Qiu Bai and the other three walked to the registration desk.
"Are you looking for this?"
Kaedehara Kazuha said calmly to the anxious receptionist.
"Is that... an ownerless Vision?"
The staff member behind the counter exclaimed in surprise, looking at the Vision in Kazuha's hand.
"How did it end up with you?"
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself earlier. My name is Zhu Han."
She said, patting her chest in relief.
"After searching for the Vision everywhere, finding it in your possession is quite a relief."
She had heard from her boss that the Vision wasn't of much use to the Traveler.
And if the Traveler won the competition, this Vision would be returned to Kazuha.
"Actually, the person who stole this Vision, was the contestant who forfeited and advanced to the finals."
Kazuha explained slowly to Zhu Han,
"Knowing he had no chance of winning, he developed the wicked idea of stealing the prize. And just now, he was caught by Mr. Qiu Bai."
"I see..."
Zhu Han smiled at Lumine.
"Then let me present this specially prepared championship medal to our hero."
She took out a medal and handed it to Lumine.
"Does this mean we can go to Inazuma now?"
Lumine asked, looking at the medal in her hand with some confusion.
"It should be. Although the boss isn't here right now."
Kazuha explained with a smile to the expectant Lumine.
"I'll relay the message to her later. Given her personality, she'll definitely keep her word."
"However, the sea route to Inazuma is treacherous. The wind and rain roar incessantly."
Kazuha crossed his arms over his chest and continued slowly.
"The endless storms are actually a manifestation of the Raiden Shogun will to seal the nation."
"Her will can even change the weather?!"
Paimon exclaimed in surprise.
"She is one of the eight gods of the mortal realm, just as Morax of Liyue cast down spears of stone to create Jueyun Karst, and Murata split the sky and sea with a single strike, vanquishing the ancient gods... The Raiden Shogun ability to summon eternal storms shouldn't be that surprising."
Kazuha explained calmly to the astonished Paimon.
"You're right, why am I surprised?"
Paimon said, her gaze shifting toward Qiu Bai beside her.
"After all, I've seen..."
She remembered witnessing Zhongli and Qiu Bai battling Azhdaha.
The dragon mountainous body, countless colossal chaotic swords and geo spears, meteor showers filling the sky like doomsday, and the devastated landscape.
She still remembered the scene of Qiu Bai defeating Osial with a single slash—it was truly breathtaking.
"Just thinking about those scenes, the shock still hasn't subsided..."
Paimon said, spreading her hands as she looked at Qiu Bai beside her.
"What scenes?"
Qiu Bai asked with a smile.
"I don't recall anything like that."
"You..."
Paimon stomped her tiny foot in frustration.
"Don't play dumb!"
These gods were so powerful—beyond her comprehension.
"What are you two talking about?"
Kazuha asked curiously, stroking his chin.
"What scene are you referring to?"
"N-nothing."
Paimon hastily waved her hands.
"Anyway, if you're heading to Inazuma, The Alcor still needs some time."
Kazuha said with a slight smile.
"You'll be notified once preparations are complete."
"During this time, I'll also be wandering around."
He explained, spreading his hands.
"Looking across the vast lands of Liyue for an opportunity to awaken a Vision."
"I believe you definitely can!"
Paimon nodded with a smile.
"Thank you, I hope we each find meaning in our respective journeys."
Kazuha replied with a smile.
"I have one more piece of advice..."
He turned around, looking toward the direction of his homeland.
"Beyond the endless thunderstorms may lie your most difficult journey yet."
"The most difficult journey, huh?"
Qiu Bai's mouth twitched slightly upon hearing Kazuha words.
"It is indeed quite difficult."
When he had played through it before, those bizarre world quests nearly drove him crazy.
But now, for him personally, it wouldn't be that challenging.
"Then I'll take my leave."
Kazuha nodded with a smile to the three. Then he slowly walked toward the exit of Guyun Stone Forest.
"I should go too."
Qiu Bai stretched lazily, looking at the sky approaching dusk.
"Working all day has tired me out, I need a good sleep."
"Do gods need sleep too?"
Paimon asked curiously.
"Of course, even gods need to sleep."
Qiu Bai explained with a smile to the puzzled Paimon.
"Qiu Bai, we'll be going now."
Lumine said with a smile.
"Before heading to Inazuma, we need to take on more commissions to earn some Mora."
"I wish you a smooth adventure, and Lumine, remember not to use your Yin-Yang powers carelessly."
Qiu Bai nodded with furrowed brows.
"Unless you're in deep crisis, don't use them."
He explained slowly, looking up at the tiny black spots floating in the high sky.
"Your identity is special, and you possess the power of Teyvat itself, which might attract trouble."
"Though the probability is extremely small, it's still better to be cautious."
Qiu Bai turned to look at Lumine with a smile,
Although he didn't know what had happened during his three-thousand-year blank period, he vaguely felt it was related to that island floating in the high sky.
Although according to the system, the Heavenly Principles had fallen into dormancy and two of the Four Sovereigns had died, he couldn't joke about Lumine safety.
If it were someone else, Qiu Bai wouldn't bother to warn them, but Lumine identity was very special.
"I understand, Qiu Bai."
Lumine said. Although confused by Qiu Bai's cryptic words, she heeded his advice.
"Under normal circumstances, I don't need that power. Regular elemental powers are enough for commissions and such."
"Then, not-so-serious one, we're off!"
Paimon said with a smile, then turned to Lumine.
"Come on, Traveler, let's go feast!"
Lumine nodded with a smile and walked with Paimon toward the exit of Guyun Stone Forest.
"Inazuma, huh?"
Qiu Bai murmured, then shook his head with a smile. He walked to a deserted place and disappeared in an instant.
...
Inazuma is coming! Thank you to all the readers who enjoy my novel! Feel free to share any suggestions!
Some readers might think that I wrote about the Archon War at the beginning. That's not the case—what Madam Ping mentioned during the Moonchase Festival storyline happened a thousand years ago. And our adorable Qiqi died during the battle between adepti and demons five hundred years ago, not during the Archon War.
Before writing this novel, the author thoroughly reviewed the original Genshin Impact storyline, including the Moonchase Festival and both years of the Lantern Rite Festival. I'm a freshman in college, and I've been taking exams these past few days, but they're finished now. I'll post more chapters tomorrow!
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Read 20 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)