In the Serenitea Pot, within the realm.
Lin Mo had just arrived in the realm when he heard Klee's excited call.
"Daddy! Daddy~!"
"Look at this~! It's the Sea Lantern Festival lantern that Klee made~!" Klee dashed happily toward where Lin Mo had appeared.
Trailing behind her were... at least a dozen Rock Dragon Lizards, bounding along freely.
Lin Mo glanced over and was surprised to see that these Rock Dragon Lizards were all decked out with lanterns.
Just then, Klee skidded to a stop right in front of him.
The dozen or so Rock Dragon Lizards obediently sat down behind her.
They didn't look anything like the fierce ones in the wild.
They were more like adorable little puppies~!
Klee tugged excitedly at Lin Mo's sleeve, eager to continue: "Isn't it pretty?"
"Uh... what exactly are you all up to?" Lin Mo asked, utterly baffled.
It wasn't just these dozen Rock Dragon Lizards covered in lanterns.
Looking around, among the army of Rock Dragon Lizards scattered throughout the Serenitea Pot, at least half of them were similarly adorned.
"Hehe~"
"This was Sister Keqing's idea~"
Klee said cheerfully, "She said to borrow some lizards with weird patterns from Brother Kun Jun~"
"Keqing?"
Lin Mo curiously turned his gaze toward the group approaching him.
Among them were Keqing and Ganyu, walking side by side.
"Lord Lin Mo~"
Ganyu said gently, "We want these lantern-hung Rock Dragon Lizards to bring a fresh twist to Liyue's Sea Lantern Festival this year."
"A fresh twist to the Sea Lantern Festival..."
Lin Mo didn't quite get it.
If so many Rock Dragon Lizards entered Liyue Harbor, even with festive lanterns on them, it would probably cause panic, right?
"Hmph, you just don't get it, do you?"
Keqing seemed to read the confusion in his eyes and said smugly, "These Rock Dragon Lizards aren't going into the city~"
"Some will be stationed to welcome visitors from all over the world."
"Some of the Hydro-infused ones will patrol the surface of Guyun Stone Forest's waters, adding a lively Sea Lantern Festival vibe to the dark seas."
"And the last group~"
"Will settle in the Tianheng Mountains behind Liyue Harbor." "With over a thousand Rock Dragon Lizards lighting up the entire night sky over Liyue Harbor~"
As Lin Mo listened to Keqing's explanation, he couldn't help but picture the scene in his mind.
In past Sea Lantern Festivals, the city only truly lit up at the end, when the lanterns were released and filled the sky with light.
But with the Rock Dragon Lizards' help, from the very start, Liyue Harbor could be enveloped in that festive atmosphere, thanks to the lantern-dotted Tianheng Mountains and Guyun waters.
"Tsk... I have to admit, that's a pretty great idea." Lin Mo nodded in approval.
At the same time, he looked over at the others busily working nearby.
Everyone was patiently crafting lanterns.
"So... these past few days, you've all been making lanterns?" Lin Mo couldn't help but ask.
"Of course!"
Keqing nodded as if it were obvious. "There are over fifteen hundred Rock Dragon Lizards in total! Each one can carry seven or eight lanterns~! We're all swamped here!"
"Uh..."
Lin Mo could see how busy they were.
It wasn't just Amber and Eula from Mondstadt pitching in.
Even the usually aloof Xiao and the two adepti were helping with the lantern-making.
Even Zhongli and Venti were sitting under a tree, painstakingly crafting lanterns.
"Zhongli! This part isn't glued right!"
"You have to take it seriously—put in the same enthusiasm you have for listening to stories! Enthusiasm!" Hu Tao nagged from the side.
Zhongli's face was full of regret, which made Lin Mo want to laugh.
He must be itching to reveal his identity as Morax right now, huh?
That way, he wouldn't have to join in the tedious work.
Look at Venti nearby.
He only had a few lanterns scattered around him.
Though he appeared to be making lanterns, he was actually lounging under the tree, sipping osmanthus wine from Liyue, slacking off and touching fish.
As he drank, he joined Hu Tao in teasing: "Mr. Zhongli, as an ordinary person, you have to approach work with dedication~!"
"Sigh, if only you were a god~"
"I watch over Mondstadt, you watch over Liyue—then we wouldn't have to toil away making lanterns."
"You get it, right~!" Zhongli just gave him a cold glance and said nothing.
The next moment, he turned that sharp gaze toward Lin Mo.
It was as if he were saying: Old friend, is this your test for me as the acting Geo Archon?
Lin Mo didn't dare let this esteemed figure keep slaving away like the others!
So he quickly raised his voice to announce to everyone: "Ahem, everyone, let's pause the lantern-making for now~!"
"Today, Inazuma is holding a lively festival."
"There'll be delicious food, toys, and a grand fireworks show~!"
"Let's all go experience Inazuma's festival culture together~".
--------
T/N:
You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!
Access 40 chapters in advance on my Patreon : [email protected]/furinaimpact