Gandharva Ville was originally built by Sumeru scholars as a temporary rest point deep within the rainforest. Over time, it gradually developed into the main base for the forest rangers.
The scenery here was unique, surrounded on all sides by dense rainforest.
Several rangers stood on guard, dressed in their special uniforms and equipped with various tools, ready to respond to any potential crisis in the jungle.
The treehouses blended seamlessly with the natural environment. Without close observation, one could hardly distinguish them.
At that moment, a ranger named Amir noticed Haypasia arriving with three strangers. He immediately stepped forward and greeted them warmly.
"Miss Haypasia, and our unfamiliar friends, hello! Do you need any assistance from us?"
Suddenly, Amir's eyes fell on Lumine, unconscious in Shao Yun's arms. Surprised, he asked, "Did this young lady eat some strange mushroom and faint from poisoning?"
Though Shao Yun's plan had already succeeded, he continued his act.
Pointing at Haypasia, he said with stern seriousness, "This woman—she drugged Lumine! I say we should hang her from a tree before she harms others."
Haypasia grew flustered, glancing at Lumine in Shao Yun's arms, and anxiously protested. "That's not true! I was just burning 'Spirit Borneol,' the kind Akademiya scholars often use for meditation! I truly don't know why this happened!"
Seeing the situation spiral out of control, Amir hurriedly tried to calm them. "Please, let's stay calm and talk this through…"
At that moment, a boy with large ears, a fluffy tail, and black hair streaked with green highlights walked over.
It was the forest ranger—Tighnari.
Hearing the commotion, his fox ears twitched as he approached curiously.
Standing beside Amir, Tighnari carefully examined the scene and asked, "What's going on here? Why all the noise?"
When Haypasia saw Tighnari, it was like grasping at a lifeline. She cried out desperately, "Senior Tighnari! Please, explain that I'm not a bad person!"
Shao Yun, however, kept up his performance, scolding sharply, "Shut up, you drugging menace!"
Tighnari frowned in confusion. Haypasia was certainly no criminal, yet the girl Shao Yun carried was clearly unconscious…
Scratching his head, he muttered, "What exactly happened? I'm not sure I understand."
Paimon quickly floated to his side and began explaining in detail.
"It's like this…"
She recounted how the three had come from Liyue to Sumeru, unfamiliar with the land and simply trying to ask for directions.
Haypasia hadn't responded. Assuming she had her own troubles, and not knowing anyone else, they followed her in hopes of finding a settlement.
Instead, they wound up in her cave, and after smelling some strange incense, Lumine collapsed.
As for Shao Yun's anger toward Haypasia, Paimon explained it was because he was very protective of Lumine…
After listening, Tighnari rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Ah, so that's what happened."
Calming himself, he gave Shao Yun a polite introduction. "Allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Tighnari, a forest ranger stationed here at Gandharva Ville."
He then gestured toward Haypasia and added with a smile, "This is Haypasia, an astrologist from the Rtawahist Darshan of the Akademiya. She's a very talented scholar. I can guarantee by my honor as a ranger that she would never do such things intentionally."
Next, he turned his attention to Lumine in Shao Yun's arms.
Approaching, he examined her closely. Her breathing was steady, her body unharmed.
Looking back at Shao Yun, he reassured, "From your description, and my own judgment, she's simply sensitive to the Spirit Borneol incense. It's all a misunderstanding. You can think of it as her just falling asleep. She'll be fine."
Finally, Tighnari advised, "Let her rest for now, and we can perform a more thorough diagnosis later."
With the misunderstanding cleared and his goal accomplished, Shao Yun relaxed his act. "Thank you. Really, we appreciate your help."
Then he tossed a bag of Mora from his Legend of the East satchel into Haypasia's hands. "Here. Consider this payment for guiding us."
Haypasia no longer argued about his earlier aggression or the Mora. Since she had already brought them to Gandharva Ville, she didn't want to waste more words.
"It's fine! I'll be going now…"
She turned to leave, intending to resume her precious meditation.
But Tighnari stopped her. "Wait, Haypasia. Were you interrupted during your meditation?"
Haypasia hesitated. "I… think so? But maybe not…"
It was hard to recall what exactly happened when on the edge of sleep.
Seeing her uncertainty, Tighnari grew concerned. "Then you'd better stay for a check-up. I recall you're in the stage of 'Satyavada Life,' and if your mind falters, it could be serious."
Haypasia resisted. "What? But I feel fine, both physically and mentally…"
She worried that medical checks would eat into her meditation time.
But Tighnari persisted. "If something's really wrong, it could be far worse later."
With no room to argue against his insistence, she reluctantly agreed. "Alright…"
Tighnari turned to Amir. "Amir, take Haypasia to settle in. I'll see to these three guests."
"Yes, sir," Amir replied.
As Amir escorted Haypasia away, Tighnari turned back to Shao Yun and Paimon. "By the way, I didn't catch your names."
Paimon was about to introduce them when she glanced at Shao Yun, hesitating.
Shao Yun nodded at her. "It's fine. Go ahead."
Reassured, Paimon puffed her chest and said proudly, "I'm Paimon. This is Shao Yun, and the girl he's carrying is Lumine. We're traveling companions."
Then, with some embarrassment, she added, "Just… Shao Yun and Lumine are a lot closer than you might think."
Glancing at Lumine in Shao Yun's arms, and recalling Paimon's words, Tighnari understood. "I see. That explains a lot. Come with me."
It also explained why Shao Yun had been so sensitive…
…
As Shao Yun and Paimon followed Tighnari with Lumine in tow, a girl with shoulder-length green hair rushed over.
Her amethyst eyes sparkled, and a delicate feathered hairpin swayed as she ran.
Reaching Tighnari, she called urgently, "Master!"
Shao Yun studied her carefully. As expected—it was Collei, the little "green ranger" of the forest.
Collei's gaze fell on the unconscious Lumine. Whatever words she had prepared caught in her throat. Nervous, she asked softly, "Um… do you need my help?"
Tighnari looked at her with concern, but also mild reproach. "Collei, didn't I tell you these months you must rest well? No strenuous activities—no running, no jumping."
"Remember the deadly Withering outbreak months ago? You nearly lost your life. Have you forgotten?"
Like a scolded child, Collei lowered her head, tracing circles with her toe.
"It's okay, Master. I feel fine now. I could even patrol the forest alone if you let me."
At that, Tighnari sighed, raising his hand to rub his forehead. His tone was filled with both worry and frustration.
"No, Collei. For your health, you must rest. Forget about patrols. Go back to your room and lie down."
Hearing this, her bright expression dimmed, replaced with pitiful grievance.
"But Master, if I only study words all day and do nothing else, I'll turn into a mushroom boar, sprouting mushrooms all over!"
Her plaintive look softened Tighnari's heart.
After weighing it, he compromised. "Alright, alright. I'll first settle these guests. You can come along and help with a few things."
At once, Collei's spirit lit up again.
So Tighnari led Collei, Shao Yun, Paimon, and the sleeping Lumine to his treehouse.
Together, he and Collei checked Lumine carefully, confirming she was indeed only asleep.
Still cautious, they gave her a bit of restorative medicine.
Once they ensured she swallowed it smoothly without choking, Tighnari let out a sigh of relief.
"Now we just wait for her to wake. I'll go check on Haypasia. Collei, stay and watch over her."
Collei nodded firmly. "Yes, Master. Leave it to me."
When Tighnari left, the treehouse held only the sleeping Lumine, the concerned Paimon hovering nearby, and Shao Yun alongside Collei by the bedside.