Genshin Impact: I Made the Entire Playerbase Cry

"Mm, we won't forget. We'll meet at the agreed time—Dihua Marsh. No backing out!"

By now, the meal was nearly finished.

After Zhongli finished reminding Lumine, he was the first to leave the table.

Once Zhongli was gone, Paimon was still buzzing with excitement over Ningguang's invitation—probably because she was a little money-grubber at heart.

"Oh, right, Lumine! When meeting with rich people, you've gotta mind your manners!"

Lumine immediately sensed something off about that statement.

"Paimon's scheming something again…"

Paimon stomped her feet.

"N-No! It's just that Ningguang's a powerful and influential person, so we should at least act properly!"

"Mu Yang agrees, right?"

Mu Yang admitted that Paimon wasn't entirely wrong.

Besides, the time on the invitation hadn't arrived yet—it wouldn't hurt to prepare a little.

Lumine: "Got it. Then tomorrow, we'll go get a gift ready."

Afterward, the three returned to their lodgings to rest.

——————

Meanwhile, the people on parallel Earth were losing their minds.

Because right after saying they'd prepare a gift tomorrow, the main story event cut to "Stay tuned for more!"

That was it.

But no need to worry—the flow of time wasn't always the same between the two worlds.

(It changed whenever the System needed it to.)

Mu Yang handed the preparations for the preview to the System and went to rest.

A few days later on parallel Earth...

Guinaifen's Livestream.

Watching the Genshin Impact Livestream

"It's here, it's here, folks! I'm so hyped!"

"Whoa, what's with this image? Why's it only Zhongli and Tartaglia?"

[Did Brother Mu not make it into the banner while Childe did?]

[Childe's already been exposed as a villain, though. Can villains even be in the gacha?]

"Oh wow, today's guest is actually the younger sister! Nice."

"Little Gui, I really like the younger sister, y'know?"

[Aether—Bro—]

[Aether Bro's really gone…]

After warming up the audience, the hosts introduced the newly added gacha characters:

Tartaglia, Zhongli, Xinyan, and Diona.

Following that were previews of the main story.

First, two images representing the Qixing (humanity's representatives).

Then, the half-adeptus Ganyu.

Finally, a scene above the Jade Chamber, the sky dark and ominous, with the adeptus Xiao looking solemn.

And Mu Yang, facing an unknown foe.

His head was tilted slightly upward, his right hand gripping the Skyrider Sword, now encased in frost.

Clearly, he was in the middle of battle.

But who his enemy was remained a mystery.

[Y'all really dropping images like this? Don't sleep too soundly tonight.]

[Could you be any more vague?]

[I'm so itchy—ants are crawling all over me!]

Paimon couldn't hold back.

"Whoa, what kind of powerful enemy is Mu Yang facing to make him so serious?"

Lumine: "Could you be any more obvious?!"

Jean: Ahem. "It seems this Liyue storyline is quite something to look forward to."

"We all know Mu Yang's character has demonstrated immense strength since Mondstadt. There aren't many who can make him take things this seriously."

Zhongli: "I only remember him being very wealthy."

Lumine / Paimon / Jean: "Pfft—HAHAHA…"

[Too bad he's not in the gacha yet. Pain.]

[Don't rush it—if he comes later, I'll save for C6.]

[Oh ho, so this is how you play as a hoarder, huh?]

Guinaifen was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Someone knock me out! I need to play Genshin!"

"AHHHHH—Genshin! Genshin! LAUNCH!"

——————

The next day, Mu Yang woke up.

This sleep truly carried him straight into the new version.

The players' story had begun.

Lumine knocked on Mu Yang's door, and the three regrouped.

As they reached the inn's entrance, Lumine suddenly spoke up.

"Last night before bed, I thought of something."

Paimon (puzzled): "What? About the gift? I thought of something while sleeping too, but you go first."

Lumine (shaking her head): "No. What I want to know is—the Jade Chamber is in the sky, right? So how do we get up there?"

Paimon froze. From where they stood, the Jade Chamber hung suspended in midair.

"That secretary Ganyu didn't tell us how to get up, either…"

Mu Yang (chiming in): "Perhaps this is a test from the Qixing."

Little Ganyu, I just salvaged your image a bit. Next time, don't be so forgetful.

Lumine (looking at the invitation): "That must be it."

Just then, a certain purple-haired "catgirl" passed by.

"I overheard you discussing how to reach the Jade Chamber. Are you having trouble?"

Mu Yang glanced over—wasn't this Keqing?

What were the odds of running into her like this?

[Here she is! My first 5-star!]

[I love black silk stockings—Keqing catgirl!]

["As lightning flashes, so too does my blade—cleansing all that is impure!"]

[Damn, she's pretty. Buying an account and jumping in, boys.]

Paimon: "We're invited guests, supposed to meet the Liyue Qixing at the Jade Chamber. But the invitation didn't say how to get up."

Keqing (smiling): "What a coincidence. I am Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing."

She gave Lumine, Paimon, and the silent Mu Yang a once-over.

"Now I remember—you're Ningguang's guests. I didn't expect to run into you here."

Paimon (dramatic gasp): "Whoa! I didn't expect to bump into someone as important as you just by stepping outside!"

"By the way, Lady Yuheng, do you know why the Tianquan invited us to the Jade Chamber?"

Keqing waved off the formality—just call her Keqing, no need for titles.

"If Ningguang invited you, it's likely because she hopes the heroes who saved Mondstadt will remain… neutral."

She glanced at Mu Yang.

"At the very least, not side entirely with the adepti."

Lumine explained that she had no intention of picking sides—and that Mu Yang wouldn't do anything to Liyue Harbor.

They'd just gotten caught up in things and were now helping Zhongli out.

(Not entirely a lie.)

Paimon added that the adepti were coming to protect Liyue.

But the word "protect" seemed to strike a nerve.

Keqing (sharp tone): "By 'protect,' do you mean that condescending arrogance from on high?"

Her attitude took Lumine and Paimon by surprise.

But Mu Yang knew—Keqing was always this blunt.

If she could speak candidly about Rex Lapis, why would she hold back for the adepti?

(Even though she was secretly a Rex Lapis fan—sneakily buying his merch.)

Mu Yang decided he'd tease her about it later.

Keqing crossed her arms, unfazed by the bustling crowd around them. She didn't lower her voice.

"Because you're mere mortals—objects of their 'protection'—they'd never consider you capable of assassinating a god."

"So they must also think Ningguang sealing the scene, interrogating civilians, hunting the assassin…"

"All of it is pointless—or worse, a cover-up."

"Let me be blunt: This is an insult."

[Lumine: Mortal? Me? Unbelievable.]

[Traveler: I mean, I only fought Dvalin…]

[Pull up your HP bar right now—let's see if I'm a 'mortal.']

Keqing's words were eye-opening for Lumine and Paimon.

From their experience, the people of Liyue revered gods and adepti.

But Keqing? She was different.