“Why is Hu Tao acting so... quirky during this preview livestream?”

As soon as the banner opened, the livestream chat exploded with messages :

[Fallen! Genshin Impact's new character banner is live!! It's Klee!!]

This message flooded the chat, and Fallen naturally noticed it.

"What?! The Klee banner is up?" Fallen was shocked. Up until now, MiHoYo hadn't given any hints about this. Suddenly, the banner dropped with no warning.

Without hesitation, Fallen immediately tagged his F4 squad and launched Genshin Impact.

"MiHoYo, this sneaky fox… After releasing those live-action photos of Hu Tao and Klee, they've been tight-lipped about the banner's release date," he said while hurriedly logging into the game.

As the familiar gateway opened, instead of the usual loading screen, a cheerful melody filled the air. Large, playful letters began scrolling across the screen:

Whispering Woods; Crimson Tales; Boom Boom, Destruction.

Uncontainable Sun.

You know the consequences, right? Very hot red.

Confinement Room.

The fish is tasty, so it's worth it!

Mondstadt's strongest force!

After the text flashed by, the screen revealed an absolutely adorable little girl. Klee, the cutest bundle of energy, tilted her head, hands behind her back, and swayed side to side.

"Hmm? Are you here to play with Klee?"

"Then, you'll be in charge of lookout duty, okay~?"

As she spoke, Klee's movements were full of innocent charm. She tugged at her little backpack and turned to look at the Traveler, "If you see Jean, let me know right away!"

With that, Klee happily bounced up and down, "Let's go~!"

The screen then transitioned smoothly to a stunning piece of Klee artwork.

[Klee – The Escaped Sun]

[Pyro]

At this point, everyone in the livestream—both viewers and Fallen—couldn't help but smile.

"This… this is too cute!"

"Holy crap! My paternal instincts are kicking in!"

Accompanied by playful, childlike music, Klee's demonstration of her normal attack and elemental skill began.

"Boom Boom Bomb~"

"This time, I'm using the upgraded version that's not for blowing up fish~"

Accompanied by Klee's adorable bomb-throwing animation and her sweet, soft voice...

Fallen was instantly captivated.

"Oh my god—this is straight-up trying to convince me to have a daughter."

"Even the way she runs is so cute!"

On-screen, Klee was caught by Jean and locked up in solitary confinement. As the clock ticked forward, the door to the confinement room suddenly burst open.

"Wow~"

Klee's cute little face filled the entire screen.

This scene hit the viewers like a direct shot to the heart.

"Da-da-da~"

"La-la-la~"

As Klee unleashed her ultimate move, the music became even more lively. In the background, explosions of flame danced as Klee strutted confidently through them with her signature "don't-mess-with-me" walk.

At this point, Fallen was completely floored by the cuteness. "Ah, I can't take it anymore, xdm!!" "I'm going for her constellations, all the way!"

The chat was on fire.

It's worth noting that in this world, Mo Li specifically kept Klee's walking animation intact. A bomb-throwing, irresistibly cute little loli, combined with her swaggering walk—how could anyone resist spending money?

After the character demo ended, the game seamlessly transitioned to the summoning screen.

Without hesitation, Fallen splurged on several rounds of 648 packs.

"Guys, today I'm going to show you what it truly means to be a lucky whale!"

He swiftly converted all his Primogems into Fates.

"600 pulls—can I get her fully constellated with her weapon too?"

The chat collectively responded: No.

Fallen scoffed. "Watch me!"

Meanwhile, countless Genshin Impact players were logging in, pulling for this adorable little character, and dropping several 648 packs as well.

[She's just too cute—I literally couldn't stop myself from spending…]

[I've been a free-to-play player for years, but I've finally broken down. I'm crying here~]

[My girlfriend doesn't even play Genshin, but she was so charmed by Klee that she bought me a few 648 packs!]

[Come on, one more pull, big bro~ jpg]

[Ever since I pulled Klee, I haven't stopped smiling like an idiot. My roommates think I've turned into a creep QAQ]

[But seriously, she's just too cute, I'm dying here...]

[I'd trade ten years of being single for Klee!! Aaaahhh…]

Just as players were discussing Klee and showing off the new character they had pulled, a new announcement from MiHoYo set the community abuzz with excitement.

Genshin Impact would be hosting a 1.1 version preview live stream in one week at 8 PM, and it would be a global synchronized broadcast!

Not only that, but both Klee and Hu Tao would make appearances during the stream. On top of this, MiHoYo's own founder, Mo Li, was set to host the event himself for the very first time!

And to top it all off, there would be a 300 Primogem redemption code available during the stream.

When this news broke, the playerbase went wild.

Oddly enough, the 300 Primogem giveaway wasn't what excited them the most. What truly sparked their curiosity was Mo Li's first public appearance. Players had always been eager to know what he looked like in real life.

Finally, they'd get a chance to "face him" and shout "Otto, face my blade!" right in front of him!

Of course, there was also high anticipation for Klee's real-life debut. The adorable Klee in the game—what would she be like in reality?

With expectations running high, players could hardly wait for the live stream day to arrive!

But it wasn't just the players who were celebrating. Streaming platforms, both domestic and international, also sensed the enormous potential for traffic. They eagerly reached out to Mo Li, hoping to collaborate on the stream.

Mo Li didn't turn any of them down. Any platform that approached him was welcomed to broadcast the live stream.

As the community's excitement grew, Mo Li wasn't resting either. He was busy setting up the live stream room and coordinating with Ningguang's team to rush the production of Zhongli's outfit.

Now, Mo Li found himself stuck on a tricky decision: Should he appear in the stream as Zhongli, as Otto, or just as himself?

The dilemma stemmed from the fact that players had always associated him with Otto, the villainous character from Honkai Impact 3rd. If he suddenly appeared as Liyue's revered protector, the Geo Archon, Zhongli, it might be jarring for the players.

Interestingly, the original plan for the 1.1 version banner featured both Zhongli and Childe.

However, banners can be adjusted at any time. After all, the Liyue storyline also includes Ganyu's quest. Whether she appears before or after doesn't make much difference.

During this time, Fu Hua completed the voice work for the new side story in Honkai Impact 3rd, and Bronya also finished her recordings. Unfortunately, due to Ganyu's shyness, she ultimately passed on the opportunity to appear in the live stream.

To Mo Li's surprise, when he casually invited Ningguang to join the live stream, she actually agreed. So, the main guests for this event ended up being Mo Li, Hu Tao, and Ningguang. As for Klee… well, she's just a little girl—what would she know about live streaming? She'd probably just sit there, getting head pats from the others.

Time flew by, and the day of the live stream finally arrived.

At 7:30 PM, MiHoYo's official accounts on various global streaming platforms had already started the stream. The screen displayed a poster while the symphonic piece Liyue played in the background.

Thousands of viewers flooded into the stream, enjoying the music while joking about Genshin Impact and Honkai Impact 3rd.

"Open the door!!"

"It's 7:30 already, can't they start a bit early?"

"Otto, face my blade!!"

"Damn you, Otto! Give me back Himeko!"

"MiHoYo, I swear you better not hit us with another emotional gut punch!"

Players from around the world were buzzing with excitement. Even before the stream began, streaming platforms had already placed it in their most prominent recommendation spots. Anyone watching live streams on those platforms would immediately see MiHoYo's event.

Finally, it was 8 PM. The screen shifted from the poster to a traditional, antique-styled room.

Inside, two figures sat side by side: one man and one woman. The man was tall, handsome, and exuded a calm and collected demeanor, while the woman was elegant, beautiful, and radiated an aura of nobility.

Anyone who had played Genshin Impact would immediately light up upon seeing them. Although these two hadn't appeared in the game before, their outfits were undeniably reminiscent of Genshin Impact's style.

The elegant fusion of traditional Dragon Kingdom aesthetics and anime style was unmistakable. Could these be new characters from Genshin Impact?

"Good evening, dear Travelers," the refined white-haired woman spoke, breaking the players' train of thought.

"I am Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing from Genshin Impact," she introduced herself, her voice graceful and poised. She then turned toward Mo Li, seated across from her. "And here with me is the CEO of MiHoYo, creator of Genshin Impact and Honkai Impact 3rd, and the voice actor for Otto."

She paused for effect. "He also plays the role of the consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Mr. Zhongli—Mo Li."

Mo Li calmly set down his teacup and nodded, exuding an aura of composure.

At this point, the chat exploded with confusion and awe, with question marks flooding the screen.

"?? Wait, this is what Otto looks like IRL??"

"Damn, he's actually really handsome!"

"Bro's got that whole vibe down perfectly…"

"Man, even I'm feeling a bit swayed, and I'm a guy."

"So... we're still gonna roast him for Otto, right?"

"...Maybe we should let him off the hook for now? Wait till he shows up as Otto again, then we attack."

"Haha, looks like people's moral compass shifts with good looks."

"If he hands out 300 more Primogems, I might just spare him today!"

"300 Primogems and we'll pretend Otto never happened!"

Seeing the chat, Mo Li couldn't help but let out a small sigh of relief. After a brief pause, he spoke slowly, "Alright then, 300 more Primogems for everyone today."

The chat went wild, disbelief spreading like wildfire.

"Holy crap! The CEO actually agreed!"

"Damn, this guy's a legend!"

"Bro's generosity just saved him a lot of grief!"

"Now that I think about it… it's only about 30 bucks worth, but why am I feeling so overwhelmingly grateful?"

"Right? 300 Primogems isn't that much, but suddenly MiHoYo feels so wholesome."

"Uh-oh, I think we're getting baited…"

"Dude, it's not called CPU, it's NBA!"

The live chat was buzzing with excitement, filled with laughter and flowers of praise for the sudden generosity.

Meanwhile, the girls behind the scenes, adjusting the livestream equipment while watching the show, couldn't help but cover their mouths, giggling. These players were truly adorable.

Even Ningguang was momentarily taken aback by Mo Li's sudden generosity. But she quickly regained her composure, smiling gracefully, "I'm sure everyone is quite curious about the content and events in the new version, and of course, the identity of Mr. Zhongli sitting right here with me~"

Upon hearing Ningguang's words, the excitement among the players reached new heights. Who would have thought that MiHoYo's CEO would put himself into the character pool?

"Next, Travelers, please enjoy a character demo video to get a first look at this Zhongli gentleman~"

As soon as Ningguang finished speaking, the girls behind the scenes quickly adjusted the equipment, preparing to play the video. The screen in the livestream faded to black, and the words appeared:

Genshin Impact Character Demo - "Zhongli: The Listener"

The video opened with a scene of an ordinary storyteller holding a folding fan, speaking in a solemn tone: "Last time on the story of Liyue, the great sea was troubled by fierce monsters, and the mountains were haunted by evil chi."

"Rex Lapis summoned the adepti, vowing to restore peace to the land."

As the storyteller's voice echoed, the camera slowly panned across an audience. The players quickly recognized the calm, composed man sitting among them, sipping tea—it was none other than Mo Li himself.

"It is said that before going to battle, the Emperor once declared..."

Before the storyteller could finish, the music shifted dramatically. The powerful notes of the erhu, accompanied by drums and the gentle plucking of the guzheng, created a rich, majestic atmosphere.

Right from the first note, players felt their skin tingle with excitement—a deep sense of epic grandeur washed over them.

Then, Zhongli's official artwork slowly appeared on screen.

Holding the Staff of Homa, his handsome features were framed by soft, peach-colored eyeshadow that, rather than diminishing his masculinity, added a touch of divine mystique.

Zhongli - Wandering among the Mundane

Geo Element

Next, Zhongli's basic attacks and elemental abilities were displayed. His spear technique was precise and sharp, with a mystical Eastern dragon coiling gracefully in the background, perfectly synchronized with the erhu and the booming music.

Viewers felt an intense thrill, goosebumps rising across their skin.

For the players in the Dragon Kingdom, the sight of the Eastern dragon was especially awe-inspiring. They widened their eyes in amazement. Finally—finally, they saw the majestic Eastern dragon, not just in their own culture, but presented to the whole world.

Previously, fantasy games only featured Western dragons, with no representation of the Eastern dragon. Now, Zhongli's demo shattered that precedent, displaying a cultural icon that Dragon Kingdom players could take immense pride in.

The majestic display of the Eastern dragon in Genshin Impact left the entire global player base in awe. But their surprise didn't end there.

As the music swelled toward its climax, Zhongli's voiceover began:

"In this world where gods and demons rise together, though I have no desire for power, I am not blind to the sufferings of the people."

The rhythm of the erhu intensified, and the screen was filled with dynamic shots of Zhongli's attacks. Paired with scenes of traditional ink wash art, the rich infusion of Dragon Kingdom elements practically leaped off the screen, hitting the global audience squarely in the face.

Then, as the erhu reached its highest notes, Zhongli's powerful voice shouted:

"Heaven and Earth move as one!"

Meteorites crashed down, obliterating hordes of monsters, turning them into stone statues.

The live chat exploded:

[OMG!!! He's going berserk!]

[MiHoYo's music and design team never disappoint.]

[I never knew the erhu could play a battle anthem! MiHoYo is insane!]

[This is mind-blowing!! Ahhhh!!]

[MiHoYo, you win, I'm pulling for him! Please, just stop flexing already!]

[That erhu isn't playing music—it's playing my wallet, QAQ.]

At that moment, players around the world were left speechless, overwhelmed by the sheer epicness of "The Listener" demo.

Even after the video ended, the barrage of comments continued, flooding the chat non-stop. When the livestream cut back to the traditional-style room, Ningguang herself was visibly impressed by the showcase.

She took a deep breath, composing herself before smiling warmly at Mo Li.

"Well, it seems everyone now has a clear understanding of the character Zhongli. But, what role does he play in Teyvat?"

Although the players had already pieced it together, it was abundantly clear: this "Zhongli" was, without a doubt, the deity of Liyue. And they were beyond satisfied—more than satisfied. Zhongli's portrayal had exceeded every expectation they had.

Mo Li replied casually, "Just a guest at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, nothing noteworthy~"

Ningguang feigned surprise. "Oh? Wangsheng?"

Just as she finished speaking, a lively and adorable voice chimed in from off-screen.

"Hehe~ I am the 77th director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—Hu Tao!"

Hu Tao, who had been waiting in the wings, couldn't contain her excitement any longer. With her introduction, she jumped into the frame and made a silly face at the camera.

Her charming face filled the screen, radiating charisma. Unlike Kiana, Hu Tao was a social butterfly who thrived in the spotlight.

"The life of a traveler… must be filled with danger, right~?"

As she spoke, she bounced over to Mo Li's side, playfully leaning on his shoulder and grinning at the camera. "Special offer at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—half price on the second tombstone, how about that?"

"Should I give you a ride?"

The chat exploded with reactions:

[Why is the director so quirky?]

[Hu Tao's such a mood! Love her!]

[I can't handle this level of cuteness!]

[What's next, a discount on funerals?]

[This is going to be chaotic, I love it!]

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