What bad intentions could the original dragon have?

"Okay, the repair is completed." Zhong Ling withdrew his hand.

"I don't think this is called repair... Didn't you just rebuild one and put it on?!"

"After all, the previous parts were almost completely damaged." Zhong Ling spread his hands and said, "It was smashed thoroughly."

"By the way, if all the parts of a [Return Machine] are replaced once, will it still be the original [Return Machine]?" Looking at the brand new [Return Machine], Ying asked on a whim.

"Hmm, a philosophical question?" Zhong Ling blinked. "Well... theoretically speaking, parts are not simply added or subtracted, but have added value and meaning."

"A part of the [final machine] is only a 'part of the [final machine]' when it is on the [final machine]. If it is taken off separately, it is just a part without any added value."

"So, even if all the parts are replaced once, it still returns to the final machine."

"Then if the broken parts are put together, which one is the original [Return Machine], this one or this one?" Ying continued to ask. This is a classic theory. She wanted to see if Zhong Ling, a fairy who is thousands of years old, had any other opinions.

"..." Zhong Ling looked at the parts on the ground and the new [Return Machine], then looked at Ying and tilted her head slightly. "Are you picking on me?"

"Well, I dare not!" Ying gave in as if she heard the sound of boiling water.

B.41 Treasure Stealing Group

"Hey! Who are you!" Just when Zhong Ling was about to persecute Ying again, several footsteps were heard.

Then, a team of about twenty people came over.

Their attire made them look like some gangsters.

These people have a 'professional' title, and are a notorious force in all of Teyvat called the [Treasure Stealing Group].

"Oh? The Treasure Stealing Group." Zhong Ling looked at Gui Zhongji and then at the members of the notorious Treasure Stealing Group. "Is it you?"

"What do you mean by you and us?" The leading man crossed his arms. "What are you doing?"

"Brother, look, they seem to have repaired the big crossbow!" The younger brother beside the man, who looked shifty even with a veil on his face, pointed at [Gui Zhongji] and shouted.

"You bastards! My brothers and I risked our lives to break this thing, and you guys just fixed it?!" Seeing that the [Guizhong Machine] was repaired, the man shouted angrily at Zhong Ling and the others.

"..." Zhong Ling took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled. "You know, [Yuan Jun] is at the top of 'Tian Heng Mountain' not far away, and this thing is called [Return Machine], which was designed by her close friend [Chen Wang]. If you destroy [Return Machine] and it is known..."

"I think you don't want to bear the wrath of [Yuan Jun] either."

[Guizhong Machine] is a weapon designed by Guizhong to protect 'Tianheng Mountain'. They have been guarding here for thousands of years, but they were damaged because of the selfish desires of these guys.

Although there are spare materials to repair it, it does feel unpleasant.

"Stop, stop bluffing!" After all, they were Liyue people, and when they heard that the origin of this large crossbow was so extraordinary, they were also a little scared. "If...if it was an immortal thing, how could it be damaged so easily!"

The eldest brother's words gave them courage.

Immortals are high and mighty in the eyes of ordinary people, and it is impossible for immortal things to be damaged so easily, so this woman must be bluffing.

"Is it really the cognitive bias caused by the huge gap between immortals and mortals?" Zhong Ling pressed his forehead. "Well, since you can damage it, it means you should know its power, and now..."

Golden runes shone on the [Return to the End Machine], and its base made a crackling sound.

[Guizhongji] changed its position in an instant, and the crossbow arrow with a cold glow was aimed at the leading brother.

Golden runes shone on the crossbow arrow. With the blessing of immortal power, the attack of [Return to the End] really had the power to penetrate the solid dragon scales of the rock dragon lizard.

If it were shot onto a human body...it would probably shatter the entire person into pieces in an instant.

"Want to try out its power?" Zhong Ling controlled the [Return Machine] and swept over these people one by one.

When their eyes met the gleaming arrow, their legs began to tremble, fearing that this thing would turn them into ashes with one blow.

When they first arrived nearby, this thing was several thousand meters away and almost shot one of their brothers into pieces.

Now that the distance is so close, they don’t think they have any chance of avoiding the attack of this crossbow.

Sometimes it is like this. As long as there is an attack that can kill with one blow, they dare not act rashly even if they can only attack once.

After all, no one wants to move and lose their life in the next second.

"Count...you're lucky! Brothers, let's go!" The eldest brother, who had been swept by [Return to the End Machine] several times, felt that his bladder was about to go out of control.

If I don't run away, I'm afraid I'll pee here, and then my reputation will be ruined.

Just as they turned around and were about to leave, the sound of dense footsteps was heard.

Then, a group of armored [Thousand Rock Army] surrounded them.

"Oh no! It's the Thousand Rocks Army!" Seeing this group of well-equipped Thousand Rocks Army, the members of the Treasure Stealing Group panicked.

The [Treasure Stealing Group] is notorious and has committed many crimes in various places. Once caught, they will inevitably be imprisoned.

"A few days ago, we received a report that someone destroyed the precious cultural heritage [Guizhongji]." They watched as they were surrounded by the [Qianyan Army], and then a girl with her long purple hair combed into double spiral buns walked over.

Her clothes are light and seemingly simple, but if you look closely you will find that the girl's clothes are of top quality in terms of both fabric and embroidery.

Most people simply can't afford to wear such clothes.

"You are the ones, the Treasure Stealers." The girl looked at the Treasure Stealers. "You have damaged the country's precious cultural relics. You are guilty of a heinous crime."

"Just surrender, you can't escape."

"Brother, what should we do?" A younger brother looked at the leader.

"this..."

What else can they do? The road ahead is blocked by the Thousand Rocks Army. If they were on a normal road, they could still break through and run away.

But now... there is no way to walk on the city wall.

You can't jump from here, can you?

Suddenly, the eldest brother discovered that there was a young lady who was weak and helpless behind him.

You even dared to threaten me with that big crossbow before.

Hum hum...

Thinking of this, the eldest brother bent his legs and then jumped suddenly, flying towards Zhong Ling.

"Be careful!" the purple-haired girl shouted loudly, and a purple lightning wedge was thrown out from her fingertips.

Although the electric shock effect caused by a simple lightning element attack is far less than when the opponent has water elements attached to his body.

But the paralysis caused by strong electric current should not be underestimated.

At this 'critical moment'.

A size 36 shoe print suddenly left its mark on the eldest brother's face. Then, a breeze wrapped around Ying's feet. After her body spun half a circle, she raised her leg and chopped down on the eldest brother's shoulder.

The elder brother jumped three or four meters and fell heavily to the ground.

"Ahhh! My hand!" The eldest brother fell to the ground, covering his shoulder and screaming.

"This..." The girl was stunned for a moment, then pointed at the members of the Treasure Stealing Group. "Capture them all!"

"Yes!"

...

......

"Hello, I am [Liyue Seven Stars·Yuheng Star], Keqing, I'm sorry to have frightened you." After watching the [Treasure Stealing Group] being arrested, Keqing walked up to Zhong Ling and the others and said. "Hmm? You are... Oh, you are the spectator who was misunderstood because of Ningguang's mistake a few days ago, right?"

"Uh...it's me."

"Your misunderstanding is not a trivial matter. Ningguang should be planning to invite you soon. Don't worry, she just wants to apologize to you." Although she doesn't get along well with Ningguang, Keqing is always like this. She handles things impartially, so she won't say bad things about Ningguang, at least not when performing official duties. "This matter involves a lot of people. You are just a victim. You just need to accept Ningguang's apology and compensation with peace of mind."

"Oh, this...Okay, I understand." Ying nodded in confusion.

B.42 Keqing

"I didn't expect that someone could actually repair the Return Machine." Keqing exclaimed as she looked at the brand new Return Machine, and then she looked at Zhong Ling. "You are Miss Zhong Ling, right? Did you repair this Return Machine?"

"That's right." Zhong Ling nodded slightly. "However, this is not difficult. The immortal left a backup plan for automatic repair on the [Return Machine]."

"You only need to use a specific immortal talisman next to the [Return Machine], and the [Return Machine] will automatically search for the parts that need to be replaced and replace them. So it's not me who repaired the [Return Machine], but it repaired itself."

"Is this true?" Keqing's eyes widened in surprise. "But... a specific immortal talisman..."

In today's Liyue, the art of talismans has almost been lost. Even if there are preserved books, more than half of them are already incomplete.

It is almost impossible to find the specific immortal talisman of [Return to the End].

"You guys didn't come here specifically to repair the [Return to the End], right? What are you doing here to repair the [Return to the End]?"

"It's like this." Zhongli drew Keqing's attention. "The 'Eternal Incense' needed to prepare for the 'Send Immortal Ceremony' is sold at 'Bubu Lu'. If you want the store clerk Qiqi to find the 'Eternal Incense', you need to bring her a 'Half-Immortal Beast' called 'Coconut Sheep'."

"Qiqi told us that the [Coconut Sheep] needs to use the [Return Machine] to hunt, so we found this place."

"I see... But the [Coconut Sheep]..." Keqing, who usually reads ancient books, thought for a while and shook her head. "I have never heard of this creature."

"However, Qiqi from Bubulu... her memory is not good, so maybe she missed something. You'd better go find Qiqi and ask her what the [Coconut Sheep] is."

"Yes, that's exactly what I meant." Zhongli nodded slightly.

"Please wait a moment," Keqing called them. "Excuse me, does Miss Zhong Ling still have the immortal talisman she used to repair the Return Machine?"

"Hmm?" Zhong Ling looked at Keqing and nodded after a moment. "Of course I have it. Miss Keqing needs it?"

As Zhong Ling spoke, he took out a talisman paper from his sleeves that was completely different from ordinary talisman paper. This was a talisman that was directly condensed by the immortal's [supernatural power].

Different from those talismans that need material support, its essence is similar to the original 'Mora', which directly condenses power into a physical entity.

This kind of thing is very powerful but also very dangerous. If it is accidentally detonated, the [supernatural power] contained in it will burst out directly, and the explosive force can easily blow the human body to pieces.

"This item is the specific immortal talisman needed to repair the [Return Machine]."

"This..." Seeing this talisman that was completely different from the ones she had seen before, Keqing opened her mouth in surprise. "Ms. Zhong Ling, I have a favor to ask."

"Can you please give up this immortal talisman?"

Of course, Keqing didn't ask Zhong Ling to give her the magic talisman directly. Keqing was not stupid. How could someone who could take out a fairy item so easily be an ordinary person?

She might be the descendant of an immortal with immortal blood. There is no need to offend her. If possible, just pay money to buy her.

"What does Miss Keqing mean?" Zhong Ling asked, holding the magic talisman.

“Liyue is now facing turmoil due to the death of the Emperor, and Yuanjun’s attitude is uncertain, so we mortals naturally have to make plans first.” If it were anyone else, Keqing would not directly tell them about the death of the Emperor.

But the people in front of me are different.

Ying was watching the Emperor fall.

Zhongli was the person who organized the "Ceremony of Sending Off the Immortals", and Zhong Ling was Zhongli's sister.

Given this relationship, they had already known the fact of the Emperor's death, so there was nothing they couldn't say.

"Make plans first?" Zhong Ling was slightly stunned. "Miss Keqing... is she planning to use [Return to the End]... to attack the immortals?"

"Ah?" Keqing opened her mouth in bewilderment, looking at Zhong Ling in disbelief. "How could Miss Zhong Ling have such a dangerous idea? Attacking an immortal or even [Yuanjun] is treason."

"Ah, this..." After all, this is the 'Tianheng Ancient City Wall', which is very close to the top of 'Tianheng Mountain' where [Yuanjun] will meet with the [Seven Stars of Liyue] tomorrow.

If the [Return to the End Machine] is repaired at this time, it will indeed catch the immortals off guard.

"Well, Miss Zhong Ling must have heard the rumor that I had some complaints about Liyue, where the Emperor made decisions on his own." Keqing thought for a moment and guessed why Zhong Ling had such thoughts. "Miss Zhong Ling misunderstood."

"In fact, the current situation is not clear. The Emperor has passed away, and the Yuan Lord's attitude is uncertain. We mortals naturally have to make plans first." Keqing repeated, bringing the topic back. "After all, the Emperor who made the 'contract' with the immortals has passed away. I can't be sure whether the Emperor's death will cause the immortals to stop protecting Liyue."

"According to ancient records, the real [Return Machine] is so powerful that it can even penetrate the scales of a rock dragon. It would be a pity to leave such a sharp weapon here to be exposed to the wind and rain. If possible, I would like to use it to defend Liyue Harbor."

In fact, Keqing’s idea is easy to understand. The current situation is not clear. In this case, every extra trump card in her hand will give her more confidence.

No matter what the immortals plan to do tomorrow, Liyue Harbor at least has a certain degree of negotiation ability.

Keqing was not worried that the immortals would cause trouble, so she replaced all the [Seven Stars of Liyue].

Because the position of [Liyue Seven Stars] is not important to Keqing...it should be said that it is relatively unimportant.

But in everything, we must first prepare for the worst, and then we can gradually move the situation in a favorable direction.

"I see." Zhong Ling nodded slightly. "I misunderstood Miss Keqing. I still have some immortal talismans needed to repair the [Return Machine]..."

One after another, identical fairy talismans flew out from Zhong Ling's sleeves and were automatically arranged and stacked together in an orderly manner.

"I want them all." Keqing said without hesitation. "As for the price, I won't disappoint Miss Zhong Ling."

"Ah, well..." Zhong Ling shook her head. "That's not necessary. These talismans were originally made for the [Return to the End] and have no other uses. I agree with Miss Keqing's idea. Since it is for the people of Liyue, then these talismans will be given to Miss Keqing... No, not to Miss Keqing."

Zhong Ling controlled the immortal talismans, and one after another, the immortal talismans flew out and directly sank into the [Return Machine] one after another.