Northland Bank.
Angie had returned to Liyue, openly and confidently, without even wearing a mask. This time, however, her status was different; she was here solely as a participant in the competition.
While she had previously committed some misdeeds in Liyue, the Captain had already made amends. She believed the Liyue Qixing wouldn't hold a grudge, especially since even her brother, who had released the Overlord of the Vortex, Osial, got off scot-free. Why should she worry?
Angie brought her subordinate, Ailina, along this time. The girl had secretly sulked for ages after being left behind last time.
The trio planned to dine at Wanmin Restaurant, a suggestion Angie had insisted on. Compared to the renowned Liyue cuisine and "moon-themed" dishes, she preferred Wanmin's lively atmosphere, bustling with the warmth and comfort of home.
When they arrived at Wanmin Restaurant, they were stunned.
The real-world Wanmin Restaurant was far more spacious than its depiction in the game. But now, the place was overflowing with chatter, so crowded it was practically impossible to find a place to stand.
"Hey, Little Sister, how about we go to Liuli Pavilion instead?" Tartaglia suggested, noticing the long line of waiting patrons. He wasn't keen on waiting.
"Alright, fine..." Angie reluctantly agreed. She couldn't very well drag her brother and Ailina along to wait, could she?
I should have known better, she thought. With such a grand Summit coming up, Liyue must be swarming with visitors. No wonder there's already such a crowd before lunchtime.
And I thought I was being clever by arriving early... Guess everyone had the same idea?
As the trio made their way toward the Liuli Pavilion, Angie couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. This sensation had started the moment she arrived in Liyue days ago and persisted ever since.
Angie's intuition had always been sharp, but no matter how she investigated, she found nothing—as if it were all in her head.
Powerless to do anything about it, she chose to ignore it.
Yet her instincts were indeed correct. From the moment Angie set foot on Liyue's soil, she had been under the watchful eyes of Venti and Zhongli.
Not because they suspected her of wrongdoing, but because they feared for her safety.
The only known individual with a Pure Soul absolutely couldn't come to harm!
-
Inside Wangshu Inn, Chasca was eating her meal while Chuychu, sitting across from her, chattered incessantly:
"Sister, the Summit begins the day after tomorrow. Even though we're here on a mission, don't push yourself too hard. Our opponents are the strongest warriors from the other Six Nations. Losing doesn't matter—just don't get hurt!"
"I have information on the participating fighters here. Take a look later. These are the universally recognized top contenders for the Summit. If you avoid them in the early rounds, advancing shouldn't be too difficult."
Natlan's situation is unique. If it weren't for the Anemo Archon's personal invitation, representing the four gods, Natlan likely wouldn't have participated at all.
Since her sister was chosen to represent Natlan, Chuychu, knowing her sister's temperament well, couldn't help but worry and came along.
Now that they're here, they must show Natlan's spirit and avoid ending up with no ranking at all.
Of course, all this must be done safely, without risking injury.
Chasca listened quietly to Chuychu's rambling, showing no reaction outwardly, but inwardly she disagreed.
When has a battle ever been without injuries?
Moreover, the participants in this Summit were all formidable figures from across the nations. She could only guarantee avoiding serious injuries, not minor ones.
Seeing Chuychu still chattering away, Chasca scooped a mouthful of food into her sister's bowl.
"Eat quickly, Chuychu. The food will get cold soon."
-
Player World
Chen Xiyao had originally intended to guide Lumine through Liyue Harbor to find the individuals Venti had mentioned. However, while she managed to locate them, they all turned out to be characters she already knew:
Kaeya, Rosaria, Cyno, Dehya, Kujou Sara...
She encountered one young reporter from Fontaine but found no one from Natlan, not even Angie from Snezhnaya.
"Has anyone else noticed? There are so many more NPCs in Liyue Harbor now, and the Millelith presence is several times greater than usual."
Chen Xiyao was intimately familiar with the areas around Liyue's alchemy table and the Adventurer's Guild. The sudden influx of NPCs and Millelith soldiers immediately caught her eye.
After Lumine's final conversation with Kujou Sara, the option to accelerate time finally appeared.
Using the game clock, Chen Xiyao advanced the time to the day of the Summit.
-
Liyue, the opening day of the Kaiyang Martial Summit.
Almost everyone in Liyue Harbor rose early that day, gathering along the coast.
The venue was currently guarded by the Millelith, who weren't yet allowing anyone to approach.
Moments later, the ground began to tremble.
The vast and boundless Sea of Clouds, usually shimmering with light, transformed. Countless colossal Dark Rock Stele emerged from beneath the waves, supporting the original venue.
These steles, as dark as ink and sharply angular, exuded an ageless weight and unwavering resilience.
But that wasn't all. The current venue was merely a massive platform, expansive yet lacking any seating for spectators.
As the steles ceased their ascent, a gale-force wind swept in from beyond the venue, carrying massive amounts of yellow sand. The sand piled around the platform, gradually forming tiered, circular viewing terraces that rose in concentric rings.
Once the basic structure was established, the wind dissipated, and the sand miraculously solidified into solid rock.
The Millelith opened the passageways, and the crowd surged toward the viewing terraces with cheers, entering in orderly fashion under the watchful eyes of the soldiers.
Watching this spectacle, Lumine's heart swelled with heroic fervor. She was more determined than ever to secure a top ranking in the upcoming Summit!
"Lumine, let's hurry! With so many people, we might not get a good spot if we're late!" Paimon exclaimed anxiously, the little sprite's earlier sorrow having subsided.
Lumine nodded and followed Paimon, joining the throng moving toward the viewing terraces.
-
At the arena, Ningguang stood on a floating stone platform, clad in a resplendent gown woven with gold threads and embroidered with patterns of bedrock and flowing clouds, exuding both regal grace and formidable authority.
"Distinguished guests who have traveled far, heroes of Teyvat, and Millelith Soldiers who safeguard Liyue's mountains and rivers—"
Though she didn't raise her voice deliberately, her clear, steady, and penetrating voice, amplified by Venti's assistance, instantly silenced the arena's clamor, drawing the gazes of delegates from the Seven Nations to her alone.
"Today, the Sea of Clouds lies as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the celestial radiance upon this 'Mountain-Sea Spectacle' jointly crafted by the Sovereign of Stone and the Songster of Wind. Liyue is deeply honored to use this sea and sky as our backdrop, with martial virtue as our covenant, as we extend a grand invitation to heroes from across the Seven Nations to partake in this momentous occasion—'The Kaiyang Martial Summit'!"
"'Kaiyang' is no mere name. It commemorates a commander as brilliant as the stars and as steadfast as bedrock—Liyue's previous Kaiyang."
"She stood beneath the Chasm, her mortal flesh guarding the nation's gates. Her fall was like a star plunging into the abyss, plunging Liyue's mountains and rivers into sorrow."
"..."
In the VIP seating area, Zhongli's eyes flickered. He had existed in this world for eons; the Kaiyang's passing felt like yesterday...
Tears welled in Qingxu's eyes. Liyue had not forgotten her sister's sacrifice. Her sister lived on in everyone's hearts—that was enough!
If only Sister knew, she would be so happy...
On the stage, Ningguang's speech continued.
"This Mountain-Sea Arena stands as a testament to our Contract! Liyue offers you the firmest foundation of rock to support your martial prowess and the freest winds to carry your glorious names! Whether you hail from the City-State of Freedom, swept by wind; the Rainforest, steeped in wisdom; the Archipelago, crackling with lightning; the frigid Snow Country; the Tribes, surging with flame; or the Nation of Mechanical Rhythms, where gears whir and grind—"
"Here, on this battlefield, you shall prove your martial virtues, pursue glory, and fulfill your oath to protect!"
"The Liyue Qixing and the Ministry of Civil Affairs have prepared the fairest judgments, the most comprehensive safeguards, and..."
Her lips curled into her signature smile—a blend of merchant shrewdness and aristocratic poise.
"...a prize worthy of your exceptional martial prowess. The victor shall bask in unparalleled glory and receive a lavish reward, while every participant who upholds martial virtue and gives their all will have their name etched in the Summit's annals, forever remembered by the mountains and seas!"
"Now, I declare the preliminary rounds of the Kaiyang Martial Summit officially open!"
The entire venue erupted in thunderous applause that lasted for over a minute.
Beside Lumine, Paimon asked with a puzzled expression, "Lumine, there seem to be over nine thousand participants in this competition. If everyone competes together, how long will it take?"
Lumine, seasoned in such matters, replied, "Paimon, did you hear Ningguang mention the preliminary rounds? If I'm not mistaken, these rounds serve as the first elimination stage, typically eliminating eighty to ninety percent of the participants."
"What?! That many?!"