Ghulam and Khajeh led the group of scholars away from Gandharva Ville.
At this moment, Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon—who had been quietly observing everything from the side—finally stepped forward.
Shao Yun fixed his gaze on the direction the Akademiya members who had just left, a trace of curiosity flickering in his eyes.
He turned his head to look at Tighnari beside him, the corners of his lips curling into a faint, teasing smile as he remarked, "Yoho, could it be that the Akademiya is so short on manpower now that they're setting their sights on an outstanding graduate like you, thinking of hiring you back as some great sage?"
Tighnari was stunned at first, but then couldn't help bursting into laughter.
Laughing as he shook his head helplessly, he replied, "Hahaha, you really have a way with jokes! Something like becoming a sage is far beyond someone like me, a mere forest ranger."
After finishing his laugh, he continued explaining, "In truth, they just wanted me to go to Sumeru City and help my teacher with some incomprehensible research project."
"But right now, with the Withering still posing threats here, and Collei's condition making me uneasy, I truly can't leave. So, I had no choice but to politely refuse."
Shao Yun nodded in understanding, agreeing with Tighnari's decision while keeping up the joking tone.
"Exactly! If it were me, after finally struggling through university to graduate and landing a satisfying job, only for the school to suddenly demand I go back and pay more tuition for further study, I'd reject them outright without a second thought. You did the right thing!"
Saying that, he even gave Tighnari a big thumbs-up.
Listening quietly to Shao Yun's vivid analogy, Tighnari found himself at a temporary loss for words, unsure how to respond.
After a brief pause, he quickly decided to shift the topic to avoid prolonging the awkwardness.
"Let's set that aside. Speaking of which, how is Haypasia doing?"
Hearing his question, Paimon hurriedly nodded hard and replied, "Mm-hmm! Though a few minor mishaps and accidents happened, overall it went pretty smoothly."
"We also gathered quite a lot of useful and valuable information!"
When Tighnari heard that not only was Haypasia safe, but she had also been helpful to Lumine and Paimon, his heart filled with relief and joy.
He then turned his gaze to Lumine, saying, "That's good. Since your health has recovered, I no longer have a reason to keep you here in Gandharva Ville. You're heading to Sumeru City next, aren't you?"
Lumine nodded firmly and added, "Yes. We've been entrusted to meet with the Lesser Lord Kusanali. Tighnari, do you know how we can seek an audience with her?"
Faced with Lumine's question, Tighnari furrowed his brow slightly, searching his memories of his years studying and living in Sumeru City.
But after thinking it over, he could only shake his head helplessly, a troubled look on his face as he admitted, "Sorry, I don't know the procedure for an audience."
When Paimon heard that Tighnari didn't even know how to meet the Dendro Archon, her big round eyes spun quickly before she gave a sweet smile and asked, "Then Tighnari, even if you don't know the way to meet the Archon herself, do you know who we can ask in Sumeru City about it?"
"From what those scholars said earlier, you're quite an impressive figure! Surely your connections must be amazing!"
Hearing Paimon's flattery, Tighnari waved his hand humbly and replied, "Hahaha, Paimon, you're giving me too much credit. I simply had the good fortune of being guided by a respected and knowledgeable teacher."
Saying that, he touched his chin thoughtfully, sinking into contemplation.
After a moment, he spoke slowly, "Hmm… To be honest, my time in Sumeru City wasn't that long. Most of the people I knew were fellow scholars obsessed with academic research."
Just as Paimon was about to conclude that Tighnari didn't have the right connections, he suddenly seemed to recall something important. His eyes lit up with excitement.
"Oh, right! I remember now. Back during my Akademiya days, I had a friend in the Amurta Darshan. He's a researcher who knows all sorts of information."
"I'll write you a letter of introduction. You can go find him and ask—he's pretty well informed."
Paimon blinked her wide eyes, puzzled as she asked curiously, "But I heard those scholars say your teacher is really amazing! Why don't you just recommend us to meet him directly instead?"
At her words, a slightly awkward smile appeared on Tighnari's face. He shook his head gently and replied, "Well…"
Casting a glance at the tall and sturdy Shao Yun standing beside Lumine, he paused briefly before continuing his explanation.
"My teacher, Nafis, has a temperament that's anything but ordinary. Even I often find him unpredictable. Unless absolutely necessary, it's best not to disturb him."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tighnari suddenly seemed to remember something else, lowering his voice as he muttered, "Though, come to think of it, that's odd… I've refused his invitations so many times. Normally, given his temperament, he'd have come to drag me back and beat me up by now. But this time, he's shown no reaction at all. That's completely unlike him…"
Although they couldn't meet the Dendro Archon directly for now, at least they had found a lead toward their goal.
Thinking this, Paimon counted happily on her fingers, her face bright with excitement.
"Hehehe, let me sum this up! First, Lumine doesn't have to worry about fainting from Spirit Borneol Incense anymore; second, all our living needs here in Sumeru have been settled by Shao Yun; and most importantly, now we've got a precious lead to meeting the Lesser Lord Kusanali! Feels like everything's moving in a good direction!"
…
"Oh, by the way, when you enter Sumeru City, you'll be given something. Let me introduce it first."
As Tighnari spoke, he pulled an object from his chest pocket—it looked very much like a pair of earphones.
Paimon stared wide-eyed at the earphone-like item in Tighnari's hand, gasping in amazement.
"Wow, what's that thing?"
Beside her, Shao Yun looked at it, thinking, Isn't that the thing the Akademiya uses in the future to mine brain computing power?
Smiling, Tighnari explained to Paimon, "It's called an Akasha Terminal. The Akademiya created it from the legacy of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. Some say it's the very cornerstone that makes Sumeru truly the Nation of Wisdom."
He added, "Lately, the Akademiya has been distributing them for free at the city gates and teaching people how to use them. I won't spoil too much. Just get familiar with it when you receive one."
After hearing Tighnari's explanation, Lumine and Paimon both studied the Akasha Terminal with great interest.
Once done examining it, Paimon couldn't wait to declare, "Alright then, let's head straight for Sumeru City! But before we go, we should visit Collei first."
When Tighnari heard that Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon were about to set out, he tried to keep them a little longer.
"Why not rest here another day? It's already afternoon now—wouldn't it be better to leave tomorrow morning?"
But Paimon shook her head firmly and replied, "No way! Meeting the Archon is the most important thing. We've already delayed too long."
Seeing he couldn't persuade them, Tighnari didn't press further. Instead, he smiled and offered his heartfelt blessing.
"In that case, I wish you success in meeting the Lesser Sage Kusanali soon."
Taking the chance, Lumine and Paimon hurried off to bid farewell to Collei.
Meanwhile, Tighnari called Shao Yun over.
"Mr. Shao Yun, come with me. I'll finish writing this letter of introduction and give it to you."
…
The two entered the rangers' workplace, where Tighnari grabbed a piece of letter paper and began writing the introduction.
Just as he was fully focused on writing, Shao Yun suddenly broke the silence.
"Oh, right, Tighnari, there's something I've been meaning to ask you."
Hearing this, Tighnari's pen paused briefly. He lifted his head, looking curiously at Shao Yun as he asked gently, "What is it?"
Shao Yun pressed his lips together, hesitating slightly, but then gathered his courage to ask, "I want to know… do you worship the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, or do you revere the Lesser Lord Kusanali?"
After all, he still cared about what that demon had said that day.
Tighnari's face showed surprise and curiosity at such a question.
Blinking in confusion, he asked back, "Huh? Why bring that up all of a sudden…?"
Then, as if something had dawned on him, he chuckled softly, the corners of his lips rising.
"Oh, I see. You must have heard the Akademiya is trying to downplay the existence of the Lesser Lord Kusanali, while always singing praises of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, right?"
After pausing briefly, Tighnari continued thoughtfully, "Well… Regarding the immense contributions and selfless sacrifice the Greater Lord made for Sumeru, I completely agree and hold deep respect."
"But if we look at other nations—take Fontaine, for example—they've already embraced a second Archon for five hundred years. Even Inazuma, the land that symbolizes eternity, now welcomes its third Archon! And no one there seems to struggle adapting."
"In my opinion, people shouldn't live forever in the past." Shaking his head lightly, he sighed.
"Of course, that's just my personal view. As for certain old geezers in the Akademiya, I don't care to judge. I'm already a forest ranger in Gandharva Ville, and it has nothing to do with me anymore."
But Shao Yun wasn't satisfied with such an answer. His eyes burned with intensity as he pressed further, "So then, by your words, should I take it that you worship the Lesser Lord Kusanali?"
After some thought, Tighnari nodded solemnly.
"If you need a clear answer, then yes."
"Though honestly, I've never really thought much about it. Doing my job as a ranger is enough. Thinking too much beyond that doesn't mean much."
By now, he had finished writing the letter of introduction.
"Alright, here's the letter."
Shao Yun took it from him, slipping it casually into his Legend of the East satchel. Just as he was about to thank Tighnari, something unexpected happened.
In an instant, Shao Yun's pupils shifted to a crystalline blue.
He locked eyes with Tighnari, gaze sharp and unwavering.
Then he raised his hand, patting Tighnari's shoulder lightly as strange words slipped from his lips.
"Etecce, Dominus venit cum millibus sanctorum eius, ad execrandum judicium super omnes." (And the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with him.)
The words Shao Yun uttered were so strange, they clearly weren't from Teyvat's language.
Hearing them, Tighnari's face twisted with confusion. His brows furrowed as he asked, "What in the world are you saying?"
At his question, Shao Yun blinked once.
In that blink, his pupils returned to their original color.
He then smiled at Tighnari and said, "Oh… I was just saying that I agree with your perspective! After all, living your own life well is the wisest and most correct choice."
Tighnari stared at him suspiciously, unable to shake the unease, and asked again, "Are you absolutely certain that's all you just said?"
Watching Tighnari's perplexed expression, Shao Yun smiled and replied in mock confusion, "What do you mean? Didn't I make myself clear enough?"
Seeing that Shao Yun refused to answer directly, Tighnari shook his head in resignation, deciding not to pursue it further.
Meanwhile, Shao Yun wondered to himself why Tighnari was acting so oddly all of a sudden, but didn't dwell on it.
Waving his hand in farewell, he went to find Lumine and Paimon, leaving Tighnari alone, staring thoughtfully at his disappearing back.