Chapter 152: Discussion
Seeing that everyone was cooperatively signaling their silence, Hu Tao nodded, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips.
"That's more like it," she chirped. "Now you can all continue discussing your 'urgent matters,' just remember to keep your voices down! I'm off. I have a… 'professional consultation' to attend tonight." She gave a cheerful wave and turned to leave.
"Please wait, Director Hu," Zhongli called out to her, his tone gentle but carrying an obvious authority.
His gaze flickered to Daiyuan, who was still practically vibrating with eagerness to join the fun. Recalling how thoroughly this old friend had managed to dupe him in the past, Zhongli decisively moved to send him away first.
"The night is deep," he stated, his expression unreadable. "It is inconvenient for the Director to go out alone. Let Daiyuan accompany you, so you have someone to look after you." With that, he gave a still-bewildered Daiyuan a gentle, unceremonious push toward the door.
Hu Tao was about to say there was no need, but a second thought stopped her. The consultant probably wanted to discuss serious matters with the poet from Mondstadt and didn't want Daiyuan interrupting. Being sharp-witted, she didn't refuse this "kindness." She gestured with her chin at Daiyuan. "Alright then, temporary worker, you're with me! It's a good opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's night operations."
When Daiyuan heard he had to go out "on business" alone with Hu Tao, he balked. He clearly wanted to stay and hear more details about this "chat group."
Firstly, Daiyuan was indeed "working off a debt" at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. He always felt a bit small in front of the Director, so the prospect of going out with his boss was inevitably awkward.
Secondly… Hu Tao had already spoken, and he couldn't very well refuse. He shot a look at Zhongli, his eyes pleading, conveying a clear 'you owe me for this' message.
Zhongli naturally understood. He gave a slight nod and whispered, "When I return, the item I promised to give you for your amusement will be presented."
Having received the promise, Daiyuan reluctantly suppressed his burning curiosity. He turned to Hu Tao and declared, "Director, shall we be off, then? I'll escort you!" His tone strained to sound enthusiastic.
Hu Tao gave him a strange look but didn't press the matter. With her newly appointed "bodyguard" in tow, she stepped out of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
After Hu Tao's interruption, only Zhongli and Venti remained in the room.
Venti was a little too embarrassed to act as childishly as before, but the hopeful, pleading light in his eyes hadn't dimmed in the slightest. He leaned closer to Zhongli, his voice a sincere and slightly pitiful whisper. "Zhongli, look, your Liyue already has a well-informed, steady, and reliable 'Sea-Calming Divine Needle' like you in the group."
"How can you not arrange a spot for our Mondstadt? Just to balance things out? Please? For the sake of our thousands of years of friendship?"
Zhongli looked at his old friend, feeling utterly helpless. Forcibly sending him away was out of the question, but being subjected to such persistent, gentle persuasion… It was just a matter of who joined first, not some irreconcilable matter of principle. Letting him join wouldn't hurt, and it would certainly grant him some peace and quiet.
Thinking this, Zhongli finally let out a soft sigh and conceded. "Very well. When the chat group upgrades and a new spot opens up, the Traveler can invite you first."
"Really?! That's fantastic! Zhongli, you truly are my best friend!" Venti was so happy he nearly shot up from his seat again, his emerald eyes shining with astonishing brilliance. He quickly patted his chest, making a grand promise. "Consider it a huge favor I owe you! If you ever need help with anything, just say the word! Whether it's composing poetry or gathering information, leave it to me!"
His goal achieved, Venti was satisfied and didn't linger, as if afraid Zhongli might change his mind. "Then I won't disturb your rest any longer! See you!"
Before his words had even faded, his figure dissolved into a wisp of clear wind, which then passed swiftly and lightly through the window lattice, disappearing into the Liyue night sky. He was heading straight back to Mondstadt.
Zhongli watched the distant trail of wind outside the window, shaking his head with a low chuckle. That old friend of his… truly, some things never changed.
Silence returned to the room.
Zhongli refocused his attention on the Cross-Dimensional Chat Group in his mind. At this moment, the chat was buzzing with activity.
[Genshin Impact · Lumine]: "Are Stelle and March 7th still not online?"
[Zenless Zone Zero · Belle]: "No, and Dan Heng hasn't made a sound either."
[Genshin Impact · Paimon]: "They must be fighting somewhere dangerous again! Paimon hopes they're okay!"
[Zenless Zone Zero · Wise]: "Hmm. With no news for this long, I'm afraid their trailblazing journey has encountered significant trouble. I'm a bit worried that the next world mission will suddenly start, and it will be in their location."
[Zenless Zone Zero · Belle]: "That's why we wanted to quickly do a draw to improve our strength! Oh, right, right, let me show you our haul!"
[Hyōrinmaru.jpg]
In the picture, a beautiful Zanpakutō exuded a visible chill, its elegant form immediately catching the eye.
[Zenless Zone Zero · Wise]: "Belle drew a Zanpakutō similar to March 7th's, called Hyōrinmaru. I drew a weapon called 'Fire-Woven,' which suits me very well."
[Genshin Impact · Paimon]: "Wow! It's an ice-type Zanpakutō! So pretty! Wait, what a coincidence! Lumine and Paimon also did a draw because we were worried about them! We also got one blue and one purple!"
[Genshin Impact · Lumine]: "My gain is a special spatial ability. There's nothing to show, really."
[Genshin Impact · Paimon]: "Hmph hmph hmph! My gain is extraordinary! Paimon thinks this might be something very useful for our entire group!"
[Shushan Disciple's Enlightenment Casket.jpg]
Paimon excitedly introduced this "Cultivation Starter Pack," emphasizing that it provided a complete, safe path of cultivation. It might have a defined end, she explained, but the future beyond that could be pioneered by oneself.
[Zenless Zone Zero · Belle]: "A complete cultivation system?! That sounds amazing!"
[Zenless Zone Zero · Wise]: "Indeed… its value is immeasurable."
Just as everyone began to imagine the future and discuss whether to switch to this seemingly promising path of "cultivation," Zhongli, after browsing the chat logs, offered his opinion.
[Genshin Impact · Zhongli]: "By universal reason, the path of cultivation is indeed an extraordinary one that points directly toward longevity and the exploration of the Great Dao. Its system is complete, and its prospects are vast."
His message made everyone quiet down, listening carefully.
[Genshin Impact · Zhongli]: "However, you must all understand a universal truth—any cultivation method that can grant longevity inevitably requires a long time to hone one's foundation and temper one's mind."
[Genshin Impact · Zhongli]: "Although the cultivation room can greatly shorten this process, your situation today is slightly different. You all already possess special innate abilities: Wise's control over fire, Belle's control over ice, Lumine's power of devouring. Although these abilities were acquired, they are already integrated with your bodies and minds, and their potential is immense."
[Genshin Impact · Zhongli]: "Strengthening and deepening these existing talents may be more effective and more suitable for you than starting from scratch to cultivate a completely new and unknown technique."
[Genshin Impact · Zhongli]: "Of course, if one has extreme confidence in one's comprehension and talent, or has reached a bottleneck in their current power system and wishes to seek another path for a breakthrough, trying the path of cultivation is not impossible. Consider it a way to broaden your horizons and try something new."
[Genshin Impact · Zhongli]: "My intention is not to completely negate the path of cultivation, but to suggest that you clarify your priorities. You can place the emphasis on strengthening your existing talents, making that your main focus."
[Genshin Impact · Zhongli]: "Then, in your spare time, you can dabble in cultivation methods as an aid and supplement, drawing beneficial concepts from them to strengthen your primary path. Both can be pursued, but a clear main direction needs to be established. This is the prudent approach."
[Genshin Impact · Zhongli]: "You are all still young, and the road ahead is long. There is no need to rush, nor to follow a uniform path. Everyone's experiences are different, and their talents vary. Finding the path most suitable for oneself is the only way to go further."
Zhongli's objective and pertinent analysis was like a clear spring washing over them, instantly calming the somewhat overheated excitement in the group. Previously, they had indeed been captivated by the allure of the word "cultivation" and had become somewhat fixated, overlooking their own existing advantages.
Well, everyone except for Paimon. She hadn't been misled by the so-called path of cultivation and was still single-mindedly wondering if there was a way to become stronger just by "eating, eating, and more eating."
[Genshin Impact · Zhongli]: ", regarding the 'Method of Self-Clarification' that I previously placed in the group warehouse, if you all have leisure, you might as well practice it a bit."
[Genshin Impact · Zhongli]: "This method does not increase combat power; it focuses on tempering the mind, clarifying one's true self, and stabilizing one's Dao heart. No matter which path you ultimately choose to follow, adhering to your true self and understanding yourself are of utmost importance."
[Zenless Zone Zero · Wise]: "Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Zhongli! We understand! Um… Mr. Zhongli, I have an impolite request. This weapon, 'Fire-Woven,' that I obtained requires a strong foundation in martial arts to use well. Do you have any close-combat martial arts techniques that I could refer to?"
[Genshin Impact · Zhongli]: "No problem."
Zhongli had no intention of being secretive. He soon selected several martial arts techniques that emphasized ferocity, speed, and close-quarters power, along with some cultivation insights and notes from senior martial artists, and uploaded them all to the group warehouse.
[Zenless Zone Zero · Wise]: "Thank you, Mr. Zhongli!"
[Zenless Zone Zero · Belle]: "Thank you, Mr. Zhongli!"
[Genshin Impact · Lumine]: "I have benefited greatly. Thank you."
[Genshin Impact · Paimon]: "Zhongli, Zhongli! If Paimon finds a way to get stronger by eating, does she not have to cultivate your whatchamacallit method of clarifying her whatchamacallit?"
[Genshin Impact · Lumine]: "No, you can't get out of it! Paimon, I will be supervising you closely."
[Genshin Impact · Paimon]: "Ah?! Alright, alright! Paimon will study hard! Lumine, you don't have to watch me."
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