At that moment, Zhongli spoke, easing the awkward atmosphere.
Seeing this, Qiu Bai quickly chimed in.
"Yes, I heard about you from Zhongli, which is how I know Traveler and Paimon," Qiu Bai said hastily before stepping forward, her immaculate jade-like feet barely making a sound as she approached the three before her.
Zhongli, however, remained fixated on Qiu Bai, his gaze filled with surprise.
He could sense it—his old friend had truly transformed into a woman.
The authority of the Archon of Yin and Yang?
But why had he never seen her take this form before?
Deep in thought, Zhongli studied the breathtakingly beautiful woman before him.
As Qiu Bai drew closer, the Statue of the Seven behind them began reacting continuously.
"What's going on with that statue?"
"The incense earlier only triggered a single response, but now it's reacting every few seconds?"
Paimon, a giant question mark practically hovering over her head, turned to look at the Statue of the Seven.
Lumine, equally baffled, glanced back at the statue, which was reacting frantically.
"...Ahem."
Zhongli's mouth twitched slightly before he discreetly moved his fingers, causing the statue to settle down. Of course, he made sure to do this while Traveler and Paimon weren't watching.
"Lumine, Paimon, Zhongli has mentioned you to me before."
"I never expected to meet you here."
The woman smiled at the two, her expression warm.
Paimon and Lumine were momentarily stunned by the sight of her radiant smile.
"Big sis, you're really beautiful!"
"Even more beautiful than any woman Paimon has ever seen!"
Paimon beamed, stomping her foot in excitement, while Lumine nodded eagerly in agreement.
"Hahaha, receiving such praise from Little Paimon and Traveler... what an honor!"
As she spoke, Qiu Bai reached out and gently patted Paimon's head. To her surprise, this time, Paimon didn't dodge.
Instead, Paimon smiled sweetly at the "big sister" before her, closing her eyes slightly—an unmistakable invitation for more head pats.
Seeing this, Qiu Bai let out a silent sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness she didn't recognize me. Otherwise, I wouldn't know how to explain this."
But then, a realization struck her.
Why had Paimon always refused head pats before, yet now she was happily accepting them?
"Wow, Big Sis's hands are so warm!"
Hearing this, Qiu Bai's mouth twitched. She could feel the blatant double standard.
So Paimon had a soft spot for pretty big sisters all along?
What happened to everyone worshiping the Geo Archon? Wait—wasn't Zhongli supposed to have a thing for white hair? But my hair is black...
Just then, Lumine also looked at Qiu Bai expectantly, leaning forward slightly as if asking for the same treatment.
"Big sis, me too!"
With a gentle smile, Qiu Bai chuckled softly before placing her delicate hand atop Lumine's head, stroking it with care.
Lumine, internally: I need to add her to my harem.
After a moment, Qiu Bai withdrew her hand and shifted her gaze toward Zhongli, who remained composed in the distance.
"Oh, right! Big Sis, what's your name?"
Paimon asked curiously. After all, the beautiful woman before them had yet to introduce herself.
Qiu Bai paused.
That's right—what should she call herself now?
Looking at Paimon and Lumine, Qiu Bai smiled playfully.
"It's a secret."
"I'll tell you another time, okay?"
She rested both hands gently over her abdomen, exuding a calm elegance that only made her seem even more gentle and refined in the eyes of Paimon and Lumine.
This wasn't intentional—ever since her transformation, her personality and mannerisms had subtly shifted.
"Okay!"
"Then Paimon will just call you 'Beautiful Big Sister' for now!"
Paimon grinned, and Lumine nodded in agreement.
They weren't sure why she wouldn't share her name, but there was no sense of malice from her.
If anything, they were simply curious—why would such a stunning woman know Zhongli, a certified freeloader?
After all, spending time with Zhongli had given them the undeniable impression that he was someone who never carried Mora and lived off others.
"Zhongli, long time no see."
Qiu Bai smiled slightly as she greeted the man standing not far away.
Zhongli, you were totally peeking at me just now, weren't you?
Zhongli remained frozen, staring at the woman before him, unable to make sense of the situation.
No matter how he looked at it, he just couldn't comprehend how his old friend had become a woman.
Not only that, but her speech and behavior were completely different, as if she were a different person entirely.
And the most unsettling part?
For the first time in eons, the heart he had thought to be as unshakable as stone...
"My friend, it's been a long time."
Since he had already committed to the act, Zhongli decided to see it through and ask Qiu Bai for answers later.
As the woman in front of him approached with a gentle smile, Zhongli observed her closely. At her current height, she had to tilt her head slightly to meet his gaze. A pleasant fragrance lingered around her, carried by the wind, reaching Zhongli's nose.
She absentmindedly played with a strand of her hair, while behind her, the Statue of the Seven continued to react sporadically—almost as if it were dancing.
Paimon, looking puzzled, floated toward the elegant woman and circled her curiously.
Qiu Bai raised an eyebrow at the little floating companion.
"What's wrong, Paimon?"
"If you keep circling around me, you'll make yourself dizzy," she said softly, her voice laced with warmth, effortlessly pulling Paimon back to reality.
With her hands on her hips, Paimon scrutinized Qiu Bai like a seasoned detective.
"Hmph! Paimon knows why the Statue of the Seven keeps reacting!"
"It's because this beautiful big sister has an especially, especially nice scent!"
Lumine, intrigued, leaned in and took a whiff as well.
"You're right… It does smell really nice."
"No wonder Lord Zhongli likes it," Lumine added with a knowing nod, as if she had just uncovered a great truth.
"In terms of universal reason, that would indeed be the case," Zhongli remarked from behind, his mouth twitching slightly.
His gaze lingered on the stunning woman before him, his expression subtly complicated. For a moment, doubt crept into his mind—was this truly Qiu Bai?
Could it be his sister instead?
No, that was impossible. Zhongli immediately dismissed the thought. But if that was the case… then who exactly was this woman?
"You don't have to think so hard, Zhongli. It's me."
Qiu Bai placed a delicate finger against her lips, her voice light and teasing.
The longer she remained in this form, the more her personality seemed to shift—becoming increasingly feminine.
"I should probably change back soon," she mused internally.
Hearing her words, Zhongli finally confirmed it.
The woman standing before him—the strikingly beautiful one—was indeed his old friend, the Archon of Yin and Yang, Meleager.
"We are preparing for the Rite of Parting. Would you care to join us, my friend?" Zhongli asked, his voice calm as he regarded her with a steady gaze.
...