Chapter Summaries

After finishing his errands, Lin Feng wandered through Liyue during Lantern Rite and reflected on why he chose to help Teyvat. He met Aether on Mt. Tianheng, showed him Lumine enjoying a treasure hunt, and returned to Bubu Pharmacy to prepare for the New Year.

• Lin Feng explored Liyue’s residential district, then concluded that helping the world made sense because he believed it could still be saved.
• Lin Feng met Aether on Mt. Tianheng, where Aether asked why an outsider chose to shoulder Teyvat’s fate.
• Lin Feng explained that he wanted to save the world because he liked it and had the power to change its course.
• Lin Feng shared his view of Lumine, who was happily admiring treasure chests after the Wild Treasure Hunt Challenge, and Aether felt reassured by her carefree journey.
• Aether thanked Lin Feng for helping Lumine and offered to teach him methods of using Abyssal Power if he visited Mondstadt.
• Lin Feng watched the harbor at dusk, set aside thoughts of experimenting with Abyssal Power, and returned to Bubu Pharmacy to prepare for the New Year.

Lin Feng helped Hu Tao prepare a Lantern Rite reunion dinner intended to impress the Conqueror of Demons, then invited Lumine, Paimon, and Mona to join the gathering. As evening approached, Mona resolved not to divine the guests, while Lumine warned Paimon and Rice Ball to behave themselves at the feast.

• Hu Tao asked Lin Feng to help prepare the banquet and worried that the guest list was too small to impress the Conqueror of Demons.
• Lin Feng suggested inviting Lumine's group, and Hu Tao enthusiastically approved the idea.
• Lin Feng walked through Liyue Harbor with Nahida, discussed Lantern Rite wishes, and told her Hu Tao planned to ask the Conqueror of Demons whether Zhongli was an Adepti.
• Lin Feng invited Paimon and asked her to bring Mona; he also warned them that Mona should wear her glasses and avoid casually divining the guests at Bubu Pharmacy.
• Paimon relayed Lin Feng's warning to Mona, who realized the dinner might include multiple gods and decided to avoid offending anyone.
• Lumine, Paimon, and Rice Ball set off for the banquet, and Lumine warned Paimon and Rice Ball not to eat all the food at once.

Lin Feng and Nahida opened New Year's gifts from Zhongli, receiving rare Adepti knowledge, while Lin Feng helped Xiao face the reunion banquet by asking Hu Tao to welcome him normally. Xiao relaxed as the meal went smoothly, but Lumine's group then asked him about gods from other nations and clues to her sibling.

• Mona grew nervous upon arriving at Bubu Pharmacy, then realized Xiao was also hesitating outside.
• Lin Feng and Nahida opened Zhongli's gifts and received knowledge about Adeptus abodes and dreams.
• Lin Feng warned Hu Tao that Xiao wanted to be treated as a friend, so she abandoned her elaborate welcome plans.
• Xiao joined the banquet, where Paimon's praise of the food helped shift attention away from the formal toast.
• Lumine asked Xiao whether he knew about other nations' gods and had clues about her missing sibling.

At a banquet, Venti and Zhongli misled Paimon into believing the gods shared a fondness for Cloud-Gathering Octopus, while the guests exchanged rumors about the Archons. Later, the group arrived at the Lantern Rite venue to make Xiao Lanterns, where Venti introduced the giant Mingxiao Lantern depicting Rex Lapis and Sumeru’s God of Authority.

• Paimon asked Xiao for clues about the gods, but he said he knew little beyond demon-slaying.
• Venti recommended slimy, tentacled seafood as a gift for Rex Lapis, and Zhongli’s advice led Paimon to conclude that both the Geo Archon and the God of Anemo liked Cloud-Gathering Octopus.
• The banquet guests shared impressions and rumors about the Archons, and Lumine, Mona, and Paimon noticed that the meal had left them unusually energetic.
• Hu Tao led the group to the Lantern Rite venue, distributed fireworks and Xiao Lantern materials, and Lin Feng explained the lanterns and their Floating Stone Shards.
• Paimon asked about a large golden dragon and green Qilin display, and Venti explained that the Mingxiao Lantern depicted Rex Lapis and Sumeru’s God of Authority.

At the Lantern Rite, Venti explained Sumeru’s two gods to Lumine and Paimon, and Lin Feng praised Nahida’s contributions. Meanwhile, Cloud Retainer and Mountain Shaper found Bosacius’s fading consciousness and preserved it in an Emerald Crystal, preparing to bring him to a banquet with Rex Lapis and the other gods.

• Venti described Sumeru’s God of Authority as a formidable protector whose efforts had driven criminals and hostile forces from the region.
• Lin Feng told Lumine and Paimon that Sumeru’s gods complemented each other, praising the God of Wisdom’s role in the nation’s commerce, technology, and laws.
• Nahida compared the two gods to the moon and the sun, suggesting that Sumeru’s first light depended on the sun’s arrival.
• Cloud Retainer and Mountain Shaper secretly reached a ruined temple near Mt. Tianheng and used Lin Feng’s Emerald Crystal to awaken Bosacius.
• Cloud Retainer and Mountain Shaper transferred Bosacius’s fading consciousness into the crystal, then messaged Lin Feng that the banquet guests were ready.

During Liyue’s Lantern Rite, Lin Feng prepared to purify Guili Plains while the people gathered to release their Xiao Lanterns and make wishes. As the lanterns filled the sky, he began channeling power into the plains’ ley lines, leaving the purification underway.

• Lin Feng surveyed Liyue Harbor and confirmed that his preparations and ley line nodes in Guili Plains were ready for the purification.
• Lin Feng told Azhdaha that he would cleanse Guili Plains and restore the flow of the Bishui River, and they headed to the lantern-release gathering.
• Lin Feng accepted the Xiao Lantern Nahida had made for him and inscribed a wish on its Floating Stone Shard.
• Lin Feng, Nahida, Zhongli, and the gathered visitors released their Xiao Lanterns as the Mingxiao Lantern rose into the sky.
• As the crowd prayed beneath the lanterns, Lin Feng guided the power he had placed across Guili Plains into its ley lines.

Lin Feng used the Lantern Rite’s gathered wishes to cleanse Guili Plains and reveal an ancient memory of Liyue’s origins across the sky. After the festivities, he and Azhdaha brought Zhongli to a banquet in Guili Plains, where the sight left Zhongli lost in memories of the past.

• Lin Feng gathered the Xiao Lanterns’ Wish Power to drive ancient resentments from Guili Plains and purify the land.
• The power’s ley-line disturbance revealed an ancient memory of Liyue’s origins, which the seven elements brought vividly into the sky for the Lantern Rite guests.
• Zhongli recognized the memory and thanked Lin Feng for restoring Guili Plains, while Lin Feng hinted that Zhongli knew about the Lantern Rite’s true surprise.
• Lumine sensed that the spectacle’s power might rival or exceed the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, then departed with Paimon and Mona as the guests left.
• Lin Feng, Azhdaha, and Venti feigned surprise to distract Zhongli, then teleported him to the banquet in Guili Plains.
• Zhongli opened his eyes at the banquet venue and stood lost in thought as the scene brought him back to several thousand years earlier.

At the Lantern Rite banquet, Zhongli reunited with his restored old friends and thanked Lin Feng for the changes he had brought to Liyue, then raised the possibility of Lin Feng succeeding him. Lin Feng declined to take over for now and proposed keeping Zhongli’s divine throne and Gnosis in Liyue’s hands until he needed them to challenge the Heavenly Principles; the two then joined the feast.

• Lin Feng and Azhdaha arrived at the banquet with Zhongli and the other gods, and Zhongli paused to remember the Guili Assembly as he saw the Adepti and old friends gathered.
• Zhongli thanked Lin Feng for restoring Xiao’s peace, helping Azhdaha and Osial, and bringing the reunited banquet to the Guili Plains.
• Zhongli told Lin Feng that their old contract was fulfilled and suggested he eventually take on Liyue’s history and become its successor, but Lin Feng said he was not ready to govern and could cover for Zhongli when needed.
• Lin Feng explained that Zhongli should keep the divine throne for now so it could help him access the Heavenly Principles, and advised storing the Gnosis in the Golden House while allowing Liyue to use it.
• Lin Feng and Zhongli accepted Guoba’s food and joined the prepared celebration banquet.

At Liyue’s celebration banquet, Lin Feng gave Nahida a Guoba clone and promised to share cooking techniques, while Zhongli reflected on his renewed hope for Liyue’s future. As Lin Feng prepared to travel to Mondstadt and pursue the next Great Authority, Zhongli asked him to give Venti a potent hangover medicine and set out to meet the Traveler.

• At the banquet, Nahida struggled to refuse Guoba’s eager food offerings, and Lin Feng gave her one of two Guoba clones as a gift.
• Lin Feng reassured Nahida that her cooking was already good and offered to teach her techniques Guoba had shared with him.
• The banquet ended at dawn, and the next day Zhongli explained that Lin Feng’s work had made him hopeful that his old friends might still return.
• Lin Feng told Zhongli he planned to travel to Mondstadt with Venti and the Knights of Favonius, where he would represent the Akademiya branch and continue his research into relocating Teyvat.
• Zhongli gave Lin Feng the finished hangover medicine for Venti, then left to prepare for his meeting with the Traveler.

Mona explained her master's errand to find another astrologer's successor, while Lumine and Paimon received an invitation from Rex Lapis to meet in Jueyun Karst. In Bubu Pharmacy, Venti gave Lin Feng his Gnosis and asked him to keep it safe, leaving his commission for Mondstadt undecided.

• Mona told Lumine, Paimon, and Klee that she was supposed to find another astrologer's successor and retrieve something, but she had delayed the errand and suspected the successor might be in Liyue Harbor.
• Klee described her mother's Jumpy Dumpty lessons and revealed that Amber and Kaeya were escorting a helper to Mondstadt to protect Akademiya scholars establishing a branch there.
• Xiao delivered Rex Lapis's invitation and teleportation tokens to Lumine and Paimon, summoning them to Jueyun Karst at noon the next day.
• Lin Feng forced Venti awake with Rex Lapis's bitter Spirit-Awakening Tea, which temporarily made all wine taste bitter to him.
• Venti handed his Gnosis to Lin Feng for safekeeping and said they would discuss his commission after reaching Mondstadt.

Venti gave Lin Feng the Anemo Gnosis for safekeeping, and Lin Feng discovered that three Gnoses resonated when placed together. Meanwhile, Lumine and Paimon prepared Cloud-Gathering Octopus Sashimi as a gift for the Geo Archon, unaware that Xiangling considered it an unusual delicacy.

• Venti handed Lin Feng the Anemo Gnosis, explaining that he wanted to avoid trouble and asking Lin Feng to help awaken the Anemo Archon Authority in Mondstadt.
• Venti agreed to assist Lin Feng with the awakening and said Dvalin would likely help too.
• Lin Feng placed the Anemo, Dendro, and Geo Gnoses together, observed their resonance, and sent them away to continue his research later.
• Paimon urged Lumine to bring Cloud-Gathering Octopus Sashimi as a gift for the Geo Archon, relying on a Fontaine newspaper report.
• Lumine and Paimon collected a live Cloud-Gathering Octopus and Xiangling's sashimi recipe and seasonings from Wanmin Restaurant.

Lumine and Paimon met Rex Lapis atop Jade Splendor Mountain to ask about Lumine’s brother, the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, and how to meet the Anemo Archon. After answering their questions, Rex Lapis watched in silence as Paimon presented him with their gift: wriggling Cloud-Gathering Octopus Sashimi.

• Lumine and Paimon arrived at Jade Splendor Mountain, where Rex Lapis explained that its jade plants and stones were too dangerous to bring into the mortal world.
• Lumine asked Rex Lapis whether he had seen her brother, and he said no traveler like him was in Liyue.
• Lumine asked about the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, and Rex Lapis said she was not one of the Seven Archons and warned Lumine against confronting her.
• Rex Lapis said Liyue’s current ally had the greatest chance among the nations of defeating the Sustainer, and advised Lumine to approach the Anemo Archon with fine wine.
• Paimon reminded Lumine that they had brought Rex Lapis a gift, then presented him with wriggling Cloud-Gathering Octopus Sashimi.

Lumine left her meeting with the Geo Archon resolved to train before continuing her search for her brother, while Lin Feng and Nahida discussed the Akademiya's plans to establish branches across the nations. Lin Feng learned how reforms had changed the careers of several scholars and discovered that Layla would lead the preliminary work for the Mondstadt branch.

• Lumine wondered whether the Geo Archon truly liked Paimon's Cloud-Gathering Octopus and decided to train her Elemental Power before traveling onward.
• Nahida explained which Akademiya schools had claimed responsibility for future branches in Liyue, Fontaine, Mondstadt, Inazuma, and Natlan.
• Lin Feng asked Nahida about Siraj, Abtuwi, and Benoni, and learned how Akademiya reforms had helped them become an instructor and outstanding scholars.
• Nahida told Lin Feng that Kaveh and an injured instructor could not supervise the Mondstadt branch preparations, so Layla had been selected to lead the preliminary work.

Nahida explained Layla’s insecurity and two-sided personality to Lin Feng, while Layla regretted spending her money and accepting a risky assignment to supervise the Akademiya’s new Mondstadt base. Faruzan briefed Layla on Kaveh’s elaborate plans and the powerful construction machines, then showed her escort candidates whose presence might keep the crew from deploying them.

• Nahida told Lin Feng that Layla’s self-doubt was genuine and that her abilities emerged more strongly while she slept, while her need for money had prompted her to accept the mission.
• Layla panicked over spending her scholarship on gummies and accepting the commission, then learned that mercenaries and Treasure Hoarders posed dangers in Mondstadt.
• Faruzan explained that Kaveh’s complex blueprints used a miniature Divine Tree Seed and could be built with Akademiya engineering machines modeled on ancient mechanisms.
• Faruzan showed Layla the escort candidates and said her choice would determine whether the construction crew got a chance to deploy its machines.

Layla began choosing guards and companions for the construction project in Mondstadt after Faruzan entrusted her with the decision. Meanwhile, Lumine and Paimon visited Lin Feng to ask him to pass their leftover Cloud-Gathering Octopus dishes to Zhongli, and Lin Feng discovered their recipe came from a fake tabloid.

• Faruzan explained that Layla would select several qualified applicants to accompany the project, gave her a remote Akasha Terminal, and encouraged her to take the opportunity seriously.
• Layla resolved to review the applicants carefully and began heading to the library to rest before making her selections.
• Lumine and Paimon returned to Liyue Harbor and decided to visit Lin Feng before leaving, hoping to thank Zhongli with their remaining Cloud-Gathering Octopus dishes.
• Lin Feng questioned whether Zhongli had really received the octopus dishes and asked where Paimon had found the recipe.
• Paimon showed Lin Feng a newspaper called The Steamcrow News, and Lin Feng recognized it as a Fontaine tabloid rather than The Steambird.

Lin Feng uncovered that Paimon and Lumine had been tricked by a fake newspaper into giving seafood to the Geo Archon, and took their Cloud-Gathering Octopus dishes for Zhongli. Lumine and Paimon planned to travel to Mondstadt, where Lin Feng would also go as Sumeru’s special envoy, while Zhongli learned the full story behind the deception and Venti faced likely consequences.

• Paimon discovered that the newspaper claiming the Geo Archon liked seafood was not The Steambird and recalled that it had blown in front of her by chance.
• Lin Feng explained that the tabloid was likely planted to mislead them, and that the traditional offerings to Rex Lapis contained no seafood.
• Paimon gave Lin Feng the Cloud-Gathering Octopus dishes to pass on to Zhongli, and Lumine said she and Paimon would head to Mondstadt to continue searching for her brother.
• Lin Feng told Lumine and Paimon that he would accompany Sumeru’s construction team to Mondstadt as a special envoy, and they learned they would see him there.
• Paimon met Zhongli outside and revealed how she had found the fake newspaper, leaving Lin Feng to suspect that Venti would be caught and punished.

Venti tested whether Zhongli knew about his past actions by asking for an extra meal, but Zhongli instead promised him a feast of deep-sea seafood. After the kitchen was sealed and Venti was trapped inside, Lin Feng and Nahida discussed Nahida’s return to Sumeru and the Akademiya’s planned journey to Liyue.

• Venti asked Zhongli to prepare him extra food to gauge whether Zhongli had discovered what he had done, and Zhongli agreed to cook with some remaining ingredients.
• Venti asked whether Zhongli could bring a Guoba avatar to Bubu Pharmacy, and Zhongli said he would introduce his own avatar to help prepare meals in a couple of days.
• Zhongli invited Venti into the kitchen to eat premium ingredients, and a golden barrier rose as Venti struggled inside while Azhdaha helped conceal the commotion.
• Lin Feng warned Nahida that Zhongli was feeding Venti deep-sea octopus dishes, and Nahida refused to watch.
• Lin Feng invited Nahida to visit Mondstadt, but she declined because Sumeru needed her guidance and agreed to go with him another time.
• Nahida told Lin Feng that Akademiya teams would leave for Liyue the next day and take about two days to build a new branch there, while Lin Feng anticipated a longer journey onward to Mondstadt.

Lin Feng explained his plans for Mondstadt and discussed the God of Anemo’s hidden influence with Nahida. As the Akademiya team departed for Mondstadt, he and Nahida considered how Sumeru could strengthen its Matra with automaton technology.

• Nahida asked whether Lin Feng’s use of divine power in Mondstadt might cause diplomatic misunderstandings, and Lin Feng said Venti could issue a Divine Decree if needed.
• Lin Feng told Nahida he planned to travel with Venti and the Akademiya team, negotiate with the Knights of Favonius, and help with Dvalin and the Anemo Authority.
• The Akademiya construction team set off for Mondstadt aboard Haravatat’s new Transport-Type Autonomous Automatons while Lin Feng and Nahida watched from the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
• Lin Feng asked Nahida about Matra training and suggested combining their work with autonomous automaton technology to protect Sumeru’s civilians.
• Nahida connected Lin Feng’s proposal to Khaenri'ah’s knights and agreed that it could guide the Matra’s future development.

Lin Feng and Nahida finalized a guard list for the Akademiya convoy, and Lumine, Paimon, Amber, Collei, Klee, and Mona gathered to meet the Scholars near Liyue. A Treasure Hoarder spy reported that the convoy looked vulnerable, setting up a planned ambush on its route to Mondstadt.

• Nahida told Lin Feng that Layla had submitted a guard list, and Lin Feng noticed Lumine and Paimon's group name among the selections.
• Lumine and Paimon waited with welcome signs near Chihu Rock Bridge, where Amber and Collei joined them with food.
• The Akademiya convoy arrived, and Lin Feng explained that the transport mechanisms could be mass-produced while the onlookers examined them.
• Lin Feng arrived with Klee and Mona, then led the others to greet the Scholars, some of whom seemed motion sick.
• A Treasure Hoarder spy watched the convoy, judged its Scholars and guards weak, and wrote his boss a report proposing an attack near Stone Gate.

Layla and the Akademiya scholars arrived in Liyue, where Lin Feng helped ease their travel sickness before the group set out toward Mondstadt. Meanwhile, Treasure Hoarder leader Jasiwal decided to rob the scholars as one final job before disbanding his group and fleeing his mysterious sponsor.

• Layla struggled with motion sickness after the scholars’ rough journey, and Dehya helped her find the welcoming party.
• Paimon and the others greeted the Akademiya team, and Lin Feng gave the scholars medicine to relieve their dizziness.
• Layla arranged for the group to settle in Liyue Harbor before discussing the journey ahead, while Paimon wondered where Kaeya had gone.
• At Stone Gate, Jasiwal learned that the Akademiya team had few guards but included Dehya and Lumine.
• Jasiwal resolved to rob the scholars, then split the money and disband his group to escape their mysterious sponsor.