The morning sunlight, filtered through the steam rising from the hot springs, fell upon the open ground at the edge of the Flowing Spring Tribe.
Genshin · Jing Liu and Paimon stood beside the standard training motorcycle provided by the chat group system.
The motorcycle had sleek lines, full of a sense of technology and metal, completely different from the common mechanical creations found in Teyvat.
"Wow! Is this our race vehicle? It looks so cool!"
Paimon flew two circles around the motorcycle, her small hands cautiously touching the smooth body of the vehicle.
"I didn't expect it to automatically adjust to my size; that's quite thoughtful."
Genshin · Jing Liu patted the vehicle body, a nostalgic expression on her face: "This really doesn't look like Teyvat's style; it's more like something from outside this world."
"And we haven't seen anything like this in the places we've traveled so far. This seems more like pure mechanical control. And..."
Genshin · Jing Liu checked the motorcycle but found no place for fuel, so she tried injecting elemental power.
The motorcycle, upon receiving the elemental power, let out a roar, startling Paimon.
"Sure enough, this thing seems adapted to Teyvat's elemental power. It only needs elemental power to start directly. Now we don't have to worry about finding energy."
Then she looked at Paimon with a mischievous smile, "Oh my, I remember a certain little guide who has never driven any vehicle, not even the Waverider before."
"Hey! That, that's because the Waverider's cockpit design was unreasonable!" Paimon retorted, hands on her hips, her small face slightly flushed. "Besides, Teyvat doesn't have motorcycles! How would I know how to drive one! Genshin · Jing Liu, you definitely haven't driven one of these either, right?"
Genshin · Jing Liu deliberately said, "Just because Teyvat doesn't have them doesn't mean I can't drive one. Would you like me, the famous Traveler, to teach you? It'll only cost you one Sweet Madame."
She straddled the motorcycle, feeling the texture of the seat and the position of the footpegs. "Come on, Paimon. Although you can't drive it yourself yet, I'm here, aren't I? Let's start by learning how to read the dashboard. That's a very important first step!"
Paimon immediately perked up, flying to Genshin · Jing Liu's shoulder, her small face close to the flickering indicator lights and gauges: "You promised, only one! Hurry and teach me, what's that blue flashing light? And what do those numbers jumping around mean?"
Genshin · Jing Liu patiently began to explain. The sunlight stretched their shadows, outlining two focused and engrossed figures, creating an atmosphere of preparation for battle.
At the same time, the atmosphere in the Astral Express's observation car was much more relaxed.
"Woohoo! Come and see the livery this girl designed!" March 7th excitedly extracted the designed motorcycle from the chat group.
"Pink base, with shiny stars and Hexa-Ice patterns! And add a cute Pom-Pom avatar to the front! Perfect!"
Stelle leaned over to look, stroking her chin as she commented, "Not bad, it's your style. But putting the Train Conductor's avatar on the front, are you trying to use the Train Conductor to run over us who are in front of you? I'm going to tell Pom-Pom."
"And yours isn't Domineering enough?" Then she also took out the motorcycle she had designed.
"Look at mine! It's entirely bright gray, with bright yellow lightning patterns! The rear exhaust should be designed like a flame thrower! I'm going to call it 'Invincible Galactic Overrider One'."
Dan Heng, who was quietly reviewing data nearby, choked slightly upon hearing the name, giving Stelle a helpless look.
"Hey! Stelle! What kind of name is that!" March 7th immediately complained, "And it's so dull and ugly! My Pom-Pom livery is the cutest!"
"Can cute be eaten? Can it win the race?" Stelle stood with her hands on her hips, a smug expression on her face.
"Speed! Power! That's the key to victory! Just wait, the first place 300 points, it's mine!"
"Hmph! Stop bragging!" March 7th puffed out her cheeks, unconvinced.
Dan Heng put down the data in his hand and calmly said, "According to the event rules, the system uniformly provides standard performance motorcycles. The livery does not affect actual performance."
"The key to victory lies in the driver's mastery of the motorcycle's performance, adaptation to the track environment, and on-the-spot reaction ability."
Stelle immediately objected: "How can livery be useless! Look at my Domineering livery, the sheer aura alone will intimidate opponents, making first place easy!"
At the same time, she muttered to herself that she had spent several hours meticulously designing several schemes before choosing this coolest one, and Dan Heng actually said it was useless? This was absolutely unacceptable!
Meanwhile, in Wildfire Town in New Eridu's Outer Ring.
Belle and Wise were facing several screens, on which complex data streams and Hollow energy distribution maps scrolled rapidly. The lunch placed beside them was almost untouched.
"Brother, the Hollow energy readings are showing abnormal fluctuations again, very similar to the Aether peak values recorded during the last 'Fire Domain Ride'." Belle pointed to a rapidly rising curve on the screen.
Wise's fingers flew across the keyboard, bringing up a comparison model: "Hmm, the correlation is quite high. It seems that near the race route provided by Caesar, Hollow activity indeed has a periodic strengthening pattern. Refine this data model and remember to remind Caesar and the others to be extra careful when the time comes."
He rubbed his aching eyes and looked at another screen nearby, which displayed their simulated driving data from the training race.
"Training races can only be squeezed in during lunch breaks and evenings. Fortunately, we have driver's licenses, so basic operations are quick to pick up."
Belle sighed: "Brother, you also said that only basic operation is fine. This is a speed race, and only basic operation is not enough."
"And Caesar's drifting techniques..." Belle fell into contemplation.
"Can't learn it, really can't learn it. That way of completely disregarding the terrain and relying solely on reaction and courage to charge through is too dangerous. One mistake in the Hollow could be a disaster."
She recalled Caesar's wild drifts and almost ground-skimming turns during the demonstration, feeling lingering fear. That was something she and her brother, as ordinary people, could not achieve in a short time.
Besides, the two still had work to do, so their training time was even less.
"Indeed." Wise nodded, "Caesar's riding style should only be used as a reference; never use it."
"Remember, Belle, safety first, race second. Our goal is to complete the race and get points, then draw lots! Don't get carried away at crucial moments, we still have more important things to complete." His eyes gleamed with a thirst for power.
The siblings exchanged a smile, then tacitly returned to work. The sound of typing and data analysis alerts formed their unique melody of preparation.
In Liyue, at the foot of Mt. Hulao, beneath the Dragon-Queller Tree.
The atmosphere here was exceptionally solemn, heavy as solidified rock. Eight colossal stone pillars rose from the ground, like silent guardians, standing in an arcane formation around Azhdaha.
Dense golden light flowed across the surface of the stone pillars, connecting to each other, forming an unbreakable seal. A boundless and heavy Geo elemental power permeated the air.
"Morax—!!!" A deafening roar erupted from the center of the seal, carrying endless fury and resentment, impacting the surrounding rock walls, "A thousand years of hatred, how shall it be repaid?!"
Azhdaha, bound by heavy chains, struggled violently within the seal. Each impact caused the golden light of the stone pillars to burst forth, and the earth trembled slightly.
In his massive dragon eyes, only chaotic madness remained. Erosion had long devoured his sanity, leaving only a deep-seated hatred for his former close friend.
Zhongli stood quietly outside the seal, his hands behind his back, his deep golden eyes gazing at his old friend struggling in pain.
Deep within his eyes surged an unspeakable complexity of emotions—guilt, sorrow, and the heavy responsibility of upholding a contract for a thousand years.
He slowly raised his hand, and even purer Geo elemental power flowed from his fingertips, like a golden stream, silently merging into the stone pillars.
The seal's light intensified once more, firmly suppressing Ruo Tuo's violent power, leaving him only able to let out more furious and unwilling low growls.
After confirming that the seal was absolutely stable for a short period, Zhongli withdrew his hand.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suppressed the turbulent waves in his heart.
When he opened his eyes again, only resolute calm remained.
He opened the chat group interface, his finger hovering over the light screen for a moment, seemingly deliberating his words.
Finally, a concise yet powerful message was sent:
Genshin Impact · Zhongli: "@Genshin · Jing Liu @Genshin Impact · Paimon You two, the Ruo Tuo seal is ready. Please proceed to the foot of the Dragon-Queller Tree on Mt. Hulao to help Ruo Tuo clear the erosion. I'm counting on you."