"This... while that may be true, if a giant dragon appears among the common people, it might cause panic. Traveler, could you..."
"Don't worry, I'll let her help you patrol the mountains then. Speaking of which, do you know where Zhongli is now?"
"The Geo Archon?"
Xiao did not use the Geo Archon's mortal name, but instead used an honorific.
"The Geo Archon is like a divine dragon, appearing and disappearing at will. Even we Adepti find it difficult to seek him..."
Just as Xiao was declining, the next second, a mature and steady male voice came from behind him.
"No need to ask, I am already here."
Zhongli stood on the ground with his hands behind his back.
Even though he was looking up from below.
But the Ice Dragon Safi felt as if she was seeing a giant dragon thousands of meters tall looking down at her, and she instinctively shrank her body.
Jack, noticing this scene, was deep in thought.
It seemed that a god like Zhongli, who had lived for 6000 years, was at least a 4-star monster in the current MC World.
As for whether he could reach the 'Unspeakable' rating, that might still be up for debate.
He pulled back his thoughts.
Jack placed his hand on Safi's dragon horn, helping her dispel the intimidating aura from the ancient god.
Then, the Anemo power surged, and he slowly flew towards Zhongli.
"Still well, Mr. Zhongli."
"Heh heh, long time no see, Traveler... Also, this familiar yet strange power... Did you perhaps devour Barbatos?"
"What!!"
Xiao looked at Jack in shock.
His mind automatically translated it into Jack killing Barbatos and then forcibly seizing his power.
"Don't guess wildly. I merely mimicked his power; there's a big difference in essence. Couldn't you, Zhongli, tell?"
Jack suspected Zhongli was deliberately joking with him.
His original Anemo power was much more advanced than Venti's divine power, alright.
Zhongli shook his head and said, "From a conventional rational perspective, such Anemo power with divinity can only be possessed by the current Seven Archons. If the Wind Archon Barbatos is not here, then the iteration of the Seven Archons' power is just the most direct conjecture."
So, there are other possibilities?
Xiao breathed a sigh of relief.
It was good that Jack wasn't an enemy.
Just now, he was so conflicted between whether or not to draw his spear, between rationality and morality, that he almost had a CPU meltdown and died on the spot.
Jack glanced at Xiao, who was on an emotional rollercoaster.
Then he brazenly released his grass element divine power to sense Zhongli's emotions.
Zhongli frowned.
He sighed helplessly and lowered all his guard towards Jack.
Then Jack heard Zhongli's inner thoughts.
After some investigation, the mystery was solved.
The mischievous old father Zhongli was testing his son Xiao's ability to handle psychological changes, so he deliberately guided him to think of the worst-case scenario to stimulate his senses.
It seemed that Xiao's condition had improved recently, and Zhongli wasn't trying to awaken Xiao's long-sealed emotions with shock therapy for the first time.
"When it comes to PUA, it has to be you old-timers. I admit defeat!"
"Heh heh, Traveler, you jest."
Although he didn't know what PUA meant.
But Zhongli could tell it wasn't a good word.
He immediately changed the subject.
"An old friend visits; why not move to Wangshu Inn? It would allow me to fulfill my duty as a host."
Zhongli invited calmly.
"Alright, but allow me to mention something first... Mr. Zhongli, do you have your wallet with you?"
"Cough cough... Money is an external possession. Carrying it constantly would only seem cumbersome. I will write a letter shortly, and the bill can be sent to the Hall of Wangsheng."
"As expected of Mr. Zhongli, speaking of being a kept man in such a fresh and refined manner. Jack has learned a lot."
Jack returned a polite cupped-fist salute.
But who was Zhongli?
Having turned into a stone spirit, his skin was truly thicker than a city wall.
He completely disregarded his teasing and lifted his foot, preparing to walk towards Wangshu Inn.
This scene, however, made Jack shake his head.
"Could it be that Mr. Zhongli has no means of transport? Come! How about you try my top-grade Flying Dragon Airlines express?"
Seeing Jack's face, which was practically screaming "showing off."
Zhongli sighed again, feeling that he had sighed more in half a day since meeting the Traveler than in the past month.
This child, indeed, was as difficult to deal with as Hutao.
"Very well, I shall follow the Traveler's suggestion."
The two successively stepped onto the dragon's back.
The Ice Dragon flapped her wings, soaring straight into the blue sky.
Leaving only a green-haired young man behind, eating a mouthful of ice shards.
Jack, following Zhongli's intent, dismissed the Ice Dragon.
Roar! —
The Ice Dragon let out a roar and ascended into the sky in the blink of an eye, but it didn't fly far away as Jack had said; instead, it kept circling in the sky.
Philgolette wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
Aside from playable characters, it was difficult for ordinary NPCs to recognize Jack as the Traveler.
Therefore, apart from the Rock King Emperor who couldn't reveal his identity, Jack was mistaken by her for an adeptus who had returned after many years of travel.
Without daring to delay even a minute, she directly arranged the three into the most distinguished Celestial Room Number One.
Inside the elegant and tasteful room.
Zhongli, who was gradually developing a mortal concept of money, felt a headache all over as he looked at the prices on the menu.
This time, when the bill was sent over...
He feared Director Hu would nag him for several days again.
However, on the other side, a murmur like that of an Abyss Mage came.
"This one, this one! And this one!"
Jack pointed to several seafood dishes on the menu.
"Oh, oh, esteemed guest, you truly have excellent taste. These are famous Liyue Moon Dishes, and all these ingredients are top-grade ocean delicacies!"
"No, no, what I mean is, don't include these few dishes; bring one of everything else."
I take back what I said! This guy is not just an Abyss Mage; he's a thousand times worse than an Abyss Herald!
"Cough, cough!"
Zhongli rarely lost his composure.
This, however, startled Philgolette, who cautiously asked,
"This... Guest Zhongli, is this tea not to your liking? Shall I have someone bring a new pot?"
"No, no matter. Just do as he says. I... I'll treat!"
Zhongli made this decision with a trembling voice.
He could already foresee it.
The sight of Director Hu throwing a tantrum upon seeing the exorbitant bill, and his own impending life as a slacking guest.
On the other side, upon noticing the unusual tone in Zhongli's voice,
Philgolette immediately realized that this esteemed gentleman must be troubled by money.
She quickly fabricated a story.
"Regarding the meal expenses, someone has already paid in advance. Does Guest Zhongli have any other instructions?"
"Someone has already paid in advance? Then... I'll treat the Traveler next time."
Zhongli nodded with satisfaction.
Liyue people really know how to handle things.
This child is on the right path.
"Traveler..."
Philgolette chewed on those words.
Suddenly, a flash of insight struck her!
The image of that esteemed person appeared in her mind!
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