On the very day they arrived in Inazuma, Ei personally invited the group into the Tenshukaku to discuss countermeasures against the Antimatter Legion.
At the entrance to the Tenshukaku, Nicole, Billy, Trailblazer, Himeko, March 7th, Ayato, Ayaka, and the others followed Sam Li and Venti inside.
But when it was Itto's turn, he was immediately stopped by Kujou Sara.
Kujou Sara said earnestly, "You should return. This is no place for you."
Hearing that, Itto became visibly displeased.
"What did you just say? Brother Billy, Brother Sam Li, Brother Ayato can all go in, but I can't? Are you looking for a fight? Perfect timing—this lord was planning to challenge you anyway!"
Even as Itto made a loud fuss, Sara dutifully blocked the entrance, refusing to let the rowdy oni troublemaker disrupt the proceedings.
Just then, Yae Miko's voice floated out from within the Tenshukaku.
"Since they're already here, let them come in."
The second he heard her voice, Itto immediately brightened.
"You heard that? Even Miko said I can go in! Out of the way!"
Sara didn't bother responding. Instead, she stepped aside, allowing Itto, Shinobu, Yoimiya, Kazuha, and the others to enter.
...
Inside the Tenshukaku, March 7th, Trailblazer, Himeko, and the others curiously examined the surrounding architecture.
Coming straight from the hyper-modern New Eridu to a city steeped in ancient tradition, their curiosity was instantly piqued.
Though the buildings here were as old as those on the Xianzhou Luofu, the architectural styles were entirely different—completely distinct worlds.
While everyone admired the Tenshukaku's interior, Ei gave Miko a subtle signal. Miko immediately understood and headed to another courtyard to instruct the kitchens to prepare dishes for their guests.
Meanwhile, Ei led Sam Li and Venti into a separate reception hall to discuss the Antimatter Legion and the resurgence of the Cataclysm.
Ei treated this matter with exceptional seriousness.
After Sam Li and Venti sat down, Ei questioned them again about what they had witnessed beyond Origin Star—the size of the Antimatter Legion, their power, their strange nature...
Only once they had repeated everything about the Legion and the Devastator did Ei respond solemnly:
"Do you believe the Antimatter Legion can shatter the False Sky?"
Sam Li fell into deep thought.
"..."
To be honest, he couldn't judge. The False Sky was no ordinary barrier—otherwise, the Antimatter Legion and the Devastator would have broken it long ago.
Venti sighed softly. "Five hundred years ago, they definitely could not have. But now... things aren't so certain."
Five hundred years ago, before the Cataclysm, Heavenly Principles were still present. Though the False Sky had entered a weakening phase, the Principles held firm, keeping the Antimatter Legion's Emanator outside its boundary.
But now...
Heavenly Principles had fallen into dormancy after the events five hundred years ago. Without her holding the line, resisting the Legion and the Devastator would be far more difficult.
However—
Venti abruptly shifted tones, smiling mischievously.
"Still, we will do everything in our power to stop the Legion and the Devastator."
On the surface, the "we" referred to the Seven Nations.
But Sam Li was certain Venti meant the Four Shades—the true sovereigns of Teyvat.
Ei frowned deeply. "Can we truly stop them this time?"
Venti shook his head. "With just us? Absolutely not... But I have already seen a future where we win."
At that moment, Venti's gaze seemed to pierce through time—seeing past, future, Teyvat's entire history, countless possible destinies...
Some in which they won. Some in which they failed.
Until, among those countless futures, she glimpsed an immeasurably vast, eternal [Dragon] silhouette. At that moment, every future shattered—collapsing back into the present.
Venti slowly withdrew his gaze, a faint smile rising on his lips—one that carried the quiet joy of victory.
Seeing this, Ei shook her head helplessly.
"You are as optimistic as ever."
Venti chuckled softly.
Sam Li also fell silent, pondering her words. Though Teyvat's situation was dire, it seemed not without hope.
Soon after, at Venti's suggestion, Mondstadt, Liyue, and Inazuma formed the first alliance to jointly resist external threats.
In a few days, Venti would depart for Sumeru, Fontaine, Natlan, and Snezhnaya—to meet the Lesser Lord Kusanali, the Water Dragon Sovereign, the Pyro Archon-Mavuika, and the elusive Cryo Archon-Tsaritsa, respectively.
...
As the three archons discussed, Yae Miko entered gracefully.
"The meal is prepared. Perhaps you should eat before continuing."
Venti immediately nodded. "Exactly! Even the greatest bard can't sing on an empty stomach. Miko, is there wine?"
Miko smiled. "Of course."
Ei spoke calmly, "There are many guests today. Will the food be enough? If not—"
Before she could finish, Venti quickly cut in.
"No need for you to cook personally. Anything edible is fine."
Sam Li nodded in agreement.
...
That evening, after dining at Tenshukaku, Sam Li, Venti, Nicole, Billy, Trailblazer, Himeko, March 7th, and the others rested in the guest quarters.
The next morning, with Ei, Ayato, Itto, and Yoimiya's help, the train crew began repairing the Astral Express.
Fortunately, although part of the engine had malfunctioned, it wasn't completely destroyed, making repairs far easier. With Ei and Ayato's assistance, they quickly gathered the needed materials.
...
While Sam Li, Venti, and the train crew planned defenses in Inazuma...
At the same time, in another nation of Teyvat—the distant Natlan—
The Traveler and Paimon had already returned from New Eridu. Standing atop a hillside, they prepared to visit their Natlan friends and bid farewell to Mavuika, Kachina, Xilonen, and the others.
They were preparing for their final journey—to Snezhnaya.
Standing on the hillside, overlooking Natlan's lands, Lumine felt a swell of emotion.
"Time flies. More than four years have passed... We've already traveled through six nations..."