Watching the mutual flattery between Venti and Zhongli on the light screen, the expressions of those in the chat group turned… strange.
Good grief!
The Anemo Archon was one thing.
After yesterday, everyone had already witnessed his endless collection of unserious antics.
But the Geo Archon?
So this is what you're like in private?!
The people of Teyvat had truly broadened their horizons.
Transcendent Chat Group
Lumine:
So this is what a gods' dinner looks like? Incredible.
Paimon:
Hahaha! First they pretend not to know each other, then it turns into full-on business flattery! I'm dying!
Alice:
"New Friends" (🐶)
Yae Miko:
"I've heard a thing or two" (🐶)
Ei:
"A 6,000-year-old young man" (🐶)
Dvalin:
"Polite and refined," "Easygoing," "Artist," "My apologies" (🐶)
Furina:
Tsk tsk… a clash between masters~
Nahida:
So this is divine-level acting? I've learned something today. (thinking.jpg)
…
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
"'New friend'!"
"'Polite young gentleman'!"
"'Refined and easygoing artist'!"
"Wow—this level of commercial flattery, this acting… impressive!"
"If this Director didn't already know your identities, I might've really been fooled just like my light-screen self!"
Hu Tao looked toward the two men in the hall, her eyes full of playful teasing.
"Ehe~"
Venti took it in stride, smiling as he casually flashed a peace sign.
Zhongli, however, wore a slightly… delicate expression.
Back when only a few people knew his identity, it wasn't too bad.
But now—
Everyone knew.
Which meant every single move he made looked suspicious.
Feeling Hu Tao's gaze linger on him, Zhongli coughed lightly.
"Ahem… Director Hu, the wine is excellent."
"Barbatos, Dvalin—come, have a drink."
At this moment, he was indescribably grateful that his old friend was here.
Otherwise, under this kind of unserious commentary, he truly wouldn't know how to deal with the Director.
"Coming, old man!"
"Cheers!"
The two gods and one dragon clinked cups and began drinking on their own.
Hu Tao rolled her eyes adorably.
…
The Light Screen — Continued
After the round of mutual praise, Venti immediately switched to teasing.
First, he self-deprecatingly mocked Mondstadt poetry.
Nothing special, really. Limited inspiration.
Then, he casually critiqued a poem he'd "heard by chance"—
Which was, in fact, written by Zhongli himself.
"An ancient house renewed, welcoming spring winds, brushing old memories."
"Hm… the meaning comes through, but the wording is too common. Hardly what I'd call literary."
As he said this, Venti glanced at Zhongli, smiling faintly.
But this was a high-end game.
Hu Tao didn't catch the underlying jabs—she was only interested in the poetry itself.
So she offered one of her own alley-style doggerels:
"An old melon on the vine—yet blooming right on top!"
Venti's eyes lit up instantly.
The two immediately praised each other enthusiastically, declaring each other kindred spirits.
Seeing this, Zhongli and Xiao both sighed in unison.
Nearby, one of the "three newbies," Xiangling, stared wide-eyed after watching everything unfold.
Something felt… off.
She quietly asked Xingqiu, who stood beside her.
"Xingqiu, when we get back, can I borrow a few books from you?"
"Pick ones you think are well-written."
"I don't know if it's my literary level or what, but I really can't tell whether what they're saying is good or bad."
Chongyun, overhearing this, spoke awkwardly.
"I think… it might not be your problem."
Xingqiu smiled.
"Correct. It's not our problem."
…
Xiangling, Xingqiu, and Chongyun all gave helpless smiles.
Indeed.
This wasn't their issue at all.
This was pure high-level verbal sparring—elite flattery mixed with subtle insults.
Even Xiao had been rendered silent.
They only understood what was happening now because they knew the true identities involved.
Otherwise, they would've been just as lost as their light-screen counterparts.
…
The Banquet's Climax
After more casual conversation, the dinner reached its peak.
"The festival preparations are going smoothly. New and old friends gathered together—truly something worth celebrating."
"To meet everyone here at the beginning of the new year fills me with joy."
"At this moment, allow me to use tea in place of wine, and offer a toast to you all."
After delivering this perfectly polished closing speech, Zhongli rose with his teacup.
Xiao's scalp went numb.
Unsure what to do, he immediately looked toward the Traveler.
Seeing Lumine subtly shake her head, he held himself back.
At that moment, the instigator himself joined in.
"Mr. Zhongli speaks wonderfully—he's said everything I wanted to say."
"Now that we're here, I do feel a little embarrassed."
"I came uninvited. I hope I haven't caused too much trouble?"
He stood as well, lifting his teacup.
"In Mondstadt, we'd usually drink alcohol at times like this."
"But since Mr. Zhongli insists on tea, I'll follow local customs."
"Ehe~ thank you for the hospitality!"
Lumine and the other newcomers were still fine.
But Paimon and Xiao had completely tensed up.
…
Transcendent Chat Group
Some people grimaced.
Others burst out laughing.
Alice:
Good grief! This banquet is insane! Two Archons toasting together—those present have unbelievable status! (evil grin.jpg)
Lumine:
Haha, there probably aren't more than a handful of people in all Teyvat who've experienced this!
Paimon:
Xiangling, Xingqiu, Chongyun, Hu Tao, Xiao—come on, speak up~
Charlotte:
Ahem! Two Archons offering a joint toast is almost unheard of! Could everyone share their thoughts? (excited.jpg)
Charlotte:
Traveler and Paimon too, of course~
Lumine:
Me? Heh. In the light screen, I helped their nations solve major problems. Getting a toast seems perfectly reasonable~ (🐶)
Paimon:
And we're good friends with the bard and Zhongli! No need to overthink it!
Hu Tao:
Then it's my turn, right? That's even more normal~
Hu Tao:
First, I'm the host. Second—one is my employee, the other is currently living in my house!
Hu Tao:
So isn't toasting me only proper? (🐶)
Everyone froze.
…Actually, that made perfect sense.
The Traveler and Paimon needed no explanation.
Helping nations, befriending gods—being toasted was entirely reasonable.
As for Hu Tao?
In the light screen, she paid.
In reality, they were eating and drinking on her tab.
That… also checked out.
But a situation like this?
Unique across all of Teyvat.
For ordinary people, even meeting a god once was extraordinary—let alone being toasted by two.
…
Xiangling, Xingqiu, and Chongyun could only smile bitterly.
What feelings could they have?
Being toasted by a normal elder already made them uncomfortable.
But this?
This was beyond generations—this was super-generation pressure.
Not awkward.
Terrifying.
If their light-screen selves had known the truth, they wouldn't have dared sit at the table at all.
Let alone accept a toast.
They simply weren't on the same level.
Xiangling:
Uh… um…
Chongyun:
Uh…
Xingqiu:
Geo Lord, Anemo Archon—this truly isn't appropriate! We should be the ones toasting you! This shortens our lifespan! (wry smile.jpg)
Xiangling:
Y-Yeah! That's right!
Chongyun:
Yes! Xingqiu's right! Xiangling's right!
The chat exploded with laughter.
Alice, however, added:
Alice:
The Xiangling–Xingqiu–Chongyun trio are pure newbies and honest kids.
Alice:
Ignorance is no sin. We'll let you off~
Alice:
But the last one~ hehe~ (evil grin.jpg)
The three honest kids instantly relaxed.
For Xiao, however, this felt like a death sentence.
He fell silent.
Aftermath
In the end, the Traveler stepped in, inviting Xiao outside to talk.
Only then did the strange atmosphere finally dissolve.
After that, the banquet proceeded normally.
Everyone ate, chatted, and laughed in harmony.
When the incense burned out, the banquet came to an end.
The video concluded.
…
Despite its length—comparable to Paimon vs. Dvalin—everyone watched with rapt attention.
After all, it involved gods.
And endless entertainment.
Back at the Villa
The streamer watched from beginning to end, deeply impressed.
"Worthy of the only two original Archons."
"This acting… flawless."
He chuckled, then spoke calmly:
"The video ends here. I'm sure everyone now has a clearer understanding of Morax and Barbatos' acting skills."
"Now, let's continue the unserious commentary."
"Third item—Morax's retirement life."
"Yesterday, we talked about Barbatos' slacking lifestyle."
"Very exciting."
"So today, let's talk about Morax."
"I've prepared three points."
"I'm sure you'll be interested."
"Now—officially beginning."
"First point."
"No Mora."
…
The entire chat group was stunned.
What?!
Morax… has no Mora?!
Was that a joke?
Isn't Mora literally created by Morax?
If that were true—
Wouldn't that be like the God of Wisdom having no wisdom?!
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