Everyone heard the agonized cries of Ningguang and La Signora.
Tianquan Ningguang, a woman of supreme nobility and the wealthiest merchant in Liyue, was the personification of elegance and the sharpest mind in business. At this moment, however...
Ningguang: "I can't take it! It's too much! Have mercy!"
La Signora, the cold and arrogant Harbinger, was a queen-like figure who inspired fear and awe across Snezhnaya.
La Signora: "Anyone... who dares enter... I will kill you! Tartaglia, I will... kill you!"
The entire continent of Teyvat was left to wonder what kind of torture could force such noble women to make such sounds. It had to be a psychological horror or a soul-rending ordeal. Cold sweat broke out across the nations.
For two minutes, the audio was partially muffled, and the video remained a tiny, blacked-out icon.
「Live Q&A continues. In two minutes, both Live Rooms will proceed with the same number of participants.」
「Punishment: Same as above.」
[Tartaglia: ...I... I... Signora, I didn't know! Look, even Ningguang chose the same answer as I did!]
[Baishi: Lady Ningguang, I'm so sorry! I've ruined you! Waaaah!]
[Ganyu: It's alright now. The ordeal is... a bit difficult to describe, but it's best not to approach. I went in to check on her; she is physically unharmed.]
Ganyu guarded Ningguang's room, while four Cicin Mages stood watch outside Signora's door. At the Knights of Favonius headquarters, Jean and Lisa could still hear Signora's shrieks—the hotel the Fatui had rented was quite close.
[Kaeya: @Tartaglia, you might want to give your colleagues a very wide berth for the next few months.]
[Tartaglia: I really didn't see this coming.]
[Yae Miko: This question is truly tricky. Now that the 'safe' answer is gone, every remaining option is a possibility.]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: You guys go ahead. I'm sitting this one out.]
[Jean: I don't want to snatch either.]
[Lisa: Actually, I'm curious about the punishment. It sounds quite... stimulating. But what if Big Sister accidentally gets it right?]
[Yanfei: ...]
[Xiangling: ...I definitely don't want to try it.]
[Guoba: Lu—!]
[Diluc: Zero interest.]
Ningguang and Signora had effectively traumatized the audience. Even a thick-headed brawler like Arataki Itto didn't dare press the button. This "Massage Gun" sounded like a weapon that targeted the very soul.
「Countdown: 3, 2, 1... Snatch!」
In the Ordinary Room, the slots filled instantly. A few hours of running was a fair trade for a chance at Mora for many desperate souls.
「Elite Live Room: No one snatched. Selecting two participants at random.」
Everyone's heart skipped a beat.
「Random Selection: Barbara and Xiao.」
[Barbara: Why me?! This is so unlucky! Sister!]
[Jean: I don't know the answer either... Go home quickly, Barbara, just in case... of the punishment.]
[Xiao: Is there no way to opt out? It seems being a bystander is no longer an option.]
[Barbara: I'm hiding at home now! I'll just pick one myself... Barbara, go for it!]
Looking at the options, even Xiao felt a rare moment of unease. He had never actively participated; he only ever answered when forced by the system.
「Ding—Barbara and Xiao have made their choices.」
「Barbara chose 3: Quite dismal.」
[Diluc: Most would struggle between 2 and 3. Given the first round's failure, 3 had the highest probability.]
[Ganyu: I thought so too.]
[Kamisato Ayaka: But this question was never meant to be simple.]
「Barbara chose incorrectly. Massage punishment initiated.」
The camera didn't show Barbara, but the audio was broadcast.
Barbara: "Don't come any closer—Sister, save me!"
Hearing the screams, many viewers manually muted the broadcast, unable to bear the sound.
[Amber: This... this punishment is too much.]
[Yanfei: For the first time, I feel lucky... but I feel terrible for Miss Barbara.]
「Ding—Xiao chose 4: Completely ignored. Correct! Reward: One bottle of Pure Elemental Essence.」
[Kaeya: ? He got it?]
[Yanfei: The answer was actually 4?]
[Yae Miko: Ho? Even that was the first one I ruled out.]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: This question tested the contrast. The Inazuman elite knew it was a hit in their country, but in Liyue, it seems no one cared.]
[Ganyu: The Conqueror of Demons is incredible. He got it right.]
[Xiao: I did not know the answer. While I did not desire the punishment, I did not fear it. It was a random choice.]
[Arataki Itto: How come this young master never has that luck?! Hey, masked kid, show us what you got!]
[Xiao: Hmph. Insolvent mortal. The reward is irrelevant—it is merely a bottle of water.]
On the screen, Xiao stood atop Wangshu Inn. A bottle of pale blue liquid appeared in his hand.
[重云: Drink it and see the effect!]
[胡桃: Yes, yes! See if it boosts your power or something!]
[宵宫: It looks so blue.]
[Kamisato Ayato: Doesn't look as tasty as milk tea.]
[Zhongli: Since it is a reward, you should accept it. Everyone is curious; one bottle should suffice.]
Xiao usually ignored the crowd, but—
[Xiao: Since Mr. Zhon—Mr. Zhongli says so, I shall consume it.]
Xiao drank the Pure Elemental Essence. His entire body began to glow with a brilliant blue light.
"Ah—!"