Decrypting Genshin‘s "Just Follow Your Nose" Treasure Hunt

As a Genshin Impact player since launch, I‘ve explored every corner of Teyvat more times than I can count. But even I struggled to decipher the cryptic clues in the new Fecund Blessings event. What could "Just follow your nose" possibly mean?

After some deep analysis into Genshin‘s lore and maps, I cracked the case. This comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know to find that sneaky treasure.

The Genshin Impact 3.1 Update: King Deshret Brings Rewards and Mysteries

Version 3.1, "King Deshret and the Three Magi", introduced an array of new story and gameplay content. The update added the new 5-star anemo character Cyno, continuing the Sumeru arc. It also released the long-awaited desert area, bringing secrets of past civilizations with it.

But the update isn‘t just about archon quests. HoYoverse crafted brand new event quests to keep Travelers occupied (and rewarded). One of these is Fecund Blessings, a whimsical treasure hunt demanding both luck and logic to complete.

"The woodland critters of Statue of The Seven have prepared wonderful gifts for the generous Traveler…The only catch is, you must first find these gifts!"

Our mission? Locate 8 buried treasure chests scattered across Teyvat by deciphering cryptic clues. The trickier they are, the more generous the prize!

Fecund Blessings Overview: Primogem Rewards for Puzzle Solvers

This event isn‘t about combat or grinding – it‘s about strapping on your thinking cap!

Each treasure chest contains event currencies based on their difficulty level:

Easy Chests: contain Fecund Essence ×5
Medium Chests: contain Fecund Essence ×10
Hard Chests: contain Fecund Essence ×15

Once you‘ve uncovered all 8 chests, visit the Statues of The Seven in Mondstadt, Liyue, or Inazuma to trade Fecund Essence for bountiful rewards.

With 420 Primogems up for grabs, this brain-teasing hunt is worth undertaking!

But figuring out those vague clues can prove tricky…

"Just Follow Your Nose" Location Revealed

The text for the hint in question reads:

"Just follow your nose"

Difficulty: Medium

Not very helpful! Let‘s break down the meaning.

What are we supposed to "follow our nose" to? If this was Monstadt, my first guess would be wine and roasted meat skewers. But the location is central Liyue – a very different culinary culture.

That crossed out Goulash and Chicken Mushroom Skewers as likely targets.

After thorough investigation in Liyue, one scent stood out that could lead us to treasure: the tantalizing aroma of Slow-Cooked Bamboo Shoot Soup.

This iconic Liyue dish is commonly prepared outdoors in large clay pots over an open flame. Travelers wandering by may catch a whiff of bamboo broth from surprising distances away.

Could we just "follow our nose" straight to some simmering soup pot? I intended to find out.

Treasure Hunting: From Statues to Simmering Soup

I started my search in Liyue Harbor, the hub for slow-cooked flavors. No treasure or soup pots in sight.

Next was Qingce Village, another haven for bamboo cuisine and outdoor cooking setups. Still nothing.

Finally in a back corner of Springvale, I spotted wisps of campfire smoke in the distance. Approaching stealthily, a bubbling pot of that beloved bamboo soup came into view…along with a telltale Precious Chest tucked behind some crates!

Eureka – I found the "Just Follow Your Nose" treasure using my expert knowledge of regional signature dishes!

Let‘s breakdown the exact location and landmarks:

Area: Northeast Springvale, near the Dawn Winery
Closest Teleport Point: Statue of The Seven
Terrain: Green farmland and cliffs surrounding
Key Landmarks:
- Two Hilichurl Camps along the path
- Simmering Slow-Cooked Bamboo Shoot Soup pot
- Stacked crates and barrels
Precise Location: Behind crates near the soup cooking pot

Watch my firsthand playthrough of locating this tricky treasure:

Teleport to the Statue of The Seven
Head northeast, passing two Hilichurl camps
Keep left until you spot a stack of crates and soup pot
Open the Precious Chest tucked out of sight behind the crates!

And there‘s our hard-earned treasure! This Medium chest contained 10 Fecund Essence towards our 420 Primogem goal.

Community Sleuthing on this Cryptic Clue

I wasn‘t the only master sleuth bewildered by this vague hint. The Genshin community came together, debating possible interpretations:

"At first I thought it was pointing me towards some type of plant or flower with a strong scent in Springvale. I almost gave up until I noticed that dang Bamboo Soup pot in the back corner near all those crates!" u/bamboozledagain

"Does this count as cheating? I used the Memento Lens gadget to spot chests from really far away rather than literally ‘following my nose‘ to the soup smell lmao" u/100primogems

"Whoever designed these clues needs a raise because they are so random yet clever once you figure them out." u/puzzlesolver

While opinions differed on the fairness of this puzzle, most agreed on the location once that smoking soup entered the equation!

This collaborative crowdsourcing represents what I love about the Genshin community – how we put our heads together to overcome any challenge.

Northern Liyue‘s Culinary Footprint as a Historical Trade Route

Now why hide treasure in remote country villages rather than major Liyue cities? This location traces back to the historic Silk Flower trade.

Northern Liyue areas like Qingce and Springvale were critical nodes along raw silk export routes centuries ago. This lucrative silk flower demand promoted extensive settlement and agriculture.

As such, these rural villages became melting pots for an array of cultural influences over generations of trade, from dialects to literature to cuisine.

Photos of ancient trade caravans uncover clay pots not so different from modern soup cauldrons! This outdoor slow-cooking tradition therefore stems back many generations as a nice hot meal for weary merchants.

So by chasing the scent of a humble bamboo soup, we followed the footsteps of Liyue‘s vibrant history as a silk hub. Our Medium chest reward is a testament to the continued prosperity trade and travel can bring remote country villages!

Mastering Genshin‘s Lore Leads to Primogem Treasures

Obscure clues like these require not just puzzle-solving logic, but deeper understanding of Teyvat‘s culture and lore. As an expert Genshin Impact player, I relished this chance to put my obscure regional knowledge to work!

Hopefully this inside look at my investigation strategy helps fellow Travelers struggling to decrypt Fecund Blessings hints.

Whether you rely more on geographic deduction, lore connections, community tips, or plain luck, uncovering all 8 treasure chests pays off with over 400 Primogems! That can make all the difference in securing your favorite 5-star character or weapon when the next tempting banner arrives.

To recap, here were my key steps for evaluating vague clues:

Analyze textual hint for literal and metaphorical interpretations
Research relevant locations tied to those concepts
Explore most probable areas based on terrain, landmarks, sensory cues
Leverage special gadgets like the Seed Dispensary and Memento Lens when needed
Consult the community for any crowd wisdom
Relate clues to broader lore and worldbuilding for deeper insights

Mastering these sleuthing skills makes you unstoppable at Genshin‘s mini-games!

For fellow puzzle addicts, stay tuned for my complete guide to uncovering all 8 Fecund Blessings treasures. Let‘s overcome this challenge together and claim those sweet Primogem prizes!