At that moment—
Inside the Abyss Order's headquarters.
"What kind of nonsense is this?"
"How am I supposed to play along now?!"
"That Gu Chen—he's literally handing out cheat codes to the entire world!!"
Kong's face was twisted in disbelief.
Damn it all—how could such a person even exist?!
It'd be one thing if Gu Chen were just strong on his own.
But no—he had to go and give everyone else a boost, too!
How was anyone supposed to compete with that?!
Worse still, not a single member of the Abyss Order could cultivate the TaiXuan Scripture.
Not one.
After all, not a single one of them could be called a "good person."
Even Kong was painfully aware of that much.
"Your Highness, what should we do now?"
One of the Abyss Lectors beside him asked tiredly.
It was obvious the man had lost faith. The entire Abyss Order looked doomed.
But what could Kong do?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
He gave a dry laugh.
"No worries. At least the Fatui are suffering too."
Sure enough—
Misery loves company.
If you're in pain alone, that's the worst feeling in the world.
But if someone else is hurting just as much?
Suddenly life doesn't seem so bad.
Thinking this way, Kong instantly felt much better.
Sumeru – Akademiya
Dottore's expression was dark. Beside him, Scaramouche didn't look much better.
"I was hoping to study this strange new power a bit longer…" Dottore muttered, his grin sharp and unsettling.
"This is far more interesting than any Gnosis could ever be…"
His laughter was chilling—cruel and full of fascination.
Scaramouche clenched his fists.
"Damn it all!!"
[Scaramouche]: What do you think the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles is going to do about this? (cold smile)
Dottore paused for a moment before letting out a mocking laugh.
Scaramouche's intelligence was… questionable.
Was it inherited from his creator, Beelzebul?
Thinking that made Dottore's smirk deepen.
People called Childe an idiot with muscles for brains—but honestly, was Scaramouche any better?
If Gu Chen had allowed Morax to spread immortal cultivation, that meant he had already considered the Sustainer's reaction.
Clearly, he wasn't afraid of her in the slightest.
So why should anyone else care?
Dottore narrowed his eyes, glancing in the direction of the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
"If it's her, she might actually be capable of cultivating the TaiXuan Scripture…"
A slow, intrigued grin spread across his face.
"Perhaps I could… invite her to cooperate in my research?"
If he could grasp its principles, maybe he could replicate the process—
just like he'd once replicated the Vision, creating the Delusion.
With that realization, Dottore strode confidently toward the Sanctuary.
[Transcendents' Chat Group]
[Heizou]: Come to think of it, what does our world's Sustainer of Heavenly Principles think about all this? (Paimon – shocked)
[Kaeya]: Even if the Church's leader isn't afraid of her, what if she still picks a fight and ends up dying? Wouldn't that force the Church Leader to "merge with the Dao" again? (Qiqi – fainted)
[Furina]: No way! Gu Chen's that powerful—why would the Sustainer look for trouble herself?! (Venti – surprised)
The group's chat immediately turned anxious.
Everyone was terrified that she might stir up trouble like in the previous world's video.
[Alhaitham]: After watching that video, the Church Leader must've already devised countermeasures. Also, you seem to have forgotten—the reward he received was the World Stabilizer, wasn't it?
[Kaveh]: Right! Just the name sounds like it can keep the world steady. No need for any "merging with the Dao"!
[Itto]: Let's gooo!
[Kaeya]: Then it's settled! Crisis averted! (mischievous grin)
[Furina]: I second that declaration! (nods)
[Hu Tao]: But I'm still curious—what is the Sustainer thinking right now? (Keqing – curious)
[Alhaitham]: Based on the light curtain's position, the Sustainer likely resides at the exact center of Celestia. That gives her the best possible viewing angle—no matter what posture she's in, she can't miss a thing. Psychologically, analyzing her mindset is tricky, but one thing is certain: when the World Stabilizer appeared, her awe must've overridden everything else.
[Xingqiu]: Wow, is this what "big-brain energy" feels like? (Paimon – shocked)
[Alhaitham]: Just basic psychological inference.
[Kaveh]: I suggest imprisonment. (smiles coldly)
[Furina]: Agreed! (nods)
[Sustainer of Heavenly Principles]: His analysis is accurate.
[Kaeya]: …?
[Heizou]: …?
[Ningguang]: …?
[Ganyu]: (Paimon – shocked)
[Nahida]: (Paimon – shocked)
[Furina]: ???
Wait—who?!
The Sustainer?!
She was in the chat?!
That wasn't what shocked them—she'd been lurking before—but she was actually talking this time!
And agreeing with Alhaitham, no less!
[Charlotte]: U-um… may I… conduct a short interview? (nervous)
[Sustainer]: You may.
[Charlotte]: T-thank you! Then… What do you think of immortal cultivation spreading across the world?
[Sustainer]: A good thing.
[Charlotte]: Understood! And what do you think of Gu Chen, the Tai Xuan Church Leader?
[Sustainer]: A good man.
[Vortex God]: Incorrect. You mean—handsome, dashing, elegant, heroic, powerful, magnanimous, and compassionate!
[Kaeya]: Accurate summary.
[Furina]: Correct answer.
[Raiden Ei]: I concur. (nods)
[Gu Chen]: If being handsome were a crime, I'd be serving a life sentence with Childe. Every time I look in the mirror, I'm awed by my own reflection. If I were a woman, I'd fall for myself instantly. (Kaeya – rose emoji)
[Ningguang]: …
[Keqing]: (facepalm)
[Sustainer]: …
[Kaeya]: Church Leader, ever consider not destroying your noble image in public? (grinning)
[Childe]: I'm not worthy to share a cell with you, Master! (Paimon – shocked)
[Gu Chen]: You're young—live for yourself, not for others' opinions.
[Vortex God]: Words of a sage! A single sentence worth a thousand tomes!
[Venti]: My mind—enlightened!
[Dvalin]: Uh oh, I think I just got smarter…
[Azhdaha]: Plot twist: the tumor was me all along! (laughing emoji)
[Charlotte]: @Gu Chen – May I ask one more question, Church Leader? (sparkly eyes)
[Gu Chen]: Ask away~ (Kaeya – flirty emoji)
[Charlotte]: What are your thoughts on the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles? (curious)
Everyone fell silent, eagerly waiting.
If Gu Chen disliked her, would he actually fight her?
They really didn't want to see him merge with the Dao again—too tragic, even if it saved the world.
After a long pause—
[Gu Chen]: Hmm… Her legs are pretty nice.
…What.
Dude. Really?
After all that buildup, that's your answer?!
[Furina]: Case closed. Leg fetish confirmed. Pervert!
[Heizou]: Detective Heizou reporting in!
[Charlotte]: So the Church Leader's official opinion is… "Her legs are nice"? (Paimon – shocked)
[Gu Chen]: Between us… I suspect she might have been certain… improper thoughts about me. (serious)
[Zhongli]: I can testify—that's true.
[Zhongli]: @Venti Don't send random messages on my light screen, sorry everyone.
[Venti]: Huh?!
He was in Mondstadt! How did the old man dump the blame on him from halfway across Teyvat?!
[Sustainer]: …
He's slandering me!!
The great Tai Xuan Church Leader—and you're here spreading rumors?!
Not only was he not maintaining his "majestic" image, he was actually making things worse!
[Hu Tao]: Whole chat's seen it now~ (evil grin)
[Yun Jin]: Really? Really?? (curious)
[Nilou]: Is this turning into a "love-hate relationship between enemies" arc?! (excited)
[Collei]: I'm calling it now—next video, Sustainer as the heroine, Gu Chen as the lead!! (Klee – pleading emoji)
[Sustainer]: …
She was speechless.
Yes, she did admire Gu Chen—for his magnanimity, for saving the world, for giving her the World Stabilizer instead of seeking revenge.
But like him?
Absolutely not!
These people's imaginations were out of control!
That said…
Wait.
…Maybe it wouldn't be so bad?
She froze mid-thought.
Why did she even think that?!
No, no, no. She just hoped she'd never appear in any upcoming videos.
As long as she wasn't cast as the heroine, she could live with being hated instead!
[Tighnari]: So, in summary—there's actually no conflict in the real world, right? The Sustainer supports the spread of immortal cultivation?
[Sustainer]: Yes.
Everyone exhaled in relief.
[Kaeya]: Wonderful! Just wait until I ascend to immortality! (Paimon – heroic pose)
[Paimon]: You sure? Even in the previous world, few Tai Xuan disciples achieved that. (Paimon – doubtful)
[Diluc]: Normal. Two drinks in and he doesn't even remember his own name.
[Furina]: Forward, brothers! Cultivate! (Klee – charge!)
[Neuvillette]: …Have you even finished the introduction chapter yet?
The conversation turned lively.
Even the adepti in Liyue joined in—relieved that Azhdaha could cultivate safely.
The group chat exploded with laughter and chaos, culminating in a debate about whether Vortex God should undergo a "gender modification" for the greater good—
and Gu Chen even wrote a dramatic fake script for it.
The whole group lost it.
Meanwhile, in Gu Chen's pavilion—
Ying was doubled over laughing in his arms, while Guizhong cackled beside her like an elegant goose.
When the laughter finally died down, Ying looked up, eyes shining mischievously.
"So… the Sustainer's legs really are that nice?"
Gu Chen suddenly felt three distinct gazes land on him.
He raised his hands defensively.
"I wouldn't know. Haven't really looked."
"Liar!" Paimon huffed. "I know how you judge a good pair of legs—you touch them!"
"???"
"What?! You actually touched her?!" Ying's eyes went wide in disbelief.
Bro, seriously?
"Don't talk nonsense!" Gu Chen waved his hands frantically. "I'm innocent! I've got my hands full dealing with you three already—where would I find time to flirt with anyone else?"
At that, Ying, Raiden Ei, and Guizhong exchanged knowing looks—then all smiled.
"Paimon," Ying said sweetly, "go to bed. We've got something to… discuss with our husband."
Paimon pouted.
She knew full well what that meant.
Those three gorgeous troublemakers were off to "play with the Emperor" again.
"Well," she muttered, "I've already had good food today. Might as well sleep early and wake up to new fan videos."
Pulling her tiny blanket over herself, she dozed off to the sound of faint, cheerful laughter echoing from down the hall.
People's joys and sorrows are never truly the same.
To Paimon, they were just noisy.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage