At 9:00 AM, the most bustling People's Square at Feiyun Slope was already packed with people. Saying it was shoulder to shoulder would not be an exaggeration.
Looking at the sea of heads beneath the stage, Jiajun, who was serving as the host for the opening ceremony of the Bubble-Blowing Contest, couldn't help but swallow nervously. The last time he saw such a grand spectacle was during the Rite of Parting, but back then the hosts were Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu. The scale hadn't changed, but the quality of the host now was several levels lower…
He couldn't help but complain inwardly about what right he had to stand on equal ground with the Liyue Qixing, but in the end, relying on his professionalism—and the intimidating presence of Ningguang standing behind him—he forcibly steadied himself.
"Good morning, everyone! Welcome to the venue of the Teyvat's First Bubble-Blowing Contest!"
With just that simple greeting, the audience below erupted in thunderous applause and deafening cheers.
"Everyone, as you can see, the number of contestants is simply overwhelming! By the end of registration yesterday, a total of 1,281 participants had confirmed their entry. We can truly feel your passion!"
"Ohhhh!" The cheers rose in wave after wave.
Aside from the 1,281 contestants standing in the middle of the square, there were several thousand spectators gathered around, either cheering for family and friends or just here for the spectacle. Standing in the crowd, Victor Wang felt that the noise here could rival the roar of the Overlord of the Vortex from that day.
"However, I must apologize. We, the organizers, were not adequately prepared… Originally, we estimated that 500 contestants would be the maximum, and the whole contest was planned to be finished in three days. Therefore…"
"Boo!!!"
"But! Lady Ningguang, moved by everyone's enthusiasm, has urgently allocated funds to upgrade the contest!"
"Wonderful! Lady Ningguang!"
"Ningguang! Ningguang! Ningguang!"
Sitting gracefully on the podium, Ningguang crossed her legs elegantly, smiled elegantly, and remained elegantly silent.
"Alright, alright! Everyone, please settle down first. I'll now explain the rules, schedule, and rewards."
Once the atmosphere calmed a little, Jiajun continued his work:
"In order to have sufficient space for the contest, all contestants have been randomly divided into four divisions. The rosters are being distributed as we speak. You may also check the bulletin boards afterwards."
In the crowd, the Bubblegum Squad gathered with Lumine and Paimon, resisting the bustling waves of people, as staff in uniforms threaded through the masses handing out flyers.
"Over here, over here! Give me one!"
Xiangling reached out eagerly and snatched a copy, and everyone began searching for their own names.
"Xiangling, Xingqiu, Victor—north bridge of Liyue Harbor… The three of us are in the same division! Hu Tao and Lumine are at the south dock, while Chongyun is all alone in the Chihu Rock division, hehe!"
Chongyun, left by himself, pouted. "The rules haven't even been announced yet. Being together doesn't necessarily mean it's a good thing."
Meanwhile, Hu Tao was already probing Lumine's strength.
"Lumine is really strong!" Paimon said proudly.
"Oh? Really?"
"Don't listen to Paimon's nonsense. We haven't seen everyone's strength yet. Whether she's strong or not depends on the contest."
"You're right! I'm looking forward to it. I expect an evenly matched battle."
Lumine smiled innocently. "For the Mora."
Hu Tao returned the smile. "For victory."
"The tension between these two is intense. As for the three of us, let's keep it friendly. Personally, I think… if we can get into the top ten percent, that's already a success."
"Xiangling, Xiangling," Xingqiu said, shaking his head with mock seriousness, "I don't mean to discourage you, but with those little bubbles of yours, making it into the top fifty percent would already count as success."
"Don't underestimate me! I've been training hard!"
"Eyes on me, everyone! Listen up!"
Jiajun suppressed the noisy crowd and continued:
"The First Teyvat Bubble-Blowing Contest is expected to last four days, and the schedule is as follows:
"Day One, today: the opening ceremony this morning, then preliminary rounds in the afternoon. Out of 1,281 contestants, 100 contestants from each division will be selected.
"Day Two: in the morning, 100 to 50; in the afternoon, 50 to 20.
"Day Three: in the morning, 20 to 4; in the afternoon, 4 to 1, deciding the division champions.
"Day Four: the four division champions will meet again here in the square, draw lots into two groups, the winners contesting for the championship and runner-up, and the losers for third place.
"As for how victory is judged, we'll use these criteria: bubble-blowing speed, bubble size, bubble shape, and the judges' reserved scores.
"These details are also explained on the back of the flyer, so if you didn't catch everything, check it there."
Victor Wang glanced at the contest rules on the flyer.
The preliminary round on the first day was straightforward.
On the second morning, the 100-to-50 round was divided into ten groups, selecting the top five from each group. In the afternoon's 50-to-20, it was also ten groups, choosing the top two from each.
On the third morning, the 20-to-4 round was divided into four groups, with the first from each group advancing. Only in the afternoon's 4-to-1 did one-on-one duels begin.
This way, there would be more opportunities for skilled players, preventing strong competitors from knocking each other out too early.
"This elimination pace is brutal. From 1,281 down to 400 in just one round…"
"In other words, passing the preliminaries already puts you in the top thirty percent. You've got to give it your all, Xiangling!" Xingqiu encouraged sincerely.
"Hmph, I'll definitely make you see me in a new light."
"What about the rewards?!" Paimon's eyes sparkled toward the stage. Many others in the crowd were just as eager.
"Hahaha! Now I'll announce the upgraded rewards.
"First, the participation prize: contestants eliminated in the preliminaries will each receive a 1,000 Mora bubblegum voucher, plus unlimited free bubblegum during the event. With ID proof, two family members may also share the benefit—though, of course, bubblegum cannot be taken offsite."
"Nice! You get rewards just for signing up, that's awesome!"
"Ugh, if I had known, I would've joined too."
"Too late for regrets now."
The crowd buzzed.
"Next, the advancement prize: the 400 contestants who pass the preliminaries will each receive a 10,000 Mora bubblegum voucher, plus unlimited bubblegum."
"10,000 Mora!"
Many eyes lit up. That was at least the equivalent of completing three commission errands, and now you could get it just by blowing bubbles!
Even if the voucher could only be spent on bubblegum—what of it? One could use it themselves, or resell to bubblegum lovers.
After all, it was a bubble-blowing contest. Free stuff couldn't be more fitting.
"Then there's the Progress Award: the top four of each division, aside from the champion, will receive 500,000 Mora in cash or bank transfer!"
"Woooaaaahhhh!!"
The crowd completely exploded.
Paimon started massaging Lumine's shoulders obsequiously, mumbling, "500,000 Mora… that's so many big feasts we could have… ehehe~"
"Paimon," Lumine patted her hand, "we don't want just 500,000 Mora."
"Eh?! Why not?"
"We're going to the finals. We'll take more Mora."
"Only one per division can make it to the finals. Who will win and who will fall… that's yet to be decided." Hu Tao smiled brightly, with a sharp, challenging undertone.
"Everyone! Now, the ultimate finals prize! Each division champion is guaranteed 1,000,000 Mora. The grand third-place winner will receive 2,000,000 Mora, the runner-up 3,000,000 Mora, and the grand champion will receive 5,000,000 Mora and be crowned the first ever Bubble King!"
"I'll be number one!"
"Bubblegum may be new, but in bubble-blowing, all are equal. I said before—give me a fair starting line, and I will never lose!"
"Heh. Even if you're given the chance, so are others. Don't be so sure of yourself."
"Hmph! The 5,000,000 Mora is mine!"
"The Bubble King title will be claimed by me, the Great Collector of Rare Titles!"
"You're seriously here for the title? Better aim for the special reward."
"What do you mean? I'm the King of Fighting!"
"If that makes you happy, I won't argue."
"Yeah, host, what about the special reward? Why aren't you telling us?"
Jiajun shook his head. "Patience. Since it's a special reward, it must be announced by someone special. Please welcome our organizer, Lady Ningguang!"
The square instantly fell silent, save for the crisp tap tap of high heels on the stage. Each step seemed to echo in every heart.
This was Ningguang, the Tianquan Star: Liyue's wealthiest, most powerful, most beautiful, and single.
It was said that noble heirs from Yujing Terrace, young entrepreneurs, and sea captains who had sailed all seven nations all schemed for a single smile from her. Rumor even claimed that a powerful businessman from Fontaine signed a trade deal with Liyue Harbor after just a short conversation with her—just to see her again.
Yet she always treated every pursuer with courteous distance. In time, people began to whisper that perhaps Ningguang, the Tianquan Star, truly loved only Mora.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Bubble-Blowing Contest."
Though the contest leaned toward entertainment, once Ningguang's voice, aura, and elegance carried the words, the audience felt like they were listening to an important, solemn announcement. All grew silent, awaiting her continuation.
"I don't wish to bore you with long speeches, but some words of thanks are necessary.
"To my knowledge, we even have friends from Fontaine, Sumeru, and Mondstadt among our contestants. Thank you for your passionate participation and support. I hope this contest leaves everyone with fond memories.
"I also want to thank Victor and Xiangling, the inventor and creator of bubblegum, for bringing us together today. Thanks to their authorization, the champions, runner-ups, and third-place winners of this contest may designate one vegetable or fruit flavor for the next generation of chewing gum or bubblegum."
Applause followed her words, but it was muted, restrained by Ningguang's presence—or perhaps because the special reward wasn't exciting enough. It was nowhere near as lively as before she appeared.
That won't do…
Ningguang's beautiful eyes swept the crowd and landed on one person with pinpoint accuracy. Chewing her gum with elegance, she smiled faintly. "Hmm? Staring at me like that is rather impolite. This is gum, and I won't be blowing bubbles in public."
That meant… the Tianquan Star, Ningguang, also blew bubbles in private?
As she turned and walked back to the podium, the crowd erupted in earth-shaking cheers. Only Victor Wang awkwardly withdrew his gaze.