Heaven Dou City, this bustling capital, was now filled with anxiety and fear.
The Body Sect was gone?
The Nine Treasure Glazed Sect was severely damaged?
Such news, how could it not cause panic?
At Zhongli's residence, a beautiful woman in a golden dress was chatting with Zhongli.
"Guest Elder, you even disbanded the Body Sect to help me unify the continent. Can I really bear such a heavy responsibility?"
Qian Renxue looked bewildered, her brows filled with various emotions, worry, sorrow, and hesitation.
Even if Zhongli hadn't said it, how could Qian Renxue not understand?
If not for this reason, why would Zhongli disband the world's number one sect?
Now, Qian Renxue was only struggling with whether she could shoulder such a burden.
"No one is a born leader..."
Zhongli put down his teacup and spoke kindly.
Everyone makes mistakes; who can be a perfect saint?
Qian Renxue said hesitantly, "But, but I really, really..."
She had so much to say, but she didn't know how to start.
In her "previous life," she didn't have such pressure; the people, the world, had little to do with her.
In this "life," walking this path was somewhat of a headache. The burden was too heavy, and there was no one to share it.
She couldn't find anyone else to confide in besides Zhongli.
Seeing Qian Renxue silent for a long time, lost in confusion, Zhongli shook his head and sighed.
She wasn't from the common people and hadn't experienced such a life, so it was natural for her to feel lost.
There are no born saints. Her confusion was normal, given her age and the limited people and things she had been exposed to.
"Xue'er, I know you have a lot to say to me, but keep these thoughts in your heart for now."
Zhongli's voice was steady and reassuring. Seeing Qian Renxue calm down slightly, he continued, "The reason you're lost is that you haven't walked among the common people."
"Active research and participation, actively engaging with the common people, will soon give you the answers to your confusion."
As if recalling something, Zhongli sighed and continued, "I was once lost too."
"???"
Qian Renxue was stunned. Even someone as perfect as Zhongli had been lost?
It felt like he was tricking her.
"When I carefully observed humans, I discovered their beautiful side, whether in laughter or innocence..."
"Humans always have this beautiful side, and it was these beauties that shaped me and shaped Liyue."
At this point, a hint of bitterness and nostalgia flashed in Zhongli's eyes.
The death of that dear friend, right or wrong, he no longer cared to distinguish. He would annihilate them all!
Either leave or die!
And Liyue was more like their "child." After 3,700 years of protection, the child had finally grown up, and he could lay down his heavy burden and wander the world.
In this process, finding fragments of past memories was also a beautiful thing.
"Liyue is a nation I built with many dear friends and immortals. It is the most prosperous and powerful nation on the Teyvat continent."
Zhongli spoke with great confidence. As long as he was there, Liyue was the most powerful nation, and no one would doubt its prosperity.
Liyue was by the sea, nestled between mountains and water, with the best geographical location on the entire Teyvat continent, bar none.
This was why so many ancient demons had gathered here.
"Counting the time, Liyue has been built for over 3,700 years now."
"???"
"!!!"
Teyvat, Liyue, 3,700 years...
These words left Qian Renxue stunned, standing there in a daze.
Dear friends, immortals...
She hadn't met Zhongli's dear friends, but she had met two immortals.
One was called Xianyun, who always referred to herself as "this immortal," but her current whereabouts were unknown.
The other was called Xiao, who looked like a young man, standing at 1.58 meters tall, but he didn't like to talk much.
This young man had lived for at least 3,700 years, no wonder he called himself an immortal!
How could a human live so long?
Even if someone mocked Xiao's height, he would just snort coldly, saying something about disrespecting the immortal master.
Such demeanor was truly extraordinary.
If even immortals were like this, what about Zhongli?
Were those monsters also from the Teyvat continent?
No wonder that visitor from another world, Mr. Diluc, was so familiar with Zhongli and Paimon.
So, they were from the same world.
"Who... who are you really?"
Qian Renxue's tone was very calm. She had long suspected but lacked evidence, so she wasn't sure.
She didn't expect Zhongli to reveal his identity today, leaving her somewhat puzzled.
"Is it important?"
Zhongli's expression was calm. The reason he revealed his identity was that he knew it would be exposed over time. Why not talk to Qian Renxue first, as a gesture of honesty.
Moreover, he felt that the titles "Geo Archon" and "Rex Lapis" weren't something Qian Renxue could just come up with randomly.
How could there be such a coincidence in the world?
Qian Renxue fell silent again. Yes, who Zhongli really was, was it important?
"No matter who you are, you are my advisor, my state preceptor, my Geo Archon!"
Realizing this, Qian Renxue's lips curled into a sweet smile, her mood seemingly improved.
"No matter what I do, you will always help me, right?"
As soon as she said this, Qian Renxue's face showed a hint of anticipation, but what she got was Zhongli's silence.
After a while, the smile on Qian Renxue's face froze and disappeared, as if she understood something.
"I get it. You were never helping me, but the humans you spoke of!"
"You think I'm the best choice, so you help and support me, not because I'm Qian Renxue."
"What you chose was never any identity, just that I was heading in the right direction."
She should have known this long ago, should have understood it.
After all, many things she did in this life were based on Zhongli's "preferences." It was only natural that she gained his recognition and help.
"Zhongli, I hate you!"
"But I think what you did makes sense!"
"I'm leaving. I will be a qualified emperor, leading the people of the Douluo Continent to prosperity and strength."
Tears welled up in Qian Renxue's eyes, as if she had made some resolution, and she left without looking back.
"Ah, my dear friend, I hope you can understand my feelings now, centuries later."
Zhongli sighed again, shaking his head helplessly.
Suddenly, a soft voice rang out, making Zhongli tremble slightly.
"Morax, you've made another girl sad."