After Genshin Impact became a breakout hit, its marketing budget grew even larger.
But Ken changed the direction of promotion. With the player base already massive, pouring money into ads like before might not yield satisfying results. Better to pivot toward derivative culture.
Building out a game's derivative culture creates powerful cohesion—it not only strengthens current player stickiness, but also attracts potential players from all walks of life through its cultural offshoots. Beyond fan creations, songwriting can't be neglected either.
In his previous life, Ken played many games. The ones that stayed evergreen were not only excellent games; they also a strong culture that gave players a sense of belonging and pride.
And conventions are one of the best channels to penetrate the community.
So for this convention, Hana had personally been preparing for a long time, aiming to gain a solid footing in the anime circle. Now that Ken was bringing those top-tier cosplayers to support, it was the perfect finishing touch.
The official Genshin Twitter announced it immediately. The post listed time and location as usual, mentioned invited Blue Star cosplayers, and then emphasized that "certain mysterious guests will be on-site."
In the group photo previously shot by the Blue Star cosplayers, the center position now featured several mysterious silhouettes. The silhouettes were blurred with black light—recognizable in outline to lore nerds, but obscuring the full look—an intentional tease by the official account.
Even so, netizens quickly guessed.
["Holy crap! Besides these cosplayers, did they invite those top-tier ones too? The ones always around Mr. Ken?"]
["Top-tier? Those aren't cosplayers—they're the actual characters. Who cosplays that perfectly?"]
[ "So I can see the goddesses up close, offline? I'm so hyped. I wasn't going to go, but I'm buying tickets right now!"]
[ "From this teaser, at least four S-tier cosplater… My god! I'm going to pass out from happiness!"]
[ "Star Dome team, you got me—just for this poster, I'm buying a ticket to broaden my horizons. Nothing else, just want to see if Teyvat's Master Jean shows up on Blue Star!"]
["Ten minutes ago there were still thousands of tickets. I hesitated for two seconds… Are you people even human? You cleaned them out already?"]
[ "Bro, you want a ticket?"]
"..."
Once players suspected Ken might show up with those cosplayers, enthusiasm exploded. Many jumped in and bought out the convention tickets in an instant. The intensity shocked the organizers. They'd run big cons many times, but sold-out shows were rare—and even then, lots of refunds usually trickled in before the cutoff. This time, with sales about to close, the remaining tickets vanished—and all because of Genshin. Thankfully they'd allocated a large space to Genshin, or they'd be worried about overcrowding.
…
While the internet raged, Ken had already arrived at sea near Guyun Stone Forest. The fleet at anchor was grand and majestic, stretching for kilometers. Compared to the tip-of-the-iceberg shown in the game, the true Crux Fleet was imposing and awe-inspiring.
"Mr. Ken, what brings you here overnight?"
On the deck of the Alcor, Furong approached under an umbrella. She stared at the dark figure standing in the downpour, stars in her eyes.
The man's face was like the moon, his presence like peach blossoms. Black robes traced his tall frame; the belt and cuffs were embroidered in gold thread with delicate glaze lilies, adding a touch of nobility to his ethereal bearing. Upon learning Ken had come in person to the Alcor, Furong hurried to greet him. A group of young women followed, not at all shy—watching Ken with open curiosity.
After Furong had followed the captain to Liyue last time, she described Ken's beauty as otherworldly, stirring everyone's curiosity. Seeing him now, he truly was like a banished immortal. Several women tossed him flirtatious looks, bold in their behavior.
It left Ken… a bit embarrassed. He hadn't expected the Alcor's female sailors to be so wild and daring—unlike most Liyue girls, except perhaps Ying'er.
"Furong, aren't you going to invite our guest in?"
Beidou came right after. Seeing Furong and the sailors gawking, she quickly ushered Ken into the cabin. Otherwise, she feared this pack of wild women might devour him—especially Furong, who had once suggested kidnapping Ken to be their camp husband. Beidou worried she might offend him.
"It's pouring out there—what brings you here now?"
Beidou rummaged around and finally found a tin of tea, brewing a pot herself. They usually drank wine, not tea. And few dared board the Alcor anyway. This tin had been salvaged from a Fatui ship.
"The tea's nice—brisk and refreshing," Ken said, intrigued by his first taste of this kind.
Beidou rubbed her hands. "We, uh, took it from a Fatui ship—probably from Snezhnaya. No one here is used to it. If you like it, it's yours."
Took? More like looted. Ken didn't call her out and went straight to business. "I'm here to finalize our deal. The goods we discussed are ready. Can you arrange a place to check them?"
"So fast?" Beidou was surprised. The quantity she requested wasn't small. It wouldn't fill the whole fleet, but it was a heavy batch. She thought even a month would be tight—yet he'd exceeded expectations.
"Yep." Ken smiled. "Let's find a place to unload first."
After a brief thought, Beidou led him to the ships behind the Alcor. She had set aside twenty ships for this shipment. Given the volume, two thousand units per ship wasn't hard.
Rain poured down as sailors, umbrellas up, cleared space. Catching the wolfish looks from the women, Beidou swept them with a hawk-like glare—an unspoken warning. Don't overdo it, you lot. The sailors weren't cowed—they'd worked with Beidou for years, knew their captain was bold and generous, and wouldn't punish them over this. They kept gawking with relish.
Ken was helpless. Sometimes being too handsome is a curse. He let geo energy flow out to form a shield around himself and Beidou, shutting out those predatory gazes, and walked to the rear ships. He then placed the goods from his system space into the twenty ships in order.
Watching him produce such a quantity with a wave, Beidou grew very curious about his space backpack. As a Vision holder, she also had a Vision space—but hers was nothing like his. Out of politeness, she didn't ask.
"Please, come back to the Alcor. We'll eat a bit while we wait," Beidou said warmly. Ken didn't refuse. Forty thousand items weren't trivial; Beidou needed to verify them. Settling accounts face-to-face is the rule—prevents disputes later.
The Alcor's food wasn't gourmet, but hearty meat and big swigs of liquor had their own rough charm. Ken took his time.
"Captain, verification complete!"
At the third watch, first mate Juza reported in person. It took work to tally this much.
Beidou then had two chests brought out—packed with gold, jewels, and large-denomination mora notes. "Please check, this is the balance payment." She was straightforward: with her people confirming, she paid without quibble.
Ken gave a cursory look and stored them away, then turned to her. "There's one more favor I'd like to ask."
"Me?" Beidou was surprised. With Ken's abilities—he could cleave down an archon—what could he need from her?
"I have two friends who want to go to Inazuma," Ken said frankly. "But Inazuma's in isolation. In Liyue Harbor, only your fleet sails there. I was hoping you could take them along."
Beidou was even more surprised. "You can travel freely between Teyvat and Blue Star. Sending friends to Inazuma should be easy…"
"True—but Lumine's journey across the Seven Nations is for training. I could help, but that goes against her purpose." Ken smiled wryly.
"I see," Beidou said, patting a large slime beside her. "Leave it to me. Miss Lumine has done much for Liyue; I've long heard of her."
Even if Lumine hadn't helped Liyue, Beidou would still have agreed—partly out of chivalry, partly because maintaining friendship is essential for a long-term partnership with Ken. It's just two people—no trouble to bring them to Inazuma. A small favor.
"Much appreciated, Captain Beidou," Ken said with a nod and a smile. He admired Beidou—her skill and boldness matched any man's, and she was renowned throughout Liyue Harbor. That was one reason he chose to work with her. Money's money; earning a bit less to befriend someone like Beidou is worth far more.
With that settled, Ken disembarked. Laughter trailed after him. "Mr. Ken, if you ever miss us, come find us on the Alcor~"
His scalp tingled. They weren't truly wanton—just wild and forthright, disdainful of hiding their thoughts; with their hearty style, teasing this man was all. He didn't take it seriously, just felt a bit helpless, and didn't stop until he reached Guyun.
Thunderheads pressed low, waves roared, and the mighty Crux Fleet seemed small beneath the heaving black clouds. Ken walked through the downpour, feeling the grasses and trees bow under the rain. A calm rose in his heart.
"Mr. Ken!"
A slim figure ran through the rain.
"Baishi?" Ken frowned slightly but wasn't surprised. Ningguang had eyes everywhere in Liyue Harbor. She likely knew the moment he approached the Crux Fleet. Baishi was one of her trusted aides.
"Mr. Ken, I'm Baishi, Lady Ningguang's secretary. I'm here with a message: my lady invites you to the Jade Chamber for a talk," she said respectfully.
"Now?" Ken raised a brow. Seeing Baishi bedraggled by the weather, he cast a geo shield over her.
"Thank you, sir. Yes, she did say now—but if it's inconvenient, we can forgo it."
"Let's go," Ken said. He hadn't truly seen the Jade Chamber yet; now was a good time.
…
The Jade Chamber.
Liyue Harbor lay shrouded in torrential rain late at night. The luxurious palace hanging in the sky was untouched by the storm—its pavilions and towers like a celestial palace from afar.
"My lady, you're still not resting at this hour?"
Baiwen looked with concern at Ningguang, bent over her desk. In the past, Ningguang worked tirelessly, but since Liyue's governance had stabilized, all-nighters were rare. The reason tied back to Blue Star. Ever since returning, besides handling Liyue's affairs, she had spent many nights poring over books.
"Has Baishi not returned?" Ningguang lifted her eyes from the scroll, reclining slightly on a soft throw, a trace of weariness between her brows.
"Not yet," Baiwen smiled. Ningguang wasn't really asking about Baishi—she meant, why hasn't Mr. Ken arrived?
Ningguang didn't mind Baiwen's perceptiveness. "He hasn't been in Liyue long, yet he's met quite a few women already… even that little zombie from Bubu Pharmacy…"
"Still far fewer than you, my lady," came a clear, bright voice from outside.
Ningguang's face lit up. She rose from her cushioned chair, her graceful figure swaying, and looked to the door with elegance. "It's so late—I thought you might refuse to grace us."
She smiled warmly, her golden cheongsam splendid and poised. Ken glanced around the opulent Jade Chamber. "An invitation from the Tianquan herself at midnight? How could I refuse?"
Seeing him tease Ningguang, the two secretaries smiled. Perhaps only this man dared joke with Lady Ningguang like that. They exchanged a look and quietly withdrew, closing the door behind them so as not to disturb the conversation—especially not by the ever-elusive Yuheng.