According to Arataki Itto's original plan, he was going to bring Kuki Shinobu, Yoimiya, the Traveler, and Paimon to New Eridu for a fun trip.
But once Lady Guuji caught wind of it, she insisted that Arataki Itto bring Sayu along too.
With no way to argue against Yae Miko, Itto had no choice but to comply and bring Sayu along.
On the road, they happened to run into Kaedehara Kazuha. Upon learning their destination, Kazuha decided to join them as well—bringing the group's headcount up to quite a few.
Now, their top priority was to find the Traveler.
Soon enough, Arataki Itto, Kazuha, Sayu, and Kuki Shinobu arrived at the gates of Yujing Terrace.
After identifying themselves, they requested an audience with Keqing, one of the Liyue Qixing. But the guards informed them that Keqing wasn't at Yujing Terrace—she wasn't even in Liyue.
Itto pressed for more details, but the guards could only shake their heads—they didn't know either.
Left with no other option, they turned to Ningguang, another member of the Qixing, and explained why they had come.
Kuki Shinobu looked at her seriously. "Lady Ningguang, please—can you tell us where the Traveler and Paimon are?"
Ningguang didn't withhold anything. She immediately told them that Keqing, the Traveler, Paimon, Xiao, Hu Tao, and the others had already headed to the mysterious, unknown region.
"What? The Traveler's already gone to New Eridu?" Itto exclaimed in shock.
Ningguang blinked. "New Eridu?"
Is that the name of the unknown area?
How does Arataki Itto know about it?
She gave Itto a curious smile. "Don't tell me—you've already been there?"
Itto beamed with pride. "Of course I have! That city's massive—way bigger than any in Inazuma or Liyue. So much to do, so much good food. I really miss Brother Billy. This time, we came specifically to invite the Traveler and Paimon to New Eridu... but they've already gone, and they didn't even call me or Shinobu along!"
Ningguang was clearly stunned.
She hadn't expected Arataki Itto to not only have been there, but also to already know so much about the place.
After a brief pause, Ningguang asked calmly, "That city—New Eridu—does it pose any danger?"
Itto thought for a second. "Danger? Well, there are Hollows and remains... but those monsters can't even touch me. So for me? Nah—no danger at all."
Kuki Shinobu: "..."
Ningguang: "..."
Even after learning a little more about New Eridu, Ningguang still couldn't relax. She remained worried about Keqing and the others, silently hoping for their safe return.
After a brief silence, she looked to Arataki Itto again. "So, are you heading to New Eridu now?"
Itto grinned. "You bet!"
Then, as if something had just occurred to him, he turned to Ningguang. "Oh, right—Lady Tianquan, isn't New Eridu part of Liyue territory? Why send the Traveler and Hu Tao to investigate it?"
He had gotten so caught up talking about New Eridu that he hadn't thought about it until now.
New Eridu clearly had a Geo Statue of The Seven, which would normally mean it belonged to Liyue.
But judging from Ningguang's reaction, she didn't seem to know much about it—she didn't even seem familiar with its current state.
What was going on?
Hearing this, Kuki Shinobu, Kazuha, and Sayu also turned to look at Ningguang.
After a brief silence, Ningguang said, "The New Eridu you speak of is... unusual. I can't yet confirm if it's truly part of Liyue's long-lost lands. That's why I sent Keqing and the Traveler to investigate. If you encounter them while you're there, please deliver this letter for me."
With that, she handed Itto a sealed envelope.
Originally, she'd planned to send someone else into that unknown world with the letter. But now that Arataki Itto and his group were headed to New Eridu, she entrusted it to him instead.
Itto accepted it without hesitation. "Leave it to me!"
Since the Traveler and Paimon were already there, Arataki Itto didn't waste another second. He led Kuki Shinobu, Kazuha, and a very sleepy Sayu up to Mt. Tianheng.
With Ningguang seeing them off, they activated the Geo Statue of The Seven and began teleportation to New Eridu.
Itto turned to his companions. "Alright—Shinobu, Sayu, Kazuha! Hands on the statue! We're heading out!"
Kuki Shinobu nodded firmly. "Right."
Sayu mumbled sleepily, "Hurry up already... I'm exhausted. Can I just stay in Liyue...?"
She really didn't want to follow Itto to that weird place.
But thinking about Yae Miko's orders, she knew she couldn't disobey. So, yawning, she reluctantly followed them into the teleport.
A faint golden light flashed—
Arataki Itto, Sayu, Kuki Shinobu, and Kaedehara Kazuha vanished from sight.
Before the Geo Statue of The Seven, only Ningguang remained.
Recalling Itto's story about New Eridu, she fell into thought.
"So... that region houses a fully developed city—and no one knew about it until now? Or... did it only just appear?"
She didn't know.
All she could do now was wait for the results of Keqing and the Traveler's investigation.
...
Meanwhile—
In another world, in New Eridu's metropolitan area.
Federer District.
A soft golden light shimmered around the Statue of The Seven—and in a flash, four new figures appeared beside it.
It was Arataki Itto, Sayu, Kazuha, and Kuki Shinobu, freshly teleported.
Perhaps because this was Itto's second time entering this world, the transfer went smoothly. Instead of tossing them into a Hollow like before, the teleport landed them safely at the statue.
As soon as he opened his eyes, Arataki Itto saw the familiar sights—the towering skyscrapers, the distinctive clothing styles, the cars...
He'd already gotten used to all of it.
But to Kuki Shinobu, Kazuha, and Sayu, everything around them looked wildly different from anything in Inazuma. It all felt strikingly new and unfamiliar.
Kazuha's eyes widened in awe. "It's real... There's actually an eighth major city outside the Seven Nations of Teyvat..."
Itto burst out laughing. "New Eridu's way bigger than any of the Seven Capitals! Just this one district alone is almost the size of Inazuma City—and there are dozens of districts like this!"
Kuki Shinobu looked around, equally amazed. "The architecture... it's kind of similar to Fontaine."