In Sumeru, pretend to be a scholar

Wang Yan followed her example and picked up a skewer of grilled meat.

With one bite, the first sensation is the smoky aroma from the charcoal grilling, followed by the tender and juicy texture of the meat itself.

The flavor of the marinade is even more complex: the spiciness of cumin, the spiciness of a little chili, and a certain herbal fragrance that is hard to describe blooms in the mouth, making it truly unique.

A bite of meat, then a bite of rice; the slightly sour tomato sauce is appetizing and perfectly cuts through the greasiness of the grilled meat.

"Delicious!" Wang Yan exclaimed sincerely.

This raw and direct flavor was a completely different experience from the refined dishes he usually ate at restaurants on Baoshang Street.

“Right!” Dixia proudly waved the meat skewers in her hand. “This is the taste of the desert, the taste of freedom.”

She raised her glass: "Come on, let's have a toast! Thank you for your help today, and I wish that Shahak guy all the best."

Wang Yan raised his glass and clinked it against hers, the glass making a crisp sound: "Wishing you peace."

The two chatted as they ate the delicious food.

Dixia recounted some interesting stories about the "Radiant Beasts" group's adventures in the desert, while Wang Yan also shared some unusual encounters with characters he encountered during his translation work.

After eating for about half an hour, the two were full and satisfied.

Dixia paid the bill, and Wang Yan didn't stand on ceremony, saying he could always come back next time.

After leaving the Grand Bazaar, the two agreed to visit Shahak in a while before parting ways at the intersection. Dixia had tour group matters to attend to, and Wang Yan had to return to the shop.

Chapter 40 Estelle is back

It was already 3 p.m. when we got back to the Menakali shop.

Seeing that Wang Yan returned so late, Khalid didn't say anything, after all, Wang Yan's job itself didn't specify working hours or location.

Once the translation is completed, Wang Yan can do whatever he wants with it.

However, after Wang Yan entered, Khalid still spoke up, "Mr. Kavi came by just now, saying he wanted to see you, but when he saw you weren't here, he left."

Kavi is looking for himself?

Wang Yan nodded: "Did he say why he wanted to see me?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't ask." Khalid showed a hint of apology.

Actually, it was Kavi who didn't say it, but Khalid, being a businessman, naturally spoke in a more tactful way.

“…I understand. I’ll go find him after get off work.” Wang Yan said as he walked to his seat.

And he poured himself a cup of tea.

We were thirsty after walking all the way back.

Seeing this, Khalid didn't say anything more and went about his own business.

His job wasn't just introducing jobs to Wang Yan; jewelry sales and antique appraisal were Khalid's main businesses.

The afternoon was spent with Khalid busy and Wang Yan reading.

After finishing work, Wang Yan said goodbye to Khalid and left the Menakali shop, heading to the accommodation area, not to go home, but to find Kavi at Elhesen's house.

For some reason, even though Kavi had money, he didn't move out of Elhesen's house.

Upon arriving at Elhesen's house, before Wang Yan could even knock, he heard the sounds of bickering coming from inside.

It appears that Kavi and Elhesen have disagreed again on some issues.

Wang Yan hesitated for a moment, then reached out and knocked on the door: "Gentlemen, is it convenient for you to come in?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the arguing inside stopped. A few breaths later, the door opened, revealing Kavi, whose face was still flushed with anger.

Wang Yan looked at him helplessly and said, "What's wrong with you two again? You're arguing so loudly."

Kaveton immediately retorted angrily, "That guy Elhesen has absolutely no sense of aesthetics!"

“People have different aesthetic tastes. What you like doesn’t mean I like it.” Al-Hysen appeared behind Kavi and retorted, then looked at Wang Yan, “Come in and talk, so as not to cause trouble.”

Wang Yan nodded and went into the room. Kavi closed the door.

A quick glance revealed a pile of mechanical ornaments on the living room table.

"This is an ancient machine that I finally managed to acquire. That guy Elhesen actually called it junk! I'm so angry!" Kavi said indignantly again when he saw Wang Yan's gaze fall on the mechanical ornament.

Al-Hysen said calmly, “The rust is severe, the patterns on it are broken, and these mechanical parts don’t even come from the same machine… Only you would pay more than three times the premium to buy something so broken and fragmented.”

“That’s not a premium, it’s a service fee. They went through all that trouble to find these things in the ruins for me, so what’s wrong with me paying a little more?” Kavi retorted angrily.

He just couldn't stand Al-Hysen's cold and aloof manner, which showed him to be completely devoid of human warmth.

Compared to Kavi's anger, Elhesen remained calm: "Then just say it's a fee for your hard work, don't describe this money as an investment in mechanical aesthetics."

Kaviton was speechless for a moment.

The fact that they gave me a service fee means that these things are indeed worth more than that price.

If these items are worth three times the premium, it means he didn't pay him any compensation for his efforts.

It's like having a screw stuck at both ends.

Seeing this, Wang Yan quickly interrupted their conversation: "Ahem, gentlemen, let's talk about my matter first. Kavi, did you call me here because of a problem?"

With his attention diverted, Kavi's expression softened, and he said, "When I went to the Wisdom Palace today, I saw Senior Erosanne. I remembered to remind you during lunch, but you weren't there."

"Huh?" Wang Yan was taken aback, then overjoyed. "Senior Falushan is back, that's wonderful."

With the exam date fast approaching, if Falushan doesn't return soon, Wang Yan will have to register on her own.

"Do you know where Senior Falushan lives?" Kavi asked, understanding Wang Yan's joy.

Wang Yan nodded: "I already asked around before."

For the past two weeks, Wang Yan couldn't have done nothing; he had already inquired about some things concerning Eros.

This includes things like where the other person lives and what projects they have on hand.

As a venerable member of the Church, Falushan is specially supported by the Church, but she does not live in the Church's dormitory; her family has a house in Sumeru City.

Although there was a gap of over a hundred years, after Erosson returned and her identity was confirmed, her family's assets were all returned by the Order of the Church.

Of course, as an academic family, they don't have many assets, and their patents have long expired. Their biggest asset is their house.

“Then I won’t go with you.” Kavi nodded, then looked at Elheisen again. “I need to have a serious talk with him!”

Elhesen glanced at him but ignored him, and said to Wang Yan, "Senior Erossan is a very practical person. In her eyes, Kavi is just a little too romantic and artistic. So, when you talk to Senior Erossan, try not to be too abstract and be more practical."

Wang Yan nodded, indicating that he understood.

Kavi then retorted angrily, "What do you mean I have an excess of romanticism and artistic talent!"

The conflict has reignited.

Wang Yan didn't interfere. He said goodbye to the two of them and left the arguing behind him.

After leaving Elhesen's house, Wang Yan did not go straight to Erossen's house, not to prepare a gift, but because the letter from Tinari was not on him.

I hurried back to my rented room.

After finding the letter of introduction given by Tina, Wang Yan went out again and, following the address he had previously inquired about, walked through the layers of stairs and corridors of Sumeru City toward Falushan's residence.

Effusa's home is located in a secluded area on the upper level of the Sacred Tree. It is not as noisy as the Commercial Street, nor as solemn as the Church District, but rather has a quiet and elegant feel.

The streets are lined with many ornamental plants unique to Sumeru, their emerald green leaves swaying gently in the evening breeze.

It was already evening, and the sky was gradually darkening. As Wang Yan walked up the stairs, he stopped in front of a building with a distinct classical Sumerian style.

The house wasn't particularly large, but it was exquisitely designed. The exterior walls were made of dark brown stone, paired with dark brown wooden doors and windows. Several wind chimes hung under the eaves, making a crisp tinkling sound in the wind.

The most eye-catching thing was a stone tablet standing next to the gate, which was engraved with some ancient characters. Wang Yan recognized at a glance that it was a variant of the script from the time of the Red King. The content was roughly "The abode of wisdom, the diligent learner may enter".

It's clear that while Estelle is skilled in mechanical mechanisms, she is also quite adept at writing.

"This is it." Wang Yan took a deep breath, straightened his robes, and stepped forward to knock on the door.

Chapter 41 Estelle's Invitation

"They're here! They're here!"

A clear, slightly hurried female voice came from inside the door, followed by light footsteps, and the door creaked open.

Appearing before Wang Yan was a young woman who looked to be no more than twenty years old; she did not appear to be a senior figure at all.

But in reality, Estée Lauder is over a hundred years old.

However, compared to other long-lived creatures in Teyvat, Elfoss's age stems from a past adventure involving relics.

She was trapped in a strange space, and when she came out, everything had changed.

As a result, Eva Lucia's outfit seemed out of place with everyone around her, but in fact, her style was a trend that was popular in the Church a hundred years ago. Unfortunately, only Eva Lucia is wearing it now.

"Who are you?" Falushan looked Wang Yan up and down, a hint of doubt in her eyes.

She had just returned from an expedition to the desert and naturally knew nothing about Wang Yan, who had only recently gained some fame, let alone that Tinali had written a letter of introduction.

Wang Yan respectfully performed a scholar's salute: "Senior Erossan, I am Wang Yan, from Liyue. This is a letter of recommendation written to me by Mr. Tinali of Huacheng Guo."

As he spoke, he presented Tina's letter with both hands.

“Tinari?” Falusan’s eyes lit up. She took the letter, opened it as she stepped aside to make way for the doorway. “Come in, don’t talk outside.”

Wang Yan thanked her and followed Falushan into the house.

The interior of the house appears more spacious than the exterior, and is decorated simply yet with an academic atmosphere.

Directly opposite the entrance is a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, densely packed with all kinds of books, scrolls, and notes.

A large desk was placed by the window, piled high with spread-out drawings, measuring tools, and semi-finished mechanical models.

There are also several display shelves in the corner, displaying some ingenious mechanical devices and ancient artifacts.

Although the room had a lot of things, it didn't feel cluttered. Instead, it had a sense of orderly fulfillment.

"Have a seat." Eros pointed to the chair next to the desk, then sat down in the main seat behind the desk, opened the envelope, and quickly began to browse through it.

Wang Yan sat down as instructed and waited quietly.

A moment later, Falushan put down the letter, looked up at Wang Yan, and her gaze held a more scrutinizing quality: "Tinari praised you to the skies in his letter, saying that you have extraordinary talent in ancient scripts and languages, and that you have helped him a lot. He also said that you want to join the Epistemological School?"

“Yes, senior.” Wang Yan nodded. “I am very interested in the scripts and languages ​​of Teyvat and hope to study in the Order of the Order system, especially in more advanced knowledge such as runic studies and etymology.”

Eros raised an eyebrow slightly: "Oh? How many languages ​​do you know now?"

Wang Yan thought for a moment and answered cautiously: "I can read, write and speak the seven common languages. In addition, I have mastered some ancient language variants, local dialects and some lost scripts, such as Old Red King Language, Fendenil, and several variants of Kanreia, totaling about fifty languages."

In fact, he knows even more.

But the origin is really hard to explain, especially something like abyssal language, how do you explain it?

I studied at the Abyss Order for a period of time.

If you say that, you'll likely be kicked out of the church, let alone get into the church.

“More than fifty languages?” Erosanne sat up straight, her eyes sharpening. “Young man, you can’t just talk like that. The basic requirement for graduating from the Institute of Intellectual Theory is mastery of twenty languages, and scholars who meet that standard are considered elites. More than fifty languages? Even seasoned scholars who specialize in this field wouldn’t dare to boast so easily.”

Her tone carried a clear questioning tone, but Wang Yan knew that she meant no harm; it was more like a rigorous academic interrogation.

As a senior member of the Order of the Church, Erosanne naturally disliked her cunning and deceitful juniors.

However, Wang Yan had already received a warning from Elhesen before he arrived, so he was to be more practical and not speak carelessly.

Wang Yan remained calm and composed, saying, "This junior dares not speak presumptuously. If the senior is willing to test me, this junior is ready to accept the test at any time."

Erosanne stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly stood up, walked to the bookshelf, and pulled out a rather old-looking parchment scroll from the top shelf.

"I found this in a desert ruin, and it took me a month to figure out the inscription on it."

She spread the scroll out on the desk and pointed to a section filled with dense symbols. "Come on, tell me what this passage says."

Wang Yan leaned closer to examine it more closely.

The script on the scroll is a very ancient desert tribal script, belonging to an early branch of the Red King civilization. The characters are twisted like snakes, and their arrangement is different from conventional scripts, extending outwards in a spiral shape.

The ability to understand languages ​​quietly kicks in.

In just a few seconds, the symbols that looked like gibberish to others gradually became clear and discernible to Wang Yan.

"This is a ritual scroll!" Bi Xianyue exclaimed, pointing to different parts of the scroll. "The beginning is a prayer to the 'Lord of the Red Sands' for favorable weather. The middle describes the ritual process—a magic circle needs to be drawn with three-colored sand, seven kinds of desert fruits are offered, and the tribal elders chant specific hymns. The last part... is a warning, saying that if the ritual is performed incorrectly, it will incur the 'wrath of the sandstorm.'"