Chapter 229

Summer Shop.

On the bed in the second-floor room.

Suddenly, two figures appeared.

Xia Zhi felt relatively fine since he had already experienced [Time Space Travel] once before. Plus, he had mastered the rules of time, making the aftereffects less severe.

However, it was Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's first experience with [Time Space Travel]. Having overextended her powers and separated another self, she was in a weakened state, her mind slightly dazed.

Xia Zhi looked up at the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, who was sprawled on top of him in a rather duck-like sitting posture.

So, this is what it feels like to be pinned down by the world?

Her small frame wasn't heavy at all; instead, it had a tender softness.

Not bad at all.

Their hands were still tightly clasped together, fingers interlocked in an intimate gesture.

Her soft hair cascaded down onto his face.

Xia Zhi could smell a refreshing, botanical fragrance emanating from her hair and body.

This is the genuine scent of a goddess...

It smells really nice...

Xia Zhi silently observed her.

Because of their close contact, the diamond progress bar on her was slowly increasing.

After a while, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata regained some composure. She propped herself up using one hand against his chest, sitting up slightly.

"So, this is Teyvat, five hundred years later? I can sense the abundant elemental power in the air, and the leylines feel quite healthy..."

"Teyvat is relatively peaceful now."

"Is this your home?"

"To be precise, it's the shop I run. But temporarily, it's also my home."

"Apologies, I seemed to have been pressing down on you."

"No worries, you've been doing it for quite a while already."

"I'll get off now. You can let go of my hand..."

"Alright."

The two of them released their intertwined fingers, ending their "lover-like" state.

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata moved off him, leaning weakly against the headboard.

Xia Zhi looked at her pale face. "Are you alright?"

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata smiled gently. "Don't worry, I just lost too much power at once. I wonder what Sumeru is like now... how is the other me doing..."

She gazed toward the direction of Sumeru, her eyes complicated.

"If you want to know, find some time to go and see."

"Hmm."

"Now, let's discuss what we talked about before."

"…A guide?"

"Yes. As you can see, I run a small beverage shop in Liyue, and business is quite good. It's late October now. After the Lantern Rite next year, we plan to travel to Mondstadt and witness the Windblume Festival... As the God of Wisdom, having you accompany us would surely make our journey more interesting."

"…Alright, you saved me from the past. I'm more than willing to do this for you as a way of repaying you."

"Then let's sign a contract."

"A contract?"

Xia Zhi raised his hand, drawing a divine pattern.

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was momentarily stunned, her expression turning to surprise. "This... it looks just like Morax's contract..."

Xia Zhi nodded. "I've signed contracts with Morax before. I found his contracts interesting, so I tried making a similar one."

In reality, it was a new skill he had secretly learned from the Geo Archon that afternoon—[Contract of All Spirits].

Because of the [Hourglass of Time], the [Skill Steal] ability no longer had a cooldown limit. He had already copied all the Geo Archon's skills by afternoon.

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata looked at him with a peculiar gaze. "Since I've already agreed, there's no need for a contract, is there?..."

"It's necessary."

"You've seen my fate; you should know my character. I won't go back on my word."

"You never know."

"…Petty... Back then, I couldn't trust you. You know how important the Irminsul is to this continent..."

"I didn't mind that. I just want to see what it feels like to make a contract with someone."

"…"

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata sighed helplessly.

"Alright, let's sign the contract then."

"First, you cannot reveal our time-traveling."

"Agreed."

"Second, you cannot leave without informing me."

"Agreed."

"Third, ..."

After finalizing the contract terms, Xia Zhi extended his finger towards her, and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata extended hers in response.

Their fingertips touched.

The contract was established.

Xia Zhi retracted his finger, sensing a new contract embedded within his heart.

"Alright, you are now our shop's new employee. I'll introduce you to everyone tomorrow."

"Everyone? Are there many employees in this shop?"

"Zhu Zi, Shenhe, Qiqi, Yaoyao, Chi Yu, and Diona."

"Judging by the names, they all seem to be girls."

"Yes."

"You have ulterior motives."

"I don't! Don't accuse me unfairly!"

"I have seen your life in another world..."

"I've seen you take a bath."

"!?"

"Let's not hurt each other."

"…"

Xia Zhi looked at her reddened face and pondered seriously.

"Your identity is too special. You can't be introduced to everyone like this. You need a fake identity."

"Xia Shu, your cousin."

"That name doesn't sound good... How about Xia Ci or Xia Chi?"

"I think Xia Shu sounds nice... What are you worried about?"

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata looked at him teasingly.

"You're not having impure thoughts about me too, are you?"

"You're overthinking. Fine, let's go with Xia Ci. The shop doesn't have extra rooms, so you'll stay in mine tonight. The sheets and pillows are freshly washed and clean."

"? What about you?"

"Don't worry, I'll sleep next door."

"Isn't that another employee's room? And she's a girl, right? Maybe I should..."

"You're so weak now that you probably can't even get out of bed, right? I'll go instead. She and I are close, and she won't mind this small matter."

"Your eyes... What happened?"

"When I was younger, I looked directly at the sun and got hurt. I can't see for now, but I can still see in my dreams."

"Directly at the sun? Even with your current power, you can't recover?"

"Not yet. But don't worry, it will heal eventually."

Xia Zhi picked up the [Dream Pillow] from the bed, replaced it with a new one for her, and got off the bed.

"Good night, Xia Ci. See you in the morning."

"Good night..."

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata watched him leave the room and close the door before lying down weakly.

The pillow was soft.

The blanket still had Xia Zhi's scent.

She murmured softly to herself, "Xia Ci... A new fate begins..."

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