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**Chapter 4: A Sudden Turn of Events**
Paimon's chest puffed with pride after being officially recognized as the "Guide of Teyvat." She was ecstatic, imagining how everyone would now address her properly.
**"See? I'm not just emergency food—I'm the Official Guide of Teyvat! Remember that, everyone!"** Paimon declared.
But just as the chat filled with congratulations and laughter, the mechanical voice returned, and the atmosphere took an abrupt turn.
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**[Ding! The next question will determine a consequence for all participants. Prepare yourselves.]**
The cheerful chatter came to an instant halt, replaced by a tense silence that enveloped the entire group. The jovial mood was gone.
Everyone's hearts skipped a beat, and an air of unease descended upon the participants.
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**[Venti: "...Consequences? What does it mean by 'consequences' for all of us?"]**
**[Jean: "It seems that this Q&A isn't all fun and games after all. Everyone, stay alert."]**
**[Kaeya: "Now things are getting interesting, aren't they? But still, we have no idea what kind of consequence it's referring to."]**
**[Hu Tao: "Oooh, consequences? This sounds exciting! Maybe it'll be something dangerous~"]**
**[Xingqiu: "This Q&A system has already proven unpredictable, and now we are potentially at risk... Let's proceed with caution."]**
**[Zhongli: "We should not underestimate the significance of this system. It has already shown that it can impact all of Teyvat at once."]**
**[Raiden Shogun: "Consequences for all of Teyvat? This might have an impact on the entire continent. We should all be prepared."]**
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The tension was palpable. It was no longer just a fun Q&A session where participants competed for rewards. Now, the stakes seemed much higher, and nobody knew what kind of consequences awaited them.
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**[Ding! The Q&A round will begin shortly. Please prepare to watch the video, and pay close attention to the events portrayed.]**
The system's announcement was followed by the screen flickering back to life. The participants collectively held their breath, waiting to see what would be shown.
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**[Video Screen]**
The scene opened in a dark forest at night, with thick fog covering the ground. The camera panned slowly, showing ominous shadows darting between the trees. A figure, dressed in dark robes, moved with silent precision, seemingly unnoticed by anything around.
Suddenly, the figure stopped, raising a hand to reveal a strange glowing orb. The orb emitted a pulsating light, and the fog around it seemed to part as if under its control.
Then, a low, eerie whisper echoed through the forest, as if multiple voices were overlapping. The robed figure knelt down, placing the orb on the ground. The earth beneath it glowed as symbols began to appear—an intricate ritual was underway.
Just as the video reached its climax, the scene cut abruptly, leaving the audience with more questions than answers.
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**[The video screen ends. Teyvat's Q&A officially begins.]**
**[Question: What is the purpose of the glowing orb used by the unknown figure?]**
**[A: A means of summoning an ancient power.]**
**[B: A device to control elemental energy.]**
**[C: A communication tool to contact a higher being.]**
**[D: A ritual to break a seal.]**
**[You have one minute to think before answering begins!]**
**[Note: If no one answers, the consequences will automatically be applied to all participants.]**
The countdown began, and an immediate sense of urgency spread across Teyvat. Everyone was on edge, and the chat group erupted with discussions.
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**[Venti: "Summoning an ancient power... controlling elemental energy... It could be any of these. There wasn't enough information!"]**
**[Diluc: "We can't afford to make the wrong choice. Everyone needs to think logically about what we just saw."]**
**[Jean: "The consequences could affect everyone in Teyvat. We must be careful in our deliberations."]**
**[Paimon: "Ugh, this is too stressful! Ying, what do you think it could be?"]**
Ying remained silent for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she tried to recall every detail of the video.
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**[Zhongli: "The orb's pulsating light seemed to be interacting directly with the fog. It could be some form of ritual or a method of control."]**
**[Yae Miko: "Perhaps it's something meant to communicate with an entity that exists beyond Teyvat. The overlapping whispers could imply communication."]**
**[Albedo: "It's also possible that it's a seal-breaking ritual. The glowing symbols on the ground suggest a form of release."]**
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The chat was filled with speculation. Everyone had a different theory, and time was running out. The uncertainty gnawed at them.
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**[Raiden Shogun: "We must come to a consensus. We cannot afford to split our answers and risk the consequence being applied."]**
**[Ningguang: "Indeed. We need to decide, and soon."]**
The timer counted down. Only ten seconds remained.
**[Jean: "Let's go with option D: A ritual to break a seal. It seems the most plausible given the visual cues."]**
**[Paimon: "Okay, okay! I'm going with option D too!"]**
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**[Ding! Congratulations to Jean for successfully securing the opportunity to answer! Please proceed.]**
Jean took a deep breath.
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**[Jean: "I choose option D: A ritual to break a seal."]**
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The chat group waited with bated breath, the tension rising with every passing second.
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**[Ding! Correct answer. Congratulations, Jean!]**
A collective sigh of relief echoed across Teyvat. The tension that had gripped everyone finally began to ease.
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**[Kaeya: "Whew, nice work, Acting Grand Master! You really saved the day."]**
**[Jean: "It was a group effort. Thank you, everyone, for your input."]**
**[Paimon: "Oh my gosh, that was nerve-wracking! I'm so glad we got it right."]**
**[Zhongli: "Well done. It appears we avoided the potential consequence this time."]**
**[Yae Miko: "Though, I must admit, I was curious about what those consequences might have been."]**
**[Diluc: "Better not to find out, in my opinion."]**
The relief was palpable, but it was clear that the lighthearted nature of the earlier Q&A had shifted. The threat of real consequences had left a mark on everyone.
Suddenly, the mechanical voice spoke again, catching everyone off guard.
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**[Ding! As a reward for answering correctly, Jean will receive a special item. Please choose from the following options.]**
**[Option A: A unique artifact that strengthens wind-based abilities.]**
**[Option B: A protective charm that can shield against dark energy.]**
**[Option C: A blueprint for a defensive mechanism for Mondstadt.]**
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Jean looked at the options, pondering her choice.
**[Jean: "A defensive mechanism for Mondstadt... That would be extremely helpful. I think I'll choose option C."]**
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**[Ding! Congratulations, Jean! You have received the blueprint for a defensive mechanism for Mondstadt. The details will be provided to you shortly.]**
Jean nodded in satisfaction, knowing she had chosen something that would benefit Mondstadt and keep her people safe.
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However, the moment of relief was short-lived. As the announcement concluded, the mechanical voice returned, this time with a darker tone.
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**[Ding! The next question will be significantly more challenging, and the consequences for failure will be more severe.]**
The abrupt and ominous statement caused the air to thicken with tension once again. The feeling of unease crept back into the hearts of every participant.
The laughter and relief from moments ago had vanished entirely, replaced by a chilling silence. Everyone understood now—this Q&A wasn't just a game. It had the potential to impact all of Teyvat, for better or for worse.
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