Liyue Harbor basked in the radiant glow of the midday sun, its docks alive with the clamor of trade.
As Teyvat's most prosperous commercial port, it drew merchants and adventurers from every corner of the continent.
Morax, the Geo Archon revered as the Rock King, stood as the silent guardian of this thriving city.
Just beyond the bustling wharves, the food street teemed with hungry souls seeking culinary delights.
Wanmin Kitchen loomed large over the strip, its three grand floors a monument to gastronomic ambition far beyond its humble in-game depiction.
Inside, a small army of chefs and servers wove through the chaos of clattering pans and fragrant steam.
Master Maurice, the head of this culinary dynasty, reserved his talents for signature dishes or esteemed patrons.
He left the everyday bustle to his skilled staff, confident in their ability to uphold the family name.
Xiangling, his spirited daughter, grew up in this empire, poised to inherit its legacy of flavor and flair.
At an open-air table outside the bustling restaurant, Zhongli reclined with the air of a man unbothered by time.
He ordered a lavish spread of dishes, each plate a testament to Wanmin's mastery, and waved a hand dismissively.
"Kindly charge this to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's account," he instructed, his voice smooth as polished stone.
The server jotted it down without a blink, long accustomed to Zhongli's habit of deferring payment to Hu Tao's ledger.
Poor Hu Tao, they often mused, her youthful diligence at the parlor squandered on this man's refined indulgences.
Soon, the table groaned under a parade of steaming platters, their aromas curling into the warm Liyue air.
Zhongli savored a delicate bite, then reached for his wine, pouring it with the grace of centuries-old habit.
A sudden, unfamiliar voice broke through his thoughts, resonating deep within his mind like an uninvited guest.
"Welcome to Teyvat's Second Creation Broadcast, where joy awaits all who tune in from across the continent!"
He cast a quick glance around, noting the startled expressions of nearby diners clutching their chopsticks.
Their flustered faces and whispered confusion assured him this strange intrusion wasn't his alone to bear.
In an instant, the vibrant street dissolved, replaced by a towering screen that dominated his field of vision.
Text flickered to life, announcing arrivals: Zhongli has joined the broadcast room with a flourish.
More names followed in rapid succession: Xiangling has joined. Ganyu has joined. Keqing has joined.
The roll call stretched beyond Liyue, pulling in voices from every nation across Teyvat's vast expanse.
Wendy has joined. Diluc has joined. Jean has joined, the screen declared, uniting the familiar and the far-flung.
Messages burst forth like fireworks, igniting the screen with a chaotic symphony of curiosity and disbelief.
Wendy: "What sorcery is this, pulling us all into such a marvel without so much as a warning?"
Paimon: "Is this a singing box? Oh, look, the bard's here too, ready to strum us a tune!"
Jean: "Could this be another scheme hatched by the Fatui, meddling where they don't belong?"
Rosalyne: "Spare us the blame, Mondstadt, we're just as lost in this bizarre spectacle as you are!"
The chatter swelled, a vibrant tapestry of voices weaving across borders that once felt impenetrable.
Zhongli's brow creased as he pondered the effortless power that had drawn him into this unseen realm.
Even the might of Celestia, with all its divine authority, would struggle to ensnare him so seamlessly.
In Mondstadt, Wendy plucked at his lyre, his carefree grin masking a flicker of unease about this anomaly.
Far off in Inazuma, Raiden Shogun sat in her Plane of Euthymia, her stern gaze narrowing at this disruption to eternity.
She deemed it a potential threat to her unchanging vision, one that demanded her cautious scrutiny.
Sumeru's Nahida, the youthful Dendro Archon, perched in her sanctuary, tilting her head at the oddity.
At just over 400 years old, she lacked the wisdom to decode it, yet her curiosity burned bright as a flame.
Lumine, the Traveler, stood apart, her golden eyes narrowing as memories of her old world stirred.
Live broadcasts were a common trade in her lost homeland, a craft as ordinary as breathing to its people.
Could this be the work of her missing brother, a signal from the void where he'd vanished long ago?
The screen pulsed, silencing the clamor with a bold declaration that scrolled across its glowing surface.
"This broadcast exists to spark joy through playful recreations, crafted solely for your amusement!"
A second line appeared: "Characters featured in our spoofs will receive small gifts as tokens of our apology!"
The audacity of it drew sharp gasps from the virtual crowd, their murmurs rippling through the chat.
Then, the first video flared to life, its title blazing in vivid letters: "The Carver Who Sells Scraps".
Zhongli leaned forward, his wariness warring with a flicker of intrigue at what might unfold.
The screen darkened briefly before erupting into color, revealing a caricatured Keqing in all her exaggerated glory.
"I'm no peddler of useless trinkets, nor do I scrape the dirt for scraps!" she shrieked, brandishing a comically oversized sword.
Keqing: "This is utter nonsense, who dares mock me like this?!" Her real-time fury only stoked the laughter.
Next came Ganyu, her elegant horns swapped for floppy coconut ears that wobbled with every step.
"I'm not some fluffy mascot tripping over coconuts!" she cried, tumbling into a heap of imaginary fruit.
Ganyu: "This is beyond absurd, I demand an explanation!" Paimon's giggles led the chorus of delight.
Zhongli's stoic facade wavered, a rare smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as the absurdity played out.
Then his own likeness appeared, stern and cartoonish, clutching a sack of Mora with theatrical flair.
"My ancient secrets are laid bare, I'm just a broke old rock now!" the animated Zhongli bellowed, tossing coins into a fountain.
Wendy: "They've got you pinned, old friend, and with such flair!" The bard's teasing danced across the screen.
Zhongli stifled a chuckle, the parody striking closer to truth than he cared to admit aloud.
Hu Tao's voice burst into the chat, brimming with her usual mischief and entrepreneurial spirit.
"Perfect moment to spread the word: Wangsheng's got deals, buy two coffins and get one free!" she chirped.
Klee: "Coffins? Where do I find those?!"Kaeya: "Over in Liyue, little spark, for folks who sleep forever."
The banter spiraled, dissolving borders as Teyvat's voices mingled in a shared, chaotic revelry.
Lumine watched from the sidelines, torn between amusement and a gnawing thread of suspicion.
This broadcast was a wildfire, igniting joy and unease in equal measure across the continent.
In the video, Diluc swaggered into view, his cape billowing as he juggled wine bottles with exaggerated swagger.
"Step right up, folks, finest vintages for all!" he drawled, his voice a parody of his usual gravitas.
Diluc: "I don't sound remotely like that, this is ridiculous!" The crowd's laughter drowned out his protest.
Zhongli set his wine glass down, the vintage suddenly less enticing than the unfolding spectacle.
This wasn't mere entertainment, it was a force that bent Teyvat's rules with effortless audacity.
A small golden box appeared beside him, a gift from the broadcast as promised in its cheeky disclaimer.
He opened it to find a Geo emblem, its faint pulse of energy warm against his calloused fingers.
Across Teyvat, others received their trinkets: Ganyu hugged a plush coconut, her pout softening slightly.
Keqing gripped a miniature sword, her glare betrayed by a reluctant spark of admiration for its craft.
The video faded, leaving the chat ablaze with reactions from every corner of the continent.
Arataki Itto: "This is the best thing ever, give us more of this madness!" His enthusiasm boomed.
Kujou Sara: "Behave yourself, Itto, or I'll confiscate your screen along with your Vision!" she snapped.
Zhongli traced the emblem's edges, his mind drifting to the power behind this strange phenomenon.
It defied Teyvat's laws, a thread woven from beyond their world by an unseen, daring hand.
Wanmin Kitchen shimmered back into focus, the street reasserting itself as the broadcast receded.
Diners blinked, adjusting to reality, though the electric buzz of the experience lingered in their bones.
Zhongli sipped his wine again, its taste sharper now, edged with the weight of unanswered questions.
He'd forged contracts with gods and mortals over millennia, yet this eluded his ancient grasp.
Lumine lingered nearby, unnoticed, her sharp gaze tracing the same enigma that gnawed at him.
Was this a jest, a gift, or a breadcrumb leading her closer to her lost twin's shadow?
The day rolled on, but Teyvat felt subtly altered, its people bound by a shared, fleeting marvel.
Zhongli rose, leaving his tab unpaid as always, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Hu Tao would grumble later, he knew, but for now, the Geo emblem rested warm in his pocket.
The broadcast's echo trailed him through Liyue's streets, a whisper of more chaos yet to come.
***
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