While I was in Mondstadt, I never imagined becoming a god.

The light of alchemy flickered in the camp as the disfigured body gradually decomposed, eventually turning into dust and scattering in the wind.

Not a trace was left.

Just as Abedo said, "Let him go keep the dragon Dulin company."

Xu Chuan stood by and watched, feeling a mix of emotions.

That guy schemed and plotted, wanting to replace Aberdo and take control of himself, but in the end, he ended up like this.

Having physically defeated his enemy, Xu Chuan felt much better.

On a whim, he decided to cook dinner himself to treat everyone.

"You can cook?" Yura immediately became interested when she heard that Xu Chuan was going to cook for himself.

Having been a guerrilla rider for years, she's gotten used to living a rough life, but she has absolutely no interest in cooking.

Dry rations can't compare to a hot meal.

Sugar and Abedo, on the other hand, have typical scholarly mindsets; they excel at alchemy, but are truly hopeless when it comes to cooking.

As for Hans, the middle-aged member of the treasure-hunting gang, if he really had a skill, would he need to join a treasure-hunting gang?

Before Xu Chuan transmigrated, he was a food enthusiast who often followed food bloggers' videos to recreate all kinds of dishes, and that's how he honed his cooking skills.

In order to prepare this dinner, he dug out almost every edible food in the camp.

The samples included slime puree, several cold-resistant vegetables, sugar samples with multiple times the sweetness, and even wild boar meat from the snow-capped mountains.

Xu Chuan also added some of the other strange alchemical ingredients after inquiring about them with sugar.

Under Yura's skeptical gaze, Xu Chuan confidently began his creative work.

Cut the meat, wash the vegetables, season, and stew.

Soon, the aroma of stewed vegetables and meat filled the camp. The rich meaty fragrance mixed with the sweetness of the vegetables was enough to make anyone's mouth water.

Even Abedo, who was focused on studying the Corrupted Sword, couldn't help but look up.

"It's almost done." Xu Chuan lifted the pot lid, scooped up a piece of meat with a spoon, tasted it, and nodded in satisfaction. "It's ready to eat."

The group sat around the fire, each holding a bowl, and eagerly took a bite.

Yura, who comes from the old noble family of Lawrence in Mondstadt, has an excellent eye for fine food.

She was the first to pick up her chopsticks and the first to give her opinion.

"good to eat!"

Her eyes widened as she stared in disbelief at the stew in the bowl. "How can it taste so good?"

"Mr. Xu Chuan's cooking is truly excellent." Sugar exclaimed in admiration, taking small bites and a satisfied smile on her face.

Abedo took a bite and nodded slightly: "The vegetable stew is quite delicious. I really want Keli to try it too."

"There will be plenty of opportunities in the future," Xu Chuan said with a smile. "Eat more if you like it; I made quite a lot."

Hans held the bowl, eating with tears streaming down his face.

"If I had this skill..." he choked up as he said, "I wouldn't have ended up like this with our treasure-hunting gang!"

Everyone glanced at him, but tacitly remained silent.

Thanks to this trip to the Starry Cave, there are far fewer monsters in Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain.

The modified Ice Deception Flowers were completely wiped out, and a large number of Hilichurls and Abyss Mages were also wiped out.

It's estimated that the snow-capped mountains will be relatively calm for quite some time to come.

"Now that the matter at the snow mountain is over, it's time for us to return to Mondstadt."

Yura put down her bowl and looked out at the night outside the cave.

She said she held a grudge, but in her heart she always worried about Mondstadt after the dragon plague.

Abeldo nodded as well.

Even though he knew Jean would protect Klee after learning that the Dragon Plague had ravaged Mondstadt, he couldn't help but worry.

"Then get some rest." Xu Chuan stood up. "We'll set off early tomorrow morning."

Everyone responded and went to bed.

The next morning, as dawn broke.

The four left the camp and embarked on their journey back to Mondstadt.

Chapter Thirty: Return to Mondstadt

After their trip to Longji Snow Mountain came to an end, Xu Chuan and his group of four embarked on their journey back to Monde.

The morning light shines on the snow-white mountain ridge, reflecting a dazzling silver glow.

The snow crunched underfoot, and the white mist that condensed with each breath drifted away in the wind. The snow-capped mountains behind us gradually receded into the distance, replaced by hills that were slowly turning green.

Hans, the former treasure hunter who had narrowly escaped death, said goodbye to them at the fork in the road.

“I’m planning to go to Liyue.” He rubbed his hands together, his expression somewhat complicated. “There’s an old friend there who owes me a favor from years ago. If I go and seek refuge with him, I should be able to make a living.”

Xu Chuan glanced at him, but couldn't help but smile inwardly.

This guy's expression was a little off last night when he heard them talking about the dragon plague in Mondstadt.

Why are you suddenly saying you're going to Liyue today? Could it be that you're planning to go to another country to avoid the limelight?

And that so-called friend is probably part of a treasure-hunting gang.

Is he lucky or unlucky?

The dragon scourge in Mondstadt is indeed nearing its end, and Dvalin will soon be reawakened.

But the events in Liyue are quite significant: the Geo Archon "passed away," and the Demon God attacked Liyue Harbor—both are once-in-a-century occurrences.

I can only wish Hans good luck.

“Liyue…” Yura suddenly spoke up, “I have a friend there, and he’s quite famous.”

"Who?" Xu Chuan asked curiously.

“Yanfei.” Yura’s lips curled up slightly. “She wrote to invite me to Liyue last time and talked a lot about things there.”

Sugar's eyes lit up. "It's that famous legal consultant from Liyue Harbor!"

Yura nodded.

She gazed at the distant sky, her voice filled with longing: "I've heard that the annual Summoning Ceremony and Lantern Festival are the most lively times in Liyue. I wonder when I'll have time to go and see them."

"The summoning ceremony," Sugar whispered. "It's said that the gods of Liyue personally come to the site every year to deliver divine pronouncements."

She paused, a hint of emotion in her voice: "If Lord Barbatos could appear like the Geo Archon, perhaps the Mondstadt Dragon Plague wouldn't have happened."

The group fell silent for a moment.

Xu Chuan didn't speak, but silently complained in his heart:

That god who was slacking off didn't just disappear; he not only showed up, but he also spent his days mooching drinks at the tavern.

However, I can't say this, or it would be bad if the "Slacking-Off God" heard it.

On the way back, apart from a few attacks by careless Hilichurls, nothing else happened.

As we approached Mondstadt, the number of pedestrians and caravans on the road gradually increased.

The Knights of Favonius set up checkpoints at various intersections, doing their best to keep trade routes open and clear away the sudden increase in monsters in the wild.

As a knight passed by them, he shouted, "Hurry up and get into the city! There are a lot of monsters around lately, be careful on the road!"

Xu Chuan nodded, thinking to himself that the Knights Order certainly had a tough time.

If those fine wines don't make it to Mondstadt, the city's drunkards will probably go crazy.

"Xu Chuan—!"

A familiar voice came from ahead.

Xu Chuan looked in the direction of the sound and saw several figures walking towards them.

Paimon floated at the front, waving her little hands vigorously, her face full of joy. Behind her followed Ying, as well as Kaeya and Amber.

“Here! Here!” Paimon shouted.

"What are you doing here?" Xu Chuan went up to greet them.

"I'm out of town on some errands." Amber walked over with a grin, greeting everyone warmly, "Yura! Abedo! Sugar! Long time no see!"

Kaiya stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the group, a signature smile playing on his lips.

“Mondstadt is short-handed, and your return is timely.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the conversation turned to business.

Ying took out a small bag containing several dark red crystals, exactly the same as the one Xu Chuan had obtained before.

Dvalin's tears.

“We’re collecting these,” Paimon explained. “The Sky Harp needs their power to be restored.”

As she was talking, she suddenly noticed that Xu Chuan was also holding one in his hand.

However, that teardrop was transparent, like ordinary crystal, without any luster.

"Huh?" Paimon leaned closer. "What's this?"

Xu Chuan handed her the teardrop.

“I found it on the road,” he said, “but the power inside is gone.”

"That's it?" Paimon's eyes widened. "Did you find someone who can purify tears like Ying?"

Ying took the teardrop and examined it carefully.

A moment later, she raised her head and looked at Xu Chuan.

"Not just the corrupt power of the abyss."

"Even the power of the wind element has completely disappeared."

Her gaze fell on Xu Chuan, her eyes filled with a hint of inquiry.

She sensed a power fluctuation in him similar to that of the teardrop, but Xu Chuan remained perfectly normal, showing no signs of being corrupted.

Completely different from Tvalin.

Xu Chuan noticed her confusion, smiled, and briefly explained the story of the teardrop.

After listening, Ying remained silent for a while without asking any further questions.

“This is truly an extraordinary thing,” Kaeya said at the right moment, his tone filled with genuine appreciation. “It is Mondstadt’s good fortune to have the help of both of you.”

He looked at Abedo and Yura, neither of whom objected, which was considered an admission.

"I'm sure Commander Qin is eager to see you all," Kaiya said. "Let's go back to the city together."

The group traveled together, passed through the city gate, and arrived at the headquarters of the Knights of Favonius.

Qin was already waiting in the office.

"You've worked hard." She stood up, her gaze sweeping over the group. "I heard from Kaiya that there's been some trouble at the snow mountain?"

Abedo nodded and began to recount his experience on the snow-capped mountain.

He spoke in great detail, but also with great restraint.

Aside from the true origins of the fake Aberdo, there was almost nothing to hide.

A mutated ice flower, a modified monster, and a crazed counterfeiter trying to control everything with alchemy...

Of course, he also truthfully recounted the part where he was ultimately defeated by Xu Chuan.

Qin remained silent for a long while after listening.

“I never imagined…” she began slowly, “that besides the maddened Dvalin, the Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain also harbored such a great crisis.”

She stood up and bowed solemnly to the group.

"On behalf of the Knights of Favonius, I thank you all for your contributions."