NOVEL NEXT Chapter 253: We can't go back
After Tang San left with his bold declaration, the audience and other competitors sneered in disdain.
Clearing the path? Winning the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament?
Dream on!
For some reason, even though Tang San was a Spirit King-level powerhouse with terrifying spirit ring configurations, the audience still didn't take him seriously.
Perhaps this was the protagonist's innate passive ability to attract ridicule?
"What a show, truly a spectacle!"
"Watching the matches of Shrek Academy is always a unique experience. You always gain something different."
"Yeah, whether they're acting like clowns or crushing their opponents, there's always this feeling that Shrek Academy is just... cursed."
The audience chattered animatedly, their faces flushed with excitement.
From the very first day of the tournament, Shrek Academy had been causing all sorts of drama.
And even now, they remained true to their roots, which was quite remarkable.
Without these "clowns," the excitement of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament would have been halved at the very least.
Time flew by, and soon it was evening.
At a private room in the Seven Treasures Hotel...
"Zhongli, isn't it a bit strange for just the two of us to come to the Seven Treasures Hotel for dinner?"
Paimon faced Zhongli, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
It was rare for just the two of them to come to the Seven Treasures Hotel.
Especially during this period...
It seemed like every time they came here, there would be one or two "guests" or companions joining them.
But today, it was just the two of them!
"Chiyu is next door. She'll be here soon."
Zhongli glanced at Paimon, his expression unchanged.
If one had a god's perspective, they would understand why Zhongli was here.
But Paimon had no idea what was happening next door...
"Chiyu is next door?"
Paimon blinked, momentarily stunned.
She had been wondering why Chiyu hadn't gone to the Spirit Arena today. So she was at the Seven Treasures Hotel having dinner?
Wait, dinner for the whole day??
"She's absorbing a spirit bone. It should be almost done."
Originally, "Xue Qinghe" was supposed to guard Chiyu during this process, but she had too many things to handle and couldn't leave the Spirit Arena. So, she assigned a trusted subordinate to protect Chiyu in secret.
Even if this subordinate were exposed, it wouldn't matter.
After all, there was no enmity between the Body Sect and the Spirit Hall. In fact, their relationship could be described as "close"!
A Spirit Hall Titled Douluo secretly protecting the Body Sect's Holy Maiden? What's wrong with that?
It only proves the deep connection between the two major factions!
When Zhongli and Paimon arrived at the hotel, She Long, who had been secretly guarding Chiyu, left without hesitation and returned to the Crown Prince's residence.
He knew his mission was complete.
"She Long's mission is over, and he has returned to the Crown Prince's residence."
"This was the duty assigned to him by Qian Renxue. He fulfilled his responsibility."
Zhongli thought to himself, then murmured, "Then what is my mission? And where should I go once it's over?"
At first, Zhongli had no attachments in the Douluo Continent. Aside from Paimon, who followed him, he had no contracts or bonds.
Without these, he didn't need to think about anything and could act entirely as he pleased.
But when the first person who believed in him appeared, the bonds began to accumulate...
"Zhongli, what are you muttering about again?"
Paimon scratched her head, looking at Zhongli with confusion.
Zhongli was great in every way, but sometimes he seemed... tired.
With his level of strength, could he really feel tired or weary?
Wait, there was no erosion in this world. He was practically immortal, and as a rock, he couldn't be worn down by time. He could maintain his peak condition forever.
In that case, how could Zhongli possibly feel tired?
Zhongli glanced at Paimon but didn't respond.
How could he not feel tired?
Though his body and soul were untouched by erosion, his heart was weary!
After finally stepping down from his divine position and arriving in a new world, the believers of this new world wanted to push him back up...
Hah...
Absolutely not!
"Du Siji is quite a talented individual..."
Du Siji: "???"
After a moment of contemplation, Zhongli finally spoke, "Paimon, it's been almost three years since we came to the Douluo Continent. Have you ever thought about going back?"
Hearing this, Paimon was momentarily stunned. She had just been talking about Zhongli, and now the topic had shifted to her?
Fortunately, her body was small, her brain was small, and she didn't have much wisdom to begin with. Her memory was mostly filled with food and the names and appearances of people.
After a while, Paimon finally snapped out of it, her voice tinged with sadness, "I just miss the Traveler a little. As for going back..."
"We can't go back."
"After helping the Traveler solve so many problems in Teyvat, helping so many people..."
"We were just passersby, not even heroes..."
"We can't go back."
Paimon repeated "we can't go back" twice, but the meaning behind the two instances was entirely different.
Zhongli nodded imperceptibly, then picked up his teacup and took a sip.
To say he didn't miss Teyvat would be a lie.
But for various reasons, they couldn't return for now.
Zhongli had wanted to ask more questions, but seeing Paimon's downcast expression, he decided against it.
If she remained Paimon forever, it might actually be a good thing.
If she were to change her identity and name, interacting with her might feel strange.
"My erosion was healed during the process of transmigration over."
"Then, if you really are her, what about your injuries and erosion..."
Zhongli had pondered this question before, but he had never brought it up openly.
The reason he had formed a contract with Paimon was to figure out who she really was.
Unexpectedly, she had remained unchanged all this time, which surprised Zhongli.
"This is fine."
"After ten or eight years, when the Douluo Continent stabilizes, I'll take you to see its mountains and rivers."
After spending so much time together, a bond of friendship had formed.
Zhongli had come to understand Paimon's dreams.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Zhongli seemed to sense something and nodded, saying to Paimon, "Paimon, Chiyu has woken up."
"Eh, really?"
Paimon, who had been lost in melancholy moments ago, instantly perked up and flew out the door, heading straight for the next room.
Zhongli: "..."
This state of hers was quite refreshing!
After thousands of years of erosion, even if his body and soul were unaffected, his mindset could never return to that of his youth.
With Paimon by his side, Zhongli often felt as though he had regained some of his youthful vigor.
Even the Traveler, despite being older, became quite mischievous after spending so much time with Paimon.
Soon, Chiyu and Paimon entered the private room.
"Master!"
The joy of having just absorbed a 100,000-year spirit bone was nothing compared to the gratitude she felt for Zhongli's presence.
Having him guard her during the absorption was what truly moved her!
She Long: "???"