Ultimately, Ryan accepted the new job.
It paid well, involved little work, and only required him to show up once every six months, making it a lucrative offer.
He happily had dinner with Diluc, and together they cleared out ninety percent of the food.
Under Diluc's astonished gaze, Ryan patted his unchanged stomach and let out a satisfied burp.
"There's a saying in my world: 'To be able to eat is a blessing!' My appetite is a bit big, please don't mind it."
Ryan embarrassedly wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"Is that so!" Diluc had someone bring another plate of fruit.
"Um…" Ryan looked at the night Sky outside, at the Wind Crystal Butterflies fluttering among the grapevines.
"What is it? Speak freely," Diluc said, observing him.
"I have a friend who really likes these shiny Alchemy items," Ryan leaned forward, with the hopeful expectation of fulfilling a dream, "Could you give me a net so I can catch some Wind Crystal Butterflies?"
"Don't worry, I won't damage the grape trellis or step on the grapevines."
Diluc: "???"
You deliberated for so long just to say that?
How old are you! Still catching butterflies.
However, considering you're from another world and haven't seen these elemental creatures, I won't fuss over it.
"It's a small matter. Since you have such leisure, then…" Diluc said to Hailey, the maid standing by, "Hailey, go fetch someone's childhood toys."
"Yes!" Hailey bowed.
The "someone" referred to by the Master was naturally the Master's former playmate, Young Master Kaeya.
Soon, a net on a long stick was brought over by Hailey.
"Thank you!" Ryan took the slightly old toy, and ignoring the surprised looks of the Dawn Winery workers, he headed straight for the vineyard.
Diluc held his tea and watched Ryan from the window for a long while.
A warm memory flickered in his eyes.
In the night, the beautiful spirits glowed brighter than fireflies.
Ryan tiptoed, crouching down, clearly seeing the Wind Crystal Butterflies fluttering on the grapevines.
The Dawn Winery seemed to be favored by the breeze; there were many of these pure elemental life forms, aggregated from Wind Elemental particles.
Even if they were captured, new ones would be born the next day.
"So…"
"I won't hold back!"
Ryan held the net, ready to jump.
But he found that the Wind Crystal Butterflies were exceptionally sensitive to the flow of wind.
The slight airflow created by a person was sensed from afar, startling them and making them fly high into the Sky.
Looking at the Wind Crystal Butterflies flying high, Ryan had already anticipated this.
"As expected, it's not that easy!"
The difficulty of catching them was a hundred times that of ordinary butterflies.
He aimed at the next one,
Rushed over, leaped up, and swung the net down rapidly.
The strong wind created by his movement carried the Wind Crystal Butterflies away with the wind.
"I swing!"
"I swing again!"
Ryan was energized, determined not to give up until he achieved his goal.
After several attempts, he grasped a hint of a technique.
Great effort yields miracles; he moved faster than the Wind Crystal Butterflies, directly catching one.
The captured Wind Crystal Butterfly struggled a few times, then lost its Life Qi, turning into a crystalline core that fell into the net.
Ryan held it in his hand and played with it for a while, then continued his efforts.
Quick eyes and hands, fully concentrated.
He wanted to sweep up all the surrounding Wind Crystal Butterflies.
The moonlight was hazy, and Diluc finished a cup of tea.
On his expressionless face, a subtle smile appeared for the second time.
Today's smile seemed to be a month's worth.
Ryan played to his heart's content, gradually striving for silence in his movements, his clothes unmoving, his breathing unheard.
He followed the natural principles of Taiji, integrating into the Dao.
My wind is the wind of nature.
My net, with the wind, against the wind, will be like a phantom.
Subtle insights, bit by bit, accumulated within him, allowing him to consciously adjust his steps, his arms, and his entire state.
His mind was unprecedentedly clear, and his movements were unprecedentedly profound.
However, after only a few minutes,
He lost this state, only able to savor the regretful aftertaste.
Weighing the twenty-seven cores in his pocket, Ryan decided to go to sleep.
There was no shining light left in the vineyard; the Wind Crystal Butterflies had either disappeared, hidden under the eaves, or flown far away…
Hailey, waiting at the door, walked over: "The Master has already gone to rest! Guest, if you need anything, you can always tell us!"
Ryan waved his hand: "I don't need anything, just take me to my room!"
"Certainly! Guest!" Hailey bowed and pointed the way, "Your room is on the second floor by the window, please follow me!"
"Second floor?" Ryan's expression was strange as he glanced at the maid wearing black stockings, low heels, and a black and white long dress.
He remembered that in the game, the second floor was mysterious, and a guest had gone missing, which Hailey and Moko discussed daily at the door.
He suddenly felt a bit uneasy.
Fortunately, the night passed without incident!
There were no ghosts, nor any murder cases.
He got dressed, packed his bag, and went downstairs to greet Diluc.
By noon, the two set off back to Mondstadt.
Ryan's carriage helped carry some drinks and wine.
Diluc generously paid a considerable fee.
"Giddy up!"
Directing the two tall horses, he joined the large convoy.
Ryan took one last look at the winery, and at the distant Stone Gate.
Liyue, beyond the mountains, awaits me.
I will come.
He suppressed his eagerness to go to that country, so similar to his homeland.
For now, he was still weak.
He couldn't abandon Mondstadt's Foundation and his friends to go elsewhere and re-establish himself.
Sun and moon ceaseless,
The convoy entered the canyon, and Ryan specifically paid attention to the damaged fruit stall shed.
He didn't see the Treasure Hoarders.
Whether they left on their own or were rescued was unknown!
On the way, they encountered another group of Hilichurls.
The guards from Dawn Winery easily dealt with them.
When they encountered a small Ice Slime, they simply caught it and used its low temperature to make a bucket of cold drinks, which they gave to the travelers.
In the Sky, Stormterror appeared more and more frequently.
Although he hadn't stirred up a storm, according to Diluc, the surrounding element flow and ley line circulation had been completely disrupted.
Hilichurls and Slimes couldn't control their instincts and were constantly gathering, which could very likely lead to a second monster siege.
Ryan hesitated whether to tell them about the Abyss Mage.
But his contact with the Abyss Mage couldn't withstand scrutiny; even if it was a temporary measure, it might displease some people.
They might suspect his entry into Mondstadt had ulterior motives.
"Let's talk about it later! Right now, without Lumine's purification power, knowing about it is useless. There's no way to save Dvalin or change the control and Gu."
Ryan reviewed the beginning of the game's plot.
He set aside his worries.
He had seen the Anemo God chasing his rebellious pet the day before yesterday, and he wondered if he had caught him.
Hopefully, he didn't get beaten away by his pet.
"Achoo!" In Wind Dragon Ruins, a green figure sneezed, escaping from the hurricane.
He touched the Dragon drool on his face with his hand.
"Who's thinking of me these days? In the wind, there is your whisper!"
"Roar!" An angry, questioning Dragon roar carried in waves.
Barbatos quickly made his escape.
"Honestly, he's angry again! I'm leaving, I'm leaving, alright!"
"I really miss that obedient Little Cutie from before!"
"Let's see what new things are happening in Mondstadt City! Do the people at the tavern miss me, their Bard."
"The wind is rising!"
With the wind, the Bard took out his small lyre and sang a song of the high Sky.