Everyone stopped after reaching a corner.
"Alhaitham: Let's continue our discussion here. If you want information about the Akademiya's lost Canned Knowledge, you'll have to do something for me."
"Lumine: What is it?"
"Alhaitham: I need you to find someone named Dori. This traveling merchant, unlike those peddlers with only trash Canned Knowledge, often gets truly good stuff. Some even say there's nothing she wouldn't sell if there's a profit to be made."
"Because many of her goods don't comply with the Akademiya's regulations, she's always been wary of Akademiya personnel. I might be on her trade blacklist because even though I've met with her informants, they deliberately fobbed me off."
"Paimon: So, you want us to gain her trust, right?"
"Alhaitham: Exactly. This is the condition for our further cooperation."
"Qixuan: All right, I hope the Grand Sage Alhaitham can keep his promise."
"Alhaitham: ......"
"Paimon: So, what should we do?"
"Alhaitham: You are foreigners who have just arrived in Sumeru, so you should be safe clients for Dori. I will give you the informants' address and their secret code. However, I don't know if she has any other tricky requirements besides the code."
"Paimon: Suddenly feeling nervous..."
"Alhaitham: The real key is after you meet Dori. That guy has a keen nose for money and a sharp eye for goods. She only likes customers who know their stuff. I'll prepare some funds for you. When the time comes, try to buy the best quality goods from her to earn her appreciation."
"Paimon: But this is our first time encountering Canned Knowledge."
"Nahida: I can help."
"Lumine: Nahida knows about this too?"
Nahida nodded.
"Alhaitham: It seems you have a plan. However, you should also be careful recently. Some matra have also arrived at Port Ormos. If they catch you, all your efforts will be in vain."
"Paimon: matra?"
"Qixuan: Haven't you heard? They are personnel from the Akademiya's subordinate regulatory agency, also responsible for handling illegal Canned Knowledge transactions."
"Paimon: Is what we're doing now illegal?"
"Alhaitham: I said, this is a transaction. These guys have extremely keen senses, and being targeted by them can be very unpleasant. So, if you want to withdraw, now is still the time."
"Lumine: I'm not withdrawing."
"Alhaitham: Good, it's a deal. If your transaction with Dori is successful, come find me at the Vimara Village. Then, we can talk openly."
.........
Everyone found a merchant according to the note Alhaitham gave them.
"Ratash: What would you like to buy, esteemed guests?"
"Lumine: I'd like to buy some completely unsweetened Spice Fruits."
"Ratash: Heh heh, your taste is truly unique, esteemed guest. We do have completely unsweetened Spice Fruits, but we don't usually display them on the stall. I'll have a clerk take you to get them."
"Paimon: It's just as the note said. It seems at least the first step was successful."
"Ratash: Ronak, these guests want to buy unsweetened Spice Fruits. Take them directly to the warehouse."
At this moment, a young man walked over and said, "Alright, please follow me, everyone."
"Ronak: Please forgive me, everyone. Today's goods might not be as plentiful as expected, as many Spice Fruits were carried away by rats a while ago."
"Lumine: Then congratulations."
"Ronak: Haha, thank you. If I get better goods in the future, I'll definitely inform you first. You all seem to be very skilled. This time, how about I pick something that will make you dizzy when you eat it?"
"Paimon: Not just dizzy, but ringing ears would be even better."
"Ronak: Excuse me, would you like the Spice Fruits packaged in the Sumeru style or the Port Ormos style?"
"Qixuan: Port Ormos style."
"Ronak: Ho, you guests are really giving us face. I'll make sure to package them beautifully for you. Alright, the information has been confirmed. Miss Dori is waiting ahead... Oh no! It's the matra! Run!"
"Paimon: What?! Let's run with him."
After running away... no, after following him all the way, a voice came from a corner: "Hey, if you're hiding from the long-maned tiger, over here, over here!"
"Paimon: This seems to be a secret code too! The voice is behind that house."
"Qixuan: Let's go."
Everyone walked over and saw a Loli with purple hair and an Electro Vision on her hat waving at them and saying, "Over here, over here, you don't have to run anymore."
"Paimon: So it was you calling us just now! But is this place really safe? Do we really not have to run anymore?"
At this moment, Ronak walked over and said, "Miss Dori, these guests are here to buy Spice Fruits. I've brought them. I'll take my leave now."
"Dori: Oh, thank you for your hard work!"
"Nahida: It looks like she deliberately led us here just now."
"Dori: Mm-hm."
"Paimon: Wow, you're Dori! I thought you'd be a scary big boss."
"Dori: Hey, hey, you simple-minded Specter, what are you saying? Am I not a scary big boss? Be careful, I won't do business with you."
"However... your reaction just now was pretty good. Not only could you find the informant, but your alertness was also quite high. Oh dear, even if you're not desperadoes, you must have done your fair share of shady dealings, right?"
"Paimon: Was she just praising us? It sounds strange."
"Qixuan: Clearly not, Paimon. Miss Dori, the test has been passed, so..."
"Dori: Hehe, I love customers like you. This is your first time here, but it doesn't matter, I won't ask too many questions. Even if you want to use Canned Knowledge to decorate the pillars of your home, I don't mind at all."
"After all, as long as you have shiny, round Mora in your hands, we're friends."
(Zhongli: ?)
"Lumine: Can you show us the goods?"
"Dori: Oh, alright, alright. Please feel free to choose---Hoo-hoo!"
Dori took out many Canned Knowledge from the space within her Vision.
"Paimon: (Wow, she really has a lot of Canned Knowledge! Uh... with such a large quantity, it would be very bad if the matra caught her.)"
"Dori: How about it? What kind of goods do you want, customers? Although I don't care about your reasons for purchasing, I can also recommend some to you."
"Look at this one, 'Hilichurl, Sociological Ideology and Dialectical Analysis.' In all of Teyvat's history, only three people have studied it! It's super rare! Special price: 350,000 Mora!"
"Paimon: (Would anyone really want such strange knowledge?)"
"Dori: Or this one, 'Architectural Styles and Construction Methods of Various Teyvat Nations in the Early God War,' is also good. If you have it, you can become a master of ancient architecture restoration, and you'll be able to find a well-paying job in any country."
"Qixuan: (Kaveh would really like it, hahaha.)"
"Dori: This one is two million Mora, no bargaining."
"Paimon: Wow, so expensive."
"Dori: Of course, customers can also pick and choose for themselves. The specific content and price are written in small print on the bottom surface of the Canned Knowledge."
Everyone looked at Nahida. She had been observing the Canned Knowledge. Time passed by second by second. Then Nahida stood up, pointed at two of the Canned Knowledge, and said, "Boss, I want this one, and this one."
"Dori: Ah... The customer truly has good taste (What's the background of this little girl?)"
Afterward, Lumine and Paimon chose many more Canned Knowledge.
"Dori: Oh my, oh my, you guests not only have keen eyesight but also spend generously. You are truly rare friends, once in a decade... no, once in a century! Now, at my shop, if you pay another 100,000 Mora, you can choose one Canned Knowledge worth 1,000,000 Mora!"
"Paimon: What did you say?! Hey, hey, did you hear that? For just another 100,000, we can get a self-selected Canned Knowledge worth 1,000,000!"
"Qixuan: Paimon, this is clearly a trap."
"Paimon: But isn't this super cost-effective?"
"Lumine: I think you're just curious and want to try it, aren't you?"
"Paimon: Come on, come on! We just happen to have 100,000 left from the money Alhaitham gave us. Let's use this money to find something useful for Lumine! Boss, we'll pay the 100,000."
"Dori: Alright, alright. Then, please choose from this pile of Canned Knowledge."
"Paimon: Hey, wait, isn't it self-selection? Why can't we pick from over there?"
"Dori: Oh dear, customers, there's so much Canned Knowledge in this pile, each worth 1,000,000 Mora! With your abilities, you'll surely pick something you like. Take your time choosing."
"Paimon: I have a bad feeling..."
After looking, Nahida indicated that there were a few pieces of knowledge that Lumine could use.
"Paimon: Then we'll take these."
"Dori: Mm, alright, alright. I'll be getting new stock in the next two days, so you're welcome to visit again! And not just Canned Knowledge, whatever you want, my little shop will do its best to satisfy you!"
"Paimon: The transaction with Dori went smoothly! Let's go find Alhaitham at the Vimara Village next."
..........
"Alhaitham: Hmm? You're here. Judging by your expressions, the matter must have been handled."
"Paimon: Mm-hm, it was all thanks to Nahida."
"Alhaitham: Hmm, I didn't expect this little girl named Nahida to have knowledge in this area."
"Nahida: I just happened to learn a bit more."
"Paimon: But there are quite a few Akademiya people here, why did you choose this place as our meeting point?"
"Alhaitham: Vimara Village is originally an institution under the Akademiya's management and supervision, so of course there are Akademiya personnel working here. My presence in Port Ormos is ostensibly to handle official business here."
"Paimon: You're really audacious..."
"Alhaitham: Don't be so nervous. The people here aren't interested in our conversation, and the matra won't come here. Alright, tell me about your meeting with Dori."
Lumine explained her previous experiences to Alhaitham and handed him the Canned Knowledge she had bought.........
"Paimon: Alhaitham, since we've done what you asked, can you finally tell us about the Akademiya's lost Canned Knowledge?"
"Alhaitham: Before that, I want to ask, why are you pursuing that thing? Of course, it's fine if you don't answer, but as you said before, are you really looking for the Grass God?"
"Lumine: That's right, we are looking for a way to meet the Grass God."
"Paimon: But we've been in Sumeru for so long and haven't found a way."
"Nahida: (Travelers from afar?)"
Then he looked at Qixuan, who nodded at Nahida, indicating that it was not the time to reveal herself.
"Paimon: So we heard that the Akademiya lost something, and this thing might be related to a God. Since that's the case, we came to try our luck."
"Alhaitham: If you put it that way, your direction isn't entirely wrong. A while ago, the Akademiya lost a Canned Knowledge in the Desert. It is said that that one was a Divine Canned Knowledge. If you use it, you can gain the wisdom of a God."
"Nahida: (?)"
"Paimon: Wow, there's even something like that! If we find it, will it tell us how to meet the Grass God, and even about your brother?"
"Qixuan: Paimon, not everything is that simple. Even with the wisdom of a God, it's not a God. At most, it's the smartest under a God."
"Paimon: Hmm..."
"Alhaitham: There are many theories about this kind of thing. Is it really that magical? I'm very skeptical, but these things do exist, and they are in Port Ormos right now."
"Paimon: Where is it now?"
"Alhaitham: That question is our next topic."
"Lumine: Are you saying that's your goal too?"
"Alhaitham: I don't deny that I'm very curious about what the Divine Canned Knowledge is and want to investigate it thoroughly. Of course, the Eremites in Port Ormos have also set their sights on it. This thing itself is extremely valuable. Perhaps the knowledge within it can bring more power and wealth. Recently, several Eremites have been competing for ownership of this item, and there's no final winner yet."
"Lumine: So what did you do?"
"Alhaitham: With my personal financial resources and connections, it's difficult to compete with them. So I tried various methods before and finally managed to reach a preliminary agreement with a few Eremites. I won't possess this Divine Canned Knowledge, but they promised to give me a chance to study it. After all, for them, understanding this thing is not a bad thing."
"Paimon: Then... what's the situation with the Scarlet King?"
"Alhaitham: That's right, there are also some Eremites who are not easy to negotiate with, such as the people of The Eye of Ahernar. These people firmly believe that the Divine Canned Knowledge contains the power of the Scarlet King. They obtain it to make the Scarlet King reappear in the world and will never allow Akademiya personnel to defile the Scarlet King's spirit."
"Paimon: They refused to cooperate with you, which is why you kept bothering them before?"
"Alhaitham: Hmm, The Eye of Ahernar isn't particularly wealthy, but they are very determined to get its information. To raise sufficient funds, they have been using various despicable methods to accumulate wealth. The secret transaction of the Divine Canned Knowledge is expected to take place in the next few days. The Eremites will make their bids, and the item will be secretly handed over to the winner."
"Lumine: That probably won't be safe."
"Alhaitham: Hmm, even to guard against the matra, no one will openly claim to have won the Divine Canned Knowledge. Before that, the most reliable channel for information is Dori, but this path is not open to me. Now that you have joined, the situation is different."
"Paimon: So, if we get on good terms with Dori, we'll know the whereabouts of the Divine Canned Knowledge?"
"Alhaitham: Exactly. This matter has no downside for you. The day after tomorrow, go to Dori's place again and try to buy information about the whereabouts of the Divine Canned Knowledge from her. If she says she doesn't have any news yet, wait two days and go again. If I can successfully get the opportunity to study the Divine Canned Knowledge in the future, I will tell you the research results. This will be your Reward, alright?"
"Lumine: Okay."
"Alhaitham: Hmm, then we'll see each other the day after tomorrow."
..........