Early morning. Su Bai was enjoying an exquisite dream where Shenhe waited on him hand and foot, pouring tea and attending to his every need. Before he could properly relish his authority, a fragrant aroma kicked him out of slumber. Recognizing the distinct scent of the Inazuman specialty—Bone Broth Noodles—Su Bai rubbed his sleepy eyes and got up to head downstairs.
Downstairs, Eula sat at the table, happily slurping noodles. Having rarely left Mondstadt, this was her first time trying Bone Broth Noodles.
That morning, when she saw Yae Miko carrying two large soup bones and announcing she'd make breakfast, Eula had braced herself for some kind of dark cuisine. To her surprise, it turned out absolutely delicious. The chewy noodles paired perfectly with the rich broth, instantly conquering Eula's taste buds.
After downing her third bowl, Eula couldn't eat another bite. She leaned back weakly in her chair, rubbing her slightly protruding tummy with some distress.
"Sister Miko, after staying at your place for a few days, I feel like I'm gaining weight. At this rate, I'll actually develop a belly."
"Hehe, little one. If I remember correctly, isn't today your patrol day~? If you don't get moving soon, this little captain might just be late."
By the stove, Yae Miko wore an apron as she pulled noodles. Seeing her young friend's unhurried demeanor, she offered a 'helpful' reminder. Eula's expression changed dramatically. Right! Today her reconnaissance squad was responsible for patrol! Oh no, oh no—assembly time was approaching!
"No time to chat, Sister Miko! I'm off to patrol! Save me some dinner!"
Grabbing her Sacrificial Greatsword from beside the table, Eula charged out the door. Yae Miko watched her retreating figure from the kitchen with narrowed, smiling eyes. This lively, impulsive little one was quite to her liking.
"What's wrong with Eula? So rushy. Vigorous exercise right after eating isn't good for you."
Su Bai stretched and sat down at the table. Spotting that large steaming bowl of Bone Broth Noodles, he picked up his chopsticks, ready to sample Yae Miko's cooking—when suddenly a pair of hands snatched the bowl away.
Following the bowl's trajectory, Su Bai realized Venti had somehow materialized at the table. This scoundrel clumsily wielded chopsticks, fishing around in the noodles. Noticing Su Bai's stare, Venti grinned sheepishly.
"Little Bai, these noodles are delicious! Eat up—why are you looking at me?"
"You son of a—THOSE WERE MY NOODLES! What am I supposed to eat now?! I'm remembering this grudge!"
"Hehe, don't sweat the details. Here, have this piece of meat."
Venti offered a chunk of meat with his chopsticks. Su Bai shot the shameless Anemo Archon a withering glare. If he could actually defeat this guy, he'd have made him regret it long ago.
"Spit it out. What brings you here today? Last night while sleeping, I think I vaguely heard Dvalin screaming."
Rubbing his fox ears, Su Bai recalled how Dvalin's cries had nearly woken him. Venti tilted his head curiously. Stormterror's Lair was so far from Mondstadt—the sound shouldn't have carried. Curious as he was, Venti still managed to slurp noodles while pondering.
Slurp~ "Indeed. Dvalin did get beaten up pretty badly last night. But thankfully, he's regained his senses now. The Dragon of the East has returned."
"Resolved? Who did it? Don't tell me it was you, Barbatos?"
Su Bai found this entirely plausible. If Dvalin couldn't fly, Jean and the others might have managed—but the key was that Dvalin could fly, and Mondstadt had no adepti. Thinking it through, only Barbatos personally intervening seemed possible.
"Don't worry about that. Little Bai, I came to give you this."
Barbatos pulled a glowing cyan chess piece from his chest. In the kitchen, Yae Miko's movements paused momentarily. She never imagined she'd live to see a second Gnosis—though she couldn't help noticing how weak this Anemo Archon's Gnosis felt.
"Oh? You actually brought it? I thought it'd take longer to get my hands on it."
Su Bai took the Gnosis from Venti and examined it curiously. He had to admit—while the Gnosis was amazing, its appearance wasn't as nice as Ningguang's precious chess piece collection.
For one thing, Ningguang's chess pieces glowed in the dark—a feature Su Bai absolutely adored. Who could resist exquisite chess pieces that glow at night?
"I wonder who crafted this Gnosis. Absolutely no artistic sense whatsoever."
Su Bai's comment made Venti spray noodles everywhere. Two particularly long strands flew from his nostrils onto the table. Seeing Venti nearly choking to death, Su Bai quickly poured him some water.
After much commotion, Venti finally recovered. Good grief—he'd nearly become the first deity in Teyvat to choke on noodles! Would that count as pioneering something? Would future generations compose poetry commemorating this event?
No, no—now wasn't the time for such thoughts. Venti shook his head, dispelling these strange ideas. Watching Su Bai still studying the Gnosis:
"Little Bai, hurry up and use it. I still need to go put on an act."
"An act? Venti, since when did you branch out into acting? Is the bard profession that unprofitable?"
Even while teasing Venti, Su Bai had begun slowly guiding the divine power within the Gnosis. The cyan energy belonging to the Anemo Archon gradually flowed into Su Bai's body. An unprecedented lightness enveloped him, creating a wonderful sensation—as if a single light jump could carry him from the base of Mt. Aocang straight to its peak.
This buoyancy didn't last long. The divine power flowing into Su Bai's body began rapidly depleting, and an indescribable tearing sensation erupted from within.
"OW! SON OF A—WHY DOES THIS HURT SO MUCH?! Last time I used that old hag Ei's Gnosis, it was just a tingly numbness!"
"Barbatos, you scoundrel—are you getting back at me?!"
THUD. Su Bai collapsed onto the table. The agony of his body feeling torn apart made him wonder if he even still owned his own form. Venti looked equally bewildered. He hadn't known what Su Bai wanted the Gnosis for, nor had he expected Su Bai to be so reckless as to directly absorb his divine power.
"Little Bai, are you sure you're a fox and not a tiger? Weak as I may be, I'm still the Anemo Archon. Ordinary people simply cannot absorb my divine power."
Su Bai had neither strength nor inclination to retort now. His already pale face had turned deathly white, enough to cause concern. But constantly monitoring his own body, Su Bai knew these divine powers weren't destroying him. They were strengthening him.