The romantic ambiance of the candlelit dinner stimulated the hormones within Feng Yi and Eula.
Candlelight flickered, and the shadows of the two gradually intertwined.
...
A thousand words omitted here.
The next morning, after having breakfast, Feng Yi and Eula bid a temporary farewell and returned to the Cat's Tail tavern.
As soon as he entered, he saw several patrons dressed like adventurers gathered around a table, listening with great excitement.
Feng Yi was curious and quietly approached, only to find not only Bennett, the unlucky one, but also Venti, holding a wine glass, joining the fun.
"Venti, who is this person?"
Feng Yi came next to Venti and nudged him a couple of times.
The middle-aged man sitting in the main seat looked somewhat familiar. He was recounting an adventure story about ancient ruins.
"Eh? You don't even know the renowned Mr. Stanley of Mondstadt?"
Before Venti could answer, a young adventurer nearby chimed in first.
"Hello, I'm a new adventurer, my name is Jack. The great adventurer telling the story is named Stanley. He once journeyed to the uninhabited Ash Sea and published 'Stanley's Wonderful Adventures,' which is very popular among Mondstadt adventurers. He's a legendary great adventurer..."
Jack said with a look of adoration.
It was precisely after reading the book "Stanley's Wonderful Adventures" that he decided to become an adventurer.
Mr. Stanley was his guide, holding a revered and great position in Jack's heart.
"Hehe, young man, you're here to listen to my great Stanley tell stories too, aren't you? Find a seat and listen well. Today, you're in for a treat. The story I'm telling now isn't in 'Stanley's Wonderful Adventures'..."
Stanley said with his nostrils flared, full of pride.
"No, I was just passing by."
Feng Yi waved his hand, preparing to leave.
He knew who this self-proclaimed Stanley was: an adventurer who wore the name of a dear friend but was undeserving of it, who had lived half his life in self-reproach and guilt. His apparent arrogance was all a facade.
"That's good... Wait? What?! Young man, I am Stanley, Mondstadt's most famous adventurer! Your attitude is incorrect! I am a living legend, a warrior who reached the Ash Sea, Stanley!"
Stanley froze. Why was his always-successful fame not working on this young man?
"It's true! Mr. Stanley is amazing!"
Jack quickly stepped in to defend Mr. Stanley and maintain his idol's prestige.
But Feng Yi still smiled, waved his hand, and went to sit on a nearby sofa, ordering a drink mixed by Diona.
"Hmph, continue with my adventure story with my companions, Jack. Where was I?"
Seeing the young man show no respect, Stanley snorted and turned away, ignoring him.
"We were talking about the legendary Ash Sea. Not a breath of wind, it was terrifying!"
"Yes! The silence there was ear-splitting. The 'sea' as far as the eye could see was composed of ash, it was too frightening. My companion was almost swept away by a whirlpool stirred up by a monster. Thankfully, I held him tightly!"
"Waaah! Is he alright?"
"Regrettably... in the end, only I returned to our homeland. The tears fell from my eyes as the wind blew..."
"Mr. Stanley, I know the greatest achievement of an adventurer is to die on the road of their final adventure. And, absolutely, absolutely, one must not die in a place without wind, letting the wind carry their soul back to Mondstadt!"
"That's right! Our ideal is to die in a place with wind, and let the wind carry our souls back to Mondstadt!"
"..."
Feng Yi sipped his drink, quietly watching Stanley's boastful tales.
"Feng Yi, aren't Mr. Stanley's adventure stories very interesting?"
Venti soon walked over, sat beside Feng Yi, took a sip of the fine wine, and said with a smile.
"The stories themselves are good, it's just..."
Feng Yi sighed, saying no more.
"I have a new discovery. Take a look at Stanley's back with this..."
Venti handed Feng Yi the crystal lens from yesterday.
Feng Yi had returned it to him when they went back yesterday.
"No need for this. Are you going to say that Stanley also has an imaginary friend behind him? Dressed as an adventurer, with behavior basically synchronized with Stanley's?"
Feng Yi smiled and refused. After concentrating his mental power on his eyes, he could see through illusory images without the crystal lens.
"Heh... So you've learned this trick too. Stanley's imaginary companion, judging by his appearance, is a battle-hardened warrior... covered in scars, with a resolute expression..."
Venti put away the crystal lens, watching Stanley's imaginary friend behind him and analyzing.
"Do you think this person resembles the Stanley described in Stanley's stories?"
Feng Yi smiled slightly.
"The Stanley described by Stanley, how interesting. It seems Mr. Stanley has some hidden secrets..."
Venti chuckled. Hearing Feng Yi's words, he also guessed some things.
"It's getting late. That's all for today's stories, young adventurers. Be brave and explore the land beneath your feet! We'll meet again next time!"
After a while, Stanley got up and left the tavern.
The young adventurers, inspired by Mr. Stanley's stories, packed their bags with renewed spirit and prepared to venture into the wilds.
Everyone dispersed, leaving only the novice adventurer named Jack still in the tavern, sitting on a chair with a pensive frown.
"Young adventurer, are you troubled by something?"
Venti walked up to him and asked softly.
"It's Mr. Venti... It's like this, a few days ago, Mr. Stanley got drunk and told me some unspeakable secrets. The weapons he used in his adventures back then were relics of the great hero Vanessa – the 'Sword of Glorious Courage' and the 'Shield of Radiant Will'!"
"You might not believe me, but these two weapons are still hidden within Mondstadt, in Dadaupa Gorge! I'm a bit scared to go alone, could you please accompany me to find these weapons?"
From gathering information, Jack learned that Dadaupa Gorge was inhabited by many Hilichurls.
Jack: I'm not scared, I just want someone to travel with, to share the joy of treasure hunting... Yes, that's right!