On the day he was leaving for Mondstadt, Chen Mo woke up early.
He went to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and bought several pieces of high-quality incense before heading to Hu Tao’s grandfather’s memorial tablet to pay his respects.
“Old man, I came back to see you.” The thin strands of smoke curled upward, stirring fragments of memories from the past.
Chen Mo had been reincarnated into Teyvat from birth, and he retained most of his memories and knowledge from his previous life.
Because of that, he often skipped school when he was young.
However, every single time, Hu Tao would report him by name, and then he would receive a proper beating from Old Master Hu.
After every beating, the old man would always hand him a piece of Lotus Seed and Bird Egg Pastry.
He often taught Chen Mo: “Even if someone is exceptionally talented, as long as they live in this world, they must learn respect.
Especially respect for their teachers and elders.” Although Chen Mo never seemed to learn his lesson, he had always remembered those words.
When Old Master Hu learned that his time was coming to an end, he personally called Chen Mo to his bedside.
Holding his hand, the old man’s words were filled with the final request of someone nearing the end of his life.
“Little Mo…
you’re also a child of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor…” “Our little Hu…
from now on…
you’re the only one who can continue watching over her…” The two talked from late night until dawn.
That night, the old man seemed to have spent even more time with Chen Mo than with his own granddaughter.
“The things you entrusted me with back then…
I’ve basically accomplished them.” “The little girl was only miserable for quite a while after you left.
After that, she has been living very well.” He placed the incense into the burner and continued mumbling casually.
“I’ll keep watching over her from now on too.” “So stop bringing your son into my dreams to beat me up.
Go rest properly.” After placing a plate of Lotus Seed and Bird Egg Pastry before Old Master Hu’s memorial tablet, Chen Mo finished his ritual.
As he passed through the main hall, he saw a man wearing dark-colored formal robes sitting there, calmly enjoying his morning tea.
Chen Mo originally planned to pretend he had not seen him.
Unfortunately, the other party called out first.
“Chen, your steps seem rather hurried.
Is there some urgent matter?” Chen Mo’s entire body stiffened.
Considering that person’s identity, he had no choice but to stop and politely decline.
“Mr.
Zhongli, you may not know, but I must catch the carriage leaving for Mondstadt at the Hour of the Dragon.
Forgive me for being unable to accompany you.” Seeing Chen Mo about to leave again, Zhongli placed down his teacup.
“It is only the Hour of the Rabbit now.
Why not stay and sit for a while?
It will not delay you for long.” Although his tone revealed no emotion, Chen Mo could still feel an invisible pressure coming from Zhongli.
This feeling was even heavier than when Xiao had examined him at Wuwang Hill.
Normally, Chen Mo always tried his best to avoid Zhongli.
The number of conversations they had was probably even fewer than the conversations he had with Paimon and the Traveler.
Now that Zhongli had taken the initiative to approach him, Chen Mo could not think of any reason other than the matter concerning Stands.
“Since Mr.
Zhongli has kindly invited me, then I shall sit here until the departure time.” “Very good.” Chen Mo sat opposite Zhongli, feeling extremely restrained.
People said that the Geo Archon had countless forms while walking among mortals.
There was even a possibility that the stone Xiao stepped on at Wuwang Hill had been one of those forms.
Chen Mo guessed that Zhongli most likely already knew about the existence of Stands.
The only thing he did not know was what attitude this former Archon had toward the unknown power from another world inside him.
“This tea was freshly picked from Chenyu Vale.
Please give it a try.” Chen Mo silently stared at the tea Zhongli handed him.
The surface of the tea remained completely still, just like his thoughts.
If he had a choice, Chen Mo would rather the first god to discover his Stand secret had been Nahida, not one of the other six.
The Tsaritsa was someone he was unfamiliar with.
Ei’s first solution to problems was usually to draw her sword.
Furina was too childish.
Mavuika was too young to provide a meaningful judgment.
As for Morax and Barbatos…
Those two old men had more schemes than dandelion seeds, and Chen Mo could never figure out what they were thinking.
Only the little Dendro Archon seemed relatively balanced in every aspect.
He looked toward Zhongli.
The man remained seated, quietly drinking tea without saying a word.
Chen Mo truly could not understand what Zhongli intended to do, so he carefully lifted his own cup and followed his example.
“How does little friend Chen find the taste?” “The fragrance is rich and mellow.
After the bitterness, a sweet aftertaste quickly returns.” “Chen Mo is too restless, and your worries are too many.
Only by calming your mind can you truly appreciate the essence of good tea.” Too many worries?
Was he hinting at me?
Did he notice that I had been deliberately avoiding him?
Chen Mo was unsure whether he had imagined it, but Zhongli seemed to have slightly curved the corners of his mouth for a brief moment.
The atmosphere inside the hall once again returned to silence.
After hesitating for a long time, Chen Mo decided to test Zhongli’s attitude.
“Sir should have seen the announcement posted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs last night.” “I wonder what you think of that mysterious power at Wuwang Hill?” Under Zhongli’s calm expression, a faint trace of emotion appeared.
He walked toward the window.
Under the morning sunlight, he seemed even more mysterious and profound.
“All things possess two sides.” “Just as the sun can become a warm light that nurtures life, it can also become a flame capable of burning everything away.” He turned back and met Chen Mo’s eyes.
“Little friend does not need to obsess over the power itself.
Instead, you should care about how the owner of that power chooses to use it.” Chen Mo suddenly understood.
Just as Zhongli said, he had been worrying too much.
He had always considered the worst possible reactions the adepti might have toward Stands, while ignoring the most important factor: himself, the Stand user.
Although Stands were also powers from beyond this world, they were different from the Abyss.
Stands were controlled by their own users.
As long as Chen Mo had no intention of harming Teyvat, they would not create any negative consequences.
He was not someone like the Abyss Order.
So why should he act so timidly before gods and adepti?
“Your words are absolutely correct.
I have learned from this.” “No need to thank me.” “During your journey to Mondstadt, if you encounter difficulties, you need not restrain yourself unnecessarily.
He has always admired freedom.
He will not harm you.” Chen Mo’s pupils suddenly contracted.
He took a deep breath, doing his best to remain calm.
“Thank you for telling me.
It is getting late.
I should leave.” “Mm.
Go.” The sound of the door closing echoed from the entrance.
Zhongli returned to the table and poured himself another cup of tea.
The reflection on the surface of the tea slowly faded into a faint curved smile.
“Quite an observant child.” After leaving Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Chen Mo felt much more relaxed.
He entered the carriage arranged by Keqing.
Besides the documents from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, there was also a pastry box with a small note attached.
“I won’t come to see you off.
Bleh!!” In the corner was a little drawing of a ghost spirit making a face.
“What did I do to make her unhappy again…” He held his forehead and smiled helplessly.
The coachman raised the whip.
With the horse’s neigh, the carriage began moving, and Chen Mo immediately felt the bumps of the road.
Leaning against the seat, Chen Mo stared blankly out of boredom.
The system had once said: [The fastest way to increase spiritual power is to raise character affection levels and unlock Stand abilities.] After awakening Golden Experience, Chen Mo truly felt his Stand’s strength had increased.
The most obvious change was that Star Platinum’s stopped-time duration had already extended to one second.
If his spiritual power continued increasing, perhaps in the future Star Platinum would not only be able to stop time for dozens of seconds, but even its basic parameters would surpass those from the original story.
Although he felt a little sorry for little Hu Tao…
To become stronger, he could only let the girls of Teyvat become his wings.