It took a few days.
The Traveler trio had arrived at the Whispering Woods.
As they walked through the forest, a massive creature suddenly soared overhead, startling countless birds into flight and whipping up fierce winds through the trees.
"What kind of creature is that?!"
Paimon shrank behind Gu Chen in fear.
Lumine gazed gravely in the direction the huge creature had vanished.
Gu Chen pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Let's keep moving. Be careful."
"Mm." Lumine nodded.
The more familiar they became, the more obedient she acted around Gu Chen.
[Lumine]: !! That's the East Wind Dragon, right?!
[Paimon]: Uh... yeah, it is. I remember when we first got to Mondstadt's Whispering Woods, it was just like this!
[Venti]: ...
Mondstadt, Windrise.
Watching the massive figure fly by in the video, Venti rubbed his chin.
He knew he was about to appear in the video himself.
And because of that, Venti was a bit panicked.
He was deeply worried about the Traveler's group.
If things stayed on this track, wouldn't that mean all of Mondstadt... no, all of Teyvat would know he was the Anemo Archon Barbatos?!
And if the plot played out the same, they'd also know he'd gotten slapped by Signora!
Venti nearly choked, his brows furrowing as he stared at the screen, silently praying that Gu Chen's presence would disrupt the plot.
"You're scared?"
Gu Chen's voice made Venti jolt, followed by awkward laughter. "Scared? No way!"
Gu Chen just smiled without replying.
Venti might seem shameless, but that didn't mean he'd be okay with this side of himself exposed to everyone.
Still, given Venti's personality, if it came down to it, his ability to accept things was probably stronger than anyone's!
In short, Gu Chen didn't need to worry about him at all.
"So, spill it—did you end up winning over the Traveler in the end?" Venti asked with a gossipy grin.
Gu Chen paused, then said, "You'll see for yourself."
"Tch!"
Gu Chen's evasion left endless possibilities.
The flames of gossip burned fiercely in Venti's heart.
They weren't close, but when it came to melons, familiarity wasn't required!
...
In the video, the trio passed through the Whispering Woods, and Venti's worst fear came true.
[Hu Tao]: Wait, this guy's actually talking to a dragon?!
[Neuvillette]: This gentleman's identity must be extraordinary.
[Zhongli]: By general rationality, one who can converse with dragons is no ordinary being.
[Rahu Dragon King]: Morax! A millennium of resentment—how shall it be repaid!!
[Kamisato Ayaka]: Does the one upstairs have a grudge against Liyue's Geo Archon? (Curious)
[Rahu Dragon King]: Hmph! Morax is卑鄙无耻, sealing me beneath the earth when I was off guard. Once I break free, Liyue shall run red with rivers of blood!!
[Xingqiu]: Uh...
[Chongyun]: Uh...
[Hu Tao]: Huh? What grudge, what grudge?
[Xiao]: ...
[Cloud Retainer]: He's likely recalling old events upon seeing someone converse with a dragon in the video. The Rahu Dragon King often loses his wits—pay him no mind.
[Rahu Dragon King]: You mere bird, how dare you overstep!!
[Kaedehara Kazuha]: Did everyone notice? After Gu Chen's trio scared off the dragon, that man's expression turned angry, and his departure was incredibly skillful. This fellow's strength shouldn't be underestimated!
[Tartaglia]: Haha! Mondstadt's full of talents too, huh? Mind sharing your name, buddy in the video? I'd love to spar with you!
[Kaeya]: @[Venti] That's you, right?
[Venti]: As expected, the face of the most popular bard is hard to forget after one glance~
[Diluc]: ...
[Kaeya]: Haha, you're hilarious. But I'm curious—how can you communicate with the East Wind Dragon Dvalin?
[Ningguang]: So this is one of Mondstadt's Four Winds Guardians, the East Wind Dragon?
[Jean]: Yes, due to certain... inconvenient matters... well, the video might expose it. If it does, you can all see for yourselves. If not, I'll explain later.
[Hu Tao]: Teasing us? Thumbs down!
In the video.
The trio picked up the Blood-colored Crystal Dvalin had left behind, then headed toward Mondstadt.
The journey was much calmer this time.
Until one person appeared.
Outrider Amber!
"Got it. So you're travelers from afar. And this one?" Amber looked at Paimon.
Without missing a beat, Gu Chen said, "Emergency rations, flying doll, Paimon, mascot, floating thingamajig, latest toy, mystery pet, little fairy, talking enigma—you guess which?"
Lumine froze.
Paimon went slack-jawed.
Amber quickly recovered. "Paimon's the only one that sounds normal?!"
"Congratulations, you got it right! Sadly, no prize~"
Gu Chen chuckled and shook his head, then continued, "This is Paimon, our guide. For our trip to Mondstadt, besides Guide Paimon, we'll mostly be relying on Miss Amber here."
Hearing this, Amber smiled bashfully, then patted her chest. "Leave it to me!"
[Lumine]: Paimon, you have all these nicknames?
[Paimon]: I'm done. Just end it all!
[Mona]: Paimon doesn't look like emergency rations... but is it really edible?
[Paimon]: Paimon me? No comment. Those in the know get it.
[Kamisato Ayaka]: So this is Toma's homeland? The air just reeks of freedom...
[Yae Miko]: Not dissatisfied with Inazuma's current state, are you? (Grin)
[Ayato]: Ayaka wouldn't think that, Palace Priestess. You're overthinking—it's just admiration for a foreign land's different vibe.
[Furina]: Fight! Fight!
[Neuvillette]: Focus on the video. Mondstadt City's already changed in it.
Everyone snapped back.
Sure enough, Mondstadt City in the video had changed.
Dark skies, raging storms.
People fled in terror.
[Lumine]: Memories flooding back.
[Paimon]: This feeling... too familiar!
[Dvalin]: ...
[Paimon]: Whoa, you're in the group too?!
[Dvalin]: What, you don't see me as part of the Extraordinary Group?
[Paimon]: Hehe, no offense—just surprised, that's all. Seeing yourself from another angle, what do you think, Dvalin?
[Dvalin]: Barbatos, a century of torment—how shall it be repaid!
[Rahu Dragon King]: ?
[Jean]: Sigh.
[Venti]: To be fair, the God of Freedom always has his reasons, right?
[Zhongli]: You sure know how to speak fairly.
Talking fairly about yourself, huh?