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In just one morning, Zhongli's residence had already received two separate groups of visitors.
Not long after Ning Fengzhi left, Sala appeared—arriving "in high spirits" but leaving "in disappointment."
He walked out with a darkened expression.
Yet no one knew that from the moment he entered Zhongli's home, he had been nothing but respectful. The two had conversed quite pleasantly.
Sala even gifted Zhongli some rare treasures.
As for his gloomy face upon departure? That had been the whole point of his visit!
Right now, who knew how many pairs of eyes were fixed on Zhongli's front gate?
A faint smirk curled on Sala's lips as he thought to himself: Perfect.
Most of their conversation had been nothing more than small talk.
He hadn't asked a single question he shouldn't have.
After Sala left, "Xue Qinghe" arrived as promised. The moment she stepped into Zhongli's residence, she was already aware of what had transpired earlier.
She hadn't expected Ning Fengzhi to be the first to lose his composure and visit.
It seemed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was truly desperate for combat power—their forces were stretched thin. Otherwise, they would have waited and observed a little longer.
As for Sala? "Xue Qinghe" mentally gave him a thumbs-up.
This old fox's acting is flawless!
The way he portrayed that "couldn't get what he wanted"—no, wait—
The sheer indignation on his face as he left Zhongli's residence was nothing short of masterful.
Truly one of the pillars of our Spirit Hall!
"Xue Qinghe" had a fairly clear understanding of Zhongli's temperament—under normal circumstances, he wouldn't antagonize others.
She also knew Sala well—this was a cunning old schemer through and through.
There was no way he'd offend a powerhouse like Zhongli on their first meeting!
And Zhongli had no reason to provoke a perfectly normal Sala either.
So, Sala had been acting.
She knew the truth, but others didn't.
"Qinghe!"
The moment she saw "Xue Qinghe," Paimon immediately flew over, greeting her cheerfully.
After all, this was the first person in this world to give her a gift!
"Hello there! Have you had lunch yet?"
"Paimon, hello."
"Xue Qinghe" nodded in response, snapping out of her thoughts.
"Not yet. I assume Paimon hasn't eaten either?"
"Nope! Zhongli and I were planning to go to the Seven Treasure Hotel again. Want to come?"
Hearing "Seven Treasure Hotel," "Xue Qinghe's" eye twitched as unpleasant memories resurfaced.
It felt like it had just happened yesterday.
…Because it had been yesterday.
"Sure… let's go."
Black lines formed on "Xue Qinghe's" forehead as she glanced between Zhongli and Paimon.
Did these two bring money this time?
Please don't hit me with another "Qinghe, do you have any money on you?"
Anger. Trembling. Chills!
You're inviting me to eat, yet I'm the one paying? Fine, but at least give me a heads-up!
She never wanted to relive yesterday's embarrassment again.
They'd almost had to wash dishes on the spot…
"Don't worry, Qinghe. We brought money today."
Zhongli patted "Xue Qinghe's" shoulder reassuringly.
The sudden physical contact made her jolt, her face flushing slightly.
H-Hey! Since when is he so handsy?!
But…
Wait, why don't I actually mind?
"Xue Qinghe" froze for a moment before snapping back to reality, her cheeks turning even redder.
"Qinghe, why's your face all red?"
"Are you sick?"
Paimon floated up to eye level with "Xue Qinghe" and pressed a tiny hand to her forehead.
"Ooh, you're a bit warm! Do you have a fever?"
Well, she was burning up—just not from illness.
"I-I'm fine. Let's just go eat."
"Xue Qinghe" shook her head, her words slightly disjointed.
Zhongli gave her a puzzled look. Did she react like this just from a shoulder pat?
I'll have to be more careful in the future.
He'd instinctively treated "Xue Qinghe" like a junior—an elder patting a younger person's shoulder was a gesture of comfort.
Was that really inappropriate?
Within moments, "Xue Qinghe" regained her composure, the blush fading from her cheeks.
She glanced at Zhongli, who was now maintaining a noticeable distance, and felt a pang of confusion.
Yesterday, we stood less than a meter apart. Why is it one and a half today?
Paimon kept chattering away, but "Xue Qinghe" wasn't listening.
Suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, she subtly closed the gap between herself and Zhongli.
"Mr. Zhongli, I might be away from Heaven Dou City for a few days soon. If any issues arise, you can inform Steward She at my residence—he'll handle things for you."
The so-called "Steward She" was none other than Spirit Hall elder, She Long!
"Qinghe, what's going on?"
Paimon, ever straightforward, asked without hesitation.
After a brief pause, "Xue Qinghe" replied, "I've just broken through to the 40th rank. In a couple of days, I'll be heading to Sunset Forest to try my luck finding a suitable spirit ring."
"If Sunset Forest doesn't yield results, I'll have to venture into Star Dou Forest instead."
"40th rank?"
Zhongli glanced sideways at "Xue Qinghe." More like you hit that a decade ago—if not earlier.
Her actual spirit power level was far beyond 40. Currently, she was right at the 60th rank, preparing to obtain her sixth spirit ring.
"Spirit beast forests are perilous. This trip might carry risks—are you going alone?"
Zhongli stopped walking, his tone calm as he spoke without looking at her.
From her words, the situation was clear.
She Long would remain at the Crown Prince's residence, meaning her escort was likely Ci Xue.
With a Title Douluo protecting her, danger was unlikely.
Coupled with her "major antagonist" plot armor, nothing should happen to her—at least until the protagonist's group came into their own.
But… what if?
If Qian Renxue dies, who's going to protect the continent?
Me?
Is retirement not comfortable enough?
Back to work?
"Xue Qinghe" blinked. Of course, she couldn't let anyone from Xue Ye's faction accompany her on this hunt.
After all, she wasn't actually a Spirit Elder candidate, and her martial soul was far from a mere swan.
Ci Xue would be shadowing her in secret—unless her life was at stake, this would serve as her trial.
"Mr. Zhongli, I won't be alone. Some spirit masters from my residence will accompany me."
"Xue Qinghe" smiled.
She hadn't expected Zhongli—who'd only just become a guest advisor—to already be concerned for her safety.
I wonder how he'll react when he learns my true identity…
Guess I'll need to find the right moment to come clean before that day arrives.
Zhongli studied "Xue Qinghe" briefly before nodding silently.
Paimon: "???"
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 50 on my patreon, go check it out.