Genshin Impact version 2.7 might get delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai, China. Accordingly, the developers might have to alter the standard 21-day banner cycle and 42-day update cycle.It is evident that HoYoverse employees haven't been able to work efficiently amidst the rising risk of COVID-19 in Shanghai. The maintenance of the Teapot Realm is incomplete, owing to which the Spices from the West event for version 2.6 has been scrapped.アノニマス れいじん 💚 🇺🇦@anonsbelleLooking at the next events list, we're getting Liben instead of Teapot event (Spices from the west).So, does it mean that Mihoyo wouldn't be able to fix it till the end of 2.6? I also guess that they have hard times now due to the pandemic :<.#GenshinImpact2:35 AM · Apr 13, 20221647Looking at the next events list, we're getting Liben instead of Teapot event (Spices from the west).So, does it mean that Mihoyo wouldn't be able to fix it till the end of 2.6? I also guess that they have hard times now due to the pandemic :<.#GenshinImpactCurrently, there are rumors that a Xiao rerun might arrive ahead of Yelan's release in patch 2.7.Xiao and Arataki Itto rerun banners expected to release in Genshin Impact soonIf Genshin Impact ends up delaying the release of version 2.7, it obviously means that the ongoing 2.6 patch will have to be extended. The community is assuming that a short filler banner will be released during this time, and it might feature Arataki Itto or Xiao.SaveYourPrimos 💎🙌 (Mistsplitter Waiting Room)@SaveYourPrimos[RUMOR] Rampant discussions appearing about the possibility of 2.7 being delayed by 2 - 3 weeks due to the severity of the Covid situation in Shanghai.Rumors of this delay containing a short filler banner are also floating around, but this claim has less support than the first.2:02 AM · Apr 15, 2022208921526[RUMOR] Rampant discussions appearing about the possibility of 2.7 being delayed by 2 - 3 weeks due to the severity of the Covid situation in Shanghai.Rumors of this delay containing a short filler banner are also floating around, but this claim has less support than the first.The extension of the 2.6 update might lead to HoYoverse shortening the 2.7 patch with banners for just Yelan and Kuki Shinobu specifically.A rerun banner for Arataki Itto definitely makes a lot of sense as the Geo character hasn't been available since patch 2.3, and is closely associated with Kuki Shinobu, the upcoming four-star unit.SaveYourPrimos 💎🙌 (Mistsplitter Waiting Room)@SaveYourPrimos[ SPECULATION, NOT A LEAK ]tl;dr speculation:2.7 - Yelan (5✰) first half; Itto rerun + Kuki (4✰) second half.2.8 - Heizou (4✰) release; Yoimiya + Kazuha reruns, order unknown.Rationale:- twitter.com/SaveYourPrimos…- twitter.com/SaveYourPrimos…- twitter.com/SaveYourPrimos…SaveYourPrimos 💎🙌 (Mistsplitter Waiting Room)@SaveYourPrimos[Reliable] Lumie has confirmed Yelan first half, Kuki second half of 2.7. twitter.com/lumie_lumie/st…10:11 AM · Mar 25, 20224900550[Reliable] Lumie has confirmed Yelan first half, Kuki second half of 2.7. twitter.com/lumie_lumie/st…[⚠️ SPECULATION, NOT A LEAK ⚠️]tl;dr speculation:2.7 - Yelan (5✰) first half; Itto rerun + Kuki (4✰) second half.2.8 - Heizou (4✰) release; Yoimiya + Kazuha reruns, order unknown.Rationale:- twitter.com/SaveYourPrimos…- twitter.com/SaveYourPrimos…- twitter.com/SaveYourPrimos… https://t.co/IzueDPfNOvHowever, rumors of Xiao's rerun banner have surfaced after prominent leaker Blank revealed that the Yaksha will play an important role in the upcoming 2.7 event quest. Character banners in HoYoverse's action RPG are usually released according to lore.BLANK @genshinBLANK// Event Quest Spoiler //Xiao will be one of the main characters in the new Perilous Trail Chapter Storyline for Version 2.7#原神 #Genshin #GenshinImpact12:02 PM · Apr 16, 2022200301666// Event Quest Spoiler //Xiao will be one of the main characters in the new Perilous Trail Chapter Storyline for Version 2.7#原神 #Genshin #GenshinImpact https://t.co/cK1X8uQir4BLANK @genshinBLANKHis involvement in the story doesn't mean he will 100% have a re-run in the upcoming version banners.12:02 PM · Apr 16, 2022267485His involvement in the story doesn't mean he will 100% have a re-run in the upcoming version banners.There's also a possibility that the filler banners will be for five-star characters from the standard banner like Diluc or Keqing. If that happens, then the rumored Xiao and Itto rerun banners might be released as per the original schedule.When will Kuki Shinobu and Yelan release in Genshin Impact?Prominent leaker Lumie has claimed that Yelan's banner is planned for the first half of the 2.7 update, while Kuki Shinobu will be featured in a banner during the second half.Lumie@lumie_lumieAccording to my , Yelan (5*) should be first phase of 2.7 followed by Kuki Shinobu (4*) in the second phase.7:59 AM · Mar 25, 2022362512864According to my 🐤, Yelan (5*) should be first phase of 2.7 followed by Kuki Shinobu (4*) in the second phase.Ideally, Yelan should arrive on May 11, 2022 and Kuki Shinobu should be released on June 1, 2022. In case there are any unexpected delays, we might witness both the characters in a single banner.All in all, Genshin Impact players should wait for an official announcement before saving/spending their Primogems on existing banners. The information above is based purely on leaks and speculation, and should be taken with a grain of salt.