At that moment, the system popped up with text.
[You're not thinking of stopping Lumine from following Haypasia and connecting with Irminsul, are you?]
Shao Yun gave a cold snort in his heart, cursing inwardly. 'What's the damn use of connecting with that rotten World Tree? It's still just working for someone else! That stupid shuttlecock doesn't even pay proper wages! To hell with it!'
The system's CPU churned for a moment, then came up with a plan.
[I have a plan. Want to hear it?]
Seeing even this useless thing had a "plan," Shao Yun couldn't resist mocking in his thoughts. 'Oh wow, you, a piece of trash, is thinking? That can't be good.'
The system was speechless.
[Not… ugh, forget it. Let's put the Archon aside for now. Think about this: are you certain Sumeru is still the Sumeru you remember?]
Shao Yun frowned at the words. What did that mean—"still the Sumeru you remember"? Wasn't the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata still alive in people's minds?
"What do you mean by that, you piece of trash?"
The system explained.
[What I mean is this: leaving aside how big Avidya Forest is, if you really want to follow the 'plot,' are you sure Tighnari and Collei would be patrolling here right now?]
Shao Yun thought, Of course they would! What else would that master-and-disciple pair do, study at the Akademiya?
"What, you mean they wouldn't?"
The system pressed.
[Sumeru's case of Eleazar is severe. Are you certain Tighnari would take Collei on patrols, instead of staying at Gandharva Ville to take care of his sick student?]
At that, Shao Yun suddenly realized. If the beloved disciple is sick, of course the master would stay by her side.
So, the "patrol trigger" probably wouldn't happen. And without patrolling forest rangers, the only person alive nearby, besides their group, was Haypasia.
But as a guide… couldn't this useless thing do it?
"You mean we need Haypasia to guide us? Then what the hell are you for? Don't tell me your only function is curing low blood pressure!"
The system coaxed.
[I can guide you, but don't you want to give this rude scholar a little lesson? Waste a bit of her precious time?]
Shao Yun scowled. "I feel like you just want Lumine to do free labor for Sumeru! Is it because of your deal with that devil?"
[With you around, are you sure the Dendro Archon would let Lumine work for free?]
…
After some thought, Shao Yun nodded, agreeing with Paimon's suggestion.
"Fine. Let's ask this 'kind-hearted' local."
While waiting for Haypasia to approach, Paimon suddenly remembered something.
She leaned toward Lumine's ear, whispering so only the two of them could hear. "Hey, should we tell Shao Yun about that weird creature we saw earlier?"
Lumine leaned close as well, her tone cautious. "Let's hold off. What if it's just a normal Sumeru creature? We shouldn't jump to conclusions."
Hearing them whisper, Shao Yun couldn't help asking, "What are you two whispering about?"
Paimon quickly pulled back, trying to cover. "N-nothing, nothing."
Just as she was struggling to come up with an excuse, a figure with light green hair in Akademiya robes—Haypasia—walked over, instantly changing the subject.
"Oh! Someone's here!"
Seeing her, Paimon let out a sigh of relief and waved enthusiastically. "Hello! We're travelers from abroad, could you give us some directions?"
Haypasia glanced coldly at Paimon, said nothing, and walked right past.
To her, Shao Yun, Paimon, and Lumine were nothing more than air.
Watching her leave, Shao Yun knew her behavior was because her connection with Irminsul could drive her insane, and she tried to avoid dragging others down by isolating herself.
But still… not a single word? Even expecting it, it was frustrating.
Shao Yun grumbled, "What is this? Did we come to Sumeru or go back to the Sakoku Decree in Inazuma? What was that look about?"
Paimon quickly comforted him. "Don't be mad. Maybe she has her reasons."
Then, watching Haypasia's back, she suggested, "Why don't we follow her quietly? Maybe we'll find a settlement."
Shao Yun muttered under his breath, "I want to smash a bottle over her head."
…
The three trailed Haypasia from a distance.
Lumine and Paimon thought about how to politely ask for directions, while Shao Yun plotted how to "teach her a small lesson" for her lack of courtesy, then force her to guide them.
As he mulled it over, Paimon suddenly pointed at a small waterfall ahead. "Huh? She disappeared near that waterfall. Let's check it out."
When they got closer, they discovered a cave beside the waterfall.
Inside were supplies for living.
Haypasia sat on a tree stump, eyes closed, incense burner in front of her, in the middle of a meditation ritual.
Paimon pouted. "I thought this cave would lead to some mysterious village. Guess I was wrong."
Shao Yun sighed. "Paimon, your imagination is way too naive."
Paimon puffed her cheeks. "So, I guessed wrong. Don't tell me she actually lives here?"
Shao Yun eyed her ornate Akademiya robes and thought to himself, Emmm… never mind the damp air making this place unfit for living. Just by those robes, she doesn't look like someone living in the rainforest.
Seeing Haypasia still meditating, Paimon hesitated. "So, what do we do now? Try asking her again?"
Lumine shook her head. "Forget it. Like Shao Yun said, let's just follow the road. We'll find people eventually. No need to bother her."
"Even if we don't find anyone today, we can just camp."
Just as they were about to leave, Paimon sniffed at the sudden fragrance of incense and exclaimed, "Mmm… that's such a refreshing smell."
Shao Yun smelled it too. He glanced at Lumine, who was starting to look dazed, and began silently counting down.
Three, two, one… and drop.
Right on cue, Lumine collapsed. Shao Yun caught her swiftly.
Paimon panicked. "Ah! What's happening to her?!"
She pried open Lumine's eyes, shook her, but nothing worked. Lumine remained limp, like a ragdoll against Shao Yun.
Holding the unconscious Lumine, Shao Yun still felt uneasy.
He asked the system, "Are you really sure she's just asleep, and nothing else is wrong?"
[Correct. She has simply fallen into temporary sleep. No danger.]
Shao Yun turned his gaze toward Haypasia, still sitting by the incense burner.
He asked again, "If I 'mess with' her now, will I drive her insane?"
"I just think she was being impolite. That shouldn't be enough to scare her mad, right?"
The system reassured him.
[As long as you don't go too far, it's fine. I guarantee it. But… once Lumine learns what you did, she might demand you to apologize.]
[So don't overdo it. Just force her to spare a little time from her meditation to guide you.]
Shao Yun scoffed inwardly. 'Fine. Thinking really doesn't make you less useless.'
The system was at a loss.
[…You…]
…
Haypasia's rudeness wasn't unforgivable.
But in the endless rainforest, going without a guide could be dangerous. And who knew if Tighnari and Collei would even appear.
Thinking it through, Shao Yun decided to act.
He laid Lumine gently on a mat of woven leaves, then told Paimon, "Stay with her. Take out the rifle. If anything dangerous shows up, shoot first."
Then he stepped forward and nudged Haypasia's leg with his foot, his tone edged with displeasure.
"Wake up."
Haypasia startled awake.
"Ah!"
Shao Yun grabbed her robes, hauling her upright. "What did you drug Lumine with?"
Still groggy, she blinked in confusion. Being yanked out of half-sleep left her mind foggy.
"Drugged? What drug?"
Shao Yun twisted her head toward Lumine lying unconscious on the mat and roared, "Open your eyes and look! That girl fainted the moment she breathed in your incense!"
With feigned fury, he barked, "I suspect you put something bad in there! Wake her up! If she doesn't wake, I'll show you what color your guts are!"
Haypasia, a simple astrologist, paled.
"I—I'm just a scholar of astrology! I don't know medicine!"
Shao Yun pushed further. "Your incense knocked her out. You can't cure her? Then maybe I should hang you from a tree!"
Terrified, Haypasia cried out, "Ah! Help!"
Meanwhile, Paimon had tried everything to rouse Lumine, but nothing worked. She turned anxiously to Shao Yun. "She won't wake! Let's find someone who can help!"
Seeing the chance, Shao Yun snarled at Haypasia, "Alright. Here's your chance. Find us a doctor. Or I kill you here."
Flustered, Haypasia blurted, "Yes! Okay! Gandharva Ville has doctors—I'll take you there!"
Why did she agree? Perhaps because she was half-crazed with fear before this "walking weapon."
Seeing his plan succeed, Shao Yun stopped pressing.
He scooped Lumine carefully into his arms, then jerked his chin at Haypasia with a commanding tone.
"Lead the way, you drugging fraud."
Now more awake, Haypasia recognized who they were. Hearing his words, she muttered bitterly, her voice tinged with grievance.
"Seriously… you disturb my meditation, then make me your guide… so unfair."
Shao Yun's eyes blazed. "Say that again? Do you have a death wish, or has the Akademiya rotted your brain?"
Near tears, Haypasia mumbled, "My precious meditation time…"
Shao Yun snapped his final threat. "Guide us! Say another word and I'll rip your tongue out! Don't think I won't!"
Clapping her hands over her mouth in terror, Haypasia nodded rapidly.
Then, silently, she began to lead them.
…
With Haypasia guiding, Shao Yun carried Lumine while Paimon followed. They made their way toward Gandharva Ville.
The muddy rainforest paths were indeed a nightmare—long, slippery, treacherous.
Without Haypasia, or a forest ranger who knew the terrain, they might never have made it.