Chapter 02: The Voice of God, the Traveler’s Joy!

On the streets of Heaven Dou City…

"Good morning, Uncle Alser!"

"Good morning, Paimon!"

"Good morning, Miss Lina!"

"Good morning, Paimon!"

Anyone who had met Paimon even once, she could accurately recall their names.

With this skill, calling her the ultimate tour guide wasn't an exaggeration.

As for Paimon—this strange, talking, floating creature—people had long grown accustomed to her.

At first, they were just a little surprised.

But this was the Douluo Continent, after all!

Having a martial spirit that was a weird flying creature? Not impossible!

If it couldn't be explained, just call it a mutant martial spirit, and everything made sense.

After realizing this world was the Douluo Continent, Zhongli's gaze had turned toward the still-confused Paimon.

Through coaxing and deception—ahem—after obtaining Paimon's consent, the two "signed a contract." Paimon would exist in this world as Zhongli's martial spirit.

Of course, this was just a cover story for outsiders. There was no actual transformation involved.

"Hard to say whether Zhongli is lucky or unlucky."

"Awakening a peculiar creature like Paimon, with only a quarter of a wild boar's combat power…"

"Rather than saying he awakened a martial spirit, it's more like he's raising a daughter in advance."

After learning of Zhongli's situation, people couldn't help but sigh.

Paimon was adorable and well-liked. Even if she had no real strength, everyone adored her.

For a soul master, their power lay almost entirely in their martial spirit. Someone like Zhongli? Practically useless.

But unlike those without soul power, Zhongli's "martial spirit" could keep him company—talk with him, accompany him…

Watching Paimon cheerfully greet everyone, Zhongli's usually unshakable heart stirred slightly.

She called him a street bum and a social parasite…

But others? Uncle, Auntie, Miss, Big Sister, Young Man…

"Sigh…"

Exhaling softly, Zhongli turned away, refusing to look at the "Voice of God" any longer.

Now, he truly understood the joy of the "blonde traveler."

With Paimon as his mouthpiece, he barely needed to speak at all.

"Good morning, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Good morning—"

"...???"

"Xue Qinghe" instinctively returned the greeting, only to snap back to reality as Zhongli and Paimon walked away without a second glance.

Wait, these two!

His fists clenched.

Meeting the Crown Prince, and they treated it like bumping into a random commoner—completely indifferent!

Shouldn't they at least exchange a few more polite words?

"Xue Qinghe" was still haunted by last night's dream.

This visit was partly to see Zhongli and Paimon again—to test whether this man could possibly be the Geo Archon.

But watching Zhongli's slow, elderly gait, Qian Renxue shook her head inwardly.

What's wrong with me?

This street bum… how could he be Rex Lapis?

His martial spirit was just a weird floating thing—utterly useless in battle.

"Xue Qinghe" had met Paimon before, which was why the little creature could so casually address her "occupation."

This all traced back to when Zhongli and Paimon first arrived in Heaven Dou City.

Such a bizarre "martial spirit" naturally caught the Crown Prince's attention. That very day, "Xue Qinghe" had "coincidentally" run into them.

After a brief hesitation, "Xue Qinghe" quickened her pace, catching up to the pair.

"Huh? Does the Crown Prince need something?"

Paimon tilted her head in confusion. They were on their way to eat tofu pudding—no time for delays!

Zhongli remained silent, watching Paimon and "Xue Qinghe" like a mute spectator.

"Little Paimon, where are you two headed?"

"Xue Qinghe" smiled warmly, exuding friendliness as if they were old pals.

It was a flawless act—nothing about it felt forced.

"Zhongli and I are going for tofu pudding! Your Highness, wanna join?"

"Certainly. I haven't had breakfast yet."

"...???"

Paimon's tiny brain filled with giant question marks.

The Crown Prince actually agreed?!

She'd only asked out of politeness!

"U-uh…"

Paimon fidgeted awkwardly. Their funds… were running low.

She shot Zhongli a resentful look.

Morax without Mora—even after crossing worlds, he still expects free meals!

His vast knowledge? No one in this world would pay for it!

Little did Paimon know, Zhongli did possess knowledge of this world—more than most, even the gods.

After all, he was a transmigrator.

"Xue Qinghe's" eye twitched, but she swiftly regained composure.

Ah, so they're broke.

What a waste of such a handsome face…

"Little Paimon, meeting like this is fate. This meal is on me."

The Crown Prince's generosity left Paimon stunned.

An actual sucker?!

That old man, Dugu Bo, was one. Now this so-called Crown Prince was another.

"Thank you, Your Highness! Hehe~"

Paimon giggled sheepishly. Back when she was with the traveler, they'd only struggled with money early on.

After their efforts—especially once they reached Liyue—Mora was never an issue.

Well, it was mostly the traveler earning it…

But without her, their best guide, cheering them on, would the traveler have made so much?

"Zhongli, get it together! Earn some money, and we'll treat the Crown Prince to a feast next time!"

Zhongli: "..."

"Xue Qinghe": "..."

Such a bizarre "martial spirit"—in all her years, she'd never even heard of something like this!

Treating Qian Renxue to a feast?

If they really wanted to, Zhongli would have to cook it himself.

The Douluo Continent's so-called "luxury dishes"? Qian Renxue had tasted them all.

As the Heaven Dou Crown Prince—no, even without that title, she was still the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall!

Any meal purchasable with gold soul coins held no interest for her.

"Sorry, Your Highness! Zhongli isn't much of a talker!"

"Let's go eat tofu pudding! Paimon loves sweet tofu pudding!"

"Unlike a certain social parasite who thinks salty tofu pudding is better!"

Here, Paimon "glared" pointedly at Zhongli. The target of her jab was obvious.

"Xue Qinghe" felt her brain short-circuit.

A martial spirit that openly calls its host a social parasite…

This has to be a first in history.

Ridiculous!

Technically, Paimon was Zhongli's martial spirit. Because of her, Zhongli couldn't grow stronger. And because of him, Paimon couldn't absorb spirit rings to power up.

Their situation was… unique, to say the least.

Oh, and Zhongli prefers salty tofu pudding?

Heretic.