The golden glow of the setting sun spilled through the ornate windows of Zhongli's residence, casting long, regal shadows across marble and scroll. A cup of untouched tea cooled on a carved table. He sat in a throne-like chair, chin resting on his knuckles, drumming his fingers against the armrest.
He sighed. A slow, ancient sigh.
"Boredom… a mortal disease," he muttered. "Klee, are you there?"
Like a magic trick laced with giggles and sparkles, Klee materialized before him, phasing into existence with a pop! that carried just enough flair to be illegal in at least three realms.
Spectral yet vivid, she floated midair for a moment before planting her boots dramatically on the floor. She looked like a small explosion of red and fluff—pale skin, light red eyes brimming with chaotic innocence, and hair tied in bouncy pigtails that defied gravity with the determination of a firework.
This wasn't the real Klee. This was his Daily Sign-In System. A rather creative, possibly mischievous system that had taken the form of Klee after seeing through his memories.
She sniffled—loudly, dramatically, operatically."Finally, you remembered me, big brother?!" Her voice cracked with a strange cocktail of crying, fury, and joy, like an angry cupcake.
Zhongli winced with guilt.
"I didn't forget," he said, adjusting his sleeve with a touch of embarrassment. "I merely… decided to collect several days of sign-ins at once. For efficiency."
Klee crossed her arms, her spectral cheeks puffing like steamed buns."You forgot. You're bad!" she accused, wagging a tiny gloved finger with all the righteousness of a tiny judge with a bomb in her backpack.
Zhongli exhaled slowly, the way one might before handling a volatile toddler. He reached out and gently patted her head, careful not to disrupt her physics-defying cowlick.
"Now, now. Don't be like that. I promise—I'll talk to you every day from now on. Like clockwork."
Klee stared at him, squinting with the suspicion of someone who'd had too many promises broken and not enough sparkles. But then her face softened into a grin so sweet it could've powered a small city.
"Okay... but I want you play with me too."
"...It'll be done." Zhongli nodded solemnly, as if this were a sacred pact.
He straightened in his seat, his golden eyes gleaming as he shifted focus.
"Now then, let's see what treasures await in the sign-ins…"
Klee clapped her hands, and with a flurry of chimes and confetti-like light, a glowing scroll unfurled midair—each item etched in glimmering characters. One entry even sparkled ominously.
Then she clapped her hands once. LOUDLY. The room buzzed with divine energy.
With the performative flourish of a child announcing her birthday wish list—and the enthusiasm of a mini-nuke—she announced in one breathless squeal:"Lightning Body Blink! Lightning Flash Step! Great Pagoda Art Yin and Yang! Four Gods Constellation Scripture!"
Each name exploded in the air as golden text, spinning before vanishing in a pop of light. Zhongli flinched once—just once.
"Renewal Taekwondo—" she spun like a top, "Jin Mori's full experience pack! Wolgwang Sword Style Experience Card! The Dharma of Self-Transformation Technique!"
Zhongli blinked slowly."Wait—'experience card'? Is that… temporary?" he asked.
Klee ignored him. She was on a roll.
"Grass-Killing Sword Technique! Ea! Enkidu!" she beamed, twirling midair.
Zhongli's brows furrowed."…Aren't those Gilgamesh's?" he murmured, although he had more powerful weapons. It was still an iconic in his previous world. He recognized the first one as Shi Hao from Perfect Worlds technique.
Klee gave him a thumbs-up, unbothered.
"Legal in our system!"
"Of course."
Then, puffing up like a tiny herald of divine chaos, she bellowed:"And three summoning cards! Loki from DxD! Thor from Record of Ragnarok! Poseidon from Record of Ragnarok! Plus one bonus divine sushi coupon!"
Zhongli froze."…Divine what now?"
Zhongli knew Klee liked to watch different shows and movies from his previous world,through his memories.
She wasn't done.
"Also, honorary summoning rights to: Susano'o no Mikoto! And—" she paused, squinting dramatically at the scroll, "...possibly a secret gacha ticket for someone who once wreaked havoc in heaven."
Zhongli slowly pinched the bridge of his nose."Is that a Monkey King reference?"
Klee lit up like a firework stand during a clearance sale."Ding ding ding! Correct!"
She twirled in the air."It's King Zhenyan from Swallowed Stars."
Zhongli found that character very interesting, while Klee only grinned. Wide. Mischievous. Possibly dangerous.
"And that's not even counting the weekly streak bonus! Want me to spin the prize wheel?! It might scream!"
Zhongli leaned back and exhaled slowly, resigned but amused."…Sure, why not. What could possibly go wrong?"
Klee's grin widened."Yay! Just don't blame me if a god falls out of the sky!"
Just then Zhongli sensed Bo Saixi coming with Qian Daoliu, he gestured Klee to be silent.
As Klee disappeared.
As Bo Saixi led Qian Daoliu further inside, the elder's golden eyes swept across the chamber—ornate yet solemn, humming faintly with a power that stirred even his seasoned instincts.
Qian Daoliu paused. His gaze settled on Zhongli, standing with effortless grace.
In that moment, he felt it—an invisible pressure pressing down on him, not hostile, but profound. It wasn't spiritual power in the traditional sense, nor divine intent. It was something older… deeper. Just by standing before this man, Qian Daoliu felt as though the heavens themselves were watching.
For someone who had stood at the peak of the continent for decades, it was a rare sensation—unsettling, yet strangely humbling.
While Zhongli also found Qian Daoliu interesting, Qian Daoliu is clear about right and wrong, he knows that his son Qian Xunji was killed by Bibi Dong, but he also knows that Qian Xunji's method of preventing Bibi Dong from leaving was too dark/shady, so he does not have much hatred for Bibidong.
Qian Daoliu knew Qian Renxue couldn't grow up without a mother, especially since Qian Xunji is dead.
Also the future of the Martial Spirit Hall is more important to Qian Daoliu than his personal hatred, and Bibidong has the talent to reach another level and lead the Spirit Hall further, so he is willing to support Bibidong and support her to become the Pope of the Hall.
Qian Daoliu keeps his promises. He once fought with Tang Chen and made a promise that the Spirit Hall will never set foot on the mountain where the Clear Sky Sect is located, unless he himself could defeat Tang Chen. Even though Tang Chen had been missing for many years, Qian Daoliu still kept his promise. Even when his son was indirectly killed by Tang Hao, Qian Daoliu did not attack the Haotianzong.
Bo Saixi stepped forward, her hand gracefully gesturing toward the figure beside her.
"This is Qian Daoliu," she said, her voice steady. "The ruling elder of the Martial Soul Hall and the guardian of the Angel God's legacy."
Zhongli offered a faint, courteous smile. "I've heard much about you. While Spirit Hall has its flaws, I can still appreciate the work you've done to preserve order."
Qian Daoliu inclined his head slightly, a flicker of satisfaction in his golden eyes.
"Thank you," he replied calmly. There was no trace of resentment in his tone.
He was not so arrogant as to believe Spirit Hall was without flaws—or untouched by corruption. But to be acknowledged by someone like Zhongli? That still held weight.
Both Zhongli and Qian Daoliu starred talking about various topics.
As their conversation deepened, Zhongli spoke with his usual calm eloquence, unveiling concepts that defied conventional understanding—artificial spirit rings, Soul Tattoos that engraved power into the flesh, and Soul Weapons crafted to evolve alongside their wielders. Each idea was layered with ancient insight and visionary design.
Qian Daoliu listened intently at first, his expression stoic. But as Zhongli continued, his composure began to falter, ever so slightly.
He had expected wisdom from this man—yes—but not this level of radical foresight.
Each revelation was like a stone thrown into still waters, disturbing everything he thought he understood about cultivation, soul power, and the divine path.
By the time Zhongli transitioned to discussing structural reforms—like free healthcare for the common folk, standardized soul master education..etc—Qian Daoliu was no longer merely intrigued. He was impressed.
"These ideas…" he murmured, his tone unusually reflective. "They are... revolutionary. These ideas can change thr power structure of Douluo Continent."
Zhongli gave a faint nod, his amber gaze unwavering. "Power is only righteous when it serves all, not just the privileged few."
For a moment, the High Priest of Spirit Hall remained silent. Then, softly, he chuckled. He agreed with Zhongli and wanted to support it. Since he felt Zhongli's presence would change everything and being a part of it, will only make Spirit Hall great.