On the top floor of Wangshu Inn, Xiao had already sensed that familiar and noble aura. A dark green figure flashed like the wind, and Xiao respectfully clasped his fists: "Greetings, Lord. What can I do for you?"
He then nodded to Lumine and Paimon, as a greeting.
Zhongli slightly raised his hand: "There are no arrangements for this trip. Paimon recently acquired a strange item, which may relieve you of your karmic burden."
Xiao's body trembled slightly, and a glimmer of disbelief suddenly lit up in his golden eyes, only to be immediately suppressed by deeper worry.
After all, regarding the karmic burden, both Lord Rex Lapis and the Anemo Archon had no way to completely resolve it, only suppress it.
He looked at Paimon, his voice low: "This karmic burden is extremely dangerous, originating from the remnants of a god, and has not been removed for a thousand years."
"If this method endangers Paimon, I cannot obey."
Paimon flew in front of Xiao, her small face filled with determination: "Oh, I told you it's fine! Xiao, don't worry! I'm confident I can help you with your karmic burden."
"Besides, Zhongli and Lumine are both here! Just trust me this once!"
Lumine also stepped forward: "Xiao, let Paimon try. We will watch over everything and pay attention to Paimon's condition at all times."
Xiao was silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Zhongli's serene face and Lumine's determined eyes, finally resting on Paimon's confident face.
A complex emotion flashed in his eyes.
Finally, he slowly and firmly nodded: "Thank you, Paimon."
His aura condensed, his muscles tensed, already prepared to bear any outcome.
Just like when she treated Huixin before, a silver light flickered in Paimon's palm, and that uniquely shaped silver wrench appeared out of thin air in her hand.
Then she looked at Xiao: "Are you ready? I'm going to start."
Seeing Xiao nod and reply with an "Mm!"
Paimon took a deep breath, her small face taut, and gently pointed the wrench at Xiao's chest.
The wrench, as if entering water, merged into Xiao's body.
However, this time the scene was completely different from when Huixin was purified!
A circular golden magic circle, about six feet in diameter, silently appeared under Xiao's feet. The lines of the magic circle were smooth, emitting a solemn, stable golden glow.
And the silver wrench from just now reappeared above Xiao's head, slowly rotating.
It also occasionally sparked as if encountering some obstruction.
Xiao also closed his eyes tightly, his hands clenched, seemingly in some pain.
At the same time, wisps of grayish-black mist, significantly denser than when Huixin was treated, continuously seeped out from various parts of Xiao's body, as if drawn by an invisible force.
Paimon realized something was wrong and zipped behind Lumine, clutching Lumine's shoulder tightly, only daring to peek out with half her head nervously.
Zhongli, on the other hand, had already set up a blockade as soon as Paimon and Xiao were ready, to avoid disturbing mortals.
This process lasted for nearly a minute.
Fortunately, no other anomalies occurred during this period, and Zhongli did not sense anything similar to the resentment of a god being generated.
It seemed that the black mist was just a special effect illusion, not truly existing, or existing in another space.
And Xiao also gradually relaxed at a visible speed, from his initial tense body, as the black mist continuously emerged and the magic circle continued to operate.
His clenched fists gradually loosened, his tightly furrowed brows slowly smoothed, and the trembling of his body gradually subsided.
Finally, although the silver wrench illusion above Xiao's head gradually dimmed, it rotated more and more smoothly, seemingly without further obstruction.
It eventually completely dissipated into the air.
The black mist emanating from Xiao also became thin and dim, until it completely ceased.
The moment the illusion dissipated, Xiao's body swayed slightly, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted, and with a sense of unprecedented lightness, he softly fell backward.
A steady figure appeared behind Xiao as if teleporting, firmly supporting his limp body.
Xiao struggled to open his heavy eyelids, looking at Zhongli, his voice weak but with an unprecedented sense of ease: "Lord Rex Lapis...I feel...much better..."
Before he could finish speaking, he completely fell into a deep sleep.
Zhongli carefully helped Xiao to a nearby chair and settled him, placing three fingers on Xiao's wrist pulse, while a pure and gentle Geo elemental force entered his body, carefully probing.
A moment later, his tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed, and a hint of relief flashed in his eyes.
He turned to Lumine and Paimon: "This matter is done. Most of the karmic burden that has accumulated in Xiao's body for a thousand years has been removed."
"The remaining part is like rootless duckweed, no longer able to shake his mind."
He looked at the sleeping Xiao, his tone gentle: "This sleep is due to the sudden reduction of long-term heavy pressure; his body and mind are naturally entering a state of deep repair. When he wakes up, he will be completely refreshed."
Zhongli pondered for a moment, "As for the remaining karmic burden, after Xiao recuperates for some time and adapts to this change, once his foundation is stable, he can clear it himself."
After saying that, he looked at Paimon with concern: "Paimon, you've worked hard this time. How do you feel now? Is there anything unusual with your body? Are you feeling tired?"
Lumine also immediately turned around nervously, holding Paimon's small shoulders with both hands, carefully scrutinizing her up and down: "Yes, Paimon! Is there anywhere you're uncomfortable?"
Seeing Zhongli and Lumine both looking serious and worried, Paimon blinked her big eyes, rubbed the back of her head, and muttered to herself: 'Uncomfortable? It seems like there really isn't anything.'
'It's just that I was startled by the situation just now. After all, when I treated Huixin's cold, it wasn't such a big fuss, and I thought I was going to mess it up.'
But seeing this scene, Paimon's big eyes darted around, and a "weak" expression immediately appeared on her small face, letting out a feeble "Oh dear."
"Ah~ Lumine...I feel...I feel like my body has been hollowed out...My head is so dizzy...My vision is black..."
She exaggeratedly shook her small head, "Tonight...if I don't go to New Moon Pavilion for a good meal tonight...I'm afraid...I'm afraid I won't recover..."
Lumine was startled at first, then saw the hint of cunning that Paimon couldn't hide in her eyes, and immediately felt both annoyed and amused.
She stretched out a finger and lightly tapped Paimon's forehead: "You little Paimon! You dare to pretend to be sick and trick me at a time like this! See if I don't teach you a lesson!"
Paimon zipped away with a "whoosh," dodging and giggling as she said: "Oh, oh! Don't be angry! I just saw that both of you were too nervous and wanted to liven up the atmosphere!"
"Besides!" Paimon put her hands on her hips, righteously, "I said before! Using this is as natural as eating and drinking, and it really doesn't feel anything at all! It's you who didn't believe me!"
She then put her hands on her hips again, with a hint of smugness: "See, see! I told you my 'Optimization Power' is amazing, didn't I! Dealing with karmic burdens is a piece of cake!"
Zhongli and Lumine watched Paimon, still full of energy and bouncing around, and their hanging hearts finally truly relaxed, a relieved smile appearing on their faces.
Lumine shook her head helplessly and dotingly: "Alright, alright, you're right this time. In recognition of your great achievement..."
She smiled at Paimon, "I'll book New Moon Pavilion later. Order whatever you want! As much as you want!"
Paimon happily did several somersaults in the air: "Yay! Lumine, you're the best!"
Zhongli spoke at the right moment, his tone gentle but serious: "This banquet should be hosted by me."
Facing Lumine and Paimon's instantly suspicious gazes, he calmly added: "Don't worry, this time..." He paused, "It won't be charged to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Lumine and Paimon exchanged glances, both seeing astonishment in each other's eyes—the sun rose from the west? After curing Xiao, even Lord Rex Lapis learned to carry Mora?!
Zhongli calmly said: "This time, it can be charged to the Northland Bank account. Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's accounts have had quite a few outstanding charges recently, and Director Hu has been rather critical lately."
Lumine: "..."
Paimon: "..."
A voice simultaneously echoed in both their minds: 'Well! It's still the familiar Zhongli!'
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