Every player uses teleport waypoints dozens of times a day. The most common line they've read is the description of the teleport anchors: "Odd devices that are scattered across Teyvat, seemingly forming a certain order. People on the continent see them as ancient gimmicks — they are accustomed to their existence despite not knowing their purpose. To the foreign traveler, however, their function becomes quite apparent."
These "ley lines" refer to the ley energy that, like the roots of a giant tree, forms an immense web beneath the land of Teyvat.
Theoretically speaking, ley line energy is infinite. If it could be harnessed, then sustaining a shield over all of Mondstadt would be no problem at all.
After hearing Shen Qin's idea, Albedo responded, "I've actually studied those strange devices. They are indeed connected to the ley lines. I've detected energy leakage around them. But they can't be activated, and I couldn't take them apart due to the ley energy's protective layer."
Shen Qin gave him a silent thumbs-up. As expected of Albedo—he even tried to dismantle a teleport waypoint.
But Shen Qin did know a bit about the current state of those waypoints.
Their origins are unknown, but ancient texts indicate they've existed for at least a thousand years. Over time, they've all become dormant, merely standing there with a faint red glow.
However, Shen Qin knew they could be activated—the method lies with the twin travelers.
But with the Abyss threat looming, there was no telling when they'd arrive in Mondstadt.
And Mondstadt didn't have time to wait.
"From what I know, the Statues of The Seven are also connected to the ley lines, right? They might've been made in the same era as the waypoints. If we study them, maybe we can figure out how to activate the waypoints?" Shen Qin suggested.
"Indeed, the statues are connected to ley lines," Albedo said thoughtfully, stroking his chin. "Your theory has merit. Let's go verify it later."
"W-Wait! You're not going to do anything disrespectful to the Statues of The Seven, are you?!" Barbara clutched her sleeves anxiously.
Shen Qin laughed, "Of course not. We'll even help clean off the dust while we're at it."
Jean had been listening silently and now finally spoke: "Alright, we'll split the work like this—Albedo, Sucrose, Lisa, and Klee will help Shen Qin research a city-wide protective shield. Everyone else will stay with me to handle post-disaster efforts and study the barrier around Stormterror's Lair."
Only three of the four were actually needed—Klee was just tagging along under supervision.
"I won't go with our little cutie. The Knights need help from alchemists too," Lisa added. "Let Rosaria join them instead. If we're researching the Statues of The Seven, we'll need someone from the Church to be present."
"I'll report this to the Church!" Barbara responded immediately.
Lisa had a point. The Church of Favonius places great importance on the faith of Barbatos. Any research involving the statues had to be overseen. And Rosaria? She was perfect—she represented the Church but had no real devotion, so she wouldn't get in the way.
Whether the Church knew what they were doing by sending her… well, everyone could guess.
"Alright, everyone prepare. Barbara, go inform Rosaria. After lunch, meet at my alchemy workshop. We'll investigate the nearby Statue of The Seven."
Time was tight—Shen Qin wanted to move out that afternoon.
…..
While everyone in Mondstadt prepared for the next wave of disaster, Lumine and Paimon were still slowly making their way toward the city.
"Hey, Lumine! Can't we go a little faster? If we just ran, we'd already be at Mondstadt!" Paimon glared as the blonde girl casually set up a campfire for roasting meat.
"You fly, of course you're not tired. I've been walking on foot. I need breaks," Lumine replied nonchalantly.
"Flying is tiring too, okay?!"
Paimon stomped her foot. "If I knew the way and could fight monsters, I'd have flown there by myself long ago!"
"Oh? Then do you still want to eat the grilled meat I'm about to make?"
Lumine looked at her with a sly smile.
"Of course I do!" Paimon replied without hesitation—then caught sight of Lumine's smirk and turned her head away in embarrassment.
"If I run out of strength from hunger, you won't have a guide anymore!"
"Then you'd better gather firewood. I'll give you one piece of meat for every stick you bring. If you find nothing, you'll just go hungry!"
"W-What the heck! You're bribing me with food to do labor!" Paimon's eyes widened. "You've found my weakness!"
Grumbling but unwilling to miss out on food, she flew into the woods to gather sticks. But as she rounded a small bush, her view suddenly opened up—beyond the trees, she saw a wide cliff, a sparkling lake below, and far in the distance, across an even larger lake, stood a vast, majestic city.
"Wow! That's Mondstadt!"
Paimon yelled excitedly, then quickly remembered why she was there. She abandoned the firewood and zipped back to Lumine, grabbing her wrist.
"Come quick! You have to see this!" Lumine sighed but let herself be dragged over. When they reached the cliff's edge, even she was stunned by the breathtaking sight.
"Look, look! That's Mondstadt!" Paimon pointed excitedly. "We're so close now!"
"Mm."
"Then let's go right away!"
"Nope," Lumine shook her finger with a teasing smile. "Lunch first."
"What?! Why?!" Paimon stomped again in frustration.
Lumine turned back into the woods. "Why are you so eager to reach Mondstadt, anyway?"
"Because!" Paimon followed her. "These past few months traveling with you, we've camped in the wild, fought the same monsters, ate the same few meals over and over—"
"Alright, alright. I get it—you're tired of my cooking." Lumine waved dismissively, back still turned. "You just want to eat good food in the city. Quit drooling."
Paimon instinctively wiped her mouth—there was nothing there.
"Ugh! Tricked me again!" She chased after Lumine—only to see her packing up the campfire.
"Hey, weren't you gonna roast meat? Why pack everything?"
"We're heading to the lake. Gonna catch a few fish so I can grill them for you."
Paimon immediately beamed. "Hehe! You're so good to me!"