After finishing breakfast, Xia Zhi went to find Cloud Retainer.
"Your hospitality these past days has been most gracious, but it's time for us to take our leave."
Cloud Retainer stiffened. "When?"
"Tomorrow."
"So soon? There's no harm in staying longer—"
"You're too kind, but we still have several places to visit. We shouldn't impose further."
"I… very well."
As Xia Zhi turned to leave, Cloud Retainer's expression dimmed.
Not being able to enjoy Xia Zhi's exquisite cooking was irrelevant—what truly pained her was the thought of parting with her two disciples.
Though the abode felt lively now, once Xia Zhi's group departed tomorrow, the Dragon King, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper would likely follow suit, leaving her alone once more.
No matter how elegant an adeptal paradise might be, loneliness rendered it dull and desolate.
Honestly… how had she endured such an existence before?
Lost in thought, she didn't notice Shenhe approaching until the latter spoke.
"Master."
"Hm?"
"We're leaving tomorrow."
"I know. Xia ZHhi just informed me. Travel safely."
The advice felt redundant—with three archon-level beings accompanying her, Shenhe would be safe no matter where she went.
Shenhe studied Cloud Retainer's subdued demeanor. "Master, you won't go back to researching that dangerous mechanism, will you?"
"That mechanism? Of course not."
"Truly?"
"Naturally. Xia Zhi and I have already discussed it. The new mechanism is complete—it simply hasn't been tested yet."
At the mention of mechanisms, Cloud Retainer perked up slightly.
"Xia Zhi mentioned that the new device's destructive potential is… excessive. Finding a suitable testing site on land would be difficult. He plans to locate an uninhabited stretch of ocean during his upcoming trip to Inazuma… A pity, really."
"What's the pity?"
"Not being able to witness my creation's full capabilities firsthand…"
"If that's all, Master, why not come with us?"
Cloud Retainer blinked. "Come with you?"
Shenhe nodded. "Since you have nothing pressing here, why not travel with us? You could join us in Inazuma and test the mechanism yourself."
"This…"
Cloud Retainer wavered.
Shenhe pressed gently, "Does Master have reservations?"
"Not reservations, exactly. But Madame Ping mentioned that Rex Lapis intends for me to teach at the school."
"I see… What are your thoughts?"
"Personally… mentoring one or two youngsters, like you and Ganyu, is manageable. But an entire classroom? I fear my patience would wear thin…"
"So Master is conflicted? If you don't wish to go, then don't."
"Yet Rex Lapis—"
Shenhe's expression turned serious. "Master, Rex Lapis is merely the vice-principal. The boss is the headmaster. If you remain by his side as a traveling instructor, it amounts to the same thing."
Cloud Retainer's face twitched before she conceded, "There is logic in that."
Shenhe asked, "Has Master decided, then?"
After a moment's contemplation, Cloud Retainer nodded. "I'll prepare my belongings and depart with you tomorrow. As for Xia Zhi…"
A faint smile graced Shenhe's lips. "Leave that to me."
Cloud Retainer studied her disciple's expression, momentarily dazed.
After centuries of Shenhe's emotionless demeanor, she still hadn't fully adjusted to her now-normal behavior.
But Shenhe did look far lovelier when she smiled.
With an internal sigh, Cloud Retainer murmured, "Very well. I'll trouble you with it."
---
Meanwhile, Xia Zhi located the Dragon King to inform him of their impending departure.
The Dragon King sighed regretfully. "If you must go, then so be it. These past days of camaraderie have been rare joys. Parting will be difficult."
Xia Zhi chuckled. "No need for such solemnity. We'll have plenty of opportunities to meet again."
The Dragon King nodded. "True enough… Though, might we still game together tonight?"
So that's what you're really concerned about…
Xia Zhi agreed readily. "Naturally. We'll coordinate via phone and reconvene in the dream realm."
The Dragon King brightened. "Excellent."
Not that he cared about gaming—it was simply an excuse to maintain ties with the profoundly intriguing Xia Zhi.
-----
That morning, with some free time on his hands, Xia Zhi went to the lakeside with the others to do some fishing.
The adeptal scenery was beautiful here, but the highlight was undoubtedly the crystal-clear lake.
Even though it was only early spring, the lake water held no chill at all. Dipping a hand in, it felt pleasantly warm.
In one corner of the lake, lotus leaves grew in lush green clusters. Thanks to the warmth, the lotuses bloomed year-round, their pink petals swaying gracefully—utterly enchanting.
Some of the girls waded into the water, gathering plenty of lotus pods.
So they sat there, fishing while shelling lotus seeds to snack on, their mouths filled with a delicate fragrance. It was a lovely, peaceful moment.
Xia Zhi sat beside Azhdaha, listening with great interest as the ancient being recounted old secrets and stories.
"I heard from storytellers in Liyue that the Geo Archon once discovered a spiritual stone underground and carved it into a dragon form, giving it life by etching eyes into the stone. Is that true?"
"That tale has its embellishments, but yes, it was Morax who gave me eyes and formed a contract with me."
"What about during the Archon War?"
"Nothing unusual. Endless battles across the land..."
Azhdaha began recounting his exploits from those times.
Xia Zhi listened for a while, then suddenly asked, "What's your opinion of Mondstadt's Anemo Archon?"
"You mean Barbatos? I'm quite familiar with him. He used to come and drink with me often."
"Oh?"
"He's a great drinking buddy. Free-spirited, laid-back, loves playing the lyre—and he's pretty good at it too. If you meet him during your trip to Mondstadt, do me a favor and tell him I said hi. Tell him to visit Liyue again for a drink when he has time."
"I will... I also heard that Mondstadt has a guardian wind dragon named Dvalin, said to be a companion of the Anemo Archon."
"Ah, that youngster's never seen much of the world. That's why he got lured away by Barbatos's music."
"Is that all?"
"Of course."
"I thought the Archon and the dragon were both peak Anemo beings, connected by some deeper bond."
"Haha, fate is a mysterious thing. Just like how I happened to meet Morax back then."
Xia Zhi nodded thoughtfully. It seemed the relationships between the seven elemental dragons and the Archons were quite complex.
From his time-traveling dream the night before, he had learned something significant from 500 years ago—specifically from Focalors: the divine authority held by the Seven Archons was originally taken from the seven ancient elemental dragons.
By that logic, the Archons and the dragons should be mortal enemies.
But that wasn't the case at all.
The Anemo Archon and Dvalin had fought side by side to defeat the corrupted dragon Durin.
The Geo Archon and Azhdaha had battled together against countless foes.
Xia Ci and the Dendro Sovereign coexisted peacefully.
In Fontaine, Focalors had even invited the newly awakened Hydro Dragon to serve as Chief Justice, making him work for her for 500 years…
Fascinating.
Xia Zhi chuckled softly, hands steady on his fishing rod.
Whether by coincidence or design, gods always seemed to have a dragon by their side.
He himself was both the Light and Darkness God, yet this world had no dragons of light or darkness.
But from another perspective, as an Outer God, he had arrived in a world where, atop Dragonspine, lay buried a dragon who had descended from beyond—the corrupted Durin.
Xia Zhi lifted his head and turned his gaze toward the snow-covered mountain in the distance, "looking" at it from afar.
He had once spoken with Durin in a dream, offering to resurrect him. He wondered how the dragon was mulling over that offer now.
---
At noon, thanks to a bountiful catch, Xia Zhi prepared a variety of fish dishes.
Of course, he made sure to include vegetarian options for Ganyu.
In the afternoon, Xiangling, Mona, Chi Yu, and Charlotte didn't go out to play—they stayed in their rooms working on their manuscripts.
Cloud Retainer was busy packing up the items she wanted to bring along, with Madame Ping trailing behind her, watching her load up various strange mechanisms.
"You really don't need to bring all this junk," Madame Ping said.
"Why not?"
"I'm not saying it's useless. I'm saying it's really useless."
"...They might come in handy."
Cloud Retainer insisted.
Madame Ping gave her a helpless look and shook her head.
"Cloud Retainer, a few days ago when I invited you to come with us, you refused. What changed your mind today?"
"It's not that I wanted to go. I said I wouldn't, but Shenhe insisted I should."
"Oh really?"
"Of course."
"I thought maybe you were trying to repay Xia Zhi's kindness."
"Of course I want to repay him."
"So how do you plan on doing that?"
"I..."
Cloud Retainer was momentarily speechless.
After all, Xia Zhi was a god. As a humble adeptus, she didn't have many ways to be truly helpful to him.
"I'll see what I can do. As long as I'm with him, I'll find ways to help. Now stop standing there and help me pack up those mechanisms."
Madame Ping looked at her, shook her head again, and walked over to help.
----
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