20

In the time that followed, Lu Li began to teach Skirk how to convert spiritual energy and Abyssal Power into each other.

Skirk was constantly shocked, confused, and enlightened!

An afternoon passed.

Skirk was already able to convert Abyssal Power into spiritual energy, though the conversion rate was not very high.

However, Skirk's progress was remarkably fast; from an initial 10% conversion rate, she reached 50% after only about ten attempts.

Given Skirk's Talents, with more practice and training, she would soon achieve Lu Li's 100% conversion rate.

Lu Li had already given the method to Skirk.

Skirk no longer needed Lu Li's instruction; she only needed to fully grasp the conversion method.

"I'm going out to play now!" Lu Li called out to Skirk, who was currently converting Abyssal Power.

Skirk nodded upon hearing him; today was the day Lu Li and Skirk had agreed upon for their annual outing.

"Have you decided where you want to go?"

"You're stronger now than before; you can play outside for a few more days."

Ultimately, Lu Li was still a two-and-a-half-year-old child, an age where he should enjoy the happy times of childhood.

After a year without fresh air, Lu Li felt a strong sense of nostalgia for the outside world, but during Lu Li's year in the abyss, only twelve days had passed outside.

Last time, Lu Li played in Liyue for a day; this time, Lu Li was planning to go somewhere different.

Lu Li thought.

Inazuma wasn't very fun right now; his current strength was no match for the Raiden Shogun, and if he caused trouble and a fight broke out, it would be a bit troublesome. After a few more years of cultivation, taking on the Tenshukaku (Castle Keep) would be effortless.

Mondstadt currently had no God governing it, and Dvalin hadn't caused any trouble yet.

So, there wasn't much need for combat.

And those Adventurers in Mondstadt wouldn't be so idle as to fight with a small child like him. Going to eat, drink, listen to songs, and wander around seemed quite nice.

Having made up his mind, Lu Li told Skirk where he planned to go this time.

"Then let's go to Mondstadt, the rumored land where freedom and poetry drift with the wind."

Skirk agreed. She had wandered through Mondstadt before; there were only a few not-so-dangerous monsters, and currently, no God was in charge.

And the Knights of Favonius protected the common people.

"Hmm, given your strength, you shouldn't encounter any trouble in Mondstadt."

However, after a brief thought, Skirk was still a little uneasy; after all, Lu Li was still a child.

Skirk condensed her Abyssal Power into a sphere and handed it to Lu Li.

"If you encounter trouble you can't solve, or if you want to come back, just crush this sphere."

Lu Li took the small sphere Skirk handed him; it was small and cold to the touch. After examining it for a moment, Lu Li put it away.

Lu Li couldn't help but smile; this was a treatment Childe never received.

They were both Skirk's disciples.

After Childe studied with Skirk for three months, Skirk directly opened a portal and threw him out, forcing him to graduate.

But with Lu Li, it became a package deal of pick-up and drop-off, and he could call for help at any time if he encountered trouble.

Yet Childe, like a duckling looking for its mother, searched for Skirk for over ten years without finding her.

Lu Li's treatment was like the 'Guardian' privilege that only core disciples of powerful families in a fantasy world could enjoy.

He wasn't afraid of causing trouble, and if he did, someone would protect him.

However, wandering around Mondstadt wouldn't pose much danger.

"I understand. Let me out!" Lu Li nodded and looked at Skirk.

With that, Skirk pointed beside Lu Li, opening a portal, indicating that Lu Li could go out and play.

The moment he stepped out of the portal, a wave of dizziness came over him.

Today's weather in Mondstadt didn't seem very good.

The sky was overcast and on the verge of rain, not the gentle breeze and warm sunshine Lu Li had imagined.

Lu Li casually looked at his surroundings.

Lu Li stood on a hillside, and looking forward, he saw a large lake.

That should be Wine Lake.

The winds of freedom carried the scent of dandelions across Wine Lake; the wide surface and sparkling ripples remained unchanged through millennia.

The water was crystal clear to the bottom, and its taste was crisp and sweet.

It was this water source that gave Mondstadt's fine wines their fame. In the center of the lake was a city, and this city was Lu Li's destination, Mondstadt City.

Mondstadt's terrain was mainly mountains and valleys.

Standing on the hillside, Lu Li could see Windrise.

So, Lu Li only needed to pass through the forest path in front of him to reach Windrise and then enter Mondstadt City.

Lu Li jumped down the hillside and quickly walked towards Windrise.

The weather today was not good; a cold wind carrying the scent of the lake blew across Lu Li's face, without the pleasant aroma of wine that a breeze usually brought.

Lu Li somewhat regretted choosing today to come out and play.

In the game... you only needed to open the map and select a teleport waypoint to go anywhere, but for the current Lu Li, it was quite a long distance.

Games and reality were indeed different.

The distance was still a bit far.

"It's a pity Qiqi is in Liyue; otherwise, I could use Qiqi as a mount to go to Mondstadt City."

"Couldn't you just drop me directly into Mondstadt City?!"

Lu Li muttered to himself, but Skirk couldn't hear his grumbling; she was currently furiously practicing the conversion between Abyssal Power and spiritual energy.

At this moment, Qiqi, who was stuck gathering herbs in Jueyun Karst, let out a huge sneeze.

Lu Li walked for about thirty minutes before he saw Windrise.

Fortunately, with the Primal Vitality Art, he didn't feel tired even while walking.

He also coincidentally took the lives of some monsters he encountered along the way.

After walking for a while, Lu Li felt the sky growing darker; it was the rhythm of impending rain.

It seemed... barring any surprises, he was probably going to get wet.

However, it would be fine as long as he entered Mondstadt City.

As the saying goes, if you encounter problems in Mondstadt, just find Acting Grand Master Jean and Noelle.

Lu Li thought.

What should he eat when he got to Mondstadt City? The Cat's Tail Tavern... seemed not to welcome children, so he would just eat whatever.

Lu Li, who was walking towards Windrise, was momentarily lost in thought.

Suddenly, a rapid sound of horse hooves approached.

Lu Li quickly dodged, not because he was afraid of getting hurt, but because he was worried about overturning the other party's carriage and injuring the innocent people inside.

"Whoa!"

Accompanied by the coachman's cry, a caravan abruptly stopped at the corner.

The leading carriage nearly hit Lu Li.

The wheels carved deep tracks in the muddy ground, and the coachman, still shaken, looked at Lu Li.

"Why did we stop?" A warm, middle-aged male voice came from inside the carriage.

The coachman quickly explained, "Master Crepus! A child suddenly appeared in front. Fortunately, I stopped in time and didn't hurt him."

The curtain embroidered with the Ragnvindr family crest was pulled back, revealing a kind face with long red hair.

Lu Li looked up.

This well-dressed noble middle-aged man was none other than Mondstadt's wealthiest person, the owner of the Dawn Winery, and also Diluc's father, Crepus Ragnvindr.

"Little friend, are you alright?!"