Qiu Bai stretched lazily as he walked toward the registration official.
"Excuse me."
"Sir, do you have any honorable achievements to share?"
The female official smiled at Qiu Bai as he approached.
"Hmm... let me think."
"There are so many."
Qiu Bai stroked his chin, thinking of his accomplishments: purifying Azhdaha, preventing the war between adepti and demons, fighting with Morax.
The Yin-Yang Immortal, God of Balance, Yin-Yang Archon, Rex Lapis's close friend.
Born of yin and yang energies, naturally existing since creation, one of Teyvat's original gods.
Savior of Azhdaha, reviver of the Five Yaksha, defeated Osial with a single strike.
Planned Liyue with the Geo Archon for decades, slapped the Anemo Archon, shared drinks with Barbatos.
Revived Millelith soldiers, fought with the Fatui Harbinger Childe, Liyue Adeptus, Liyue deity.
Savior of tens of thousands of Liyue citizens, friend to all adepti, consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Purified Liyue's contaminated ley lines, the eighth god of the mortal realm. One of Doctor Apep's strongest fragments, friends with a Fatui Harbinger girl.
"What else is there?"
Qiu Bai murmured with his eyes half-closed.
"Too many..."
"What do you mean?"
The official asked with confusion.
Could it be that this handsome yet seemingly frail scholar had too many achievements to list?
"Indeed, he has many..."
"He probably couldn't finish listing them all right now."
Paimon said with her arms crossed.
"Hehe, how about 'Lumine's good friend'?"
"And also 'consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.'"
Qiu Bai smiled at the official.
"The hero's friend?"
"I didn't realize you were friends with the Traveler."
The official said with a smile.
"Knowing the Traveler has been my honor."
"I'm truly fortunate."
Qiu Bai replied politely.
"This guy really has the nerve..."
Paimon muttered disapprovingly.
"Yes, and consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"But I thought the consultants there weren't skilled in combat?"
The official asked, puzzled.
From what she knew, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was an organization that handled funerals. The consultant Mr. Zhongli and now Mr. Qiu Bai were both known to be scholarly rather than combative.
"Wangsheng consultant... are you Mr. Qiu Bai?"
The official thought for a moment. She had met Zhongli before but not this Mr. Qiu Bai.
"That's right."
Qiu Bai nodded with a smile.
"Are you certain you want to participate?"
"Can a scholarly person like yourself defeat those martial artists?"
The official asked with concern.
This man was known throughout Liyue Harbor for his extensive knowledge. If anything happened to him during the competition, it would be troublesome.
"He's super, super strong!"
"At the very least, he could beat the Traveler."
Paimon explained with her hands on her hips.
"So I'm the measuring unit for strength now."
Lumine crossed her arms, giving Paimon a disapproving look.
"P-Paimon is telling the truth."
Paimon scratched her head nervously under Lumine's stare.
"Is that so?"
"I wouldn't have expected Mr. Qiu Bai to be so powerful."
The official replied with surprise.
She truly hadn't imagined that the seemingly fragile Qiu Bai could defeat the great hero.
"Yes, he was also invited by Beidou."
"Just like us."
Paimon explained, spreading her hands.
"I see."
"Then Mr. Qiu Bai, please join the hero in the waiting area."
The official smiled at the three.
If the Captain had invited him, there was no need for doubt.
"He can beat the hero?"
"Look at him, he seems so frail."
"Do you think he's just boasting?"
The surrounding participants began whispering, seemingly skeptical about Qiu Bai martial prowess.
"Hehe..."
"Let's go."
Qiu Bai crossed his arms and smiled slightly upon hearing the evaluations. Then he turned to Lumine and Paimon with a smile.
"Yes, let's go wait over there."
"Looks like the preliminaries are about to begin."
Paimon put her hands on her hips, looking at the participants who were preparing. Some were bulging with muscles, others polishing their swords.
"Oh right, you!"
"If you face the Traveler, you must let her win!"
Paimon seemed to remember something and turned to Qiu Bai.
"I understand, little Paimon."
"That's the third time you've asked me, and I definitely will."
Qiu Bai patted Paimon head with a smile.
After that, the three walked to the edge of the arena.
They sat on a rock, quietly waiting for the preliminaries to begin.
"The preliminaries begin!"
"Will Chaiyi and Qiu Bai please come to the arena!"
A large man shouted from a distance, striking a huge drum twice with his stick.
"I didn't expect to be first."
"I'll go then, though I didn't expect to face that Chaiyi."
Qiu Bai chuckled, waved to Lumine and Paimon, then slowly walked forward.
Hearing the announcement, the crowd gathered around to watch. Qiu Bai stretched lazily and walked slowly to the combat platform. With his hands behind his back, he faced Chaiyi.
The warm sea breeze blew through Qiu Bai clothes, complementing his extraordinarily handsome face as he slowly closed his eyes. Opposite him stood Chaiyi, poised and ready.
"Is that Mr. Qiu Bai, the one who can defeat the hero?"
"He looks so fragile."
A casual onlooker approached and commented to a woman beside him.
"He's so handsome..."
The woman beside him, eyes filled with admiration, stared at Qiu Bai adoringly.
"Want some flatbread?!"
"Don't you dare criticize my brother."
The woman angrily said to the bystander.
She then turned and walked away, still gazing adoringly at Qiu Bai.
"Sorry, I'm just a bystander."
"I..."
Before the man could finish, the woman had already left.
He sighed and also looked toward Qiu Bai. Was attractiveness really everything?
"Master..."
"I will defeat you with my strongest redirecting technique."
Chaiyi bowed respectfully to Qiu Bai.
"Come, Chaiyi."
"Show me your strength."
Qiu Bai slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calmly fixed on Chaiyi. He extended one hand toward Chaiyi.
"Here I come, Master Qiu Bai!"
"Finally, I can use what I've learned from my teacher all these years!"
Chaiyi shouted and charged toward Qiu Bai.
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Read 20 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)