"You b*****d, are these things even edible?" Keqing furiously brushed her teeth, looking like she wanted to replace them all. She shot a glare at Smith, her frustration clear.
"I'm doing this for your own good. That tonic contains divine power—it will help strengthen your body and enhance the development of your Vision." Smith paused for a moment before adding, "If you acquire a Dendro Vision, my power can help you awaken and develop it quickly."
Keqing considered this. A Dendro Vision wasn't something she opposed. If developed correctly, it could complement her existing Electro and Pyro Visions.
"Can I handle a third Vision now?" she asked hesitantly. She worried that adding another element might interfere with her current abilities. If she didn't adapt quickly, losing to Tartaglia would be a real possibility.
Smith nodded. "Yes, but having multiple Visions is a significant burden on the body. You should have noticed by now that wielding two has already enhanced your strength beyond that of normal humans. Of course, you're still a step away from immortals."
"I disagree. I believe I'm already as strong as Yanfei, and while she may not be the strongest half-Qilin, she's no pushover either." Keqing quickly defended herself. "The second Vision boosted my power significantly. Before I had any, I'd say my combat ability was a six. After developing my Electro Vision, I reached ten. If I further refine my skills, I can improve even more. My Pyro Vision has pushed me to twelve, and through elemental reactions, I can momentarily raise my power to fifteen. My physical endurance remains at twelve, though. Using both elements at once is taxing, but my internal cultivation has been strengthening my body."
"I see." Smith gave a knowing nod. "I believe you can withstand the strain, but acquiring a fourth Vision in the near future might be difficult. Normally, this would take years, but since we often receive items from other worlds, your development could be accelerated. My divine power can also help fortify your body and increase your affinity with the Dendro element."
Keqing's eyes narrowed. "You just want me to drink that tonic, don't you?"
Smith smirked. "What's the problem? I drank yours, didn't I?"
Keqing stomped on his foot in irritation. "How is that even the same?!" Still, despite her frustration, she quietly exchanged for the Dendro Vision. She really had fallen for Smith's tricks.
---
When Smith entered the study, he found Nashida engrossed in a book. "Did you stay up all night reading?"
Nashida set the book down and smiled. "Sleep isn't particularly necessary for me right now. I spent too much time trapped in slumber before. Besides, the books here are fascinating—there are stories about Morax and even economic studies that are incredibly insightful."
She sighed and shook her head. "Sumeru was once the land of wisdom, but somewhere along the way, the Akademiya started dismissing certain knowledge as unimportant. These economic books, for example, aren't highly regarded in the Akademiya, yet they're crucial for governance. The current system in Sumeru has its flaws."
"Economics is indeed vital," Smith agreed. "Even in my previous world, it played a crucial role in national management. Governments regulated economies to maintain stability and growth."
Nashida nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. And those martial arts manuals—those come from outside this world, correct? I examined them and found they integrate well into Teyvat's existing knowledge. There are many techniques here. Can I study them?"
"You want to learn martial arts?" Smith raised an eyebrow. "To be honest, even if you master every technique, I don't think it will benefit you much in direct combat."
Nashida chuckled. "I'm aware. I may not be skilled in battle, but when it comes to analyzing combat strategies, I excel. I intend to refine and integrate these martial arts, improving them. There are simply too many, and some techniques could be streamlined."
Smith considered her words. "That makes sense. Just make sure to leave a copy of your findings in Liyue as well."
"Of course!" Nashida beamed. She was relieved—Smith had granted her access to invaluable knowledge, and he clearly considered her an ally. Being part of his guild was proving to be a great decision.
"Would you like to have breakfast together?" Smith asked.
Nashida hesitated for a moment before smiling. "I would love to, but I think you should take care of Miss Keqing first. Even an Archon would feel exhausted after running for several hours non-stop."
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