[Genshin Impact]: I can become stronger by cooking.

This chapter is a combined chapter, including an extra chapter.

Bayda Port, just before midnight.

It was still dark outside, but the port's general affairs officer had already gotten out of bed.

After a quick wash and putting on a thick coat, the general affairs officer went to inspect the port under his jurisdiction.

Unlike the busy daytime, and unlike the pitch-black night.

Crime is more likely to occur during this time when the sky is about to brighten but is still dark.

Throughout the history of Bayda Harbour, numerous merchant ships have taken advantage of this time to smuggle contraband or high-value goods that had not been declared onto their vessels for exorbitant profits.

As the person in charge of this port, the general affairs officer takes this matter very seriously.

Both the frequency of patrols and the intensity of crackdowns are much stronger than those at other ports.

However, the geographical environment of Baida Port is too unique.

It is very close to both Fontaine and Liyue.

Thanks to its geographical advantage, Baida Port is a natural-born excellent port for import and export trade.

Similarly, it is also the port most favored by transnational smuggling groups for shipping goods.

When faced with enough profit, businessmen are never afraid of legal punishment.

Therefore, it became a habit for the general affairs officer to take a walk around at this time every day.

The icy eye hidden beneath his thick trench coat was the source of his courage to travel alone here.

The chief steward walked along the coastline, taking stock of the ships docked there to see if they matched the port's records.

Fortunately, along the way, nothing that the general affairs officer wanted to see happened.

However, when the general affairs officer's gaze swept over an empty berth, he suddenly paused in surprise.

"This is..."

There were no boats docked on the shimmering water.

but...

Several pieces of broken ice drifted on the shimmering sea...

Judging from the ice elemental force remaining in these ice fragments, it must have been formed relatively recently.

In a daze, the port's general affairs officer seemed to have guessed something and subconsciously swallowed.

A glint of light flashed from the divine eye hidden beneath the thick trench coat, and the chief steward's feet stood on the sea surface.

After walking several dozen meters across the sea, the general affairs officer also began to feel physically exhausted.

but...

The answer the general affairs officer was looking for was right in front of him.

Another piece of solid ice appeared a hundred meters away from the previous one.

Moreover, the ice fragments here are melting more than those at the port.

As the general affairs officer surveyed the ruins, a wave of emotion washed over him.

"I was right."

"To cross the sea on frozen ice, is it really possible for someone to do that..."

--------------

Sumeru City at noon.

After nearly a day's journey, Chao Ke traveled from the White Dew District of Fontainebleau, crossing oceans and mountains, to arrive at the city of Sumeru where Farusan resides.

Because the registration had been completed in the void, the members of the "Thirty-Man Group" guarding the city gate did not make things difficult for Chao Ke.

After only a quick glance at him, they let Chao Ke pass.

Strolling through the streets of Sumeru City, smelling the faint scent of spices in the air, listening to the occasional discussions of scholars around me, and observing the distinctive clothing styles of the people on the street.

Chao Ke deeply felt the culture from Xumi.

Although there were many new things on the streets, Chao Ke did not wander around the city for too long.

After all, no matter how interesting these novelties are, can they be more fun than the senior Farusan?

Several months have passed since he parted ways with his senior, and during this time, Chao Ke has missed his proud and aloof senior, Falushan, quite a bit.

Having finally taken a month-long vacation, it would be a waste not to have a good time and have some fun with my seniors.

In order to have an undisturbed, comfortable, and wonderful vacation.

Chao Ke decided to finish the two more important things first before going to find Farusan.

First, they arrived at the Treasure Street in Sumeru City. Chao Ke walked all the way to the Adventurers' Guild and found Miss Catherine.

"Towards the stars... welcome to..."

"Hello Mr. Chao Ke, is there anything I can do for you?"

"Don't report my whereabouts to my sister."

Miss Catherine smiled and put on an apologetic expression.

However, this sense of apology was not due to his previous actions, but rather...

"Mr. Chao Ke, I'm sorry, I cannot meet your request."

"Because... Lady Arecino holds more authority than you, therefore..."

"I apologize that I am unable to meet your request."

"have to."

Chao Ke knew that what he had just said was pointless, so he simply changed the subject.

"I asked you to keep an eye on that scholar named Affendi. Is there any news about him?"

"Yes, Mr. Chao Ke."

Catherine nodded slightly and said, "You should have received the relevant information about Affendi in Fontainebleau."

"Yes."

Chao Ke nodded.

"Where is this person now? Or rather, how do I find him?"

Catherine's gaze lingered for a moment, as if she were searching for relevant information.

After some time, Miss Catherine's eyes cleared, and she answered Chao Ke's question.

"Mr. Affendi's current position is trainee liaison officer."

"If it's during working hours, he should be working in the sand collection hall."

"And if it's during break time, you can probably find him at Pusper Cafe."

“It’s still his working hours. If you set off immediately, Mr. Chao Ke, you should be able to run into him in time.”

"Is this so..."

After thanking Miss Catherine, Chao Ke left the Adventurers' Guild and headed towards the stronghold of the Thirty-Man Group, the Sand Gathering Hall.

As a group responsible for the defense of Sumeru City and the protection of scholars.

Even if the [Thirty-Man Group] has many members and their martial arts skills are superb, it is ultimately just a gilded troupe.

It's impossible to take on all the tasks in this Sumeru City.

Therefore, the role of "liaison officer" came into being.

The liaison officer is responsible for communication between the Religious Council and the Thirty-Person Group, and also for disseminating information to the public regarding any tasks that the Thirty-Person Group cannot handle.

Of course, not everyone can accept these commissions.

Those qualified to accept the task are either renowned adventurers or members of other trustworthy gilded guilds.

However, if you post a task, there are not as many restrictions.

Therefore, although there were many members of the Thirty-Man Group training inside the Sand Gathering Hall, and guards were on duty, they did not prevent people coming and going from the street from entering.

Upon entering the Sand Gathering Hall, Chao Ke surveyed his surroundings and quickly spotted Affendi.

However, unlike in the game, there is an old man standing beside Affendi.

As the elderly man processed the documents submitted by the people in line, he spoke to Affendi beside him.

Chao Ke looked around and saw that the current group was not long, only two or three people.

Chao Ke wasn't an unreasonable person, and since he wouldn't have to wait long anyway, he simply followed their rules and joined the queue at the end.

Ten minutes later, it was Chao Ke's turn.

The elderly man, dressed in scholar's robes, looked at Chao Ke with a kind expression.

"Young man, what can we do to help you?"

"I would like to ask the gentleman next to you for a few recipes."

The old man was taken aback, clearly not expecting Chao Ke to ask such a question.

Affendi, standing to the side, looked utterly bewildered, pointing to his own face.

"I?"

Chao Ke nodded. "You must be Mr. Affendi?"

"That's true, but... we don't know this gentleman, do we?"

Chao Ke paused for a few seconds, and quickly came up with an excuse.

“That’s right, Mr. Affendi, we don’t know each other, but that doesn’t stop me from coming to find you.”

“I am a businessman from Fontainebleau, but I have been having bad luck lately and have been hitting walls repeatedly.”

“I had heard of the great name of Sumeru astrology, so I found a scholar of the Minglun school from the Ritual Vanti Academy and asked him to use astrology to predict my fate.”

Upon hearing this, the old man's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.