In Sumeru, pretend to be a scholar

There was something apologetic in his tone; he genuinely felt sorry for the help they had given him.

"Don't worry about it. In the process of helping out, we also gained what we wanted. Anyway, we weren't planning on having our names listed as author on the research paper."

Elhesen shook his head: "As for disturbing the slumber of an ancient priest, it shouldn't be considered a gain, and it's fine to give it up."

"Alright, alright, anyway, this inspection is over. Let's go outside and have a celebration!" Erosham waved her hand and was about to lead the group outside.

Wang Yan quickly spoke up: "Wait, the Grass Goddess just came by. She told us to close the cave entrance."

"Grass God?" Erosanne and Kavi were both taken aback, while only Elhesen remained calm.

He seemed to have anticipated that the Grass God might come.

“I see. Then let’s close it to avoid disturbing future scholars.” Erosham trusted her student. Without asking any questions, she immediately started working on the mechanism in the wall. With a creaking sound, the exposed opening was closed.

Chapter 99 A Feast

"Why are you here at this time? Did you make a big discovery?"

Outside the Flower Goddess Ruins, Dixia, who was training her team members, saw four scholars emerge from the ruins and immediately went to greet them.

These days, she has long been used to the scholars going in in the morning and coming out at night.

It's only afternoon now, far from dark.

"I guess so. The inspection is almost over. We'll wrap things up in another day or two and then we can go back."

Wang Yan replied with a smile.

"It's over?" Dixia was taken aback, then smiled and nodded. "That's good. The construction here is almost finished. Candice said she'll leave some people here to try and make use of the water resources."

These words were actually a reminder to Wang Yan and Fa Lushan that the people of Aru Village also had to share this camp. Even if Wang Yan and Fa Lushan left, they would not simply give it up to the Order of the Church.

Wang Yan understood, but didn't mind: "It's only right. It's a waste to not use the water source. Everyone should take care of the scholars who come here in the future."

If the Order of the Instruction wants to manage this camp, it will need to send at least one instructor.

For scholars, Kavan Post Station is already considered remote, let alone the interior of the desert. Once they arrive, they will be stationed there for a long time, which is completely different from conducting research.

Therefore, instead of 'exiling' a scholar to serve as an instructor, it would be better to let Aru Village manage it directly.

Eros listened from the side without offering any opinion; she also thought it was a good thing.

Dixia smiled and said, "Then let's celebrate tonight and congratulate you on the completion of your investigation."

The camp was built with money (from monster materials) from Erossan and Wang Yan. They had no objections, and the scholars who came from the Order of the Church afterward couldn't say anything either.

"I want to drink!" Kavi shouted.

Desia waved confidently: "No problem!"

...

That evening, a small bonfire party was held at the camp.

It seems that Dixia and the people of Aru Village said that Wang Yan and Falushan were willing to let them take control of this water source, so everyone brought out their treasured items.

As night fell, a group of people gathered around a campfire, the flickering flames illuminating every smiling face.

The desert night sky is filled with stars, which reflect the warm light on the ground.

Several construction workers from Aru Village held musical instruments in their hands: a worn but resonant erhu, several hand drums…

A melodious yet rugged tune flowed out; it was an ancient song that had been passed down through the desert for countless generations.

The lyrics tell of the oasis's sweet springs, the long-distance camel caravans, and the flowers blooming under the moonlight; the song is desolate yet carries a tenacious vitality.

As the rhythm quickened, several young members of the Radiant Hunters were the first to stand up and dance a traditional desert dance to the beat of the drums.

With arms outstretched like an eagle soaring, feet stomping the ground and kicking up fine sand, clothes fluttering as he spins, his movements bold and powerful.

Laughter and cheers rose and fell, immersing the entire camp in a primitive yet enthusiastic atmosphere.

Dixia smiled and waved to Kavi and Wang Yan: "Scholars, don't just sit there! Come and dance with us!"

The "old man" thing was obviously a joke.

Before Wang Yan and Kavi could speak, several enthusiastic team members surrounded them and pulled them by the arms toward the campfire.

Neither of them were coy or shy, so they laughed and joined in.

At first, the movements were a bit clumsy, but with the encouraging shouts from those around them, they gradually relaxed and followed the rhythm by stepping and waving their hands.

The firelight reflected on their faces, and the fatigue from many days of investigation seemed to be dispelled by the cheers, leaving only pure joy.

On the other side, Valusanne and Elhesen sat on the other side of the campfire, with desert mead that everyone had specially prepared in front of them.

Falushan held her ceramic cup, sipping her drink slowly, her eyes smiling as she watched Wang Yan dance gracefully: "Young people are so full of energy..."

Al-Hysen sat to one side, holding a cup in one hand and casually resting the other on his knee, pouring himself a drink.

Many people think that Al Heysen doesn't like excitement, but that's not true. He can understand that kind of joy; he just doesn't like noise.

Lively and noisy, that's not what you'd expect in Elhesen.

As night deepened, the singing and dancing continued unabated.

The campfire crackled, and sparks rose with the wind, merging into the Milky Way.

...

The next day, noon.

Wang Yan woke up groggily from under the covers.

His memory was still stuck on the banquet of the previous night.

"Am I drunk?" That was Wang Yan's first thought, but he quickly shook his head, denying the idea.

Whether before or after his time travel, Wang Yan was always well aware of his alcohol tolerance.

He didn't drink much yesterday either.

Thinking back to the banquet last night, Wang Yan felt even more that it was not the wine that made people drunk, but the atmosphere of the banquet that made people drunk. The joy was more intoxicating than alcohol.

Just as I was about to get up, I suddenly felt a warm current flowing through me.

Wang Yan's expression changed: "I'm not going to wet the bed, am I?"

I quickly checked and found that the bedding was still dry, and I immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"This warm current is..."

After calming down and taking a closer look, Wang Yan suddenly noticed something different.

He seemed to be able to clearly feel a different kind of power or energy flowing within his body.

"The power of blessing?"

Wang Yan's eyes flashed, and he had some guesses in his heart.

This warm current and the blessing of the angels were somewhat similar when they first entered his body.

However, when I used this power yesterday, I still need to carefully recall and feel it in order to grasp it.

Now, this power is very evident; it seems that he can use it at will with just a thought.

"His power...has increased?"

Wang Yan made a guess in his heart and quickly made some connections.

The power of Flora—feasts, moonlit nights, and dreams.

Didn't he just experience a complete feast last night?

"So, can the realms related to experience and power enhance blessings? Role-playing? Or practical methods?"

Just as I was pondering this, shouts came from outside the tent.

"Wang Yan, are you awake?" It was Kavi's voice. "It's lunchtime. After you finish eating, you should go to the ruins to finish up."

Wang Yan quickly replied, "I'm getting up, I'll be right back in a moment."

He lifted the blanket, got up, and stepped out of the tent. The sun was blazing overhead, but Wang Yan didn't feel particularly hot. It seemed that the high temperature of the desert was no longer enough to make him feel uncomfortable.

Is this also the power of blessing?

Wang Yan hesitated for a moment, but didn't delve into it. He looked at Kavi and said, "Get me some food. I'll brush my teeth and wash my face, then I'll be right there."

As he spoke, he took the things and headed towards the pool.

“Okay, hurry up.” Kavi nodded and walked towards the kitchen.

Five minutes later, in the kitchen.

When Wang Yan arrived, the others had already started eating.

Without being polite, he took the bowl and chopsticks handed to him by Kavi and sat down.

"Gentlemen, how do we get back after the inspection?" Wang Yan asked while eating.

“Dolly’s airship. She’ll be back here after she goes deep into the desert to make a trade. We’ll take the airship back,” Elhesen said.

"Hey, she's still in the desert?"

"She brought a boatload of goods, which Aru Village couldn't handle; they needed to be delivered to various tribes in the desert."

“…She meant well,” Wang Yan remarked with a sigh.

Al-Hysen said expressionlessly, "Or do you think that's why she wasn't dealt with?"

As a former agent of wisdom, Al-Hysen knew many secrets.

Immediately after Hazard's downfall, a group of merchants fled from Sumeru. Some went to Mapleland, while others went to the more distant Nordkal.

However, Dolly, the most notorious 'shady merchant' in Sumeru, did not run away.

That incident naturally caused her considerable losses, with many of her original supply channels being destroyed. However, after the incident, Dolly's business began to improve and became more aboveboard.

She was able to weather the storm partly because she wasn't deeply aligned with Hazard's faction, and partly because Dolly was genuinely doing good deeds.

The words "profiteer" and "doing good deeds" seem contradictory when put together, but that's just how Dolly is.

"Alright, hurry up and finish eating. We still need to finish up the ruins." Erosan spoke up, giving Wang Yan a look. "Since you gave up on the discovery below, then you need to make up for it from the one above."

“From the ‘Flora Temple Relief’ to the ‘Flora Symbolism System,’ take this as your topic and write a paper on it before you return to the Council of the Church.”

"Yes, mentor!" Wang Yan snapped out of his daze, then looked at his two friends beside him with a fawning expression: "Gentlemen, please!"

Elhesen remained silent, while Kavi smiled and put his arm around Wang Yan's shoulder: "No problem, no problem at all, it's just..."

"When we get back, I'll treat you to the Lambad Tavern."

"Haha, then there's no problem. Give me the building materials and I guarantee those old guys won't be able to find a single fault with them."

"Ouch, senior, don't hit me, I wasn't talking about you."

Lunch ended with Kavi's escape.

Chapter 100, Return to Sumeru

Two days later.

A huge spaceship slowly flew from the depths of the desert, approaching the nearly completed camp.

Wang Yan and the others had already packed their things. Compared to when they arrived, they now had a large pile of manuscripts, some monster materials, and some desert specialties given to them by the people of Aru Village.

"Let's go, go back."

Erosan greeted Wang Yan, who was still saying goodbye to Dixia and the others.

Dixia and the rest of the Radiant Hunters will have to stay here until the camp is fully completed and guards from Aru Village arrive before they can leave.

"Then we'll be going now. See you at Sumeru City."

Wang Yan waved to Dixia and the others, then followed in Erosan's footsteps.

Dixia stood at the camp gate and waved back: "Take care, see you later."

...

He jogged along to catch up with Eros and the other two, and boarded the airship that had already landed.

Dolly was already waiting, and when she saw the four of them come up, she immediately smiled and said, "Gentlemen, it's been a long time."