Genshin Impact, the spear remains.

Brock narrowed his eyes and sized up the seemingly knowledgeable young girl.

This outfit, and the fire-elemental Eye of God... most importantly, the faint scent of spices on her. Although it was very light, Brock, whose nose is always very sensitive, smelled it instantly. This little girl is definitely a chef!

"I didn't expect the little girl to have such a keen sense of smell. That's right, this is pork from our town."

After slightly opening the lid, Brock put it back on.

Since it's still simmering, leaving the ingredients exposed for too long will affect the taste of the finished dish.

As an ordinary farm woman in Clearspring, Brock has higher aspirations in addition to her farm work.

It was this pursuit that gradually made her the most famous chef in the village and beyond.

"Xiangling, no wonder you wanted pork from Qingquan Town, the smell is really tempting."

Paimon, who was flying to the side, couldn't help but drool as he listened to the bubbling sound from the pot.

"Xiangling?"

Upon hearing the name spoken by Paimon, Brock's heart skipped a beat, and his ears perked up.

She sized up the somewhat revealingly dressed girl in front of her and muttered to herself.

"You're Xiangling from the Liyue Manmin Hall?"

The clothing, the name, and the quality of their cooking.

If Brock still can't guess who's in front of her, then she's really too slow to react.

Xiangling, who was busy identifying other ingredients in the pot by smell with Paimon, was taken aback when she heard Brock's words.

"Oh? I didn't expect that people here would know about our Wanmintang."

Although the girl did not give a direct answer to Brock, the meaning behind her words was quite clear.

Xiangling's somewhat humble answer was seen by Brock as a provocation.

What, do you think that a poor, remote place like Springvale doesn't deserve to know about the culinary capital of Liyue Harbor?

Ah, this is perfect opportunity, as she has long wanted to learn about the culinary skills of Liyue.

"Since that's the case, how about we hear my opinion?"

Having made up his mind, Brock waved his hand, stepped over the pot, and stood in front of everyone.

"Opinion?"

"That's right. If I heard correctly, Miss Xiangling wants pork from Qingquan Town, right? If she wants it fresh, then it would be best if it were freshly slaughtered. But unfortunately, the hunters in town have been busy with the spring water issue lately, so we really can't get them to help us with this."

Then we'll do it ourselves...

Xiangling originally intended to say that, but when the words reached her lips, she realized that she needed permission before she could speak, so she could only listen silently as Brock continued.

"However... I do have a solution. Wild boars often come and cause trouble near my backyard. I was planning to take some time to chase them away, but since you all want fresh Qingquan pigs, you might as well just take them."

As he spoke, Brock's gaze began to wander.

Actually, there were no wild boars causing trouble in her backyard. She was referring to the wild boar quota allocated per person in the town, and since she was a cook, she happened to have a little bit left over, which was perfect as a lucky draw prize.

"But I have another request. I'd like to ask Miss Xiangling about Liyue's food culture, what do you say?"

When discussing pork, Brock was as approachable and kind as any ordinary farm woman. But when it came to cooking, she transformed into a sharp sword, her edge fully revealed.

Xiangling, standing opposite Brock, naturally felt this intimidating aura. She put away the bright smile that was always on her face and instead had a faint smile on her lips.

"So, if we beat you in the cooking competition, we can get the Spring Water Pork?"

"Of course not."

Perhaps he hadn't expressed himself clearly, so Brock reorganized his words.

"As long as Miss Xiangling agrees to compete with me, those pigs will be yours regardless of whether you win or lose. However... if I am lucky enough to win against you, there is one more thing I would like to ask you to do for me."

Upon hearing this, Xiangling raised her slightly cute little eyebrows, which bore a resemblance to Guoba, who was staring blankly to the side.

"Oh? Tell me about it. If it's beyond my capabilities, then it's definitely not an option."

"Haha, of course not. If I win, then please add a dish with my name 'Block' to the menu of Wanmintang. How about that?"

At this point, Brock confidently thumped his chest.

Xiangling closed her eyes and listened to the other party's request. After considering it for a moment, she felt that it wouldn't be a problem to agree to it, since she wouldn't lose out either way.

"Okay, time, place, requirements."

Watching Xiangling begin discussing the cooking duel with Brock, Bai Qiyun silently walked to the side and stood with Ying and Paimon.

He had no interest in getting involved in the culinary duel between the two guys.

"Xiangling... she's such a good cook."

Even the quick-witted Paimon couldn't find a better adjective to describe the situation.

She shifted her gaze between the two chefs with some unease.

"Yes, I can feel her passion for cooking."

The blonde girl turned her gaze and looked at Bai Qiyun, who was idling to the side.

Bai Qiyun felt somewhat uncomfortable being stared at like that.

He touched his arm, which seemed to have goosebumps.

"What's wrong?"

Ying's gaze swept across the boy's face, but her expression remained unchanged.

"It's nothing, I was just thinking that you seem a bit different from Xiangling."

"Isn't this normal? A boy and a girl, how can they be the same?"

Leaning against the railing, Bai Qiyun lay down lazily.

The sleepiness that Xiangling had dispelled was now making a comeback.

No, that's not what I meant.

Like friends chatting casually, Ying looked into the distance and leaned against the railing with Bai Qiyun.

A gentle breeze ruffled her hair, causing the golden strands that had grown on either side of her ears to sway wildly in front of the boy's eyes.

"In terms of pursuing her, I always feel like you're not as enthusiastic as she is."

"enthusiasm?"

Unable to understand the complicated negotiations between Xiangling and Brock, Paimon slunk over and overheard something that seemed quite interesting.

Bai Qiyun raised his eyelids, glanced at Ying and Paimon beside him, and said nothing.

He raised his head, rested the back of his head on the wood, and stared blankly at the high sky, as if he were recalling something.

After a long while, the boy sighed helplessly.

"There are two kinds of people in this world. One kind is those who are talented but unaware of it, focusing only on their research and shining brightly in the eyes of others. The other kind is those who have no talent but still try their best to get in, only to be blocked by the high wall called 'talent'."

"Without a doubt, Xiangling is the former."

—And I am the latter.

He closed his eyes, and darkness enveloped the boy once again.