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Hearing this, Zhong Li shook his head and replied directly, "There won't be any issues."
After her "enhancement," Chi Yu was no longer the weak little cat girl she had once been.
A mere three-thousand-year soul ring was far from a problem.
"Chi Yu is different from ordinary soul masters. Her physical strength—"
Before Zhong Li could finish, Chi Yu interjected, "Paimon, don't worry about me. I'll follow Master's instructions."
Paimon blinked, turning to stare at Chi Yu in bewilderment. Something felt off, but she couldn't quite place it.
If Zhong Li is threatening you, just blink twice!
Even she and the Traveler hadn't fully trusted Zhong Li when they first met.
The Traveler had even briefly suspected the Lord of Geo of being the mastermind behind their sibling's disappearance.
Yet Chi Yu seemed to trust Zhong Li unconditionally—something Paimon couldn't wrap her head around.
She trusted Zhong Li now, sure—but her curiosity still made her question things.
She was the quest-giver, after all!
Wait—no!
She was Paimon!
"Little Chi Yu..."
Paimon murmured but didn't continue. This girl's blind faith in Zhong Li was... extreme.
It was like the people of Liyue—those who worshipped the Lord of Geo with fanatical devotion.
Zhong Li's lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he held back. Instead, he glanced at the young "girl" beside him.
To the people of the Douluo Continent, a fifteen-and-a-half-year-old Chi Yu was no longer a child.
But to a six-thousand-year-old fossil like him?
She was a child.
Even Bo Saixi would be considered a little girl in front of Morax.
(Though, to Zhong Li, someone like Bo Saixi could at least be called "Auntie.")
Chi Yu's unconditional trust warmed Zhong Li's heart—but it also worried him.
Because he understood one truth: Humans must grow on their own.
He could guide them for a time, but not forever.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Zhong Li's eyes flickered with surprise as he sensed something from Chi Yu—faith.
Faith energy.
Well then.
His second believer in this world.
The first was currently training relentlessly—protecting his village, defending others, all in pursuit of strength...
That first believer was Wang Chen—Chen as in "stars."
The boy had received a Vision from Zhong Li, and the gears of fate had begun to turn.
Now, armed with power, Wang Chen remained true to his heart, striving to grow stronger.
As an Archon, Zhong Li could naturally absorb the faith of his believers—the more devotees he had, the stronger he became.
Of course, most Archons were already power incarnate. Only a few, like the God of Salt or Baal of Inazuma, lacked combat prowess.
Even with followers, their strength had limits.
Faith could enhance power, but not by much.
The faith energy Chi Yu provided was practically negligible to Zhong Li.
His strength was simply too vast—this trickle of faith couldn't move the needle.
Even something like a Gnosis had only boosted his power slightly.
This?
Nothing.
"Once she adapts to the soul master system, we'll see if she desires a Vision."
The driving force behind a Vision was ambition—the power of one's wishes.
Right now, Chi Yu wasn't there yet.
Of course, Zhong Li could modify a Vision to function without ambition.
But if the wielder lacked noble aspirations... what if they used its power for evil?
That was a risk Zhong Li had to consider.
He wouldn't distribute Visions indiscriminately—doing so could destabilize the soul master society.
Only those he deemed worthy would receive one.
"Let's go. Two kilometers ahead, there's a three-thousand-year-old Black Cat..."
The so-called Black Cat was the Nether Spirit Cat—the Zhu family's martial soul.
This one would suit Chi Yu well.
Both were felines, and the Nether Spirit Cat was a speed-type spirit beast—swift, with sharp claws and piercing attacks.
Perfect for Chi Yu's first soul ring.
There might be better options, but this one was convenient.
"Understood, Master."
Zhong Li: "..."
In moments, the trio appeared soundlessly in the Nether Spirit Cat's territory.
The unsuspecting beast noticed nothing.
Even a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast—or a Titled Douluo—wouldn't detect Zhong Li if he didn't wish it.
Let alone a mere three-thousand-year cat.
Sending a ringless Chi Yu to fight the Nether Spirit Cat under the guise of "training"?
Zhong Li wouldn't do something so reckless.
Not unless she truly had the power to win.
Take Wang Chen, for example—with his Vision, elemental skills, and burst, handling a few Wolf Bandits was child's play.
That was proper training.
Wang Chen had the strength to protect himself—and Zhong Li as a safety net.
With a flick of his wrist, an amber glow enveloped the Nether Spirit Cat.
Its body stiffened—then collapsed.
As if remembering something, Zhong Li summoned a surge of energy into his right hand.
Moments later, a massive greatsword materialized.
"To absorb a soul ring, the killing blow must be dealt by the absorber."
"I don't understand the mechanics, but those are the rules."
Handing the sword to Chi Yu, he added, "Use this."
Without hesitation, Chi Yu accepted it—
"???"
"This—"
Wait.
This sword was strange!
Chi Yu's eyes widened in shock.
The weapon—it was amplifying her power?!
Holding it, she felt overwhelming strength surge through her—as if a single swing could shatter the world.
Was this... an illusion?
Chi Yu hesitated, confusion swirling in her gaze.
The sword had been conjured by Zhong Li—it had to be extraordinary.
But the sensation it gave her...
Could it be real?
Stepping forward, Chi Yu stood over the Nether Spirit Cat.
No fancy techniques—just a simple stab.
She had never trained in combat. All she knew was that swords were sharp—and stabbing was effective.
A beam of amber light erupted from the blade's tip, piercing the giant cat effortlessly.
The sword met no resistance—cleanly impaling the beast.
Tragic.
So tragic.
The Nether Spirit Cat died without ever knowing who had killed it...
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 115 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 20 power stones I will publish the next chapter.