This Honkai: Star Rail is way too Minecraft!

Meanwhile, on the other side of things, after Fu Zhu casually dispatched a passing Suiyang, the owner of a shop happened to be pushing out the 256 pieces of leather Fu Zhu needed from the storeroom on a handcart.

"Sir, this is the high-quality leather you wanted. Would you like to check the quality?"

"No need."

Fu Zhu gave it a single glance, confirmed it was indeed leather, and waved his hand dismissively. "The bill, boss."

"Right away, sir. The total comes to 274,800 credits. I'll round it down for you, so it's an even 270,000." Seeing that Fu Zhu was dressed like an outworlder, the shop owner figured he probably didn't have much local Luofu currency and directly quoted the price in credits.

Fu Zhu nodded. With the allowance Himeko and Welt gave him, that amount was easy to cover, but he had no intention of using their money for this.

"Boss, just send the bill to Scott at the company. Add a note saying that it's a payment on behalf of Fu Zhu from the Astral Express."

"Ah, this..."

The owner hesitated for a moment before starting to operate his computer to send the electronic invoice to the company.

Less than a minute later, the payment was received. The speed of the transaction left the owner speechless, but he didn't forget to inform Fu Zhu.

"Sir, the payment has been received."

"Good."

With a satisfied nod, Fu Zhu waved his hand again, sweeping all 256 pieces of leather directly into his inventory.

That Scott really was quite the character. Though his personality was questionable, he was at least good for it.

With the leather stowed away, Fu Zhu left the shop, preparing to return to the Express to start crafting the Sophisticated Backpack and a series of other mods. Once those were done, he could travel with all his worldly possessions on his back and never have to worry about running out of inventory space for any rare or strange materials he picked up.

On his way back to the Astral Express, Fu Zhu passed by a Martial Arts Training Ground and heard Yanqing's voice ringing out from inside. He glanced up at the sky; it was already late evening.

"This kid Yanqing is actually so diligent? He's still practicing his swordplay this late at night."

Fu Zhu couldn't help but marvel. Not only was Yanqing incredibly talented, but he was also this hardworking. He truly wasn't giving any other martial artist a chance to catch up!

Still, no matter how diligent he was, he had to maintain a proper diet, or it would be detrimental to his body.

Fu Zhu decided that, as his master, he ought to teach Yanqing this lesson. Coincidentally, he hadn't eaten dinner yet either. He'd just have the kid treat him to a meal.

Changing direction, Fu Zhu walked straight into the Training Ground. Pushing the door open, he saw Yanqing relentlessly swinging his spirit sword at a practice dummy. The aura around him even gave off a ferocious feeling.

Fu Zhu glanced at the sword in his hand. It didn't seem to be one of the flying swords Yanqing usually carried, nor was it a standard-issue longsword from the Training Ground.

"Yanqing, my boy."

Fu Zhu raised his hand and called out. Hearing his voice, Yanqing stopped his movements and turned his head. Seeing Fu Zhu, he spoke with some surprise, "Master Fu Zhu? What are you doing here?"

Fu Zhu? You say he is your master?!

A voice echoed in Yanqing's mind. He gave a nearly imperceptible nod and lowered his voice to answer the question.

"Yes, Master Rongju. Master Fu Zhu has taught me a great deal, so I have accepted him as my master."

Hmph. I observe no traits of a martial artist on this man. Look at his hands—so smooth, without a single callus. He is no martial artist! Yanqing, have you not been deceived?

"But..." Yanqing's brow furrowed in hesitation. "Master Fu Zhu truly did teach me many things."

The voice, Rongju, huffed again in displeasure. You are still too young, Yanqing. I have seen far more of the world's deceits than you. The only reason you could learn so much is because your own talent is high enough to grasp something for yourself from his charlatanry. It is no credit of his!

"Is that so?"

Indeed! If you don't believe me, challenge him to a duel, and the truth will be revealed. This man is certain to expose his flaws in battle!

"But..." Yanqing hesitated once more. "Master Fu Zhu and the General defeated Phantylia..."

What?! Phantylia? That Lord of Annihilation, Phantylia?! My kin?!!

Rongju was stunned. It had only been sealed by the Ten-Lords Commission for a few centuries. How could such a momentous event have occurred in the outside world?

But it was certain it hadn't misjudged. Fu Zhu's body showed absolutely no signs of a trained martial artist.

I understand now. This person must have used some devious, unorthodox tricks to defeat Phantylia. Or perhaps, it was all a lie! The one who truly defeated Phantylia was Jing Yuan!

"Really? Master Rongju, that doesn't seem likely, does it?"

Whether it is true or not, you will know once you test him!

"But..."

"But what 'but'? It's always 'but' with you. Don't tell me you're scared, Yanqing?"

Yanqing froze, murmuring to himself, "I'm... scared?"

He couldn't help but recall the warning from the Great Diviner Fu Xuan, who had told him not to foolishly challenge Fu Zhu, or he would suffer a humiliating defeat.

Could it be that he was truly frightened by Fu Xuan's words? After all, her divine calculations were legendary.

Seeing Yanqing waver, Rongju fanned the flames. "Yanqing, you wish to become the strongest. To do that, you must climb the highest mountain. If you dare not, that mountain will forever stand in your way. Besides, don't you truly want to know if this so-called Master Fu Zhu of yours is the real deal or a fake?"

"I..."

Standing opposite him, Fu Zhu watched Yanqing with a puzzled expression. Ever since he'd greeted him, Yanqing had just been staring at the spirit sword in his hands, muttering to himself.

"Hiss... don't tell me this kid practiced until his brain turned to mush? Hey, Yanqing?"

Fu Zhu tried calling out to him again while glancing at his minimap. He was surprised to see that Yanqing's marker had changed from a friendly green to a neutral yellow.

What's going on? Is young Yanqing planning to betray his master?

Another detail caught Fu Zhu's attention. The sword Yanqing held was also marked with a yellow tag.

[Suiyang · Rongju]

Suiyang... that sounded familiar. Wasn't that the same kind of mosquito he had just swatted in the shop?

This immediately put Fu Zhu on alert. He instantly switched his active item to a weapon and held it in his hand.

"Hey, Yanqing, give me that sword in your hand."

Yanqing slowly raised his head. The reverence in his eyes was gone, replaced by a frenzied look.

"You want it? Then you'll have to come and get it yourself, Master Fu Zhu."

Fu Zhu's mouth twitched. How did a meme he himself had used end up being thrown back at him, with the roles reversed?

"Yanqing, you are not yourself. I'll say it again, hand over the sword."

But Yanqing simply responded by coldly raising the sword and pointing it directly at Fu Zhu.

"Master Fu Zhu, please grant me your instruction!"