In the end, Zhongli declined "Xue Qinghe's" invitation.
However, he became an honorary advisor to the Crown Prince's residence!
"Zhongli, you've really outdone yourself this time!"
"First, you sent your bills to little Hu Tao. Now, they go straight to the Crown Prince's mansion!"
Paimon couldn't hold back any longer, patting Zhongli's shoulder as she teased.
This man was determined to freeload his way through life!
"By the way, Zhongli, how do you know so much about this world? We just got here!"
What puzzled Paimon was how Zhongli seemed so familiar with this world!
It was bizarre—how could he know so much on his first visit?
Zhongli merely smiled mysteriously, refusing to answer.
"Hmph! Fine, keep your secrets!"
Paimon crossed her arms, turning away in a huff while stomping her foot.
"I'll give you an even worse nickname!"
Zhongli: "..."
"From now on, you're 'Riddle Man!'"
Zhongli's eyelid twitched. Paimon's talent for nicknames was truly… something.
"Xue Qinghe" had left—she had many matters to attend to.
Before departing, she handed Zhongli a token bearing only the character "Xue."
Zhongli suspected this token might carry more weight in the Spirit Hall than in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Why would "Xue Qinghe" recruit a social parasite like Zhongli?
A man of his intellect was better kept close than left for rival factions!
Better unused by me than exploited by others!
Fortunately, Zhongli lacked soul power and wasn't a fighter. A rare talent like him wouldn't attract too much attention.
Besides, as an advisor to the Crown Prince, who could poach him now?
"Ugh, what's the deal with this lousy Heaven Dou Royal Academy? And that Dugu Bo!"
"Just because he's a Titled Douluo, he thinks he's so great!"
"If I were—"
"Huh? What's that?"
Zhongli and Paimon paused at the outburst, turning toward the city gate.
A group stood there—young and old alike.
Seven youths, accompanied by a few elders.
Suddenly, one of the girls, mid-rant, spotted something and dashed toward them, eyes gleaming.
"It—it can fly?!"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Her companions mirrored her shock, while the older men gaped.
Especially a certain flat-headed middle-aged man. He stared at Zhongli, then at Paimon, and gasped:
"A detached beast martial spirit!"
A second person in this world with a detached beast martial spirit!
Yet, while his was some pig-dog abomination, this man's was… adorable and could fly?!
Heaven is unjust!
He hurried over, scrutinizing Paimon.
"Of course Paimon can fly!"
Paimon placed her hands on her hips, puffing up proudly.
"It can talk too?!"
The flat-headed man's jaw dropped further.
He'd studied countless martial spirits and theories—arguably the most knowledgeable in the entire Douluo Continent!
But a talking martial spirit? Unheard of!
"You're a weird uncle. Why wouldn't Paimon talk?"
The man's shock melted into fascination. So unique! So extraordinary!
Paimon shuddered, feeling like prey under a predator's gaze, and ducked behind Zhongli.
"Zhongli, this guy's creepy! Let's go!"
Zhongli: "..."
When Zhongli didn't budge, Paimon paused—then remembered.
Zhongli is the Geo Archon, the one who ended the Archon War! With him here, what's there to fear?
Instantly emboldened, she huffed.
"Hmph! You scared Paimon, so I'll give you a horrible nickname as payback!"
"From now on, you're…"
"Little Flat-Head!"
Flat-Headed Man: "..."
Everyone else: "..."
The man's eye twitched. His calm heart now raged like stormy seas.
Little Flat-Head?!
In his youth, he'd been quite handsome!
Not as striking as this Zhongli, but among his peers, he'd been a top-tier heartthrob!
Time is a butcher's knife—and it's carved him mercilessly…
"Xiao Gang, that's a great nickname! 'Little Flat-Head!'"
"HAHAHAHA!!"
Another middle-aged man burst out laughing.
"Flander! Laugh again, and we're through!"
"Guh—"
Seeing Yu Xiaogang's fury, Flander clapped a hand over his mouth.
"Children speak without filter, forgive them!"
Yu Xiaogang shot him a glare but muttered, "I'm not angry. Not angry."
"Little girl, your name is Paimon, right?"
"You've misunderstood me. I was just overexcited to see a martial spirit like yours."
"You're one of a kind!"
"You're a miracle!"
Yu Xiaogang didn't hold back his admiration.
Wasn't such a martial spirit a miracle?
Not just a detached beast spirit—but humanoid, articulate, and sapient!
This defied all known theories!
Unique!
The group was stunned. In their eyes, Yu Xiaogang was stern and reserved—even toward Tang San, he'd never been this effusive.
Yet one look at Paimon, and he transformed!
"Sss…"
They collectively sucked in a breath, dumbfounded.
"Grandmaster, he… he actually…"
The chubby boy blinked in confusion. Was Paimon really that special?
"Ohhh, you're pretty good with words!"
Paimon beamed. Who didn't love compliments?
Someone as guileless as Paimon could get scammed seven times before breakfast!
Yu Xiaogang: "..."
After a pause, he turned to Zhongli.
A single glance at those amber phoenix eyes, that aura of quiet authority, left Yu Xiaogang momentarily dazed.
Even in a crowd, this man stood out—the brightest star!
"Young man, may I ask… what's your innate soul power level?"
"I know it's forward, but as a scholar, I'm desperate to understand martial spirits!"
"Especially one like Paimon!"
Though polite, Flander and the others winced.
This wasn't just forward—it was suicidal!
Innate soul power wasn't something you just asked about!
Every soul master had their secrets. Soul power, spirit skills—these weren't topics for casual inquiry!