Bonus chapter for 100 powerstones
....
"I wouldn't dare!"
Seeing Aether's question, Yi Daizhu quickly clasped her fists and lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze again.
From previous investigations, everything this Lord had done in Heaven Dou confirmed his genuine concern for the common people.
Because of this, Yi Daizhu dared to speak so boldly. Though it risked sounding like moral coercion, it was also a clever way to recruit him.
She figured that facing such a powerful figure, ordinary things or appeals wouldn't move him—only by appealing to his personality and ideals could she have a chance.
The unknown Traveler, as understood by the Spirit Hall, valued justice and treated ordinary people with respect and kindness.
This aligned well with the Spirit Hall's founding principle: unlike nobles or sects who treated commoners like dirt, Spirit Hall set up branches all over the continent with a unified goal—to give every common child a chance to awaken their spirit.
On an appointed day, Spirit Hall would send spirit masters to villages to help children awaken their spirits.
Those with the potential to become spirit masters were given certification to make it easier to enroll in suitable spirit academies for training.
Though Spirit Hall ultimately aimed to unify the continent as the strongest force, this initiative truly reflected their concern for the common people.
This was why Aether didn't mind some contact with Spirit Hall.
Of course, his previous connection to Qian Renxue was personal, not because of her complicated factional background.
In his memories, she was a pitiable soul, planted as a spy in Heaven Dou from childhood, her talent for cultivation stifled by endless trivialities—leading to a miserable fate at Tang San's hands.
That's why Aether and Paimon had helped her before—not just providing for their basic needs after arriving at Heaven Dou, but because they considered her a friend.
But now, if Spirit Hall tried to moralize to coerce him, it would backfire.
He'd witnessed countless civilizations rise and fall—if he wanted to interfere in everything, he might as well just find a planet to rule.
"If it's just about this, you don't need to mention it again."
Aether looked down at Yi Daizhu, kneeling on one knee, and refused once more.
Paimon glanced between them, confused.
Weren't they fine just moments ago? How did the mood get so tense so fast?
"Um… is there any more of those sweets?"
Paimon held up the plate, asking shyly.
"Y-Yes, I'll get some for Miss Paimon right away."
Yi Daizhu seemed to relax a lot and hurried off toward the back of the Spirit Hall.
Aether's single sentence had felt like a mountain pressing down on her, nearly suffocating.
She'd thought this meeting would go smoothly—never expecting to ruin it herself.
As a Spirit Hall elder with a Title Douluo spirit power level, she was among the continent's elite.
That made her assume that while her power might not match his, it was close enough—so she could speak so boldly to recruit him.
But now she realized rumors were just rumors.
The pressure that the Lord casually exerted was something she hadn't even felt from the Supreme Pontiff.
Luckily, Miss Paimon helped break the tension and brought her back to her senses…
"Traveler, here~"
After Yi Daizhu left, Paimon held up the remaining sweets and handed one to Aether.
"…"
Aether took the treat, ate it under Paimon's expectant gaze.
"Hehe~ delicious, right?"
"Delicious."
They chatted casually as if nothing had happened.
This, Aether thought, was the tacit understanding between him and Paimon.
That silly Paimon always used the clumsiest methods to do the smartest things.
"Traveler, do you think the Spirit Hall wants us to join them?"
Seeing Yi Daizhu hadn't returned yet, Paimon whispered in Aether's ear.
After spending some time here, she'd come to understand this world better.
The factions here didn't develop steadily within their own territories like in Teyvat's nations.
Instead, they resembled the Hilichurl tribes and Bloodhound dogs, constantly fighting for territory.
Sometimes they passed the same spot twice—once Hilichurls camped there, the next time Bloodhound dogs had taken over.
The ruined Hilichurl structures and scattered explosives were proof of their territorial fights.
Paimon thought: if the Spirit Hall wanted to protect the people against disasters like the Abyss, Traveler might step in to help.
But if it was just about fighting for territory, and Traveler got angry and wiped out both Hilichurls and Bloodhound dogs—well, that'd be exciting…
"Yeah, looks like that's the case."
Aether nodded.
"They want to fight for territory with other factions and want you to help?"
"Yes."
"Will you help?"
"I still have to travel the whole continent with you, eat all the food, and find a way home…"
"Hehe~ I knew it."
Paimon brightened, glad to hear that.
Ever since arriving in this strange place, she'd sensed something odd about Traveler but couldn't put her finger on it.
It felt like he knew more than he let on…
But now she was certain Traveler was still Traveler, no matter how strange he seemed—and that was enough.
While they talked, Yi Daizhu returned carrying a mountain of sweets.
"Miss Paimon, I hope you like them."
Yi Daizhu set the plates down and invited Paimon to dig in.
"Mm, thank you, I like them a lot."
Paimon happily accepted and began eating.
After the tense encounter, Yi Daizhu sensibly said no more, only occasionally chatting with Paimon about people and matters from Douluo Continent.
_
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