[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]
===
Paimon glanced at Zhongli and instinctively muttered, "Zhongli doesn't want to become a god at all..."
It made sense—Zhongli had just faked his death to step down from his divine throne. Why would he want to sit back on it so soon, even in another world?
Here, there were no citizens of Liyue, no people he needed to protect, no treasures he held dear...
Calling Zhongli a wanderer in the mortal realm was perfectly accurate.
He understood everything, yet cared about nothing.
How many factions had tried to curry favor with Zhongli through force?
He accepted almost all of them, but when it truly came time for him to act, he might not lift a finger.
Most of Paimon's understanding of Zhongli came from the time she spent with the Traveler on their adventures.
She knew a little herself—not much, but some "core" secrets.
Like how Zhongli liked perfumes, or how he once disguised himself as a big sister...
Paimon's voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet private room with only the three of them, "Xue Qinghe" couldn't help but hear.
"Doesn't want to become a god?"
If anyone else had said this, "Xue Qinghe" would have scoffed. You can't become a god, so you pretend you don't want to? How pretentious!
But this wasn't about just anyone—this was the Geo Archon, Morax himself!
A being who could suppress multiple gods with one hand... didn't want to become a god?
"Xue Qinghe" froze, momentarily lost, lips parting as if to speak but hesitating.
Shouldn't godhood be the ultimate goal of every powerful being?
Her grandfather, that woman... weren't they all striving for it?
Why... why would someone not want to become a god?
Could this also be the reason Zhongli revealed the truth about the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud?
To make her aware of its significance so she would take it back herself...
But if Zhongli didn't want to become a god, how did he ascend later?
"In a world where gods and demons run rampant, though I have no desire to contend, I cannot ignore the suffering of the people..."
These words suddenly echoed in "Xue Qinghe's" mind. She felt as if she had grasped something crucial.
Zhongli truly had no ambition for godhood.
But when the great war between nations and deities erupted, bringing untold suffering to the people...
Their desperate prayers for someone to end the conflict...
The surge of faith converged, compelling Zhongli—the one most capable of ascending—to become a god on the spot!
Faith-based ascension—this was the same path the Angel God had taken. It was a viable method.
The one who didn't seek godhood became an unparalleled deity, while those who craved it...
Her thoughts were a whirlwind, but "Xue Qinghe" forced herself back to the present. Some things could be pondered later—right now, she couldn't neglect her guest.
"Little Paimon, regardless of whether Mr. Zhongli wishes to become a god, once the Heart of the Sea God has been gifted, there is no reason to take it back."
"Please, Mr. Zhongli, accept it!"
Snowstorm Emperor (internally): Qinghe, Qinghe... Did you get my permission before saying that?!
If this were the real Xue Qinghe, he would have already rushed back to the palace with the Heart, fearing even a second's delay might lead to its theft.
But this wasn't the real Xue Qinghe.
She didn't care about the Sea God's inheritance—she had her own.
If that dream was her past life, then in this life, she had to surpass it. At the very least... she couldn't let herself be instantly annihilated by one of Zhongli's divine techniques again...
Zhongli studied "Xue Qinghe" for a moment. For some reason, she seemed... off. He couldn't quite place it.
The fear in her eyes was real—even before he revealed his power, during their first meeting.
And now, even after he explained the Heart's significance, she still insisted on giving it to him?
Why?
Based on the timeline, the current "Xue Qinghe" shouldn't know about the Angel God's inheritance.
Even if she knew of her ancestors' legacy, wouldn't taking the Heart back to the Spirit Hall to nurture another god be more beneficial?
Unable to decipher "Xue Qinghe's" motives, Zhongli finally accepted the Heart.
After some more conversation, "Xue Qinghe" excused herself to attend to other matters.
"Being a crown prince is so exhausting—so many things to handle!"
Paimon watched "Xue Qinghe's" retreating figure and sighed.
"It's the duty of the position. Sitting on that throne means bearing its responsibilities."
"Since one has chosen to ascend, they must endure its weight."
"Zhongli, you're making my head spin with all these words! Can't you keep it simple?"
Paimon clutched her head, looking pained.
Zhongli glanced at her and chuckled helplessly.
"To wear the crown, one must bear its weight."
"Ohhh! So that's why you stepped down from godhood!"
"You didn't want to carry that burden..."
"That's not the reason."
Before Paimon could finish, Zhongli cut in.
"Under the protection of myself and the adepti, Liyue has endured for millennia."
"But children must grow up eventually."
"Even the sturdiest stone may grow weary..."
"Liyue belongs to the people of Liyue. As for me, having stepped down..."
"After all that, it's really just erosion forcing you to abdicate, isn't it?"
Zhongli: "..."
"Yes."
What else could he say?
If not for erosion, he wouldn't have gone to the Dark Sea, and he and Paimon wouldn't have ended up in this world.
"Let's go, Paimon."
"In a couple of days, I'll take you to the Star Dou Great Forest. But you must agree to one condition."
Paimon's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Were they finally setting off on a journey?
"What condition? As long as it's not 'don't eat,' Paimon agrees!"
"Talk less."
"???"
"Why?! As your guide, if I don't talk, how will you learn anything?"
Paimon blurted out instinctively.
"Is this Teyvat?"
"Oh... right, this is Douluo Continent. You probably know more than me anyway."
"But why do I have to talk less?"
Zhongli fell silent for a moment before replying, "You'll understand when the time comes."
"Fine..."
Paimon pouted. The Traveler had never told her to talk less before!
She was always the one doing the talking—some even called her an "external organ," the "Voice of the Divine."
Ugh, what kind of nonsense was that?!
Paimon was just Paimon!
"Ahem... Mr. Zhongli, about this bill..."
At that moment, the shopkeeper approached awkwardly.
Yesterday, these three had charged their meal to the Crown Prince's residence—a first in history.
Today, were they planning to do it again?
Well, as it turned out...
Zhongli took out Ning Fengzhi's token and handed it to the shopkeeper.
"Send the bill to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
The shopkeeper stared at the token, then at Zhongli, his eyelid twitching in disbelief...
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 55 on my patreon, go check it out.