While I was in Mondstadt, I never imagined becoming a god.

"I will work hard on alchemy."

Having said all that, Xu Chuan had no choice but to push himself and see how far he could go on the path of alchemy.

In fact, with his ability to control souls by summoning spirits, he was 90% confident that he could enable ordinary people to obtain elemental power through the souls of demons.

In his view, this is more like an engineering problem; there are general answers to how to do it, what to use, and what the results will be.

But Aberdo wanted more than just a result.

He turned to the second page of the notebook, and was immediately met with dense annotations and follow-up questions.

What is the theoretical basis?

How is the conversion mechanism between soul and elemental power achieved?

What is the soul loss rate of monsters?

What are the differences in the impact of monster souls of different levels on elemental power?

Xu Chuan's lips twitched.

This... this means I have to write a paper.

Abedo continued, "This is a long-term issue."

By the time you finish, you might no longer be in Mondstadt. Remember to send me a copy then.

Paimon grabbed Xu Chuan's sleeve with her little hand, her eyes wide open: "Wow, that's so strict! They're actually going to check our homework!"

Xu Chuan looked down at Paimon, and a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

Once we reach Mount Sumeru, we must send Paimon to the Chancellery.

I just wanted her to experience what "academic pressure" is like.

Let her experience the fear of being dominated by academic papers.

His gaze then fell on Ying.

Xu Chuan hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he should add Ying as well.

A faint smile appeared on the girl's face, completely unaware that someone was secretly plotting to make her feel "overwhelmed by the pressure of books".

Xu Chuan withdrew his gaze and did not continue thinking about it.

There's plenty of time; there's no need to rush.

“Mr. Abedo,” he looked up, “I accept your kindness.”

Not only did he not refuse, he even planned to compile "cleansing the demonic remnants from the soul" into a thesis.

One of them is "How to enable ordinary people to obtain elemental power".

The other document is "How to heal a soul corrupted by the remnants of a demon god".

Speaking of which, I wonder what kind of expression Sugar will make if I call her "senior sister" next time I see her.

Thinking this, Xu Chuan couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

Xu Chuan pointed to the stack of alchemy books behind Abedo, "Lend me a few of those to aid my research."

"Take it yourself." Abedo didn't even look up, already writing something new in his notebook.

Xu Chuan walked to the bookshelf and picked out a few books about the principles of elemental force transformation, the mechanism of interaction between soul and matter, and the basic theories of alchemy.

This is the advantage of having a famous teacher; just this thick stack of books would be a fortune for Mora.

As the saying goes, knowledge is wealth.

In this respect, Xu Chuan is far better than that frugal astrologer.

Xu Chuan looked at the wind and snow outside the camp and stood up.

"It's time to go."

"Are you leaving already?" Paimon looked at him, his little face full of reluctance.

"Yes, there are some things about the Hall of Rebirth in Mondstadt that I need to handle."

Xu Chuan reached out and ruffled her hair. "From now on, I'll ask the best guide in Teyvat to show me the way."

"Leave it to me!" Paimon puffed out his little chest, patted it, and gave me a look that said, "Don't worry about me, I'll take care of it."

But this momentum didn't last long. She clutched her rumbling stomach and said in a slightly embarrassed voice.

"Um...can we eat before we set off?"

Ying covered her mouth and chuckled softly, "Speaking of which, I'm a little hungry too."

Xu Chuan glanced at the two of them and smiled.

"I cooked, and we ate as much as we wanted."

With his spatial ring, Xu Chuan magically produced dish after dish of ingredients, and soon the camp was filled with an enticing aroma.

After the three finished lunch at the camp, Xu Chuan asked Abedo for a map of Mondstadt and then set off to leave Dragon Ridge.

Leave the camp and walk down Sleeping Dragon Valley.

The wind pushed them from behind, the snow gradually subsided, and a few rays of light pierced through the gray sky.

By the time we reached the foot of the mountain, the wind and snow had completely disappeared.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the clouds, falling warmly on the three of them.

The smell of earth and grass in the air replaced the chill of ice and snow.

Paimon became more active, flying around the two of them and bombarding them with questions.

"Speaking of which..." Paimeng flew backwards in front of Xu Chuan, his little face filled with nostalgia, "The three of us finally traveled together again!"

Seeing her happy expression, Xu Chuan blurted out, "Paimon, do you really want to travel with me?"

"Of course I'm not the only one!"

Paimon nimbly flew to Luminous's side, tugging at her sleeve with his little hand. "Luminous thinks the same way, right?"

Xu Chuan's gaze fell upon them.

Ying paused for a moment, then lowered her head, a slight smile curving her lips.

A gentle tenderness lingered on her delicate, pretty face.

"Xu Chuan and Paimon are both my best friends."

Ying's voice wasn't loud, but her words carried an undeniable certainty: "Of course I'd want to travel together."

Paimon nodded vigorously, his little face full of approval.

"From today onwards, Paimon will be your guide!"

She flew between the two, holding Xu Chuan's hand with her left and Ying's hand with her right, her cute little face showing an unprecedented seriousness.

"We made a promise to travel all over Teyvat together!"

Xu Chuan looked at the little hand holding his and at her expression, which seemed to be making a vow, and chuckled.

“Okay,” he said. “Let’s travel all over Teyvat together.”

Ying nodded and gripped Paimon's hand tightly; that was the best answer she could give.

Abedo provided a very accurate map, and following the address the three had passed through the Hall of Rebirth, they quickly found their first destination.

Moreover, it is located not far from Longji Snow Mountain.

According to the rules of the ancestral hall, the farewell ceremony must be handled personally.

A complete farewell can only be considered finished when the family members personally receive the ashes and belongings.

Xu Chuan, accompanied by Ying and Paimeng, visited one family after another.

Without exception, they were scattered throughout towns and villages across Mondstadt.

If they were in Mondstadt, they wouldn't even think of looking for the Hall of Rebirth.

The traveling merchants and adventurers could then do it for them.

Xu Chuan went door to door, delivering the packages to each family.

After several days, the three finally arrived at the last house.

It was an old house built next to the city wall, with mottled wooden doors and moss growing on the steps.

A dim light shone through the crack in the door, along with a faint scent of herbs.

Xu Chuan knocked on the door, and an old woman opened it.

She took the urn, her fingers tracing the lid for a long time, her lips moving but no sound escaping.

Tears streamed down his wrinkled face and dripped onto the urn containing his ashes.

Xu Chuan stood at the door, looking at the old woman, without urging her, just waiting quietly.

Before embarking on an adventure, everyone who aspires to be an adventurer should understand that adventure is never about safety.

Ying stood behind him, and Paimon hid on her shoulder.

Paimon's eyes were red as he left the old house.

She watched as people wept, clutching ashes and belongings, and was moved by their grief; tears welled up in her eyes.

Paimon had been holding it in for a long time, but he couldn't hold it in any longer and fell down with a thud.

"Don't be sad," Ying whispered to comfort her.

“But…but they are so pitiful…” Paimon sniffed, his voice broken.

"Everyone will have this day."

Xu Chuan walked ahead without turning around, his voice carried by the wind, "Having someone see me off is already the best outcome."

Paimon was silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up.

"If you were like that... I would be heartbroken."

"If it were me, I probably wouldn't," Xu Chuan said.

"Why?" Paimon was anxious and flew in front of Xu Chuan, blocking his way. "Aren't we good friends?"

Xu Chuan stopped and looked at Paimon's anxious and angry little expression, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

"Because I will leave your souls behind."

"For me, the death of the body is not a true farewell."

Paimon paused for a moment, hovering in mid-air, tilting her little head this way and that, as if trying to process what she had just said.

"That makes sense," she said, scratching her head, her eyes still red.

Just as happiness doesn't disappear, it simply transfers from one person to another.

The same applies to the emotion of sadness.

Ying walked behind the two, watching their backs.

Paimon's unintentional words left the girl deeply troubled for a long time.

She thought she was used to it by now, but the emotions that welled up were so real.

My own life is far too long compared to that of my companions.

One day, they will face that farewell.

Ying took a deep breath, suppressing those thoughts and stopping herself from dwelling on them.

Instead of being troubled by this inevitable separation.

Why not enjoy every day spent with your friends?

Ying quickened her pace and walked to Xu Chuan's side, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.

Sunlight filtered through the clouds, falling on her golden hair, just like her golden heart, making one yearn for her.

"Where are we going next?" She turned her head and smiled brightly.

Looking at the girl who suddenly radiated dazzling brilliance in front of him, Xu Chuan couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

However, his powerful will instantly erased it.