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Ruota Dragon King, the ancient being who had just escaped the suffering of thousands of years of wear and tear and was reborn, was now sitting next to Zhongli with his arms folded, his brows twisted into a knot, staring at his old friend with an expression of "I'm very unhappy".

He had just regained consciousness and his strength was far from recovered when Zhongli "invited" him to Liyue Harbor to take charge without any explanation. He also said, "I have something important to do and need to leave for a day. The safety of Liyue is in your hands."

When Ruotu heard this, he was shocked. This "important matter" that Morax took so seriously, even requiring him, the Dragon King Ruotu, to personally attend Liyue Harbor? It must be a crisis of earth-shattering proportions!

He immediately became extremely alert, mobilizing the remaining strength that was enough to shake the mountains. His dragon soul was tense, and it continuously communicated with the earth to sweep through every corner of Liyue Harbor.

Be on high alert, and carefully identify even a fly flying by to see if it is a monster from the abyss!

The results of it?

He had been like a taut string all day, without even seeing a decent monster hair! It was so calm that it could make one doze off!

Just when he was wondering if old stone Morax was playing a trick on him, the old man came back quietly, looking calm and composed, as if he had just gone out for a walk!

Chapter 57 Zhongli's Drifting Thoughts

"Isn't it a blessing that nothing happened?" Zhongli put down the teacup, his tone as calm as ever, trying to comfort this old friend whose mentality seemed to have become particularly "young".

He had indeed explained before that he was there to deal with a "personal matter involving visitors from another world" and there was no war.

"What a good thing!" Ruota snorted unhappily, making the table buzz.

After the wear and tear was removed, his lively or even violent nature that belonged to the dragon race and had been suppressed by long-term pain seemed to be released a lot.

"Do you know how I've been spending the whole day? On high alert! Terrified!"

"And you tell me you just went to 'visit a place'? And you even went there in a day? Morax, do you think I'm a little dragon cub who can be fooled? Which 'place' did you visit that requires me to guard the house?!"

Ruota became angrier as he spoke, shifting restlessly in his chair.

"Visitors from another world? Personal matters? Make them up, keep making them up! Is it some blind remnant of a demon god that has resurfaced? Tell me! I'm going to hammer it back to the center of the earth right now! Don't hold it in! Hiding things isn't your style!"

He slammed the table, making the tea set clink, like a naughty child who was stood up by his parents and was throwing a tantrum.

Zhongli looked at his old friend in front of him. Although he had regained his vitality after the wear and tear was removed, he had also become extremely difficult to deal with. He sighed almost inaudibly. The price of removing the wear and tear was still a bit high.

The explanation must have been given, but Ruotu didn't believe it and was still immersed in the "war" script he had imagined in his mind.

Watching the news that Qunlixing was chasing Pam for luck and Danheng had successfully "verified metaphysics", and then listening to Ruota's incessant and resentful "roar" in his ears.

Zhongli's mind, which was as solid as a rock, rarely showed a slight... subtle fluctuation.

A bizarre thought began to form in his mind: "If we talk about deep blessings and auspicious aura... Ganyu, as a Qilin, is the best candidate. But..."

As soon as this thought emerged, Zhongli couldn't help but picture the following in his mind: he, the guest official of the Rebirth Hall and the former Rock King Emperor, solemnly found Ganyu, the Seven-Star Secretary, who was buried in a mountain of documents.

Then… reaching out, he touched her iconic unicorn horns, as if they were the fuzz on Pam's head, with the seriousness of a "scientific experiment," gently, trying to get some metaphysical "lucky energy" to draw a card…

"...Not right, not right." Zhongli rejected the idea in his mind almost instantly.

This scene is full of incongruity and even a bit absurd just by imagining it.

A dignified emperor, touching the head of a junior just to win a lottery? How shameless!

Besides, Ganyu was a thin-skinned and serious child. She would probably be frightened by this sudden action and freeze on the spot, with the documents scattered all over the floor. Then, with a red face, she would stammer, "What are your instructions, Emperor...Emperor?"

Just thinking about that scene, Zhongli felt that this thought itself should be suppressed by Tianxing.

He picked up the teacup and used the warm steam to completely hide the embarrassment that flashed across his eyes, which even he found a little funny.

It seems that Ruota's noise has distracted his mind.

Zhongli calmed himself down and completely banished these inappropriate and "presumptuous" metaphysical ideas from his mind.

"Ruo Tuo..." Zhongli's voice had returned to its usual calmness, carrying with it an undeniable soothing power. "Don't worry. Liyue is fine, and so am I. Have some tea."

He gently pushed a freshly poured cup of fragrant hot tea in front of the still sulking Dragon King.

Ruota stared at the cup of tea, then glared at Zhongli's calm face. Finally, he grabbed the cup angrily, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. His movements were as heroic as if he was drinking wine, and at the end he slammed the cup heavily on the table.

"Humph! If you dare to sneak away like that again, I'll tear the roof off your Hall of Rebirth and expose it to the sun!"

He "threatened" viciously, but his tone was more like a helpless complaint between old friends than anger.

"Then you'd better be careful of Hall Master Hu," Zhongli rarely followed Ruo Tuo's "threat" and made a little joke with a faint smile on his lips.

"I'm just a small guest official with little income. If I tear off the roof of the Wangsheng Hall, you might have to work with me in the hall to pay off the debt. After all, I have to listen to our Hall Master Hu now."

This was meant to lighten the mood, but it had the opposite effect.

When Ruota heard this, instead of calming down, it seemed as if a new "complaint" was ignited.

The dragon glared: "Work?! Pay off debts?! Morax! Listen to what you said, are you talking like a human being?! I, the great Ruota Dragon King, work for you to pay off my debts?! You..."

Seeing that Ruota was about to start a new round of "condemnation", Zhongli decisively decided that it was time to draw a card.

While Ruota was still organizing his "accusation" words, Zhongli quickly immersed his mind in the chat group interface, and with a slight movement of his mind, he clicked the "Ten Consecutive Draws" button.

Swish! Points deducted.

Three deep and condensed blue lights, one bright green light, and several slightly dimmer white lights bloomed and converged in front of his eyes in turn, and the objects then materialized in his consciousness.

The first ray of blue light transformed into a book that was neither silk nor paper, and as smooth as jade to the touch. On the cover was a few ancient and vigorous cloud seal characters - "The Method of Understanding My True Self".

This method is not an offensive tactic, but a secret visualization technique to temper the mind and clarify the path.

Practitioners need to calm their minds and contemplate their true self, any form that is consistent with their self-awareness, in order to reflect the lake of their heart, sweep away the dust and distracting thoughts, and strengthen their will to move forward.

Long-term practice can make the mind of Tao clear and difficult for external evil to invade, and avoid the disturbance of inner demons and break through the confusion on the path of practice.

For someone at Zhongli's level, this technique has almost no effect on combat power, but its core purpose of consolidating one's mind and seeing one's true self does coincide with his state of mind of "wandering in the world" and understanding the mundane world, and is quite consistent, making it a good reference.

The second blue light condensed into a human-shaped object.

It is made entirely of a strange material that looks like wood but is not wood, and like jade but is not jade. It has delicate joints and smooth lines. Although it has no facial details, it faintly exudes a gentle breath of life and a sense of tolerance.

According to the description, this is a [Soul Puppet] made by a world of immortal cultivation that can only be considered medium-level, using top-level skills.

Its core magic lies in that it only requires a wisp of residual soul, or even a trace of remaining thought imprint, to be placed in its core array hub.

This puppet can use its own spiritual materials as a basis to slowly nourish and replenish its soul until it recovers its complete intelligence and form. It can be said to be a miracle that regenerates vitality!

However, this thing also has its limits.

The soul strength that can be carried and nurtured by its materials and core magic array is obviously far lower than Zhongli's own soul level, which has been precipitated for more than 6,000 years and is as vast as the sea of ​​stars.

To him, this puppet is like chicken ribs.

But the moment his eyes touched the [Soul Puppet], Zhongli seemed to have thought of something else...

Chapter 58 Paimon, who taught himself Euler

A vague figure that had long been buried deep in memory quietly emerged.

An image of a long-forgotten artifact, containing an ancient contract and unfulfilled promises, also flashed through his mind.

'...perhaps...it's not completely useless.'

A thought flashed through his mind silently, carrying with it an indescribable heaviness and a faint hope.

He did not investigate further, but carefully put this puppet, which contained the potential for miracles, into the deepest part of the group warehouse.

The third blue light transformed into an octagonal stone with a warm touch and two tiger patterns carved on it.

【Tiger Talisman】!

This item contains a hint of the harmony of yin and yang.

It does not simply and crudely separate the good and evil of people, its core function lies in "harmony"!

When the holder wears or activates this talisman, its power can penetrate into the body, sort out and reconcile the complex and conflicting or incompatible alien energies or attributes in the body, restore them to balance, and avoid damage to the foundation and obsession caused by power conflicts.

For someone like Zhongli, who has already refined his own power into one and has mastered it to the minute, this thing is of little use.

However, for those practitioners whose internal power attributes are complex or even conflicting, this item can be regarded as a treasure to stabilize the foundation and avoid risks.

The last green light was quite... real.

The shadow of a gigantic beast emerged in his perception—a [Giant Imperial Boar (Dealt with)] with a body length of nearly thirty meters, shoulders as high as a hill, tusks protruding like spears, exuding a wild and ferocious aura!

This is the top-quality food in the world of One Piece. The meat is extremely delicious and contains rich energy.

There was even a special note: It had been rendered harmless and perfectly preserved by the chat group.

Looking at this giant beast whose size was enough to fill the entire courtyard, and then looking at Ruota who was still brewing "anger" and chattering across from him, Zhongli had a plan in his mind.

"Okay, Ruota," Zhongli spoke at the right time, interrupting his old friend's upcoming new round of complaints, with a barely perceptible soothing tone in his voice.

"Actually, this trip wasn't entirely fruitless. I even brought you a 'gift'."

"Gift?" Ruota's complaint stopped abruptly, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

But more of the curiosity was aroused by the word "gift". "What gift? It's so mysterious... Take it out and let us see!"

Zhongli stood up calmly and straightened his sleeves. "This thing is too large to be displayed here. Come with me to Wanmin Hall. I'll have Xiangling prepare it. I'm sure it will make a delicious meal."

"It's so huge? And you want to go to Wanmin Hall?"

Ruota's curiosity was completely piqued, and without even complaining, he immediately stood up and asked, "What on earth is that? Tell me quickly! Is it some rare and exotic animal?"

He followed Zhongli like a child expecting a surprise, asking questions all the way.

Zhongli just smiled without saying anything, and walked calmly towards Wanmin Hall.

On the way, he habitually glanced at the lively group chat.

At this moment, the group is starting a new round of "comparison" around the lottery results.

[Zero·Lin]: "My brother and I are so lucky! We drew a fruit that can transform into fire and ice! From now on in New Eridu, as long as we are careful, we won't be afraid of those physical attacks!"

[Genshin Impact·Paimon]: "Hehe! When it comes to luck, it's still me, Paimon! I got another purple item! It's the super powerful 'Paimon Star' that can stop time! Much more powerful than your fruits! [Paimon Pride.jpg]"

The words are full of the pride of "Praise me quickly", and the little tail is almost raised to the sky.

[Genshin Impact·Ying]: "(Paimon Star·Devil Muscle Man Form.jpg)"

This photo is like a boulder dropped into a calm lake!

The group instantly fell into an eerie silence.

At this time, March 7, who finally calmed Pam down, also began to speak.

[Bengtie·March 7]: "Wow... this... this battle companion's design... is really... well... full of powerful beauty! Paimon, it looks... so reliable!"

Sanyueqi used up all his strength but could only help Paimon to make up for it to this point.

[Zero Bell]: "...Indeed, it's very...unique! If Paimon is summoned, the enemy will be intimidated just by the sight, right?"

[Bengtie·Xing]: "!!! Wow! Paimon! Your Stand is so handsome! Those muscles! Those lines! That oppressive feeling! I admit I'm a little envious! I also want a super-powerful Stand that can fight for me and even stop time! The visual impact is simply unbeatable! [Starry Eyes.jpg]"

Even Zhongli, who was walking, couldn't help but pause his steady steps for a moment when his eyes swept across the visually impactful photo sent by Ying.

"Huh? Why did you stop?" Ruo Tuo, who was standing next to him, noticed immediately and looked at him in confusion. "Aren't we going to the Hall of All Peoples? That 'gift' can't wait?"

"It's okay, I just thought of something and got distracted for a bit." Zhongli explained without changing his expression.

Then he continued to move forward, but he was still slightly impressed by the shocking appearance of "Paimon Star".

After a brief silence in the group, a more heated discussion was immediately ignited by Sanyueqi and Ling's tactful comments and Xing's frank envy. The topic completely shifted from "Who is lucky" to "Paimon Star's appearance and strength."

At the same time, in the hotel of the Liuquan people.

"Ying!!!" A sharp scream filled with shame and anger pierced the sky.

When Paimeng saw Ying actually posted a photo of "Paimeng Star" to the group, he instantly got furious! His little face flushed red, like a ripe sunset fruit.

"Why are you like this?! I'm so embarrassed! I can't face anyone! Wuuuuu!"

She was like a little white whirlwind, rushing to Ying, and her two little fists fell on Ying's shoulders and arms like raindrops.

The harmless "Ola Ora" mode was activated.

"I told you to post it! I told you to post it! Take it back now! Take it back now!"

Ying was well prepared and easily endured Paimon's "angry beating" which was like a massage.

While suppressing his laughter, he tried to comfort her: "Oh, it's okay, it's okay, Paimon. This is a very, very precious combat ability! Sooner or later you will have to use it, and you will have to meet people eventually, so don't be so stingy."

She deliberately added, adding fuel to the fire, "Look, Xing is really jealous of you. She said she really wants one like this!"