The afternoon sun cast a warm golden glow over Mondstadt, its rays glinting off the cobblestone streets and reflecting in the shimmering waters of Cider Lake. A gentle breeze rustled through the city, carrying the scent of fresh flowers and the faint tang of dandelion wine, while the sounds of merchants haggling and children laughing filled the air. The towering statue of Barbatos stood watch over the plaza, its stone wings spread wide, a symbol of freedom as the wind whispered through the streets, stirring the leaves of the trees that lined the square.
In the heart of the plaza, a large crowd had gathered around the virtual screen of the Teyvat Second Creation broadcast room, its ethereal light casting a soft blue hue over the cobblestones. The citizens of Mondstadt watched with wide eyes, their voices a mix of shock and amusement as the advertisement for the Hall of Rebirth played, its polished presentation leaving them in a state of disbelief.
Xander stood at the edge of the crowd, his cloak billowing in the breeze, the Shadowfang Blade at his side glinting in the sunlight as his vibrant blue aura shimmered faintly around him. He had orchestrated this second creation video to fulfill Hu Tao's long-standing request for an advertisement, and the audience's reaction was exactly what he had hoped for, their stunned silence a testament to the video's impact.
The chat exploded with reactions, the viewers across Teyvat reeling from the absurdity of the Hall of Rebirth being marketed like a luxury resort. Hu Tao's message was filled with joy, her words a tearful exclamation as she wrote, "Woo, it's amazing, the second creation broadcast room is the best, I love it so much, yay!"
Keqing's comment was one of disbelief, her tone a mix of shock and confusion as she wrote, "This, they really advertised for the Hall of Rebirth?" Beidou's reaction was more visceral, her words a choked laugh as she wrote, "Pfft, cough, what in the world, an ad for the Hall of Rebirth?"
Yoimiya's message was filled with astonishment, her tone incredulous as she wrote, "Successful people, pinnacle residences, do living people actually stay there?" Kaeya's comment was a mix of amusement and resignation, his words a playful jab as he wrote, "As expected of the second creation broadcast, it got me again."
Ying's reaction was one of confusion, her voice a mix of frustration and disbelief as she wrote, "Why am I in this, when did I become an employee of the Hall of Rebirth?" Paimon's comment followed, her tone equally baffled as she wrote, "I'm there too, why am I a ghost?"
Xander's message was filled with amusement, his words a blunt observation as he wrote, "This is too wild, isn't it?" Qiqi's comment was a mix of displeasure and resignation, her tone soft as she wrote, "Qiqi, hate, hot, Hu Tao."
The video continued on the big screen, its polished presentation growing even more absurd as Hu Tao's voice echoed through the plaza, her tone cheerful and professional as she spoke. "Guaranteed first-hand account source, enjoy VIP customized service, wash away the lead, and only think about the supreme emperor of the imperial family."
The camera panned to show Tartaglia, the Fatui Harbinger known as Childe, his face a mask of intoxication as he lounged in a luxurious coffin, his expression one of exaggerated bliss. The next scene featured Qiqi, the small zombie girl stretching out in a "smart frozen coffin," her tiny body surrounded by glowing blue lights as she muttered softly, her voice a mix of curiosity and discomfort as she said, "It looks cool, the coffin, Qiqi, still, I don't like it."
The video shifted again, showcasing a "light polished Mora-shaped urn," its surface gleaming with a golden sheen as Hu Tao's voice continued, her tone filled with pride as she said, "Private experience, so you can rest easy, every detail has been polished in every possible way." The camera zoomed in on Keqing, the Liyue Qixing member meticulously embroidering intricate patterns onto the urn, her expression one of intense focus as she worked, her Electro Vision glowing faintly at her waist.
The chat erupted with more reactions, the audience's disbelief growing with each new scene as they watched the advertisement unfold. Tartaglia's message was filled with exasperation, his tone a mix of shock and frustration as he wrote, "What in the world, why am I in this again?"
Ningguang's comment was a mix of indignation and amusement, her words a playful complaint as she wrote, "In an ad for the Hall of Rebirth, I should be included no matter what." Keqing's response was one of relief, her tone a mix of gratitude and lingering fear as she wrote, "I was scared to death, but it's not too bad this time."
Xander's message added context, his tone filled with amusement as he wrote, "A Fatui executive and a Liyue Qixing member make the Hall of Rebirth seem so high-end." Xingqiu's comment was more analytical, his words a thoughtful observation as he wrote, "Indeed, if you didn't know they were urns and coffins, they'd probably sell out."
The video pressed on, its tone growing even more surreal as Hu Tao appeared on screen, lying on a coffin with a box of coconut milk in hand, sipping it alongside a ghostly figure that resembled a mochi, her voice cheerful as she said, "Here, you can forget all your worries." The next scene showed her standing in the Hall of Rebirth, her arms spread wide as she continued, her tone warm and inviting as she said, "Here, you can feel at home, thousands of years since its opening, no bad reviews after sales."
The advertisement took a darker turn, Hu Tao's voice taking on a mischievous edge as she said, "Even if there's malicious competition, we'll provide door-to-door services to satisfy them." The camera shifted to show a dragon claw emerging from a luxurious coffin, giving a thumbs-up, while Zhongli, dressed in sunglasses, squatted in front of the camera, making a scissors hand gesture as Hu Tao's voice concluded, "The service of the Hall of Rebirth, Lord Yan himself approves."
The final shot showed Hu Tao at the gate of the Hall of Rebirth, her suit and sunglasses glinting in the light as she smiled at the camera, her voice filled with pride as she said, "I am Hu Tao, and the Hall of Rebirth looks forward to your arrival." The video ended with a flourish, the screen fading to black as the broadcast room announced the rewards, Hu Tao receiving a "Golden Advertising Plaque" for her successful ad, while the audience was left in a state of stunned silence.
The viewers in the plaza were still reeling, their voices a mix of confusion and amusement as they processed what they had just seen, the Liyue residents in the chat particularly affected by the surreal advertisement. Master Mao's message was filled with bewilderment, his tone a mix of shock and uncertainty as he wrote, "After this video, I don't even know what kind of business the Hall of Rebirth is anymore."
Dongsheng's comment echoed his sentiment, his words a stunned observation as he wrote, "I'm dumbfounded, it feels like the Hall of Rebirth is selling luxury goods now." Changshun's message was more direct, his tone a mix of disbelief and realization as he wrote, "Is there a chance the Hall of Rebirth actually sells coffins?"
Chongyun's reaction was one of paralysis, his words a mix of shock and confusion as he wrote, "I'm stunned, my impression of the Hall of Rebirth is completely messed up." Diona's comment was a mix of sarcasm and practicality, her tone dry as she wrote, "It looks so advanced, if my dad sleeps on the roadside again, I might buy him one."
Duraf's response was one of panic, his tone a mix of fear and denial as he wrote, "No way, no way!" Margaret's message was more sympathetic, her words a gentle reprimand as she wrote, "Mr. Duraf should drink less, so Diona doesn't worry all the time."
Hu Tao's reply was cheerful, her tone filled with enthusiasm as she wrote, "It's okay, book our services at the Hall of Rebirth, drink as much as you want, we'll handle your funeral, absolutely foolproof!" Duraf's response was a mix of awe and hesitation, his words a nervous refusal as he wrote, "No way, your stuff looks too high-end, a simple hunter like me can't afford it."
Hu Tao's final message was reassuring, her tone bright as she wrote, "Don't worry, we have a variety of packages at the Hall of Rebirth, and we're running promotions, there's definitely one for you!" The chat continued to buzz with reactions, the audience still grappling with the surreal advertisement as the broadcast room closed, leaving Mondstadt in a state of amused confusion.
But the peace of the afternoon was shattered by a sudden commotion on the outskirts of Mondstadt, the sound of shouts and the clash of weapons echoing through the air as a group of Treasure Hoarders launched an ambush near the Whispering Woods. The crowd in the plaza turned their heads, their laughter turning to gasps as they watched a band of Treasure Hoarders, armed with crossbows and explosives, emerge from the trees, their leader barking orders as they advanced toward the city, their eyes gleaming with greed.
Jean sprang into action, her Anemo Vision glowing brightly as she drew her sword, her voice booming with authority as she shouted to the knights. "Knights of Favonius, to the Whispering Woods, we're under attack!" Eula followed close behind, her Cryo Vision flaring as she summoned her claymore, her icy blue eyes narrowing with determination as she prepared to face the enemy, her voice a mix of resolve and disdain as she muttered, "These thieves will pay for their insolence."
Xander stood from his spot at the edge of the crowd, his grin widening as he drew the Shadowfang Blade, its dark steel glinting in the sunlight as his vibrant blue aura flared around him, his voice filled with excitement as he called out to the knights. "Looks like we've got some troublemakers, let's show them what Mondstadt's made of!" He charged toward the Whispering Woods, his movements swift and precise as he joined the fray, his blade slicing through the air with deadly accuracy as he took down a group of Treasure Hoarders in a single swing, their bodies collapsing to the ground in a heap.
Jean unleashed a burst of Anemo energy, her sword glowing with the power of the wind as she sent a group of Treasure Hoarders flying, her voice filled with determination as she shouted to her knights. "Protect the city, don't let them get any closer!" Eula followed with a Cryo-infused strike, her claymore slamming into the ground with a burst of ice that froze a group of Treasure Hoarders in their tracks, her voice a mix of elegance and fury as she declared, "This will be a lesson in retribution!"
The leader of the Treasure Hoarders, a burly man with a scar across his face, roared in defiance, his crossbow firing a volley of explosive bolts toward Xander as he charged at him, his voice filled with rage as he shouted, "You'll pay for interfering, outsider!" Xander dodged the bolts with a graceful leap, his Shadowfang Blade glowing with a dark energy as he countered with a series of rapid strikes, his voice filled with confidence as he taunted the man, "You picked the wrong city to rob, let's see how you handle this!"
He unleashed a powerful slash, the blade cutting through the leader's defenses with ease, the man letting out a final grunt before collapsing to the ground, his crossbow clattering to the dirt. The remaining Treasure Hoarders scattered, their morale broken as the knights and Xander pursued them, their combined strength driving the bandits back into the woods, the skirmish ending as quickly as it had begun.
The citizens of Mondstadt cheered, their voices rising in a chorus of gratitude as they thanked the knights for their protection, the plaza returning to its festive atmosphere as the memory of the advertisement lingered in their minds. Xander sheathed his blade, his grin wide as he returned to the plaza, his voice filled with satisfaction as he spoke to the crowd, "Well, that was a nice little workout, now let's get back to enjoying the day!"
Zhongli, who had been watching the broadcast from Liyue, sat in the shade of a tree near the harbor, a cup of tea in hand as he processed what he had just seen, his stoic expression faltering as a bead of sweat rolled down his temple. The dragon claw in the coffin was unmistakably his own, and the image of him in sunglasses making a scissors hand gesture was a stark reminder of how close he had come to having his identity as Morax exposed, his voice a low mutter as he said to himself, "This second creation broadcast is far too dangerous, I must be more careful."
As the sun began to set over Mondstadt, casting a warm orange glow over the city, the citizens returned to their daily routines, their spirits lifted by the chaotic entertainment of the second creation video and the thrill of the battle, the city once again basking in the light of freedom and camaraderie.
***
Support me on Patreon to read 50+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Nocturnal_Breeze