"Why are you looking at me?"
Hu Tao looked at everyone strangely and muttered, "You wouldn't think I'd reject Totems of Undying, would you? Although this Hall Master is strong, I wouldn't mind an extra treasure for saving my life."
Ganyu pursed her lips, curious, "But Hall Master Hu... this is a Totem of Undying farm..."
"Isn't that even better? Everyone can have many Totems of Undying, wouldn't that be safer?"
Hu Tao looked completely reasonable. After a moment's thought, she suddenly realized, "You think the appearance of Totems of Undying will affect Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business, so you're worried this Hall Master will be angry?"
"Hehe, you really underestimate this Hall Master!"
Hu Tao proudly puffed out her chest.
"To be honest, when I first learned about the Totem of Undying's effect, I was a little unhappy."
"But this Hall Master is smart and clever, and I quickly figured out this small matter!"
"Totems of Undying are indeed somewhat defiant of the cycle of life and death, yin and yang, but even Rex Lapis cannot fully comprehend the Dao of life and death."
"How can we be sure that Totems of Undying are not a part of the cycle of reincarnation?"
"Moreover, maintaining the order of life and death, yin and yang, is a rule of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and a creed this Hall Master must uphold throughout her life."
"But, while order in yin and yang is important, and the peace of the deceased is important, life itself is also the most important and most precious treasure worth protecting, isn't it?"
"Totems of Undying can save many people from unwarranted disasters. Given that, why should this Hall Master be conflicted?"
"Ultimately, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is only responsible for the deceased of Liyue. Grandpa never taught me that to develop Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I should stand by and watch Liyue's citizens suffer and die."
Hu Tao's words made everyone feel a little emotional.
After all, Hu Tao, who navigates between life and death, truly saw many things with great clarity.
Just as she once accepted bone meal, Hu Tao respects the essence of every law of life and death.
She might find it hard to understand, but that doesn't stop her from accepting and respecting such laws.
As she said, life and death are philosophies no one can truly comprehend. Since understanding is impossible, accepting it calmly is also a form of wisdom.
Of course, if Jiang Xuan insisted that all deceased Liyue residents could be revived with Totems of Undying,
even if he said Totems of Undying could revive her own grandpa, Hu Tao would not accept it.
That would be a true defiance of life and death, trampling on the principles she and Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had steadfastly upheld for countless years.
While deep in thought, Hu Tao suddenly blinked.
"Of course, the most important reason is..."
"Totems of Undying only prevent people from dying due to external attacks. Natural death isn't included, right?"
"If that's the case, what impact does it have on Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business? Hehe, do you really think this Hall Master enjoys sending those in the prime of their lives to the afterlife?"
"They are a group of very pitiful people. They could have enjoyed more beautiful times in their lives."
"This Hall Master always feels a great pity when collecting their bodies."
Hu Tao said this lightly, but anyone could hear the weight in her words.
A young girl carried the burden of maintaining life and death and caring for the deceased.
Even if the people of Liyue could understand and respect her, at the end of the day, human instinct would still make them keep their distance.
Hu Tao, who traveled in the wilderness to collect the bodies of those who died tragically, maintained their final dignity and wishes.
Under such work, it was especially rare for Hu Tao to maintain such a childlike innocence.
"Also... even if there's a farm, such precious things as Totems of Undying can't possibly be fully equipped throughout Liyue Harbor, can they?"
"This Hall Master isn't worried, so what are you worrying about!"
Hearing this, everyone exchanged a smile, and Ningguang composed herself.
Hu Tao didn't need their help. After personally sending her grandpa to the afterlife, Hu Tao became an adult capable of bearing the heavy responsibility of life and death.
In contrast, she, a Qixing, was often influenced and taught a lesson by Hu Tao's magnanimity.
Such a Hu Tao didn't need anyone's help; she could achieve things no one else could imagine.
"Jiang Xuan, how do you make a Totem of Undying farm? What materials are needed?"
Hearing this, Jiang Xuan thought for a moment and said softly,
"Materials are not a problem. We have everything readily available, mostly just Villagers and Redstone."
Everyone smiled knowingly.
Villager Technology, this was a feature they were all too familiar with.
At first, everyone was reluctant to accept it, but now...
Ningguang and the others were worried there weren't enough Villagers.
Otherwise, their base would have long since built automated farms and Iron farms.
Speaking of which, when Hu Tao first saw the Villagers, she enthusiastically tried to sell Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's coffin services.
But later, when she found that Villagers only turned into a puff of green smoke upon death, Hu Tao pouted and gave up the idea.
"The most important foundation for a Totem of Undying farm is a Pillager Outpost."
"In simple terms, the principle is the same as a Raid."
Jiang Xuan paused, then said softly,
"Pillager Outposts spawn Pillagers, and even Illager Patrols. Killing an Illager Patrol will trigger a Bad Omen."
"Bad Omen evolves into a Raid in a village. The monsters that come in a Raid will spawn like in a mob grinder on the farm."
"Killing monsters will be simpler and will continuously produce Evokers from Raids."
"This is a Pillager mob grinder, or rather, a Totem of Undying farm."
"Right now, we have enough materials; the only thing missing is a Pillager Outpost."
Hearing this, everyone sighed with a hint of regret.
If it were a lack of some special material, even going to The End wouldn't bother them.
But a specific location...
They were still in this vicinity, so they naturally didn't know where the Pillager Outpost was.
"It seems the only option now is to send the Millelith out to search more. If they encounter an Illager Patrol, they should kill it and immediately return to base."
Ningguang quickly thought of a feasible solution.
Jiang Xuan nodded in appreciation but then shook his head.
"The situation isn't that complicated."
"Since an Illager Patrol has already appeared near the base, it means the Pillager Outpost isn't too far away."
"Coincidentally, we'll be tidying up the Manor Villa these few days and then leaving to explore other regions. We'll find the Pillager Outpost along the way."
Hearing Jiang Xuan confirm they were going to explore the world, everyone felt a sense of anticipation.
Although they had been in this world for nearly a month.
To be honest, the area they had explored and controlled was no more than twenty kilometers in radius.
Ningguang and the others had considered asking Jiang Xuan if they could go out and explore other regions earlier.
"Keqing should be back soon too. We'll call her along then, otherwise, she might get sulky."
Ningguang added with a smile, then asked,
"Do we need to make any preparations or bring anything special this time?"
Jiang Xuan put away the two Totems of Undying and said softly,
"No need to bring anything specific. For exploration, just food and weapons will do."
"If we really find a Pillager Outpost, we'll have to come back and bring some Villagers and a few Millelith to garrison there."
"For now, let's decide who will stay and guard this place?"
As soon as he spoke, everyone looked down, silently contemplating.
This was an opportunity to go out and explore the world, or to put it bluntly, a spring outing.
Naturally, no one wanted to miss this chance.
After a long silence, Cloud Retainer shook her head, a hint of helplessness in her voice.
"Fine, I'll stay here. Coincidentally, I still need to modify the mountains behind."
Immediately, everyone collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
"Then we'll trouble you, Cloud Retainer."
Jiang Xuan nodded with a smile.
"You should remember how to contact us. If you have any problems, tell us anytime, and we can teleport directly back to the Manor Villa."
Cloud Retainer nodded slightly, then added,
"Before you leave, remember to help me set up a mountain-cleaving cannon and leave some Redstone. This Adeptus wishes to conduct some research herself."
Such a small matter was naturally not difficult, but Jiang Xuan still reminded her.
"About Redstone TNT and similar research, please refrain. Accidents can easily happen if you're not careful."
"That goes without saying."
Receiving Cloud Retainer's reply, Jiang Xuan looked up at the sky.
The morning sun had already risen, and the entire world exuded an atmosphere of prosperity.
The Minecraft world was developing faster and faster; many things that previously seemed to require a lot of time to grind out had now become reality.
Jiang Xuan felt an inexplicable sense of heroic ambition in his heart.
After a long while, Jiang Xuan spoke softly.
"Well then, that's enough for today. We'll go back and rest first. Phantoms and such aren't necessary for a short while."
"We'll come back in the evening to make some Potions, organize our weapons and enchantments. After everything is arranged..."
Jiang Xuan paused, then looked at everyone, chuckling.
"The day after tomorrow morning, we depart to explore the unknown lands of this world!"
...
Jiang Xuan brought those who went to the Nether with him back to Teyvat.
As for Xiao and Cloud Retainer.
They only stayed up for one night, so no Phantoms would spawn.
Today, Xiao also had to go there to tally the spoils from the Raid and arrange for people to continue mining.
This batch of Millelith and miners would soon be rotated out; a small harvest wouldn't do.
Ningguang and the others were somewhat fatigued after returning to Teyvat. They didn't chat much and quickly returned to their respective homes to rest.
Ganyu, however, really stayed with Jiang Xuan.
She said it was to take care of Nahida, but in truth, how could Nahida need looking after?
Moreover, she had slept for five hundred years; if unnecessary, Nahida felt she didn't want to sleep.
Wouldn't it be better to pester Jiang Xuan to tell stories?
Unfortunately, perhaps Hu Tao saw through something, for before Nahida could voice her thoughts, Hu Tao took Nahida into Liyue Harbor.
Insisting on introducing her to some of Liyue Harbor's unique attractions.
Before leaving, she gave Jiang Xuan a meaningful look. Jiang Xuan was utterly confused, but Ganyu instantly blushed furiously.
Shaking his head, the small courtyard hadn't accumulated any dust despite not being visited for several days.
Presumably, Bai Wen and the others frequently came to clean.
As Jiang Xuan's cooperation with Liyue deepened, this small courtyard was officially transferred to Jiang Xuan's name by Keqing.
Jiang Xuan was indifferent; he didn't spend much time here anyway, only occasionally returning to change his mood.
Ever since the Manor Villa was built, Jiang Xuan usually sent everyone back and then went back himself to see if anything needed improvement.
While inspecting, he would conveniently rest in the Manor Villa.
Sleeping in the Minecraft world, perhaps due to the world's characteristics, Jiang Xuan rarely dreamed.
He would often close his eyes and enjoy a comfortable, deep sleep.
After walking around, Jiang Xuan greeted Ganyu and returned to his room.
His physique wouldn't cause him to be tired.
But a lot had indeed happened today.
He went to Sumeru and brought Nahida back, then encountered a Raid.
After making a Redstone Cannon and Potions, he also harvested Totems of Undying.
Just now, he also agreed with everyone to explore the world the day after tomorrow.
Hmm...
Upon closer thought, it was all good things.
Thinking to himself, Jiang Xuan took off his clothes and prepared to rest.
But suddenly, the door behind him was pushed open.
"Jiang... Jiang Xuan..."
Ganyu lowered her head, not daring to look directly at Jiang Xuan.
But visibly, Ganyu's neck and ears were blushing vividly.
"Ganyu?"
Jiang Xuan was stunned. He wasn't stupid. Connecting Hu Tao's previous glance with Ganyu's unusual behavior,
All the answers became obvious.
Tonight, it seemed, was going to be a grand feast...
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access 400+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).