The portal opened by Lu Heng was not far from Wangshu Inn.
Sensing the unobscured auras of the group, Xiao immediately transformed into a streak of cyan light and descended before them.
"My lord... Mr. Zhongli, Mr. Venti, Mr. Lu," Xiao bowed slightly.
"Klee."
"Hehe." Klee grinned at him.
Xiao noticed an unfamiliar face—a person with short cyan hair dressed in a style reminiscent of Mondstadt from centuries ago.
"This is Dvalin," Venti introduced.
"So, the Dragon of the East Wind," Xiao nodded in understanding.
Though he had never visited Mondstadt, which lay just nearby, he had heard many tales—though he had never met Dvalin in person.
"Xiao, we came to find you because..."
Zhongli quickly explained the situation.
Xiao was momentarily stunned but soon grasped the matter.
It had been mentioned before that once Klee's equipment reached a certain level, the karmic debt plaguing him would be completely resolved.
He just hadn't expected the conditions to be met so quickly.
"I understand," Xiao nodded.
Klee then set up her "Boom-Boom Launcher" and activated her skill.
Dvalin stood to the side, watching.
Even when he had been healed earlier, he found this method of treatment terrifying.
Now, seeing it again, it was just as horrifying.
After all, who would have thought that bombs fired from a launcher could have such miraculous healing and purifying effects?
To anyone watching, it would seem terrifying, right?
But there was no denying that while the method was unconventional, its effectiveness was undeniable!
Amidst the bursts of holy light, the karmic debt clinging to Xiao's body was purified with agonized howls.
As explosions rained down on him, Xiao remained deep in thought.
Though the blasts looked terrifying, they caused no physical harm—they were merely startling to behold, so they didn't disrupt his train of thought.
Ever since learning about Lu Heng's card shop, Xiao had been formulating a plan.
He himself had little desire for personal strength, but Zhongli needed Mora!
If his lord was short on funds, it was only natural for him to think of ways to help.
After much deliberation, Xiao had an idea.
During his long years of purging the remnants of fallen gods, he had noticed something.
Some of these remnants, driven by instinct, had a habit of collecting treasures to enhance their power.
But after slaying them, Xiao hadn't taken those items for himself—instead, he had buried them.
Why bury them?
To use them as bait, of course.
Now, these items could be dug up and sold.
Additionally, some of the treasures hoarded by Hilichurls and other monsters also held value.
For example, the slime condensate left behind by defeated Slimes could be used in alchemy.
Even if their value had depreciated over time, were these things worthless to Xiao?
Xiao felt that someone of his status engaging in such activities was almost like scavenging.
Though it was a bit humbling, if it could earn Mora, it was worth it!
Thinking back to the past...
As an adeptus, Mora had been meaningless to Xiao, and he had never bothered to collect it.
If only he hadn't been so aloof back then!
If he had gathered everything of value over the years, it would have amounted to a fortune by now.
That would have been a great help to the Geo Archon.
As he pondered, the healing session came to an end.
Xiao felt a wave of emotion.
The karmic debt that had tormented the Yaksha for centuries was finally resolved.
Of course, this didn't mean Xiao would never accumulate karmic debt again.
Rather, the burden he had carried for so long had been completely cleansed!
As for future karmic debt... at the very least, given his resilience, it would take another two thousand years before he risked succumbing to madness.
That was more than enough!
"The look in this kid's eyes... I'd bet he's thinking about repaying his master's kindness," Venti whispered.
"The Geo Archon's debts of gratitude are endless," Lu Heng teased with a chuckle.
Zhongli wore a helpless expression.
If one were to strictly measure repayment, Xiao had long since settled his debts.
But the trauma of his enslavement in the past remained an inescapable nightmare.
Whenever he compared his life under the Geo Archon's protection to those dark days, Xiao would feel overwhelming gratitude, reinforcing his resolve to walk the path of "atonement."
Being rescued from such suffering, it was understandable that he held this debt of gratitude so deeply.
To be honest, Zhongli had wanted Xiao to retire long ago.
After all, if karmic debt were treated as an illness, Xiao had been terminally ill.
But there was nothing to be done.
Xiao was one, and so were the others—each and every one of them was stubborn to the core!
Even the God of Contracts himself was preparing to retire, yet these bound by contract insisted on fulfilling their duties until the end of time.
There was only one word to describe them: loyal.
This wasn't said in jest—it was genuine, unwavering loyalty.
So, faced with Lu Heng's teasing, Zhongli could only sigh in resignation.
What could he do?
He had tried persuading them more than once, but the children wouldn't listen!
If they were mischievous troublemakers, a scolding or two might have worked, but they were doing good deeds—how could he bring himself to reprimand them?
Zhongli's expression clearly conveyed two words:
Helpless!
Lu Heng's teasing aside, he understood the situation well.
When it came to faith, it wasn't something that could be easily swayed by words.
Especially when one's faith was rooted in unwavering conviction—it drove people to act selflessly, regardless of personal cost.
Lu Heng held deep respect for Xiao.
Now that Xiao was free of karmic debt, he could walk among mortals and witness up close the prosperity of the land he had protected for so long.
It felt like a dream come true.
In high spirits, Lu Heng spoke up, "Before anyone starts pouring their heart out with heartfelt words... can we save it for the dinner table? None of you seem eager to eat."
Venti grinned. "Let's go, let's go!"
"Very well," Zhongli smiled.
Lu Heng opened a portal back to the shop.
Ningguang and the others had already left.
After resolving the card appraisal requests, the group headed to Xinyue Kiosk for dinner.
At the table, noticing Xiao's thoughtful expression, Zhongli asked, "What's on your mind?"
Xiao didn't hide it. "I'm thinking about how to convert some items into Mora."
"Oh?" Zhongli raised an eyebrow. "Any difficulties? I might have some connections."
"No difficulties," Xiao shook his head.
"Good."
Seeming to guess Xiao's intentions, Zhongli added, "I don't need much Mora. Once you have it, you're free to use it as you see fit."
"I..."
Before Xiao could continue, Zhongli interjected, "Of course, I do have a suggestion—spend it at Mr. Lu's shop."
Xiao pondered this.
That could work.
If luck was on his side and he drew good cards, he could always gift them to Zhongli.
"Mr. Lu, I can finish my errands this afternoon and visit your shop," Xiao said seriously.
An ordinary person might not be so efficient, but as an adeptus, handling such matters was effortless.
"Great," Lu Heng nodded cheerfully. "I'll be waiting for you."
With that settled, Venti raised his glass. "Mr. Lu, a toast to you!"
"Klee will have juice. Let's toast to celebrate Dvalin and Xiao's new lease on life!"
Meanwhile, at the Feiyun Commerce Guild...
After handing over the equipment and some cards to his father and elder brother, Xingqiu used the [Pure Yang Inheritance] card.
Hundreds of ancient texts materialized before him.
Picking one up at random, he found the script completely unfamiliar.
But the effects of the fifth-tier card allowed him to comprehend them effortlessly.
"Pure Yang Sword Manual, Pure Yang Technique, Stance Training, Soul-Guarding Method..."
Over a dozen were cultivation manuals, while the rest were Taoist scriptures.
"Amazing books!"
Though unsure if he could succeed in immortal cultivation, Xingqiu was certain the martial techniques could be practiced!
And the Taoist classics contained boundless wisdom.
But before experimenting, there was one more important matter.
"Guard my books well. I'm going to find Chongyun!"
--------
T/N:
You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!
Access 50 chapters in advance on my Patreon : p@treon.com/furinaimpact