The Dragon King's declaration caught everyone off guard.
After all, this was a being whose strength was barely inferior to that of a demon god—
yet he had spoken those words without the slightest hesitation.
Even Zhongli was visibly shaken.
Shenhe, on the other hand, reacted far more calmly. By now, she was already used to being surprised by Idris.
In fact, she felt that no matter how outrageous things became, it would still somehow feel… reasonable.
After all—
For the price of a single life, even kneeling and bowing one's head would hardly be excessive.
Idris chuckled and looked at the Dragon King teasingly.
"Let's not turn this into empty words," he said.
"I'm not interested in what you say. I'll judge you by what you do."
"Then watch closely, Grand Sage," the Dragon King laughed heartily.
"I'll show you."
He didn't take the remark to heart in the slightest.
After all, Idris had just used something unimaginably precious to save his life.
How could he possibly slack off after that?
In truth, the Dragon King could clearly see it now—
Idris's ability to grasp human nature was no weaker than anyone else's.
To him, this kind of method was far more effective than sweet words or rigid rewards and punishments.
With the Dragon King safe, everyone finally relaxed.
Nahida, however, couldn't take her eyes off what Idris had used earlier.
Once things quieted down, she tugged gently on his sleeve and whispered,
"Grand Sage Idris… What was that thing you used just now? It felt really powerful."
Her voice was soft, but the others heard her anyway.
At once, everyone's gaze turned toward Idris.
Realizing they'd all been caught listening, several people coughed awkwardly—it did look a bit like they were eyeing benefits.
Fortunately, Idris didn't mind at all.
He casually took out the Divine Vision Enhancement Essence and said,
"Go ahead, take a look. It's nothing special—just highly refined energy."
He held it out in his palm.
Nahida touched it first, eyes lighting up at the sensation, then passed it to Shenhe.
Shenhe examined it curiously before handing it to Zhongli.
Zhongli accepted it with care—
And in the next instant, the glowing essence vanished.
Idris's pupils shrank.
Zhongli froze.
He stared at his now-empty hand, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him.
But then—he felt it.
A vast surge of power erupting within his body.
Old injuries healed at terrifying speed.
His condition soared back to its peak—
and even showed faint signs of breaking through.
Zhongli's expression changed completely.
"Grand Sage… this…"
He didn't even know how to explain what had happened.
He had only wanted to look—
yet the essence had been absorbed the moment it touched him.
And the strangest part was that no one else had triggered such a reaction.
Idris studied him briefly, then spoke calmly.
"You have hidden damage in your body. That's why the essence was absorbed. Otherwise, it wouldn't have disappeared."
He waved a hand dismissively.
"Don't worry about it. Since it entered your body, I won't take it back. Consider it a gift between friends."
Zhongli fell silent.
As a former Geo Archon, someone who hated owing favors, this situation made him deeply uncomfortable.
Yet—
He was also undeniably grateful.
"Grand Sage… my apologies. I truly didn't expect this outcome."
He bowed his head slightly, sincerity evident in his tone.
Nahida, however, was not pleased.
That item belonged to Idris.
To Sumeru.
Now it had been taken by an outsider.
She pointed straight at Zhongli, unhiding her displeasure.
"Grand Sage, aren't we losing out here? Look at him—he hasn't even properly thanked you!"
Zhongli looked awkward.
As the former Geo Archon, lowering his head like this was already far outside his comfort zone.
Idris understood perfectly.
So he didn't press the issue.
Instead, he told everyone to rest.
As he stepped outside, his voice carried back in:
"Shenhe, come with me. We'll handle the divine framework matter today as well."
Shenhe immediately followed.
Zhongli remained behind, conflicted and uneasy.
He knew he now owed Idris an enormous debt—
one he had no idea how to repay.
On the way, Shenhe stayed silent.
She was nervous.
After all, changing one's divine framework was no trivial matter.
Idris, by contrast, looked completely relaxed.
He had experience with this sort of thing—and had already discussed it thoroughly with Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
As long as Shenhe herself encountered no complications, the risk was minimal.
That said—
Once he accessed her three souls and six spirits, everything about her would be laid bare.
Memories.
Experiences.
Thoughts.
She would stand completely exposed before him.
Idris hadn't mentioned this earlier.
It wasn't something suitable for public discussion.
He didn't care personally—but for Shenhe, it could be difficult.
At the Tree Palace, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was already waiting.
Nahida had gone off somewhere—most likely to find Zhongli and convince him to work for Sumeru.
That task was better suited to her.
Idris stopped and turned to Shenhe, his tone serious.
"There's one more thing I need to tell you."
"When I take control of your three souls and six spirits, everything about you will be visible to me."
"All your memories. All your past. Nothing can be hidden."
"If you're uncomfortable with that… we can stop here. You can take more time to think."
He looked at her steadily.
"Do you accept that?"
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