Chen Meng instinctively glanced at Morax, then quickly looked away, shifting his expression to a blank stare aimed straight at Guizhong.
Within seconds, Guizhong surrendered with a pout.
"Alright, I was kidding. So, how was the patrol today?"She asked curiously.
As Chen Meng and Guizhong chatted, Fuxue quietly stepped over to Morax's side.
"Lord Morax, I have something to report… it's about Lord Chen Meng."
Morax glanced toward the distant figure of Chen Meng chatting with Guizhong and nodded slightly.
"Go on."
"Yes. Based on our observations, Lord Chen Meng's power seems to exceed the boundaries of dream-based abilities. The way he controls monsters appears to involve their consciousness."
Morax recalled the first time he met Chen Meng—the mist around him didn't feel like any dream power he knew.
He looked at the two playfully bickering in the distance, then shook his head and turned back to Fuxue.
"Don't speak of this to anyone for now. When the time comes, he'll tell us himself."
"Yes."
After responding, Fuxue rejoined the other Yakshas and relayed Morax's instructions.
"Morax, let's head back,"Guizhong said as she approached with Chen Meng following.
"We'll take our leave, Lord Morax."
Fuxue and the others came to say goodbye. Morax gave a nod of approval.
With that, the Five Yakshas bid farewell to the trio and headed off into the distance.
"Well then, shall we go?"Morax said, and the three departed as well.
Soon, the group arrived at Markosius' home, where he had already prepared a meal and was waiting at the stone bench.
After dinner, Markosius left for an errand, leaving Chen Meng, Morax, and Guizhong seated around the table, chatting.
"Morax, have you ever considered giving yourself a name?"Chen Meng asked.
"Why would I need a name?"
"Well," Chen Meng began, "I don't know my divine name, but 'Chen Meng' sounds pretty mortal. Guizhong's the same—it's clearly not her divine title."
Guizhong chimed in enthusiastically,"Yeah! Morax, you should totally pick a name."
Faced with two eager faces, Morax relented.
"What kind of name should we give you…?"Guizhong mused aloud.
"Ahem, I have a name suggestion. Want to hear it?"
Chen Meng spoke up and then used his power to write two characters on the stone table.
Guizhong and Morax looked over. The words spelled "Zhongli."
"Zhongli… it's a good name. But Chen Meng, why this name in particular?"
Morax asked, and Guizhong also turned to him, waiting for an answer.
Chen Meng took a sip of tea and replied calmly,
"This name carries great meaning. One day, you'll understand."
With that, he fell silent.
The other two glanced at him but didn't press further.
"Then from now on, we'll call you Zhongli,"Guizhong said, and Zhongli nodded.
"What are you all talking about?"Markosius suddenly returned.
"You're back! Morax has a new name now!"Guizhong said excitedly.
"From now on, we can call him Zhongli."
"Zhongli, huh? Nice name. Who thought of it?"
"Chen Meng dreamed it up,"Guizhong replied.
Markosius turned to Chen Meng with a smile.
"So, since you gave Morax a name, have you thought of one for me?"
"Guo… I mean, no."
Chen Meng almost blurted out "Guoba," but stopped himself—too early for that.
He paused, then smiled slyly at Markosius.
"How about the surname 'Di' for you?"
"…Di?"
Markosius was visibly confused.
"Just kidding."
Chen Meng laughed it off, and the topic was dropped as the four continued to chat.
After a while, Guizhong left first, followed by Zhongli, who was about to head out when Chen Meng asked,
"Zhongli, do you have any gemstone accessories?"
"I do. How many do you need?"
"Hmm… fifteen, maybe."
"I'll bring them tomorrow."
"Thanks. See you."
"See you."
Zhongli left. Chen Meng and Markosius returned to their rooms. As Chen Meng lay in bed preparing to sleep, the system's voice suddenly rang out.
"Host, I have something to tell you."
"…You're being awfully polite."
"Ahem. Due to unknown causes, the achievement and lottery modules have been lost."
"o_o... What about my rewards from now on?"
"No worries. I'll deliver rewards at random intervals from now on~ (￣▽￣)"
"…Alright, sure."
With that, Chen Meng ended the conversation and fell asleep.
The world is vast, but sleep reigns supreme ￣︶￣∗￣︶￣*￣︶￣∗
Morning
After breakfast, Chen Meng and Markosius sat by the stone table waiting for Zhongli.
Before long, Zhongli arrived, sat down, and laid nine jade pendants on the table.
"What do you think? If you don't like jade, I have other types."
Chen Meng didn't reply immediately. Instead, he looked at the fifteen pendants and asked the system:
"System, can these be inscribed with purification?"
"Scanning… Scan complete. Inscription possible."
With the system's confirmation, Chen Meng said,
"These are great."
"Chen Meng, what do you need these pendants for?"Markosius asked curiously.
"You'll find out in a bit. Zhongli, come with me."
Chen Meng stored the pendants into the system space and walked into his room. Zhongli followed.
Outside, Markosius was left alone—a lonely bear.
Inside Chen Meng's room
"What do you need me for?"Zhongli asked.
"You'll see soon."
Chen Meng took out a jade pendant and held it in his hand. Zhongli watched as Chen Meng summoned the system silently.
The system activated the inscription process. A green light emerged from Chen Meng's body and fused into the pendant, which soon bore a mysterious mark.
A system notification chimed:
"Congratulations, host. Inscription complete. This pendant can reduce all negative effects. Once bonded, the wearer can change its color and shape at will. Also, it has additional function &%."
"System, how does someone bond with it? And what's with the gibberish?"
"Just infuse your own power to bond. And there's no gibberish. Let me repeat: the pendant has functions like %#!@%#."
"…Never mind. Just rest."
Chen Meng ended the conversation and handed the pendant to Zhongli.
"Here. Try it."
Zhongli took the pendant and began sensing the power within.