New World (Genshin Impact x OC)

Chapter 23: The Serenitea Pot

Opening 2

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A day has passed since the expedition with Zhongli, as Lucius and Paimon are walking at Yujing Terrace.

Lucius: It's still a shock, you know...

Paimon: Yeah, I mean... Paimon kept her mouth shut, right? Paimon didn't accidentally blurt it out?

Lucius: No, you never mentioned it at all, and neither did I.

Paimon: Not to mention, apparently Venti knows about how you're not from here.

Lucius: (sigh) Let's just continue the conversation when we're not in the city. We don't want anyone else to know unless I say so.

Paimon: Fair enough.

???: Ah, children, come, come! Haha, you've arrived at just the right moment. I've been looking for you.

A voice calls out as they look to their right and see Madame Ping.

Lucius: Oh, (bows) good morning, Madame Ping. How are you today?

Madame Ping: Oh, I'm doing swell, child, thank you for asking. 

Paimon: So, do you need any help?

Madame Ping: Oh, no, no. You've done so much for Liyue Harbor already. I could hardly ask for more. In fact, my old friends and I have been putting our heads together to think of what sort of gift we might give you in return.

Paimon: A gift?

Lucius: I only did as I should. Expecting something for my actions is rather selfish.

Madame Ping: Haha, oh, child. You are so very modest — uncommonly so, even. But you mustn't decline this gift, I simply won't allow it. When you traversed my old teapot in search of the Cleansing Bell, I heard your little friend mention that you often camp out in the wilds...

Lucius: Yeah... we do that. We've gotten used to it.

Madame Ping: That simply won't do — especially since, I imagine, you still have a very long journey ahead of you. Fortunately, I have not yet grown so old as to see my Sub-Space Creation abilities atrophy...

Lucius: Sub-Space Creation?

Madame Ping: Oh? Did my friends never mention that to you? Well then. It is a blessing we old folks once received from Rex Lapis — part of our "illumination," if you will. I will not go into too much detail, but Sub-Space Creation is the ability to create small, autonomous pocket world. The teapot that you entered previously was a little trinket created using that ability.

Lucius: A "trinket," you say...

Paimon: So, in the eyes of any adeptus, creating a magic teapot world is just child's play, huh?

Madame Ping: Indeed, the teapot is nothing to boast of. One such as myself must depart from this realm to create a world of one's own. Rex Lapis, on the other hand, moved mountains and seas... That is what one might call an exercise of true power.

Madame Ping: But that's enough nostalgia for now. The gift that I have prepared for you just requires a few final materials to add the finishing touch...

Lucius: So what are the missing materials?

Paimon: That's right! Finding stuff is what we're good at, after all!

Madame Ping: Ho ho! Settle down now children, there is no need for you to go running hither and thither... I have already found a fleet-footed youngster to prepare what I need. What's more, I doubt that you would know how to find the materials I am searching for. Some of them are very rare indeed these days...