Qinghe you can at right time

"Don't know?"

Paimon rubbed her chin, a spark of inspiration lighting up her big eyes.

"Then how about staying in Heaven Dou City?"

Seeing Wang Chen's puzzled expression, Paimon quickly added, "You see, Zhongli founded a sect called the Body Sect..."

"Old Grandpa Su Bafang and everyone there are really nice people!"

Hearing this, Wang Chen spread his hands helplessly. Even though he was out traveling, he had still heard of the famous Body Sect.

But despite his limited knowledge of soul master practices, he understood one thing very clearly.

"But I'm not an Body Spirit Master..."

As Zhongli's devoted admirer, Wang Chen naturally wanted to stay in the Body Sect. However, without a body-based martial soul, how could he possibly join?

"Huh?"

Paimon froze for a moment, blurting out instinctively, "What does being a body-based spirit master have to do with it?"

Wang Chen: "..."

Paimon: "..."

The two exchanged a glance, and Wang Chen's eyelids twitched furiously, his eye corners faintly spasming.

The sect was called the Body Sect! Did that not make it obvious enough?

Zhongli glanced at Wang Chen and Paimon without betraying much emotion, though a faint ripple of amusement did pass across his otherwise stoic face.

These two little ones were truly... something.

"If you currently have no other place to go, young friend, you may temporarily stay in the Body Sect to learn and train," Zhongli said calmly.

"Should you find a new goal in the future, you may leave at your own discretion."

Whether or not Wang Chen had a body-based martial soul mattered little.

This child, like Paimon, possessed a pure and untainted heart.

With proper guidance, he would achieve great things in the future.

Without it, however, his growing power might become a source of calamity for Douluo Continent.

Having him train in the Ontology Sect for a time was, in fact, a good solution.

Before Zhongli even finished speaking, Wang Chen immediately responded without hesitation, "Alright, Lord Zhongli!"

It was almost as if he'd been waiting for Zhongli to say those exact words.

"That's wonderful, Little Wang Chen!" Paimon exclaimed, her face lighting up with delight. It wasn't entirely clear what she was so happy about.

Upon taking a closer look at Wang Chen, however, it was evident he no longer fit the description of "little."

Wang Chen's white hair flowed down, but his physique was now far from frail. Instead, he was robust and powerful, resembling an iron tower.

"Actually, I think I'll just call you Wang Chen. You're not so 'little' anymore," Paimon murmured seriously.

Wait a minute... Does Zhongli have a thing for white-haired people?

Now that she thought about it, many of the people in Teyvat who had been granted Geo Visions seemed to have white hair...

As time passed, the three of them finished their meal. Zhongli reached into his pocket and, finding it empty, remained as composed as ever.

After a brief pause, just as he was about to speak, a familiar figure appeared in his line of sight.

"Qinghe, you've come at just the right time!"

Qian Renxue blinked in mild confusion, not fully comprehending the situation.

She had only come to check on Zhongli after hearing he was meeting with a "promising young talent." She hadn't expected anything unusual.

But the moment she entered the restaurant and approached Zhongli, his eyes lit up as he uttered such a peculiar phrase.

What does he mean, 'just the right time'?

Surveying the scene, Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching slightly.

This wasn't the first time she'd encountered a situation like this!

The next thing this man would say was probably: Did you bring money?

"Did you bring money?"

As expected, Zhongli's eager expression made her scalp tingle.

This guy… he really is...

"Yes, I brought it," Qian Renxue replied, sighing.

After all, how could anyone interact with Zhongli without bringing money?

It was common knowledge by now!

Zhongli wasn't without wealth, of course. Most of his funds, however, had been invested in the construction of the Body Sect.

Now, although Zhongli possessed valuables, he truly had no gold soul coins on him.

Paimon, seemingly accustomed to this, covered her face, not daring to look at "Xue Qinghe."

As for Wang Chen, he was utterly baffled, lost and dazed.

Even after "Xue Qinghe" settled the bill, and the group exited the restaurant, Wang Chen still hadn't fully processed what had happened.

'Does Lord Zhongli... really go out for meals without bringing money?*:

As for "Qinghe," he'd seen her before.

She was a distinguished guest who sat in the VIP area of the Great Spirit Arena, and one of the individuals seated closest to Zhongli in that section.

"Qinghe, sorry to trouble you once again," Paimon mumbled, her face still covered with her hands, clearly embarrassed.

Zhongli could remain calm and unperturbed, but Paimon's thinner skin made it impossible for her to do the same.

"It's nothing; being able to assist Lord Guest is my honor," Xue Qinghe replied, her tone tinged with a faint numbness.

To think, she, such a beauty, had been reduced to nothing more than a walking wallet. It was truly a pitiful situation.

It was one thing if people hadn't seen her true form, but after witnessing it, someone still had the nerve to treat her like this? She had to admit, she was impressed.

Suddenly, Zhongli seemed to sense something. His brows furrowed slightly as he touched his chin and fell into thought.

After a brief moment, he spoke:

"Qinghe, young friend Wang Chen, I've discovered something interesting. Would you care to join me?"

The two froze for a moment. Something interesting?

"At your service, my lord!" Wang Chen said with a serious expression, cupping his hands in respect.

What was this talk about having or not having an interest?

If Lord Zhongli was interested, then he was interested!

"Xue Qinghe" glanced at Wang Chen, then at Zhongli. After pondering for a moment, she replied: "Since I have nothing else to do, if Lord Guest finds this intriguing, Qinghe will naturally join you."

She wasn't particularly interested in whatever this was about, but she was indeed quite curious about Wang Chen.

After all, this was someone Zhongli had invited to dine with him.

How could he possibly not have some exceptional abilities?

"In that case, let us be on our way," Zhongli said, his tone calm.

If they delayed much longer, they might miss the most exciting part.

The group nodded in agreement, refraining from unnecessary chatter as they followed Zhongli towards the city gates.

---

In the outskirts of Heaven Dou City, amidst a desolate wasteland, a young girl was wandering aimlessly.

Her steps were light and unsteady, as if the ground beneath her feet wasn't real.

About ten meters away from her, an elderly man who looked like trouble was lurking. His face was cold, his lips curled into a sinister grin, and his demeanor was anything but innocent.

Yesterday, after witnessing the battle between the Heaven Dou Team and Shrek Academy, he had originally planned to target that Shrek Academy kid named Tang San.

However, an earth-shaking revelation last night changed his plans.

He had been present during the battle and knew Tang San's background. Upon learning the truth, he was utterly terrified.

That boy was the son of Clear Sky Douluo!

Even a half-dead camel is bigger than a horse. Between Tang Hao and himself, it would be nine-to-one.

Tang Hao would crush him with one hammer, and as a mere Soul Saint, he would die nine times out of ten.

Not to mention, Tang San, such a genius, had already been taken away by Tang Hao. His target was no longer within reach.

Even if Tang San hadn't been taken away, he would have thought twice—no, thrice—before acting. After all, Tang Hao was not someone he could afford to offend.

Today, while searching for prey, he had stumbled across this girl.

"Jie, jie, jie..."