Hearing Ningguang's answer, Cloud Retainer immediately reached a conclusion.
"So that's how it is… a detached, world-weary mindset."
"No—perhaps not quite world-weary."
"Rather, it's someone who suddenly obtained power far beyond comprehension… and was then cast into a completely different world."
"A world with an entirely different framework of values."
"So for the time being, he has no clear goal—no direction to move toward."
"He does whatever comes to mind. Says whatever crosses his thoughts."
Having lived for several thousand years, Cloud Retainer needed only Ningguang's fragmented description to piece together Lin Ze's current state.
"Then… he doesn't truly intend to form a harem?"
"What a strange thing to focus on."
Cloud Retainer shook her head slightly, though she still offered an explanation.
"That's impossible to say. In his current condition, even with immense power, he's easily influenced."
"Perhaps it was merely a whim at the time."
"But given enough time, a whim may cease to be a whim."
"Of course, he may also forget he ever said such a thing."
"In the end, it all depends on the environment around him."
The moment those words fell—
A sharp glint flashed through Ningguang's and Keqing's eyes.
Easily influenced?
Shaped by his surroundings?
The implications were… enormous.
"I know exactly what you're thinking," Cloud Retainer said coolly.
"But this is merely analysis—nothing more."
"There is no certainty that his so-called Black Flag Power was obtained only after arriving in Teyvat."
"Nor can we be sure that Teyvat is the first world he has ever traversed."
She wasn't naïve. She may have been reclusive, but she was far from foolish. The moment she saw the spark in their eyes, she moved to suppress it.
"Cloud Retainer is right."
Madam Ping followed up immediately.
"Your intentions are good—but I do not advise you to act on them."
"Why not?"
Keqing frowned.
If both Cloud Retainer and Madam Ping were rejecting the idea outright, then something didn't add up.
Were the Adepti planning to claim Lin Ze for themselves?
To return Liyue to Adeptus rule?
"There's no need to doubt us," Madam Ping said gently.
"We have no intention of competing for him."
"We simply see… a little further."
She had watched Keqing grow up. One look was enough to know what the girl was thinking.
"Even if Lin Ze truly left his world unintentionally—what he calls being isekai'd—and Teyvat was the first world he arrived in…"
"His original world was anything but ordinary."
"You may not have noticed—but he already understood the concept of 'systems' before arriving here."
"He's mocked them in his diary."
"He already knew of our world."
"Now, let us assume everything he has shown us is genuine."
"That he truly arrived in Teyvat for the first time."
"But he has already been to Celestia."
"And regarding truths that must not be spoken—he almost certainly knows far more than any of us."
"Even if Rex Lapis himself intervened, it might be impossible to guide him."
Madam Ping had walked among mortals for centuries. The details she noticed far surpassed the others'.
Lin Ze didn't just understand systems—he understood how they worked.
"And more importantly…"
"Are we certain Lin Ze cannot control this diary system?"
"He already understands its properties."
"..."
Even Cloud Retainer inhaled sharply.
That thought had been completely overlooked.
Lin Ze understood the diary system far too well.
Was it truly something beyond his control?
Or—
Was the system itself perhaps a byproduct of the Black Flag Power?
The more they thought about it, the more chaotic their thoughts became.
A sense of creeping unease spread through the room.
Meanwhile—
Lin Ze was hugging his five-star ornamental fish pillow, sleeping soundly.
Entirely unaware that atop the Jade Chamber, a group of gods, Adepti, and leaders were collectively fighting an invisible enemy called overthinking.
In the end—
Keqing, who never smoked, snatched Ningguang's cigarette.
It was a special blend—meant to sharpen the mind.
"Cough—! Cough, cough!"
Naturally, she choked immediately.
That cough snapped everyone back to reality.
The oppressive tension dissipated—but a trace of lingering fear remained in their eyes.
"Perhaps…" Yelan said slowly, rubbing her temples,
"We could just ask Lin Ze directly?"
"He doesn't seem guarded around us."
"If what he says is true—that Liyue resembles his homeland's ancient past—perhaps that sense of familiarity would make him willing to clarify our suspicions?"
It was a reckless suggestion.
No one responded.
A moment later, Yelan covered her face.
"…Forget I said anything."
Asking him directly would only confirm that they had been secretly dissecting him behind his back.
Even if Lin Ze could already guess it—
There was a vast difference between knowing and having it said aloud.
"And what seems to be the issue?"
A calm voice echoed through the hall.
Zhong Li—or rather, Zhong Li, the Geo Archon's female incarnation—had arrived.
She had sensed the presence of Cloud Retainer and Madam Ping long ago.
The reason she delayed was simple:
If her divine sense arrived too early, and someone attempted to speak of the diary, the system's warning would interrupt them.
"Greetings, Your Grace."
Cloud Retainer did not conceal anything and recounted the situation in full—
Naturally, anything that couldn't be said was phrased through implication instead.
"There's no need to overthink it," Zhong Li said calmly.
"Nor is excessive vigilance required."
"If the sky falls, someone taller will hold it up."
"The matters you're struggling to unravel—Heavenly Principles itself likely hasn't sorted them out."
"Perhaps not even Lin Ze himself understands them fully."
"As long as his existence benefits Liyue…"
"That is enough."
Compared to the others, the Geo Archon had seen more, lived longer, and understood deeper truths.
Some things simply could not withstand too much scrutiny.
Once a conclusion was assumed, every path of reasoning bent itself toward that answer.
Meaningless.
"Yes, Your Grace."
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