Zhongli looked at Paimon and Lumine.
"But I am the God of Contracts. Over the centuries, I have forged countless agreements with my own hands."
"I never make a deal unless it is beneficial."
"The transaction with the Tsaritsa was my final act as the Archon of Geo—a contract that marked the end of all contracts."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"As for what the Tsaritsa placed on the other side of the scale…"
"That is something for you to uncover on your journey ahead."
Zhongli smiled, his golden eyes settling on Lumine and Paimon.
…
"Hah, looks like I'm nowhere near Zhongli's level when it comes to being cryptic," Qiu Bai mused, stroking his chin with a smirk.
"Speaking of which, aren't you two going to check out the Rite of Parting?"
"Even though the star of the ceremony didn't actually die, it would be a shame to miss something that took so long to prepare."
Qiu Bai chuckled as he glanced at Lumine and Paimon.
"You still have the nerve to laugh?" Paimon huffed.
"Oh, right—Qiu Bai, what's the deal with that girl in Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? The one who looks just like Qiu Xue's little sister?"
Lumine and Paimon exchanged puzzled looks. Could Qiu Bai really have three family members running around?
"Well, she is my younger sister," Qiu Bai replied. "Remember my headaches a few days ago?"
"She was my original essence, left behind a thousand years ago. Over time, she developed her own consciousness and separated from my body."
Qiu Bai explained calmly, watching their stunned expressions.
Even Zhongli hadn't expected this revelation. When he first entered Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, he had sensed a god's presence.
But upon meeting Qiu Yue, that assumption faded.
At first, he thought Qiu Bai had simply transformed into Qiu Xue again.
But after careful observation, he realized something was different. Qiu Yue was not a mere transformation—she was a newly born god.
And, oddly enough, she seemed to recognize him.
Recalling that encounter at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—where even Hu Tao was left completely baffled upon learning the truth—Zhongli let out a small cough.
…
"So then, what about Qiu Xue?" Paimon asked. "She looks way too much like Qiu Yue for there to be no connection."
"Haha, that's a long story," Zhongli chuckled, glancing at Qiu Bai with amusement.
…
"Paimon, are you asking about Qiu Xue?"
Qiu Bai smirked slightly. In the blink of an eye, his form shimmered, shifting into that of a woman—Qiu Xue.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, her delicate features exuding an ethereal elegance. Her lips were a soft crimson, and her light blue eyes held a hint of cool detachment. She stood at about 170 centimeters, clad in a flowing black-and-white gown.
Her long black hair was neatly secured by a matching ribbon.
But what stood out the most were her legs—wrapped in sheer white stockings that accentuated their flawless shape.
Her bare feet, enveloped in transparent silk, carried an indescribable allure.
Yet, despite this captivating appearance, there was an unmistakable aura of divinity around her—one that made her feel untouchable, as if she existed beyond the mortal world.
…
Lumine's eyes widened in disbelief, her gaze locked onto Qiu Xue's legs and feet.
"Damn… what kind of man could possibly resist that?" she muttered.
Blushing, Lumine crouched down, her expression dazed as she stared at Qiu Xue's legs with an almost obsessive intensity.
Noticing this, Qiu Xue's face turned red as well. She lowered her gaze, glancing at her own feet.
"…I knew wearing only stockings without shoes would feel strange," she murmured.
With a flicker of divine energy, a pair of elegant shoes materialized, covering her feet.
Lumine, now standing, let out a small sigh of disappointment but still found herself sneaking glances at Qiu Xue's legs.
…
"W-Wait… Qiu Bai and Qiu Xue are the same person?!"
Paimon's jaw nearly hit the floor.
Never in her wildest dreams had she expected this.
Qiu Bai… was Qiu Xue?!
…
"This is the power of the Archon of Yin and Yang."
"I can take the form of either a man or a woman at will."
Qiu Xue smiled softly, her lips parting slightly as she looked at Lumine and Paimon's dumbfounded expressions.
…
"The Archon of Yin and Yang's power?"
"What does that even mean?"
Paimon waved her hands in confusion.
She was still a bit dazed, struggling to process everything.
"The so-called 'authority' is something every god possesses from the moment of their birth."
"And one of my authorities grants me the ability to change genders."
Qiu Xue smiled as she explained to Lumine and Paimon.
"But this authority has a flaw. The longer I remain in a certain form, the more my personality and mannerisms shift to match that gender."
She gently placed her hands on her abdomen, her voice soft and composed.
The combination of her delicate features and sweet voice left Lumine and Paimon momentarily entranced.
…
"I think I like Qiu Xue better," Paimon muttered.
"She's so gentle and refined—unlike Qiu Bai, who's completely unserious all the time."
Resting her chin in her hands, Paimon stared at Qiu Xue's beautiful face, speaking slowly as if in a trance.
Qiu Xue gracefully walked toward her, her long legs moving effortlessly, before reaching down to pat Paimon's head.
"Little Paimon, Qiu Bai and I are the same person."
"If you keep talking behind my back, I might just turn back and spank you."
She smiled gently as she ruffled Paimon's hair.
…
"W-Wait! What do I do?! Paimon doesn't want to get spanked!"
Paimon's face paled as she recalled Qiu Bai's devastating sword strike.
…
"Well then, you'd better run, little Paimon."
Qiu Xue covered her mouth with one hand, her beautiful eyes twinkling with amusement as she watched Paimon panic.
…
"Oh, right! Bye, Sister Qiu Xue! Let's get out of here, Traveler!"
"I really don't want to get spanked by Qiu Bai!"
Paimon turned to Lumine, stomping her feet in distress.
…
"Paimon, you're the one getting spanked," Lumine said, crossing her arms.
"Not me. Why would I need to run?"
She smirked mischievously.
…
Suddenly, Qiu Xue paused.
"System."
"What's the reward for being evenly matched with Childe?"
She touched her chin, realizing she had completely forgotten to check her reward.
…
Ding!
"Congratulations! You have received a pair of stockings condensed from the Law of Yin!"
…
"Pfft—"
Qiu Xue couldn't hold back anymore. Her face instantly flushed red.
…
"Should I even pretend to be surprised at this point?"
"Seriously, System—can you please give me a normal reward for once?"
Despite her complaints, she still glanced at the description of the stockings.
In the system's inventory, she found them—a pair of black stockings.
Just like the white ones she had received before, except this time, the golden patterns were reversed.
…
Ding!
"These stockings, formed from the Law of Yin, nourish the soul!"
The system's voice echoed in her mind.
…
"I see… so the black stockings nourish the soul, while the white ones nourish divine power."
…
Ding!
"Reminder: The two stockings can be merged into one!"
…
Qiu Xue pursed her lips.
Seriously, System? You've actually managed to turn stockings into some kind of divine artifact?
Still, curiosity got the better of her.
"Fine, let's see what happens when they're combined."
With a slight smirk, she pressed the merge button.
…