Chapter 13: The Journey Will Reach Its End One Day—No Need to Rush!
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This was "Xue Qinghe's" first time putting a meal on tab, and she couldn't help but feel a little awkward.
After leaving the Seven Treasures Hotel with Zhongli and Paimon, she quickly excused herself.
There would be plenty of opportunities to build goodwill later—no need to force it now. At the moment, she just wanted some peace and quiet.
"Zhongli, Qinghe left in such a hurry—is something wrong?"
"As the Crown Prince's advisor, shouldn't you help out?"
Rubbing her full belly, Paimon turned her gaze from "Xue Qinghe's" retreating figure to Zhongli.
"Hmm…"
Watching "Xue Qinghe's" hurried steps—almost like fleeing—Zhongli knew the situation wasn't that simple.
After all, she was still a young woman. A little embarrassment was natural.
Unlike him—a six-thousand-year-old veteran who felt zero awkwardness!
Wait…
Zhongli gave Paimon a surprised glance.
This little creature truly lived up to her title as "Quest Dispenser!"
"Xue Qinghe left in a hurry—is something wrong?"
If he had taken the bait, wouldn't that have triggered a side quest?
And "help out"?
No wonder the blond traveler had endless tasks—this little one was constantly fishing for them!
At six thousand years old, doing quests was beneath him.
"She's fine. Let's go."
"Huh?!"
Paimon blinked, momentarily stunned. This wasn't how things usually went!
Back in Teyvat, the Traveler would've sneakily followed by now!
"Zhongli!"
Stomping midair, Paimon hurried after Zhongli's retreating figure.
In this unfamiliar world, without Zhongli nearby, she felt utterly defenseless.
"You're not planning to just… laze around like in Liyue, are you?"
"Strolling, bird-watching, listening to storytelling…"
"This isn't Liyue!"
"We should explore the Douluo Continent properly!"
"Heaven Dou Empire, Star Luo Empire, Spirit Hall City, Star Dou Great Forest…"
"That's the real meaning of travel!"
As Paimon rambled on, Zhongli glanced at her with an amused smile.
This little thing had been bought with two meals.
No wonder the Traveler had been broke early on—solving Mondstadt's crisis earned zero Mora.
Wait…
Zhongli stroked his chin. If memory served, he hadn't paid the Traveler either, had he?
Payment wasn't important—what mattered was friendship!
Right!
"Little one, the journey will reach its end one day. There's no need to rush."
The moment Zhongli spoke, Paimon reflexively retorted:
"You just want to slack off, don't you?!"
Zhongli tilted his head forty-five degrees skyward, an aura of melancholy radiating from him.
Paimon: "…???"
Her tiny mind overflowed with giant question marks.
"Paimon, you possess a heart of childlike innocence."
High EQ: "You possess a heart of childlike innocence."
Low EQ: "You're kind of an airhead."
"Our journey has only just begun. The road is long—we must prepare thoroughly."
"…"
"You wouldn't want to run out of food along the way, would you?"
"That's terrifying!"
"Zhongli, you're right! We do need more preparations!"
"Mm. Let's start with a teahouse."
"Okay!"
Truly, this little one could be fooled at least seven times a day.
Meanwhile, the Shrek group still loitered near the city gates.
"Heaven Dou City is too dangerous. In less than a day, we've offended the Crown Prince, the Fourth Prince, and two Titled Douluos!"
"Flender, maybe we should return to Shrek Academy?"
Zhao Wuji crossed his arms, his rugged face etched with gloom.
Having dominated Suotuo City for years, they'd never encountered such peril.
In under a day, they'd nearly died twice.
Even the bravest soul would crack under such pressure!
Flender fell deep into thought.
Because of Dai Mubai beating Xue Beng, they'd failed to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Because of Dai Mubai's outburst, they'd nearly—no, he had practically begged for death by provoking a Titled Douluo with a hundred-thousand-year soul ring!
That was the most terrifying existence on the entire Douluo Continent!
Thankfully, their connections had somewhat shielded them…
Suddenly, Flender's eyes widened in realization.
"Compensation?"
He didn't know who had provided it, but he had suspicions.
Either the Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao—or someone from Star Luo.
Regardless, that "compensation" couldn't have been simple.
"Dean, let's go back to the village—no, to Shrek Academy!"
"Heaven Dou City is way too hostile!"
Ma Hongjun, Flender's personal disciple, chimed in.
He'd had enough—his heart still hadn't stopped pounding!
"Dean, stop hesitating! Since Heaven Dou Royal Academy rejected us, let's return and make Shrek Academy greater! We'll show them!"
Learning from Ma Hongjun's mistake, Oscar carefully avoided mentioning any powerful figures, focusing solely on the academy.
After a long silence, Flender shook his head.
He hadn't forgotten their primary purpose in coming to Heaven Dou City.
"Erlong…"
If not for Liu Erlong being here, he'd have never stayed after the Heaven Dou Royal Academy debacle.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Flender noticed a notice posted on the city wall.
"Blue Tyrant Academy recruiting teachers?"
"Blue Tyrant Academy?"
Wasn't that Liu Erlong's school?
Flender's expression remained neutral, as if completely unaware.
After discussion, the group ultimately followed Flender's suggestion to visit Blue Tyrant Academy.
As the sun set and the moon rose, the night buzzed with activity—including within major factions now receiving intel on Zhongli.
"What?!"
"Twin martial souls!"
"Hundred-thousand-year soul ring! Titled Douluo!"
Twin martial souls alone were rare enough—but a Titled Douluo with one? And a hundred-thousand-year ring?!
What kind of monster was this?!
"Qinghe, you're saying this powerhouse is your advisor?"
Such a terrifying existence—serving as the Crown Prince's subordinate?!
"Reporting to Father, Mr. Zhongli is not only immensely powerful but also a once-in-a-millennium genius."
"Encountering him and securing him as my advisor was sheer fortune."
Snowstorm's eye twitched. He couldn't fathom how "Xue Qinghe" had recruited Zhongli.
Could someone of that caliber be swayed by wealth or status?
If so, Heaven Dou wouldn't have only Dugu Bo—the "weakest" Titled Douluo—as their sole advisor.
Dugu Bo: Should I leave?
If Zhongli was a plant from another faction…
No, impossible.
What organization would waste such a powerhouse on infiltration?!
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