Chapter 503
Venti blinked, got up from the ground, put her arm around Zhongli's shoulder, and said in a provocative tone:
"Speaking of which, how strong is Senior Salt King? How does he compare to you, Grandpa?"
"... I am familiar with her moves, habits and weaknesses, and I have three thousand years more experience and accumulation than I did back then."
Zhongli also began to seriously consider this question.
Venti's eyes darted around, and she smiled:
"Is the old man going to say 'but' next?"
"But I am getting old, while she is still the spirited and invincible Valkyrie. I can't imagine her defeat."
Zhongli smiled, her expression a mixture of melancholy and relief.
He was serious.
In a simple sparring match, Zhongli was confident he could suppress Maria, relying on his experience and accumulated knowledge.
But the image of the Valkyrie slaying three Demon God in a life-or-death battle and then calmly falling asleep was still vivid in his mind. How majestic she was then! It was as if she slew three Demon God because there were only three, not because she was limited to slaying three. He couldn't imagine that she would have a limit, much less that she would be defeated—therefore, Zhongli was truly unsure which of the two of them would survive.
"If it were me when I was younger, I would probably be more confident, right?"
Zhongli's smile deepened as he reminisced about his past self and felt even more fortunate that the Salt King of today was still the Salt King of yesteryear.
The pain of the past has become Liyue's current strength; misfortune may be a blessing in disguise, as the saying goes.
Venti was a little disappointed that she was out of wine, so she could only smack her lips dryly, feeling wistful and envious:
"That's great. It seems that no matter what, Liyue will continue to prosper for at least another three thousand years."
"There's no need for that. Is Beiana really that bad?"
Zhongli recalled the young God of Wind, who was innocent yet intelligent and courageous, and her eyes were filled with the gentle, doting smile of an elder.
Venti grinned.
"That's true! Wendy is intelligent and hardworking, she'll definitely become a much stronger God of Wind than me! I have nothing to worry about... So, for Mondstadt, does the old man really have no other advice?"
"..."
"Okay, let me rephrase the question. Has Liyue already made a different choice?"
"..."
There was silence.
But for some questions, silence is already an answer.
The rule of the sky is eternal. Therefore, if the stance of following Celestia remains unwavering, there is no need for hesitation, much less silence.
Venti got the answer she wanted, looked up at Zhongli, and said sincerely with complete seriousness:
"Thank you, sir."
"What happens next is for you to figure out yourself."
"Haha! You've already given me more than enough. I'm truly humbled and wouldn't dare to make things difficult for you any further."
"Take care of yourself."
Zhongli patted Venti on the shoulder and let out a long sigh.
Mondstadt knew about the Descendants first, and since she didn't care, she was willing to risk informing them. However, the World Tree was a powerful deity Liyue had just pledged allegiance to, and concealing its existence was a clear demand.
As the Geo Archon, Morax has already done his best to provide the information mentioned above, living up to their two-thousand-year friendship.
Venti was fully aware of this and kept her gratitude to herself. Then, she slowly said:
"If I may be so bold, I have one last question."
"You say."
"May I pay a visit to... that person on Mount Aozang?"
"It's best not to. As the Salt King said, she's not interested in the Seven Archons. Perhaps in her eyes, no matter what we choose, it won't affect the outcome of her battle with Takaten. And if she doesn't want to see them, no one can get close to her."
Zhongli shook his head; these were all based on experience.
Venti understood and gave up the idea.
On the other side, the Anqi Faction were also having a meeting.
Barbatos won't come looking for the Adventors; Morax will persuade him to turn back.
[It doesn't matter. He's already involved, and he'll have to make a choice sooner or later. Besides, it's not important. Our opponent is Heavenly Principles; the Seven Archons won't play a decisive role. They're just there to facilitate future governance.]
Winning over the Seven Archons was never about hoping they would help us fight against the Heavenly Principles.
They are too far from that level; it doesn't help their win rate, but rather wastes high-end talent.
Each of the Seven Archons possesses unique talents, and at the very least, they can serve as mascots to guard a nation. Their value lies in the new chessboard after the war, not in being cannon fodder during the war.