On the vast, endless sea.
The sky was clear and blue, and the great ship sailed forth, cutting through the waves.
Beidou looked at the light screen before her and burst into laughter. "You've even learned to tease others in the group chat, kid?"
Kaedehara Kazuha, sitting at the bow of the ship, smiled faintly upon hearing this. "The atmosphere in the group is great—it's inevitable that I'd pick up some influence."
"How's it feel?" Beidou asked with a grin.
Kaedehara Kazuha nodded. "Naturally, it's excellent. The only regret is that this Vision probably won't find a new owner anytime soon."
As he spoke, Kaedehara Kazuha shook his head wistfully.
In the video, Gu Chen and his group had already found the Southern Cross Fleet and joined the martial tournament. The grand prize for this fighting event was an ownerless Vision!
Kaedehara Kazuha's goal was revealed: he wanted to see if he could reawaken this faded Vision!
After seeing this, everyone temporarily skipped the topic, shifting focus to the Vision.
[Paimon]: I remember Clockwork saying in the video that people sigh at their own powerlessness when facing uncontrollable circumstances. But at a turning point in life, if one's wish is strong enough, they'll catch the gods' attention and gain a Vision—this external magical organ!
[Lumine]: I recall Venti saying that every Vision holder is qualified to become a god, hence called an "original god," with the right to ascend to Celestia.
[Venti]: Hmm, I did say that, but this Vision in the video... it's probably too hard to awaken.
No wonder the older ones are wiser—Venti didn't commit to it, probably afraid of being proven wrong someday.
[Furina]: So, Inazuma's Raiden Shogun issuing the Vision Hunt Decree—could it be seen as stripping people of their ambitions, and by extension, their hope of becoming gods? (Nahida-style finger-pointing)
[Neuvillette]: . . .
[Venti]: Maybe she thinks Visions are gifts from the gods, so only gods have the right to dispose of them. That's the old man's exact words!
[Zhongli]: Indeed, those were my words. (Nods)
[Paimon]: Did the Raiden Shogun issue the Visions?
[Yae Miko]: No idea~ (Shrugs)
[Raiden Ei]: No idea. (Shakes head)
[Venti]: See? She gave them out, but now wants them back. Isn't that petty? (Shakes head) Your Electro Archon's vision is way too narrow! (Hu Tao-style smirk)
[Kujou Sara]: The Shogun must have her reasons for this! (Firm)
[Rahu Dragon King]: Like Morax faking his death—some grand delusion?
[Zhongli]: . . .
Can't go two sentences without targeting me? You feeling okay?
[Raiden Ei]: . . .
[Venti]: I bet a bottle of apple cider—the Raiden Shogun's definitely lurking in the chat right now, fuming and wanting to chop us all! (Nods)
[Raiden Ei]: The General... she's actually pretty nice. She wouldn't go that far! (Certain)
[Yae Miko]: Yeah, yeah, the General won't mind, but some people might. Maybe they won't care now, but tonight in bed, they'll jolt awake, feeling all wronged and teary, throwing a tantrum and rolling on the ground begging Palace Priestess Yae for some comfort~ (Yae Miko-style smirk)
[Kamisato Ayaka]: (Kamisato Ayaka · Confused)
[Kirara]: Who's the Palace Priestess referring to? (Curious)
[Yae Miko]: Some outdated country bumpkin who just rolled in from the sticks. (Mysterious)
[Zhongli]: Hahaha.
[Venti]: Savage!
[Raiden Ei]: Rather than pondering that, maybe wonder if Mr. Gu Chen and his group will be wanted in Inazuma?
Oh, you sly-eyed Raiden Ei—you've learned to awkwardly change the subject, huh?
And when did you change your profile pic?!
If the name wasn't changeable, I almost wouldn't have recognized you!
At the Grand Narukami Shrine on Mt. Yatsugatake, Yae Miko laughed until her stomach hurt.
After calming down a while later, Yae Miko narrowed her violet eyes, gazing at the video, lost in thought.
In the video, the Alcor sailed through the thunderstorm and slowly approached the harbor.
Several beautiful islands came into view.
As soon as Gu Chen's group disembarked, a young man who seemed to have been waiting rushed up to greet them.
After exchanging greetings, they learned this youth was practically the local kingpin.
[Paimon]: Wow, Thoma's so enthusiastic!
[Thoma]: Heh heh, when it's a powerhouse who beat a god senseless, you gotta get on their good side! (Paimon-style hmph)
[Lumine]: You're too honest!
[Kujou Sara]: @[Kaedehara Kazuha] I advise you to turn yourself in at the Tenryou Commission ASAP.
[Kaedehara Kazuha]: Uh... but I haven't even reached Ritou. (Shrugs)
[Arataki Itto]: Hahaha, pissed yet, you tengu girl? @[Kaedehara Kazuha] Run, bro—don't let this one catch you!
[Kaedehara Kazuha]: Don't worry, I rarely go back.
[Kuki Shinobu]: Boss, keep it low-key—General's in the group...
[Arataki Itto]: What about the Raiden Shogun? This boss ain't scared!
[Kaeya]: Is this Arataki Itto guy always this bold? (Curious)
[Kuki Shinobu]: Embarrassing... Boss is... hard to describe!
[Ayato]: Haha, Brother Itto's got character.
[Arataki Itto]: See? Even Ayato says so! (Paimon-style hmph)
[Furina]: Isn't Inazuma in lockdown? They're awfully welcoming to outsiders!
[Kamisato Ayaka]: Eh?
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: Why do you say that?
[Furina]: Look—the Raiden Shogun herself came to greet Gu Chen and them.
[Raiden Ei]: Huh?
[Kamisato Ayaka]: !!!
In the video.
Having just completed entry procedures at Ritou, Gu Chen's group prepared to leave.
But unexpectedly, the once clear blue sky suddenly darkened, the air thick with oppressive tension.
"Gulp... This ain't good..." Thoma glanced at the sky and swallowed hard, then turned to Gu Chen and the others. "Something's about to happen—you guys get out of here!"
"She's already here."
Gu Chen looked toward the end of the street.
At the far end, a purple figure approached slowly, gripping a purple katana crackling with lightning.
With each step, her aura surged higher, growing ever more terrifying.
"Oh no! It's the Raiden Shogun!" Thoma cried out in alarm.
"Waaah, she feels way scarier than the Demon God of the Vortex, Osel... And she's heading straight for us!" Paimon, terrified, hid behind Gu Chen.
"I'll hold her off. You all go first."
A silver-white spear materialized in Gu Chen's hand as he stepped forward, his white robes fluttering in the wind.
"Don't dawdle or say dumb stuff like 'we leave together.' Hurry while you still can," Gu Chen said without turning back.
"Got it. Be careful!"
Lumine shot Gu Chen a worried glance, exchanged a look with Thoma, then bolted.
Gu Chen locked eyes with the Raiden Shogun, the air itself freezing solid.
"Eternal variable..." The Raiden Shogun raised her katana, pointing it at Gu Chen.