[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roooaaa]
===
Paimon rubbed her chin, a look of sudden realization dawning on her face.
Before she could say anything else, Zhongli coughed lightly, cupped his hands, and said, "The three of you, we still need to make a trip to the Sunset Forest, so we won't linger. Farewell."
"Since Lord Zhongli has matters to attend to, I won't keep you. Another day, if time permits, I shall pay a visit!"
Ning Fengzhi responded with a smile.
After receiving Ning Fengzhi's reply, Zhongli nodded and continued walking toward the Sunset Forest.
Chiyu followed silently behind Zhongli, not uttering a word. Where Zhongli went, she followed—without a second thought for Ning Fengzhi or the others.
She trusted only Zhongli. Even with Paimon, she maintained a slight distance.
"Huh—?"
Paimon blinked, then quickly fluttered after them.
"Zhongli! Chiyu! Wait for me!"
Zhongli's expression remained unchanged, but a faint trace of amusement flickered in his eyes.
Bai Feifei, huh?
Trying to "trigger a quest," are we?
Not a chance!
He had finally retired—did they really think he'd go back to work so easily?
And on a quest, no less!
After Zhongli's group left, Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Tang Hao stood in silence for a moment, exchanging glances before resuming their "negotiations."
The details of their discussion remained unknown, but both sides departed with smiles—clearly, the talks had been successful, a win-win situation.
By afternoon, the sun was blazing, its rays scorching the earth.
The outskirts of the Sunset Forest were filled with towering trees, though their spacing wasn't as dense as in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps, casting dappled light on the ground and dispelling some of the forest's inherent gloom.
"Generally speaking, absorbing a soul ring below ten thousand years does not involve spiritual backlash. As long as the body's strength meets the requirements, one can absorb a higher-level soul ring."
Having said this, Zhongli placed a hand on Chiyu's shoulder.
The gesture made Chiyu's face flush slightly, but she didn't protest.
"Your body has long been depleted. Even with some later recovery, it remains riddled with hidden injuries."
"Your soul power concentration may exceed ten levels, but your physical strength is comparatively weak."
"Whether as a body-type martial soul or a beast-type, your physical condition…"
At this point, Zhongli shook his head. Chiyu's body was far weaker than he had expected—a direct consequence of her childhood suffering.
How could she grow properly when she barely had enough to eat?
Though she had recovered somewhat on the surface, the damage to her foundation remained.
Despite being fifteen and possessing soul power beyond the tenth level, her body could, at most, withstand a four-hundred-year soul ring—and that was pushing it!
Hearing this, Chiyu's expression dimmed slightly.
Was she… too lacking in talent?
Would Master look down on her?
For a moment, her emotions churned.
If Zhongli despised her… what would she do?
"Wait here for a moment."
Just as Zhongli was about to turn and leave, a thought seemed to strike him. His eyes brightened.
An amber glow shimmered in his palm.
"I will have order!"
In an instant, two crystalline shields enveloped Chiyu and Paimon.
"There. Until I return, you will be absolutely safe."
And absolutely safe meant exactly that—absolutely safe!
No one provided security like Zhongli!
"Zhongli, what's this about?"
Paimon looked at him in confusion.
She remembered this shield. Even the attacks of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast—no, even the strikes of the Dragon King Azhdaha couldn't break it in a short time.
Safe? Definitely.
But what was Zhongli planning to do?
"I'm returning to the estate briefly. I'll be back soon."
"Zhongli, you'd better come back quickly!"
Paimon shivered slightly as she spoke.
She knew exactly how dangerous soul beast forests could be—it was the reason she had temporarily given up traveling.
The next area, please—
Even knowing the shield would protect her, instinctive fear was hard to suppress!
"Mm."
Zhongli nodded, then vanished.
Chiyu, having heard his instructions, remained perfectly obedient, showing no reaction.
If Zhongli said to wait, then she would wait!
"Chiyu… are you scared?"
"This soul beast forest is full of terrifying monsters, you know…"
Chiyu shook her head.
"Compared to those people, these creatures are much more endearing."
"...???"
A tiny head filled with giant question marks.
This was the first time Paimon had ever heard such a thing.
In Teyvat, the "setting" was that archons loved humanity—but other monsters? No mercy was shown.
No matter how cruel an archon might be, they theoretically cherished their people—even if their "love" sometimes proved too heavy for humans to bear.
Like that one from old Mondstadt…
But now, she was hearing someone say that soul beasts were preferable to humans?
This…
Paimon's eyes brimmed with confusion, disbelief, and bewilderment.
Why?
Chiyu: My suffering, my pain—none of it came from soul beasts.
The malice of these creatures is simply hunger.
But those people…
Seeing the hatred flicker in Chiyu's eyes, Paimon found it hard to comprehend.
Don't preach kindness without knowing their suffering.
Paimon had never experienced such things—how could she understand Chiyu's anguish?
For a while, silence settled over the scene.
About three minutes later, the familiar figure reappeared, and both Paimon and Chiyu brightened.
The two of them… didn't quite get along.
They hadn't known what to say to each other.
But this person was different.
"Zhongli! You're back already? That's great!"
Paimon excitedly flew toward Zhongli, stopping only when she reached his side.
Chiyu's face also lit up, though she remained silent.
Zhongli nodded, then waved a hand, dispelling the shields around Chiyu and Paimon.
The reason for his return to the estate had been to retrieve the Inner Landscape—for within it lay something he needed.
After a brief consideration, Zhongli took out two "plants" and handed them to Chiyu.
One resembled a purple ganoderma—a Nine-Vein Purple Spirit Herb!
Though not classified as an immortal herb, its effects were nearly on par with one. It could restore vitality, replenish the body, and mend deficiencies in one's martial soul. For some, its value even surpassed that of true immortal herbs.
It was like medicine—no matter how potent the ingredients, they had to be used correctly to achieve their full effect.
Otherwise, the results could be counterproductive.
The other herb resembled narcissus, emanating a soft blue glow.
Unlike the Nine-Vein Purple Spirit Herb, this was a true immortal herb—Jade-Like Water Immortal Bone!
The very same herb Zhu Zhuqing had consumed in the original timeline.
Initially, Zhongli had considered giving Chiyu the Chrysanthemum of Unyielding Strength, but upon reflection, he dismissed the idea. That herb was too yang-aligned, unsuitable for a girl.
The Chrysanthemum Douluo?
Well… he was an exception.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 105 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 20 power stones I will publish the next chapter.