On Mondstadt Bridge, the wind carried a faint chill.
The livestream screen slowly faded out.
Venti put away the violet goggles.
He looked toward Windrise in the distance, his usual light smile resting on his lips.
"The children of the City of Freedom always have such vivid imaginations."
"But what about adults?" Paimon had finally recovered from the shock of the Ruin Guard. "Do adults… still dream?"
She stroked her chin thoughtfully.
"Come to think of it, that 'True Dream' Detector didn't seem to work on adults."
"Let's go check the tavern!" A lightbulb lit up over her head again. "Let's see Master Diluc and Kaeya! They definitely don't have imaginary friends!"
"Ehe." Venti neither confirmed nor denied.
The screen went completely dark.
In its final second, the image froze on the familiar wooden sign of Angel's Share.
Act One ended.
After a brief calm, Teyvat descended into new commotion.
The [Chatroom] function became part of everyday life.
Liyue, Yujing Terrace.
Keqing set down her documents and rubbed her sore wrist.
Work was finally, temporarily, finished.
[Private Chat – Keqing to Ganyu]: "Ganyu, I'm done. Meet at the usual place."
[Private Chat – Ganyu]: "Yes, Lady Keqing! I—I'll be there shortly!"
Public Channel.
[Chatroom – Tartaglia]: "Pfft… 'The area ahead is highly dangerous, we'd better come back later'? Hahaha! That little one's line killed me. Classic."
Chatroom – Paimon: "Hey! That's MY line! Don't laugh!"
Liyue Harbor, Third-Round Knockout.
Storyteller Tian Tiezui was recounting "The Geo Archon's Battle Against Osial."
Zhongli sat alone, sipping tea as he listened.
On the screen before him flickered Tartaglia's teasing message.
He shook his head slightly and set down his teacup.
"Tian Tiezui. The bill."
"Right away! Mr. Zhongli, that'll be thirty thousand Mora!"
Zhongli rose calmly and walked to the counter, signing the ledger with composed elegance.
"Charge it to the Northland Bank."
"..."
The storyteller and the shopkeeper fell silent.
Zhongli, however, remained unperturbed and strode away.
[Private Chat – Zhongli to Tartaglia]: "I am on my way. Xinyue Kiosk."
[Private Chat – Tartaglia]: "…Understood, Mr. Zhongli. Did you… purchase something again?"
[Private Chat – Zhongli]: "Merely some tea. Nothing of consequence."
—
Yujing Terrace.
Ganyu was about to close the interface when a system notification caught her eye.
[System Notification: "Zhongli" location updated: Third-Round Knockout → Feiyun Slope (in transit)…]
Her hand paused.
"…? Mr. Zhongli… why is he heading toward the Northland Bank again…"
—
Snezhnaya, Zapolyarny Palace.
"La Signora" Rosalyne stared at the newly generated expense statement, veins bulging at her temple.
[Private Chat – La Signora to Tartaglia]: "Tartaglia! Are you using the Fatui's public funds to support that mysterious Liyue man again?!"
[Private Chat – Tartaglia]: "Oh, don't be so stingy, Signora. Mr. Zhongli is a true scholar. A little 'investment' is worthwhile."
Tartaglia closed the chat.
He glanced at the public channel. The golden-haired Traveler had just posted a quiet "...".
He smiled.
[Chatroom – Tartaglia]: "@Lumine. Traveler, you've arrived in Liyue Harbor, haven't you?"
[Chatroom – Tartaglia]: "Since you're here, my treat. Tonight—Xinyue Kiosk. Let's share a meal."
The invitation was public.
All of Teyvat saw it.
Chatroom – Paimon: "Hey! Tartaglia! You Fatui! You're definitely up to no good! We're not going!"
[Chatroom – Kaeya]: "Oh? A Fatui Harbinger treating the Traveler? How interesting."
[Chatroom – Diluc]: "…Hmph. Birds of a feather."
Chatroom – Paimon: "Eh?! Traveler! Wh-Why did you agree?! He's a bad guy!"
Chatroom – Lumine: "He's paying."
At that moment, a new avatar lit up.
[Chatroom – Hu Tao]: "Yo! Dinner time? Oh my, how boring! How about… some after-dinner dessert?"
[Chatroom – Hu Tao]: "Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, grand promotion! 77th anniversary celebration!"
[Chatroom – Hu Tao]: "Reserve now! Second guest half-price! Buy one, get one free—plus a complimentary Wangsheng souvenir! @Everyone"
The chatroom fell silent.
[Chatroom – Bennett]: "…Um… does Wangsheng Funeral Parlor handle rescue operations? I… I'm trapped in the Thousand Winds Temple ruins again… help…"
[Chatroom – Hu Tao]: "Oh my! @Bennett, young man! Don't worry! Wangsheng now offers full-package services! Just lie down and wait—we'll arrange everything perfectly!"
[Chatroom – Bennett]: "…?!! No! I can still be saved!"
[System]: "@Hu Tao. Due to harassment and malicious marketing, muted for one hour."
[Chatroom – Hu Tao]: "…(You have been muted)"
[Chatroom – Jean]: "…Is Liyue's… commercial culture always this… distinctive?"
[Chatroom – Ningguang]: "Ahem. @Jean. Director Hu is an individual case. Liyue Harbor's commerce is fundamentally built upon 'contracts.' Please do not misunderstand."
[Chatroom – Hu Tao]: "…(You have been muted) (stomping furiously)"
—
Liyue Harbor, Feiyun Slope.
Lumine closed the interface and sighed.
"Paimon, stop fussing. We need to find Xinyue Kiosk first."
"Hmph!" Paimon floated grumpily. "I'm not hungry! I'm not eating a Fatui's meal!"
"Grrrrr—"
Her stomach growled loudly.
Lumine: "..."
Paimon's face flushed red.
"Th-That was just… my stomach is changing air!"
Lumine shook her head and looked around.
Tall buildings, bustling merchants, the scent of sea salt and spices lingering in the air.
"…Where are we?"
They were lost—standing beneath the massive sign of Bubu Pharmacy.
"Excuse me… do you need help?"
A gentle voice came from behind.
Lumine turned.
A girl with long blue-purple hair and small horn-like adornments gazed at them with concern.
Ganyu.
"Ah! You're…" Paimon recognized the chat avatar.
"I am Ganyu, secretary of the Yuehai Pavilion." Ganyu bowed slightly. "You must be the Traveler from Mondstadt—Lumine—and Paimon?"
"How did you know?!" Paimon gasped.
"...I—I saw in the chatroom that you were nearby…" Ganyu's gaze drifted shyly. "I'm on my way to meet Lady Keqing… at Xinyue Kiosk."
"That's perfect!" Paimon zipped over. "We're lost! Please take us there! Paimon's… about to starve!"
"Of course. Please follow me."
Ganyu led the way, her steps light.
"You've arrived at a fitting time," she said softly. "Liyue's annual Rite of Descension… will begin soon."
"Rite of Descension?"
"Yes. It is the ceremony to welcome the Geo Archon, to receive his divine guidance…"
As they spoke, a magnificent building rose before them.
Crimson pillars. Golden glazed tiles.
Xinyue Kiosk.
Paimon tilted her head back, mouth agape.
"W-Wow… is this a palace?!"
A greeter approached briskly, smiling knowingly.
"You must be the honored guests of Lord Tartaglia. A golden-haired Traveler, and a… floating little fairy."
"Hey! It's Paimon!"
"Lord Tartaglia and another esteemed guest are already waiting upstairs. This way, please."
They stepped inside.
Luxurious—
Yet elegant rather than gaudy.
An ancient refinement lingered in the air.
Lumine immediately spotted him by the window.
Tartaglia.
He waved with a grin.
"There you are! I was about to starve."
Lumine and Paimon approached.
Tartaglia pulled out a chair.
"Come. Let me introduce you."
He gestured to the man seated opposite him, quietly sipping tea.
The man wore a refined brown long coat.
Black hair.
Golden amber eyes.
Deep—like they held millennia within.
"This is Mr. Zhongli," Tartaglia said. "Consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. A true 'Liyue expert.'"
Zhongli set down his teacup and inclined his head slightly.
"A pleasure to meet you, Traveler."
His voice was low and resonant—calm, reassuring.
"I have heard a little of your exploits… from a friend in Mondstadt."
"A friend from Mondstadt?" Lumine paused.
"Yes." Zhongli's lips curved faintly. "A friend… quite skilled in song."
"Hey! Traveler!" Paimon tugged at Lumine's hair urgently. "Don't be fooled! He's with the Fatu—mmph—Tartaglia! They're bad guys! Let's leave!"
Tartaglia laughed.
"You've got quite the prejudice, little one."
He leaned back, arms crossed.
"I'm not like the other Harbingers."
A dangerous azure gleam flickered in his eyes.
"I simply… enjoy battle."
The atmosphere froze.
Lumine pulled out her chair and sat down calmly.
Ignoring Tartaglia's provocation and Paimon's frantic tugging, she fixed her gaze on the delicate appetizers laid out before them.
"I'm hungry."
She spoke evenly.
"Serve the dishes."