In traditional Liyue opera, recurring themes often center around the Adepti or tales of the Geo Archon himself. Stories like The Divine Damsel of Devastation are prime examples.
The people of Liyue have always held the Adepti in reverent admiration, enjoying plays that portray their joys and sorrows upon the stage. Hence, such tales make up the majority of Liyue's theatrical tradition.
During her childhood, those stories could still stir Yun Jin's heart. Yet after performing countless plays about immortal legends, her thoughts began to change.
Why not try something different? she wondered. For instance, to tell stories about the people themselves? To portray the warmth and sorrows of mortal life—to sing of human love, hate, joy, and grief. Though such tales might not fit the mainstream of Liyue opera, Yun Jin believed they too could endure for generations.
After all, Yun Jin herself was not an Adeptus, and could not truly grasp their divine emotions—but she understood human feeling better than anyone.
"Then!"
"I shall sing the stories of humankind!"
"With my pen and my voice, I will express the hearts of the people."
It was a dream she had never confessed to anyone before. If only she could weave her own thoughts into her lyrics and share them with the people—to bring them strength—that would mean everything to her.
Now, with the [Voice-to-Projection Machine] and her own voice, she could finally depict humanity's stories in vivid form! Her heart pounded with excitement.
Looking at Luya, she asked eagerly, "How do I use this [Voice-to-Projection Machine]?!"
Luya lightly tugged on her sleeve, motioning for her to step closer. Yun Jin leaned in beside him, gently holding his arm. At that moment, Luya held out a Spell Card—[Spatial Teleportation]. A blue light flashed, and in an instant, Luya and Yun Jin were both transported onto the grand stage.
The surrounding guests were astonished to see them suddenly appear.
"Whoa!!"
"Was that teleportation?!"
"Could the shopkeeper be an Adeptus too?!"
"Amazing!!!"
"Though wait, isn't Miss Yun supposed to be the performer? What's the shopkeeper doing up there?"
"Let's see~ maybe he knows how to act too."
The audience watched in rapt curiosity. Zhongli, ever a fan of opera, immediately took the closest seat to the stage, sipping his jasmine tea in quiet enjoyment. Hu Tao, Xingqiu, and Chongyun soon joined him.
When Hu Tao noticed Yun Jin on stage, still clinging to Luya's arm, her expression soured at once.
Yun Jin herself was stunned to find she had suddenly appeared onstage, her beautiful eyes wide with disbelief.
"Shopkeeper... you can use immortal arts?!"
Luya chuckled. "No, no—I'm just demonstrating the [Voice-to-Projection Machine]."
He had already granted himself usage rights and began the demonstration immediately:
"Last time, we spoke of this… at that time, Liyue..."
As he narrated, the [Voice-to-Projection Machine] emitted a soft glow. In an instant, the Liyue of millennia past appeared upon the stage! Flames of war blazed across the land, ruins stretching as far as the eye could see. People displaced and destitute... the stage was shrouded in desolation.
The sudden projection of ancient Liyue left the audience utterly astonished.
"Whoa!!"
"Incredible!!!"
"So this is Liyue during the Archon War thousands of years ago?!"
"I've heard storytellers mention it before, but I never imagined it was so tragic!"
"How desolate... so different from the prosperity we see today."
"All thanks to the Geo Archon and the Adepti for restoring this land!"
...
With each of Luya's words, the [Voice-to-Projection Machine] instantly rendered vivid scenes of Liyue during the Archon War. The audience was enthralled, unable to look away.
Even Yun Jin herself was amazed… was this where she would perform in the future? Her excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead were beyond description.
Yet, the demonstration wasn't over.
"In the sea, a great demon stirred; in the mountains, wicked dragons lurked."
Suddenly—Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex, appeared. The sea roared as dark clouds churned overhead. A colossal whirlpool formed, and Osial's silhouette flickered within.
With a thunderous roar, a tidal wave surged forth, threatening to swallow the world. At the heart of the waves, Osial's massive blue form took shape—its eight dragon heads thrashing violently, radiating a terrifying power. This was the great demon of the seas.
At the same time, a monstrous Chi beast emerged from the mountains, corresponding to the line—"In the mountains, wicked dragons lurked."
The sight of these dreadful beings sent waves of panic through the audience.
"To think... the Geo Archon battled such horrors thousands of years ago!"
"The Lord of Geo is truly mighty!"
"Unbelievable... the Archon is incredible!"
"We all know the story, but seeing it like this, with these images, feels completely different!"
"Thank you, Geo Archon, for granting us the peace we enjoy today."
As the praise filled the theater, Zhongli remained calm, quietly sipping his jasmine tea. After thousands of years of hearing such words, they no longer stirred him.
Luya paused, then smiled subtly toward Zhongli, continuing the narration:
"The Geo Archon gathered the Adepti to restore light to heaven and earth."
At that moment, a tall figure appeared onstage—cloaked in white, lined with golden thread, his face shadowed beneath a hood. Then, the man transformed—into a dragon, identical to Morax's form from the Rite of Parting. Numerous Adepti appeared beside him: Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, Cloud Retainer, and the vigilant Yaksha, Xiao.
"Just now... that human form of the Archon..."
"Why does it look so familiar?!"
Hu Tao frowned thoughtfully. Xingqiu nodded immediately.
"I feel the same. I've seen him somewhere before!"
Chongyun pondered for a moment, then nodded as well. "I think I've seen him too..."
The three of them slowly turned to look at Zhongli… who simply continued sipping his tea in silence.
"..."
...
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