Teyvat, Mondstadt.
Sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Crystalflies ascended slowly, flying towards the endless distance.
A gentle breeze blew, rustling the windwheel asters in the grass.
The wind of freedom scattered dandelion seeds to every corner of Mondstadt.
Amidst the wind, the occasional song of a Bard drifted from afar.
These were the sights of Mondstadt that Makoto and his companions had witnessed over the past few days.
Originally, the group wouldn't have reached Mondstadt so quickly, but thanks to Venti's companionship, Venti used his Anemo element powers to lead everyone in flight, shortening their travel time.
Most importantly, flying hundreds of kilometers only cost them one bottle of dandelion wine.
"Venti, is this Springvale?"
Passing by a small town, Makoto called out to Venti.
Makoto noticed that the residents of this town carried hunting bows on their backs, clearly making a living by hunting.
He remembered that only Springvale seemed to have a large number of hunters.
"I didn't realize, Mr. Faxun, that you knew quite a bit about Mondstadt."
"You're right, this is Springvale."
Venti nodded, acknowledging Makoto's words.
"Since this is Springvale, there should be an Earth Shrine nearby, right?"
When Makoto was still a beginner, he stumbled upon Springvale's Earth Shrine while doing Xiangling's quest, so he had a strong impression of the Earth Shrine here.
Makoto's thought was simple: since they were passing through Springvale, they might as well open the Earth Shrine.
He shook the key in his hand towards Venti: "I have a key here, it might be able to open the Earth Shrine."
Upon hearing Makoto's words, Venti became very excited: "Opening the Earth Shrine means finding good things, doesn't it?"
"Then let's go find the treasure quickly! Maybe there's some fine wine stored inside for many years!"
As he spoke, Venti's tone shifted: "But… where is Springvale's Earth Shrine?"
Seeing Venti's confused expression, Makoto was stunned: "Aren't you the guide? Why are you asking me where the Earth Shrine is?"
Venti scratched his head and said sheepishly: "Ehe, I just forgot for a moment."
"After all, Mondstadt's terrain is so complex, even the best guide can get lost."
Venti paused, then said earnestly: "If I could have a bottle of dandelion wine right now, it might help me remember~"
Makoto would never believe that Venti had forgotten Mondstadt's terrain.
After all, this guy was still the Anemo Archon.
He clearly just wanted free wine, that old trickster.
May the Anemo Archon trick you.
There was no doubt about that statement.
"Too small, the scope is too small." Makoto shook his head.
He began to trick Venti in reverse.
"If you find the Earth Shrine, will you still worry about not having wine?"
"Maybe that Earth Shrine contains aged wine, a kind of wine that countless bottles of dandelion wine couldn't buy, right?"
Makoto knew what Venti wanted, so his words struck a chord with Venti.
"Mr. Faxun, I remember!"
Just as Makoto thought Venti was about to lead the way, Venti answered earnestly: "I remember a Little One who is even more familiar with Mondstadt's terrain than I am."
"If I'm not mistaken, she also came to Springvale today."
"Let her take us to find the Earth Shrine~"
As his words fell, Venti called out towards the town: "Amber, are you here?"
As the words fell, Makoto saw a petite figure quickly run from the corner of the town.
What was particularly noticeable was the red bow on the girl's head and a pair of windproof goggles.
Just looking from a distance, one could tell that the girl possessed endless enthusiasm and vitality.
"Need help? Need help? I'm coming~"
Amber ran to Venti, appearing as if they had known each other for a long time.
Actually, this was not surprising at all.
Although Venti didn't do anything serious all day, he could call out everyone's name in Mondstadt City, so it was reasonable for him to know Amber.
As for why Amber would appear in Springvale,
The reason might be that Springvale often held hunting competitions, and Amber, who loved hunting and excitement, naturally participated.
"Amber, we're looking for the Earth Shrine near Springvale, can you help?"
Venti squatted down and said to Amber.
Amber had been running around Mondstadt since she was a child, so she couldn't be more familiar with Mondstadt's terrain.
To some extent, little Amber was even more reliable than Venti.
"Grandpa said that to be a member of the Knights of Favonius, you have to be willing to help others, so I'm very happy to help~"
The innocent and kind Amber agreed to Venti's request without even thinking.
She paused, tilting her head and saying: "But… what is an Earth Shrine?"
Little Amber was, after all, young, and had never heard of the term Earth Shrine.
"An Earth Shrine is a small room in the wilderness that requires a key to open."
Venti simply explained to Amber.
Seeing that Amber still didn't understand, Venti continued: "It's the building your grandpa often guards when he's out on missions."
After Venti's explanation, Amber suddenly understood: "Oh, oh, that 'big can'!"
Amber thought the Earth Shrine resembled a can, so she called it that.
"Sort of. Can you take us to find the nearby 'big can'?"
Amber nodded repeatedly: "No problem, of course!"
"Grandpa and them are doing a mission over there, I'll take you!"
As she spoke, Amber looked up at Makoto,
"Big brother, you're from Liyue, aren't you?"
"Hehe, I can speak Liyuean too, because my grandpa is from Liyue."
Amber's grandfather was once a mercenary leader in Liyue.
While escorting goods from Liyue to Mondstadt, he was severely wounded in a beast attack.
He was then rescued by a doctor from the Knights of Favonius, and from then on, he stayed in Mondstadt, becoming a member of the Knights of Favonius.
Under this premise, Amber mastered both Liyuean and Mondstadtian languages.
Although Amber had just met Makoto,
In front of the enthusiastic little Amber, there was no such thing as being strangers.
She immediately took Makoto's hand, wanting to lead him to the Earth Shrine.
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