I opened a shop on the Astral Train-Chapter 12

As Himeko finished speaking, the door of the observation car swung open. Yuri stepped inside, followed by Hook, Clara, and Rios.

"Oh? What a coincidence. I just got back, and business is already knocking at my door."

Paimon, caught off guard by Yuri's sudden arrival, nearly choked on air.

"Yuri! You're back!"

Yuri nodded and gestured to the trio beside him. "These two little ones are Hook and Clara, and the one behind me is Rios, my elf."

He gave Hook and Clara's heads a gentle pat before turning to introduce the others. "This is Himeko and Uncle Welt!

"Hey, wait, Since when was I an uncle-" Welt couldn't finish as he was abruptly cut off.

The two next to them are Paimon and Ying! Say hello."

The children obediently greeted everyone. Welt however, muttered about how Yuri having the audacity to call him an uncle.

"So I'm an uncle...yeah...yeah..."

"Hey! Welt isn't an uncle! Welt is a grandpa!" Paimon complained.

Ignoring her complaint, Yuri casually lifted Paimon and set her down beside Hook.

"Welt is old." Yuri remarked with a smile as Welt sighed.

As everyone looked over, realization dawned—Paimon was actually shorter than Hook.

Stunned, Paimon was momentarily speechless. Then, in a huff, she fluttered to Ying's side, looking thoroughly dejected.

"Why?! Why am I so short?! Noooo!"

Seeing this, Ying fished out a bag of spicy strips and tossed it to Paimon. The moment she saw them, Paimon's mood did a complete 180. With a bright smile, she eagerly tore open the bag and started munching away.

Everyone chuckled. There was no doubt—when it came to Paimon, food was the ultimate trump card.

Yuri handed Hook and Clara over to Himeko. "Help me watch them for a bit. I need to take care of something for Ying."

Himeko smiled. "No problem. They're sweet kids."

Reassured, Yuri sat beside Ying. "So, do you still need that unsealing pill from last time?"

Ying shook her head. "Not right now. What I need is transportation—something I can rest in."

Yuri thought for a moment. "How about an off-road vehicle?"

Ying considered it. "That could work. Good space, reliable in the wild... but not exactly comfortable to live in."

"Then what about an RV?" Yuri suggested. "This one's got a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and a small storage area. The sides expand outward to add a table and awning. Solar-powered, too. Only 2,000 Stellar Jades."

It was perfect—except for one problem. Ying hesitated. She had just exchanged Stellar Jades and had only 1,420 left.

After yesterday's expedition, she had been tirelessly hunting treasure chests. If not for the unsealing pills she bought earlier, she wouldn't have gathered so many resources. But even so, she was still short.

"I should probably look at other options," she murmured, trying to hide her disappointment.

Yuri, however, caught the flicker of hesitation in her eyes. "You're short on funds, aren't you? No worries. I'll front the rest. Interest-free."

Ying's eyes lit up. "Really? That'd help a ton!"

"Of course. How much do you need?"

She laid out her remaining Stellar Jades. "All I've got—1,420."

Yuri took her savings and added another 580 from his own pocket, covering the cost. With a snap of his fingers, he summoned the RV, encased in shimmering protective bubbles.

"Wait... does this mean we're going to your place?" Ying asked, surprised.

"If you want. Others can come too, but they need my portal to enter."

Himeko and Welt exchanged glances. Walter closed his book, considering the opportunity.

"Yuri, can you take us to Ying's world?"

Yuri nodded. "Of course. You interested?"

Walter hesitated. He had long wanted to explore the unknown beyond the train, but his responsibilities kept him tethered. Now, a chance had come—one he didn't want to miss.

However, someone had to stay behind to watch the train.

Sensing his dilemma, Himeko smirked. "Welt, you should go. I'll stay here."

Welt shook his head. "No, you go. I'll stay."

Before the debate could continue, Yuri interrupted. "You're both going. I've got someone to watch the train."

He turned to Rios, who stood by the window, gazing at the endless sea of stars. "Rios, I'm leaving the train to you."

Rios turned around with an expression that radiated confidence. "No problem. Leave it to me."

Himeko raised an eyebrow. "Wait...Rios..?"

She had been so focused on Hook and Clara earlier that she hadn't given much thought to Yuri's so-called 'elf.' But now that she really looked, something felt... off.

Yuri confirmed it with a knowing smile. "The power that Rios has is....incredible to say the least. Don't worry." Yuri held a confident expression on his face.

"I'll trust your judgment on that." Himeko responded back with a smile.

And then another realization struck her.

"Yuri, How strong are you really?"

Yuri looked at Himeko briefly before a larger smile took over.

"Strong enough!"

Himeko's eyes narrowed slightly.

"If you say so." Himeko could not wash off the curiosity of knowing just what power Yuri truly possessed.

However, Himeko did not intend to ask more questions.

After all, who on this train doesn't have a secret?

"Alright everyone! Let's get to work!" Yuri shouted out.

Yuri snapped his fingers, and a portal appeared. "Come on, everyone, let's go check out Ying's world."

With that, they stepped through the portal.

In Teyvat, outside Mondstadt, near Starfall Lake and Starsnatch Cliff.

Yuri and the others had arrived.

The two little ones, Hook and Clara, gasped in awe at the vibrant landscape.

"Wow! This place is so beautiful! Hook loves it!"

"Clara likes it too!"

Welt crouched beside a bush, captivated by a Wind Crystal Butterfly fluttering nearby. The glowing, star-like specks trailing its wings fascinated him.

Himeko and Yuri followed the two children, chatting and keeping an eye on them.

Meanwhile, Ying and Paimon were busy inspecting their newly purchased off-road RV.

Excited, Ying threw open the door. Inside, a cozy setup greeted her: a four-seater booth right across from the entrance, a compact four-square-meter bathroom to the right, and spacious bunk beds further in. The beds, all large, sat beside one-way glass windows that flooded the RV with natural light.

To the left of the door, a small kitchen counter with a gas stove was neatly arranged. Opposite the counter was a six-square-meter storage space. At the farthest end, the driver's cab awaited.

Paimon flopped onto the upper bunk with a delighted sigh. "Wow! Ying! This bed is sooo comfy!"

Ying smiled with satisfaction. She had worked hard for this, gathering enough Stellar Jade to buy the RV herself. From now on, this vehicle would accompany her on her journey across Teyvat to find her brother.

Feeling triumphant, she hopped into the driver's seat and honked the horn, catching the attention of Himeko and the others outside.

With a grin, she rolled down the window and called out, "Everyone, get in! We're heading out!"

Clara and Hook, their hands full of freshly picked flowers, sprinted toward the RV. Himeko and Yuri followed behind them.

Walter, meanwhile, gently placed a Wind Crystal Butterfly into a glass bottle before hurrying to join them.

Once everyone was inside, Ying shut the door. "Attention, passengers! The Voyager is about to depart. Please hold on tight!"

Yuri raised an eyebrow. "Ying, do you even have a driver's license?"

Silence.

Ying quickly looked away. "Of course, I do! It's just... not on me right now. Sit tight, I'm driving!"

Yuri smirked. "It's okay, Ying. It's not shameful to admit we don't have a—"

"YURI!!! DIE!!!"

Laughter filled the RV.

Moments later, Ying started the engine and hit the road, heading toward Mondstadt.

On a distant hill, a lone figure observed the scene. Barbatos—Mondstadt's Anemo Archon, known to many as Venti—watched the strange moving contraption speeding along the dirt path.

"Interesting," he mused, sipping his drink. "That thing moves pretty fast."

With a chuckle, his form dissipated into the wind, chasing after the RV.

The drive took over an hour, eventually stopping near a lake. Paimon pointed at a towering statue in the distance.

"That's the Statue of The Seven! There are seven nations in Teyvat, and each has a god. The statues are carved in their likeness. This one represents Mondstadt's god, Barbatos, who rules over the wind."

Ying's eyes gleamed. "Should we check it out? I heard praying to the statue brings good luck!"

Curious, everyone agreed.

Ying approached the lake and prepared to jump in.

Yuri grabbed her arm. "Wait. Are you seriously about to swim all that way?"

Ying looked at the distance. "Yeah? What's wrong?"

"No need to swim. I'll fly us over."

With a flick of his wrist, Yuri channeled his power, lifting everyone into the air and guiding them toward the island.

Hook, delighted, flapped her arms like wings. "Hook can fly! Fly! Fly! Fly!"

Soon, they landed beside the statue. Under Paimon's guidance, Ying activated it, gaining the power of Anemo. Yuri, Welt, and Himeko tried the same but felt nothing.

It seemed this power was exclusive to Ying.

Instead of excitement, Ying rubbed her chin and stared at the statue, deep in thought.

Yuri nudged her. "What's on your mind?"

Ying blinked. "I was wondering... could I sell a piece of this statue for Stellar Jade? It looks valuable."

Yuri nearly choked. The others stared at her, dumbfounded.

In the shadows, Venti's eyes widened in horror.

SHE WANTS TO TEAR DOWN MY STATUE?!

Before Ying could act, Yuri quickly pulled her away.

"Maybe next time! haha!" Yuri awkwardly moved Ying away.

If she actually damaged the statue, the consequences could be severe.

Venti sighed in relief.

Back in the RV, the journey continued. Yuri leaned against the window, watching the scenery pass by while snacking on a freshly picked Sunsettia.

Along the way, the group encountered Amber in the Whispering Woods. After getting acquainted, she eagerly hopped into the RV to join them.

Together, they also cleared out a few Hilichurl camps, making the road safer.

After two more hours, they finally reached the bridge outside Mondstadt.

Something had puzzled Yuri during all this time...

According to the original events, Ying should have met Venti and Dvalin before meeting Amber. But that hadn't happened.

Why?

Unknown to him, Venti had deliberately led Dvalin away. He had sensed something unusual about Yuri, Welt, and Himeko. These weren't ordinary travelers. If they encountered Dvalin now, they might actually kill him.

For the sake of his old friend's life, Venti had taken action early.

He sighed, watching the RV roll toward Mondstadt.

"Tsk, tsk, I really work too hard."

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