Gaining a favor from even one member of the Shrek Seven Devils was a boon for "Xue Qinghe."
It would greatly aid her in recruiting them—
Though her true inclination leaned more toward eliminating them in advance!
Qian Renxue was prideful. Though she knew these people would become her enemies, her arrogance forbade her from striking preemptively.
Such an act would be… beneath her intellect.
In the original timeline, she had spared Tang San again and again.
Today, she might let him go once. Tomorrow, she might let him go twice—
Until she nearly became his full-time pardoner.
Qian Renxue: Hey! I'm not some horse-releasing charity!
"Senior Brother, please!"
Whatever "Xue Qinghe" was saying, Ning Rongrong wasn't listening. She tugged at his sleeve, deploying her ultimate weapon—the pout.
This move had never failed against Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, or Gu Rong.
Past mistakes? A little sā jiāo (playful pouting), a dash of mài méng (acting adorably cute), and all was forgiven.
"Xue Qinghe's" forehead twitched. This girl…
"Your Highness need not trouble yourself. Dai Mubai has suffered sufficient punishment. Let this matter rest."
Before "Xue Qinghe" could respond, Zhongli waved a dismissive hand.
The Shrek team brightened instantly. It worked?!
This lord was the Crown Prince's advisor—and clearly deferred to him!
With such backing, "Xue Qinghe's" claim to the throne was unshakable.
Dai Mubai's self-slapping halted. Over just like that?
Overjoyed, he kowtowed twice.
"Thank you, Your Excellency! Thank you!"
Suddenly, Paimon's eyes sparkled as a thought struck her.
Her memory was goldfish-tier—what passed, passed.
But she did recall one thing.
"Your Highness, didn't you have business with Zhongli earlier?"
Rubbing her hands, Paimon's tone oozed anticipation. Normally, "Xue Qinghe" seeking Zhongli out meant good things, right?
It was almost noon—were they being treated to a feast?
Her words jogged "Xue Qinghe's" memory.
Initially, assuming Zhongli lacked spirit power, she'd prepared a limitless credit card—spend freely, her treat.
But Zhongli wasn't just a soul master—he was a colossal powerhouse!
Potentially the Geo Archon himself!
After a contemplative pause, "Xue Qinghe" removed a bracelet-shaped storage soul tool from her wrist.
"Esteemed guest, this humble one's token of regard. Inside are gifts for you and little Paimon."
"Huh? Me too?!"
Paimon gasped, snatching the bracelet.
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
"Of course. 'Qinghe' suffices—'Your Highness' is too distant."
Paimon, immune to polite nuance, nodded eagerly.
"Thanks, Qinghe! It's been ages since I got presents! Last time was back when—"
Before she could finish, Zhongli clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Ahem."
Paimon blinked up at him.
"Zhongli? You okay?"
Her concern was genuine.
In this foreign world, Zhongli was her sole anchor—he couldn't afford to collapse!
"A passing chill."
Zhongli's deadpan delivery didn't even flicker.
A chill? At his level?
The crowd exchanged glances—then understood.
Paimon had nearly spilled secrets, forcing Zhongli to intervene!
Only this clueless fairy remained oblivious, staring blankly.
"If you're sick, we need treatment! Is there a doctor like Baizhu here? Let's find one!"
Her earnestness radiated a beauty untainted by knowledge.
"Unnecessary. My constitution will prevail shortly."
Paimon nodded sagely.
Right—Zhongli was an Archon. A mere cold would vanish by tomorrow.
"Qinghe, free for lunch? My treat."
"Xue Qinghe" froze—then nodded so fast her neck cracked.
Even if busy, she'd cancel empires for this invite!
"I was just heading to dine! Perfect timing!"
"Great! Let's go! Paimon only had sweet tofu pudding for breakfast—she's starving!"
The trio departed without sparing the shell-shocked Shrek team another glance.
"Incredible… absolutely incredible!"
Ma Hongjun trembled with exhilaration.
"That lord dwarfs even Dugu Bo! Both are Titled Douluos—how's the gap this vast?!"
His "whispered" musings drew unanimous nods.
Dugu Bo's pressure was chilling—but Zhongli's radiated imperial majesty.
They didn't realize—this was Zhongli holding back.
"Well said, brat. Compared to Lord Zhongli, this old man is but a firefly to his full moon."
"…?!"
Wait—
"Yet crushing you remains effortless."
"!!!"
Holy—Dugu Bo?!
Zhongli leaves, Dugu Bo appears—was this a cursed rotation?!
Just as panic spiked, Dugu Bo… walked away.
Flender's group stood drenched in cold sweat, tasting post-apocalyptic relief.
*"Hongjun—*measure your words henceforth!"
Meanwhile, Dugu Bo pondered deeply.
How had Zhongli become the Crown Prince's advisor?
Opposing him? Unthinkable.
Their first meeting was seared into his memory:
"Old man, you're poisoned."
"…"
Attempting force, Dugu Bo found himself pinned one-handed—no martial soul invoked.
That day, he learned: he was indeed poisoned.
Zhongli wasn't bluffing—he knew of the serpentine toxin, and worse… had a cure.
Dugu Bo had prostrated on the spot.
After Zhongli purified his and Dugu Yan's toxins, he'd witnessed… that earth-shattering power.
"Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying."
For a Titled Douluo to deem something "terrifying"—it had to be.
"With three favors for Xue Xing fulfilled… for Yan'er's sake, best keep distance henceforth."