asked,
"Keqing, I suddenly want to drink some milk tea. Would you like to try some?"
"Milk tea?"
Keqing turned her head, her beautiful eyes holding a hint of confusion.
Seeing Keqing's reaction, Ling Feng knew she had never tried milk tea before. He explained simply,
"Milk tea is a type of beverage, with many varieties. I recommend you give it a try."
Ling Feng stopped at the entrance of "Shuyi." Keqing also stopped and followed his gaze.
Inside the "Shuyi" milk tea shop, many people were coming and going. The queue at the counter was long, like a dragon.
The seats inside were also fully occupied, indicating how popular the business was.
"So popular?!"
Seeing this, Keqing exclaimed.
The popularity of this drink called milk tea exceeded her imagination.
At the same time, she developed a strong interest in milk tea, curious about its taste, as so many people were queuing to buy it.
"Let's go, see if there are any empty seats inside."
Ling Feng entered the milk tea shop first.
Keqing followed closely behind.
The interior was spacious, decorated with neon lights of various colors, dazzling and vibrant.
Keqing noticed that a significant portion of the people sitting and staying in the shop were playing on their phones, their mouths occasionally spitting out saliva.
"Damn it! Is your jungler dreaming in the jungle? You're not even coming to team fights in mid lane, I swear..."
"TMD, Shangguan, can you even fly? I haven't seen you fly once in this game. Practicing heroes in ranked matches, NM..."
"..."
Keqing was puzzled. Why were these people so agitated?
"Ling Feng, what are they saying? Why are they so excited?"
"Uh, you'll get used to it. This is a Shenzhou specialty, called beautiful Shenzhou language. It's a way of asking about the health of each other's elders."
"I see."
Keqing seemed to understand.
Ling Feng: ...
They were lucky; just as two people finished their milk tea and got up to leave, freeing up a two-person seat.
Ling Feng asked Keqing to wait a moment and then went to the counter.
Not long after, Ling Feng returned, holding two cups of milk tea.
After taking their seats, Ling Feng pushed one cup of milk tea towards Keqing.
Several question marks appeared in Keqing's mind. She was a bit confused and stunned for a moment before asking,
"So many people were queuing, how did you get them so quickly?"
Ling Feng smiled mysteriously: "Getting something for free brings happiness."
He had simply paid a thousand yuan to ask the person at the very front of the line for a favor.
To buy two cups of milk tea. Gaining nearly a thousand for free, a fool would know how to choose.
This was the power of "money"!
However, Keqing didn't understand what "getting something for free" meant yet and remained bewildered.
"Don't think too much about it. Here, try it."
Ling Feng smiled and helped Keqing insert the straw.
Keqing nodded, no longer thinking about it. She cupped the milk tea in her hands and took a small sip, her eyes immediately lighting up.
"It is indeed delicious."
Without another word, Keqing took several more sips, clearly enjoying it.
Seeing this, Ling Feng also took a large gulp, satisfying his own craving.
He wanted to become a cultivator, an immortal, but he didn't want to become a detached, emotionless immortal who cut ties with the mortal world.
He yearned for the kind of carefree immortal who lived among mortals, could meet old friends, have a meal and a drink, and chat about everyday life.
It was the same for the Monkey King he admired as a child, who fought against heaven and earth.
As the saying goes, "One only knows the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, not the Victorious Fighting Buddha of the Spirit Mountain."