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

Page 46

The source of that gaze was someone else.

The most likely candidate is Ying's older brother, Kong.

In the original storyline, that guy's "stealing sense" was ridiculously strong.

The Abyss Prince hid high above the Wind Dragon Ruins, watching his sister without ever showing his face or uttering a single word of greeting.

Ever since he remembered the eyes of the tiller in the Wind Dragon Ruins, Xu Chuan had all sorts of guesses in his mind.

This time, I accompanied Ying away from Mondstadt for two reasons. One was to take on adventurer's guild quests to earn some Mora. After all, although the system rewards a lot, Mora is something that is never "enough".

On the other hand, he also wanted to test whether this Abyss Prince was still secretly watching his sister.

or.

Xu Chuan lowered his eyes, his gaze darkening.

Or perhaps, they themselves have become targets.

Of course, the list of suspects in his mind wasn't just empty; there was more than one person on it.

The mysterious figures of the Witch Society, the "shadows" of Heavenly Principle, and even more figures whose names he is not even qualified to know.

This world is far more complex than he knew from the game before he transmigrated.

Those undercurrents hidden beneath the surface of Teyvat, secrets that even the Seven Gods keep to themselves.

After this unexpected encounter, the three did not forget the mission they had accepted from the Adventurers' Guild: to clear out the monsters around Wolf Territory and clear the stagnant ley lines...

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The adventure mission in the wild finally came to an end, and the group had gained a lot.

On the way back, Xu Chuan thought about the feeling of being watched that he had sensed again over the past few days.

Xu Chuan is now able to confirm that the person is Ying's brother.

Just as I expected, this guy was still secretly watching.

It was the right decision not to recklessly head straight to the Wind Dragon Ruins and instead take the eye of the first tractor.

The next moment, Ying's voice interrupted Xu Chuan's thoughts.

"What are you thinking about?"

“It’s nothing,” Xu Chuan said with a forced smile. “I was just thinking about what Dain said, Intiwat Flower… Kanria…”

He paused, then changed the subject: "And you? What are your feelings about that place?"

Ying was silent for a moment, then took the Intiwat flower off her head and placed it in her palm.

The hard petals have a warm white hue, like a carefully crafted work of art.

“No,” she said softly, “I don’t feel anything.”

But her fingers tightened slightly, holding the flower in her palm.

Paimon looked at Xu Chuan, then at Ying, his little face full of confusion: "What are you two talking about? I can't understand a word you're saying?"

"Because you're too stupid," Xu Chuan said expressionlessly.

"Hey! How dare you talk like that!" Paimon's face turned red with anger, hands on his hips. "I'm the best guide! The best partner!"

"The noisiest little elf," Xu Chuan added.

"Waaaaah! Ying, look at him! He's bullying me again!"

Looking at the two lovable characters, Ying couldn't help but smile. She put the Intivat Flower back on her head and said, "Let's go. It's getting late. We have to go to the Adventurers' Guild to turn in our quests tomorrow."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Paimon immediately shifted his attention, counting on his fingers, "The reward this time should be quite substantial, right?"

"After all, we wiped out an entire colony of Hilichurls! And the stuff in that big treasure chest, we could sell it."

Paimon.

"Ok?"

Did you secretly stuff something into your backpack just now?

"No, no, absolutely not! Paimon is so honest, how could he do such a thing!"

You must be seeing things!

Xu Chuan watched expressionlessly as Paimon guiltily floated behind Ying, only revealing half of his head, his big eyes darting around.

Chapter Fifty-Four: A Surprise Outside the Door

The group returned to Mondstadt in the afternoon.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the clouds, bathing the entire city of Liberty in a warm, golden glow.

Xu Chuan stood at the city gate and took a deep breath.

The air was filled with the sweet aroma of fruit wine, mixed with the smell of baked muffins and fried bacon, and the fragrance of apple blossoms wafting from the distant orchard.

He squinted, and the expression on his face automatically switched from wilderness survival mode back to "normal human" state.

"Finally back," he exclaimed sincerely.

"Hmm." Ying walked beside him, a hint of relaxation appearing in her golden eyes.

After spending several days and nights in the wilderness, the liveliness and vibrancy of Mondstadt were truly something to miss.

Paimon thinks the city is better!

"I think you're just greedy."

"That...that Paimon is helping you scout out which shops have good food! That's a guide's job!"

"Is your guide's job mainly centered around 'eating'?"

"No, no! Paimon can give directions, he can also..."

"They even hold the map upside down."

"That was an accident!"

Ying watched the two bickering as usual, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved up, but she didn't interrupt.

Adventures in the wilderness are thrilling, but it's the lively atmosphere that makes people feel more relaxed.

Looking at the Deer Hunter restaurant not far away.

Xu Chuan's gaze lingered on that familiar sign for a moment, then he suddenly remembered something.

"By the way," he turned to Ying, "should we arrange the dinner we talked about last time today?"

Before Ying could speak, Paimon, his eyes shining, leaned over and exclaimed, "Yes, yes, yes! Paimon is all for it!"

"Your suggestion doesn't represent the majority at four to two," Xu Chuan corrected.

"That Mongols wholeheartedly agree!"

"You'll fall if you lift that leg up."

"Paymon can fly!"

Ying finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The three chatted and laughed as they walked through the main street of Mondstadt and found a table by the window at the Deer Hunter's Restaurant.

The afternoon sun shone through the glass windows onto the wooden floor, turning the fine dust particles floating in the air golden.

Several guests who looked like adventurers were talking in hushed tones in a corner, occasionally letting out a hearty laugh.

After all the dishes were served, Xu Chuan looked up at Paimon.

The light in those eyes sent a chill down Paimon's spine for no apparent reason.

"W-what's wrong?" Paimon shrank back warily.

"Nothing, I was just wondering who should treat us to this meal."

Paimon sensed a conspiracy: "Wait, didn't you say it was a celebration?"

“Yes,” Xu Chuan nodded matter-of-factly.

"So, to celebrate our successful completion of the Adventurers' Guild's mission and our safe return to Mondstadt."

He nodded slightly to Paimon, who had a look of "ominous premonition," and the smile on his lips almost overflowed.

"Thanks for the treat, Paimon! Cheers!"

"cheers!"

Ying reacted quickly, smiling as she raised her glass and clinked it against Xu Chuan's.

The crisp "ding" sound was like a kind of verdict.

"Wait! When did Paimon say he was going to treat us?" Paimon slammed his fist on the table in frustration, his face turning bright red.

"Just now," Xu Chuan said without changing his expression, "when you raised both hands in agreement, I assumed you agreed to treat us."

"That's about supporting a meal, not supporting hosting a dinner party. Those are two different things, Paimon is going to protest!"

"Thank you for the best guide in all of Teyvat," Ying added with a smile, raising her glass to clink again.

"Waaah—"

Paimon watched the two of them talking back and forth, pouted, glared at them with a cute but fierce look, but still raised his little cup and reluctantly touched it to theirs.

"Next time, when it's your turn to treat, Paimon must order the most expensive dish!"

"Okay, okay," Xu Chuan nodded perfunctorily, "I'll definitely do it next time."

"Your expression doesn't sound sincere at all!"

Paimon gulped down a big mouthful of juice, his cheeks puffed out like a little hamster.

However, when the waiter brought the first plate of Mondstadt potato pancakes to the table, her expression instantly switched to "happiness mode," her eyes lit up, and her little paws quickly reached for them.

"Delicious! This is delicious! This is delicious too!"

Xu Chuan watched as Paimon instantly forgot his earlier displeasure and began to devour his food with gusto, and couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

This little guy changes his mood faster than turning the pages of a book; his emotional shifts are so smooth that he's practically the best in Teyvat.

Xu Chuan picked up a piece of grilled meat and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly while his gaze fell on the street outside the window.

"Are you planning to go to Wendy and ask about Kanria later?"

Ying lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on the amber-colored juice on the table. Her voice lowered, "I think this might be a breakthrough."

Her tone was calm, but Xu Chuan could hear the tension beneath that calm.

Since being forced to separate from her brother by a strange god, Ying has been searching for Sora's whereabouts.

Emptiness is like a gust of wind, coming and going without a trace, leaving only vague traces, causing her to suffer repeatedly between hope and despair.

This time, the appearance of the Teyvat flower marked the first time someone had definitively identified something related to her.

Canria.

Ying's intuition told her that there must be some connection between them.

Or rather, she hoped there was some connection between them.

Because it meant that she finally had a direction to follow, instead of wandering around aimlessly like a headless fly.

Xu Chuan glanced at her but didn't say anything to comfort her.

No amount of comforting words can compare to a single piece of useful information.

Given Wendy's personality, she probably won't reveal much useful information.

He knew that "God of Slacking Off" all too well.

The fall of Kanria involved too many taboos, and even the Seven Gods were reluctant to discuss that period of history.

Xu Chuan changed the subject and put down his cup.

"I'll go to the Knights of Favonius library for you and see if I can find any relevant information."