I have an over-the-top Genshin Impact theory that directly links the game’s world to a larger universe, and given recent lore bombs from developer HoYoverse, I suspect my theory may not be as far-fetched as I originally thought. The popular action RPG is very advanced in its planned campaign, having gone through six of the seven nations of Teyvat, leaving only Snezhnaya to explore, plus the possibility of heading to Khaenri’ah and Celestia in the future. Considering the logical progression through the story, visiting Celestia in Genshin Impact should be the last step in the Traveler’s adventure.

As such, we may not be too far from what can be considered the end of the game’s main story arc, but that doesn’t mean that it will end. There are still many more revelations related to the larger Genshin universe that could help expand its timeline. The conflict with the Abyss, possibly even teaming up with the dark forces as a means to fight the Heavenly Principles, is expected to occur during the next few years. However, it could happen after beating the divine threat that dominates Teyvat in Genshin Impact. Still, there may be even more to explore.

I Suspect Genshin Impact Is Directly Connected To The Honkai Universe

As Genshin Approaches Its End, It Could Connect To Star Rail

My main theory is that Genshin Impact is directly connected to the Honkai universe – specifically, the Honkai: Star Rail plot. HoYoverse has already confirmed that the action RPG exists within the same universe as the Honkai series, but it has stated that it is unrelated and a side story. Nevertheless, I’m not entirely convinced that an overlap isn’t due and that more straightforward connections can’t be made in the future, especially as the game moves closer to its expected end – as a lucrative product, it’s unlikely that Genshin Impact will be entirely discontinued once its main campaign ends.

That is where the game could openly connect itself to the larger Honkai universe and continue its story, even if it continues to be Genshin Impact. While both games have made an effort to keep their universes distinct and separate, there are still a lot of recurring themes that could make them one and the same should HoYoverse decide to blend the two games’ storylines after some time. To me, the problems revolving around the Heavenly Principles, the Abyss, and the Unknown God in Genshin Impact seem like a Stellaron Crisis from Honkai: Star Rail, though from a micro perspective.

Why Genshin Impact Could Be Part Of Honkai: Star Rail's Timeline

Teyvat May Be Threatened By A Stellaron Crisis

As was previously mentioned, no direct connection has been made so far, but there has been an abundance of overlapping events that could hint at a possible link between both titles. The first and most scandalous one is about the theory that the sky is fake in Teyvat. One of the oldest and most well-argumented theories in the game, it suggests that the sky shown to the denizens of Teyvat is a fabrication of the gods as a means of keeping them grounded and controlled. However, recently, the fake sky theory in Genshin Impact gained even more traction.

During the newly introduced Version 5.5 World Quest, there is a moment in which the Traveler witnesses a huge crack in the sky. Unlike the previous cracks made from the Abyss, this crack seems to be devoid of Abyssal influence and, instead, a rupture in the fabric of this plane of existence. A lot about it is still shrouded in mystery, but its mere existence seems to be a hint from HoYoverse that the fan theory about the sky being fake may actually be true. If this is the case, then it could be that Teyvat is being kept isolated.

This also goes hand-in-hand with the recent revelation of the three moon sisters that encircle Teyvat – moons that were worshipped by the Dragon Sovereigns and their offspring long before the prosperity of humanity. It’s worth noting that the Dragon Sovereigns were the original owners of the elemental powers that ruled each region before being stripped of their powers and seeing their powers assigned to divine thrones designated to the entities known as Archons after the arrival of the Heavenly Principles, also known as the Primordial One and the First Descender in Genshin Impact.

A Descender is a being that is not originally from Teyvat and that has arrived in the world – which means the Heavenly Principles is an entity that came from elsewhere, possibly, the larger Honkai universe.

This takes me to the Heavenly Principles, a mysterious yet extremely powerful entity that essentially keeps Teyvat as its hostage and uses the Archons to rule each region. The power and influence that the Primordial One has over this planet is absurd, and it resembles that of Emanators or even Aeons from the Honkai: Star Rail universe. In-game lore suggests that Teyvat is destined for doom despite its prosperous civilization, and Heavenly Principles may very well be the agent enabling this destruction in Genshin Impact.

The Aeon who seeks enmity and Destruction in the Honkai: Star Rail is Nanook, and we’ve seen his agents meddling with planets, trying to destroy them, numerous times. Nanook is the Trailblazer’s main adversary, as the Astral Express traverses the universe solving Stellaron Crises that are often caused by Them or their Lord Ravagers (the official title of Emanators who follow Nanook). This could be the case with Teyvat. Again, the story of Genshin Impact as a potential Stellaron Crisis seems to be told on a micro level, whereas Honkai approaches these Crises from a macro level.

Overall, this is a lot of theory-crafting and trying to see connections between these two very distinct universes, but the story being told in Honkai: Star Rail’s Amphoreus planet seems dauntingly similar. Somewhat like in Teyvat, the local populace is partially unaware of the existence of other civilizations beyond their own world and, like Amphoreus, this lack of knowledge is a deliberate choice from the entities in charge – in Teyvat, the Heavenly Principles, and in Amphoreus, the Chrysos Heirs led by Aglaea in Honkai: Star Rail.

Furthermore, Amphoreus holds a roster of gods that differ from the Aeons of the broader universe, mirroring the existence of the Archons in Teyvat. These overlapping similarities don’t seem like much of a coincidence, per se, but a decision for the narrative development of both titles. At the moment, it’s highly unlikely that Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail will bleed into each other, but I’m still convinced that Teyvat’s plague is nothing more than a Stellaron Crisis that will be addressed in the future.

When Genshin Impact Could Crossover With Honkai: Star Rail

The Game Is Closing In On The Conclusion Of Its Main Story Arc In A Few Years

The action RPG is really taking its time when it comes to developing the larger worldly story compared to regional arcs, likely as a means of extending the mystery that drives the Traveler across all of Teyvat’s nations. However, as we approach Snezhnaya – which may be preceded by Nod Krai in Genshin Impact – the main story arc seems to be getting more serious, and more lore revelations are arising than ever before. I’d anticipate that the larger revelations about the status of Teyvat and its place in the universe will come during and after the Snezhnaya arc.

If my theory about the connection between both game universes is correct, I’d guess the link would be established either during the Khaenri’ah arc or once players set foot in Celestia to face the Heavenly Principles and, likely, learn more about the Unknown God – who, themself, could be an Emanator or the physical embodiment of an Aeon. If this connection were to be made, it could even set a precedent for the future of Genshin Impact after the conclusion of its main story arc. HoYoverse already has experience revitalizing its games.

In 2024, Honkai Impact 3rd left behind its concluded main story arc and initiated what is called Part 2. Set in another place with different characters, the tale of Kiana Kaslana and her allies gave place to a brand-new story still in the Honkai universe. This could be the guiding line for Genshin Impact in the future: with the resolution of the presumed Stellaron Crisis in Teyvat, the Traveler (and hopefully their sibling) continues their journey across other planets in the Honkai universe, retaining the same action-based gameplay of Genshin Impact.