He changed Tiwat

At this moment, the curtain covering the wind god statue at the back of the stage fell.

This change immediately caught the attention of the audience, and many stopped their discussions and looked in the direction of the wind god statue.

Behind the curtain was a wooden "tower" modeled after the old Mondstadt.

This wooden tower is a new product specially made by the Knights' logistics team for this year's festival. Qin and Kaiya worked overtime this afternoon to specifically test the safety performance of this "tower".

There is a very legitimate reason for building this "tower": to ensure the safety of the "Badminton Festival Princess".

Traditionally, the annual "Badminton Festival Princess" is supposed to fly to the palm of the Anemo statue using the Wind Wings. This is partly because the Wind Wings are a feature of Mondstadt, and partly because this aerial descent is more visually appealing and represents the protection of the Anemo god…

Unfortunately, not every Mondstadt girl can control the Windwings well. Last year's "Badminton Festival Princess" had an accident and fell from the Anemo Statue because of this. Fortunately, Captain Jean reacted in time and rescued her. But Jean also felt that she would not be able to save people in time every time.

Since becoming the acting leader, Jean has been working to address various security risks in Mondstadt, such as the city's laws prohibiting illegal flights and reforming the security of the "Badminton Festival Princess's" entrance.

The tower actually acts as an "elevator" here, allowing this year's "Badminton Festival Princess" to ascend the statue of the wind god directly from the tower, greatly improving safety.

Moreover, in Mondstadt's history, the tower symbolizes the past. Climbing the Anemo statue from the tower signifies stepping from the old era into the new.

Of course, not many people present could actually understand the Knights' considerations...

—Because everyone was already drawn to the people on the tower.

Amidst the creaking of machinery, a wooden platform rose from the base of the tower to the top, where Yura stood.

But this is not the usual Yura.

It wasn't even the Yura that Han Fulai had met at noon today.

A pure white gauze dress and a silver crown made the "princess" on the tower appear exceptionally beautiful and otherworldly.

Yura's skin was already fair, but under the moonlight it became even more extraordinarily white, like a finely crafted bone china doll.

"The ruler of this kingdom is a beautiful princess who is as white as snow. Like the moon, she has the whitest skin, the purest eyes, and the clearest heart in the entire forest. Her subjects call her the 'White Princess.' She wears a silver crown and a long, flowing white dress, walking through the forest bathed in moonlight."

"The White Princess"—almost everyone who has read that fairy tale will think of this name.

Han Fulai then recalled what he had seen in his dream.

In that dreamlike opera house, the "White Princess" appears in the form of Yura.

And now... the dream seems to have become reality.

Amber stood with her hands on her hips, looking smug—this was a sewing skill she had honed through the 893rd generation of the "Rabbit Earl" lineage!

These past few days, she hasn't even had a chance to watch the festival, devoting herself entirely to making a wedding dress... no, a gown for her best friend.

This tulle dress is inspired by the description of the "White Princess" in the fairy tale book. What Mondstadt child who grew up reading fairy tales wouldn't yearn for that beautiful "White Princess"? Look at the level of completion; only the word "perfect" can describe it!

Of course, this is also thanks to Yura's high quality; beautiful people look good in any clothes.

The princess on the tower gently raised her arms and sang a little poem in a soft voice:

"Fly, fly!"

Like a bird in flight.

See the world for me.

Fly to the highest heavens in my stead.

(Fly, fly away,)

Like a bird in the sky.

See the world on my behalf.

to the Heaven may you fly. )"

This poem is the posthumous work of the nameless boy who raised the flag of rebellion against the "lone king in the tower" 2,600 years ago.

In Old Mondstadt 2,600 years ago, surnames were a symbol of status that only those in high positions could possess, while commoners bowing their heads in the fierce winds were not even worthy of having names.

The boy left no name, nor did his poems. But his dearest friend, Barbatos, who was then just a wind spirit, remembered his will and his poems.

And the people of Mondstadt remember it too.

Every year, the "Badminton Festival Princess" sings this little poem on the statue of the wind god to commemorate the beginning of New Mondstadt, but without a doubt, the poem recited by Yura is the most moving in all the festivals.

At this moment, the shuttlecock hovering in the air slowly fell down—its capacity of wind element was designed to be exhausted after a certain period of time.

The falling shuttlecock will just pass right in front of the "princess".

According to the normal procedure, Princess Yura would reach out and catch the shuttlecock, then climb onto the wind god statue and wait for the "Badminton Festival Champion" to offer her a blessing (or confess her love).

The process has always been the same; this year it's just that a tall tower has been added.

But Yura didn't follow the procedure.

She leaped directly from the tower and caught the shuttlecock.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Yura unfurled her wings of wind—wings of wind as pure white as her princess dress.

Just as the poem sings, she transformed into a bird, breaking through the tower and soaring towards freedom.

A free bird, holding a rose-colored shuttlecock, landed in front of Han Fulai.

Then, she shoved the shuttlecock in her hand directly into Han Fulai's arms.

Han Fulai stared blankly at the badminton shuttlecock in his hand.

What does it mean?

For some reason, he suddenly remembered what Zhongli had said to him a month ago before he left: "That way, no one will be able to take the badminton shuttlecock from you."

Now no one can take the badminton shuttlecock from him anymore...

Is this also a case of "destiny being predetermined"?

He was stunned.

Not only Han Fulai, but everyone present had the same reaction as him.

According to tradition, on the last night of the festival, the princess of the festival would throw a shuttlecock, symbolizing the blessing of Barbatos, into the crowd, and whoever caught the shuttlecock would receive a generous prize—that is how it was supposed to be.

Many people in the audience were eagerly waiting to receive Barbatos's blessings and win prizes at the badminton festival.

but now……

Where's the promised "badminton shuttlecock toss"?

If you're biased, you can just throw it in the direction he is.

Who gives it away like that!

And what Yura gave away wasn't just badminton shuttlecocks...

While Han Fulai was in a daze, Yura launched the most successful sneak attack of her life—

She suddenly moved closer to the man in front of her, and then, like a bird, gently pecked his lips.

Instantly separate.

It was so fast that no one could react in time.

But... tens of thousands of eyes present witnessed this kiss.

The cavalry captain Kaeya and the scout knight Amber, who were closest to the enemy, later analyzed this textbook example of classic guerrilla tactics as follows:

"To leap from a height and land directly in front of him, causing confusion, is called catching someone off guard."

"Put the shuttlecock in his hands, so that both of his hands are controlled and he can't resist. This is called luring the tiger away from the mountain and avoiding the strong and attacking the weak."

"Then, before he can react, strike at his vitals and defeat him in one blow!"

"Truly worthy of being called a guerrilla captain!"

After a moment of silence, the scene erupted in cheers.

We've all seen plenty of people confess their love to the "Badminton Festival Princess," but this is the first time we've seen her take the initiative and be so assertive.

The entire venue erupted in thunderous whistles and applause, with many shouting and jeering, "The church is right next door!" and "The wedding can be held tonight!"

Amidst the jeers and commotion, Han Fulai, at the center of the storm, stood frozen in place.

He finally understood one thing—just how difficult it is to be "moved but ultimately reject"...

In this atmosphere, who could possibly refuse?

Despite making such a bold move, Yura's expression remained calm and composed—someone had taught her that afternoon to keep a calm mind... and yes, she had succeeded.

He will be leaving tomorrow.

If she doesn't take action soon, tonight will be the last time they see each other.

Let's take advantage of the opportunity now and do everything we want to do.

That way... you won't regret it.

Amidst the noise, Yura calmly spoke to him, saying three words.

“Look at me.”

She was certain he had heard her.

Han Fulai did hear it, so he looked at Yura.

He saw Yura turn gracefully, the white gauze curtains swirling, revealing her soft and smooth back.

He saw Yura leap up lightly, her bare feet visible beneath her skirt.

He saw Yura, in the steps of the "Festival Dance," walk westward from the stage toward the statue of the wind god.

Not only him, but everyone present was focused on him.

After all... it was the first time anyone had ever seen the "Badminton Festival Princess" dance.

The statue of the wind god stands in the very center of the high ground plaza, surrounded by a pool of water, and Yura stands on that pool.

The pool water was shallow and icy, but for Yura, it was the most comfortable temperature.

However... the fires illuminating the area around the pool were a bit too bright.

Yura waved her hand, and several wisps of icy mist spread out, extinguishing the fire and leaving only the bright moon.

"Recalling the Longji Beach, the snow-capped mountains and lakeside, the bright moon hangs in the clear blue sky. Dancing and lingering beneath the icy mist, I know not what night this is."

Yura silently recited the poem he had given her, as if she had returned to the snow-capped mountains and lakeside.

That moonlit night, the same audience member was watching her dance.

She bent to the side, slightly lifting the hem of her skirt, revealing a pair of bare, jade-white feet.

She stood on tiptoe, and the soles of her feet and ankles were a light pinkish-red, so tender that there wasn't a trace of rough skin.

She danced gracefully, her long, shapely legs peeking out from under her skirt, their smooth, white skin like milk.

Water splashed, wetting her gauze skirt, which clung to her exquisite and graceful body. Her bare feet occasionally lifted out of the water, covered with tiny, glistening water droplets, like freshly peeled lychees.

The snow-white figure, reflected in the shimmering waves, was even brighter than the moonlight in the sky.

Han Fulai remained standing there, stunned. He felt as if everything around him had vanished into nothingness, leaving only him and Yura under the moonlight.

This is a "ritual dance" that she performs only for him.

He softly recited a poem:

"The red buds are willing to break apart, and the southern branches are still in full bloom."

I know not how much fragrance it contains, but I see it holds boundless meaning.

As the wind subsided and the melody faded, the White Princess, dressed in a half-wet veil, gracefully bowed to the statue of the Wind God. Her flowing skirt spread out on the water's surface, forming a snow-white circle; the white veil clinging to her body outlined her beautiful curves, dazzling to the eye.

For most of the people present, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the "ritual dance," a tradition that had been lost for a thousand years.

The square was silent.

No one wanted the dance to end, yet no one dared to break the silence—because the dance was too beautiful, so beautiful that it inspired a sense of piety and holiness.

Just then, a light shone.

The light came from the wind god statue in front of Yura.

The statue of Barbatos suddenly unfurled enormous feathers of light, countless feathers symbolizing wind fluttering like dandelions.

The colossal statue, originally carved from rock, suddenly possessed a lifelike expression; though its features remained blurred, it was clearly smiling…

A faint voice came from the stone statue: