Original God Zhongli BG Xiao Qinglong traveled through time

Morning light streamed across the peak of Tianheng Mountain, dyeing the boundless sea of ​​clouds into a flowing gilded aura. Paimeng excitedly tugged at the traveler's cloak, his little hand pointing high into the sky: "Look, look! The Qun Yu Pavilion! It's really soared into the sky!" The towering palace's base hovered in the clouds. Several thick black iron chains extended from the mountain like reins to restrain a blue dragon, temporarily freezing this miraculous building at the same height as the peak, as if gathering the final strength to soar into the heavens. "But it looks like it's being bound by something..."

"Because the project isn't complete yet," a clear, gentle voice boomed from behind. Everyone turned to see Ningguang's secretary, Bai Wen, standing tall, clutching a scroll of blueprints. A smile etched her eyes behind her glasses. "The Qun Yu Pavilion is unusually large. To ensure a flawless reconstruction, we're dividing the work into two sections: above and below. First, we'll build the foundation on the ground. Once the Mingxia Floating Life Stone is in place, we'll attach it to it, allowing this 'semi-finished project' to float in the air." She tapped the rock beneath her feet. "Subsequent work on the carved beams and painted buildings will be completed in the clouds. Once everything is ready and the iron chains are severed, then the Qun Yu Pavilion will be restored to its former glory." Just then, a craftsman approached for instructions. Bai Wen nodded apologetically. "The new materials have arrived. Allow me to inspect them first. The rapid reconstruction progress is largely due to the Floating Life Stones you've all found. Lady Ningguang also asked me to convey that she's looking forward to your continued work." She hurried on, her figure quickly disappearing into the bustling workshops.

"Oh? I didn't expect you guys to be so nimble!" A hearty laugh, as clear as the sea breeze, broke through the air. Beidou strode closer, his scarlet cloak fluttering in the mountain breeze. "It seems like we're late, hahahaha!"

Paimeng put his hands on his hips, his face full of pride: "Beidou! You are participating in the competition too?"

"Of course!" Beidou slapped the scabbard at her waist. "I was lucky enough to win a Mingxia Fusheng Stone in my early sailing days. I've been keeping it and never wanted to share it, but now it's finally coming in handy." She stepped aside to let her companions pass. "Come, meet two new friends. This is Mr. Yun, the renowned opera master of Liyue Harbor."

Yun Jin bowed gracefully, her voice as clear as the tapping of a jade chime. "I've long heard of your illustrious names, and I'm honored to meet you today." Her gaze darted across the crowd, finally settling on Shen He. Her phoenix eyes, perceptive of the world, paused for a moment before shimmering with a deeper, warmer glow. "This young lady may look unfamiliar, but for some reason, I feel a special affinity."

"Shen He." Her voice was still as clear as an icy spring. The silver-gray fur on her shoulder seemed startled by the chill, its ears trembling slightly. A gurgling sound in her throat paused for a moment, then returned, growing longer and deeper. "Their... friends," she added, a hint of newly learned, awkward warmth in her tone.

"Hahaha! Wonderful! A friend of a friend is my guest of honor!" Beidou clapped his hands and laughed, instantly dispelling the quietness in the mountains. "Mr. Yun is also here to compete and is traveling with me on my boat. He said he has something urgent to ask Ningguang in person."

Yun Jin nodded slightly and took over the conversation. "It's truly abrupt. The venue for our new play is still undecided, and I urgently need Miss Ningguang's advice, which is why I've come so hastily. With all due respect, I see you three aren't the type to be nitpicky. Have you ever heard the saying 'we're in this together?'" Her eyes flickered, glancing at Beidou's understanding smile and Ying's thoughtful expression. "Lady Ningguang said the top three will each get a chance to ask questions. Since the three of us each hold the Floating Life Stone, why not join forces and claim three first-place prizes, sharing the opportunity equally? Wouldn't that be better than wasting time on each other?"

Paimon's eyes suddenly lit up like stars: "Yes! Good idea! This way we don't have to fight to the point of bloodshed!"

Beidou folded his arms and laughed heartily: "Mr. Yun is indeed very quick-witted! The most difficult Floating Life Stone is already in hand, and the remaining 'Thousand Wonders Core' and 'Immortal Talisman' are not unique. Whoever finds a way and shares resources will naturally solve the problem!"

Shen He's eyelashes trembled slightly, and a very faint ripple passed across his icy face: "So that's how it is..." Xizhi on his shoulder seemed to also understand this friendly covenant. He stretched his body lazily, revealing a soft and tender belly covered with fine silver-gray hair. The silver tip of his tail, like a moon, drew a gentle arc in the air and gently brushed across Shen He's sharp collarbone, as if in silent agreement.

"In that case, I, Old Beidou, will first discuss the Thousand Wonders Core." Beidou, impatient, spoke first. "I've heard the crafting method isn't top secret. The difficulty lies in the rare and delicate core minerals, and the ancient refining methods are nearly lost. I'll immediately return to the ship to consult the veteran craftsman Su Ling. He's traveled extensively and has a wealth of experience! What about you?"

Yun Jin paused for a moment, then turned his gaze toward the city. "I'm not very familiar with smelting. Perhaps I could visit Master Zhang at Hanfeng Ironware and learn about the properties and origins of this type of ore. What do you think, traveler?"

Ying nodded, a glow dancing in his golden pupils: "That's exactly what I want."

"Great! Then let's go our separate ways!" Beidou clapped his hands, the sound like the clanging of metal. "No matter which side gets the good news first, we will triumph together! I'll go ahead and see you later!" She turned and took a step forward. Her red dress was like a blazing flame, and she disappeared around the corner of the mountain path in an instant.

"Then let's get going!" Paimeng happily circled Yingfei, then suddenly moved closer to Yunjin, his eyes full of curiosity. "By the way, Mr. Yun, what kind of venue are you looking for? And that new play sounds very intriguing!"

Yun Jin's lips curled slightly, a smile tinged with solemn yearning. "It's for a new play. The script is my father's painstaking work, adapted from ancient folklore. It tells the story of a banished immortal...who, in his mortal form, embarks on a quest for a world-shaking destiny." She paused, her clear voice imbued with profound power, as she spoke each word:

"Its name is—"The Goddess Splits the View"."

"Goddess... Split the view..." Paimeng chewed on it in a low voice, feeling that the combination of the four words had a kind of earth-shattering heaviness and beauty.

The moment Yun Jin uttered those four words, the mountain wind seemed to suddenly stagnate.

Xizhi, who had been nestling quietly on Shen He's shoulder, suddenly opened his half-lidded, vertical pupils. A rock-gold hue swirled in the depths of his pupils, as if plucked by invisible strings. His languid gaze faded, his small body slightly erected. His eyes fixed on the girl with a piercing gaze. The light in his cat's eyes was not the innocence of a beast, but rather a calm, understanding gaze, as if listening to a distant echo reaching back through the torrent of time.

And Shen He, the moment she heard the play's title, felt a barely perceptible shudder throughout her body, as if an icy spike had pierced her heart. It wasn't fear, but rather the sudden awakening of a dormant throbbing deep within her blood. A sudden air of emptiness thickened around her, like a receding tide, exposing a cold, rocky abyss.

Ying, who had been holding his arm lightly, immediately caught the slight tremor and the momentary tenseness of the cat on her shoulder.

The mountain breeze swept through again, picking up a few fallen leaves. Yun Jin seemed oblivious to the subtle silence, still lost in her anticipation of the new play. Meanwhile, the silver-gray, velvety warmth silently adjusted its posture, pressing more of its soft body against Shen He's slightly cool cheek. The low, steady purr rose from its throat once again, like the gentlest support, anchoring the person beside it firmly in the present moment.

Her bright eyes swept over Yun Jin, Shen He, and the spirit cat on her shoulder, her mind already clear. She smiled, her lips opening at the right moment to dispel the momentary freeze: "Let's go, Mr. Yun. I'm also eager to read 'The Goddess's Splitting View'. Perhaps Master Zhang can help me with more than just the mystery of the ore."

The voice, clear and soothing, quietly drew everyone back to their journey. Only the clear cat-like eyes on Shen He's shoulder and a lingering, increasingly clear aura around him remained, silently telling of the waves that had surged and then subsided in the blink of an eye.