I decided to give you guys a bonus chapter for reaching 100k views.
Also we're really close to hitting 100 powerstones for another bonus chapter.
.....
"H-Hey? What's this about being only a quarter as strong as a wild boar? Traveler, are you looking down on my combat power?!"
Paimon glared with her big, watery eyes, clenching her tiny fists tight.
Even though Aether was technically praising her, she could still hear the hidden message loud and clear—he wasn't taking Teyvat's Cutest Being seriously at all!
"I'm not."
Aether replied without hesitation.
Not just now—he never had…
"Hmph! I'm telling you, I'm really mad! You know what happens when I get mad! I once, in a fit of rage…"
Paimon erupted like a tiny volcano. Today, the world must know what happens when you anger Paimon!
"You once got so mad that you stayed mad for a whole day? Oh yeah, I remember that."
Aether cut off her spellcasting mid-chant, casually adding a Siberian Titan Dragon crushes a meteor with its bare hands-level finisher, leaving poor Paimon completely disoriented.
"Waaah! Qinghe! Keke! The Traveler's bullying me!"
Paimon whined loudly, looking around for backup.
But Xue Qinghe and Yu Keke just exchanged a glance—an unspoken understanding passing between them—before burying their heads into their food, acting as if they heard and saw absolutely nothing.
"Here, this pastry's not bad."
Aether slid a pastry toward Paimon.
"Aaah—yum! Hehe~"
One bite and half the pastry was gone. Paimon's face lit up like a blooming lily, filled with the bliss of a perfect dessert.
The best way to appease Paimon? Good food. No exceptions, no second servings needed.
Aether had long since discovered this ultimate technique. The moment food appeared, Paimon surrendered—no surprises there.
"Brother Aether, may I ask where you and Paimon are headed next?"
Now that the meal was winding down—with only Paimon and Yu Keke still locked in combat—Xue Qinghe dabbed his lips with a napkin and cautiously asked Aether.
He thought to himself, If only they could stay here a little longer… I could get to know them better. Maybe even become friends.
"Of course we're going to travel the entire continent! I've decided—I'm going to eat every delicious thing this world has to offer!"
Paimon jumped in to answer first.
"Mhm. Now that things here are settled, it's time to see what this land has to offer."
Aether nodded. He was, after all, a traveler—and beyond that, he had faintly grasped a way to break the seal suppressing his power.
This journey had fulfilled Yu Keke's request. And when he formed a contract with the Heavenly Dao by gathering the people's will, the seal placed by Celestia quietly loosened—just a little.
He clenched his hand gently, whispering to himself,
"My strength… it's starting to return. Not much, but…"
"But enough! Hmph, Traveler, since when did you start talking like Zhongli?"
A gentleman waits ten years to avenge a wrong. But for Paimon, three to five minutes is plenty.
Finally getting her chance to strike back, she pounced without mercy.
"…!"
But Xue Qinghe wasn't listening to that. His mind had locked onto Aether's earlier words.
His strength… is returning…
The implication behind those words was… terrifying.
He'd only seen Aether make one move—effortlessly crushing a level 96 Sword Douluo.
And even then, Aether clearly hadn't gone all out. His true limit remained unknown.
From Paimon's stories, he'd picked up subtle clues: Aether might very well be the Wind God himself.
A god, weakened after some great ordeal, descends into the mortal world—and now, he's found a way to restore his divine power…
All the pieces were falling into place!
Xue Qinghe gazed thoughtfully at Aether. He believed he was the first—no, the second—to glimpse Aether's truth.
Why second? Because that being at Aether's side—Paimon—was likely the divine companion she claimed to be.
To travel the world… see every sight… taste every flavor… with someone dear beside you…
How he wished he could join them—but he had no right, no way to make them stay…
"…Your Highness, is there something on my face?"
Aether ignored Paimon, silencing her with another dessert that just arrived, before noticing Xue Qinghe had been staring at him—one second… three seconds… ten…
It was gettingg unsettling.
"Ah! N-No, not at all…"
Xue Qinghe suddenly snapped back to himself, realizing he'd lost his composure. A hint of redness crept up his otherwise calm and handsome face.
"…"
Aether instinctively scooted his chair back a little. Even though he knew this "Xue Qinghe" was actually Qian Renxue in disguise, he was still presenting as a man. That kind of gaze… was definitely a bit much.
"Mmm~ So full…"
Paimon patted her round belly after finishing the last piece of pastry, declaring this the happiest moment of her life.
"Paimon, want some more? I can have them bring another tray."
Xue Qinghe, desperate to change the awkward mood, offered quickly.
"Nope! I'm suuuper full already. Oh—and thanks for the treat, Qinghe!"
Paimon waved her tiny hands, then turned to her partner.
"Keke, want any more?"
"Uhh… n-no, I'm good."
Yu Keke, working on her last piece, blushed furiously under their gaze and whispered her reply.
Oh no, oh no, are they judging me for eating so much?
Am I being greedy? Are they going to think I'm a glutton…?
But they're just so good… I remember when I was little, Dad brought me pastries like this too…
"Ugh…!"
As the memories surfaced, tears spilled from her eyes mid-bite.
"Eh hey? Keke, why are you crying again?"
Paimon quickly grabbed a tissue and wiped the little fox girl's tears, worried.
"Uwah… Paimon… I don't have a dad anymore… and I don't have a home either…"
"Keke, don't cry. You still have me—we're best friends, right?"
Paimon comforted her gently.
"Then… can I travel the continent with you guys?"
"Eh? That's right, Traveler, we were originally supposed to take Keke home, but her dad…"
Paimon trailed off, covering her mouth when she saw Keke tearing up again.
"Paimon, what do you think?"
Aether looked at her seriously. Whether it was Teyvat or this strange world of Douluo, he always sought the opinion of the companion who'd stood by his side from the start.
"Uhh… Keke really is all alone now… but still, we…"
Don't be fooled by Paimon's carefree attitude—she knew very well that she and Aether weren't truly of this world.
What if… one day, they had to leave—and couldn't take Keke with them?
Would Keke be heartbroken?
No—what if Aether found his blood relative and left…?
Then what would she do?
She remembered the promise he once made to her. Her tiny face clouded with worry.
_
Please support my patreon, patreon. com/TravelerDouluo
And get early access to my 30 advance chapters.