Connect to Yuan Tiejue's chat group

Chapter 13: Zhongli joins the group and karma speculation

After the two sat down, Zhongli asked Chef Mao to add a few more dishes.

Zhongli glanced at Paimeng, and with a hint of understanding, "The two of you are looking for me this time. I believe it is related to the 'strange item' that Paimeng has just obtained?"

Paimon: "No, it's rare for you to guess wrong, Zhongli. Let Ying tell you."

Then Paimon couldn't wait to start showing off his fandom.

Ying explained to Zhongli in detail about the chat group, the origin of Paimon's optimization power and the purpose of this trip - to invite him to join the group, and explained the name change function.

Zhongli: "Since it's a friend's invitation, I will certainly accept it."

Seeing Zhongli agreed, Ying immediately invited him in the group.

[Teyvat Ying] invites [Guest of the Hall of Rebirth] to join the group to welcome the newcomer!

Everyone expressed their welcome, and Ying also directly sent a photo of Zhongli.

In the photo, Zhongli sits in the bustling Wanmin Hall, yet he has a calm and majestic demeanor. His amber-like eyes are deep and peaceful, as if they can see through time.

When everyone in the group saw the photo, even though they were separated by a world, they instantly felt an invisible pressure and grace.

Dan Heng narrowed his eyes slightly: "This person is extraordinary, his bearing far exceeds that of ordinary immortals..."

Zhe and Ling simply thought: "Wow, he looks so impressive, like a big shot in a story!"

March 7th subconsciously sat up straight.

[Genshin Impact·Zhongli]: "My name is Zhongli, a humble man, and I am honored to meet you all."

[Bengtie·March 7]: "Are you the retired Geogod of Liyue that Ying mentioned?"

On March 7th, everyone started using honorifics unconsciously.

Zhongli looked at Ying with a knowing smile in his eyes.

Ying lowered her head, quickly picking up food with her chopsticks. Her mouth was bulging with food as she mumbled incoherently, "Hmm, this boiled black sea bass is really good. Chef Mao's cooking skills have improved again. Paimeng, you should try it."

Obviously, he had an expression of "I don't know anything, I just want to eat", which made Zhongli shake his head slightly, with a helpless and indulgent arc on the corner of his mouth.

[Genshin Impact·Zhongli]: "The past is like smoke, the title of Rock God is a thing of the past. Now I am just an ordinary person in Liyue Harbor, drinking tea, listening to books, admiring antiques, and spending my leisure time."

[Genshin Impact·Zhongli]: "Please don't be so formal. If there's ever a time when I can be of some assistance, please feel free to ask."

System prompt: The primary chat group has reached its upper limit. We hope everyone will help each other and build a harmonious and diverse world together.

System Announcement: World Event is about to start! Stay tuned!

The shock brought by Zhongli joining the group had not yet subsided, and the system announcement that followed was like a huge rock thrown into a lake, causing even greater ripples in the group.

[Bengtie·March 7th]: "Wow! World event! So exciting! Let's all guess what this world event will be?"

[Bengtie·Xing]: "Isn't it like the simulated universe where you get rewards for completing dungeons?"

[Juequ Zero·Ling]: "Or maybe we're all working together to complete a big mission? Like, let's all work together to take down a super-dangerous Notorious Relic?"

Teyvat Ying: "Or, will a temporary world passage be opened so that everyone can visit each other?"

The group was suddenly filled with all kinds of wild speculations, and the atmosphere was lively.

Zhongli Anran sipped his tea and watched the lively discussions in the group, his expression as calm as water.

When the topic gradually shifted away from him, he turned his gaze back to Ying and Paimon in front of him. In those golden eyes that saw through the world, there seemed to be a certain determination.

Zhongli pondered for a moment, then turned his gaze to Paimeng with a subtle inquiry: "The optimized power that Paimeng has obtained is extraordinary and miraculous."

"Since it can purify the filth of disasters and diseases, I wonder if it will also have a miraculous effect on the 'karma' that has plagued the Yakshas for millennia, born from the lingering hatred of the demon gods?"

Paimeng, who was eating, slapped his head when he heard this and said, "That's right! Why didn't we think of it? If it is possible, then there is hope that the karma that is bothering Xiao will be solved!"

Ying's eyes lit up when she heard this. "If karma can be purified," she suddenly thought, "Then does 'wear and tear' also...?"

She suddenly stopped talking and looked at Zhongli nervously.

Paimon also understood instantly and covered his mouth: "Ah! That's right!"

Zhongli's expression did not change, but in the depths of his amber-like eyes, there seemed to be extremely subtle ripples, and then they returned to a deep calm.

He didn't directly address the issue of wear and tear, but instead brought the topic back to the present moment, his tone showing a hint of concern: "I wonder if Paimon ever felt mental fatigue, physical exhaustion, or other unusual sensations when using this power before?"

Paimon swallowed the food in his mouth and waved his hand with a relaxed look: "Consumption? Not at all! It feels as natural as eating now, completely out of instinct."

"And summoning the wrench, hammering the ore, and just now 'curing' Huixin, I didn't feel anything at all! Paimon feels fine!"

To prove it, a golden light flashed in her palm, and the silver wrench appeared and disappeared in an instant, repeating this several times, with extremely smooth movements.

Ying put down her chopsticks, frowning slightly. "Paimeng, are you really not feeling any discomfort? The power of rules sounds very high-level. It can't be completely without a cost, right? Could it be hidden or cumulative?"

Paimon tilted his head and thought for a moment: "Hmm~ At least I really don't feel anything now! I'm not tired, and I'm in good spirits, just like usual. And my appetite is the same as usual! Don't worry too much!"

Ying felt relieved after hearing Paimeng's affirmative answer.

Zhongli nodded slightly. "Yes, no noticeable loss. That's a blessing."

Then his tone turned serious: "However, the trouble caused by karma is very different from the cold and other diseases."

"Its root lies in the resentment and hatred of a fallen demon god, accumulated over millennia. It is incredibly ferocious and deeply entangled with Xiao."

"The power required to remove this thing is far greater than before. If you are not careful, there may be backlash."

Zhongli's tone became increasingly serious. "So, I still need to ask: Paimon, are you willing to try to use your abilities to help Xiao eliminate his karma?"

"There may be unknown risks and costs involved, so please think carefully."

Paimon put away his smile and a serious look appeared on his little face.

"Xiao has protected Liyue for so long and endured so much. If I can help him, Paimon is certainly willing to give it a try!"

She clenched her fists and looked at Zhongli and Ying, "Don't worry! Although karma sounds scary, my optimization power is also very powerful!"

"My little Paimon is no ordinary person, and with you and Ying here, nothing will happen!"

Paimon played a trick so as not to make Ying and Zhongli worry too much, and Paimon also really wanted to do his part to help Xiao get rid of the troubles of karma.

Seeing this, Zhongli added, "If there are any abnormalities during the cleaning process, please stop immediately. Remember to prioritize your own safety. I will protect you."

Ying also nodded, her eyes full of trust and support, but also a hint of worry: "Paimon, if you feel something is wrong, stop immediately, understand?"

Paimon agreed to all of their requests, and lunch ended quickly at Paimon's urging.

Without any delay, the three of them immediately rushed to Wangshu Inn, which stood beside the main road of Dihuazhou.

Chapter 14: Eliminating Karma

On the top floor of the Wangshu Inn, Xiao could already sense that familiar and distinguished aura. A dark green figure flashed by like the wind, and Xiao respectfully clasped his fists. "Greetings, Emperor. What important instructions do you have for me?"

Then he nodded to Ying and Paimon as a greeting.

Zhongli raised his hand slightly and said, "There is no arrangement for this trip. It is just that Paimon recently found a rare item that may be able to relieve your karmic suffering."

Xiao's body trembled slightly, and a glimmer of disbelief suddenly lit up in his golden eyes, but was immediately suppressed by deeper worries.

After all, the Emperor and the Wind God have no way to completely solve the karma and can only suppress it.

He looked at Paimon and said in a low voice, "This karma is extremely dangerous. It comes from the remnants of the demon god and has not been eliminated for thousands of years."

"If I do this, it may endanger Paimon. I'm sorry, Xiao cannot obey your order."

Paimon flew in front of Xiao, his face full of determination: "Oh, I said it's okay! Don't worry, Xiao! I have the confidence to help you solve your karma."

"Besides, Zhongli and Ying are here! Just trust me this once!"

Ying also stepped forward: "Xiao, let Paimeng try. We will take care of everything and keep an eye on Paimeng's condition."

Xiao was silent for a moment, his eyes swept across Zhongli's calm face and Ying's determined eyes, and finally fell on Paimon's confident face.

A trace of complicated emotions flashed in his eyes.

Finally, he nodded slowly and firmly: "Thank you, Paimeng."

His aura was concentrated and his muscles were tense. He was ready to bear any consequences.

Just like when she treated Huixin before, a silver light flashed in Paimeng's palm, and the peculiarly shaped silver wrench appeared out of thin air in her hand.

Then he looked at Xiao: "Are you ready? I'm about to start."

Seeing Xiao nodded, he replied, "Yeah!"

Paimon took a deep breath, his face tensed, and he gently pointed the wrench at Xiao's chest.

The wrench merged into Xiao's body as if it sank into water.

However, the situation this time was completely different from when purifying the wisdom mind!

A circular golden magic circle with a diameter of about six feet silently emerged under Xiao's feet. The lines of the magic circle were smooth, and it emitted a solemn and stable golden glow.

The silver wrench appeared above Xiao's head again, slowly rotating.

From time to time, sparks would appear as if encountering some obstacles.

Xiao also closed his eyes tightly and clenched his hands tightly, seeming to be in some pain.

At the same time, wisps of gray-black mist, which were obviously much thicker than when treating Huixin, continued to seep out from all parts of Xiao's body as if being pulled by an invisible force.

Paimeng realized that something was wrong, and he quickly hid behind Ying, holding Ying's shoulders tightly, and only dared to stick out half of his head to peek nervously.

Zhongli set up a blockade early when Paimon and Xiao were ready to avoid disturbing mortals.

This process lasted for nearly a minute.

Fortunately, there were no other unusual phenomena during this period, and Zhongli did not sense any resentment from demons or anything like that.

It seems that the black gas is just a special effect phantom, does not really exist, or exists in another space.

Xiao's body was tense at first, but as the black gas continued to flow out and the magic circle continued to operate, he began to relax slowly at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The clenched fists gradually loosened, the furrowed brows slowly relaxed, and the trembling of the body gradually subsided.

Finally, although the silver wrench shadow above Xiao's head gradually dimmed, it turned more and more smoothly, and there seemed to be no more obstacles.

Eventually it completely dissipated into the air.

The black energy emanating from Xiao's body also became thinner and dim until it completely stopped.

At the moment the shadow disappeared, Xiao's body shook slightly, as if a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders. He fell back softly with an unprecedented sense of relief.

A steady figure appeared behind Xiao as if by teleportation, firmly supporting his limp body.

Xiao forced his heavy eyelids open and looked at Zhongli. His voice was weak but with an unprecedented sense of relief: "Lord Emperor... I feel... much better..."

Before he could finish his words, he fell into a deep sleep.

Zhongli carefully helped Xiao to a chair nearby and placed him down. He placed three fingers together on Xiao's wrist vein, and at the same time, a pure and gentle rock elemental force penetrated into his body for careful examination.

After a moment, his furrowed brows finally relaxed, and a hint of relief flashed across his eyes.

Turning to Ying and Paimon, he said, "It's done. Xiao's millennia-old karma has been largely dispelled."

"The remaining part is like a rootless duckweed, and it is difficult to shake his mind."

He looked at the sleeping Xiao and said gently, "This sleep is a sudden relief from the long-term stress. His body and mind will naturally enter a state of deep recovery. When he wakes, he will be refreshed."

Zhongli pondered for a moment, "As for the remaining karma, once Xiao has rested for a while, adapted to this change, and his foundation is solid, it will clear up on its own."

After saying that, he looked at Paimeng with concern: "Paimeng, you've worked hard this time. How are you feeling now? Is there anything wrong with your body? Are you feeling mentally troubled?"

Ying immediately turned around nervously, holding Paimeng's small shoulders with both hands, and looked him up and down carefully: "Yes, Paimeng! Are you feeling unwell?"

Seeing Zhongli and Ying both looking worried, Paimeng blinked his eyes, touched the back of his head, and muttered to himself: "Feeling uncomfortable? It seems that I really am not."

"I was just shocked by what happened just now. After all, when I treated Huixin's cold, there wasn't such a big deal. I thought it was going to go wrong."

But seeing this scene, Paimeng's big eyes rolled around, and a "weak" expression immediately appeared on his little face, and he said "ouch" weakly.

"Ah~ Ying... I feel... I feel like my body is hollowed out... I feel dizzy... Everything is black..."

She shook her head exaggeratedly, "Tonight... if I don't go to Xinyuexuan for a good meal tonight... I'm afraid... I'm afraid I won't be able to recover..."

Ying was startled at first, but then she saw the cunning that could not be hidden in Paimon's eyes, and she felt angry and amused at the same time.