Hey guys whats up, Aru. Do we really need
visions? No, let me rephrase that. Humanity doesn't need Visions. They don't need it to
fight treasure hoarders, or hilichurls. Don't need it for the fatui, and don't need it for the
Abyss or Celestia. In today’s video we’re gonna discuss a theory and try to absolutely destroy the
sole reason why we play this game. Starting with Xianyun’s analysis on humans’ reliance on visions.
Attaining the ability to manipulate elemental energy through self-discipline (basically
cultivation). Why are visions being granted to humans only in the first place? Revisiting
on vision lore from before, what it is now, and what comparisons we can make. Finally,
whether or not humans would need visions, or if visions are even necessary
to use elemental power. As always, timestamps down below for you guys who want to
listen to a specific segment, lets get started. Xianyun story
Starting with how this little curious theory started, Xianyun’s vision story goes over a
little interaction with a non-vision holder. Where she meets with a young farmer who was fending
off some descriptively feeble bandits. And in this particular interaction, she observed the
farmer's complete change in demeanor after seeing an external object that symbolizes a form of
power. After noticing that Xianyun had a vision, the farmer’s tone and posture of caution from
a defensive stance instantly changed, to now a very confident fighting soldier with nothing more
than a farmer's plow. Xianyun then notices after the event that the farmer would only muster
his courage after noticing Xianyun’s vision, or maybe even anyone with a vision. Granted
Xianyun did help unarm one of the bandits of one of his daggers, the majority of the work was
done by the farmer himself. Bear in mind we don't really know how many bandits there were, and how
many knives each bandit was holding. After that seemingly intense battle between a farmer and
some bandits. Xianyun then lectures the farmer to be more confident of his own skill, and that
she barely helped him. She then makes a conjecture of the level of influence that an external object
like a visio can give people that much courage. When in reality, self-courage & confidence is the
only thing that is needed to face adversity. That reliance on external objects to give you courage
is a huge folly in the fundamentals of self worth, and recognizing one’s own power. Compared to
relying on your own ability to use what you have and facing problems head on. This can all
be found in Xianyun’s vision story by the way, and is where our theory of humanity
not needing visions comes into play. Elemental abilityNow, It's worth noting that
Xianyun as well as other beings that are classed as “Adepti '' are non-humans, but are
able to manipulate elemental energy. And that non-humans that can manipulate the elements have
what's called an “inner eye”. This is based on the developer’s notes with Xiao’s and the adepti’s
inspiration from the Xianren or “immortals”. Which are mythical and supernatural beings with
a connection to the heavenly realms in Daoism. As well as the quote of Sun Wukong stating
that “All who have nine orifices can achieve immortality through self-discipline”. This goes
deeper into the practice of cultivation to extend one’s lifespan. Which is a long arduous
process of meditation, self improvement, learning, and practice to reach transcendence or
immortality. Harnessing qi is also an aspect of cultivation, and is something that anyone
can achieve, IF THEY PUT IN THE EFFORT. Theres also genre’s of cultivation or Wuxia &
XIanxia which goes even deeper into who, what, and why the person is cultivating, but that's
a different topic. For the context of Genshin, living beings like the adepti who are animals
and or non-humans that can manipulate elemental energy. Are made with individual separate
purposes in the world of Teyvat compared to humans. But because the Adepti sometimes
or all the time appear in human form, they then need to fit with the norm that their
“inner eye” for manipulating the elements, should be represented externally in the form of a
vision. The same can be said for other adepti like Xiao, and Ganyu. Ganyu can even reach a point
in her self-discipline training where visions won't be needed anymore, which goes to the level
of Xianyun and the Archons who would need fake visions. For humans, the best examples are Grand
Master Arundalyn and Jiangxuei. A grandmaster who displayed great strength and combat prowess, who
knows how to practice self-discipline, but does not have a burning wish for Celestia requires
a vision. And a vision holder who renounced his vision after doing “bad things”. Other examples
of vision users that use other means to channel elemental energy are Yaoyao and Xiangling who were
trained in the adepti arts by Madam ping. I know that they’re much more vague compared to Ganyu &
Xiao’s adepti power. But I guess Hoyo didn't want to spoil the value the humans and their visions
have to Celestia and the plot. So humans, animals, and all manner of living beings can and have the
ability to manipulate the elements, so long as they themselves practice a form of cultivation or
atleast based on the devs; self-discipline. But pursuing such a high level of self mastery
and autonomy of elemental manipulation, and immortality to extend your life would reach
the highest form of ascension. Of which you would one day achieve a power to manipulate the world
itself, virtually becoming a descender in Teyvat. Something that has caused more than enough
change & destruction in the world for at least 3 times already. You can think of the traveler
as achieving the highest form of Xian as well, and regaining our power is a valid reason
to be called a descender. But why is it that only some people are given visions? What's the
outlying message that humans need to understand to be better humans? What would happen if all
humans were to practice cultivation? And why do humans specifically have a purpose that is
higher than an adepti, or maybe even archons? All of this isn't about how visions are gained,
but rather why humans and frankly the majority, if not the entirety of the game is centered
around visions, allogenes, or genshin. So why do humans get visions anyway? Funnily
enough humans were meant to serve a higher purpose than that of the adepti. Even though humans
themselves worship the adepti as well as mythical elemental creatures as deities and gods. The name
genshin in the game, although is kind of lost in translation, means the same thing. “Yuanshen”
in Chinese and “Genshin” in Japanese both mean “original gods”. But in English it's translated to
Allogenes which is from Gnosticism. Gnosticism is linked to Celestia, which is all common knowledge
at this point for genshin lore, atleast now you know . But the ties of having visions are too
linear in my opinion and that the one end goal you would reach if you pursue it is, to ascend
to godhood and be part of Celestia. But we don't exactly know what that means apart from having
fulfilled your duty using your gift IE visions. Is ascending to godhood only exclusive to Celestia?
Or is godhood being blocked by Celestia. Visions also extend to Celestia’s gods which allows them
to receive even more abundant gifts in return, after you reach full potential, theoretically
to ascend to godhood. So maybe humanity’s higher purpose than any adepti, and possibly even higher
than the Archons. Is to find it within themselves (passion, ambition, deepest wishes, burning
desires) to be worthy of these visions as gifts. And repay the gods by the end of their own journey
with something more abundant; that is the highest form of ascension. An example of such reflection
of wishes is Yanfei’s vision being put on an adeptal weighing scale. No amount of mora could
balance it. All except for her handwritten book of legal notations. This isn't the best example
to gauge a vision’s significance to humans as a whole. But it could show a reflection of Yanfei’s
vision which is equal to the passion & wish she has for protecting the legal matters of Liyue,
plus a lot of mora. So theoretically the same can be said for each unique vision’s value which
is a reflection of the person's wish. Vanessa’s journey also highlights ascension, and at the
end of that journey she gets to go to Celestia, and then comes back out as a hawk. So is that
the highest ascension happening to Vanessa? Or is it an instance of being barred from godhood?
Interestingly, thaumaturges from Liyue say that visions and constellations that allogenes possess
are comparable to a microcosmic orbit or a tiny cosmos, that is to say that each vision holder
carries a tiny universe with them through their constellations. Of which these constellations can
change fates or destinies thousands of years away from today. The fatui states that the stars are a
lie, and that the sky is fake. While we also have accounts from the Narzissenkruez Ordo that visions
are similar to “selling yourself to the fate of the world - to someone named “Hairmamene ''. And
to be given a vision is to lose the chance to walk the correct path”. This Makes visions seem more
like contracts, or representation of the allogene or genshin. For you to complete or fulfill
until the end of your life rather than gifts from the gods. But we know that Celestia is being
suspicious from the start, and that visions are also called god’s eyes as well. Almost like every
person’s wish or potential to become gods, IE vision is being monitored to make sure they use it
for the same wish they had when it was given. But also maybe to keep them from becoming a being that
can change the order of the world, or its laws. Losing a vision would mean losing your
ambition, which was highlighted in Inazuma’s story quest while the Vision Hunt Decree was still
ongoing. Those that lose their visions would lose the passion for their goal which is the wish that
allowed them to be given a vision in the first place. So taking visions is comparable to taking
someone’s wish away, a wish that they traded for the fate of the world. The Vision Hunt Decree was
able to take 99 visions, and almost 100 if not for the intervention of the Traveler during 2.0.
Some who lose their vision go through memory loss, loss of ambition, hallucination, and lose their
general drive for their desire, as well as losing “obsessions” in life. It would seem like all
hope is lost for anyone who loses their vision. But for some, losing or even renouncing a vision
wouldn't affect them in any way, and maybe even free them from the shackles of their wish.
Diluc lost his ambition after crepus’ death, and had a different drive to find out about his
father’s death using a delusion. Both of which did not affect him negatively, but he did go back
using his vision later on. Based on what happened with Diluc, it seems he didn't lose ambition,
but his ambitions changed from being a knight of Favonius and making his father proud, to looking
into his father’s death & avenging him. But he never lost his drive, only the direction of
where it went. The same can be said for other NPCs in 2.0 Story quest like Tejima, Kurosawa, and
Domon. Who have lost and regained their visions, but have pursued a different path, as well as
still having a semblance of elemental sensitivity and ability to use the elements; Jiangxuei is
one such example. But a better & more recent example is Tartaglia, who lost his connection and
control of his vision which led to him giving it to us. So it is possible that visions only apply
to the most recent wish that a person had that activated the vision. Which means it's also
possible, albeit harder to harness elements without having to rely on visions, as well as
getting 2 consecutive visions if you could end up with 2 consecutive wishes. But if you know how
to harness the elements on your own, you wouldn't need a vision or be part of Celestia’s divine
pyramid scheme. Visions are more like catalysts to channel elements than a straight up bestowing
of powers anyway. Some who have lost & regained their visions don't seem affected either, as
long as they're still headstrong, and have enough willpower to move forward. For Itto and
Kuki Shinobu, they both seem to be fine, and more or less just annoyed that their visions were taken
from them. Although, Itto is an oni, and Shinobu studied as a shrine maiden, so they have that
going for them in terms of spirit and will power. But again the idea that as long as you practice
self-discipline, rely on your own abilities, being headstrong & having enough willpower as mentioned
by Xianyun still holds true. And anyone who loses their ambition, can still find a different path
with a similar level of desire that they once had. So elemental ability isn't locked to visions, but
is locked to one’s self discipline. Regardless if humans have a higher purpose or not. If animals
who possess less purpose in Teyvat can become adepti, then humans can also possess elemental
powers without relying on Celestia. Even the lowest of beings like hilichurls can use elemental
powers, the abyss, and other creatures can use elemental energy without visions. Another
case is delusions which are bootleg visions that theoretically, if you put rough research
into; might end up becoming a stable way to use elements. But again, why rely on external sources
when you can practice it yourself? So humans most certainly can achieve elemental mastery without
possessing a vision, or relying on a wish that Celestia likes. And even better, since you're
not tied to Celestia, and your elemental mastery extends to every other ambition you have, and
not only to the obsession you have which leads to getting visions. But if this is true and humanity
can reach elemental mastery with practice, the next question would be. Why are visions given
in the first place, and why make humans reliant on visions and vision holders when humanity can
and likely have the best potential for not only individual strength but also elemental energy?
For that we need to look at Celestia itself. The Seven were established long ago after the
Archon wars, when the “Usurper” had its functions ruined. Which seemed like a last effort to save
the world from its own resentment and loathing. This could be referring to the abyss, and this
last effort could be a way to keep the world from being swallowed by that abyss. The Usurper
& the one who came after (whoever that is), created the Gnoses while also driving the
fragments of the Primordial which could mean the 4 shades to devour each other. In Venti’s
tale of the Primeval gods, like Purusha, Pangu, and Ymir. 3 Primeval gods with similar primordial
creation stories, being sacrificed to create the world. The 4th shade, possibly Istaroth, we still
don't know where and if they are still alive, but likely possesses the knowledge of that past.
Along with that, was the Seven thrones of heaven, whose Archons would be seated and oversee Teyvat’s
lands. And when a person’s wish is great enough, or reaches the heavens. These Seven ``overseers”
would impart a shattered shard of their mastery to that person. This shard of mastery comes in
the form of a vision. And although the archons themselves don't know who or what wish has
reached the heavens, it is still their duty to give these visions to those fervent people.
Because the duty of allogenes carries over to a bigger duty that Celestia has for Teyvat, at least
that's what it's implied from what we know. Which is possibly how Kazuha obtained an electro vision
for a brief moment in time. Even though Ei herself isn't responsible for who gets a vision, she
still gives it as a response to Celestia’s law. Today visions are still being gifted to those with
fervent wishes that are heard by Celestia. But we now have 2 conflicts related to that. VIsions that
are Hydro are only given to those as a reward for their hard work instead of a wish to be fulfilled.
Hydro visions today come from the Hydro Sovereign, Neuvillette. As to before assumed to
be from Focalor, who was inside the Oratrice of Fontaine. Furina is the latest
example of Neuvillette bestowing a vision, and a pretty unique one at that. One that
allows for manipulation of both Pneumaousia. Another different yet interesting case is Electro
visions which only stopped appearing for a year. This is more due to the VIsion Hunt Decree being
enacted a year ago, than being from Ei staying in the Plane of Euthymia for 400 years. This
could be because Ei was straying from her path to eternity and creating the thousand eyed god.
Which is different from Makoto’s way of handling Inazuma and its people. Of which she also implies
that Archons aren't the ones who determine if visions and wishes are granted or denied. This is
solidified and further elaborated by Neuvillette’s statement that the Archons give visions (which
are shards of their mastery) anonymously to anyone that only Celestia deems worthy. Regarding
other dragons like Apep, I don't think they’re the one’s giving visions, but the elemental power
I still think originates from dragons. This would also make sense why only vision holders can
use waypoints, and likely Statues of the Seven. Finally we have Masterless Visions which is
an interesting way for visions to be reused, albeit very rarely. Based on the current
4.5 information we have, masterless visions seem to function similarly with new visions but
your wish would need to align with the previous holder’s. So a carrier of a masterless vision
may be able to have it for years on end without activating it simply because they don't have
a burning desire or wish that Celestia deems worthy for that specific vision. While someone
who just picks up a random masterless vision but is already in the process of becoming a
worthy allogene, or has a similar wish, may just have that as their vision instead of one that's
factory new. So you could virtually harvest all the masterless visions, and try resonating with
it, and hopefully activate it. But you would need to constantly have that same wish or obsession
that the previous holder once had with that vision. Sadly, we only have Ningguang, Mona, and
Kazuha as examples which are already related to the people they received their masterless visions
from (except Ningguang, that was just straight luck). Mona received hers from her teacher,
Barbeloth. While Kazuha’s masterless vision was from his friend. They both had different ways of
activating it too; Mona’s seemed like an already active vision that functioned as a teaching aid
that eventually became her own as time went by. While Kazuha’s was a brief moment of resonating
with his friend’s wish, that is “to brave the lighting’s glow”. Which could be that any powerful
force must have another opposing force to stop it, or that there should be those that strive to
level with the power of gods. At Least that's my interpretation. It's worth noting that resonating
with a masterless vision is a very rare case, since no one knows what the masterless vision’s
wish could be unless properly informed and or is related to it at an emotional level. Just like
Kazuha’s deep relationship with his friend or Mona’s relation to Barbeloth’s ideals. The other
is Ningguang who activated a masterless vision because she wanted to sell masterless visions as
commodities. I guess that was also a rare case that she resonated with someone who also had
the mind for business opportunities. Probably not for selling visions, but to make profit
of everything in the land? But again, that strategy to gain elemental mastery is still tied
to Celestia’s contract with gifts and ascension. With all that said, we can go back to Xianyun’s
words of wisdom and some quite old dev notes about XIao from the first segment. Anyone and anything
obtains the ability to manipulate the elements. So long as they put in the time, effort, practice,
and self-discipline. The same way cultivation or more specifically, achieving Xianren or
immortality “All who have nine orifices can achieve immortality through self-discipline”.
Humans, animals and any other non-human with 9 orifices can be able to manipulate elemental
energy. Without having to stick with a single burning desire or wish that Celestia allows for
a vision. Without being part of Celestia’s grand plan of ascension. And also being able to use your
mastery without relying on a shard of mastery, a god’s eye that ties your obsessive wish, for the
fate of the world, to someone named Hairmemene. So now let me ask you, would you be so reliant on
your single wish or obsessive desire? To submit yourself to the fate of the world, and believe in
the fabricated stars in the sky? Or are you going to pursue the art of self discipline and achieve
your own form of Xianren? Becoming immortal, and to be a master of the elements, without
answering to any other master than yourself? Or is that too high a price for the ability to
change the world without selling your own soul? Are visions a strategy to keep humanity from
achieving the highest form of ascension? Or does all of humanity possess the latent power of being
a descender? I think we already knew the answer from the start. And was already in the name of the
game; Genshin Impact, the Impact of Original Gods. So there we go, revisiting my old vision
video with the new 4.5 lore information, and making a new theory from it. If you managed
to make it all the way to the end, comment below, what you guys think of the video, is it more of
the same thing about vision lore and theory, or is there anything new on visions, and how they work.
Visions have always been a big part of the game, and vision holders as well as the lore behind
it have also been so suspicious since 1.0. So making a video on this every now and then for
the channel is always a blast to put together. Anyways that's it for this video, I’ll see you
guys in the next one yeah? Like comment if you enjoyed subscribe and hit the bell for more
of my ramblings and stay mad theorists BY!!!
