Chapter 13 Constellation
The conversation with Hu Tao was very pleasant, and enjoyable times always pass quickly. As time flowed on, the sun reached its zenith, and the little white cat that had been enjoying the sunshine outside the door also retreated into the shade under the eaves.
The attendants began to return to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor one after another. Seeing Wang Daoyi and Hu Tao chatting, they simply thought they were visiting clients and did not disturb them, orderly continuing their work.
Wang Daoyi, on the other hand, was somewhat curious as he watched these busy attendants, quite interested in the work of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
After a while, an attendant came to remind them that the meal in the kitchen was ready and asked if the hall master could start the meal.
Wang Daoyi and Hu Tao paused their conversation. Hu Tao nodded and instructed everyone to stop working; it was time for the meal.
Footsteps could be heard behind them, and Wang Daoyi turned around to find a handsome young man stepping into the Mortuary Hall. It was none other than Zhongli.
"Wow, you really came back right at mealtime!" Wang Daoyi marveled at Zhongli's precise timing, truly astonishing.
"Zhongli, did you greet any clients today?" Seeing Zhongli returning right at mealtime, Hu Tao asked in a huff.
Zhongli didn't seem to feel anything, still wearing his calm expression, apparently completely oblivious to Hu Tao's displeasure.
"Rest assured, Hall Master, I went to the flower and bird market today and had a pleasant conversation with the shop owner there. Look at this hwamei, it's a gift from the shop owner to me. Give me some more time, and I'm sure I can promote the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's set meals." Zhongli raised his hand, showing Hu Tao the hwamei bird he had brought back, earnestly assuring that he would promote the set meals next time.
Watching Zhongli's earnest expression, Hu Tao's momentum waned, waving his hand weakly. "Forget it, let's go eat. Brother Daoyi, come and taste the food of the Mortuary Hall together. Although it's not as good as Xiangling's cooking, it still has its own flavor."
Zhongli seemed to notice Wang Daoyi only then.
"So it's Wang Xiaoyou. Are you here to reclaim the Dragon's Tooth Cup?"
Wang Daoyi shook his head.
"It's not for the Dragon's Tooth Cup; I have something else to ask Mr. Zhongli."
"In that case, let's talk after the meal."
It must be said that the food of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was indeed unique. While the dishes of Wanmin Restaurant were mostly spicy and flavorful, the dishes of the Mortuary Hall were much lighter, mostly vegetarian, but with a fragrant taste. After eating, there was a comfortable feeling as if a cool breeze had passed by.
Even though his appetite had been spoiled by Xiangling recently, Wang Daoyi still enjoyed the meal.
After a satisfying meal, Zhongli took Wang Daoyi to a courtyard behind the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"What questions do you have, young friend? Feel free to tell me, and I will definitely answer."
Zhongli still had that indifferent expression, as if he already knew what Wang Daoyi wanted to ask.
Seeing Zhongli's indifferent expression, Wang Daoyi didn't know how to start for a moment.
"Do I have to directly ask if Zhongli knows whether I am a other worldly traveler?"
The more Wang Daoyi wanted to inquire, the harder it was to speak. His brows furrowed with worry.
Seeing Wang Daoyi struggling, Zhongli didn't urge him. Instead, he brewed a pot of hot tea, poured a cup for Wang Daoyi, and then quietly sipped his own.
After much thought, Wang Daoyi still couldn't think of any tactful way to get Zhongli to answer his questions.
"Well, since there's no other way, let's just be straightforward with Zhongli and ask if he knows whether I am a traveler from another world or a native of Teyvat."
Having made up his mind, Wang Daoyi let out a long breath.
"Mr. Zhongli, do you know what it means to be a person who crosses the sea of stars?"
Zhongli's action of drinking tea paused, looking up at Wang Daoyi, then slowly spoke, "A person who crosses the sea of stars, young friend, your knowledge is indeed broad. I originally thought you would always conceal this secret!"
Wang Daoyi breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that he had guessed correctly; Zhongli did indeed realize that he was a traveler from another world.
"Has Mr. Zhongli realized that I am not a person of this world?"
Zhongli shook his head, not directly answering Wang Daoyi's question.
"Only the custodian of the Irminsul, the current Dendro Archon - Lesser Lord Kusanali, can directly inquire whether someone is a traveler."
"I didn't realize that you are a person who crossed the sea of stars, but your soul aura is incompatible with your body. I originally thought you were an God who had fallen during the Archon War, but I didn't expect you to be a person who crossed the sea of stars."
Zhongli changed his previously indifferent expression, showing the first expression of interest on his face.
"Oh no, misunderstanding! Did I just expose myself? Is it because it's the Dendro Archon's authority to inquire about travelers?!"
"But it's fortunate that I just addressed him as Mr. Zhongli, not addressing him as the emperor. I only exposed my identity as a traveler, so it's half a loss!"
Wang Daoyi's heart was in turmoil. Originally, he thought Zhongli had realized his identity as a traveler, but Zhongli's thoughts were completely different from what he had guessed.
"Your physical body is that of a person from Teyvat, but your soul has crossed the sea of stars. It's truly astonishing." Zhongli looked at Wang Daoyi, seemingly recalling something. "Do you know what the greatest characteristic of a person from Teyvat is?"
Wang Daoyi shook his head, indicating that he didn't know.
"It's the Constellation, every person from Teyvat has their own corresponding Constellation."
Saying this, Zhongli became even more interested. Even in his thousands of years of experience, he had never encountered such a type of traveler with a soul nature like this.
"Do you want to see if you have your own Constellation in the sky of Teyvat?"
"Constellation?"
As a novice with only Level 8 experience, of course, he knew what the is a Constellation was. According to some explanations from the previous world, the sky of Teyvat was fake, and the Constellation was the manifestation of fate belonging to each person in this fake sky.
Like Mona, who used water divination to reflect the stars and fortune of each individual.
Wang Daoyi nodded, "Does Mr. Zhongli have a way to let me see my Constellation? Do I need to cooperate with anything?"
Seeing Wang Daoyi nod, Zhongli smiled. This was the first time Wang Daoyi had seen Zhongli smile today. It must be said that this guy was indeed charming.
"Please relax and sit down. Close your eyes and relax your whole body."
Wang Daoyi obediently sat down and closed his eyes, trying to empty his mind and relax his body completely.
Seeing this, Zhongli did not do anything. Instead, he waited until Wang Daoyi completely relaxed his whole body before extending a finger and pointing it at the center of Wang Daoyi's brow.
At this moment, Wang Daoyi had entered a state of trance, self-hypnotizing himself to gradually calm his mind, gradually letting go of all external disturbances.
Setting aside the chirping of cicadas in the summer,
Setting aside the awkward emotions caused by the embarrassing secret of being a traveler that he just revealed,
Setting aside the burden that had been weighing on his heart since he crossed over,
No thoughts, no worries, no restraints, no bounds.
Immersed in a trance, Wang Daoyi did not notice Zhongli's finger pointing at his brow, nor did he notice that the bright indoor light had dimmed slightly, with the light converging on Zhongli's fingertip.
Meanwhile, in the outside world, although it was broad daylight, there seemed to be stars faintly twinkling in the sky, causing people to exclaim at the sight of stars appearing in day.
Boom!
A thunderous roar echoed in Wang Daoyi's mind. In an instant, a sensation of pulling came over him, and he felt as if he were in a space devoid of time.
It was a boundless dark space, with one star cluster after another, countless stars emitting faint light, yet still unable to illuminate this space. Wang Daoyi felt as if he were standing in the vast universe, appearing extremely tiny.
The pulling sensation came again, and Wang Daoyi was transported through one star cluster after another. He found that these star clusters had different shapes; some looked like rabbits, some like butterflies, and even weapons and humanoid figures. They were all peculiar and varied, some similar but none exactly the same.
Some star clusters shone brightly, as if emitting endless light and heat, while others were dim and lightless, like elderly people in their twilight years, devoid of any vitality.
Is this the sky of Teyvat?
"In this sky, every person has their own Constellation."
The indifferent voice of Zhongli echoed in Wang Daoyi's ears.
"Now, follow the guidance of your heart and find your own Constellation!"
"Follow the guidance of my heart?"
Wang Daoyi felt the guidance of his inner self, looking up to one side where a star cluster, originally dim, became increasingly radiant as he approached.
Approaching a little closer, Wang Daoyi could already see this star cluster clearly. It was a very three-dimensional nebula, with several stars connected together, outlining the shape of a book.
Is this my Constellation?
For the first time, the virtual interface of the golden finger actively appeared in front of Wang Daoyi's eyes.
(End of this chapter)