Then Shao Yun offered his suggestion.
"Let's skip over the Akademiya content for now. After all, we're not going there to study."
Lumine nodded in agreement. She flipped through dozens of pages, only to find that most of the information was about the Akademiya. Some of it even read like a recruitment brochure for Sumeru's academy.
She continued turning the pages until finally she found what she needed: an introduction to Sumeru City.
With excitement, Lumine pointed to a section and said to Shao Yun, "You'll probably like this. Inside Sumeru City, there's a merchants' street called Treasures Street, and also the Grand Bazaar."
"The Grand Bazaar even has the Zubayr Theater. We can watch a performance there when the time comes."
Hearing about places to pass the time, Shao Yun grew interested.
"Sounds good. Let me see what kind of stuff Ningguang actually put together."
He took the papers from Lumine and skimmed through them. Two-thirds were all about the Akademiya, while the remaining third described Sumeru's customs and people.
After a quick read, Shao Yun sighed. "It feels like Sumeru is just a country disguised as a university. I think I might be a little late to start school now."
Lumine took back the Sumeru files. Pointing at locations on the tourist map, she explained in detail, "If we come into Sumeru from the Chasm, we'll arrive in Avidya Forest first, then head to Gandharva Ville, and from there follow the map's path to Sumeru City."
"After that, we'll need to find a way to meet the Lesser Lord Kusanali. As for how… we'll figure that out later."
Shao Yun stroked his chin thoughtfully and gave his own suggestion.
"Hmm. In that case, after meeting the Dendro Archon, why don't we head straight to Port Bayda and then travel north toward Fontaine?"
Lumine froze slightly at the eagerness in his plan. She glanced down at Paimon resting on her lap, hesitating. In a soft murmur, she said, "Huh? Isn't that a bit too fast?"
"Sumeru isn't Inazuma. Scholars won't threaten us. And Yae Miko said the Dendro Archon is called the Lesser Lord Kusanali. Just from the name, she sounds very kind…"
As she spoke, Lumine gently clasped Shao Yun's hand and said with warmth, "Take it easy. There's no need to rush so much."
Hearing her words, Shao Yun let out a long sigh. In the end, he yielded, nodding. "Alright. After we meet the Archon, we can stay a few days. But remember—only a few days."
Paimon, who had been resting on Lumine's lap, shot upright at the mention of such a short stay.
"Huh? Just a few days? At least let us try all of Sumeru's food first! I heard the cuisine here is really unique!"
Seeing the eager looks in both Lumine and Paimon's eyes, Shao Yun gave in with a helpless wave of his hand.
"Fine. We'll talk about it again after we meet the Archon."
Then he added, "But I still believe living our own lives well is more important than anything else. You know what I mean?"
At those words, Lumine and Paimon exchanged glances, silent for a while.
"…"
Seeing their silence, Shao Yun quickly shifted the subject.
"Let's change topics. Lumine, I want to give you something."
He took out the golden Evans rifle he had obtained and placed it in her hands.
Lumine looked down at the new weapon shoved into her grasp, surprise flashing in her eyes, followed by a touch of wistfulness. "Hmm… emmm, thanks, Shao Yun."
She examined the lever-action rifle closely, curiosity shining in her expression. She had seen Shao Yun wield one before, but it was her first time holding such a weapon herself.
Noticing her curiosity, Shao Yun explained patiently, "Your arsenal really does need some expanding. Let me teach you the basics of how to use it."
Lumine nodded lightly. "Alright. Then close your eyes first."
Without hesitation, Shao Yun obeyed, shutting his eyes and waiting quietly.
After a moment, Lumine told him to open them.
When he did, his eyes widened in astonishment. Lumine was now wearing the alluring "Cowgirl" outfit, her entire presence radiant in a new light.
With delight, he exclaimed, "Wow, you put on the outfit I bought for you! You look amazing!"
Adjusting the hat on her head, Lumine glanced at the set and said, "Once you finish teaching me how to use this rifle, I'll change back right away."
Shao Yun couldn't take his eyes off her. In the "Cowgirl" attire, she looked strikingly captivating.
He basked in the sight, but when he realized she intended to change back afterward, he hurriedly said, "Alright then, I'll savor this moment while it lasts."
Noticing him staring without starting the lesson, Lumine grew a bit annoyed.
"Are you going to teach me or not? If not, I'm changing back now."
Snapping back, Shao Yun quickly answered, "Teach, of course I'll teach."
For the next while, he carefully guided her through using the Evans rifle, step by step.
Aside from the slow reloading, the lever-action mechanism wasn't too complicated.
Pull the trigger, cycle the lever to eject the spent cartridge, then return it to chamber the next round.
After learning the basics, Lumine tried it herself a few times.
She fired a couple of shots before giving her opinion.
"The recoil's a bit strong. Harder to use than the last gun you gave me. It works, but it's not as convenient as that one."
Shao Yun stroked her cheek gently, reassuring her. "Just practice more. Once you get used to it, it'll be fine."
…
After getting familiar with the rifle, Lumine immediately changed back into her white dress and matching heels, returning to her usual look.
…
Seeing the time, Shao Yun put out the fire. He turned to Lumine and Paimon. "Looks like it's about time. Do we still have anything else to do?"
They answered in unison, "Nope! Let's get going."
Since Lumine and Paimon had discovered the tunnel into Sumeru, they naturally took the lead.
Though, in truth, they were barely a step ahead of him.
Once the three entered the mine tunnel, Shao Yun was stunned by the sight before him.
The tunnel stretched endlessly, dark and winding.
The environment was miserable—dim light, damp air.
Still, light wasn't hard to fix. Two lanterns were more than enough to brighten the path.
From the rock walls, droplets of water fell drip drip, the sound echoing in the hollow chamber.
The ground was littered with stones of varying sizes—some jagged as if freshly fallen, others smoothed by time.
Occasionally, faint gleams flickered in puddles like dim stars against the darkness.
Shao Yun gazed into the long tunnel ahead, silently marveling, "Liyue's people are really something… they managed to dig straight through a mountain."
At those words, Lumine and Paimon both recalled the time they met Azhdaha with Zhongli.
The miners under compulsion, digging ceaselessly day and night, until they struck the very seal itself.
Meeting each other's eyes, Lumine and Paimon both sighed with shared sentiment. "It really is impressive…"
…
After a long trek, weaving through the twisting passages, they pushed forward carefully.
Now and then they had to duck to avoid falling stones or squeeze past narrow corridors.
Finally, after crawling through a hollow tree trunk, they arrived in Sumeru.
Paimon's eyes widened as she took in the lush, towering rainforest around them. "Wow! The trees in Sumeru are so tall! This is incredible!"
Lumine studied the crude tourist map in her hands while glancing at their surroundings, frowning slightly.
"Looks like we're in Avidya Forest all right. But where exactly in this area are we?"
At her question, Paimon looked around. Other than the massive Seven Statue on a huge rock nearby, there was nothing but endless thick vegetation and towering trees.
Scratching her head in frustration, Paimon muttered, "Hmm… with no landmarks, I really can't tell where we are."
Then she pointed toward the Seven Statue and suggested, "Why don't we climb up to the big rock with the statue? Even if we can't see Sumeru City, maybe we'll at least spot a village. The map says there's a place called Gandharva Ville nearby."
Shao Yun looked up at the giant rock where the Dendro Archon's statue stood.
He nodded lightly, turned to Lumine with an encouraging smile, and said, "I'll wait here below. Don't forget to touch the Statue of the Seven."
Lumine gave a knowing smile in return. "Don't worry, I won't forget."
…
Lumine and Paimon climbed the statue to resonate with Dendro, while Shao Yun waited patiently on the ground.
As usual, he documented the moment.
Taking out his journal, he sketched the scene—the statue of the Dendro Archon, with Lumine and Paimon standing before it.
Just as he finished the final stroke, Lumine and Paimon leapt lightly down from the top, gliding back with their wings.
Paimon floated up to Shao Yun, wagging a finger before his eyes with a playful grin. "We've got good news and bad news. Which one do you want first?"
Without hesitation, Shao Yun chose. "Tell me the bad news first."
Paimon pointed at the rainforest around them with a helpless sigh. "The trees here are just too tall and the leaves way too thick. We can't see any sign of civilization at all."
The unspoken meaning: We're lost… soon we'll be stuck surviving on cow dung.
At that, Shao Yun quickly asked, "And the good news?"
He was certain Paimon wouldn't seriously claim, 'At least there's plenty of cow dung!'
With a goofy grin, Paimon said, "Hehe, we saw someone from up there. They're walking this way. I think we can ask for directions."
She pointed toward a formed forest path nearby.
Rubbing his chin, Shao Yun suggested, "I think following the path is also a good idea. As long as there's a road, finding a settlement shouldn't be hard."
Paimon mumbled, "Hmm… I still think we should ask. It won't hurt. What if we run into a fork later?"