Travelers across Teyvat are buzzing like excited cicins after fresh leaks suggest Genshin Impact's beloved Liyue region might get two new explorable zones in Version 4.4. While Fontaine's hydro-powered elevators still dominate recent memories, these rumors paint an intriguing picture of nostalgia-meets-innovation for HoYoverse's flagship RPG.
Liyue's Hidden Corners Emerge
According to "Foul"'s leaked map data (tagged as "Questionable" on Reddit), two new Statues of Seven ⛰️ appear northwest of Bishui Plain. This positions the expansion near:
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Qiongji Estuary's misty riverlands
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The winding path toward Fontaine's mountainous borders
"It’s like finding an extra dumpling in your soup!" says veteran player XiaoFan_91. The update’s timing aligns perfectly with 2024’s Lantern Rite Festival, which traditionally spotlights Liyue's adepti lore. With Cloud Retainer’s human form already leaked as a playable character, these zones might reveal:
| Potential Locations | Lore Connections |
|---|---|
| Guizhong’s Workshop | Ancient machinery blueprints |
| Streetward Rambler’s Retreat | Lost musical scores |
| Adepti Training Grounds | Combat trial domains |
Lantern Rite’s New Playground
Past festivals reused Liyue Harbor and Mt. Aocang, but Version 4.4 could break tradition. Imagine chasing Xiao across floating platforms above Chenyu Vale or solving puzzles in Moon Carver’s abandoned sanctuary 🏮. These permanent additions would:
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Deepen emotional ties to Zhongli’s backstory
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Introduce fresh exploration mechanics (think geo-resonance parkour!)
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Feature new world bosses like a "Stonehide Primordial Shade"
"Lantern Rite needs more than fireworks and food stalls," argues lore tuber TeyvatHistorian. "We’ve been begging to walk through Guizhong’s last moments since that cutscene in 2022!"
The Fontaine-Liyue Bridge Theory 🌉
Here’s where things get spicier than Xiangling’s chili oil. The leaked zones sit suspiciously close to Fontaine’s elevated borders. While current navigation requires:
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Teleporting to Sumeru Desert
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Hiking through sandstorms
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Taking Fontaine’s elevator
...these expansions might create a direct land route! Early adopters noticed:
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Similar elevation gradients in both regions’ terrain data
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Hydroculus-like energy signatures in Bishui Plain’s rivers
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NPC dialogues hinting at "merchants bypassing Sumeru entirely"
People Also Ask
❓ Will this make Liyue the biggest region?
Not quite—Sumeru still holds the crown, but Liyue could become the most lore-dense.
❓ Are the new areas temporary like Golden Apple Archipelago?
Leaks suggest permanent additions, complete with teleport points and World Quests.
❓ What about Natlan’s development?
HoYoverse seems to juggle multiple teams—pyro nation’s still on track for 2024!
FAQ
Q: When’s the 4.4 release date?
A: Estimated late January 2024, following 6-week update cycles.
Q: Any new characters besides Cloud Retainer?
A: Leaks mention a 4-star Geo healer linked to Streetward Rambler—bring on the crystalize meta!
Q: Will there be underwater exploration?
A: Unlikely in Liyue, but Fontaine’s diving tech might get QoL improvements 🌊.
As night falls over Wangshu Inn, travelers whisper about what lies beyond those misty northwestern peaks. Could these expansions be HoYoverse’s love letter to Liyue loyalists...or the first domino in a Teyvat-wide connectivity overhaul? Only time—and a few more "questionable" leaks—will tell. 🍃