Set the Rules First, and Crossing Worlds Won't Burn Your Heart

Venti's next words instantly left everyone present dumbfounded. None of them could believe their ears.

"Actually, those who passed away have not completely perished."

"Someone intervened beforehand and froze their life state at the very instant before death."

As soon as he finished, an uproar swept through the crowd.

A knight couldn't help asking in a trembling voice, "Lord Barbatos... then, is there still a chance they can be brought back to life?"

"Yes." Venti nodded, his tone certain. "But it would take a god skilled in restorative abilities to do it."

Jean's heart jolted, and she hurriedly bowed. "Can you do it?"

"I can't." Venti shook his head gently, then changed tack. "But there is someone in the City of Mondstadt who can. Jean, you've met him before."

A flash of insight lit up Jean's mind, and she blurted out, "Could it be... Lord Ye Xuan?"

"Exactly."

In an instant, the hope that had just kindled on everyone's faces sank again.

Everyone knew perfectly well.

What Kaeya had done before had thoroughly offended that mysterious powerhouse.

Now Mondstadt was mired in a quagmire, begging him to save lives. It was easy to imagine how difficult that would be.

Jean was overwhelmed with anxiety.

Venti looked at her and said calmly, "Jean, go and tell him. Mondstadt is willing to pay one million Mora per person in exchange for him treating everyone."

There were more than eight hundred injured and dead civilians and knights present in total.

A million per person-that was over eight hundred million Mora!

Gasps rang out one after another.

The amount was absurdly enormous.

But at that moment, no one dared begrudge the money.

Mora could be earned again, but if people truly passed away, they would never come back.

Jean dared not delay. She immediately turned and raced toward Ye Xuan's residence at full speed.

At that moment, Ye Xuan was lying on a recliner in the courtyard, leisurely basking in the sun.

Beside him was a glass of Coca-Cola he had just "squeezed" out of Eriri.

He had specifically asked Eula to make the crystal-clear ice cubes herself.

The amber liquid had been poured into a stemmed glass, its bubbles fizzing.

The sunlight was just right. It couldn't have been more comfortable.

Now this was the life of an immortal.

"Lord Ye Xuan!"

The urgent call suddenly shattered the peace.

Jean hurried over, slightly out of breath.

Ye Xuan raised his eyes, a faint, lazy smile on his lips. "Well, if it isn't the ever-busy Acting Grand Master Jean. Mondstadt is in such a mess, and you actually have time to come see me?"

Jean dispensed with pleasantries, bowing deeply as she spoke with utmost sincerity. "I beg you to intervene and save Mondstadt, Lord Ye Xuan!"

"I can't bear such a heavy burden." Ye Xuan waved a hand dismissively.

"Lord Barbatos said you possess heaven-defying healing powers!" Jean hurriedly explained. "Please, save these innocent civilians!"

Ye Xuan's heart stirred slightly.

He had never shown his healing abilities in front of anyone.

How did Barbatos know?

Was it Istaroth?

His tone was indifferent. "That's true, but unfortunately, Mondstadt has no reason for me to intervene."

Jean clenched her teeth and put her offer on the table. "Mondstadt is willing to pay the astronomical price of one million Mora per person. We beg you to treat everyone!"

Eight hundred million Mora was indeed a considerable sum, by any reasonable measure.

But Ye Xuan merely chuckled. "It's only Mora. To me, it's just a string of numbers."

Jean fell into despair at once.

Money, power, connections... Mondstadt had nothing that could move a god.

Just as her heart turned to ash, Ye Xuan suddenly spoke, slowly.

"However, I just acquired a treasure today, so I'm in a good mood."

"I don't mind doing a small favor while I'm at it. Go back and tell everyone. I'll be there shortly."

Wild joy swept through Jean's heart!

"Thank you, Lord Ye Xuan!"

She bowed deeply, then turned and left, her heart full of joy, eager to bring everyone the good news that they had found a way out of a desperate situation.

After Jean left, no one else remained in the courtyard.

Ye Xuan suddenly looked at the empty air beside him and spoke casually.

"What do you think your sister would feel if she knew you had secretly paid this karmic price for her?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Snake Talisman's concealing power around her vanished.

Barbara's figure slowly appeared. With an earnest expression, she lowered her head slightly. "My lord, please, you mustn't tell my sister. I can share her burden. I'm willing to serve you."

Ye Xuan looked at her impassively. "The Star Wand is in your hands. I'll give you one year. If you haven't reached the combat level of a Fatui Harbinger within a year, I'll take the Star Wand back, and you can be a bed-warming maid."

Barbara's gaze instantly grew resolute, and she nodded firmly. "I'll work as hard as I possibly can! I won't let you down!"

"Return to the Church of Favonius and await orders. I'm going to the Knights of Favonius to save people."

"Thank you, Lord Ye Xuan."

The exact same words. They really were sisters.

The door made a soft sound, and Ronova walked out slowly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Ye Xuan as he drained his cola in one gulp.

"It seems you really have changed. I thought that when the young priestess offered to let you do as you pleased with her, you'd take her without a moment's hesitation."

Ye Xuan smiled at that.

What did a transmigrator need to overcome?

First, the pride that ran deeper in a transmigrator's bones than a dragon's stubbornness.

Second, a sense of belonging in this world.

Third, treating the characters as people of flesh and blood.

Fourth, not carrying over his knowledge of characters from the story to those people in reality.

Fifth, an anchor in this world-someone to care about.

In his spare time over the past few days, Ye Xuan had drawn up these five rules. Set the rules first, and crossing worlds wouldn't burn his heart.

Ye Xuan looked at Ronova and chuckled. "You already know the five rules I wrote down, and you still don't believe I've really changed?"

Ronova gave a soft huff, a trace of grievance and awkwardness in her eyes. "You've become better now, treating people gently. Then what about everything I suffered those first few days?"

"It means you're hardworking and resilient, virtuous and well-mannered."

"You!"

Ronova was instantly at a loss for words. She was about to step forward and argue, but Ye Xuan reached out and swept her into his arms.

He lowered his head, his voice gentle and earnest. "Silly, you're my first true anchor in Teyvat."

Warmth stirred in Ronova's heart, but she refused to give in. "Pretty words. Doesn't Eula count?"

"You all count." Ye Xuan smiled with easy composure. "But you're the first wife, so you need to be magnanimous."

"You lecher!"

Ronova chided him and gave him a playful thump.

Ye Xuan's smile deepened, and he spoke frankly. "As a Descender, I stand above this world and its heavens. I'm merely lustful and do as I please. But for Teyvat, isn't that a good thing?"

He released the beauty in his arms and smiled. "Your husband is off to save the people of Mondstadt. Would my lady like to accompany me?"

"I'm not going." Ronova turned her face away and teased, "Look at the state you've left Eula in these past two days. I still have to look after her."

"You wrong me." Ye Xuan spread his hands helplessly. "I told you I could use the Horse Talisman to restore you both perfectly. You're the ones who refused."

"And you still bring it up!" Ronova's ears turned red. "Your restoration brings my body straight back to its perfect peak condition. These past few days, you've had me three times-"

"Three times what? Go on."

Seeing her embarrassed and angry expression, Ye Xuan's lips curled into a wicked smile, and he lowered his voice. "I'll tell you a secret. Actually, the Horse Talisman's healing effect is completely controllable."

Before he had even finished speaking-

Whoosh!

The Rabbit Talisman went to full speed!

His figure instantly became an afterimage as he slipped away.

He gave it all he had. If he stayed any longer, Ronova would definitely settle the score!

Behind him, Ronova's angry, embarrassed cry rang through the courtyard.

"Ye Xuan-!!"