"Yuan Shang? Is that you?"
As the group set off, Feng Yi deliberately slowed his pace to walk alongside the scholars from Sumeru at the rear of the procession and asked in a hushed tone. "Wap.kanshuwu.net"
"What Yuan Shang? I'm a scholar from Sumeru this time – Gadijfa. Don't let slip my tongue, you brat!"
Yuan Shang shot Feng Yi a glare upon hearing this. The kid had a nose like a bloodhound; he'd used sacred relics to mask his Abyss aura, yet Feng Yi still sniffed it out.
"It really is you! Yuan Shang, what trouble are you planning this time, impersonating a Sumeru scholar?"
Feng Yi had only suspected at first, but Yuan Shang's response confirmed it.
Feng Yi had little interest in archaeological research. If Yuan Shang hadn't suddenly butted in, he would have already gone back for tea and a show.
"What do you mean impersonating? Spreading rumors in Sumeru gets you whipped! I'm a registered scholar in Sumeru and have published quite a few papers. I'm here this time to find some inspiration to complete my graduation thesis..."
Yuan Shang: What's wrong with me registering as a Sumeru scholar in my spare time to pass the time?
Of course, it wasn't entirely to pass the time. Becoming a formal scholar in Sumeru would grant him access to some more forbidden knowledge, which would be helpful for his research.
Feng Yi: Bullshit! Keep spinning your yarns! You promised the same thing last time...
However, Feng Yi wasn't in a hurry to expose Yuan Shang's identity. He would have to deal with the Abyss Order sooner or later, so it was better to use Yuan Shang, who had practically walked into his hands, as a starting point to gather more information.
"Sigh, this place looks so ordinary... Is there really anything of value here?"
Upon arriving at their designated spot, Klement looked around. No matter how many times he came, it always felt the same.
"This place is called the Guyun Stone Forest. For those who wish to study Archons or the history of the Archon War, it is an excellent treasure trove!"
Just as Zhongli was about to begin his explanation, Yuan Shang pushed up his glasses and spoke first.
"Legend has it that the Geo Archon, with a spear of stone, plunged into this sea and pierced and suppressed the Archons. These stone spears, after years of weathering, eventually formed this unique landscape..."
Yuan Shang had done his homework before coming to Liyue. With his current knowledge, he knew more than some native Liyueans.
Zhongli couldn't help but cast another glance at this Sumeru scholar. The man truly had done considerable research into Liyue's history.
"This... this massive mountain is the Rex Lapis's weapon?"
Paimon stared in disbelief, as did Klement, who had just dismissed the place as ordinary.
"What remains before our eyes is but the tip of the iceberg. The stone spears cast by the Archon back then, in both number and volume, far exceeded this. However, due to varying angles, the immense size of the pillars, erosion by seawater, or gravitational forces, many have sunk entirely to the seabed. Thus, apart from later weathering, the initial collapse was also a significant factor in the formation of Guyun Stone Forest."
Zhongli recounted his own story in a third-person perspective with utmost seriousness.
Osial, the Vortex Archon: *Sniffle, sniffle* I can testify to that! Many of those stone spears that sank to the seabed are still lodged within me...
"Then... the Archon who could contend with such immense power must have been very strong, right?"
Klement exclaimed in awe.
Vortex Archon Osial: *Hahaha* You flatter me. I held out for three moves against Morax back then!
"Most of the artifacts related to that period have sunk deep into the sea, but the 'Vortex Archon' stirred up monstrous waves, giving these relics a chance to see the light of day again."
Zhongli indicated that this was the greatest opportunity of the place.
Klement's eyes lit up at his words. In other words, if they searched carefully, they were bound to strike it rich.
The group decided to split up to cover more ground.
Lumine, Paimon, and Zhongli formed one team, heading east.
Klement and the archaeologist named Wan Yan formed another team, heading west.
Feng Yi, however, specifically paired up with Yuan Shang and headed south.
They agreed to meet on the other side if they collected anything precious or unusual.
As Guyun Stone Forest was a place where Archons were suppressed, the lingering power of their remnants constantly influenced the area, attracting many monsters.
While chatting, Su Ge and Yuan Shang encountered several Hilichurls by the river who were preparing to cook. Since the wood they had collected earlier was soaked by the waves stirred up by the Vortex Archon, they were having trouble starting a fire.
As Yuan Shang passed by, he casually threw a ball of Pyro energy, helping them dry the wood.
"Valoyoyo..."
The Hilichurls danced with gratitude. Although this person looked human, they felt a strange sense of familiarity.
"Sit down. I know you have many questions, but this is not the best time for Q&A. Sometimes, knowing more only brings more pain. Is it not a form of enjoyment to explore the world with ignorant eyes?"
Yuan Shang invited Feng Yi to sit on a large rock.
Watching the busy Hilichurls cooking nearby, he preemptively addressed Feng Yi's unasked questions.
"Yuan Shang, your Abyss Order hasn't been as active lately. What wicked schemes are you brewing in hiding?"
Feng Yi openly asked Yuan Shang for information, firmly believing that sincerity was always the killer move.
Yuan Shang: Hey, hey, hey! Show some respect, won't you? We've only met twice at most! Don't start asking such confidential things right off the bat!
"You know the Hilichurls over there, right? They weren't like this originally..."
Yuan Shang rolled his eyes and changed the subject.
"I've learned a little. It seems they were cursed by the Heavenly Principles, which turned them into these monsters."
Feng Yi nodded, but he was more concerned about the Abyss's next move than the Hilichurls.
As they were talking, two Hilichurls brought cooked food in shells and invited Feng Yi and Yuan Shang to share.
The Hilichurls' food looked like a peculiar paste common in India, and their culinary skills were quite awful. However, Yuan Shang calmly accepted, thanked them for their kind invitation, and happily began to partake.
"You should try some too. Although some seasonings are missing, it's still quite nutritious!"
Yuan Shang enthusiastically recommended it to Feng Yi as he ate.
Having lived with Hilichurls for a period, Yuan Shang knew that food of this caliber was already a rare feast. Many Hilichurl tribes with food scarcity might not even eat it once a month.
For some, merely surviving was a full effort, and taste was no longer important.