Dvalin had been subdued, but what to do with him next left everyone at a loss.
After all, no one present had any experience raising a dragon.
"Maybe… Venti—no, Lord Barbatos—you should take care of Dvalin. After all, he is your familiar."
Jean turned to Venti as she spoke.
"Hey, no need to call me the Anemo Archon—just call me Venti!"
Venti waved his hand casually, signaling Jean not to worry about titles.
Then he reached out toward the little Dvalin.
"Come on, old friend. From now on, I'll be your guardian."
The baby dragon lying on Cao Zhong's head lazily opened one eye and glanced at Venti.
"Ah—woof—"
A small burst of dragon breath shot out, instantly turning Venti charcoal-black.
Then the baby dragon happily curled back up on Cao Zhong's head, rubbing against him comfortably.
Cao Zhong finally couldn't take it anymore.
He grabbed the little dragon and lifted it into the air.
"How about this—he follows me from now on!"
The baby dragon, who had been slightly displeased, immediately perked up.
Even though it was just a dragon, it could clearly tell that among this group—
Cao Zhong was the most popular.
Especially among the women.
Thinking about that, the little dragon suddenly felt hopeful about the future.
At least it wouldn't end up starving every few days like when it followed Venti.
It affectionately nuzzled Cao Zhong's face.
Seeing that Dvalin didn't resist, Cao Zhong took out a red-and-white sphere.
This was another reward from his idle system.
"What is that…?"
Everyone looked at the sphere in surprise.
No one present was ordinary—they could immediately tell it was something special.
"It seems to contain a small world… somewhat similar to the Adepti's sub-space techniques in Liyue."
Venti examined it with interest.
Even a laid-back Archon still had sharp insight.
The baby dragon's eyes lit up as well.
The sphere contained rich elemental energy—very attractive to it.
"Go in, Dvalin!"
Cao Zhong tossed the sphere toward him. A flash of red light appeared, and Dvalin was absorbed inside.
Seeing such a familiar scene, Cao Zhong couldn't help but shout:
"I've captured Dvalin!"
A breeze passed by.
The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
Everyone stared at him like he had lost his mind.
Jean and the others facepalmed.
What even is this guy… how did we end up liking someone like this?
Venti walked over and patted Cao Zhong's shoulder.
"Brother… can you stop using those lame jokes from your world?"
Then he left.
Kaeya came next, also patting his shoulder.
"How is that any different from embarrassing yourself in public?"
Then he left too.
Bennett walked over.
"I suggest you don't speak… I might not be able to hold back otherwise."
Cao Zhong froze.
Bennett scratched his head.
"I mean… my toes are curling so hard from embarrassment, I could dig out an entire apartment…"
Then he ran off.
"You guys are too much! No childhood at all! Clearly you were raised properly from the start!"
Venti and the others didn't understand the reference, but they burst into loud laughter anyway.
Meanwhile, Jean had already returned to work.
Casualty reports, property damage, reconstruction plans—
Everything required her personal attention.
As she read through the reports, her worries gradually eased.
Although Dvalin's attack had caused massive damage to Mondstadt,
thanks to the Knights of Favonius' efforts—and Cao Zhong stepping in at the critical moment—
there were no large-scale casualties.
For Mondstadt, that alone was worth celebrating.
Houses could be rebuilt.
Crops could be replanted.
But lives, once lost, could never return.
Thankfully… Cao Zhong was there.
Thinking of him, Jean felt a quiet sense of pride.
[Jean]: @Cao Zhong Thank you… truly. Without you, Mondstadt might not have survived.
[Cao Zhong]: I told you—once I make a move, that's already the limit of this world. Back then, I stood with my hands in my pockets, knowing no equal!
[Hu Tao]: So arrogant!
[Nilou]: He's so arrogant… I like it!
[Kaeya]: Damn it, he really pulled it off!
[Venti]: @Jean Why didn't you tag me? Didn't I help too? Cao Zhong and I were unstoppable together!
[Jean]: ?
[Barbara]: LOL!
[Jean]: @Venti I was trying to spare you some dignity. Since you don't want it, I'll take it away for you.
[Venti]: Wait, I was wrong!
[Cao Zhong]: Haha!
[Arataki Itto]: Gotta say, Cao bro is this strong and still low-key? If it were me, I'd already be beating up that tengu!
[Kujou Sara]: ???
[Kujou Sara]: Issue the order—three-day crackdown across Inazuma. Primary targets: members of the Arataki Gang.
[Arataki Itto]: @Kujou Sara That's cheating! Totally unfair!!!
[Kuki Shinobu]: Boss… maybe say less…
[Xingqiu]: Even though Itto lacks… intellect, he's not wrong. Cao Zhong used to be too low-key. Now he's suddenly this strong—it's hard to adjust.
[Lumine]: Exactly! I've never seen him train. Suddenly he's this powerful… I'm starting to think he's cheating!
[Cao Zhong]: Slander! That's slander! She's slandering me! I want a lawyer! I want Yanfei! I want Yanfei!
[Hu Tao]: Uh… you're reacting this strongly… did you actually cheat?
[Cao Zhong]: What kind of logic is that?! If it wasn't turned off—does that mean it was on?!