[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]
===
Heaven Dou City, Dugu... no, it should now be called Zhongli Manor.
After enjoying the opera and performances, Zhongli and Paimon returned to their residence.
Although Zhongli was the Crown Prince's advisor, he had declined "Xue Qinghe's" suggestion to reside together in the Crown Prince's estate.
Paimon floated ahead, occasionally glancing back to make sure Zhongli was following.
Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, her eyes lit up, and she turned to Zhongli.
"Zhongli, how much of your original strength do you still have?"
After all, Morax had been on the verge of succumbing to erosion and had planned to journey to the Dark Sea.
Erosion drastically weakened the power of gods.
Paimon was worried that Zhongli's strength might have similarly diminished.
Zhongli: "Erosion affects Morax—what does that have to do with me, Zhongli?"
Hearing this, Zhongli paused, lost in thought.
"Meteors fall, mountains reshape, stars bloom in barren lands, radiant as the sun—Morax..."
He wondered how Azhdaha was faring.
If he was no longer in Teyvat, would the last remnants of Azhdaha's kindness also fade under erosion?
But worry was futile now.
Zhongli shook his head, casting aside these thoughts, and calmly replied:
"In times of peace, Morax is no longer needed."
With no strife in the world and the people living in prosperity, there was no need for Morax to manifest his unrivaled martial might.
After a pause, he continued:
"But should Liyue—or the people of this world—ever need me..."
"Then I shall remain..."
"The Geo Archon."
Liyue… Would he ever return?
A silent sigh escaped him, but his expression quickly returned to serenity.
At over six thousand years old, his emotions rarely fluctuated—
Unless it concerned those he cared about.
"Wait, wait—so you're saying you're still at your peak?!"
Paimon's eyes widened, her voice stammering in disbelief.
This revelation truly shocked her!
Zhongli merely smiled faintly, offering no direct answer.
"Rest early. Tomorrow, we will likely have many guests."
The sliver of power he had displayed today was insignificant to him—barely a fraction of his true strength.
But to the people of Douluo Continent, it was unfathomable.
Under such circumstances, it was inevitable that visitors would come seeking an audience.
"Huh?!"
Paimon blinked. She had been with Zhongli the entire time—when had he arranged for guests?
"Zhongli, when did you invite anyone? Was it Crown Prince Xue Qinghe?"
"Uncertain. But she will likely be among them."
Paimon couldn't tell if Zhongli meant she or he.
As Zhongli stepped into the manor, Paimon hesitated.
Hadn't there been something left unclear?
"Ugh, this cryptic old man!"
She suddenly remembered—she had asked if he was still at full power!
"Zhongli, wait for me!"
The Next Morning
Sunrise, moonfall—a new day, a new cycle.
"Huh? Zhongli, aren't we going out for breakfast today?"
Seeing Zhongli brewing tea, Paimon's tiny head was filled with giant question marks.
With a silent sigh, Zhongli waved his hand, summoning an exquisite tray bearing several steaming, fragrant soup dumplings.
Though no steam rose from them, as if they had cooled, they were in fact freshly made—
A testament to the chef's mastery.
"These are the Soup Dumplings of the Widow Li from the southern district. The flavor is... acceptable."
"If you call them acceptable, they must be amazing!"
"Hehe, thanks for buying them for me!"
Rubbing her hands, Paimon reached for one—
Only for Zhongli to hand her chopsticks and a spoon.
"Huh?"
Chopsticks, she understood.
But a spoon for dumplings?
Confused, she accepted them anyway.
"Let me demonstrate the proper way to eat them."
With practiced elegance, Zhongli picked up a dumpling with his chopsticks, placed it on the spoon, then gently bit through the skin—
Instantly, rich broth spilled into the spoon.
Paimon stared, mesmerized.
So that's how you eat them?!
So fancy!
...Wait.
Was Zhongli just using this as an excuse to eat another one himself?
Well, he had bought them—it was only fair!
As Paimon finished breakfast, still pondering the mysteries of soup-filled dumplings, the manor's gate chimed.
This estate had no servants—only Zhongli and Paimon resided here.
Its previous owner, Dugu Bo, had also preferred solitude.
"Huh?! Someone really came?!"
Paimon's eyes widened as she turned to Zhongli, who sat serenely, as if he had foreseen this.
Did the Geo Archon have divination powers too?
But if he did, why couldn't he have...
Her thoughts trailed off.
Even with her low emotional intelligence, she knew better than to voice that pain.
"I wish to share osmanthus wine with old friends... but when shall we meet again?"
That line alone revealed Zhongli's unhealed wounds.
"I'll go greet them. You—"
Paimon's tiny frame could barely push open the door.
"Stay here and rest. I'll return shortly."
"No way!"
Paimon shook her head vigorously.
As the Voice of God, how could she stay behind?
"I'm coming with you!"
"Very well."
Zhongli agreed without hesitation.
The visitors were two men.
One radiated immense power—among the strongest Zhongli had sensed in this world.
But ultimately, he was still just a human.
The other had a weaker aura, though still formidable—yet his frail appearance made him seem... unimpressive.
After a brief consideration, Zhongli guessed their identities.
As the gates opened, they revealed:
A refined, scholarly middle-aged man with a gentle smile—
And behind him, a white-haired elder with sharp, sword-like brows and burning battle intent in his eyes.
"Mr. Zhongli, I am Ning Fengzhi, leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School."
"Forgive my unannounced visit."
Ning Fengzhi spoke with utmost courtesy.
Despite not being a Titled Douluo, his status as the head of a Top Three Sect allowed him to stand as an equal to them.
Most Titled Douluos would address him with respect—"Sect Leader Ning."
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 25 on my patreon, go check it out.