I still remember the first time I heard whispers of the tanuki gathering in Chinju Forest. The air felt different that day—charged with ancient magic and playful mischief. As someone who's wandered through Teyvat's every corner, I thought I'd seen it all. But the Eight Locales Over Mountains and Seas event? That was something special, ya know?

my-journey-through-snowswept-dreams-image-0

Finding My Way to the Festival

Before I could join this tanuki celebration, I had to prove myself worthy. The path wasn't open to just anyone—I needed to reach Adventurer Rank 30 and complete several crucial quests. Looking back at my journey, each requirement felt like a chapter in my own story:

  • "Ritou Escape Plan" - That daring escape from Inazuma's strict borders

  • "A Strange Story in Konda" - Unraveling mysteries in that haunted village

  • "Sacrificial Offering" - Understanding the weight of tradition

  • "Tanuku-Bayashi in the Forest" - Three trials within the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual

Each quest had tested me in different ways, shaping me into the traveler I am today. Without those experiences under my belt, I wouldn't have been ready for what came next.

The Voice Behind the Statue

my-journey-through-snowswept-dreams-image-1

When I finally activated the quest from the Event menu, something pulled me toward Chinju Forest. I activated Navigation and let it guide my steps through the whispering bamboo groves. There, bathed in ethereal light, stood Ioroi's statue—silent yet somehow alive with presence.

Our conversation felt like greeting an old friend I'd never met. Ioroi's voice carried centuries of wisdom mixed with childlike wonder. Then came Kichiboushi, appearing right beside the statue. This little tanuki was unlike any creature I'd encountered—full of curiosity and boundless energy, practically bouncing with excitement about the adventure ahead.

After another exchange with Ioroi, the real journey began. I was to be Kichiboushi's guide and companion through places they'd only heard about in legends.

Into the Frozen Wilderness

I opened the Event menu again, my fingers trembling slightly with anticipation. The first destination glowed on the screen: Snowswept Fairytale. Dragonspine. That unforgiving mountain had humbled me more than once, but this time felt different. This time, I wasn't climbing for treasure or glory—I was sharing wonder with a friend.

my-journey-through-snowswept-dreams-image-2

As we materialized at the mountain's base, Kichiboushi's eyes widened. I could practically feel their amazement radiating outward. The event interface had this adorable feature—a "Say Hello to Kichiboushi" button tucked in the bottom left corner. Every time I pressed it, the little tanuki would perform the cutest animations. Honestly? I might've clicked it way more times than necessary. Sometimes the smallest joys are the most precious.

A Dance Through Ice and Snow

What followed was pure magic. Kichiboushi would appear ahead of me, always just a few meters away, leading me deeper into Dragonspine's frozen embrace. It wasn't a chase—more like a dance between guide and guided, though I wasn't always sure who was leading whom.

Stage Transformation Action Required
First Stop Torch Light the flame
Crossing Ice Block Melt and follow
Final Approach Guide Track to the lair

When Kichiboushi transformed into a torch, I understood. They were adapting, showing me their tanuki magic. I lit the flame, and warmth spread through the cold air. After our brief dialogue, they leaped across a cliff and became ice—solid, crystalline, beautiful. I glided after them, my wings catching the mountain winds, and melted their frozen form with pyro energy.

We continued this way until we reached our destination: the Snowboar King's lair.

The Moment of Truth

Ioroi wanted proof of our adventure—a photograph capturing the moment. But I'd learned something important over my travels: always be prepared for the unexpected. Before approaching the glowing photography spot, I checked my party composition. Swapped out my exploration team for my battle-ready warriors.

Good thing I did.

I positioned myself at the designated point, waited for that crucial message—"Camera adjusted to the correct angle"—and captured our moment together. The snapshot froze time itself: me and Kichiboushi, against Dragonspine's infinite white, proof that friendship transcends species.

When Legends Awaken

The ground shook. From the snow emerged the Snowboar King, massive and magnificent and absolutely furious that we'd disturbed its domain.

Combat Strategy Breakdown

🎯 Key Points to Remember:

  • The boss retains its original patterns from 2020

  • No special buffs or enhanced abilities

  • Standard elemental weaknesses apply

  • Quick reflexes beat raw power here

The fight wasn't particularly challenging for someone with my experience—the Snowboar King hadn't learned any new tricks since its debut over a year ago. Still, there's something humbling about facing down a creature of pure elemental fury. Every dodge, every strike, every shield deployed—they all mattered.

When the beast finally fell, Kichiboushi did this little victory dance. Worth every frozen toe, every near miss, every moment.

Returning Home

The journey back to Chinju Forest felt shorter somehow. Maybe because my heart was lighter. I reported our success to Ioroi, their statue seeming to smile (or maybe that was just the light?).

This was only the first chapter—Part 1 of Eight Locales Over Mountains and Seas. More adventures awaited as the event unfolded, each locale promising new challenges and memories.

Reflections on the Road

💭 What This Event Taught Me:

  • Adventure isn't about the destination

  • Sometimes the best companions are the unexpected ones

  • Every frozen mountain holds warmth if you know where to look

  • Taking photos matters—memories fade, but pictures endure

As I write this in 2026, looking back at that snowy adventure, I realize something. The Eight Locales Over Mountains and Seas wasn't just an event. It was a reminder that Teyvat still held surprises, that magic lived in the smallest creatures, and that every journey—no matter how well-trodden the path—becomes new when shared with the right companion.

Kichiboushi taught me to see Dragonspine through fresh eyes, to find joy in transformation, to embrace the unknown with curiosity rather than fear. That little tanuki, with their boundless enthusiasm and shape-shifting abilities, reminded me why I became a traveler in the first place.

Not for the Primogems or the perfect artifacts. Not for the reputation or the achievements. But for moments like these—standing in the snow, camera in hand, with a friend who saw the world as an endless adventure waiting to unfold.

The event continues, new locales beckoning. But I'll never forget that first journey through the Snowswept Fairytale, where winter became wonder and a statue's wish brought two unlikely companions together.


What's your favorite memory from traveling with Kichiboushi? Have you discovered your own Snowswept Fairytale in Teyvat's vast landscapes? The journey continues, travelers—see you on the road ahead.