Regarding the candidates for the Flame-Flame Fruit:
Klee didn't need it; giving such an item to her would be a complete waste. As for Diluc, he was better off tempering his own skills for now.
That left the choice between Hu Tao and Xiangling.
Hu Tao already possessed the Pure Yang Flames. After her recent evolution, her strength had already ascended to a new level.
Xiangling, on the other hand... seemed to be the logical choice.
At that moment, Mona spoke up. "I think there is really only one candidate for the Flame-Flame Fruit."
"Hmm?" Su Han turned to look at her, curious about the Astrologist's insight.
Mona spoke softly, her tone knowing. "Our little chef... she actually has a very strong sense of pride. I don't need to mention her feelings for you; every time you get hurt, she's the first to rush over.
"But more importantly, I heard from Master Mao that she's been pushing herself lately. During the day, she's busy with the Cola production, but at night, she trains alone until very late. She just wants to prove herself...
"Perhaps you should visit the subspace on Moon Mound Mountain tonight. You might find something there."
"Alright," Su Han nodded. "I understand."
By the time they returned home, night had fallen.
Su Han checked on the sleeping Qiqi. Her condition was stable and improving. It seemed she would need to sleep for a while longer, but when she woke up, who knew what she would be like?
[Dinner Time]
The group gathered around the table, staring curiously at Zilali, the Naaru-like being floating in the corner of the room.
It was a creature of pure elemental light, possessing its own wisdom.
Hu Tao poked it with her finger, her eyes widening. "Wow, it's warm..."
"My body absorbs light during the day and releases it continuously at night. Naturally, I am warm, young miss," Zilali explained politely. Its body, resembling glowing geometric shards, shifted forms in the air, illuminating the room so well that they didn't even need lamps.
Ningguang looked at Zilali and laughed. "Su Han, why do you always bring back such strange things? First the Digimon, and now this 'Naru'..."
"Don't ask me, I barely know myself! Tao-Tao... stop playing. Come eat."
Su Han called out to the young funeral director who was treating Zilali like a toy. If she didn't eat now, the food would go cold.
Zilali also chimed in gently. "Miss Hu Tao, please go have your meal. I will play with you after you are full."
"Hehe, it's a promise then!"
"Yes."
Receiving the answer she wanted, Hu Tao scrambled to the table and began shoveling rice. However, her playful nature won out; she barely ate a few mouthfuls before running back to play with Zilali, even asking if the elemental construct wanted to eat.
Zilali, being a being of light without a mouth, naturally declined.
During the meal, Su Han turned to Sucrose. "How are the Sun Grass plants coming along? Are they practical?"
"Yes! They have significantly alleviated the energy issues in the Guili Plains," Sucrose reported, her eyes lighting up with scientific enthusiasm. "I've already drafted a design to build a large-scale 'Charging Canopy' over the Guili industrial zone to absorb solar power. With that, the factories won't have to worry about power shortages.
"As for civilian use, the breeding of Sun Grass is moving quickly. With Mr. Baizhu's help today, we propagated two thousand new stalks. Once we install the cables in Liyue Harbor, we can begin electrification."
Sucrose had effectively become Liyue's Chief Engineer. Beyond design, she was also handling civil infrastructure. Over time, she had become more mature and steady, though she still retained a hint of her old shyness.
Ganyu added her own report. "The immigrants from Fontaine have settled into their work. The situation is very stable. Some of them are even planning to write to their friends back home to invite them here..."
"Talent must be poached," Su Han said decisively. "Tell them that for every skilled talent they recruit to Liyue, they will receive a 50,000 Mora bonus."
"That much?" Beidou was startled. 50,000 was a hefty sum for a referral.
Ningguang smiled. "50,000 is a bargain for skilled labor. Consider it an investment."
[Moon Mound Mountain - 10:00 PM]
Time flew by. Su Han didn't go to sleep; instead, he headed toward Moon Mound Mountain.
This was a small, artificial subspace designed for herbs that thrived in moonlight rather than sunlight. It was a quiet, mountainous terrain.
When he arrived, he saw a young girl training painstakingly under the moonlight.
"Hah!"
Flames ignited on her spear as she thrust it violently into the cliff face.
BOOM.
A dull thud resonated, and a massive web of cracks appeared on the solid rock.
"Phew... I've finally mastered the Internal Destruction aspect of Haki," Xiangling muttered to herself, wiping sweat from her forehead. "It looks like all this effort wasn't in vain..."
She was so focused she didn't notice Su Han standing behind her.
"So this is where you've been hiding instead of sleeping? Training so hard..."
"Who?! Oh... it's just Su Han-gege."
Xiangling jumped, startled by the voice. But upon seeing Su Han, she visibly relaxed.
Su Han walked over and gently took her hand, uncurling her fingers.
Looking at her palm, which was covered in fresh scrapes and old calluses, Su Han fell silent.
How long had she been doing this?
She could have trained on wooden dummies, but she chose to strike the cliff. This was the brutal way to test Advanced Armament Haki (Internal Destruction). If she could shatter the inside of the rock without pulverizing the surface, she had succeeded.
But the recoil from hitting solid stone was severe. One could only imagine the pain she had endured when she first started.
"How long have you been training like this? Why didn't you come to me?"
"Not... not that long. Just over a month," Xiangling stammered, avoiding his gaze. "Besides... Su Han-gege, you're so busy running back and forth, and there are so many other people who need guidance..."
Before she could finish, Su Han pulled her into a hug.
Tears welled up in the little chef's eyes and spilled over. She didn't know why she was crying, but being held by Su Han felt so safe, so warm. The fact that he acknowledged her hard work made her heart ache in the sweetest way.
"Don't say things like that," Su Han whispered. "You are my one and only Little Chef. No matter how busy I am, I would never forget you."
"But... my combat talent isn't very high."
"So what? With me here... I can make you stronger than anyone. Here, eat this. I prepared it specifically for you."
Su Han produced a fruit that looked like a swirling ball of fire.
Xiangling stunned, stared at it. "Th-This is the Mera Mera no Mi? It's worth five million points... You should give it to Hu Tao. I..."
"This is a gift I chose for you. Do you want to reject it?"
Looking at Su Han's gentle expression, Xiangling sniffled, touched beyond words. "Su Han-gege, you're the best..."
She took the fruit and took a big bite.
As soon as the fruit hit her tongue, the chef in her recoiled in horror. She nearly passed out.
"Urgh... cough... what is this taste?! It's disgusting! Gag..."
She barely managed to swallow the bite. Su Han took the rest away, as only one bite was needed for the power to transfer.
A moment later, a strange sensation washed over her.
"This is..."
Xiangling raised her arm. Her skin dissolved into swirling flames. She had become the element itself.
She immediately tested her new power.
She gripped her spear and lightly thrust it forward.
ROAR.
A massive pillar of fire erupted, instantly vaporizing the section of the cliff she had been hitting. The destructive power had increased tenfold—and this was just the beginning.
"Wow... I've become so strong!!"
Xiangling jumped up and down, ecstatic. The gloom of feeling inadequate vanished instantly.
Su Han offered some advice. "The Flame-Flame Fruit grants you control over fire, but fire has many forms. Don't be limited. Think about Firefly Light, Solar Fire, Cold Fire, or even Red Lotus Hellfire. Explore the variations."
"En! I understand, Su Han-gege!"
The Little Chef gave a sweet smile, stood on her tiptoes, and planted a quick kiss on his lips. Then, she turned and ran away, face burning redder than her flames.
"That girl..." Su Han touched his lips, shaking his head with a smile. "She could have kissed me for a little longer. Oh well, next time."
[The Next Morning]
When Su Han woke up, he found a young girl sitting quietly by his bed.
She had short, light purple hair. When she saw him open his eyes, a spark of intelligence and life—previously absent—shone in her gaze.
"Qiqi? You're awake."
"En. Thank you, Big Brother Su Han, for helping me," Qiqi said softly. Her voice was clear, no longer slow or disjointed. "My body feels much better. My head... isn't foggy anymore. Before, I would always forget things, and I couldn't even speak in full sentences. Thank you so much."
The girl hopped off the stool and bowed politely.
Su Han smiled. "No need to thank me. I'm happy to help. I see the talisman is gone from your forehead. You don't need the orders to move anymore?"
"En. But... I still keep the talisman on me," Qiqi said, opening her small pouch to show the golden charm resting inside. "If one day... I lose control or go berserk, this can be used to suppress me."
"I see," Su Han nodded. "Well then, for the time being, you should stay at the Jade Chamber to train. I've already spoken to Baizhu; you don't need to go herb gathering anymore."
"Okay. Big Brother Su Han... Qiqi will listen to your arrangements."
The girl smiled sweetly.
However, the peaceful atmosphere lasted exactly three seconds.
A loud voice echoed from the hallway.
"QIQI! Where are you?! It's me, Hu Tao! Open the dooooor!"
The natural predator had arrived.