Boothill:
"So you folks are from Teyvat?"
"Well I'll be a rusted scrap… what kind of planet even is Teyvat, to have so many people pouring in?"
Boothill was genuinely baffled.
By all logic, Teyvat was a native world not yet connected to the Star Rail — a so-called "uncivilised planet."
Yet here it was, flooding the live room with participants.
Asta:
"Though those higher-dimensional beings spoke of it quite disparagingly…"
"The fact they mentioned it specifically suggests Teyvat may not be ordinary after all."
She gave it some thought before speaking again.
Steluna:
"Mm, Asta has a point. That's quite reasonable."
March 7th:
"Hey, Conductor! If we get the chance, can we drive the train to Teyvat and check it out?"
Pom-Pom:
"Uh… It should be possible, Pom!"
"But without precise coordinates, it might take a very long time for the train to locate Teyvat, Pom!"
Scratching their head, Pom-Pom clearly wasn't optimistic about the difficulty of the task.
Paimon:
"You're welcome! Seriously, you're all super welcome!"
"You HAVE to come! Then Lumine and I can ride the train and travel the universe with you!"
She still remembered what Boothill had said earlier — that only by bringing the train could Teyvat be connected to the greater cosmos.
"Paimon… aren't you being a little too enthusiastic?"
Lumine sighed at the chat message.
"Don't you want to see the outside world too?" Paimon countered.
"Of course I do. My brother and I used to travel the sea of stars just like that."
"But…"
"If we carelessly link Teyvat with the universe, what if something bad happens?"
"The beings who live here might not even agree."
"Inviting strangers from the cosmos without the people's consent… that's starting to sound a bit like being a traitor to Teyvat."
She wasn't dismissing the idea — merely thinking of consequences.
She was now part of Teyvat.
And so, she could no longer act only for herself.
"…You're right. I really didn't think that through," Paimon admitted.
"Sorry, that was my fault."
But even as she apologised, a strange grin crept onto her face.
"However…"
"However what?" Lumine narrowed her eyes.
"If I'm a traitor to Teyvat…"
"Then those people are traitors too!"
She pointed cheerfully at the live room.
And there, glowing prominently, were new messages:
Zhongli:
"If the Astral Express is willing to visit Teyvat, Zhongli shall personally welcome you with the utmost courtesy."
Venti:
"I look forward to your arrival! I'll prepare my finest brews to celebrate!"
Furina:
"When are you coming? Can you hurry? I can't wait anymore!"
Raiden Ei:
"Inazuma also extends its invitation to all honoured guests."
Nahida:
"Everyone aboard the Astral Express seems immensely learned. Nahida hopes we may discuss wisdom together within the Sanctuary of Surasthana."
...
"???"
"What is going on?"
"Are the Archons seriously the first ones to defect?!"
Lumine stared in disbelief.
She had just lectured Paimon about not inviting outsiders into Teyvat,
and now the gods themselves were lining up with open invitations —
with the usually composed Geo Archon leading the charge.
Was this really happening?
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
"Consultant… are you sure this is wise?" Hu Tao asked hesitantly.
"They're already connected to the universe, with power and foundations far beyond Teyvat."
"If the Silver Rail truly connects to our world, that means they could come and go freely."
"And if they harbour ill intentions… we'd have no way to resist them!"
Though she liked the idea of expanding Wangsheng's business to the cosmos,
she could clearly see the danger here.
Boothill's words had been harsh — but not entirely wrong.
Compared to advanced cosmic civilizations, Teyvat was indeed primitive.
"If fear of the unknown prevents us from reaching outward," Zhongli said calmly, reclining in his chair,
"then Teyvat will forever remain a closed world, bound by its own limitations."
"And we shall never escape the fate of frogs gazing at the sky from the bottom of a well."
"On the contrary, contact with the universe may grant Teyvat infinite possibilities."
"As for your concerns — they are valid."
"But such matters can be managed."
"This live room itself… is the opportunity we have been given."
"An opportunity?" Hu Tao blinked.
"You mean…"
"Hold onto someone's thigh?"
"Hmm… one could phrase it that way," Zhongli chuckled softly.
"From that video, you now understand that the universe hosts many legendary powers."
"And ordinarily, their leaders are beyond the reach of ordinary folk."
"But here, within this live room…"
"We can speak directly with them."
"That is the opportunity."
"If Teyvat truly amounts to nothing more than a small planet in the wider cosmos…"
"Then forging good relations with such powerful entities…"
"and securing even a measure of their protection…"
"may be as effortless as a single word."
"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"
"As expected of our Consultant — so smooth and strategic!"
Hu Tao slapped his shoulder enthusiastically.
"Then the crucial mission of building cosmic connections for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is now yours!"
"Try to recommend our services to every major power in the universe while you're at it!"
"..."
"Director… if an opportunity presents itself, I will… do what I can," Zhongli replied helplessly.
And just like that, somehow,
it all circled back to business again.
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