I Never Lie

"Zhongli... what is going on with you?"

Mo Yuqing asked with a deep frown.

Zhongli looked at the Spirit Rings around him, then revealed a faint smile as he explained, "This is another one of my abilities. I can freely change the colors of my Spirit Rings. It is pretty useful for fooling people."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Spirit Rings around him had already turned black. Since Zhongli himself was already very strong, his Spirit Rings could rapidly increase in age before reaching ten thousand years, allowing them to keep up with his power. Only after ten thousand years would their growth become gradual and steady.

That was also why Zhongli did not care about the age of his Spirit Rings. Whatever he absorbed would automatically increase in age and take on his form, so it did not matter what kind of Spirit Ring he absorbed.

However, Spirit Rings that increased in age on their own could not grant large boosts to his attributes. They could only make his soul skills stronger. But that did not matter much, because the attribute increase from a Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast Spirit Ring was not particularly significant to Zhongli. His own attributes were already extremely high.

His human form was equivalent to a sealed state. Even while his strength was sealed, he could fight Thousand Year Soul Beasts head-on with his bare hands. With his Dragon Form unleashed at full power, his combat strength had likely reached—or even surpassed—the level of a Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast. Even he did not know exactly how strong he was.

"See? It turned black again."

Zhongli pointed at the Spirit Rings around him.

"But why does it feel exactly like the real thing..."

Mo Yuqing still found it a little hard to accept.

"Haha, how could it possibly be real? Do you think you could kill a Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast? Besides, the more convincing the disguise, the better." Zhongli said with a smile, as though he truly found her thoughts amusing.

"Is that so? Then try turning that Spirit Ring yellow?" Mo Yuqing asked tentatively.

"Why turn it yellow? Black Spirit Rings look so much better. If my ability were strong enough, I would definitely disguise them as red Spirit Rings. When the time came to fight, having all red Spirit Rings would look so cool!" Zhongli said matter-of-factly with his arms folded over his chest.

"This..."

Mo Yuqing felt that something was off, yet she could not say exactly what it was. Her little face was filled with confusion.

"Still, since you put it that way, I will reluctantly remove the disguise." Zhongli lightly brushed a hand over his Spirit Rings, and yellow Geo Elemental Particles attached themselves to them, dyeing the rings yellow.

"Oh, they really can change color. Why does your Martial Soul have so many abilities?" Mo Yuqing was even more shocked now. She felt as though her entire worldview had been opened up.

"Of course it is because I am amazing. If I say my Spirit Rings can change color, then they can change color. I, Zhongli, never lie. Really." Zhongli said with an earnest expression.

"Mhm... mhm!"

Mo Yuqing nodded slightly.

"Come here. Let us sit down and talk."

Zhongli walked beneath a tree and gently patted a tree root beside him. It was actually quite nice to sit here and enjoy the scenery, though there was a chance they might be attacked by Soul Beasts.

Mo Yuqing followed him over and sat beside Zhongli, looking at him with pure, innocent, and kind eyes.

"My Martial Soul is actually very powerful. My Innate Soul Power was level twenty, and after absorbing that Spirit Ring just now, my Soul Power has already reached level twenty," Zhongli said seriously.

"Ah, you are already level twenty? Does that not mean you need to obtain another Spirit Ring?" Mo Yuqing's little face fell. Fighting that Scarlet Armor Earth Dragon just now had already exhausted her terribly. If they had to kill another Soul Beast that was eight or nine hundred years old, would that not wear her to death?

"No, listen to me."

Zhongli naturally draped an arm around Mo Yuqing's shoulders, pulling her closer as he said seriously, "You have probably never heard of anyone with Innate Soul Power at level twenty, right? At least, I have not. So once I reveal my talent, it will cause a whole series of unnecessary disturbances."

"That is why I will not obtain my second Spirit Ring right now. It will be safer for me this way. When you need your second Spirit Ring as well, I will hunt for one together with you. That will make the timing much more reasonable, and there will not be as much danger. Can you keep this secret for me?"

"Mhm, I will keep your secret!"

Mo Yuqing nodded forcefully, then frowned and asked, "But if you do not obtain a Spirit Ring, what will happen when you level up? Will you not be wasting your talent?"

"You do not know this, do you? Before a Soul Master obtains a Spirit Ring, all the Soul Power they cultivate will be stored up, then converted into Soul Power levels when they obtain one. In other words, even if I do not have a Spirit Ring, cultivation is still effective. It can increase my actual Soul Power level. Ordinary people generally do not know this."

Zhongli said with a faint smile.

"Ah, so that is how it works!"

"Then, let us go home."

Zhongli had just stood up, but before he could fully rise, a fair little hand quickly grabbed his arm. He could not help turning his head to look at Mo Yuqing in confusion.

"Zhongli, I am tired. Can I lean on you and rest for a while?" Mo Yuqing lightly bit her lip, her voice soft. She seemed rather lacking in confidence, though a flickering anticipation lingered in her eyes.

"Sigh, I really do not know what to do with you."

Zhongli smiled helplessly, then sat back down, allowing the little girl to lean against him and close her eyes to rest peacefully.

What had happened during this time had indeed left her tired—not physically, but mentally. Physical exhaustion was secondary. Silently leaning against the person she liked, breathing in the fresh air of the forest and the fragrance of Blue Silver Grass carried by the breeze, was truly soothing and relaxing.

Every journey would eventually reach its end. There was no need to hurry. Slowing one's steps a little, admiring the scenery around them, and feeling that quiet, peaceful atmosphere might be a rather pleasant kind of enjoyment.

After all, was that not why they had come here—to feel happy and relaxed?

Not long after.

"Huff~"

Listening to her even breathing, Zhongli knew that she had fallen asleep. He gently smoothed Mo Yuqing's hair, lowered his head, and quietly enjoyed this peaceful moment with her.

Though he was enjoying himself as well, he had not completely relaxed. This was, after all, the Soul Beast Forest. All kinds of Soul Beasts could come attack them, so remaining vigilant at all times was necessary.

"All-encompassing!"

Zhongli silently renewed a layer of shielding, then closed his eyes and sensed the rocks. Using the rocks as his eyes, he looked farther into the distance. Every stone in the forest was his eye. With such meticulous protection from him, no accident would occur.

Isn't that right, Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent?

The Spirit Rings around Zhongli silently activated and quietly lit up. A Vortex Vanquisher-shaped mass of rock rapidly condensed into form, then tore through the air and shot toward the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent eight hundred meters away, which might have approached them. With one strike, it nailed the creature to the ground.

What a peaceful and comfortable day~