'So, this is the power-boosting trinket?' It felt no different from those owl pendants or other accessories made from legendary creatures—only the materials were different.
"Wow, looks pretty good." Shao Yun examined the Vision carefully. It was indeed exquisite, though it also reminded him a bit of a marble.
[Item Acquired: Pyro Vision.]
[Effect: Bullets can be infused with Pyro. Reduces HP, Stamina, and Deadeye core value consumption rate permanently by 50%.]
[Note: Cannot deal damage to pure Pyro-element creatures or enemies with Pyro shields while using.]
'Ah... yep, this definitely has that early Teyvat elemental theory flavor.'
Paimon began explaining Visions, "Visions are how people in this world gain power. Those who possess a Vision can use elemental energy."
"But no one really understands how one earns a Vision. They say when a mortal's desire reaches its peak, the gaze of the gods falls upon them, and those chosen by the gods receive a Vision."
"The recognition of the gods?" Shao Yun rubbed his chin, pondering the meaning.
"Ah! Paimon gets it now!" Paimon's eyes widened suddenly, as if she had uncovered a shocking secret.
Her mouth parted slightly in surprise, her expression filled with astonishment and revelation. A spark of realization shimmered in her eyes—as though everything made sense in an instant.
"What is it?" Shao Yun scratched his head, while Lumine also looked confused.
"Didn't you just drive away the dragon?" Paimon pointed toward the place where Venti had tried to purify Dvalin.
"Oh, so you mean..." Shao Yun began to grasp the implication, and Paimon's next words confirmed his thought.
"Shao Yun, you stepped forward and faced that dragon with courage. You picked up your weapon and actually drove it off. So—"
"So, you mean... the gods were moved by my desire to defeat the dragon?"
Shao Yun's mouth twitched. So that was the system's plan—to get him a Vision, huh? Ha, what a joke. Like he couldn't protect himself without this thing?
Paimon eyed the Vision Shao Yun had received, a hint of doubt in her gaze. She glanced between it and Shao Yun, summoning the courage to ask,
"Are you really... from another world?"
"Hahaha, what kind of question is that?" Shao Yun chuckled. Regardless, he definitely wasn't a native of Teyvat.
Paimon scratched her head curiously. "Usually, only people from this world receive Visions... but you—"
"Maybe it's just because Lumine is stronger than me. She doesn't need a Vision to use elemental power. Me? I guess I've gotta rely on it."
There was no point trying to understand the logic behind how Visions were handed out. Since he'd gotten one, it wasn't a bad thing.
The matter of the Vision settled; the group turned their attention to a floating, droplet-shaped clump of cursed dragon blood.
Lumine ultimately picked it up, giving the same reason as in the game—you can't just leave something so strange lying around in the wild; it could have bad consequences.
Even knowing the plot, Shao Yun reminded her, "If it starts making you feel weird or uncomfortable, let me and Paimon know right away."
"Thanks for your concern." Lumine stored the cursed dragon blood away, eyes closed and smiling gently at his kindness.
The trio continued their journey to Mondstadt. Shao Yun led the way, with Lumine and Paimon following behind.
As they neared the city, the path through Whispering Woods became much easier—no more needing to push through bushes.
Shao Yun relaxed and started humming as he walked, taking in the lush green scenery around them.
'Feels like we're about to run into Amber...'
He scanned the increasingly familiar landscape, planning in his head how he might greet her.
"Hey—you! Hold it right there!" came a spirited girl's voice from behind.
Shao Yun nodded. Yep, here we go. Right on cue.
A figure in red came running from behind, leaping onto the nearby hilltop to block their path.
Alright then—time to respect the plot. Shao Yun stopped, letting Lumine and Paimon catch up, all three of them watching as Amber bounded forward and jumped down from above.
Only... her landing spot was off.
Shao Yun had taken the lead, with Lumine and Paimon about five meters behind him. Amber, rushing from behind, had only seen Lumine and Paimon—meaning she hadn't noticed Shao Yun standing in front.
As expected, the moment Amber jumped, she realized there was someone she hadn't seen.
And once airborne, there was no way to change trajectory.
"Move!" Amber shouted in panic. Her form faltered—what was once a graceful jump now became a clumsy fall.
Shao Yun opened his arms, placing his hands where she was about to land.
He caught her just in time, her forehead slamming directly into his chest.
He'd been ready to be her human cushion, but in truth, it felt like a pillow had gently bumped into him. He didn't even take a step back.
Amber, on the other hand, felt like she'd crashed into a stone wall—stars danced before her eyes.
"Ow... that hurt..."
He gently lowered the dazed Amber, helping her fix the rabbit-shaped headband she'd bumped askew. "You okay? Are you hurt?"
Eyes shut and rubbing her head, Amber shook her head. "I'm fine, sir. Are you hurt?"
"Looks like you're the one that took the hit. Sit down and rest for a bit."
Shao Yun guided her to a nearby rock. Lumine and Paimon also hurried over to check on her.
Paimon glanced at the dazed Amber, then at the completely unfazed Shao Yun. She leaned close to Lumine and whispered,
"Wow, Shao Yun's so tough. That girl just fell from up high and hit him, and he didn't even flinch."
"I can hear you, Paimon..." Shao Yun smiled wryly, casting a teasing look at her.
Caught red-handed, Paimon jumped and hid behind Lumine's head, giggling. "Ah—sorry, I didn't mean it that way, hehe..."
Since it was a compliment, Shao Yun let the adorable Paimon off the hook.
After sitting for a while and sipping some water Paimon gave her, Amber finally recovered.
"Sorry about that—I didn't mean to crash into you like that," Amber said apologetically, looking at Shao Yun.
"It's fine. I'm Shao Yun. This is Lumine, and this is Paimon. I'm traveling with them."
Shao Yun introduced himself, and Lumine and Paimon both greeted Amber warmly.
Amber returned the cup and stood up to give a formal knight's salute.
"I'm Amber, an Outrider with the Knights of Favonius."
Thanks to the group's kindness—and the fact that Amber had bumped into someone—she skipped the usual interrogation process and showed goodwill right away.
"There's been a dragon sighted around Mondstadt recently. For your own safety, you three should get into the city as soon as possible. As a knight, I'll escort you there."
The trio nodded at Amber's kind offer.
"Thanks! We were heading there anyway." But Paimon hesitated, "Wait—don't you have knight duties or something?"
"That's alright. Helping travelers is part of our duty, too." Amber waved her hand enthusiastically.
Whether or not she was also tasked with monitoring suspicious individuals was another story. After all, the three of them were newcomers. It would be understandable to be watched, and Amber was already being polite. If it were Shao Yun in her place, he might have tied them up and dragged them in for questioning.
Along the way, Amber gave a brief overview of Mondstadt. Shao Yun had memorized the game's map by heart—he knew more about the city than she did.
After the short introduction, Amber glanced at Shao Yun with a thoughtful look and gathered the courage to ask,
"Sir, your name is Shao Yun, right?"
He didn't know why she asked, but answered anyway. "Yeah, what's up?"
Amber muttered to herself, "Your name sounds Liyuean, but your outfit and the rest... it's more like Fontaine."
"Emmm, what makes you say that?" Shao Yun was taken aback. Did he look different now that he was here?
"Ah—sorry! That was rude of me!" Amber quickly apologized, thinking she'd offended him.
"It's alright, it's alright. It's a big world—weird things happen. I don't think I look so bad that I'd make someone lose their breakfast. Hah." Shao Yun laughed at himself to break the awkwardness.
Amber gave a sheepish smile. "Don't say that, Mr. Shao Yun. You're actually quite handsome."
"Thanks for the compliment."
It was just polite small talk—no need to read into it.
Still, something did stick with Shao Yun—Amber had said he looked like someone from Fontaine. What was that about...?
Glancing at the revolvers at his waist, he figured maybe they'd been mistaken for Fontaine-style flintlocks.
After all, when it came to firearms in Teyvat, Fontaine was the most famous. So, being mistaken for a Fontaine native? Yeah, that tracked.