Paimon touched her chin and showed a look of sudden realization.
Before she could say anything, Zhongli coughed twice, clasped his hands together, and said, "The three of us need to go to Sunset Forest, so we won't stay any longer. Goodbye."
"Since Lord Zhongli has matters to attend to, I won't keep you. If there is time another day, I will visit you myself!"
Ning Fengzhi replied with a smile.
After receiving Ning Fengzhi's response, Zhongli nodded and continued towards Sunset Forest.
Chi Yu followed closely behind Zhongli without saying a word. As Zhongli walked away, she followed directly, not paying any attention to Ning Fengzhi and the others.
She only trusted Zhongli. Even with Paimon, she maintained a slight distance.
"Hey~"
Paimon, startled, quickly followed.
"Zhongli, Chi Yu, wait for me!"
Zhongli's expression remained unchanged, but a slight smile appeared in his eyes.
Trying to "trigger a mission," huh?
Don't even think about it!
'Finally retired, there's no way I'm going back on duty so easily! And doing tasks again!'
After Zhongli and his party left, Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Tang Hao were silent for a while, exchanging several glances before continuing their "negotiations."
The content of the negotiations was unknown, but both parties left with smiles, indicating a successful negotiation and a win-win situation.
In the afternoon, the sun was bright and even a bit scorching.
On the outskirts of Sunset Forest, towering trees were everywhere. However, the spacing between the trees was not as close as in the Star Dou Forest.
Sunlight could penetrate through these gaps, making Sunset Forest look less gloomy.
"According to common sense, absorbing spirit rings below ten thousand years old doesn't involve a spiritual impact. As long as the body's strength meets the requirements, one can absorb spirit rings beyond their level."
After saying this, Zhongli placed his hand on Chi Yu's shoulder.
This action made Chi Yu's face turn slightly red, but she said nothing.
"Your body has long been deficient. Even though you've made up for some of it later, it's still full of hidden injuries."
"Although your spirit power concentration is more than ten levels, your physical strength is relatively weak."
"Whether it's a main body spirit or a beast spirit, your physical strength..."
At this point, Zhongli shook his head. Chi Yu's physical strength was much worse than he had imagined, which had a lot to do with her childhood experiences.
Without enough food, how could she grow properly?
Although some was made up for later, it still hurt her essence.
Even though she was already fifteen, her true spirit power was more than ten levels, but her physical strength could only handle a four-hundred-year spirit ring at most!
Hearing this, Chi Yu felt a bit disappointed. Was her talent really that poor?
Would her master dislike her?
For a moment, Chi Yu felt a mix of emotions.
If Zhongli disliked her, what should she do?
"Wait for me here."
After saying this, Zhongli was about to turn and leave when he suddenly thought of something and his eyes lit up.
A beam of amber light appeared in his hand.
In an instant, two shields appeared on Chi Yu and Paimon.
"Alright, you'll be absolutely safe until I return."
This absolute safety was indeed absolute!
No one was safer than Zhongli!
"Zhongli, what is this?"
Paimon looked at Zhongli in confusion and asked.
She remembered this shield, even a Hundred-thousand-year spirit beast's attack... no, even an attack from Azhdaha couldn't break this shield easily.
It was safe, but what was Zhongli planning to do?
"Just returning to the mansion for a moment, I'll be right back."
"Zhongli, make sure you come back soon!"
Paimon said, trembling a bit.
She knew how dangerous spirit beast forests were, which was why she temporarily gave up traveling.
The area ahead...
Even though she knew the shield could protect her, Paimon couldn't help but feel instinctively afraid!
"Yes."
Zhongli nodded and then disappeared.
Chi Yu, having heard Zhongli's words, was exceptionally obedient and showed no reaction.
Zhongli told her to wait for him, so she would wait!
"Chi Yu, aren't you scared? There are a lot of terrifying creatures in this spirit beast forest..."
Hearing this, Chi Yu shook her head and said, "Compared to those people, these animals are much more lovable."
"???"
Paimon's small head was filled with big question marks.
It was the first time she had heard something like this.
In the land of Teyvat, the "setting" was that the Archons loved people, and as for other monsters, the Archons wouldn't show any mercy.
No matter how fierce the Archons were, theoretically, they loved their people, just in a heavy-handed way that humans couldn't bear.
Like the one from Mondstadt back then...
Now, to hear someone say that spirit beasts were more lovable than people...
This...
Paimon's eyes were filled with confusion, puzzlement, and bewilderment.
Why was this?
Chi Yu thought: My suffering and pain weren't caused by spirit beasts.
The evil of these spirit beasts was simply due to hunger!
Those people...
Seeing the look of hatred on Chi Yu's face, Paimon found it hard to understand.
Until you walk in someone else's shoes, you can't advise them on how to live.
Paimon hadn't experienced these things, so naturally, she didn't understand Chi Yu's pain.
For a moment, the scene fell silent.
After about three minutes, that familiar figure reappeared, and Paimon and Chi Yu's eyes lit up.
The two of them didn't get along very well and didn't know what to say.
But this person in front of them was different.
"Zhongli, you're back so soon? That's great!"
Paimon exclaimed excitedly and rushed toward Zhongli. She stopped once she reached his side.
Chi Yu also looked delighted but didn't say much.
Zhongli nodded, and with a wave of his hand, the shields on Chi Yu and Paimon disappeared.
His purpose in returning to the mansion was to retrieve an internal landscape because it contained what he needed.
After a brief moment of thought, Zhongli took out two "herbs" and handed them to Chi Yu.
One of the "herbs" resembled a mushroom and was purple in color. If Tang San were here, he would have exclaimed in surprise, "Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia!"
Although the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia wasn't classified as an immortal herb, its effects were not much inferior. It could consolidate one's foundation and essence, compensating for deficiencies in the body and martial spirit. For some people, its effects could even surpass those of immortal herbs.
It's like using medicine: no matter how good the medicinal materials are, they must be used correctly to bring out their effectiveness.
Otherwise, it could have adverse effects.
The other immortal herb resembled a narcissus, emitting a blue glow.
This "herb" was different from the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia; it was a genuine immortal herb!
Its name was Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone!
It was the same immortal herb that Zhu Zhuqing had taken in the original timeline.
Initially, Zhongli had planned to give Chi Yu the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, but he reconsidered. The Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum was too yang-based and wasn't suitable for a girl.
As for Chrysanthemum Douluo?
He was an exception...