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"Zhongli, Zhongli, wake up!"
Paimon nudged the "sleeping" Zhongli, though her strength—less than half a boar's—was hardly enough to budge the Geo Archon.
Even if she couldn't push him, her voice was enough to make Zhongli reluctantly open his eyes.
Though he appeared young, he was, in fact, a being several thousand years old!
Disturbing an "elderly man's" rest was something only someone like Paimon could do without a shred of guilt.
Perhaps, in her mind, Zhongli wasn't old at all?
Glancing at the light outside, it was probably just past five in the morning.
"Zhongli, Chiyu's gone to school, so there's no one to buy us breakfast. Let's go out to eat!"
Seeing Zhongli "awake," Paimon rubbed her hands together, her face full of anticipation.
Before Chiyu started school, she would handle breakfast, so they could eat as soon as they woke up.
But now, Chiyu wasn't here!
This left Paimon feeling a little out of sorts.
Paimon: First day without Chiyu—miss her already!
After a brief moment of thought, Zhongli got up and nodded. "Very well, Paimon."
For Zhongli, sleeping was more in line with his current identity as a "mortal."
As for Morax—sleep?
He could go years without rest and still be perfectly fine.
Right now, he was neither an adeptus nor the Geo Archon of Liyue.
At this moment, he was simply the "mortal" Zhongli.
And if he was a mortal, he should live like one.
It wasn't just Paimon who felt out of place—without little Chiyu, even Zhongli felt somewhat unaccustomed.
Having stayed in Heaven Dou City for a while now, Zhongli had already figured out the best places to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The two arrived at a bun shop in the western part of the city. At this early hour, the shop was still quiet.
The shopkeeper, upon seeing Zhongli and Paimon, showed no trace of fear.
They had been the same when they first arrived in Heaven Dou City, and even after their "identities" were revealed, nothing changed.
Besides, Zhongli and Paimon were regulars here!
If not for them frequenting his shop, his little business wouldn't be thriving like this!
"Lord Zhongli, little Paimon, good morning! What would you like to eat today?"
The shopkeeper approached with a smile.
He was deeply grateful to Zhongli and Paimon and had even considered refusing payment, but Zhongli always insisted—even when he "forgot" to bring Mora.
Though he might not carry money, that didn't mean he couldn't pay.
"Boss, I want steamed soup dumplings!" Paimon chirped happily.
This shop's soup dumplings were the best in all of Heaven Dou City.
"Of course, one order of soup dumplings!"
After a brief consideration, Zhongli also opted for the soup dumplings.
They were the shop's specialty—and the tastiest.
Eating was about savoring flavors, so of course, one would choose the best.
As Zhongli and Paimon enjoyed their meal, a group of people entered through Heaven Dou City's eastern gate.
"Finally… we're here."
A young woman rubbed her calves, her voice carrying a hint of weariness and charm.
Her face was etched with exhaustion, making the red-haired youth beside her frown in concern.
Who knew what they had endured these past days?
The journey from Spirit Hall to Heaven Dou City normally took about a month.
Yet, they had completed it in just over a week!
They had pushed themselves relentlessly, barely resting, just to achieve this feat.
Even as spirit masters, such intense travel was nearly unbearable.
"You three, head to Spirit Hall's sanctuary and rest. I'll investigate this powerful individual's whereabouts and background."
The old man's voice was unpleasant, like the croak of a duck.
The group consisted of Yue Guan, Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue—the four dispatched from Spirit Hall on a mission to Heaven Dou City.
With those words, Yue Guan vanished, leaving the three youths to exchange glances.
For a Title Douluo, this journey was nothing. If not for these three "burdens," he would have arrived long ago.
After a moment of silence, Hu Liena spoke. "Let's follow Elder Yue's instructions and rest first."
In their current state, they couldn't possibly complete the Pope's mission. It was better to recover first.
Besides, one person was enough to track Zhongli's movements.
The three of them wouldn't be much help anyway—better to conserve their energy.
"Understood, Nana."
Though Xie Yue was the leader of their trio, whose words carried the most weight?
Of course, Hu Liena's.
Without hesitation, the three made their way toward Spirit Hall's sanctuary in Heaven Dou City.
Having visited before, they knew exactly where it was.
By noon, while Hu Liena and the others were deep in slumber, Yue Guan was utterly baffled.
He had expected Zhongli's whereabouts to be difficult to trace—after all, a Title Douluo's movements should be elusive.
Yet, to his surprise, Zhongli's daily routine was common knowledge in Heaven Dou City.
Ask any random passerby, and they'd know exactly where he was.
"???"
Was this a joke?
"If it's noon, and if the information isn't false or some accident hasn't occurred… then Zhongli should currently be at Seven Treasures Hotel…"
Yue Guan's eye twitched as he muttered to himself.
What kind of method was this—knowing someone's schedule just by checking the time?!
What baffled him even more was that Spirit Hall's records confirmed the same thing…
This Title Douluo truly had a unique personality, planning out his entire day in advance.
As Yue Guan skimmed through Zhongli's daily life, a flicker of envy rose in his heart.
Here he was, an old man in his seventies or eighties, still toiling away for Spirit Hall.
Yet Zhongli lived like this?
Both were Title Douluo—why was the gap so vast?
"Sigh…"
With a resigned exhale, Yue Guan headed back to Spirit Hall's sanctuary to wait for Hu Liena and the others to wake.
The past few days had truly worn them out.
Sustained, full-speed travel using spirit power—it was a miracle they'd held on this long.
Time passed, and soon it was the afternoon of the following day.
In a quiet teahouse, Zhongli sat in a corner, listening to a "poet" recite his works on stage.
Paimon sat beside him, sipping tea and enjoying the verses.
After spending so much time with Zhongli, she realized she'd been "corrupted" too.
The unexplored regions ahead? Maybe in the next life.
"Lord Zhongli, do you think there's room for improvement in my poetry just now?"
In the Douluo Continent, spirit masters weren't the only profession—they were just the most revered.
Others, like poets and writers, were also beloved by the common folk.
Over time, people had come to understand Zhongli's preferences. And since he never put on airs, he was willing to converse with anyone, regardless of status.
That was why this poet dared to seek his opinion…
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 125 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.