The midday sun hung high over Mondstadt, bathing the city in a golden glow that shimmered off the cobblestone streets and reflected in the sparkling waters of Cider Lake. The air was warm, filled with the scent of fresh flowers and the faint tang of dandelion wine, a gentle breeze rustling through the trees as it carried the laughter of children playing near the fountain and the melodies of bards strumming their lutes in the plaza. Mondstadt was alive with energy, its citizens going about their daily routines, merchants haggling over prices, and knights patrolling the streets, their armor clanking softly with each step. The towering statue of Barbatos stood watch over the city, its stone wings spread wide, a symbol of freedom and protection as the wind whispered through the streets, a reminder of the city's enduring spirit.
Xander had spent the past two days indulging in the art of doing nothing, a luxury he could afford with millions of mora in his pocket and no pressing need to return to Liyue. He had taken to a life of leisure that rivaled even Venti's, spending his mornings sipping dandelion wine at the Cat's Tail, his afternoons chatting with Rosaria and Eula about everything from Mondstadt's history to the best spots for a late-night drink, and his evenings wandering the city's streets, soaking in the customs and culture of the land of freedom. His A-level aura shimmered faintly around him, a vibrant blue glow that drew curious glances from passersby, his Shadowfang Blade resting at his side as a constant reminder of his strength. Despite his reputation as a single man, Xander had a knack for conversation, his charming smile and easygoing demeanor allowing him to connect with even the prickliest of personalities, like Rosaria, whose sharp tongue and icy demeanor melted slightly in his presence.
One afternoon, as he sat at a table outside the Deer Hunter, savoring a plate of their signature dish, Xander couldn't help but notice the difference in cuisine compared to Liyue's. The dish was hearty, a pile of grilled meat and vegetables drizzled with a simple sauce, but it lacked the complexity of flavors he was used to, the spices and seasonings of Liyue's Wanmin Hall far surpassing Mondstadt's more straightforward fare. He sighed, setting his fork down as he leaned back in his chair, his cloak draped over the back, his voice a mix of amusement and longing as he muttered to himself. "It's good, but it's no match for Xiangling's cooking. I miss the heat of her chili oil."
But two days of idleness had begun to weigh on him, the complaints of Mondstadt's citizens echoing in his ears as they grumbled about the lack of new second creation videos. The entire city, and likely the rest of Teyvat, had grown accustomed to the chaotic entertainment provided by the broadcasts, and Xander's absence had left them restless, their voices rising in a chorus of frustration as they passed by his table. He knew he couldn't keep fishing forever, not when he had a responsibility to his audience, and certainly not when Hu Tao, the eccentric master of the Hall of Rebirth, had been begging for an advertisement in the chat for weeks, her pleas growing more desperate with each passing day.
"Alright, it's time to get back to work." Xander stood, his cloak billowing behind him as he adjusted the Shadowfang Blade at his side, his vibrant blue aura flaring briefly with his renewed determination. "Let's give Boss Hu Tao what she's been asking for."
With a snap of his fingers, the Teyvat Second Creation broadcast room sprang to life, its ethereal light casting a soft blue glow over the plaza as the virtual screen materialized in the air, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. The citizens of Mondstadt gathered around, their voices rising in a mix of excitement and relief as the familiar announcement echoed through the square, Xander's voice cheerful and teasing as he greeted his audience. "The live broadcast room of Teyvat Second Creation is open, dear viewers and friends, I haven't seen you for two days, do you miss me?"
The chat exploded with responses, the audience's enthusiasm palpable as they flooded the screen with their reactions, their voices a mix of joy and frustration as they expressed their longing for the broadcasts. Yanfei's message was filled with exasperation, her words a dramatic plea as she wrote, "Finally, the broadcast is back, do you know how I've survived these past two days?" Beidou's comment was equally fervent, her tone a mix of relief and impatience as she added, "It's been three days, and it's finally here, this second creation live broadcast room really knows how to keep us waiting." Arataki Itto's laughter boomed through the chat, his voice filled with defiance as he taunted, "Nine stinky dogs, you gagged me in the dungeon, but I can still talk in the Erchuang live broadcast room, hahahaha!"
Venti's comment was more melancholic, his tone wistful as he wrote, "I don't have the second creation video to watch, I've lost my taste for drinking these past two days, it's so uncomfortable." Xander couldn't resist teasing him, his reply quick and playful as he shot back, "@Venti, is that so, then who was that bard who drank a dozen bottles of my wine yesterday and passed out under the big tree in Windrise?" Venti's response was evasive, his tone light as he replied, "Maybe another bard who looks a lot like me."
Hu Tao's message was the most desperate, her words a frantic plea as she wrote, "Is it time for me, is it time for our Hall of Rebirth, no matter what, it's our turn, right?" Ganyu's comment followed, her tone sympathetic as she added, "Hu Tao is already in a daze…"
The title of the video appeared on the big screen, its words bold and enigmatic as they read, "Successful People, Pinnacle Residence." The audience's confusion was immediate, their reactions flooding the chat as they tried to decipher the meaning behind the title. Ningguang's message was speculative, her tone curious as she wrote, "Are you selling a house to buy a house, could this be an advertisement for Keqing's family?" Keqing's response was a mix of panic and embarrassment, her words a desperate plea as she replied, "Please, spare me!"
Hu Tao's reaction was one of despair, her voice a wail of frustration as she wrote, "No, how could it not be an advertisement for our Hall of Rebirth?" Xander's reply was blunt, his tone a mix of amusement and skepticism as he wrote, "To be honest, the Hall of Rebirth deals with the business of the dead, I don't even know how to advertise that in a second creation video, no matter how I think about it, it's impossible." Thoma's comment was more practical, his tone thoughtful as he added, "He's right, the business of the dead is the most special, it's something the living tend to avoid." Kamisato Ayaka's message was sympathetic, her words gentle as she wrote, "In other words, Miss Hu Tao's wish might be far off."
Hu Tao's response was a tearful outburst, her words a desperate plea as she wrote, "No, I want an advertisement, I want an advertisement!" But as her cries echoed through the chat, the video began, its opening notes a rhythmic beat that silenced the audience, their attention drawn to the screen as a familiar voice filled the air.
The voice was Hu Tao's, her tone cheerful and professional as she spoke, the camera panning to reveal the Hall of Rebirth in all its eerie glory, its dark wooden structure framed by the misty hills of Liyue, the air filled with the scent of incense and the faint glow of lanterns casting an otherworldly light over the scene. Hu Tao stood at the gate, dressed in a sleek suit and sunglasses, her usual playful demeanor replaced by a polished professionalism as she addressed the audience, her voice smooth and inviting as she spoke. "Dear customer, do you feel overwhelmed by work pressure, do you struggle with family discord or relationship troubles, are you frustrated with crooked holy relics, then please come and make an appointment for the services at the Hall of Rebirth."
The camera zoomed in on Hu Tao, her sunglasses glinting in the light as she continued, her voice filled with confidence as she delivered her pitch. "Successful people, pinnacle places, let us help you escape the hustle and bustle of the world and find peace of mind and body, we have a professional team to serve you." The screen shifted to show her "team," a group of familiar faces that left the audience in stunned silence, their jaws dropping as they watched Zhongli, dressed in a formal suit, carrying a coffin alongside a ghostly figure that resembled a mochi, and a mysterious figure in a long coat, their faces obscured as they worked together to transport the coffin with an air of solemn professionalism.
Hu Tao's voice continued, her tone bright and cheerful as she gestured to the coffins and urns behind her, her words a mix of humor and sincerity as she spoke. "We have a variety of elegant rooms for you to choose from, each designed to provide the ultimate in comfort and tranquility." The camera panned to show the coffins and urns, their surfaces polished to a shine, the wood carved with intricate patterns that glowed faintly in the dim light, the scene both haunting and absurd as Hu Tao presented them as if they were luxury accommodations.
The audience in the plaza was speechless, their eyes wide with disbelief as they watched the advertisement unfold, the absurdity of the Hall of Rebirth being marketed like a high-end resort leaving them in a state of shock. The chat exploded with reactions, the viewers across Teyvat reeling from the unexpected turn of events as they expressed their astonishment, their voices a mix of awe and amusement as they wrote their thoughts.
Yanfei's message was filled with disbelief, her words a stunned exclamation as she wrote, "Oh my goodness, the second creation live broadcast room actually made an advertisement for the Hall of Rebirth!" Beidou's comment was a mix of laughter and admiration, her tone filled with amusement as she wrote, "This is insane, I can't believe they pulled it off!" Arataki Itto's laughter boomed through the chat, his voice filled with glee as he wrote, "Hahahaha, this is the best thing I've ever seen, Hu Tao finally got her ad!"
But the peace of the broadcast was short-lived, as a sudden commotion erupted on the outskirts of Mondstadt, the sound of shouts and the clash of weapons echoing through the air as a group of hilichurls launched a surprise attack on the city's northern gate. The crowd in the plaza turned their heads, their laughter turning to gasps as they watched a horde of hilichurls, led by a massive Mitachurl wielding a blazing axe, charge toward the city, their grunts and roars a stark contrast to the cheerful atmosphere of the broadcast.
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 northern gate, 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 beasts will pay for interrupting my day."
Xander stood from his table, 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 uninvited guests, let's give them a warm Mondstadt welcome!" He charged toward the northern gate, 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 hilichurls in a single swing, their bodies disintegrating into a shower of elemental particles.
Jean unleashed a burst of Anemo energy, her sword glowing with the power of the wind as she sent a group of hilichurls flying, her voice filled with determination as she shouted to her knights. "Protect the citizens, don't let them breach the gate!" Eula followed with a Cryo-infused strike, her claymore slamming into the ground with a burst of ice that froze a group of hilichurls in their tracks, her voice a mix of elegance and fury as she declared, "This will be a dance of vengeance!"
The Mitachurl roared, its blazing axe swinging toward Xander as it charged at him, its massive form a towering threat as flames trailed in its wake. Xander dodged the attack 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 beast. "You're a big one, but I've faced worse, let's see how you handle this!" He unleashed a powerful slash, the blade cutting through the Mitachurl's defenses with ease, the creature letting out a final roar before collapsing to the ground, its body disintegrating into a pile of ash.
The battle was over as quickly as it had begun, the knights and Xander working together to drive back the remaining hilichurls, their combined strength more than a match for the enemy. 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 broadcast resumed, the advertisement for the Hall of Rebirth continuing to play on the screen.
Hu Tao's voice echoed through the plaza, her tone filled with pride as she concluded her pitch, her sunglasses glinting in the light as she spoke. "Come to the Hall of Rebirth, where we'll take care of all your needs, successful people, pinnacle places!" 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 Xander was awarded a "Hero's Medal" for his role in defending Mondstadt.
Xander sheathed his blade, his grin wide as he returned to his table at the Deer Hunter, his voice filled with satisfaction as he spoke to the crowd. "Well, that was a nice little warm-up, now let's enjoy the rest of the day!" The citizens of Mondstadt laughed, 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.
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