Time for Rest

The two children sat on the bench for a long time.

"After we finish registering, we'll officially join Spirit Hall Academy. We'll get a monthly stipend of one hundred Gold Soul Coins, plus ten Gold Soul Coins for registering as Soul Masters. That means we can get one hundred and ten Gold Soul Coins every month. That's really nice!" Mo Yuqing said as she casually swung her little legs.

The weather was nice today~

"Mm, we have money now."

Zhongli nodded slightly.

"We have money now!"

"Hahaha~"

Mo Yuqing repeated it. After meeting Zhongli's gaze for a moment, the two of them smiled at the same time. Her smile was one of relief, filled with hope for the future, while Zhongli smiled just like a child.

There was a completely different feeling between helping others safeguard their money when one had no money and no way to earn it, and doing so after having money and a stable income. It could even be described as a tremendous relief.

That was exactly how she felt now.

"Hehe, I'm only just starting at a Soul Master academy, and I can already earn so many Gold Soul Coins. It's more than a hundred times what my father and mother can earn. I'm so happy," Mo Yuqing said contentedly.

"Indeed..."

Zhongli replied, feeling somewhat emotional inside.

The world of Douluo was not fair. Whether one was a genius or trash was basically decided the moment one was born. To go a step further, it was largely determined even before one was born.

Because martial souls could be inherited. When untalented people came together, their descendants would most likely be untalented as well, unless there was a beneficial mutation! The children of the strong were mostly strong too, unless there was a harmful mutation! That was also why clans existed in this world.

If Zhongli had not occasionally infused Mo Yuqing with his own power in secret, causing her martial soul to transform, she most likely would not have awakened a martial soul like Mist Splitter Reforged. At most, she would have awakened an ordinary sword or blade, then struggled at the bottom of society for the rest of her life like her parents.

The world was cruel... nakedly so...

Therefore, Zhongli would change the world!

As long as the desire to grow stronger was intense enough, new paths and systems would descend. God's Eyes would carry people's wishes and grant them new power. Moreover, the upper limit of Geo Elemental Power was far higher than that of martial souls. There would be no obstacles before becoming a god, nor would one's future be locked away because of talent.

There were no useless Original Gods.

Only useless Soul Masters.

What a great slogan~

"By the way, Zhongli, what does it feel like... to become an adult?" Mo Yuqing suddenly turned toward him and leaned closer, asking with curiosity and longing.

"Maybe... it hurts a little?"

Zhongli thought for a moment before answering.

"It hurts? Why would it hurt?"

Mo Yuqing asked in confusion.

"It's nothing."

Zhongli lowered his head and coughed twice. Then, looking seriously at Mo Yuqing, he gently stroked her cheek and said, "The unknown is indeed fascinating, but not all unknown things are as wonderful as expected. If possible... I hope that day comes a little later."

"Mm, that's so profound."

Mo Yuqing looked at Zhongli, who was smiling like an old father, then at his hand, feeling its touch and warmth. She thought about it for a moment before asking seriously, "Then when you grow up, can you learn to pay for things yourself?"

The smile on Zhongli's face gradually froze. He coughed twice and said, "It's not that I don't have money, nor is it that I don't know how to pay. I simply think it would be boring that way. Please don't misunderstand me, all right?"

"Oooh~↓~↑~↓~"

Mo Yuqing drew out the sound as she nodded and muttered to herself, "I understand. You probably won't learn to pay for things yourself for your entire life. Sure enough, you can't do without me."

"I..."

Zhongli wanted to argue, but seeing Mo Yuqing's innocent, smug smile, he could not find any words to refute her. In the end, he merely shook his head and said somewhat helplessly, "Ah... yes, yes, I can't do without you."

"Here, milk. I heard them say drinking this is better for replenishing energy," Mo Yuqing said as she took a carton of milk from her Storage Space and handed it to Zhongli.

Zhongli accepted the milk and took a sip. It was smooth, with a pure natural flavor. A smile appeared on his face again as he said, "Thank you very much. From today onward, I'll make sure you drink milk every day, and all kinds of 'milk' at that... This stuff is very 'nutritious.'"

"Then thank you!"

Mo Yuqing accepted with a smile. She did not think too much about it, nor did she feel any psychological burden. Mainly because she now had a certain financial foundation. With that foundation, milk was not expensive to her, and she could easily repay him in other ways, so she could accept it without worry.

If it had been before her Martial Soul Awakening, she definitely would not have accepted it so readily.

Being able to see her own worth and not blindly pursue value beyond it—this was Mo Yuqing's strength. It was a strength she had not even noticed herself, yet one Zhongli admired most.

Perhaps it was simply her nature.

Not long after...

"Alright, we've rested enough. Let's go register in the back," Zhongli said as he took the initiative to stand.

"Mm, let's go together."

One soft little hand reached out and took another. That hand trembled slightly, but quickly grew accustomed to it and gently tightened around the soft little hand. The two hands gripped each other with shared strength, reducing the gap between them to the absolute minimum and making their connection deeper.

What were fondness and love?

Mo Yuqing did not understand. She only knew that staying by Zhongli's side felt comfortable, that being covered by his shield made her feel safe, and that Zhongli needed her help paying for things. Otherwise, what if one day he got beaten to death outside because he had not paid?

Other than me, who else...?

Wait, there had been a white-haired Maid who went to school with Zhongli before. Could she pay for Zhongli too? I wasn't going to lose my job, was I?

Mo Yuqing felt a little uneasy. She secretly glanced at Zhongli, then bit her lip as an intense struggle raged in her heart.

The feeling changed. Zhongli noticed it clearly. Without any hesitation, he stopped, turned to look at Mo Yuqing, and asked, "What's wrong? Is something on your mind?"

"Uh... it's nothing important."

Mo Yuqing's voice was a little vague. Mainly because she was too embarrassed to say it aloud. It was perfectly normal for a maid to pay for her master, which made her own presence seem somewhat unnecessary.

"Really?"

Zhongli pressed.

"Really!"

"You didn't secretly spend my money, did you?" Zhongli asked with the corners of his lips lifting slightly.

"Of course not! It's all right here!" Mo Yuqing puffed out her small chest at being questioned, pointing at the necklace on her chest with one hand as she answered confidently.

"Nothing's missing at all?"

Zhongli continued with a smile.

"Absolutely nothing!"

Mo Yuqing declared firmly.

"That's good, then."

Zhongli smiled with ease and took Mo Yuqing's little hand, continuing toward the teaching building to register as new students.

As for her little emotional turmoil, it had already been resolved~

The school's under lockdown, and the dorms might be sealed at any moment. Someone from Jilin concealed their report and snuck over here. The situation now... We're about to get nucleic acid tests overnight... pain mask...

(´థ౪థ)σ

Whoever you are, why did you run around like that?

I want to update too...

There's also one at the China Resources Vanguard across from the school...

It's blown up.