Chapter Summaries

Zhongli and two adepti were leaving the adeptal realm to investigate the danger facing Cloud Retainer and Salt King when a pebble struck his heel. Zhongli tested whether the pebble was Azhdaha, and its vibrations matched his three-two-five rhythm, leaving everyone baffled.

• Zhongli and the two adepti turned to leave the adeptal realm because Cloud Retainer and Salt King might be in mortal peril.
• A pebble struck Zhongli's shoe, but he continued walking.
• The pebble struck Zhongli's heel again, so Zhongli picked it up and asked if it was Azhdaha.
• Zhongli asked the pebble to vibrate in a three-two-five rhythm, and it matched him exactly.
• Zhongli, Xueyue Zhuyang, and Water-Taming Mountain-Piling all tilted their heads in confusion.

Morax gathered Liyue’s gods and immortals after encountering Anqi, a Descender whose power and ability to heal Azhdaha’s Erosion threatened to overturn their understanding of Teyvat. The chapter ended with Morax considering Liyue’s choice between Celestia and the World Tree, while he concluded that Celestia was unreliable.

• Morax met Anqi, who dismissed his invitation and vanished into the mist, while the stone containing Azhdaha trembled in his arms.
• Morax summoned Liyue’s gods and immortals to Hulao Mountain, where he revealed that the trembling stone was Azhdaha.
• Maria asked the stone about her past battle with Morax, prompting Guizhong to reveal that Maria had fought him to prove her sincerity as a suitor.
• Shenhe recounted her encounter with Anqi, and Azhdaha revealed that Anqi had offered to free him and that his Erosion had been healed.
• Morax and Maria agreed that Liyue should notify the World Tree and seek reliable support amid the danger posed by a Descender.
• Morax weighed Liyue’s allegiance to Celestia or the World Tree and concluded that Celestia was not reliable.

Maria stopped Xianyun from confronting Guizhong over an accident in the maze and asked why Xianyun had mentioned Guizhong as soon as she saw her. Guizhong, Xianyun, and Ping'er all stiffened, leaving the reason for their reactions unresolved.

• Someone asked what had happened while they were rolling on the ground.
• A pebble bounced near the table and then stayed still.
• Xianyun cracked her knuckles as if preparing to confront someone.
• Maria pulled Guizhong to her side and told Xianyun not to make trouble over an accident in the maze.
• Maria asked Guizhong whether she had been doing something to Xianyun, and Guizhong, Xianyun, and Ping'er all stiffened.

Furina insisted that she was taking a lawful vacation and dismissed Neuvillette, who was concerned about her absence and Eris's workload. After he left, Furina enjoyed Eris's intimate attention, which led to a bathing scene that stirred her desire.

• Furina argued that her accumulated leave allowed her to take a long vacation, and Neuvillette agreed to tell the public she was on leave.
• Neuvillette urged Eris not to take on tasks beyond her duties, but Eris politely acknowledged him without changing her behavior.
• After Neuvillette left, Furina asked Eris what his expression had been and admitted she had wanted to spite him for interrupting her rest.
• Eris prepared a hot bath despite Furina's request to bathe alone, and Furina became flustered by Eris's closeness.
• During the bath, Eris's towel slipped, and Furina swallowed as the bathroom filled with splashing water.

Furina insisted that she and Eris were a couple to keep Eris from being labeled lewd, then struggled with her excitement over the relationship. The chapter ended with Furcalos reacting in shock to Furina's laughter.

• Furina declared that she and Eris were a couple.
• Eris nodded and continued wiping the lampshade while humming happily.
• Furina hid her face in a pillow and told Eris to read fewer books.
• Eris agreed, and Furina felt regret and excitement as she considered being in a couple for the first time.
• Furina chuckled beneath the pillow, and Furcalos's jaw dropped.

Furina fell again while trying to deal with a Pengpeng Beast and wondered whether it was seeking revenge for her having bullied one before. Eris teased her, and Furina awkwardly admitted she had bullied wild Pengpeng Beasts out of boredom.

• Furina collapsed to the ground again, her eyes losing their luster.
• Eris tried to hide her laughter as Furina climbed back up by herself.
• Furina wondered whether the Pengpeng Beast was related to one she had bullied and was holding a grudge.
• Eris asked whether Furina had bullied wild Pengpeng Beasts, and Furina admitted she had done so occasionally out of boredom.

Eris and Furina discovered an unusually intact complex beneath the lake, preserved by a powerful dream, and decided to explore it. Furina’s trust in Eris overcame her fear of danger as she led them inside.

• Eris noticed a strange power around a well-preserved complex beneath the lake and went to investigate with Furina.
• Eris recognized that a powerful dream was keeping the buildings intact and the waters calm.
• Eris opened the sealed doors with her Psychic Power and warned Furina that a peculiar power was inside.
• Furina hesitated over the danger but trusted Eris and chose to explore the complex.
• Furina flew through the doors, bringing Eris with her.

Furina recounted the Narwhal's Cross Society's defeat and identified their hall as the old orphanage, while Eris studied the society's research. Eris uncovered clues about missing members and a mysterious World Formula, prompting her to investigate the dreamscape's owner.

• Furina reassured Eris that the old tragedy was in the past and told her not to cause trouble again.
• Furina recalled Neuvillette sentencing the Narwhal's Cross Society and the Shadow Hunters fighting them inside Eris, where Marianne died and the society's crimes were stopped.
• Furina recognized the hall as the orphanage where Rene, Alain, and Marianne had stayed, and suspected its defenses had been built by the society.
• Eris used her abilities to rapidly examine the society's books and found that Rene, Jacob, and 46 other members had no death records in the World Tree.
• Eris discovered research on the Abyss, consciousness, Primordial Sea Water, and the World Formula, then asked the World Tree and Primal Anqi to model and verify the formula.

Furina left the dreamscape with Eris, grateful that she was no longer alone, while Marianne reconsidered her assumptions about Furcalos’s efforts to avert Fontaine’s prophecy. In Liyue, Shenhe questioned the Descender Anqi, determined to help despite not fully understanding the situation.

• Furina and Eris walked out together, and Furina silently thanked Eris for staying by her side.
• Marianne realized Furcalos had been researching ways to defeat the prophecy and had subdued the giant beast, but she doubted the absent pureblood sprites would return to help.
• Furina’s emotions fluctuated over the next few days, and Eris struggled to find a way to comfort her.
• In Liyue, Shenhe repeatedly asked the Descender Anqi who she was, where she came from, and why she had arrived.
• Shenhe explained that she wanted to help because the gods and immortals were on alert over Anqi, while Anqi questioned whether Shenhe had misunderstood her master’s lesson about perseverance.

Guizhong visited Cloud Retainer at Mount Aozang and settled into her old seat, then drew Shenhe into a conversation about the Descender. Cloud Retainer complained about Guizhong but carefully prepared dinner, secretly smiling as she looked back at her.

• Cloud Retainer told Guizhong to sit by herself and flew off to make dinner.
• Guizhong returned to her old seat and remarked that Cloud Retainer had lent the place to the Salt King.
• Guizhong invited Shenhe to sit in Maria's spot, and Shenhe obeyed.
• Guizhong asked Shenhe about the Descender while Cloud Retainer cooked and muttered resentfully.
• Cloud Retainer prepared the food with unusual care and glanced back at Guizhong with an unknowing smile.

Anqi the Descender and the Anqi Faction analyzed how dragons differed from Demon Gods and concluded that the Heavenly Principles had gradually replaced Teyvat’s dragons and will. Anqi considered using seven dragon avatars to take control of the world in turn, but the faction questioned whether seizing it would go too far.

• Xianyun fled her cultivation lecture after Guizhong and Ping'er stared her down, promising to bring back a late-night snack.
• Anqi the Descender examined a miniature stone dragon and learned that dragons belonged to Teyvat more fundamentally than Demon Gods did.
• Anqi concluded that the Heavenly Principles had defeated Teyvat’s dragons, altered the world, and used the Seven Archons to replace them and its will.
• Anqi proposed that seven dragon avatars could likewise replace the Seven Archons and let a Descender take control of the world.
• The Anqi Faction hesitated over the plan, questioning whether seizing Teyvat was justified given Anqi had come only to seek knowledge.

Shenhe decided to go with Anqi after recalling the Dust King's advice to follow her own will in uncertain situations.

• Shenhe remembered that the Dust King had not explained how to handle this situation.
• Shenhe recalled the Dust King's advice to follow her own will when uncertain.
• Shenhe agreed to go and grasped Anqi's hand.

Ganyu, unaware that Morax had revealed himself as Zhongli, mistook Anqi for the Archon when she encountered her. She also recognized Shenhe as her junior martial sister, and greeted her with delight.

• Ping'er left with Guoba to attend the banquet while Ganyu stayed behind working overtime.
• Morax appeared before the adepti and yakshas in the form of Zhongli, but Ganyu missed the gathering and remained unaware of his new life among the common folk.
• Ganyu saw the red-dressed Anqi and convinced herself that the little dragon girl was the Archon in disguise.
• Shenhe greeted Ganyu, who recognized her from Cloud Retainer's descriptions and welcomed the chance to meet her junior martial sister.

Anqi met Zhongli and Ping'er in Liyue Harbor after Ganyu, Keqing, and Ningguang had visited her. She revealed her interest in the place where the Salt King was going and asked Zhongli and Ping'er to pass along a message.

• Anqi enjoyed lunch with Ganyu, Keqing, and Ningguang, then asked Ganyu to keep the private room for another guest.
• Zhongli and Ping'er arrived, and Ganyu welcomed them before explaining Ping'er's identity and speculating about Zhongli to Keqing and Ningguang.
• Zhongli and Ping'er saw Anqi's dragon horns and tail, and Zhongli apologized for the Seven Stars' and Ganyu's imperfect hospitality.
• Anqi told Zhongli and Ping'er she had no interest in Liyue but wanted to know where the Salt King was going, and asked them to pass along a message.
• Zhongli realized Anqi knew about the Salt King's whereabouts and possibly the World Tree, and feared her power as a descender.

Maria consulted the World Tree, which agreed to contact the Descender only within safe limits, while Nahida and King Deshret debated how the gods should prepare for the coming conflict. In Inazuma, Yae Miko and Raiden Ei discussed the Fatui’s role in purifying the islands and waited for their sister to return with news from Snezhnaya.

• Maria met the World Tree, which said it needed no allies or contracts and would determine its stance when the time came.
• Nahida and King Deshret decided to conceal what they knew about the Descender and wait for the World Tree’s negotiations before acting.
• King Deshret worried that Nahida’s lost years had left her unprepared for the rapidly approaching changes in Teyvat.
• Yae Miko complained to Raiden Ei about exhausting herself organizing ley-line cleanup, while Ei praised the Fatui’s usefulness in dangerous work.
• Yae Miko said Inazuma’s main island was nearly purified and outlined plans to repair the Mikage Furnace and assess Yashiori Island’s warding stones.
• Yae Miko and Raiden Ei waited for their sister to return from the Tenryou Commission headquarters and deliver the promised explanation from Snezhnaya.

Kamisato Ayato asked Kaguya to help protect him, and she told him to choose someone suitable to cultivate. She agreed to handle granting the person a surname or arranging an adoption.

• Kaguya asked whether anyone could rival Kamisato Ayato in bloodline and ability.
• Kamisato Ayato admitted through his expression that he had been the only person able to hold Inazuma’s commissions at bay.
• Kamisato Ayato pleaded with Kaguya to save him for Kamisato Ayaka’s sake.
• Kaguya dismissed Ayato’s act, then agreed to handle a surname or adoption for someone Ayato chose to cultivate.
• Kamisato Ayato thanked Kaguya respectfully.

Kaguya told Raiden Ei to modify the Divine Puppet so Raiden Makoto could use it, rather than letting Ei remain locked away in Kaguya’s inner world. The sisters were left bewildered by the suggestion.

• Kaguya ordered Raiden Ei to get up after Ei had pressed her forehead into the floor.
• Kaguya noted that the Divine Puppet was built to bear divine power and could withstand a wisp of Demon God Will.
• Raiden Ei agreed that the puppet could handle it.
• Kaguya told Ei to modify the puppet for Raiden Makoto so Ei would not have to remain in Kaguya’s inner world.
• Raiden Makoto and Raiden Ei tilted their heads in unison, confused by Kaguya’s proposal.

Zhongli searched for a jade stone suited to Azhdaha while the stone containing his old friend vibrated impatiently. In Snezhnaya, Pantalone led the Harbingers in accepting the loss of Doctor and Scaramouche and turning their attention to Inazuma and Hōraisan Kaguya, while the World Tree collected Doctor's segments.

• Zhongli inspected jade stones and reassured the vibrating stone holding Azhdaha that he was nearly done choosing one.
• Pantalone told the Harbingers that Doctor and Scaramouche would not return and explained that Snezhnaya had to hand them over to preserve the Cryo Archon's plan.
• Pantalone outlined plans to dismantle Scaramouche's influence, find Doctor's successor, and continue pursuing the Gods' Hearts, with Rosalyn working in Mondstadt.
• Arlecchino and Pantalone identified Inazuma's Imperial Advisor, Hōraisan Kaguya, as a powerful threat, and Pantalone ordered the Harbingers to learn her preferences and ingratiate themselves with her.
• The Harbingers resumed discussing candidates and assignments while the World Tree gathered Doctor's segments and judged the quantity valuable.

Scaramouche relived his death and awoke immobilized in Tenshukaku before Raiden Ei. Ei explained why she considered him a failed vessel, but also revealed that his tears had made her see him as a living being rather than a puppet.

• Scaramouche recalled the Fatui closing in on him and felt both resentment and relief as he faced death.
• Scaramouche awoke in Tenshukaku and recognized Raiden Ei, but found he could not move.
• Scaramouche accused Ei of discarding him, and she admitted he was a defective vessel compared with the Shogun.
• Ei explained that Scaramouche’s tears showed his weakness, but also made her regard him as a living being with a heart and emotions.

Raiden Ei worked on modifying a puppet body for Makoto so her two parts would not fuse and attract the Heavenly Principles’ attention. Her past self accepted the delay until the modifications were complete, and Ei continued her research.

• Raiden Ei brought the hollow puppet shell to her workshop after absorbing sister-essence.
• Raiden Ei’s past self warned that she had strayed from eternity.
• Raiden Ei explained that modifying Makoto’s body would prevent her two parts from fusing and drawing the Heavenly Principles’ gaze.
• Raiden Ei’s past self accepted the delay until the body modification was complete.
• Raiden Ei continued her research, confident that she could resolve the Shogun’s problem.