The term "ley lines" runs through the entire continent of Teyvat.
It is a conceptual network connecting all things in this world, with different elements flowing through it. It is said that everything that happens above and below the ground is recorded within the ley lines.
When the frost of the ley lines erodes the vines, it gives birth to a monster known as the Cryo Regisvine.
Strange plants like Whopperflowers and Flaming Flowers are also deeply connected to the ley lines.
"I'm missing a part of my soul?"
Bailuo spread out his hands, looking somewhat curious.
He didn't know what symptoms losing a soul would cause, but he didn't feel any discomfort. In fact, he felt more complete than ever.
On the other hand, his erratic system was clearly malfunctioning. It had only recently become somewhat active, and before that, he had almost forgotten he even had it.
"Yes, and the traces are quite obvious. Anyone could see the tearing sensation."
Zhongli looked at him again, speaking with certainty.
"..."
With that one sentence, you've insulted everyone in the world.
What exactly is this so-called tearing of the soul?
Could it be...? But no, I didn't transmigrate into this body; I came here as myself. There's no way I displaced someone else's soul.
Wait, evil spirits!
"Mr. Zhongli, what exactly are evil spirits?"
Zhongli had mentioned that his condition was related to the ley lines and evil spirits.
Perhaps Zhongli could give him a satisfactory answer.
"Evil spirits, as the term suggests, are a concept from Liyue's exorcist families. In Teyvat, they have a more formal name—remnants of gods."
"Remnants of gods?!"
Bailuo understood what remnants of gods were better than anyone. After all, the adorable Collei, whom he had just sent to Sumeru, had remnants of gods sealed within her.
Remnants of gods are essentially the remains of gods. Because their power hasn't completely dissipated, the lingering resentment of these gods continues to affect the world.
This made Bailuo even more certain that the "tearing of the soul" Zhongli mentioned was likely referring to his system.
So far, every time Bailuo activated his system, it was related to gods or their remnants. For example, when he fought the Raiden Shogun as Battousai, or when dealing with the remnants of gods within Collei.
"The reason why I said that you shouldn't be told about these things is because it's related to that exorcist family. The state of your soul's tearing... if I'm not mistaken, it's the work of the exorcist family. But you don't have the aura of an evil spirit at all. From a universal perspective, they shouldn't have targeted you, which is why I find it strange."
This time, Zhongli even reached out and placed his hand on Bailuo's wrist, as if taking his pulse.
This further confirmed his speculation.
"Exorcist family..."
Was he referring to Chongyun? Did that kid do something to me?
But that doesn't make sense. I've never been to Liyue, nor have I met anyone from the Chongyun family. So why is my soul missing a part?
And also.
"Mr. Zhongli, aren't you afraid that I'll go cause trouble for those exorcist families? After all, you know how the Fatui operate. It wouldn't be hard for us to find them."
Bailuo said this half-jokingly.
After finishing the remaining tea in his bowl, Zhongli replied with a hint of authority, "Would you dare?"
"..."
I really wouldn't.
This was also a reason why Zhongli first claimed he couldn't assist but later altered his stance. Initially, he was uncertain whether Bailuo was aware of his true identity. Once he verified that Bailuo did know, the situation became easier.
No one could harm the exorcist families under Morax's protection. The Geo Archon himself was a powerful deterrent.
Bailuo could indeed kill those people with his abilities, but he wouldn't initiate such slaughter.
There was simply no need. He couldn't even be sure if what Morax said was true. Acting against a family based solely on his words wasn't his style.
He could take Zhongli's words as advice, but not as absolute truth.
Who knew if this thousand-year-old monster was trying to trick him?
"From what I can see now, the missing part of your soul hasn't affected you much. Aside from memory loss, it hasn't impacted you personally. From a universal perspective, perhaps the one who took part of your soul meant no harm."
For many, the soul is an excellent medium.
For example, casting curses through the soul or performing other rituals can greatly affect the person.
"Then, Mr. Zhongli, could you introduce me to that exorcist family? I mean no harm; I just want to recover the missing part of my soul."
While he said he wanted to recover his soul, Bailuo was more interested in retrieving the missing part of his system.
He was almost certain that, compared to the missing part of his soul, the torn part was more like his system.
Even an incomplete system had given him such immense power. If he could complete the system, would that mean he could acquire new classes more easily?
At that point, not only could he crush people with a steamroller, but he might even be able to pull off a Star Burst Stream.
Ou＜
hihi～
"I'm just an ordinary consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. How could I have the influence to connect you with the exorcist family? Mr. Bailuo, you'll have to find someone else for that."
Though his words were polite, given that both parties knew each other's true identities, Zhongli had essentially rejected Bailuo's request outright.
The fact that he had shared so much with Bailuo was already out of consideration for his former status as a citizen of Liyue. He wasn't close enough to Bailuo to expose his identity for his sake.
"Then... could I ask you for another favor? It's a small matter, insignificant to you."
Bailuo wasn't disappointed by Zhongli's refusal. In fact, he had already anticipated that Zhongli wouldn't agree to his first request.
The first request was entirely to set up the second one.
"Go ahead."
Zhongli, who had been about to leave, paused upon hearing this.
"Let's have a fight."
"???"
This time, Zhongli's face was no longer as calm as before. Instead, he looked somewhat surprised.
Bailuo should know who he is, right? Yet, under these circumstances, Bailuo still made this request.
Over thousands of years, Zhongli had experienced countless partings and reunions, and he had developed a unique perspective on people. He could tell that Bailuo's threat to trouble the exorcist family was a joke, but he could also see that Bailuo was serious now.
Did this Fatui Harbinger truly intend to challenge him, a god?
Even if he had obtained the Cryo Archon's authority, that didn't mean he could defeat a god, let alone the oldest one.
After a moment of surprise, Zhongli relaxed.
"As long as you pay for my tea, I'll fight you. How about that?"
"Of course, I can afford a bowl of tea."
"I mean... the tea money I owed since his (Old Zhou) grandfather's time."
"...Then put it on Childe's tab."