Ever since Mo Li dropped the Teyvat Chapter Preview PV, players all over the world had been locked in heated debate.
The hottest topic: which real-world countries served as prototypes for Teyvat's nations.
Liyue was almost beyond dispute.
After all, the Dragon Country was the only surviving ancient civilization with thousands of years of cultural legacy—its aesthetics were instantly recognizable.
Inazuma also drew little opposition.
The funny part was the arguments between Sakura Nation and Sakura Nation players, both insisting Ayaka's clothing borrowed from their culture. Dragon Country players? They just fanned the flames and munched melon seeds on the sidelines.
The real battleground was Sumeru and Mondstadt.
The trailer called Mondstadt a "nation of freedom." Naturally, Pretty Nation players claimed it as their own. But others scoffed—how could such a young country compare? Windmills, vineyards, medieval architecture—all pointed elsewhere. Western Europe joined the fray, each staking a claim.
Beyond the geography wars, others were dissecting the music tracks, or spinning theories about Genshin's story.
Mo Li ignored all that.
The PV was out—his focus now was the global launch of Genshin Impact.
Nearly a month slipped by. Honkai 3rd rolled out Chapters 18 and 19. Plot-wise? Nothing groundbreaking—Destiny and World Serpent teamed up to take down the Herrscher of Rock and Ice. The real highlight was Rita's new S-rank battlesuit, Lost "417" Mistletoe, which printed Mo Li a mountain of cash.
...
At last, the day of reckoning arrived.
The Genshin Impact global open beta.
Even Bronya and the others—usually calm—were busier than usual. This wasn't Honkai. This was a global, cross-platform simultaneous release. The Valkyrie dorm's servers were cutting-edge, sure, but none of the girls dared be careless.
"Boss, it's 8 o'clock. Can we open the servers?"
Mo Li nodded. The girls sprang into motion.
At that moment, his phone rang. Caller ID: Elysia.
"Oh right… I promised her…" Mo Li chuckled, answering.
"Hello?"
A bell-like laugh tinkled through the receiver.
"Guess who~?"
Then, without waiting:
"That's right~ it's cute and charming… Pink Elf Missy!"
Her bubbly tone lifted his mood at once.
"Miss Elysia, long time no see~"
"Ehh, I prefer when you call me Pink Elf Missy~ After all, that nickname came from you~ Even Eden likes it~"
Mo Li sighed. "Your stream ID was already 'Miss Fairy.' I just added your… signature flair."
"Pink does suit me well, doesn't it~?" she teased. "But I'm curious… why didn't you give Eden a nickname too?"
Mo Li: "…"
(What was he supposed to say? That the Honkai scriptwriters didn't bother?)
"…Because you're lively and adorable. Does that work?"
Her laugh chimed like silver bells.
"Being praised like that… even I might blush~"
(Blush? Yeah right, Mo Li thought. You're impossible to read.)
"Miss Elysia, I was actually about to call you. Genshin's servers are live."
"My, my~ we really are in sync~"
"Ha… yeah, what a coincidence."
"In that case, I should fulfill my promise to you~"
"Alright, let's talk later then."
"Ohhh? Is Boss Mo Li so eager to hang up on me?" she feigned a pout.
"Could it be that even a cute girl like me can't hold your attention~?"
Mo Li: "…"
"Fufu~ just kidding~" Her voice softened.
"Let's stop here for now. After all… if Eden caught me sneaking you calls, she'd get jealous~"
Mo Li chuckled, shaking his head. "Fine, fine. Bye."
"Fufu~ Don't you feel our relationship just leveled up? Next time, I'll call you in secret again~"
Mo Li: "…"
Damn, this woman was too much.
He knew she didn't mean anything by it, but it was still hard to handle.
"Anyway, I've got servers to monitor. Hanging up now."
"Wait~ next time we meet, don't forget to call me Pink Elf Missy~"
Click. Call ended.
Mo Li let out a long breath.
He wasn't afraid of her, but the way she'd suddenly drop lines left him at a loss. Thankfully, she was socially deft—always offering a graceful way out before things got awkward. That balance of boldness and tact… only she could pull it off.
"Boss, who were you talking to just now~?"
A soft voice whispered by his ear.
"…Rita? When did you get here?"
"Just now~" Her smile was gentle, eyes glimmering.
"Were you negotiating a collab?"
"Something like that. Genshin's hype is massive, but not everyone will try it. Elysia and Eden are popular—having them stream it is good promotion."
"I see~ As expected of Boss. You can move Eden with just one word~"
Mo Li shook his head. "Even if I said nothing, you girls are close enough now. If you asked, Eden wouldn't refuse."
Over these days, the studio girls had grown genuinely friendly with Eden and Elysia. Eden, generous as she was with friends, counted them as such now.
"Want to watch Elysia's stream together?"
Rita smiled. "Tempting, but I'd rather help monitor launch performance. Otherwise, I'd be uneasy."
"Suit yourself."
Mo Li logged into the Mihoyo official Bilibili account and entered Elysia's stream.
She had just gone live, Eden seated gracefully beside her.
[ELYSIA!!]
[EDEN!!]
[They're back!]
[Grandma, your idol is streaming!]
[I'll love Elysia forever~~]
...
"Hi~ long time no see~"
Elysia waved, cheerful as ever. Viewers soared into the hundreds of thousands within minutes.
"My my, it's been two months since I streamed. Did you miss me?"
"You can guess today's content, right~? That's right!" She double-clicked the white-haired anime girl icon on her desktop—Mihoyo's signature mascot.
"Oh wait~ I forgot! Eden hasn't greeted everyone yet~"
Her playful apology carried a hint of mischief.
"Forgive me~ Eden's radiance shines as bright as mine, I shouldn't have made that mistake~"
She slipped her arm through Eden's, seeking pardon.
Eden just smiled indulgently. "Enough. The game's open—log in."
"Fufu~ Since it's my account, it's also yours~ No difference between us, right~?"
Eden simply nodded, her attention caught by the login screen's music.
A gentle, ethereal tune, laced with soft humming—it carried her to a dreamlike, peaceful place.
Unconsciously, she began to hum along, her voice so clear it stunned both Elysia and the viewers.
Chat erupted:
[As expected of Mihoyo's music team…]
[Damn, their music & art teams are untouchable.]
[This BGM is already god-tier, but Eden's humming makes it heavenly!]
Elysia's hands froze mid-typing.
Eden chuckled. "Come on, Ely, log in."
"Okie~"
The staircase unfurled, ending at a glowing door. The camera dove through. White light flared. A beach appeared.
Like Honkai, Genshin began with an opening animation.
Paimon's soft voice rang out:
"So you're from beyond this world…?"
Two golden meteors streaked across the sky.
"You tried to leave, to journey to the next world… but a god blocked your path?"
A golden-haired brother and sister appeared, stopped by a tall, white-haired woman floating above the clouds.
The chat detonated.
[QUEEN?? Is that you?!]
[Unemployed Queen, rehired already??]
[Mihoyo never wastes details. If she looks this similar, there's gotta be a connection.]
[Milady, wrong game!]
Even Elysia cried out: "Herrscher of the Void??"
The resemblance was uncanny.
The woman's cold voice cut through:
"Outlanders… your journey ends here."
The siblings drew their swords. The clash froze.
Text appeared:
[Choose one of the twins.]
The audience was stunned.
Elysia squealed, clicking on Aether.
The view shifted. The name input box appeared.
"Wow~ it feels like I am him, fighting the Herrscher myself!"
But then she giggled, backing out.
"Nope~ Of course I'll pick the cute girl!"
She chose Lumine. Her starry eyes sparkled.
"Such a pretty girl~ I love her already!"
"For the name…" She broke into laughter.
"Let's call her… 'Golden Fairy Missy!'"
Eden covered her mouth, amused.
"Only you, Elysia, would come up with a name like that."
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