In Sumeru, pretend to be a scholar!

The seven statues of Daocheng Forest are not close to Huacheng City, but fortunately there is a road, so it is easy to get there.

Leave from the east side of Conghua City and walk along the road.

After walking for about an hour, Wang Yan saw a tall statue standing on a giant rock.

This statue of the Seven Gods is actually the first grass god statue that travelers see after arriving in Sumeru.

This was also the first time Wang Yan had seen the Seven Gods statue.

As a statue of the grass god, theoretically, this statue should look exactly like Naxida.

In reality, the statue does not depict the face of the deity. The deity is depicted in a meditative state, with his head bowed, wearing a hood, and his hands resting on a sphere.

The statue is seated on a growing branch, which likely represents the elemental power of grass.

At the same time, when Wang Yan approached the Seven Gods statue, he felt a peaceful atmosphere.

"The Grass God is very gentle, so the statue is also gentle."

Amir explained something, then pointed to the branches and animal tracks around the statue.

"Therefore, many plants often grow wildly around the statue, and small animals also like to stay near the statue."

"This is certainly not a bad thing, but as rangers of Daocheng Forest, we have to keep the statues clean."

"So, we have to clean the idols about every two weeks."

As he spoke, Amir took out some tools from his backpack and then casually picked up a wooden bucket from the stone below the statue.

"I'll deal with these vines first. Wang Yan, go fetch a bucket of water from over there."

Amir pointed to the stream not far away.

Wang Yan did not refuse and walked over with the wooden bucket.

The streams in the rainforest aren't exactly crystal clear, and there are many fireflies moving about on the surface of the water.

Fortunately, there were no slimes or fungus beasts. Wang Yan carried the wooden bucket, filled it with water, and headed back.

Back beneath the statue, Amir had cleared away the tangled vines from the rock pillars beneath it, but left one thick one untouched.

Seeing Wang Yan return with water, Amir smiled and said, "Let's climb up from here... There's no other way, we can't use elemental power. If Lord Tinari were here, he could have used the Four-Leaf Clover to fly up directly."

The Four-Leaf Clover is a unique elemental phenomenon in Sumeru. Those who can manipulate elements can move rapidly by using its power when they face it.

There are several four-leaf clover seals next to this statue.

Unfortunately, neither Wang Yan nor Amir can use elemental power.

The two climbed up the rock pillar one after the other and stood on the base of the Seven Gods statue.

Amir immediately began to skillfully clean up the fallen leaves, withered branches, and traces left by small animals clinging to the base of the statue and the cracks in the stone, his movements swift and devout.

Wang Yan slowly approached the grass god statue that was bowing its head in meditation.

The statue appears even taller and more solemn upon closer inspection. Although the face beneath the hood is not visible, it naturally exudes an aura of tranquility and peace.

He took a deep breath, with a hint of secret anticipation, and reached out to gently touch the cold rock surface of the statue.

One second, two seconds... nothing happened.

All I felt at my fingertips was the inherent roughness and coolness of the stone; there was no warmth as I had expected, no stirring of elements, and no trace of any knowledge or power flowing in.

The statue remained silent, as if he had merely touched an ordinary stone.

The faint flame of hope in Wang Yan's heart was extinguished with a "poof".

He chuckled self-deprecatingly and withdrew his hand.

Indeed, such extraordinary experiences as those of travelers are not something that everyone can replicate.

"What's wrong?" Amir noticed his movement and turned around. "Do you think the statue is magnificent? It's your first time seeing it up close and you're like this."

"Yes, it was spectacular." Wang Yan nodded, not mentioning his own attempt, but simply echoing Amir's words, "And it felt very... peaceful."

"That's right, the rainforest protected by the Grass God is itself a symbol of vitality and peace." Amir said while continuing to wipe the edge of the base. "For us ordinary people, being able to live and work in this peace is already a blessing from the gods. Come on, lend a hand, this corner is a bit hard to reach."

Wang Yan responded and stepped forward to help, quietly burying the faint regret in his heart.

It seems that there are no shortcuts for him on the path to transcendence.

It took Amir and Wang Yan more than an hour to clean, and they were both covered in sweat before they finally cleaned every nook and cranny around the statue.

"I suspect you brought me here just to find me a laborer."

Wang Yan complained breathlessly.

Amir remained unfazed: "No way, haha, aren't you going to join the Order of the Church? If there's an interview, mentioning that you assisted the rangers in cleaning the seven-day idols will give you extra points."

Wang Yan was taken aback: "Really?"

Amir raised an eyebrow and said with a grin, "I don't know either, but that's a common saying."

Wang Yan thought for a moment and nodded: "That makes some sense."

You've come to Mount Sumeru to study, so you must be showing goodwill.

Therefore, assisting in cleaning the statue of the Grass God is naturally a way to show goodwill and respect.

"Alright, let's go back." Amir packed up the tools and called to Wang Yan.

Wang Yan also got up and followed in his footsteps.

However, neither of them noticed that next to the statue of the Grass God, a strange little creature was peeking out and eyeing Wang Yan with curiosity in its eyes.

……

Sumeru City, Sacred Tree, Pure Goodness Palace.

Inside the Tree King Meditation Chamber, Nasita finished her day of meditation. The spherical meditation chamber slowly rotated and opened its door.

Naxi Da opened her eyes, a glint of light flashing in her emerald pupils.

"Hmm? Lan Bailijia, what brings you here?"

Nasida looked toward a corner of the Pure Land Palace, where a chubby Lanaluo was standing.

"King of Trees, King of Grasses, Lanbalika has something important to report to you."

As the top fighter in the Lannaro tribe, Lanberika, who single-handedly defeated the Relic Heavy Machine, was someone Nasida was quite concerned about.

"What happened? Or did something happen to Huan Nalan?" Naxida asked with some concern.

Lan Bailijia shook her head: "King of Trees, King of Grass, everything is fine in our homeland. It was in the wild that I met someone who looked a lot like the golden Nala, but with a different aura..."

"Hmm?" Nasita's expression turned serious, a glint of light flashing in her eyes. "Does she resemble the Traveler?"

Nasita knew perfectly well that, in Lannaro's words, the golden Nala referred to the traveler.

Lan Bailijia nodded: "The ethereal aura and the sense of alienation from the world, the dream... is strange."

"...I understand, thank you, Lanbailijia." Nasita nodded slightly in gratitude.

"Then I'll be going now. The forest still needs to be patrolled. Goodbye, King of Trees, King of Grass."

The chubby Lanaro's top fighter has left.

Naxida, on the other hand, turned her gaze to Huacheng Guo, her eyes filled with a thoughtful expression.

"Someone who looks a lot like the Traveler... Another Descendant?"