After several days of travel,
The trio had arrived at Whispering Forest.
As they walked beneath the tall trees, a sudden shadow swept across the sky — a massive creature soared overhead, sending flocks of birds scattering in panic and whipping up a fierce gust that rattled the entire forest.
"What… what kind of creature is that?!"
Paimon squeaked, darting behind Gu Chen for cover.
Lumine stared solemnly in the direction the creature had flown, while Gu Chen's expression turned thoughtful.
"Keep moving," he said finally. "But stay alert."
"Mm-hmm." Lumine nodded obediently — she'd grown more and more docile the longer they traveled together.
[Lumine]:!! That was the East Wind Dragon, right?!
[Paimon]:Uh… yeah! I remember when we first came to Mondstadt and went through Whispering Forest, it was exactly like this!
[Venti]:...
Mondstadt – Windrise.
Watching the giant figure in the video, Venti rubbed his chin nervously.
He knew he was about to appear in the video next.
And that was exactly what made him uneasy.
If things played out the same way as they did before… wouldn't everyone — not just in Mondstadt, but all across Teyvat — find out that he was Barbatos, the Anemo Archon?
Worse — they'd see him get slapped by La Signora!
Venti choked on his drink, a bead of sweat forming at his temple. He stared fixedly at the screen, praying that Gu Chen's presence in this "past life" would somehow change the story.
"You look nervous," Gu Chen remarked.
Venti jolted. "Nervous? Haha, how could I be nervous!" he said with an awkward laugh.
Gu Chen only smiled.
He knew that while Venti might act carefree and shameless, that didn't mean he wanted the whole world to see him that way.
Still, Gu Chen also knew that if things couldn't be helped, Venti's adaptability would probably be better than anyone's.
So there was no need to worry.
"By the way," Venti leaned closer, eyes gleaming with gossip, "did you get together with the traveler in the end?"
Gu Chen blinked. "…You'll see soon enough."
"Tch!"
That evasive answer only made Venti's curiosity burn brighter. He didn't even need to know the guy well — a juicy bit of gossip was reason enough to dig!
In the video,
the thing Venti feared most indeed came to pass.
[Hu Tao]:Wait wait wait — that person's talking to the dragon?!
[Neuvillette]:That man's identity must be extraordinary.
[Zhongli]:By common reason, one who can communicate with a dragon cannot be simple.
[Azhdaha]:Morax!! A thousand years of torment — how will you repay it?!
[Kamisato Ayaka]:Um… does that person up there have some sort of grudge against the Geo Archon? (curious)
[Azhdaha]:Hmph! Morax, the deceitful wretch, sealed me beneath the earth while I was unguarded! When I am free again, Liyue shall drown in its own blood!
[Xingqiu]:Uh…
[Chongyun]:Uh…
[Hu Tao]:Huh? What's this all about?
[Xiao]:...
[Cloud Retainer]:He probably recalled old grudges after seeing someone converse with a dragon. The Azhdaha's mind often wanders — best not to mind him.
[Azhdaha]:Insolent bird! How dare you speak above your station!
[Kazuha]:Did anyone notice? After the dragon flew off, the person's expression turned grim — and his method of leaving was remarkably skilled. His power shouldn't be underestimated.
[Tartaglia]:Aha! Another talented man from Mondstadt? Name yourself, friend — I'd love to spar with you!
[Kaeya]:@[Venti] that's you, right?
[Venti]:Hehe, the most beloved bard of Mondstadt — my face is unforgettable, after all~
[Diluc]:...
[Kaeya]:Haha, so tell me — how is it that you can speak to the East Wind Dragon, Dvalin?
[Ningguang]:So that's one of Mondstadt's Four Winds, then — the East Wind Dragon itself?
[Jean]:Yes. There are… reasons I can't share right now — though I suspect the video may expose them soon enough. If it doesn't, I'll explain later."
[Hu Tao]:Tch, teasing us like that? 0/10!
In the video,
The trio picked up the crimson crystal that Dvalin left behind and continued toward Mondstadt.
The journey was calm for a while—
until someone new appeared:
Amber, Outrider of the Knights of Favonius!
"Okay, I see! So you two are travelers from another world. Then… who's this little one?" Amber asked, pointing at Paimon.
Without missing a beat, Gu Chen said,
"Emergency food, flying toy, mascot, pocket spirit, mysterious creature, talking fairy — take your pick!"
Lumine blinked.
Paimon froze.
Amber thought for a moment, then laughed. "Only Paimon sounds normal!"
"Congratulations, you guessed right — but unfortunately, there's no prize~" Gu Chen said with a grin. "This is Paimon, our guide. Aside from her, we'll probably have to trouble you, Miss Amber, to help us around Mondstadt."
Amber waved both hands, blushing slightly. "Oh, don't worry! Leave it to me!"
[Lumine]:Paimon… you had that many nicknames?
[Paimon]:I'm tired. Let the world burn.
[Mona]:She doesn't really look like emergency food… but could she actually be edible?
[Paimon]:I'm done explaining, okay? Those who know, know.
[Kamisato Ayaka]:So this is Tōma's homeland… even the air smells of freedom here.
[Yae Miko]:Oho~ Is that discontent I hear toward Inazuma's current state? (smirk)
[Ayato]:My sister would never harbor such thoughts, Lady Guuji. She's merely appreciating the foreign scenery, that's all.
[Furina]:Fight, fight! This is getting good!
[Neuvillette]:Pay attention to the video. Mondstadt's sky has already changed."
Everyone looked back at the screen — indeed, the skies over Mondstadt had turned dark.
Raging storms swept the city, and terrified citizens fled through the streets.
[Lumine]:Those memories… they're coming back to me.
[Paimon]:Yeah… this feels way too familiar!
[Dvalin]:...
[Paimon]:Eh?! You're in the chat too?!
[Dvalin]:What, you didn't think I counted as a "Transcendent"?
[Paimon]:Hehe, no, that's not what I meant! It's just… surprising to see you here. So, from this other perspective — what do you think, Dvalin?
[Dvalin]:Barbatos — a hundred years of torment. How will you repay me?!
[Azhdaha]:?
[Jean]:…Sigh.
[Venti]:Now, now — to be fair, the God of Freedom always has his reasons for what he does, right?"
[Zhongli]:Ah, you do know how to be "fair," don't you.