Liyue's streets, bustling because of the Rite of Parting.
"Mm…? This ancient, weighty presence…"
Zhongli lifted his gaze, peering beyond the false sky and out of the world. His calm, steady tone carried a hint of unmistakable surprise.
The sheer weight of that presence already surpassed the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, the God of Empty Space—Asmoday.
But… if the heavens were to fall, the tall ones would bear it first.
Matters beyond the world were, for the moment, none of his concern.
Besides, today was an exceedingly important day for him.
The Geo Archon would fall; the adepti would withdraw.
If Liyue could pass this trial, he could finally entrust the city to its people with complete peace of mind.
From then on, Liyue would enter an age of human governance.
Right then, several strange yet familiar auras wafted out of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor (Genshin Impact).
"Could it be an old friend…?"
Every one of these sudden arrivals carried a faint trace of that old friend's Flame-Chaser aura.
Over-thinking was pointless; there was still some time before the Rite began, so he might as well go and see for himself.
With that thought, Zhongli strolled leisurely toward Wangsheng Funeral Parlor (Genshin Impact) like an old man taking a walk… Inside the hall, located south of Liyue Harbor's Feiyun Slope, it was already a pot of boiling porridge.
Our Director Hu Tao stared at the dazzling array of Kianas before her.
And at the swarm of voices—identical to her own—buzzing around her ears like bees.
If she opened a choir class and had them sing the Hilichurl song, wouldn't that be an instant Teyvat girl-group debut?
And Wangsheng Funeral Parlor (Genshin Impact) could even add a new service: buy one gravestone, get one free—plus a complimentary grand requiem chorus to ferry the departed souls!
The more she thought about it, the more doable it seemed!
The foundation of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor (Genshin Impact)… ought to be enough to feed this many Nanas. Hu Tao quietly tugged the sleeve of Workhorse Na standing beside her, blinking her plum-blossom pupils, eyes sparkling.
"Nana…"
"Mm? You called me?"
Hu Tao's single "Nana" made every Kiana turn to look at her.
"You're all called Kiana?"
Hu Tao's mouth fell open; her formerly eager gaze turned somewhat blank.
They looked the same—fine—but even their names were identical.
She'd assumed these girls were Kiana's relatives, their family genes just too overpowering.
But now it seemed… that wasn't the case?
"Oh, everyone's here, sisters!"
A flash of brilliant teleportation lights, and Kiana and Bianca appeared inside Wangsheng Funeral Parlor (Genshin Impact).
"Oh-ho, one more."
Hu Tao spread her hands, her expression suddenly calm.
One, two, three… eleven… With this many already, one or two extra felt perfectly normal.
Besides… being surrounded by so many Nanas felt rather nice!
"They're… all Kiana…?"
Bianca froze at the sight of a roomful of Kianas, murmuring instinctively.
The Kiana who'd been looking around raised her eyes, then glanced at her already-stupefied big sister.
"There are still two who haven't arrived; they've got some business to finish."
"Still… two more…"
Bianca was growing numb—was the world destined to be conquered by Kiana?!
Glancing at the dazed Bianca, Kiana lifted her eyes in thought, then suddenly understood.
"Oh! Speaking of which, big sis, you're Kiana too!"
…
Bianca fell silent.
Kiana wasn't wrong!
At the same time, Kiana's words drew every Na's attention.
"Eh? She's also a Kiana?" Gojo Na.
"Looking at her face, I can kinda see it." Workhorse Na.
"But why does she look so dazed…?" Knight Na.
"Let me state first: my name is Kevin, I'm not Kiana…"
Kevin, who had brought Mei along, immediately distanced herself.
Though she resembled them, she had her own unique name!
Kevin!
And Caeluslana—or Phainon—those were the truly special ones! (hands on hips)
"Kevin, didn't we agree to go to the movies with Su? If you drag me here without telling her, what if she gets mad?"
Mei frowned at the sea of white hair, troubled.
"She won't be angry, don't worry!"
Kevin shook her head, full of confidence.
A childhood friend—of course she knew her!
Su was the quiet, gentle type; Kevin had rarely seen her lose her temper.
…
Watching Kevin's confident face, Mei was speechless, the corner of her eye twitching faintly.
Was Kevin really that oblivious? Mei took off her glasses, wiped them, and sighed silently.
This bright, pretty girl pursuing her was, in a way, a blockhead… Mei put her glasses back on and said nothing.
After all… she was beginning to like Kevin too.
It was mutual.
She could only apologize to Su.
This had been an unfair contest from the start.
Though Mei was a bookworm, she wasn't stupid.
Her own happiness—she had to seize it!
Just then, the door of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor (Genshin Impact) was pushed open; Hu Tao brightened at the figure who entered.
"Yo, the consultant's back!"
"Yes, back to rest a while; there's still time before the Rite begins."
Zhongli gave a slight nod, then surveyed the room of white-haired girls, finally settling on Workhorse Na.
"Why are so many little Nanas gathered here?"
Zhongli was puzzled—had his old friend, reborn from embers, split into multiple bodies?
He couldn't see through it—he really couldn't!
Especially that Kiana with the purple-gradient Horsetail.
If he hadn't seen her with his own eyes, he wouldn't have sensed her at all—the gap between their dimensions was too vast.
And the golden-haired woman beside her.
Compared to the former, he could at least clearly sense the latter.
All were existences not to be underestimated.
It seemed the script he'd prepared for this Rite would not unfold entirely as he wished.
"They're all my sisters, from beyond this world."
Workhorse Na explained to Zhongli and her hall director.
After all, so many Kianas appearing couldn't be explained by mere bluffing.
Hearing this, Zhongli nodded in understanding, plainly accepting the explanation.
And since they bore his old friend's face and carried her blessing, Zhongli saw no need to pry further.
So long as he could confirm they posed no threat to Liyue—or to Teyvat—that was enough.
This time, every Kiana except Phainon and Digi-Na had come to Teyvat.
Only Kiana and Kevin had each used their travel slots to bring one extra person; the other Nanas had come alone.
"It's cramped here—why don't we head straight to Yujing Terrace? The Rite should be starting soon."
Workhorse Na suggested, looking at the crowded hall.
"Nana's right; it's almost time."
Hu Tao nodded.
Thereupon, everyone followed the three members of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor (Genshin Impact) to Yujing Terrace—the venue of the Rite of Parting.
All along the way their procession drew countless eyes.
After all, nearly ten girls who looked exactly the same was a rare sight.
After the Kianas arrived, apart from the Millelith guards… a platinum-haired woman in a qipao stood at the center of Yujing Terrace, hands folded before her, posture dignified and graceful, a mysterious, elegant smile always on her lips.
"Mm?"
Kiana, glancing around, suddenly spotted a golden figure in the crowd behind her.
And a tiny, adorable white flying creature!
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