I, the Rock King Emperor with 21 billion in power, have joined the chat group.

It's just that, amidst the clusters of glass lilies, Zhong Li couldn't recall that smile.

-----only.....

----only.....

Slowly closing his eyes, Zhongli's palms trembled slightly as he gathered up the constantly spinning dust of the Dust Demon God's final form.

When I opened my eyes again, they had returned to their usual calm.

Perhaps they have already pretended to have returned to their former tranquility.

He could even force a smile and mutter to himself, "Gui Zhong, you have to thank Qing Li. Resurrection in the river of time is the same whether you're resurrected once or twice. One more or one less makes no difference."

"But to prevent Qingli from being saddened by not remembering me after her resurrection, I will also resurrect you."

"Please comfort Qingli properly when the time comes. Although she is strong and fearless, she also has moments of weakness."

“You are different. Your gentleness is only on the surface, but your true thoughts are like dust that cannot be changed no matter how hard you try to erase them.”

"Dust God has returned to the end. You are a more resilient Dust God than the Rock God. This is my assertion as the Rock God."

After muttering these words to himself, Zhongli calmed himself down a little.

He stepped out of the empty room with light steps, and by the time he reached the corridor, his face had returned to its usual calm.

He then stood in front of the door the traveler had just entered through and reopened it.

He asked softly into the room, "Traveler, have you found the item?"

Inside the room, the traveler and Paimon looked at the two identical books in their hands, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Paimon, being a straightforward person, opened both books without saying a word.

On the title page of one of the books were written the five characters: "Collection of Ironwork for All People".

On the title page of the other book, there was a line of gentle, small handwriting.

Apricot blossoms fill the air.

The font is exactly the same as the gentle font on the door earlier.

The traveler was suddenly struck by a thought, and somehow, as if possessed, he opened the book.

I read it carefully.

........

XXX year XXX day.

Today, while patrolling Mount Tianheng, I encountered the demon god of the north of Mount Tianheng, the rock dragon Morax.

This girl is amazing; I've decided to form an alliance with her.

XXX year XXX day.

Something's strange. How did Morax the Rock Dragon change her appearance? I remember she was asexual, a demon god. How did she become female now? Could my memory be wrong?

XXX year XXX day.

I've found the reason! I met Morax's companion, the Demon God Zhong Li, and surprisingly, he's a good person. Like me, he enjoys farming, which makes him even more of a good god. It seems Morax changed his gender to become female because he liked him.

XXX year XXX day.

This guy is extraordinary. Demon God Zhong Li is extraordinary; he knows all sorts of farming knowledge, both tangible and intangible. His occasional flashes of inspiration can significantly increase grain production. Demon God Zhong Li is truly no ordinary person.

XXX year XXX day.

Wow, amazing!! Wow, that's incredible! Demon God Zhong Li, so amazing!!!

XXX year XXX day.

Today, Mr. Zhong Li and I discussed how to artificially cultivate glass lilies.

How did he know I like glass lilies?

Waaaaah!

XXX year XXX day.

I didn't see Mr. Zhong Li today, but I spent the whole day chatting with Yanlong Morax about interesting things related to Mr. Zhong Li. Mr. Zhong Li used to be so interesting.

XXX year XXX day.

I didn't see Mr. Zhong Li again today, nor did I see Yanlong Morax—no, I should call her Qingli now. I chatted with her about her new name.

The transformation of Morax, the Rock Dragon, into Aoki, the Rock Bird, was a willing act that I thought only happened in stories and legends.

XXX year XXX day.

Mr. Zhong Li seems quite oblivious to feelings other than Qing Li. In order to get closer to him, I have to spend more time with Qing Li. Although I get along well with Qing Li, I still want to see him more often.

XXX year XXX day.

I set up a return-to-the-end machine on Tianheng Mountain. Mr. Zhong Li seemed very interested in it and discussed it with me from time to time. I was very happy.

XXX year XXX day.

Among the artificially cultivated glass lilies, I handed him the "Lock of the Mortal World"—I wanted him to know that my wisdom and love resided within it.

XXX year XXX day.

The war has started again. Although Mr. Zhong Li is also very capable, he is obviously much inferior to Qing Li in combat.

But he still wanted to stand by Qingli's side.

I also want to stand by your side.

Mr. Zhong Li.

XXX year XXX day.

War! War! Endless war!

Every demon god seemed to have gone mad. The weak had nowhere to stand. In their hiding and fleeing, they were betrayed by mortals and lost their lives.

Will I be able to survive this war?

Mr. Zhong Li, are you able to understand my feelings?

XXX year XXX day.

Qingli and Mr. Zhongli, along with several other demon gods, went to fight the demon god by the sea, leaving me alone by the Returning Terminal to guard this land.

Mr. Zhong Li, I wish you a triumphant return.

XXX year XXX day.

Why did the Dragon King Nagatara break through the defenses?

Hasn't He been sitting on the sidelines all along, unperturbed?

No, I have to stop him.

Mr. Zhong Li, I hope you will wish me a triumphant return.

......

Chapter 41 Morax, who doesn't understand human nature

Like the diary of the Dust Demon God's final days, it abruptly ends here.

“…”

The traveler blinked and silently looked at Paimon beside him.

Paimon also looked at her in silence.

"Hmm..." After a few seconds, Paimon put his hands to his chest and pondered for almost a minute.

The traveler stared at her like that for almost a minute.

Finally, Paimon couldn't resist the eye contact and spoke first.

"Ying, tell me... what exactly is the relationship between this demon god Zhong Li and the Mr. Zhong Li beside us?"

"Mr. Zhongli, and the name of the demon god Zhong Li..." The traveler hesitated slightly.

“But it’s just too much of a coincidence, so much so that I don’t think it’s a coincidence.” Paimon shook his head with his eyes closed. “Although the font in this record is not the same as the font of Zhongli’s name that we know… it’s too normal for a demon god to change his name and body. Moreover, if we consider Zhongli to be the Rock King Emperor, if we think about it carefully, we can actually find quite a few strange points.”

“For example…” the traveler continued to ask.

"For example, his erudition surpasses the limits of human erudition; his knowledge of history is as if he had personally experienced it." Paimon began to speak eloquently, as if he had just realized something.

"Looking back now, it seems that Mr. Zhongli never showed his face in front of the immortals. That time when we faced the Rock King Emperor Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Transformation with the immortals, he not only did not make a sound, but was also not included in the image. He was holding the Immortal Talisman himself and was ignored by everyone."

"But...even so...we can't be sure."

The traveler shook his head slightly.

“Therefore, we still need an immortal to confirm his identity.” Paimon shook his head. “But, Ying, if Mr. Zhongli is really the Rock King Emperor, what is his purpose in faking his death?”

"There are also the [Apostles], the Outer Principles, and... the [Alliance Leader]."

"If all of this is true, what is Mr. Zhongli's real purpose? The chaotic Liyue Harbor, the mutually wary immortals and the Liyue Seven Stars, the Liyue merchants exposing their dark sides... What exactly is the Geo Archon doing this for?"

"Hiss, I have a bad feeling."

The traveler's expression was grave; she was about to say something when a voice suddenly came from the doorway.

"Traveler, have you found the item?"

The voice was calm and peaceful. Usually, travelers would feel at ease when they heard it, but after reading the "Diary of the Demon God" in her hand, a strange sense of fear crept into her heart.

Paimon noticed her expression, shook his head slightly, and gently patted her shoulder.

The traveler girl forced a smile at Paimon, slowly exhaled a long breath, and then responded towards the door, "Mr. Zhongli, found it."

"Yes, now that we've found them, let's hurry. After we get back today, tomorrow, according to the almanac, is an excellent day for the memorial ceremony. It would be perfect to hold the farewell ceremony for the immortals." Zhongli's voice came from the doorway, still unhurried.

The traveler softly murmured, "Mmm."

After saying this, she followed Paimon and slowly walked out of the room.

Standing at the door, Zhongli, with his upright posture, calm expression, and gentle and handsome face, was as always, but the traveler felt a little awkward looking at him.

It's hard to explain this feeling. It's like you think your pet is just emergency food, but its true identity is the Demon God of Time, the Demon God of Space, the maintainer of the laws of nature, and your absolute enemy.