Chapter Summaries

Zibai assessed Nicole’s work as an angel, finding fault with her attempts to guide humanity and promote culture while acknowledging her care for people. Nicole avoided dismissal and ended the assessment with a passable report.

• The Sky Screen showed Nicole selling Raiden Ei a cookbook, encouraging Little Klee to study nuclear bombs, and letting Little Durin sleep on the job.
• Zibai arrived in a work outfit to assess Nicole against the angel requirements and warned that failing more than three would get her dismissed by DingDing.
• Nicole claimed her writing promoted culture, but the Sky Screen showed her books being used as firewood while her cultural research platform featured scams and dangerous advice.
• Nicole claimed she provided emotional value, then filled the Traveler’s chest with Primogems after a meager puzzle reward upset them.
• Zibai submitted a report acknowledging Nicole’s mediocre performance in several areas but describing her contributions as fulfilling.

The Sky Screen showed Zibai and Nicole getting fired after a botched prank, then presented a series of gods’ delusions. The Traveler, Paimon, Ningning, and Columbina crossed the vast Moon Sea and discovered a gigantic, ominous weapons base on the far side of the moon.

• Heavenly Principles learned that Zibai had accidentally sent her message to the main group chat, and both Zibai and Nicole were fired; Zibai called the Traveler to ask for another room.
• The Sky Screen showed Dottore, Zhongli, Venti, the Raiden Shogun, and Neuvillette sharing absurd fantasies with their companions.
• Citlali regretted missing Mavuika’s appearance in the segment, and Mavuika said a peaceful Natlan was her wish but fantasies required real work.
• The Traveler, Paimon, and Ningning followed Columbina across the Moon Sea while talking about friendship and plans to visit Silvermoon Hall.
• After crossing a boundary, the group found a vast landscape of machinery and weapons that Paimon recognized as a dangerous weapons base.
• Ning Rongrong and Zhuqing told Xiao Wu that her guess had been right: the far side of the moon was a cannon.

The Traveler and Columbina explored a still-operational Dragon Sovereign Clan base, where a terminal revealed that the Dragon King Nibelung had ordered it built to turn the moon into an orbital weapon. After Columbina vanished without warning, the Traveler realized something had gone wrong.

• The Traveler, Columbina, and Paimon dodged attacks, searchlights, and floating hazards as they made their way deeper into the base.
• The group reached a narrow entrance and decided to sneak inside rather than risk triggering the base’s self-destruct system.
• The Traveler used Ancient Moon’s power to bypass more searchlights, and Black Egg found a Lusharim research laboratory in the base.
• Black Egg’s terminal revealed that the base drew energy from a fissure beneath the Lunar Heart and was intended to turn the moon into an orbital weapon.
• The terminal said the base had been built by the will of the King of Darkness, whom the group identified as the returned Dragon King Nibelung.
• Paimon noticed Columbina had disappeared, and the Traveler grew alert, suspecting something had happened to her.

Traveler and the others disabled the Moon base’s security systems and reached Lusharim’s laboratory, where they found a message from the Stellar Blackbody. The message warned of Black Destruction and told Ningning that the Moon Goddess’s support was at the heart of The Moon, reachable through the rift.

• Traveler followed the route to Lusharim’s laboratory and coordinated with Ningning and Paimon to shut down two security controllers at once.
• Traveler and the others evaded more security installations and searchlights, using a transported crate to cross the corridor unseen.
• Sandrone, Arlecchino, and Rosalyne discussed whether Dragon King Nibelung’s security systems were intended to guard against his own people, while Apep did not answer.
• Traveler and the others reached Lusharim’s abandoned laboratory and found a working terminal with a message titled “Imprint of the Moonwatcher.”
• The Stellar Blackbody’s message warned that Black Destruction threatened all life and urged distant civilizations to keep sending out their light.
• Lusharim’s message to Ningning said the Moon Goddess’s crucial support was at the heart of The Moon and could be reached through the rift.

After learning that Black Egg was Lusharim’s daughter Ningning, the Traveler and Columbina prepared to enter the Lunar Heart. Columbina revealed that Ningning’s mission was actually at the Eye of Ibinibolong, while Paimon stayed behind to keep her company as the others went to retrieve the information key.

• Paimon found a postscript identifying Black Egg as Lusharim’s daughter, Ningning, and the group decided to head for the Lunar Heart.
• Focalors and Nahida discussed the Moonwatcher Project’s warning about Abyssal contamination and whether it had drawn the Traveler, the Traveler’s sibling, or Phanes to Teyvat.
• The Traveler and Paimon struggled through shifting gravity near the Lunar Heart until Columbina returned and used Kuuvahki to stabilize them.
• Columbina told Ningning that she could not survive in the Lunar Heart and that her mission belonged at the Eye of Ibinibolong, where the Moonwatcher Project could be activated.
• Ningning chose to wait for Columbina, and Paimon stayed with her while the Traveler accompanied Columbina to retrieve the information key.

The Traveler and Columbina entered the Lunar Heart by crossing the Dragon King’s weapon launch shaft, where they destroyed the Orbital Weapon’s core after surviving its high-energy impacts and crushing gravity. They then entered the beautiful, moon-powered Lunar Heart together and continued deeper into it.

• Columbina led the Traveler through the launch shaft and explained that the black Dragon King had transformed the moon into a weapon aimed at Teyvat.
• The Traveler and Columbina defeated the guard mechanism, triggering the Orbital Weapon to fire as they took cover and dodged its high-energy impacts.
• They reached the weapon’s core and disrupted its firing, but an ultra-high-gravity field pinned the Traveler in place.
• Columbina combined Lunar Torque with the Traveler’s power of the Ancient Moon, and they destroyed the Orbital Weapon’s core.
• The Traveler and Columbina entered the Lunar Heart hand in hand and advanced through its colorful, dreamlike expanse.

Columbina and the Traveler reached the Lunar Heart, where Ning Xijia explained how the Moonwatcher Project created Black Egg and revealed its final mission. Columbina left the decision of whether to help Ningning activate the project to the Traveler, and they headed back to the Moonwatcher Tower to think it over.

• Columbina led the Traveler to the Lunar Heart, where a Dragon Sovereign Clan scholar’s phantom introduced Ning Xijia as the key to the Moonwatcher Project.
• Ning Xijia explained that Lusharim gathered the scholars’ research and the Moon’s creative power to create the black Moon Spirit, Black Egg.
• Ning Xijia revealed that the inheritor was expected to sacrifice themselves at the Moonwatcher Tower and transmit the scholars’ message into the universe.
• Columbina explained that Black Egg carried the scholars’ information and was meant to repeat their journey and mission, while the Traveler worried about what the signal might attract.
• Columbina offered to hand Ningning the key and information, but the Traveler asked for time to decide whether to support or stop her.
• Columbina and the Traveler left the Lunar Heart for the original Moonwatcher Tower, while Margo was expected to collect Paimon and Ningning.

The Sky Screen showed a chibi Tsaritsa going through a busy day, from sharing ice cream with a boy to confronting Rhonavar and playing chess with Gold Rhinedottir. It then introduced the Underworld Compound, where the Electro Dragon King appeared in a group chat, prompting Apep to reflect on the Dragon Sovereigns’ defeat.

• The Fatui Harbingers watched the Sky Screen portray Rosalyne’s coffin as a conference table and the Tsaritsa as a tiny chibi figure.
• The chibi Tsaritsa shared ice cream with the boy who had once called her “Mom,” making Rosalyne, Arlecchino, Sandrone, and Columbina lament how rarely the Tsaritsa smiled sincerely.
• The chibi Tsaritsa faced Rhonavar with an ice cream scepter, then played chess with Gold Rhinedottir using Zhongli’s Geo Gnosis.
• The Sky Screen displayed the Genshin Underworld Compound group chat, where the Group Chat Assistant explained that people who were effectively dead could join and would leave if they revived.
• Apep recognized the Electro Dragon King and reflected that the Dragon Sovereigns might have fared better against the Heavenly Principles if they had united.

The Traveler and Columbina returned from the Lunar Heart with the key to the Moonwatcher Module and revealed that the project could expose Teyvat. Ningning learned her mission and began to cry, leaving the group facing an uncertain choice.

• Apep reflected on the Dragon Kings’ chat and the torment of existing between life and death.
• The Traveler and Columbina flew back from the lunar base in silence, contemplating the moon, Teyvat, and the stars.
• The Traveler gave Ningning the key to the Moonwatcher Module so she could learn her mission.
• The Traveler explained that the Moonwatcher Project would transmit information into the stars and might expose Teyvat.
• Ningning curled up and insisted she was not sad, though the Traveler pointed out that she was crying.

Ningning chose to complete the Moonwatcher Project, sending her message—and herself—into the stars while Columbina shielded the transmission. After Ningning disappeared, the terminal revealed a long-sealed reply from another civilization.

• Columbina and the Traveler agreed to help Ningning send one final message, with Columbina using Yue Shen’s power to conceal it and monitor for danger.
• Ningning activated the Moonwatcher Module and sent greetings and encouragement to any civilization that might hear her.
• Ningning dissipated as the transmission went out, leaving behind the hat Columbina had made for her.
• Columbina caught Ningning’s hat and prepared to focus until her power reached its limit, while the Traveler and Paimon left with her.
• The Eye of Ibinibolong terminal played a newly unlocked reply from travelers who had wandered alone through the universe and described Ningning’s message as a bonfire in a dark forest.

The Sky Screen revealed that Ningning survived and was carrying the Moonwatchers’ message through the stars, while the Traveler and Columbina discussed the message and imagined a return journey to his homeland. The Moonwatchers’ story ended, and Snezhnaya’s story began with the Archon of Death appearing in her true form.

• The Traveler’s sister replied to the Moonwatchers’ message, and Layla explained that Ningning had set sail into the stars rather than died.
• The Traveler and Columbina watched the stars together, discussed Ningning’s journey and a message from an intelligent civilization, and planned a party called Night of the Return Journey.
• Ning Rongrong felt relieved to learn Ningning was safe, while Sandrone and Rosalyne asked Columbina whether the Traveler would welcome them at his homeland.
• The Sky Screen announced the end of the Moonwatchers’ story and the coming of Snezhnaya’s story.
• Rhonavar, the Archon of Death, descended in her true form, and Arlecchino wondered whether she intended to bring death to Snezhnaya.

Rhonavar warned the Traveler to stay out of Snezhnaya’s affairs, then tried to reclaim Paimon, whom she identified as a creation of Celestia. Pierro blocked her attack, and the enraged Traveler charged Rhonavar as she prepared for a coming resurrection.

• Rhonavar confronted the Traveler and warned him not to interfere in Snezhnaya’s affairs.
• Rhonavar tried to reclaim Paimon with a crimson beam, but Pierro awakened and blocked the attack.
• Rhonavar revealed that Paimon was a creation of Celestia and said she would reclaim her another time.
• The Traveler erupted with elemental power and attacked Rhonavar, who blocked his strike and shattered his Geo pillar.
• The Traveler followed with two Cryo spears aimed at Rhonavar.

The Traveler fought Rhonavar until she vanished, then reunited with Paimon after Pierro and Mitya helped restore her. Mitya reported that Rhonavar’s Curse of Death was triggered by research and ideas that advanced Snezhnaya’s technology, prompting Pierro to suspend the experiments until they could eliminate her threat.

• The Traveler wounded Rhonavar during their fight, but she unleashed her power, knocked him away, and vanished before the corpses finished reviving.
• After Rhonavar left, the Traveler collapsed to one knee, and Mitya and Paimon woke; the Traveler embraced Paimon as Pierro lowered his guard.
• Sandrone and Arlecchino speculated that the Traveler had once brought Paimon from Celestia to Khaenri'ah, and Paimon said Pierro and Mitya had helped her recover.
• Mitya apologized for taking Paimon and explained that he and Pierro had reversed the effects of the experimental energy on her.
• Mitya recommended suspending the experiments and the Mistletoe Project, and Pierro agreed until Rhonavar could no longer threaten them.
• Mitya concluded that Rhonavar was blocking Snezhnaya’s technological advancement and that research or ideas leading to such progress could trigger the Curse of Death.

Mitya explained that the Death Curse repeatedly killed researchers whenever their work threatened a technological breakthrough, leaving the Winter Project unable to proceed. Pierro revealed that the Fatui aimed to overcome Rhonavar and challenge the Heavenly Principles, leaving the Traveler to wonder what that goal would mean for Snezhnaya.

• Focalors asked Sandrone whether Mitya’s research was more dangerous than the World Formula, and Sandrone said the two were fundamentally different.
• Mitya explained that the Death Curse killed everyone present when his final-stage experiment began, and said Odette had likely witnessed an earlier curse in the Armory Palace.
• Mitya said humanity had advanced through gradual effort but now needed a decisive experiment, which Rhonavar’s curse prevented.
• Mitya argued that Rhonavar’s repeated revivals of the researchers showed that even the Archon of Death faced restrictions.
• Pierro declared that the Fatui had to overcome the Archon of Death because their goal was the Heavenly Principles, shocking Paimon and the Traveler.

At Fontaine’s Thousand Spirits Film Festival, Xavier explained that meeting Columbina inspired Musket Film Studio to replace its planned commercial film with an art film about her search for an old friend. The scene ended with Traveler and Paimon realizing Columbina was the mysterious young woman Xavier had described.

• Mitya asked Pierro for time off to sort out his thoughts and materials, and Pierro told him to rest and keep the Death Curse from harming civilians.
• Traveler and Paimon reunited with Chiori, Furina, and Xavier at the Thousand Spirits Film Festival.
• Xavier told them that Columbina’s melancholy story had inspired him to make an art film about her search for her old friend.
• Chiori and Furina supported Xavier’s change of plans, while Paimon praised Musket Film Studio’s artistic ambitions.
• Columbina approached Traveler and Paimon, and they realized she was the woman Xavier had described.

Xavier’s companions met Columbina in Fontaine and learned that she had come to enjoy the Film Festival and make new friends. Columbina misunderstood how friendship worked and punched Wriothesley, then the Traveler joined her.

• The Traveler and Paimon realized Columbina was the female lead Xavier had chosen, and Columbina explained that she had traveled to Fontaine on Nefer’s recommendation.
• Columbina described how she planned to combine Lauma’s and Nefer’s travel advice by turning strangers into friends before speaking with them.
• Chevreuse and Wriothesley joined the group, and Wriothesley explained that well-behaved prisoners could attend the Film Festival at designated times.
• Columbina punched Wriothesley because she wanted to become friends, prompting the others to explain that such gestures came after friendship.
• Columbina asked whether they were friends, and after Chevreuse agreed, Columbina punched Wriothesley again and the Traveler joined in.

Wriothesley offered the Vigneire as a scenic filming location after Furina’s crew struggled to find an available site for the Film Festival. Xavier found inspiration aboard the ship, while Qian Renxue considered making a film about the Angel God and Bibi Dong.

• Chevreuse explained that she would guide another crew in filming musket and firearm scenes, while Furina’s crew searched for an outdoor location.
• Wriothesley proposed showing the group an unclaimed filming location, and Furina and Chiori took Columbina to discuss the shoot while the Traveler went with Wriothesley.
• Qian Renxue suggested that Spirit Hall make films to promote itself, and she considered asking Dori and Nicole for help with the equipment.
• Wriothesley brought the Traveler, Paimon, and Xavier aboard the Vigneire, explaining that it was rented out during the Thousand Spirits Festival to help cover its maintenance costs.
• Xavier walked around the Vigneire’s deck and became absorbed in ideas for the art film.

Xavier learned that the Vigneire had already been rented, and the Traveler and Paimon went aboard to meet its owner. They discovered that Citlali had rented the ship and caught her in pajamas, leaving her flustered and worried that the Traveler could hear her thoughts.

• Xavier learned that the Vigneire had been rented and decided to find its new captain to discuss filming.
• Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing recognized the Vigneire from an earlier story, while Ning Rongrong and the others guessed who had rented it.
• The Traveler and Paimon explored the Vigneire and called out for its owner.
• Citlali came up from the lower cabin in pajamas, recognized the Traveler and Paimon, and rushed off to find her usual clothes.
• Citlali returned and demanded that they say nothing about her outfit, then realized the Traveler might hear her thoughts.

Citlali explained why she was working aboard the Vigneire as a receptionist while Xavier’s crew sought permission to film there, but the Sky Screen cut off before the captain was revealed. Qian Renxue began arranging a film about the Angel God’s past, then the Sky Screen showed a chilling song depicting the Archon of Death’s murders in Snezhnaya.

• Citlali told Paimon and Xavier that she had taken a receptionist job aboard the Vigneire after struggling to find a place to stay during the Thousand Spirits Film Festival.
• Citlali described the captain as reasonable but warned Xavier’s crew to keep their request brief, then led them toward the captain’s quarters before the Sky Screen cut off.
• Ning Rongrong and Layla speculated that the captain might be Sandrone, while Qian Renxue asked Nicole to write a film script based on the Angel God’s story and went to find Dori for equipment.
• The Sky Screen introduced “Reaper’s Macabre Feast” with a group photograph of the Traveler and others, whose faces were marked with red crosses.
• The song showed Arosha leaving a theater and returning, then revealed the Archon of Death in his place as the group’s members died one by one while he watched and enjoyed their suffering.

After the Traveler and Paimon reunited with Sandrone aboard the Vigneire, she thanked them for saving her and began explaining how she returned from being destroyed. The chapter ended as her memories started to unfold.

• The Moon audience watched a parody in which Pierro treated Paimon like a beloved granddaughter, prompting the Harbingers to wonder if Paimon could have been the vacant Tenth Seat.
• Citlali brought the Traveler and Paimon to the captain's quarters, where they discovered that Miss Guillotin was Sandrone.
• Sandrone asked Citlali to take Xavier away so she could speak privately with the Traveler and Paimon.
• Paimon asked Sandrone about her destroyed core, and Sandrone said she had recovered, though she was unsure whether everything was truly fine.
• Sandrone thanked Paimon for saving her, then began recounting how she had returned to life.
• Xiao Wu confirmed that Rongrong had guessed Sandrone's identity, while Zhu Zhuqing challenged her to guess how Sandrone came back to life.