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"That being the case, let me give the simplest example."
Under everyone's gaze, Victor Wang slowly lifted his hand and pointed at the small device on Pravina's ear.
"For example, the Akasha Terminal you're wearing—was it not something the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata created based on an imaginative idea? Or is it that… the Akasha Terminal is actually a replica she copied from some already-existing device?"
The audience erupted into the loudest commotion yet, and the uproar became completely unstoppable. Even if the argument was clumsy, anyone could understand it.
Unlike the earlier linguistic traps, this was a direct assault—clean and flawless—because no one in Sumeru would ever claim the Akasha Terminal was plagiarized by the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. The Akasha Terminal was unquestionably one-of-a-kind, existing only in this world; therefore, its creation from nothing must have involved imagination.
Pravina's face turned ashen. Victor Wang pressed on relentlessly: "Before the Akasha Terminal existed, there was no Akasha Terminal. So where did the Akasha Terminal come from? After enjoying all its conveniences, are you now going to deny the Akasha Terminal's existence altogether?"
Pravina gnashed her teeth and glared furiously, her expression contorting in all sorts of ways, yet she was forced into silence. Even if she exhausted the Akasha Terminal's computational power, she still couldn't seem to find a rebuttal.
"Host, the other side isn't speaking anymore—does that mean I win?"
"Pravina, Pravina…? Affirmative side?! Do you still have anything to say? If you don't speak, you'll lose this debate…!"
"Pravina? Pravina…?"
Karan's repeated urging sounded like a series of tortures to Pravina. Already doubting life, doubting even the existence of the Akasha Terminal itself, and you still keep asking and asking and asking…
"I announce that the winner of this debate is the opposition representative—Victor."
Pravina's face went from ash-blue to pale as paper. Standing at the entrance of the Akademiya, in front of so many citizens and scholars, she was utterly powerless before this outcome.
To prevent any unexpected developments, Qi Xiuming asked immediately, "In that case, 'Alice in Wonderland' can be distributed normally in Sumeru now, right?"
"I don't have the authority to decide that. We need the Grand Sage's approval… but I doubt he'll agree. I can't fulfill my promise…"
"What did you say?" Qi Xiuming narrowed his eyes. "A gentleman does not speak lightly; his words must be trustworthy! Someone like you would get their spine poked at in Liyue!"
Victor Wang hurriedly stepped in to stop him. The Grand Sage was busy—best not cause more complications.
He asked Pravina, "Then what about the Bubble-Blowing Contest? Can you authorize that?"
"That I can…"
"Then change it to allowing us to host the Bubble-Blowing Contest in Sumeru."
"Th-that… is fine, but the timing has to follow our schedule."
"Good. In front of everyone here, remember: if you go back on your word again, you'll face the wrath of 'Tianquan Star' Ningguang."
"…I understand."
Pravina looked as if she had aged several years and dragged her heavy steps back into the Akademiya.
"Brother Victor, that was your book, wasn't it? I can't believe you took my task so seriously… you actually went so far as to…" Qi Xiuming's expression was complicated.
"Exactly. When you get back, just tell Ningguang I did my best. Praise me a little—this was all for her," Victor Wang clarified immediately.
"Of course. I'll faithfully report every bit of your sacrifice to Lady Ningguang!"
"Good."
Two days later.
"After thorough discussion, we believe that hosting the Bubble-Blowing Contest before the 'Sabzeruz Festival' would be best. That way…"
Pravina deliberately sighed and continued, "That way, it can help draw more tourists to Sumeru City for the festival. When the sages ask, I'll have something to say—after all, I approved your activity without authorization."
"I think it's doable. What do you think, Brother Victor?"
Sure, you do. Victor Wang sneered inwardly. He isn't attracting crowds for the Sabzeruz Festival—he's clearly trying to fuel the Akademiya's God-Creation Plan.
But then his heart grew heavy again.
The Doctor is the Second of the Fatui Harbingers. Childe once said the Harbinger ranks are determined by strength. Paimon once said The Doctor "could hold onto Second Seat with pure combat strength alone." Nahida had also said that "Harbingers of the Third Rank and above possess power comparable to gods." The pressure was undeniable.
The Akademiya's God-Creation Plan was being orchestrated from the shadows by The Doctor.
All of Sumeru's main storyline was walking on a tightrope. If they followed Pravina's intentions and brought more people to the Sabzeruz Festival, and The Balladeer gathered enough energy early to become a true new god… it was impossible to imagine what Sumeru would become.
On the other hand, if they resisted Pravina too obviously, causing The Doctor to notice and eliminate obstacles… the outcome would be equally unthinkable.
At his current strength, if his mental power broke through, he should be able to defeat Childe and The Fair Lady. If he purified a bit of Dendro…
The best scenario was simply to avoid altering the main storyline at all.
Having completed these thoughts swiftly, Victor Wang said, "There's only one month left until the 'Sabzeruz Festival.' Won't that be too little time to prepare?"
Clueless as always, Qi Xiuming countered, "Should be fine?"
"No. From Inazuma City to Sumeru City, even the fastest ship takes about twenty days for a round trip. News needs time to spread locally too… During the 'First Teyvat Bubble-Blowing Contest,' many Inazumans couldn't participate because of the Sakoku Decree. For this second contest, since it still bears Teyvat's name, even if they're far, we should wait for them."
"I've heard of that. They say after the Sakoku Decree was lifted, Inazumans held their own 'First Teyvat Bubble-Blowing Contest—Inazuma Division.' Seems they really love it… but it is far."
"How about this: compromise and move the venue to Port Ormos. That way, contestants from Inazuma save two days of travel. Counting the extra days we need to go promote it, that's four days saved."
"But if we move it to Port Ormos, won't participants from Fontaine struggle to make it?"
"Will they? How well does bubble gum sell in Fontaine?"
Qi Xiuming glanced at Pravina. "Not convenient to say too much, but it's doing fine. We can't give up on them."
Victor Wang nodded. "Then let's move it to Vimara Village. Both Inazuma and Fontaine should be able to manage."
"Sounds good to me."
"Done."
Seeing Victor Wang and Qi Xiuming settle things with back-and-forth ease, Pravina finally interjected, "No, that won't do! You're moving Sumeru City's crowd to Vimara Village during the Sabzeruz Festival? That puts me in a difficult position!"
Qi Xiuming already disliked Pravina. Now, he coldly took out a stamped seal. "When the 'Tianquan Star' is not present, this seal is her authority. Who do you think you're negotiating with? Difficult or not, you'll do it. Or are you prepared to face the punishment of Geo?"
Pravina protested, "But after the debate, you agreed to follow our arrangements…"
Victor Wang chuckled. "We only agreed to follow your timing, never the location."
The discussion ended unhappily, but they successfully disrupted Pravina's plan without appearing suspicious.
Two more days passed, and Pravina finally compromised—postponing the event until after the Sabzeruz Festival.