Fan-made short videos have appeared in Honkai Impact 3rd, and characters have been created and sent

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Zhongli remained silent for a moment, then stood up: "...So our distinguished guest is the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons. I've heard so much about you."

"The Master didn't mention this when he arranged the gathering. I never expected that our guests would include not only young heroes but also the Golden Roc Immortal, who maintains peace throughout Liyue. It's truly an honor to have everyone gathered here."

Xiao was momentarily speechless: "Uh..."

[Bai Lu: Wow, what an awkward atmosphere.]

[Alicia: Ta-da!]

[Bluebird: Xiao must have been terrified.]

[Wendy: Hahaha, the VIP guest is Xiao! I started laughing as soon as Xiao appeared.]

[March 7th: This guy named Xiao is probably going to die here today.]

[Ying: Xiao's eyes widened instantly upon entering, hahaha.]

[Gui Naifang: Hahaha, I'm laughing so hard I feel like dying.]

[Silver Wolf: The moment Xiao saw Zhongli, he thought—this is a high-level match.]

[Aha: Little Zhong, hurry and offer a toast to the Immortal Xiao.]

[Fireworks: I've long heard of the Great Sage Who Subdued Demons. To be able to dine with him today is truly an honor beyond measure. Xiao, kneel down, and I'll offer you a toast.]

[Sangbo: Haha, if that's really the case, Xiao's mind is probably filled with thoughts like, "Oh no, oh no, oh no! The Emperor is offering me wine, should I accept or not? Help! Someone save me!!!"]

[Wendy: I ​​can't accept this toast. It's like incurring a thousand years of karmic retribution. It'll shorten my lifespan, and I'll die on the spot.]

[Fireworks: This is perfect, we can become Master Hu's client.]

[Kaiya: Day 1, Wangshu Inn: Yaksha was murdered, the entire area is sealed off. Day 2, Wangshu Inn: These are the security guards of our Wangshu Inn.]

[Sambo: Like father, like son, right?]

[The True Lord of Clouds and Wind: The Great Sage Who Subdues Demons will say "I sense some evil spirits causing trouble nearby" at the moment the Emperor offers him a toast, then put on his mask and disappear.]

[True Lord of Moon-Slaying and Sun-Building: Hmm, I think this fits the character of the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons.]

[Star: Hahaha, others celebrate the Lantern Festival, but Xiao is going through a Lantern Calamity. Turning a festival into a tribulation is truly unlucky.]

Xiao recalled his conversation with Zhongli at the Wangshu Inn several days ago—

[Xiao: "The Lantern Festival is just around the corner, and the Emperor's sudden visit today is......"]

Zhongli sighed, "Alas, the Hall Master's temperament is truly difficult for me to handle..."

[Xiao: "What is it that troubles Your Majesty?"]

Zhong Li: "The sect leader instructed me to purchase sesame oil for the festival."

Xiao looked utterly bewildered: "...? Then how did the Emperor... manage to walk all the way to Wangshu Inn?"

[Zhongli: "I chatted with Chef Yanxiao for a while and got some seasonings, and... look, here are a few matsutake mushrooms and a serving of ham."]

[Xiao: "Then... sesame oil..."]

Zhongli was silent for a moment: "...Yes, it's a bit of a shame. It's definitely not the kind the Hall Master wanted."

[Silver Wolf: Xiao.exe has stopped running.]

[Aha: Haha, let me translate for you—]

Xiao: "The Emperor's visit so late at night, could it be that something has happened to Liyue?"

Zhongli: "I'm planning to get some sesame oil later."

Xiao: "You've misunderstood me, Your Majesty. I was asking if there's anything important on our minds that we're meeting here so late at night?"

Zhong Li: "I'm going to get some sesame oil later."

[Wendy: Hahahaha! That's so fitting!]

[Sambo: Hahaha! This contrast is hilarious.]

[Xiao: No, the Emperor must have had a deeper meaning in doing this.]

[(Honkai Impact 3rd: Star Railway) Welt Yang: There's no need to overthink it. This Mr. Zhongli just went to Wangshu Inn to find sesame oil and chat with Xiao. You're just missing the point because you think the Emperor has some hidden meaning... Don't assume that everything your Emperor does every day has a purpose. If he wanted to be fast, he would definitely have a way to travel quickly.]

[March 7th: Wow, Uncle Yang, you're so knowledgeable.]

[(Honkai Impact 3rd: Star Railway) Welt Yang: Hehehe, although I'm not like Mr. Zhongli, I'm not young anymore.]

[Paimon: I'm more curious about why Zhongli used the phrase "begged for".]

[Hu Tao: Because he was always in debt, and in the end, he had to rely on Wang Sheng Tang to pay off his debts. Recently, all the bills were sent to Bei Guo Bank.]

[Young Master: Don't make it sound like our Northern Bank is some kind of sucker.]

[Paimon: Wow, sounds like a social outcast.]

[Aha: I begged for bamboo shoots in the east market, ham in the west market, matsutake mushrooms in the south market, and a big pot of stew in the north market, traveling all the way here begging for alms.]

[Wendy: What a beautiful poem!]

[Back to the present, Xiao finally figured out how to answer: "Mr. Zhong... you flatter me."]

[Hu Tao, hands on hips, looked at Zhong Li: "Oh dear, this guy's at it again. Instead of quickly inviting the guest to sit down, he's spouting all this polite talk."]

"Everyone here is a renowned figure, we've all heard of each other to some extent, and many of us are acquaintances, so let's not be so formal." Hu Tao said, looking at Ying, "I heard the Great Sage is quite familiar with the Traveler, is that right?"

Ying nodded: "We've known each other for a long time."

[Hu Tao: "That's great, you two can sit together!"]

[Zhong Li: "Please, Hall Master, as well."]

[Hu Tao: "Oh, you finally remembered to call me? Perfect timing! Just now, the waiter at Xinyuexuan said the dishes I ordered were starting to cook. Let's not delay, let them serve them."]

One dish after another was served, their aroma filling the air. Everyone cautiously picked up their chopsticks to eat, conversing quietly.

Because of Xiao's identity, everyone was somewhat reserved in their conversation.

[Xiao: "Gentlemen...no need for such formalities."]

Hu Tao couldn't help but burst out laughing: "...Pfft!"

[Hu Tao: "Great Sage is right. It's just a meal with acquaintances. All this toasting and politeness will only make them nervous."]

"Making you all so cautious is not the intention behind this gathering."

Paimon: "What was Walnut's original purpose?"

[Hu Tao's tone became very serious: "Inviting relatives and friends to gather, sharing fine tea, and admiring the lights in the sky—this is how we bid farewell to the old year and joyfully welcome the new."]

[She quickly returned to her normal speaking style: "That concludes what the guest advisors will say. I suggest everyone applaud."]

Everyone started clapping.

[Hu Tao: As for me, I just wanted to join in the fun and treat everyone to some good food.]

"Everyone has been working hard this year, whether traveling, acting as a guide, cooking, doing business, exorcising evil spirits, or fighting demons; and there are also the guest elders who help out in the hall from time to time. Ah, everyone is remarkable. And the one who brings everyone together, this hall master, is the most remarkable person!"

[Wendy: It must have been tough for Master Hu to gather all of you here.]

[Sambo: Xiao's face was utterly dejected, as if it screamed "Let's just end this already."]

[Fireworks: Xiao will be showing you all today how to tackle Liyue barefoot.]

[Chongyun: This is the first time I've seen the Great Sage Equaling Demons so timid and at a loss.]

[Yae no Miko: On the surface, everyone is tense because of Xiao's presence, but in reality, Xiao himself is probably the most tense.]

[Kiana: A phrase suddenly popped into my head—eat well, drink well, and have a safe journey.]

[Hu Tao: Oh, you know so much!]

[Ying: Live on, Xiao!]

[Xiangling: Hu Tao's earnest imitation of Mr. Zhongli is really hard to describe; it's so different from her usual self.]

[Zhongli: Hehe, when he was in charge of the affairs of the Hall of Rebirth, the head of the hall was quite serious.]

Paimon: "Hey, it sounds a bit arrogant, but it's really impressive that you could summon Xiao, who doesn't come to Liyue Harbor very often."

[Ying: "I'm also very curious about the process."]

[Xiao: "It's not as complicated as you think."]

He recalled what had happened not long ago.

[Still at Wangshu Inn, Hu Tao was shouting from the rooftop: "Great Sage Who Subdues Demons—Immortal Xiao—Guardian of Wangshu Inn—Great Hero of Dihua Island—you're here, aren't you—"]

[Xiao: "Tsk... Quiet! Don't disturb the peace."]

[Hu Tao: "Oh dear, I'm so sorry. But you wouldn't show yourself otherwise, would you?"]

[Xiao: "...I recognize you, the 77th head of the Hall of Rebirth. Do you have something important to discuss with me?"]

After that, Hu Tao recounted some past events involving the Hall of Rebirth and the immortal yakshas, ​​and it took her considerable effort to persuade Xiao to come.

Xiao was naturally concerned about his karmic burdens, and Kurumi had also taken this into account, so she only invited friends with an affinity for elemental power.

[Aha: There aren't that many people on the roof of Wangshu Inn.]

[Yae no Miko: Xiao's reaction, as expected, directness can be so tsundere.]

[Sambo: No, no, no, this is Xiao's boss, of course we should treat him well.]

[Kaiya: But my boss's boss isn't my boss.]

[Wendy: Oh, how funny it would be if Xiao could say to Kurumi, "I used to hold your grandpa when he was little."]

Although Xiao did attend the dinner, he seemed somewhat different from usual. Ying asked with concern, "Xiao is unusually quiet today. Is he alright? Is he not used to being in a crowd?"

[Xiao: "Things are alright. Not long ago... around the eve of the Lantern Festival, I ran into an old friend. With his help, my condition has stabilized considerably."]

[Ying: "An old friend?"]

[Xiao: "I suppose you should know...]"