Genshin Impact, the spear remains.

"Hello!"

The cook waved her arms and ran over from in front of the house with cheerful steps.

"It seems you've finished your talks."

Seeing Brock already preparing, Bai Qiyun shuddered and stood up from the railing.

I almost let him fall asleep while he was lying down.

"Yes, we'll have a cooking competition here this afternoon!"

When it comes to cooking battles, Xiangling becomes exceptionally excited.

In her short life of just over ten years, she has experienced very few culinary duels, and this time it is a duel with a foreign chef, which excites her just by thinking about it.

"Oh, then I wish you good luck in the competition."

Even though the girl in front of him was so excited, Bai Qiyun remained expressionless, as if he didn't care about these things at all.

"Hey, you're the one cooking, why do you seem a bit unenthusiastic?"

Paimon flew up to Bai Qiyun and tried to get his attention by waving his hands.

But instead of receiving enthusiastic looks, Bai Qiyun waved his hand and sent her to Ying's side.

"Of course I'm not interested. Although that person named Brock is very strong, if she really gets serious, her chances of defeating Xiangling are less than 10% at most."

Bai Qiyun recalled the proportions of the seasonings in the other person's pot, and it was obvious that the other person had gone down the wrong path.

Although the aroma of the meat was very prominent, some of the seasonings were unbalanced. The dish was the kind that was amazing at first bite, but became more and more bland as you ate it, which was also a reflection of the chef's lack of skill.

"So certain before the competition even starts?!"

Paimon had originally planned to cheer Xiangling on, but now she felt a little embarrassed.

However, she still didn't understand why Bai Qiyun was so certain of Xiangling's victory; perhaps there was some secret behind it.

With his head down and eyelids drooping, Bai Qiyun yawned.

"But no matter what, you're definitely going to give it your all, right?"

Although he didn't want to admit it, Bai Qiyun, who had grown up with Xiangling since childhood, knew Xiangling's personality inside and out.

Although there was a reason for it, it was clear that Xiangling would never let go of this opportunity to compete with someone.

"Of course! As a chef, you have to give it your all at all times!"

No matter when, Xiangling is always the energetic Xiangling.

She kept twirling her arms in the air, making a show of great enthusiasm.

"Hehe, let's hurry up and find the right materials."

The cook couldn't wait to set off right now to the opposite mountain to see what unique and delicious ingredients Mondstadt had, and then bring some back with her when she returned home.

"Us? What 'us'? I'm going back to sleep. Good luck."

But Bai Qiyun had no intention of helping at all. If Xiangling hadn't been talking to someone else and he hadn't felt it would be impolite to leave without saying goodbye, he would have gone back to catch up on his sleep long ago.

I got up early but didn't see anything, except for some trouble.

Although Guoba is cute, Bai Qiyun now finds the bed even cuter; the bed at home is beckoning to him.

"Feed~"

Paimon stretched out her short arms and pulled hard on Bai Qiyun, who had just taken a step. Judging from her small body, it was quite a struggle.

"Hey, you who cooks, why are you sleeping again?"

The little elf, upon hearing Bai Qiyun's unambitious words, puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms in anger.

"Hmm? This isn't the time for you to stay home and sleep all day."

Listening to Paimon's words, Bai Qiyun found it somewhat amusing. Who was it that had just fallen asleep on the sofa earlier?

He doesn't want to mention it.

But looking at Guoba beside him and Ying watching the show, he knew he wouldn't be able to catch up on his sleep today.

"Alright, alright, I'll go with you then."

"What's wrong? You look so unwilling."

----------

After agreeing on the time and place for the cooking duel, the group accompanied Xiangling towards the back mountain of Qingquan Town.

Although Bai Qiyun thought this behavior was a complete waste of time, he couldn't resist the enthusiasm of the crowd and could only follow behind Paimon and Xiangling, hanging at the end of the group with Ying.

Honestly, why bother with these Mondstadt specialties? Just go find a merchant directly.

Bai Qiyun stared with dead fish eyes, constantly scanning his surroundings.

Well, from the moment he saw Xiangling, Bai Qiyun switched to "hometown mode" and became completely dejected.

It's mainly because seeing a certain person makes him feel irritable.

"Speaking of which, Xiangling, what's a cooking showdown?"

However, unlike the taciturn duo behind them, Paimon and Xiangling in front were both chatterboxes. The little white sprites fluttered their silk scarves and flew around Xiangling, asking her all sorts of questions.

"A cooking competition... well, it's basically two people cooking and then having a few judges taste the dishes to determine the winner."

Xiangling bit her finger, recalling her past cooking duels.

Actually, she hadn't participated in any particularly formal cooking competitions; they were all private comparisons, and she lost more often than she won.

"Hey! Then...then can I be a judge?"

As soon as he heard there was something delicious to eat, Paimon couldn't wait to be the first to step forward.

Perhaps she didn't actually want to be a judge; she was just simply a glutton.

However, although Paimon's kindness touched Xiangling, she still firmly shook her head.

"No, the judges of the cooking competition can't be biased. Although I really want to cook for Paimon, it would be unfair to Miss Brock."

"Alright then~"

Clearly, Paimon was a little down after being rejected by Xiangling, which made Xiangling feel a bit embarrassed.

"Don't do that. If Paimon wants to eat it, I'll make it for you when I have time."

"Really!"

Paimon's shifting expressions reminded Bai Qiyun of the broken table lamp at home, which would make a crackling sound and flicker on and off when there was a bad connection.

"Speaking of which, doesn't it seem a bit colder?"

Bai Qiyun, who was trailing at the end of the line, felt that the surroundings had suddenly become colder than before. He scratched his forearm, which was covered in goosebumps due to the change in environment.

Perhaps because everyone was strolling in the mountains, the temperature difference in the mountains was indeed greater than in the villages.

But it's the height of summer now, how come it's suddenly so cold?

"Hmm, it really does seem to have gotten colder."

Ying, who had remained silent the whole way, nodded after taking in her surroundings.

Tiny dewdrops even clung to her slender eyes; she wouldn't have noticed them herself if Bai Qiyun hadn't mentioned it.

"There seems to be someone up ahead!"

From his high vantage point, Paimon saw a person lying unconscious on the ground not far away. Judging from the appearance, it seemed to be a hunter from Clear Spring Town.