Zhongli continued explaining to Paimon and Lumine about Inazuma's ruler, why she initiated the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree.
Then, he turned his gaze toward them.
"At this moment, even I the eldest among the Eight Gods have passed away. This will likely further solidify her resolve in pursuing eternity."
"When she issued the Vision Hunt Decree, she must have repeated the words she says most often to her people:"
"Among the ideals pursued by the Eight Gods, only 'Eternity' is closest to the Heavenly Principles."
Zhongli looked at Lumine and explained patiently.
Lumine tilted her head. "The ideals pursued by the Eight Gods?"
Meanwhile, Qiu Xue rubbed her chin with an amused smirk.
"Huh? What's my ideal supposed to be? Slacking off? Taking it easy?"
For a moment, even she couldn't figure out what she truly believed in.
Zhongli then turned to them again. "Well then, is there anything else you'd like to ask?"
Paimon eyes lit up with curiosity. "Oh yeah, Zhongli! What's the deal with that whole 'tribulation' thing?"
Qiu Xue chuckled from behind, clearly enjoying the topic.
"Haha! Can't believe they actually came up with that excuse!"
"Failed a tribulation? What kind of reason is that?"
Zhongli, who had already heard about this rumor before, let out a rare chuckle at Paimon question.
"Regardless, the Qixing were eager to close the case and cease their investigation of the culprit. That is because they secretly received news that the Geo Archon had not actually perished."
"Not just the Qixing, I also gave subtle hints to the Adepti as well."
Lumine and Paimon perked up at his words.
Paimon waved her hands in confusion. "Hints? What kind of hints?"
Zhongli lips curled slightly. "Hmm... have you ever heard of a certain convenient Adepti technique called 'delivering dreams'?"
Paimon's eyes widened. "Ah, so that's how! No wonder!"
She turned to Lumine. "Alright, Zhongli, we don't have any more questions!"
After exchanging glances, Lumine and Paimon looked at Qiu Xue and Zhongli and said with a smile:
"Since that's settled, how about we go eat at Xinyue Kiosk?"
Zhongli nodded, smiling. "I may not have money, but my old friend here surely does."
Paimon clapped her hands in delight. "Ah, finally! We've been running around for so long without a proper meal!"
"Alright then, let's head out!"
With that, the group set off toward Xinyue Kiosk. After enjoying a grand feast, they walked out of the restaurant, satisfied.
Paimon stretched lazily as she stepped out the door, while Lumine followed suit, letting out a relaxed sigh.
"Then, let's part ways here for now, Qiu Xue, Zhongli."
"Thank you both."
Lumine placed a hand over her chest, looking at the two before her with gratitude.
Qiu Xue smiled, her beautiful eyes shimmering. "Mm, until we meet again."
"I hope you'll find the person you're searching for on your journey."
With that, the four went their separate ways. Qiu Xue and Zhongli walked side by side along the streets of Liyue Harbor.
"Morax, I need to make a trip to Jueyun Karst."
"The Director must be getting anxious. Please explain the situation to her on my behalf."
Qiu Xue stopped in her tracks and turned to Zhongli as she spoke.
Zhongli nodded. "I will inform the Director."
Then, he glanced at Qiu Xue with mild curiosity. "And what do you plan to do next, old friend?"
Qiu Xue lifted a hand and casually tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "As for me? I want to travel across all seven nations."
"After all, I've been asleep for so long—I haven't properly seen this world yet."
She suddenly reached into her sleeve and pulled out a jade stone, shaped like a yin-yang fish, faintly glowing with shifting colors.
"Morax, take this."
She placed the jade stone in Zhongli hand.
"If Azhdaha's seal reaches the point of breaking, go crush this stone."
Her voice was calm yet firm.
Zhongli golden eyes flickered as he examined the stone. "I understand."
Then, he furrowed his brows slightly, sensing the seal he had placed on Azhdaha. "It seems the time is indeed drawing near."
Qiu Xue let out a soft chuckle. "Well then, I'll be off, Morax."
"As for my little sister in Wangsheng Funeral Parlor... I'll leave her in your care."
She gave him a teasing smile before turning and walking toward a secluded alleyway.
Zhongli stood in place, silently watching his old friend's figure fade into the shadows. Only when Qiu Xue—now Qiu Bai—disappeared completely did he finally turn and make his way to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Meanwhile, Qiu Bai, having reached a hidden corner, changed his appearance with a simple shift of his body. Then, with a swift teleportation, he vanished.
Jueyun Karst – Aozang Mountain
Qiu Bai slowly made his way toward his secluded cave dwelling.
But when he arrived, his eyes widened in disbelief.
"What the—?! WHO THE HELL BLEW UP MY CAVE?!"
His once-serene cave was now buried under a mountain of rubble.
Staring at the disaster before him, Qiu Bai fell into deep thought.
"The only one who knows my cave's security measures… should be Cloud Retainer."
With a sigh, he decided to pay her a visit.
Qiu Bai walked up to Cloud Retainer's cave dwelling, maintaining a respectful demeanor. He raised his fist and knocked lightly—twice.
The entire Aozang Mountain trembled from the force of those two knocks.
Inside the cave, Cloud Retainer currently in her human form was tinkering with some mechanical devices. As the mountain rumbled, she froze for a moment before sighing.
Because she was in her beast form, manipulating these mechanical devices was rather troublesome. Just as she was about to fit a component into place, two loud booms echoed from outside the cave.
"Who dares?!"
"To disturb this adeptus so rudely!"
Cloud Retainer straightened herself up, utterly baffled, before standing up in a huff. She stormed toward the entrance of her cave, her expression one of irritation.
Nearby, Shenhe, who had been quietly nibbling on medicinal herbs, paused and blinked at her master.
"Master, what's wrong?"
Shenhe cool, tranquil voice drifted through the cave as she gazed at Cloud Retainer.
Cloud Retainer huffed. "It's nothing, Shenhe. I'll go take a look."
With that, she headed toward the cave entrance.
Qiu Bai had been standing there for quite some time, starting to grow impatient.
"Why is Cloud Retainer taking so long?"
Just as he was about to knock again, the cave seal broke open, and a graceful figure stepped out.
Cloud Retainer emerged, staring at him blankly.
"And you are…?"
Qiu Bai looked at her dazed expression and suddenly realized—he was still in his mortal appearance.
He sighed and introduced himself. "Cloud Retainer, it's me Morcius."
"Though now, I go by the name Qiu Bai."
Cloud Retainer eyes widened slightly before she scoffed and crossed her arms.
"Hmph, so it's you, you fool."
"You must have taken the same path as the Geo Archon, choosing to live as a mortal, haven't you?"
She arched a brow, an air of superiority lacing her words.
"So, why have you come to find me?"
"Shouldn't you be staying in your cave, minding your own business? Why show up here?"
Qiu Bai hesitated for a moment before asking, "Cloud Retainer, have you been to my cave recently?"
Cloud Retainer stiffened slightly before turning her gaze away, coughing lightly.
"Ahem, of course not! This adeptus would never!"
"Besides, wasn't your cave protected by a sealing mechanism? Something like... 42069, or something of the sort?"
She feigned ignorance, but her eyes darted around suspiciously.
Suddenly, from behind her, Shenhe cool voice cut through the air like a blade.
"Master, didn't you just come back from the Immortal Lord cave?"
"I remember you saying, 'This place is so old, might as well destroy it.'"
(T/N: Hey, Fellow Daoists! 👋 If you're enjoying the translation and want to read 20 chapters ahead, you can check out my P web! Your support helps keep the updates coming and means a lot.
🔗 P@tre0n.com/DaoistRongyi
Of course, you can always continue reading on Webnovel, no pressure! Either way, thanks for being here and supporting the translation. Hope you enjoy the chapter! 😊)