Ryen shrugged proudly.
"See? My greatest strength is that whatever I say, I will make it come true!"
"That, I do not deny."
Zhongli nodded in full agreement.
"Come to think of it, when you first spoke to me about reviving the adepti, it was barely half a month ago."
"And now, with Skybracer and the others already revived, the rest is only a matter of time."
"Though I've said it many times before… thank you."
Ryen chuckled, patting Zhongli's shoulder, teasing:
"Saying thanks doesn't feel very sincere. Show some real gratitude."
Zhongli was silent for a moment, then cast Ryen a long, quiet look.
"I don't think there's anything I can give you that you would truly want."
Ryen raised a brow, eyes glinting mischievously.
"That's where you're wrong!"
Zhongli paused, surprised.
"What is it you want? If I have it, I'll give it to you."
"All I want is one answer!"
Ryen leaned in excitedly, glancing around before lowering his voice.
"I heard… back then, with Guizhong—was there anything between you two?"
Zhongli's expression darkened, his tone sinking.
"That's what you want? Just a trivial piece of gossip?"
"What's wrong with gossip?"
Ryen looked at him with righteous seriousness.
"Even the people of Liyue talk about it, and Cloud Retainer and the others have always brought it up."
"They all say it was a case of an affectionate lady and a heartless gentleman, calling you a stone-hearted man."
"I'm curious too!"
"I'm human—I have the right to gossip, don't I?"
Zhongli remained silent. After a long pause, he replied calmly:
"So… Cloud Retainer sent you to probe me, did she?"
Ryen's face stiffened. In that instant, Zhongli understood.
Most likely, that troublemaker Cloud Retainer, seeing that Guizhong and the others were about to be revived, had once again begun to stir up old matters.
"I see."
Zhongli gave a small nod.
"It seems Cloud Retainer has been a bit too idle lately. The ley lines beneath The Chasm are unstable—she should be kept busy there."
"And while she's at it, she can retrieve the remnants of Fushou's consciousness."
Ryen silently offered a moment of pity for Cloud Retainer, but then his curiosity flared again.
"So… was there, or wasn't there?"
What a joke—Cloud Retainer's misfortune was her own business. Right now, Ryen was focused on gossip!
"Speaking in general reason, I only ever regarded her as a dear friend, the same as the other adepti."
"Tch… how boring."
Ryen had already guessed that would be Zhongli's answer, but he couldn't help feeling disappointed.
Still, who could blame him? Who wouldn't be curious about the love life of a six-thousand-year-old dragon?
Besides, this rumor was widespread across the streets and alleys of Liyue.
Ryen was only trying to find a definite answer for the people, wasn't he?
"You're no fun at all. When Guizhong is revived, I'll ask her myself."
At that, Zhongli let out a bitter smile and said no more.
Deep down, the truth was that back then, such matters had never even crossed his mind.
Even now, Zhongli's heart remained with the people of Liyue.
Perhaps that was simply the flaw of being a god…
The kind of love carved deep into the marrow often made gods ignore their own existence and feelings.
But as far as Zhongli was concerned, his conscience was clear. If he said there was nothing, then there was nothing. Whoever asked, the answer would be the same!
What others thought—what did that have to do with him?
"Now that the adepti are being revived one by one, there's only Azhdaha still squatting—well, lying—beneath the Dragon-Queller Tree. You still haven't figured out how to deal with him?"
Ryen asked casually. Zhongli sighed and gave a weary nod.
"Every time Azhdaha sees me, he attacks. His strength is immense, and fighting him alone, I can hardly suppress him by force.
On top of that, his existence is special—he is a life form born of the ley lines themselves.
Erosion was imposed upon us by Celestia. As long as we remain in Teyvat, erosion will always persist.
The only reason my own erosion has been undone is because I came into your world, where such laws no longer apply.
"If I want to cure Azhdaha's erosion, I must bring him into your world and then have him consume an Enchanted Golden Apple.
But that will be extremely difficult."
Ryen's eyes glinted with meaning.
"There's actually a simpler, more straightforward way to solve this."
His gaze drifted toward the Totem of Undying hanging at Zhongli's waist.
Zhongli's heart sank. He understood immediately what Ryen meant.
The Totem of Undying…
No matter if Azhdaha was eroded, mindless, or even completely mad…
If he bore the totem, was killed, and then resurrected, all problems would vanish.
They would obtain a restored, sane, living Azhdaha.
But… that would still mean killing him first.
Never mind how difficult it would be to slay such a top-tier godlike being—
Even if it were possible, Zhongli wasn't sure he could bring himself to do it.
No matter what, it would mean personally striking down his friend.
And Zhongli had suffered far too many such tragedies already.
"…I'll think about it."
He sighed, shook his head, and let the matter drop.
Ryen didn't press him, only shrugged.
"Suit yourself. It's an easy fix, but if you ever decide, I'll come along with you."
With that, he judged that everyone must have gathered enough wood by now.
Clapping his hands, Ryen called out:
"Alright! That's enough chopping—let's head back and start building houses!"
Those still chopping trees nodded, packed up their tools, and, chatting and laughing, made their way back the way they had come.
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