“Wow, what is this?
Brother Aether, you really know magic!” Xiangling had initially felt afraid because of the sudden energy field, but upon seeing that light cone floating in the air, he was instantly captivated by it.
“That’s for sure.
My Ann…
*ahem*, my Brother Aether never lies.” Clearly, Ayin enjoyed being flattered; he crossed his arms, lifted his head, and his nose was practically pointing at the sky.
Beside him, Zhongli was not as curious as Xiangling; instead, his expression was somewhat grave.
From that power just now, he had felt an indescribable energy—it was like creation, yet also like Remembrance, and even like space…
Moreover, judging solely by the intensity of the energy waves emitted when Ayin created the light cone just now, it was not something an ordinary person could rival.
Even if all the adepti in Liyue were to join forces, they would not be a match for him with a single hand!
This sense of the unknown couldn’t help but make him re-examine this bizarre fellow beside him.
In a sense, he was even more dangerous than the corrosion of the Abyss.
The most critical part was that he seemed to have said something like “Ann”…
Could that be his real name?
“May I borrow this to have a look?” Thinking of this, Zhongli turned to look at the two and asked in a somewhat grave tone.
Although it was a request, his stance clearly implied that he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Relax, it’s just a little trinket.
Here, if you don’t believe me, see for yourself.” It was rare for Ayin to see Zhongli this cautious, but upon reflection, it made sense.
After all, this was Liyue, and Xiangling was from Liyue—considered a subject of Rex Lapis—so eliminating danger for them was understandable.
Seeing Ayin hand the item over so decisively, his anxious heart eased slightly.
Zhongli’s expression tightened, the braid behind him emitting a faint, dark golden glow.
Immediately after, a surge of extremely majestic Geo Elemental Power extended from his hand.
After casting a Jade Shield over Xiangling and the others, he reached out and took the light cone floating in the air.
This posture clearly indicated he had no intention of hiding his identity any longer!
However, thanks to the Elation energy previously released by Ayin, everyone except Xiangling was isolated.
Therefore, even if he revealed his identity, it would only be limited to this young chef.
As expected, although Xiangling was always happy-go-lucky, he was still an extremely intelligent fellow.
Seeing the power Zhongli was displaying now, the smart Xiangling clearly guessed something.
“Mr.
Zhongli…
could you be…”
“It is enough that you know; do not spread it.”
Before Xiangling could finish asking, Zhongli nodded and replied first.
As his fingers touched the light cone, a strange sensation came from his fingertips, like glass, yet also like crystal.
Almost at the same time, a stream of information slowly surfaced in Zhongli’s mind:
light cone: ★★★★★
[Image]
[You have been poisoned]
HP: 4444
ATK: 444
DEF: 444
[Effect]
When the wearer is a chef, every dish they make forces a judgment:
When spiciness is 0–33, gain 1 stack of [Not even a dog would eat this]
When spiciness is 34–66, gain 1 stack of [Beginning to show]
When spiciness is 67–99, gain 1 stack of [Sweating profusely]
When spiciness is 100, gain 1 stack of [I have been poisoned]
[Not even a dog would eat this]: Self-Elation reduced by 44%, the next dish made has a 44% chance to become a failed work.
[Beginning to show]: Self-Elation increased by 44%, the next dish made has a 44% chance to increase in quality.
[Sweating profusely]: Self-Elation increased by 44%, the next dish made has a 44% chance to gain an enhanced version of its original effect.
[I have been poisoned]: Self-Elation increased by 444%, the next dish made will definitely gain an enhanced version of its original effect, and the original effect will randomly produce unexpected changes.
If the original dish is not consumed by a guest, the above effects will not be triggered; when the effect is triggered, stacks – 1
[Description]
You have been poisoned, so the food you make will have unexpected special effects, but the premise is that you must find a guest who can eat the corresponding dish~
“What is a light cone, and what does this effect mean?” Having finished reading all the information, Zhongli turned his head and asked Ayin, who was beside him, in a slow voice.
“A light cone, well…
you can think of it as a special picture card, and as for the effect, it naturally means exactly what it says.” Ayin was not surprised to see Zhongli asking; instead, he put on an honest expression and continued to explain,
“Where we come from, truly high-grade food all has special effects, similar to restoring HP.
Of course, there are also some that add other strange and bizarre effects; the ‘original effect’ written on the light cone refers to this.
As for increasing quality, it just means making the food’s effect better.”
Listening to his explanation, Zhongli’s anxious heart finally settled completely.
After all, if Ayin wanted to harm someone, he wouldn’t hand such a precious item to Xiangling.
Furthermore, given his strength, there were likely few people in Liyue who could stop him.
The only thing unclear now was this guy’s motive; surely it couldn’t just be for fun!
“Brother Aether’s item is fine, right, Geo…
Mr.
Zhongli?” Seeing a thoughtful look appear on Zhongli’s face again, Xiangling, who was standing to the side, asked in a low, uncertain voice.
“From a generally rational perspective, the item is fine.
However, the picture recorded on the light cone…
hmm…
see for yourself.” Seeing Xiangling’s curiosity, Zhongli decided to hand the light cone to him after hesitating for a moment.
His hesitation wasn’t because he feared the item was harmful to Xiangling, but because the picture recorded on this light cone was indeed not very elegant, and it might cause this young one some minor psychological trauma…
Sure enough, after taking the light cone, Xiangling fell into a rare silence upon seeing the content recorded in the image.
On the light cone, an alien with his own profile picture was hugging a bowl of Wanmin Restaurant Boiled Fish that he had just served, drooling and giggling with glowing eyes…
“Um, Brother Aether, can this picture be changed…” After waiting for a long time, Xiangling finally stammered out a sentence.
“Of course…
not!
Hehehe, this picture is so good; I guarantee anyone who sees it will have a deep impression of you, Xiangling!” With his playfulness aroused, Ayin clearly had no intention of letting this young chef off the hook.
While deliberately replying in a cheeky tone, he seized the opportunity to secretly flick a stream of energy at the light cone in Xiangling’s arms.
“No!
You absolutely cannot let anyone else see it!
I…” Just as Xiangling wanted to say something upon hearing this, he lowered his head and discovered that the light cone he was holding in his arms was actually glowing!
*Whoosh~* With a flash of red and blue light, the light cone turned directly into particles of light and merged into Xiangling’s body…