Chapter Summaries

Faruzan, Tighnari, and Dori discussed how sharing dangerous knowledge connected people’s fates as they prepared equipment to confront the crisis. Meanwhile, Alhaitham deciphered ancient records from Aaru and began examining two remaining lines.

• Layla warned Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong that the Akasha Terminal could increase academic pressure rather than make studying easy.
• Dori, Faruzan, and Tighnari discussed the costly devices and how sharing knowledge turned a great threat into many connected individual struggles.
• Qian Renxue reflected that Spirit Hall and the sects might have benefited from sharing their knowledge, then set the thought aside.
• Cyno, Scaramouche, and Sethos delivered dismantled primal-construct materials to Alhaitham and Kaveh.
• Alhaitham explained that some ancient desert scripts in Aaru had been lost, but their patterns helped him infer and record information before he was asked to interpret two remaining lines.

Alhaitham and Kaveh solved Aaru’s chessboard trials, earning the three kings’ trust and help. The kings then agreed to help combine Aaru’s concealment abilities with the Akasha Terminal so the plan’s participants could leave the Scarlet King’s Mausoleum without fear of discovery.

• Alhaitham and Kaveh deciphered the riddle as “a chessboard,” activating Aaru’s virtual board.
• The three kings explained that visitors had to complete the chessboard’s trials before they could overwrite Aaru, and Alhaitham and Kaveh agreed to take part.
• Alhaitham and Kaveh cooperated to clear the challenges set by Crocodile King Sobek, Ibis King Thoth, and Sheep King Heryshaf.
• After the trials, Alhaitham and Kaveh asked the kings to extend Aaru’s interference barrier beyond the Scarlet King’s Mausoleum, and the kings agreed to help.
• Sandrone guessed that the plan was to combine Aaru’s concealment with the Akasha Terminal so its users could leave the mausoleum without risking a leak.

Nahida met Mavuika at the Natlan–Sumeru border through a concealed mental link and explained that Dottore’s invasion of Irminsul had triggered the barrier isolating Sumeru. She revealed that the Heavenly Principles had designed the barrier to sacrifice Sumeru if necessary, and left Mavuika with the question of how Nahida intended to protect her nation.

• Sandrone explained the situation to Columbina, who praised her, while the Three Moon Sisters watched them fondly.
• Nahida met the Traveler and Paimon outside the Scarlet King’s Mausoleum and said Nicole had arranged support for their journey to Natlan.
• The Traveler reached the Natlan–Sumeru border alone, where Mavuika arrived on her motorcycle and Nahida appeared through the Traveler’s body.
• Nahida explained that the Traveler, Mavuika, and her were meeting in a way that kept their actions from being recorded by Irminsul, and that Dottore’s invasion had caused the border barrier to activate.
• Nahida said the Heavenly Principles had created the barrier to isolate Sumeru during an Irminsul crisis, even if that meant sacrificing Sumeru to protect the rest of Teyvat.
• Nahida told Mavuika she would use every means at her disposal to protect Sumeru.

Nahida and the Traveler asked Mavuika for the Pyro Gnosis to help Sumeru, and Mavuika willingly gave it to them. The Traveler crossed Irminsul’s barrier with the Gnosis, though whether it could pass through remained uncertain as Natlan’s people appeared.

• Nahida asked Mavuika to give Sumeru the Pyro Gnosis, and Mavuika agreed without demanding anything in return.
• Mavuika explained that the Gnosis mattered less to her than helping protect Irminsul and gave it to the Traveler.
• The Traveler crossed Irminsul’s barrier because, as a Descender, he was not recorded by Irminsul.
• Mavuika tossed the Pyro Gnosis to the Traveler, who wondered whether it could pass through the barrier with him.
• The Traveler’s friends from Natlan appeared on the Sky Screen alongside Mavuika and their little dragon.

The Traveler returned to Sumeru after the Pyro Gnosis vanished into his body, and Nahida reflected on the cost of her connection to Irminsul and the strength she found in her companions. The Sky Screen then showed a comic spoof in which dark-skinned Nahida and bizarrely colored Apep tried to convince Alhaitham who they were.

• The Traveler absorbed the Pyro Gnosis and crossed back into Sumeru, while Mavuika wished him and Nahida luck.
• Layla explained to Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong that the Traveler's Ancient Name, Dumani, meant hope.
• Nahida told the Traveler and Paimon that Irminsul had harmed her, but that she trusted her friends and would rely on them.
• Scaramouche joined the conversation, and Nahida said that Sumeru was a place where they could trust one another.
• The Sky Screen showed a spoof in which Alhaitham mistook dark-skinned Nahida and red Apep for impostors before Apep revealed her identity.
• The spoof showed a green, stalk-like Apep and a dark-skinned Nahida, prompting the onlookers to laugh and Columbina to draw attention on The Moon.

On the night before the battle, Kaveh and Alhaitham discussed their preparations and how they faced the coming disaster. The Sky Screen then showed Haypasia running into Scaramouche at the Scarlet King's Mausoleum.

• Columbina teased Sandrone, while the Sky Screen showed Nahida and Apep being thrown out of Alhaitham's home after Nahida tried to prove her identity.
• Kaveh laughed at the parody, and he and Alhaitham resumed bickering about his proposal.
• At the Scarlet King's Mausoleum, Kaveh and Alhaitham rested and talked about their roles, their nerves, and the plans for the battle ahead.
• Qian Renxue reflected that she could not match Alhaitham's composure, while the Angel God drew inspiration from Kaveh's words about small choices.
• Haypasia hurried through the mausoleum and collided with Scaramouche.

Scaramouche reunited with Haypasia, his former sole believer, who no longer remembered him, while he reflected on the harm he had caused her. In the hours before the battle, Dehya, Candace, Dori, and Dunyarzad shared gifts, memories, and prayers for their companions’ safe return.

• Haypasia bumped into Scaramouche and spoke with him, unaware that she had once been his only believer.
• Scaramouche told Little Durin that Haypasia no longer remembered him and that he had hurt her.
• Dori gave Dehya and Candace fragrant balm as thanks for protecting her caravan and discussed her investments in desert shelters.
• Dehya, Candace, and Dori spoke with Dunyarzad, who said she wanted to help the people who had once protected her.
• Dunyarzad prayed for everyone to overcome the hardship and return safely, while Candace prayed for their companions’ safety and health.

Nicole and Nefer discussed shared hopes, memory, and the miracles Nicole wanted to help people achieve. The Sky Screen then teased Apep about Sumeru’s falling birth rate by implying Alhaitham and Kaveh were a couple, leaving Apep seeking reassurance from Nahida.

• Layla, Qian Renxue, Shui Yue'er, and Shui Bing'er reacted to the people of Sumeru praying and working together despite their different beliefs.
• Nicole and Nefer talked about how people imagined the future differently, and Nicole described the ordinary warmth and miracles she hoped to pursue.
• The Sky Screen announced that it would continue the Sumeru skits, and Apep realized the next one would target her.
• In the skit, Apep urged Sumeru’s people to socialize and raise the birth rate, while Alhaitham and Kaveh went home together and prompted teasing about their relationship.
• Apep went to Nahida, who reassured her that Alhaitham and Kaveh were just colleagues and that such teasing was common in Sumeru.

Nahida teased Apep with a staged skit, then the Sky Screen showed Cyno and Tighnari helping Collei face the pain of her past before the group prepared for the next day. Zhu Zhuqing envied Collei’s support, and Layla encouraged her to share whatever was troubling her.

• Nahida’s skit made Apep flee and then return when Nahida offered her authority, while Focalors questioned whether Nahida truly thought sleeping together was normal.
• Cyno and Tighnari discussed their preparations for the next day as Collei brought them drinks.
• Collei told Cyno and Tighnari that she felt disconnected from the power within her, and they reassured her that her pain as a victim was justified.
• Collei resolved to protect Sumeru and finish the matter herself, while Tighnari again urged her to apply to Haravatat.
• Zhu Zhuqing thought about her own persecution and wished someone would support her, and Layla urged her not to bottle up her troubles.

Zhu Zhuqing broke down in tears, and Layla comforted her as the Sky Screen showed Nahida and her allies preparing to reach Irminsul. They planned to merge Aaru with the Akasha and use terminals distributed across Sumeru to overload the already strained Irminsul, and the chapter ended as scholars began handing out the devices.

• Zhu Zhuqing cried, and Layla held and comforted her while Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong watched.
• At the Scarlet King's Mausoleum, Sobek, Heryshaf, Thoth, and Nahida reflected on freedom, reality, and the questions ahead.
• The Traveler and Paimon arrived, and Collei reported that the equipment and Aaru modifications were ready.
• Alhaitham explained the plan to merge Aaru with the Akasha and distribute terminals so everyone in Sumeru could connect to Irminsul and burden it.
• Shui Bing'er explained the plan to Shui Yue'er using an inverted ice pyramid, and Akademiya scholars began distributing leaf-shaped Akasha Terminals.

Nahida and Sumeru’s people used the Akasha Terminals and Aaru to stop Irminsul from growing, but Dottore remained active within the tree. After the Traveler and the three kings reached Nahida, she asked them to get her to the Eternal Oasis immediately.

• Nahida, Nicole, and Collei activated the amplification devices, sending power through the Scarlet King’s Mausoleum to Aaru.
• Alhaitham operated Aaru’s core control device, and people across Sumeru connected through their Akasha Terminals to send Nahida their wishes.
• Nahida carried Sumeru’s collective wishes to Irminsul, stopping its growth and stalling the tree.
• Dottore’s voice appeared from inside Irminsul, and Layla assured the onlookers that he had already been defeated.
• The Traveler, Paimon, and the three kings joined Nahida, who explained that Aaru’s interference would keep their actions hidden from Irminsul.
• Nahida asked to reach the Eternal Oasis immediately, and Ibis King Thoth asked Nefer if she had brought the Chess Box.

Ibis King Thoth began demonstrating the Chess Box’s connection to the Divine Chessboard, but the Sky Screen interrupted with a comic scene of Apep kicking the Scarlet King’s Mausoleum into the air and fleeing Nahida. After the others laughed at Apep, the Sky Screen resumed and revealed how Pantalone had preserved Dottore’s final data backup in the Ley Lines.

• Ibis King Thoth connected the Chess Box to the Divine Chessboard and prepared to demonstrate its power before the Sky Screen interrupted.
• The Sky Screen showed Apep livestreaming herself kicking the Scarlet King’s Mausoleum away in hopes of claiming Nahida’s authority.
• Nahida invited Apep to stay with her, frightening Apep into fleeing through the ceiling, while Neuvillette watched the Mausoleum fly past.
• Sonnet, Aria, and Canon laughed at Apep, who threatened to teach them a lesson before Zibai and Focalors urged everyone to calm down.
• Pantalone explained that he had placed Dottore’s final data backup in the Ley Lines under their contract, enabling Dottore to interfere with Irminsul.

Dottore and Pantalone discussed the divided soul, their shared past, and Dottore’s experiments within Irminsul as the crisis continued. Pantalone explained why he came to Sumeru, while Sandrone and Columbina reacted to the conversation on The Moon.

• Dottore claimed Pantalone’s life had depended on him, while Pantalone argued that he had earned his position as a Harbinger through his own ability.
• Dottore described how Pantalone split his remaining soul between Nod-Krai and the deepest vault of Northland Bank, and Pantalone explained his rejection of the segments created by Zandik.
• Dottore brought up Pantalone’s past failures and captivity as a test subject, prompting Columbina to ask Sandrone about Pantalone’s hidden history.
• Dottore explained that his failed plans led him to divide his soul and that his experiments within Irminsul aimed to create a new world after death.
• Pantalone said he had concealed his identity to avoid worsening Snezhnaya’s relations with Sumeru, and Sandrone criticized him for his involvement with Dottore.
• Dottore suggested Pantalone came because their lives and deaths were linked, and Pantalone admitted he did not want Dottore to die too soon.

Dottore and Pantalone discussed their cooperation, the approaching pursuers, and the limits of Dottore’s experiments. The chapter ended with Pantalone rejecting Dottore’s hypothetical plan to create another version of himself using Pantalone’s soul.

• A Fatui cab soldier warned Pantalone that someone was approaching Sumeru City, and Dottore asked him to delay them while the experiment continued.
• Dottore and Pantalone discussed gods, immortality, and Pantalone’s role in their cooperation.
• Pantalone described the trouble caused by Dottore’s soul fragment in Nod-Krai and said he planned to return to Snezhnaya to smoke.
• Dottore reflected on the limits of humanity and proposed using Pantalone’s soul as material to create a new individual based on a version of himself in Pantalone’s memories.
• Pantalone called Dottore’s proposal a paradox and reminded him that Dottore had agreed to let only one Dottore remain.

Pantalone left Dottore in the Surasthana as the Traveler’s group prepared to assault Sumeru City again. The Sky Screen then cut to a comedic scene in which Zhongli dyed Apep golden and tricked her into living as an exhibit in the Golden House.

• Pantalone spun a Mora on the scale, ended his exchange with Dottore, and left the Surasthana.
• Ibis King Thoth teleported the Traveler, Scaramouche, and Sumeru’s combatants outside Sumeru City for their second assault.
• Cyno reported that troops guarded every entrance and sent the group toward the main gate and the side entrance of the House of Daena.
• The Sky Screen cut to Cloud Retainer meeting Zhongli, who offered her Nahida and a red version of Apep to take in.
• Zhongli dyed Apep golden-yellow and persuaded her to live inside the Golden House as an exhibit.

Sumeru's forces advanced through the city and secured the harbor as the Traveler's group headed toward the House of Daena. Pantalone confronted Cyno and proposed a deal, hinting that the Fatui had a larger plan for the siege.

• Zhongli's Memorial Hall scene ended, and Zibai, Nahida, Apep, and the Three Moon Sisters discussed Zhongli's choice to become Rex Lapis.
• Sumeru's forces attacked the Fatui line, and Jeht saved Lana while Dehya led the advance.
• Cyno's team and Candace secured the harbor, where Sumeru's main force arrived and regrouped before pushing toward the House of Daena.
• Tighnari guided the Traveler, Paimon, and Scaramouche toward the House of Daena using the Clusterleaves of Cultivation.
• Cyno's forces advanced into central Sumeru City, where Pantalone appeared under guard and offered Cyno a deal as part of the siege operation.

Cyno exposed Pantalone's illusion as a diversion while the Traveler and Scaramouche entered the Surasthana and established a bridge into Irminsul. They found Irminsul in disarray and moved carefully through areas contaminated by Dottore's power.

• Cyno realized Pantalone was an illusion and struck it, while the real Pantalone watched Sumeru City from a distant high place.
• Dottore told Pantalone that the others would soon reach him, but the Traveler's group had already arrived at the Surasthana.
• Tighnari left to support Cyno and the others, while Paimon stayed behind and the Traveler and Scaramouche entered the Surasthana.
• Scaramouche established a bridge into Irminsul, and he and the Traveler agreed to protect each other as they searched for their destination.
• The Traveler and Scaramouche found Irminsul altered and chaotic, then avoided red areas that Scaramouche suspected were contaminated by Dottore's power.

Traveler and Scaramouche escaped Dottore’s traps in Irminsul with Nicole’s guidance, but Dottore eventually confronted them. He greeted Scaramouche as an old acquaintance just before the Sky Screen cut off.

• Traveler and Scaramouche fell into a trap that raised sturdy red walls around them.
• Nicole contacted them from the Eternal Oasis and guided them to destroy pollution sources that controlled the barriers.
• Traveler and Scaramouche escaped the blockade and fled through obstacles and branching paths as a pursuing red wall closed in.
• After the pursuit stopped, Nicole’s communication was cut off, and Dottore attacked Traveler and Scaramouche.
• Dottore appeared in a form made mostly of data and pollution, then greeted Scaramouche before the Sky Screen cut off.

Apep watched a parody of Neuvillette grieving for Focalors, then the Sky Screen showed Dottore taunting Scaramouche with visions of people from his past. Scaramouche told Little Durin that he was fine as the broadcast continued.

• Apep teased Neuvillette about avenging himself on a god, and the Hydro Dragon’s grief caused rain to fall over Fontaine.
• Furina comforted a crying Neuvillette, who transformed into a blue plush dragon; Apep and the onlookers were stunned and amused.
• Apep rejected the Three Moon Sisters’ jokes about Neuvillette being her clan’s junior, and the Sky Screen resumed its broadcast.
• Dottore explained how he inferred Scaramouche’s identity despite Scaramouche erasing himself from Irminsul, then projected Niwa, Katsuragi, and a nameless child into the Abyss to torment him.
• Scaramouche told Little Durin that revisiting his past would not affect him and that Dottore was dead.

The Traveler and Scaramouche fought Dottore inside Irminsul while Nahida extracted its data to weaken him. Nahida joined the battle and helped them break Dottore’s defenses, leaving his defeat increasingly clear.

• Scaramouche and the Traveler attacked Dottore, but his control over Irminsul’s data let him overwhelm them.
• The Traveler planted Nahida’s item in a data-formed mountain while Nahida and the others recited prayers at the Eternal Oasis.
• Nahida used Aaru to extract Irminsul’s data, weakening Dottore as Scaramouche and the Traveler confronted him again.
• Nahida arrived inside Irminsul, stopped Dottore’s cubes, and helped the Traveler and Scaramouche break through his barrier.
• The Traveler and Scaramouche combined their attacks with Nahida’s support, pushing Dottore toward defeat.