『 After Stelle had handled everything, she approached the Dreampool, preparing to enter the dream.
[ Welcome to Penacony, esteemed guest. ]
[ Soon, all your ideals shall spring vividly before your eyes. ]
[ Please step into the dreampool, forget the sorrows and worries of life. ]
[ Close your eyes, and let joyous memories surge into your heart. ]
[ Next life… rebirth… sweet dreams… forever. ]
[ Soon, the boundary between reality and the dreamscape shall dissolve. ]
As Stelle drew near the Dreampool, a sweet, feminine voice echoed from all corners of the room.
A fragrant aroma began to permeate the air.
These two sensations enveloped Stelle, gradually lulling her into a state of drowsiness.
Sensing the opportune moment, Stelle lay down in the Dreampool, and began her journey into the dream.
The icy currents of the Dreampool rose past Stelle's waist, and ethereal sounds began to incessantly whisper in her ears.
[ Please relax, feel the rise and fall of your body… ]
[ Just focus on breathing, and imagine you're in paradise... ]
[ Imagine….. a land of dreams. ]
Finally, slowly… Stelle grew drowsy… And gradually closed her eyes… Drifting off to sleep…
Yet… Some inexplicable sounds and images, began to flash like a slideshow through her mind as she entered the dream.
[ Mikhail….. ]
[ Come back… (an ethereal sob), Mikhail….!! ]
A chilling voice, tinged with a hint of malevolence, exploded in Stelle's mind.
Immediately, her body began to incessantly…. Fall….. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Oh my god! What was that last voice?"
Stelle: "Why did it sound so utterly terrifying?"
March 7th: "I… I got goosebumps too!"
March 7th: "You've been encountering one strange thing after another since you arrived in Penacony. Is there some kind of meaning behind it all?"
March 7th: "…Could it be…. that you've attracted something unclean?!"
Paimon: "Waaah! Unclean THINGS!! It's… a GHOST!!"
Hu Tao: "A ghost? Probably not, right? I see those things all the time! They shouldn't have that much power."
Huohuo: "Huh?? Miss Hu Tao… what exactly… do you do?!"
Huohuo: "You see ghosts all the TIME!! (trembling.jpg)"
Hu Tao: "Nothing much, I just run a funeral parlor."
Hu Tao: "Oh. You might not understand what a funeral parlor does. Simply put, it's funeral services."
Sushang: "Fu… funeral services?!"
Sushang: "Doesn't that mean you face deceased people every day??"
Guinaifen: "So… so scary. I've heard people say that those in this line of work often encounter ghosts. They're easily haunted by ghosts seeking their LIVES!!"
Hu Tao: "Oh, Miss Guinaifen, those are just rumors."
Hu Tao: "Since I started in this profession, I've seen countless ghosts. And I've yet to see a single one that could do anything to me."
Zhongli: "Most ghosts in Teyvat are weak. But, by universal reasoning, the specters of the cosmos should not be underestimated!"
Hu Tao: "Hmm… the consultant speaks wisely. If only I had the chance, I'd truly like to see what the ghosts of the cosmos are like."
Huohuo: "Miss Hu Tao… that thought is a bit dangerous… maybe not… right? (worried.jpg)"
....
—✦In Between✦—
—✦Honkai Star Rail World✦—
"Someone actually interested in ghosts? This Miss Hu Tao is far too bold."
In the Ten-Lords Commission, Huohuo found Hu Tao's comment somewhat incomprehensible.
Ghosts were clearly so terrifying, yet this Miss Hu Tao didn't seem to take them seriously at all.
"Tch, you little scaredy-cat, do you really think everyone else is like you, crying their eyes out at the sight of a small ghost! If you ask this old man, this little girl named Hu Tao is far more suited to be a Judge than you."
"If I could follow her, I'd probably be dominating the world by now."
Thanks to Huohuo's presence, Tail could also see the content on the video.
So, when it saw Huohuo's comment, it began its usual routine of disparaging Huohuo.
"Old Man Tail, you are right. I'm just not suited to be a Judge."
Huohuo had long grown accustomed to Old Man Tail's belittling, and thus, didn't care in the slightest.
"There's no helping you, you little coward! Just keep being worthless!"
Tail was exasperated by Huohuo's indifferent attitude, and after a huff, stopped bothering with her.
—
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Xueyi: "Unafraid of ghosts, and even possessing extensive experience in dealing with them."
Xueyi: "You would be quite suitable for a position in the Ten-Lords Commission."
Hanya: "Sister is right. If Miss Hu Tao ever has the opportunity to come to the Xianzhou, she could visit the Ten-Lords Commission."
Hanya: "Perhaps you would be interested in becoming a Judge."
Hu Tao: "A Judge?"
Hu Tao: "Sounds incredibly impressive."
Hu Tao: "If I get the chance, I'll definitely look into it!"
....
—✦In Between✦—
—✦Genshin Impact World✦—
"Consultant, did you hear that? They're inviting me to be a Judge!"
At Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao said, beaming with joy.
Normally, when people heard what she did for a living, they would walk around her.
But unexpectedly, in this live stream, she was actually receiving appreciation from others!
It was truly a sight as rare as the sun rising in the west.
However, this unprecedented situation made Hu Tao feel very happy.
"Hmm… they mentioned the Xianzhou. According to previous knowledge, the Xianzhou Alliance is one of the super-powers in the cosmos."
"Therefore… since they have extended an olive branch to you. This might be an excellent opportunity."
Zhongli pondered for a moment, his eyes gradually brightening.
He had been wondering how to connect with a cosmic superpower, and now, an excellent opportunity seemed to have presented itself.
If Hu Tao could truly join the Ten-Lords Commission of the Xianzhou Alliance, then perhaps there would be a chance for Teyvat to gain the protection of the Xianzhou Alliance?
—
『 The scene shifted, and Stelle's segment temporarily disappeared. In its place was a scene inside another room.
And at this moment, in this room, there were two individuals. One was Dr. Ratio. The other was… Aventurine! 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Dr. Ratio: "Oh? I didn't expect the next scene to be a conversation between myself and this foolish gambler?"
Furina: "Ah?? The person opposite Aventurine, was that you, Dr. Ratio?"
Furina: "You're conspiring with Aventurine, does that mean you're not a good person either??"
Lumine: "Uh… Dr. Ratio was enthusiastically helping us answer questions earlier, so he should be a good person, right?"
Dr. Ratio: "I do not consider myself a benevolent old man, nor do I consider myself a villain."
Dr. Ratio: "I ask that you all do not conflate me with this foolish gambler."
Dr. Ratio: "For that, to me, is an insult!"
Dr. Ratio: "As for why I am with this gambler… I can only say… it is a matter of work, I suppose."
....