The mystery of how the viewers received their star ratings on this suspicious screen was finally partly unveiled through the examples of the adepti and Gaming, as well as the Traveler's firsthand account.
Some people were discouraged, while others perked up.
Quite a few quick thinkers, in particular, carefully studied the outfits of those so-called "playable characters" who had appeared in the video...
Yes, they decided that they would dress more boldly and fashionably from now on. After all, judging by this game, it seemed that the more alluring a character was, the more likely they were to become playable?
Though it was only a guess, for the sake of the generous rewards offered by this screen, those adventurous young women of Teyvat who dared to love and hate, and could even charge into stardust and the Abyss, felt it was worth a try.
They had heard that a place called Chiori Boutique had become quite famous lately. Even in the Court of Fontaine, known as the capital of fashion, it led the latest trends. They would visit if they had the chance.
Leaving aside how the men of Teyvat might have at least ten percent more eye candy to enjoy after today, in the video, Shitou's voice rose several notches when he heard how large the order was-far larger than the single piece he had previously expected them to buy.
"Certainly!"
But such lavish spending also puzzled Shitou, and he followed up with another question.
"By the way... don't mind me asking, I'm just curious. What do you gentlemen need so much top-quality [Noctilucous Jade] for?"
Zhongli pondered for a moment. "Hmm... there's no harm in telling you. It will be used to make implements for the [Rite of Parting]."
Hearing Zhongli's answer, Shitou was clearly somewhat surprised, but there was also a sense of confirmation, of the moment finally having come. His voice sank, losing the joy of having just secured a major sale.
"[Parting]...? Uh, I've heard quite a few rumors lately, but I never dared ask too much. Then, then that means Rex Lapis really has..."
"...Ah, it's hard to believe. Though [Jade Mystery] has declined somewhat these days, our family has relied on Rex Lapis's protection for generations."
"They say that two hundred years ago, Rex Lapis visited the southern part of the city in disguise. When he lost his way and sampled some local snacks, he used a jade spoon from [Jade Mystery]..."
"All in the past now... all in the past... Ah, since it's to bid farewell to Rex Lapis, I'll only charge half price for this crate of [Noctilucous Jade]."
Shitou's heartfelt reflections and reminiscences even prompted a crafty merchant as penny-pinching as him to voluntarily halve the price.
The sight surprised even the money-loving Paimon. "Huh, is that really okay...? You seemed so unwilling to part with a single Mora before..."
Shitou answered as though it went without saying. "Without Rex Lapis's blessing, this [Commercial Capital] wouldn't be what it is today. As a businessman, how could I make money off something like this...?"
[Paimon: Rex Lapis has such a great reputation in Liyue. Even that stingy, crooked merchant from before is willing to forgo his profits!]
[Ningguang: Paimon, all the people of Liyue are deeply grateful to Rex Lapis for his kindness in protecting our land for thousands of years.]
[Keqing: This is merely something any ordinary person from Liyue would do.]
[Xingqiu: In Liyue, many people even believe that without Rex Lapis, there would be no Liyue Harbor.]
[Yun Jin: Hehe, you can tell just by how many of the operas I usually sing have to do with Rex Lapis~.]
[Paimon: Wow, Paimon had only heard about it before. Actually seeing and hearing it now really does give Paimon a lot to reflect on.]
[Xiangling: Hehe, those of us who run businesses, whether it's an ore business like Shitou's or my family's Wanmin Restaurant, would never be careless about anything involving Rex Lapis.]
[Paimon: Hmm, then does that mean Shitou is actually a pretty decent merchant?]
[Ganyu: Ahem, I'll go call back the Millelith and Ministry of Civil Affairs personnel I dispatched.]
In reality, Shitou was drenched in sweat as he watched the Millelith and Ministry of Civil Affairs personnel who had just barged into his shop and were now inspecting his accounts.
The two groups exchanged glances, shook their heads, stopped what they were doing, and filed out just as they had entered. Before leaving, one of the Ministry of Civil Affairs personnel even patted Shitou on the shoulder.
"Well, at least you still have a conscience and do Liyue proud. We'll let you off this time."
Once the two groups had left, a crowd of customers came in from outside. Even the tourists who had hurried away earlier returned, each buying some [uncut stones] or processed ore from Shitou.
Before leaving, some of the people from Liyue even gave Shitou a thumbs-up and said things like, "Not bad, kid. You've got a bit of a conscience."
Shitou did not know whether to laugh or cry. Still, earning this "unexpected windfall" left him somewhat uneasy, so he simply held a storewide twenty-percent-off sale, which finally put him a little more at ease.
On the screen, Paimon had clearly also been moved by the stark change in Shitou's attitude, and spoke with heartfelt sincerity.
"Aww... Sir, Rex Lapis will definitely know how you feel."
The adepti in the discussion area, along with the others who had realized Zhongli's true identity, looked at the moved Paimon and Shitou, then at Zhongli standing beside them, his expression unchanged as though he were watching a play. They felt the scene really was quite theatrical.
[Mountain Shaper: Ahem, yes, well, Rex Lapis himself is actually in the discussion area, so Paimon wasn't wrong.]
[Moon Carver: Indeed, Rex Lapis personally witnessed Shitou's heartfelt gesture toward him.]
[Xiao: Yes.]
[Xingqiu: ...Wait, does that mean this video is actually a perfect opportunity to advertise?!]
Though star-rated users with family businesses, such as Hu Tao and Dori, had already advertised their businesses to varying degrees in the discussion area.
The effect of mere text advertisements that flashed past could not possibly compare with that of visual "advertisements" like this video.
Especially since this video was not actually an advertisement, but simply showed scenes from the future, making it feel all the more authentic.
It would give viewers the sense that they were not being subjected to misleading advertising.
[Xingqiu: Will they come to the Feiyun Commerce Guild next to purchase the relevant supplies?]
Considering how extensive his family's business was, surely the procurement of supplies for Rex Lapis's Rite of Parting would have to involve their enterprises in some way. At that thought, Xingqiu grew a little apprehensive.
Though he usually took no part in the family business, Xingqiu at least knew that he could only live so freely as a chivalrous hero, write his novels, or search for rare, surviving copies of books because his family's wealth and extensive holdings supported him.
If his family really did appear next, and some fool working for them performed worse than Shitou...
For the first time, Xingqiu broke into a cold sweat.