In Guojia's live stream, the most popular character among those introduced so far was the little chef Yuna. After all, she was the first person in Inazuma to genuinely show kindness to the Traveler.
Second place went to Yoimiya, due to the Rola Effect.
Ayaka came in third, followed by the newly introduced Yae Miko in fourth place.
Ayaka's third-place ranking was solely because Guojia hadn't yet completed her Story Quest, and the game developers hadn't released her animated trailer.
This was precisely why Jiang Mumu had initially fallen for Ayaka.
A single line—"Checkmate"—had driven countless Travelers to throw their rationality out the window.
The "Dance of the White Heron" had left them grinning uncontrollably, their smiles refusing to fade.
With these bombshells dropped, even Yuna had to take a backseat in the popularity rankings.
Yuna didn't mind at all. Her own moment of glory hadn't yet arrived.
Having finished the main story, Guojia began exploring Inazuma's map with her viewers. During her quest playthrough, she had spotted numerous treasure chests but stubbornly resisted the urge to open them.
Now that the story was complete, she immediately started grinding the map, determined to loot every corner dry!
-
Teyvat, Liyue, The Chasm Entrance.
Mu Qingge had already stationed the Millelith here with her.
She had brought only a few thousand Millelith soldiers, dividing them into small teams to guard the various passes and strategic points leading into The Chasm.
The main headquarters was established in the house at the Chasm Entrance.
The original Millelith garrison stationed here had been recalled, and all Treasure Hoarders and adventurers had been cleared out.
Inside the headquarters at that moment, a Millelith Commander was reporting to Mu Qingge.
"Lady Mu, our reconnaissance is complete. We found no Abyss Monsters as you described. All we encountered were ordinary monsters, which we have already eliminated."
Mu Qingge: "Continue the search. If you find anything, send a signal immediately."
"Understood!"
The Commander withdrew swiftly.
That Abyss Monster was formidable, and Mu Qingge couldn't afford to underestimate it.
It might not be here, but as long as there was even a possibility, she couldn't let her guard down for a moment!
Mu Qingge sat down and studied the map on the table, a cup of cold tea beside it.
Suddenly, she sensed a familiar presence and looked up.
Yelan walked in at that moment.
"How's it going? Any discoveries?"
Yelan picked up the teapot on the table, poured herself a cup, and drained it in one gulp before slowly replying:
"There are indeed Abyss Monsters in this area, but they're nothing to worry about. I've investigated the surroundings thoroughly many times before, and there's nothing of note. I came to tell you that I plan to go inside and investigate further. It might take a while..."
"Absolutely not."
Mu Qingge rejected the idea without hesitation. In the past, she would never have refused, but now that she knew the Abyss Monster was likely lurking inside—and possibly plotting something sinister—she couldn't allow it.
Their previous clash had made it clear that Yelan was no match for the Abyss Monster. Encountering it would mean certain death!
Did she really expect that shouting "Xiao!" deep within The Chasm would magically summon him?
Besides, Xiao still knew nothing about the Unnamed Yaksha.
And with the altered course of events, their prolonged presence might have already driven away the person who leaked information about the Unnamed Yaksha.
Yelan sat down and crossed her legs.
She had expected this, but she still wanted to make one last attempt to persuade Mu Qingge.
"No one is better suited for this investigation than me. I know many secrets about The Chasm. Besides, I'm not unlucky enough to just stumble upon that creature. Last time, I approached it deliberately before being discovered."
"Absolutely not. I can't let you go alone. I'm worried."
Mu Qingge remained unyielding. Yelan was right, but what if? What if they really did encounter it?
She still had the Mystic Barrier given to her by the Geo Archon. What did Yelan have?
Hmm?
An idea sparked in Mu Qingge's mind.
That's right! I have the Geo Archon's Mystic Barrier!
No one is better suited for this than me.
"I'll go with you."
Yelan stared at Mu Qingge in astonishment. "You... with me?"
"Feng Yan is very capable. He can handle everything here in my stead. I'm a Geo Element user with strong defensive abilities, and that creature excels at ambushes. I have the advantage in a confrontation."
"Besides, I still possess the treasure bestowed upon me by the Geo Archon. If we combine our strengths against that creature, the outcome remains uncertain."
Yelan didn't reply immediately, carefully considering Qingge's proposal.
Then she realized... it seemed... feasible.
"Alright, but... let's settle matters above first. We'll need a proper plan for the descent. Once you've arranged everything upstairs, I'll gradually explain..."
-
As Mu Qingge and her companions prepared to explore the Chasm, Malice was in Qingce Village, putting the finishing touches on her plan.
Over the past few days, she had refined her scheme to near perfection. The final stages were now being meticulously worked out.
In short, the spectacle would be massive, far surpassing the scale of the Mondstadt incident.
Casualties had to be minimized. Although killing only Mu Qingge seemed implausible given the scale of the event—one that could shake the Seven Nations—if everything went according to her plan, and if the Adepti and Geo Archon truly lived up to her expectations, the death toll might indeed remain remarkably low.
This hinged entirely on the Adepti's prowess and seamless coordination. After all, they had worked together for centuries; their synergy should be unparalleled.
And once Mu Qingge's curtain fell, perhaps hers would too.
Having amassed such immense hatred and angered the Two Archons of Anemo and Geo, she doubted she could escape unscathed after the coming battle. If escape proved impossible, she might as well settle accounts for her sins while she was at it.
Otherwise, if the hatred continued to accumulate while she remained alive, she risked becoming a major flaw in Genshin Impact's narrative.
Once the pain receptors were blocked, she could act however she pleased.
If it died, she could simply create another villainous entity with a different alignment, costing minimal Emotional Feedback Points.
Qingce Village was practically teeming with traces of the Chi.
The Chi slain by Morax was utterly annihilated.
Legend held that after the Geo Archon struck it down, its body transformed into unyielding stone, its blood congealed into emerald pools, and its scales became part of the vast fields.
Resurrecting this creature seemed impossible, but with enough Emotional Feedback Points, anything was achievable.
It might cost a bit more, but Jiang Mumu had plenty to spare right now.
Once the great battle concluded, it would be another bountiful harvest.
Malice, having completed her reconnaissance, nodded in satisfaction. This Vicious Chi would serve well.
Unlike Osial and Azhdaha, this Vicious Chi consumed the most Emotional Feedback, allowing her to exert complete control over it.
This would be more than enough to deal with the Adepti.
If any unexpected complications arose, she could subtly manipulate the Vicious Chi to sabotage its own efforts.
Now, all that remained was to wait—wait for the Traveler to return from Inazuma and for the Chasm questline to begin. Once those conditions were met, her plan could finally commence.