After dinner, the group gathered again, the atmosphere gradually shifting toward a far more serious topic—
Personality replacement within the World Tree.
Thanks to Cloud Retainer stepping in earlier, everyone had been given a brief respite during the meal.
Yet now that the subject was raised again, the weight of it made any decision hard to reach.
Cloud Retainer's eyes flickered with shock as Shenhe explained—briefly—what personality replacement entailed.
Her lips parted slightly, disbelief written plainly across her face.
"You can really… replace a person's personality?"
Her voice rose unconsciously, concerned about deepening her gaze.
"Isn't that dangerous?"
Seeing her reaction, Idris smiled faintly, deliberately keeping his tone light.
If even the master couldn't accept this, then Shenhe would inevitably be affected as well.
And if Shenhe wavered, the plot couldn't be changed—
And without changing the plot, there would be no reward.
Having already tasted the benefits once, Idris had no intention of letting this opportunity slip.
After all, not every storyline was worth altering—but these lingering regrets?
Since he was here, he wouldn't let them continue.
"There's actually very little danger," Idris explained calmly.
"Or rather, the only real concern is character."
"Replacing a personality or fate is like changing clothes. As long as the soul itself and the physical body remain intact, nothing fundamentally goes wrong."
"In the World Tree, there's no risk to one's life—unless I die midway through."
That last line was clearly a joke.
The group laughed lightly.
Kill the Grand Sage of Sumeru?
Someone capable of defeating gods?
That was pure nonsense.
As he spoke, Idris couldn't help recalling certain events from the original timeline.
This process was, in essence, similar to that individual's experience—erasing past sins and reconstructing the self.
Only difference was that he had refused to cooperate.
Unruly. Paranoid. Useless.
Idris had no patience for people who couldn't be controlled.
If they couldn't serve a purpose, then they could disappear.
He wasn't short on subordinates.
Still… It would be interesting to dissect that brain someday.
For research purposes, of course.
After Idris finished explaining, the tension eased slightly—but Shenhe's expression remained heavy.
Her gaze drifted across the table.
She still didn't dare gamble lightly.
Sensing the shift, Ganyu spoke up to smooth things over.
"Maybe… we should wait a little longer?"
She understood all too well how delicate this situation was.
On one side stood her master.
On the other, her nominal boyfriend.
If she spoke carelessly and influenced the decision, the consequences would be unbearable.
Worse still—if Cloud Retainer saw through the act and realized the relationship was staged…
Ganyu could already imagine herself trapped in this adeptal abode, doing mechanical labor for ten years straight.
Shenhe's heart tightened at Ganyu's words.
Waiting wasn't a solution—just avoidance.
She inhaled slowly, then lifted her head, her gaze steady as it met Idris's.
"I don't want to run anymore," she said firmly.
"Let's begin preparing."
Idris blinked in surprise.
Unexpected—but not unreasonable.
He nodded, acknowledging her resolve.
Ganyu watched silently, worry still lingering, yet she understood this was the only real path forward.
After all, wheels only roll forward.
Shenhe's decision eased the tension slightly.
Idris saw resolve—not recklessness—in her eyes.
This wasn't blind courage.
It was trust—whether in him personally, or in the reputation of the Grand Sage.
"Have you truly thought this through?"
Cloud Retainer finally spoke, concerned impossible to hide.
"Yes, Master," Shenhe replied calmly.
"If the Grand Sage can solve my problem, who am I to be picky? Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime."
"And I trust Ganyu's… boyfriend."
She looked at Idris.
"And I trust the Grand Sage."
Idris chuckled softly.
That line—he liked it.
"Very well," Cloud Retainer nodded.
"Then we'll proceed no further for now."
She turned to Idris, her tone solemn.
"Grand Sage, I entrust my disciple to you. If this succeeds, I will—on a personal level—establish cooperation with Sumeru, and offer all the mechanical knowledge within this abode."
"Please do everything you can… to let Shenhe live as a normal girl."
Her words were sincere, heavy with emotion.
For a moment, even Idris felt a flicker of something stir—quickly suppressed.
Cloud Retainer was, without question, a qualified master.
Though he'd noticed her and Shenhe exchanging private transmissions earlier, Idris hadn't minded.
Human nature. Understandable.
Shenhe's eyes shone with determination.
Once this step was taken, there would be no turning back.
Ganyu silently prayed that everything would go smoothly.
"For now, let's leave it at this," Idris said evenly.
"If Shenhe changes her mind tomorrow, that's fine too—just tell me in advance."
"I'm still not someone you know well enough to trust completely. Some things… are better felt personally than heard from others."
He paused, then glanced at Cloud Retainer.
"Isn't that right, Adeptus?"
Cloud Retainer smiled awkwardly.
"Indeed… indeed."
"In that case," Ganyu quickly interjected, sensing the undercurrents,
"Why don't we end this discussion here?"
"We'll talk again tomorrow. Shenhe will give her final answer then."
Cloud Retainer nodded, fully aware that her earlier maneuver had been seen through.
Idris didn't press the matter further.
Cloud Retainer's expression returned to calm—but inwardly, her respect for the Grand Sage's insight deepened even more.
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