Velina was naturally completely unaware of what had happened at the editorial department.
She believed that the story she had written this time was quite romantic.
Helping others write letters, understanding the hearts of others, and coming to know what love truly is — what a romantic and wonderful thing that was.
Editor Mu Yun must have been deeply immersed in the novel already.
“Velina, you’re so fast!” Xiangling suddenly exclaimed.
Velina: ?
Xiangling, what kind of nonsense are you saying!
“Huh?
Did I say something wrong?
I heard Xingqiu complaining before that the novel authors he likes always take a long time to release new books.”
Xiangling explained.
She didn’t know if Xingqiu had read the novel Velina wrote.
She’d ask him next time they met.
Velina gave a light cough.
“Ahem, it’s not really that fast.
It’s just that I’ve been writing for a bit longer, that’s all.”
“Ah, I know.
Hu Tao told me you’ve been staying inside the house these past few days without stepping out even once.”
“Hmph hmph, that’s why this Director dragged Velina out this time.
How can you just hole up at home all day?”
Hu Tao, who was walking ahead, turned around and walked backwards facing the two of them.
Suddenly, it seemed like she saw something, and her eyes lit up.
“You two go on ahead.
I’m going to say hello to Big Meow and Second Meow.”
With that, she walked towards a building that looked quite imposing.
The target was…
Two lifelike stone lions at the entrance.
Watching Hu Tao patting the stone lions’ heads there, the guards at the entrance were already used to it and didn’t find it strange.
“Director Hu, why aren’t you giving them a bath today?”
The guard even asked with a smile.
“I have something to do today, just passing by to say hello to Big Meow and Second Meow.
Besides, isn’t this your job?”
“Uh…”
Xiangling was curiously asking about Velina’s new book.
“Velina, Velina, what genre is the novel you wrote this time?”
“Of course it’s heartwarming and healing.”
“You’re not lying to me?”
“Definitely not.
If I were lying to you, then let Hu Tao get chased around and have her head knocked by Keqing.”
“…Wait, why Hu Tao?”
“Don’t mind these little details.”
Velina waved her hand.
“Anyway, the story of the new book is about a girl who survived the war.
By helping others write letters on their behalf, she comes to understand what love truly is.”
“Wow, that sounds pretty good.”
“Right, right?”
Having successfully shared her work with someone else, Velina was very happy.
Her good mood lasted until the three of them left Liyue Harbor, after Xiangling proposed a new dish preparation method.
Slime Slippery Mushrooms.
Jueyun Chili Mixed with Slime.
Frosted Slime.
Velina: …
No, is she really going after Slimes now? Get faster updates on g.com.
She had seen this kind of creature before in Guili Plains.
They were nothing like the round, cute versions in the game.
They were real elemental beings.
Even a casual strike from a Geo element could shatter boulders.
“Xiangling, can these things actually taste good?” she couldn’t help but ask.
What a mistake.
Velina had no idea Xiangling had this kind of hobby.
She suddenly regretted agreeing to come out with the two of them.
“A true chef can make super super delicious dishes no matter what ingredients they use!” Xiangling said with great momentum.
As she spoke, she pulled out a map from her carry-on bag.
“Teyvat Continent Map”
Such text was written at the very top of the map.
However, there were densely packed various annotations all over it.
Velina looked closely and realized they were the specialties and delicacies of various regions…
probably?
If Mondstadt’s dragons and Inazuma’s sea beasts also counted as ingredients…
The place Xiangling was preparing to go was Dihua Marsh.
Heaven knows how Velina managed to keep up with the two of them.
In any case, before nightfall, they had temporarily arrived at the destination of this trip — Wangshu Inn.
Originally, Velina thought they were just going to catch some Slimes near Liyue Harbor.
She didn’t expect them to go farther and farther.
By the time she felt something was wrong, they had already walked half the distance.
“If I had told you in advance, you might have run straight back to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.”
Hu Tao giggled, with the joy of a successful prank.
“How could that be?
Am I that kind of person?”
Velina stubbornly retorted.
Besides that, another unexpected discovery pleasantly surprised her.
They hadn’t used the legendary Teleport Waypoints.
They had walked step by step to such a distant place.
Velina felt that under normal circumstances, with her current stamina, walking for an entire day shouldn’t have been possible.
After all, she wasn’t like Hu Tao who was out and about all year round, nor like Xiangling who was an adeptus disciple trained from a young age.
Yet whenever she felt she couldn’t walk anymore, new strength would somehow emerge from nowhere.
She couldn’t figure it out, couldn’t understand it.
It was already evening by now.
The horizon was a brilliant crimson.
The wide waters shimmered like a mirror, reflecting the red hues filling the sky.
Further away, it seemed as if heaven and earth had merged into one.
Ahead, a giant tree stood tall and majestic.
Its thick branches extended in all directions, as if trying to support the dark, heavy sky.
Yet there were magnificent buildings intertwined with the trees.
“Wangshu Inn.
If you stand at the very top, you can even see Liyue Harbor.”
Hu Tao pointed at Wangshu Inn, not forgetting to introduce it to Velina.
“Come on, come on.
Right now is when Slimes aren’t very active.
Our dinner will be settled soon.”
Xiangling urged the two of them on.
She was already eager to try.
“Chef Xiangling, can we go eat at Wangshu Inn?”
Velina raised her arm and weakly suggested.
She didn’t want to be the guinea pig for taste-testing.
“Um…
Yanxiao probably won’t let me borrow his kitchen.
It’s just because I accidentally blew up a few of his pots last time. The source of this chapter is g.com.
He’s still holding a grudge.”
Xiangling sighed and shook her head.
That’s not what I meant!
Velina was dragged by the arm by Xiangling towards Dihua Marsh.
Soon, Xiangling found her target.
“Come quick, come quick!”
She called out to the two in a low voice.
Hidden by the reed thicket, Velina looked ahead and saw one large Ice Slime and several small Ice Slimes.
Huge, spike-like ice cones covered their shells.
Their size was even larger than wild boars.
It seemed due to the time of day; their activity was clearly reduced.
“These few will definitely be enough.” Xiangling’s eyes lit up.
“How about…
I give it a try?” Velina suddenly said.
“Huh?”
Xiangling was stunned and instinctively looked at Hu Tao.
She had heard from Hu Tao about the first time they met Velina.
Even a few Hilichurls could chase her around.
According to Hu Tao’s estimation, Velina’s combat ability was probably equivalent to one Paimon.
In other words, the power of one Paimon.
In fact, the reason they dragged Velina out this time was to help her relax.
They hadn’t intended for her to participate in combat.
“Okay, don’t worry.
This Director will absolutely guarantee your safety.
If there’s danger, I’ll step in!”
Hu Tao patted her chest, making a very reassuring sound.
Velina held her breath and focused, using the reeds as cover as she quietly approached the Slimes.
She was a bit nervous.
After all, she was just a cultural worker and not skilled in combat.
But there was also excitement.
Her heartbeat began to quicken.
Bright yellow elemental power converged in her hands.
From smoke and dust, it condensed into a spear.
Aiming at the target, she suddenly thrust it towards the Slime’s weak point!
As expected, it shattered.
The Ice Slime was startled and began attacking towards Velina, forcing her to continuously use sand condensed from elemental power to interfere.
“Hu Tao, I think we should help Velina improve her martial arts a bit.
At least give her some self-defense ability.
What do you think?”
Xiangling watched the smoke-filled battlefield and asked after thinking for a moment.
“Indeed, indeed.” Hu Tao nodded in agreement.
“Velina writes novels.
In the future, readers might come knocking to spar with her.
She really should practice.”
While the two were talking, strands of eerie power emerged from underground and seeped into the Ice Slime’s body.
In an instant, the Ice Slime’s aura became frenzied.
“It’s god remains!”
Hu Tao’s expression changed.
The Staff of Homa instantly appeared in her hand.
Xiangling also quickly drew her weapon and rushed towards Velina.
Velina, who had originally been chased by the Slime and could only dodge in a sorry state, suddenly felt as if she was being stared at by something terrifying.
In the next instant, a cyan wind suddenly swept out, blowing away the smoke and dust, flattening the reeds.
An adepti spear descended from the sky and pierced through the monster.