Just as Himeko finished speaking, the observation car's doors opened, and Ye Yun entered with Hook, Clara, and Rios.
"Well, what a coincidence! I just got back and business already came knocking."
Paimon was pleasantly surprised to see Ye Yun appear.
"Ye Yun! You're back!"
Ye Yun nodded and introduced the group.
"These two little ones are Hook and Clara, and the one behind me is Rios—my spirit."
As he spoke, Ye Yun gently patted Hook and Clara on their little heads.
"These are your big sister Himeko and Uncle Welt. The other two are Paimon and your big sister Lumine. Go ahead and greet them."
The two kids obediently greeted everyone.
Welt couldn't help twitching slightly at being called "Uncle."
Why was Himeko "Big Dister," but he got called "Uncle"? Was he really that old?
Paimon was also a little upset.
"Why is Lumine 'Big Sister,' but I only get called by name?!"
Ye Yun didn't answer her. Instead, he casually picked up Paimon and placed her next to Hook.
Everyone looked—Goodness! Paimon was even shorter than Hook!
Paimon instantly fell silent, staring blankly.
With a defeated look, she floated back to Lumine's side.
Why! Why am I this short?! This can't go on!
Seeing her like this, Lumine pulled out a bag of spicy sticks and tossed them into Paimon's arms.
The moment Paimon saw the snack, her expression brightened up instantly. She tore the packaging open with a big smile and started munching.
Everyone chuckled at the scene. Ah, Paimon. Truly a foodie to the core. When it comes to dealing with her, food is the ultimate cheat code.
Ye Yun left Hook and Clara in Himeko's care and walked over to Lumine.
"You still want that Unsealing Pill from last time?"
Lumine shook her head.
"Not for now. I want to buy a vehicle—preferably one that I can also rest in."
Ye Yun thought for a moment.
"How about an off-road vehicle?"
Lumine considered it. Off-road vehicles had plenty of space and were suitable for rough terrain.
But… they weren't exactly the best for comfortable living.
"I'd like to keep looking. Off-road is nice, but it's still missing something."
Ye Yun nodded and turned to the others.
"Alright then, let's go to my place and sit down. Drinks are on me."
Paimon, hearing the word "treat," perked up immediately. Still munching on her spicy sticks, she flew over and stared at Ye Yun eagerly.
Soon, everyone arrived at the train car where Ye Yun's shop was located.
Ye Yun led Lumine to the small bar.
"Take your time browsing—I'll get us some drinks."
With that, Ye Yun walked into the bar area to prepare refreshments for everyone.
He made orange juice for the kids, Paimon, and Lumine.
For Himeko, he prepared a cappuccino. For himself and Welt, he brewed some Longjing tea.
He first called Paimon over to take the orange juices for her and Lumine.
Then he carried the rest of the drinks to the booth area.
When he arrived—
Hook and Clara were staring at Himeko in awe.
Ye Yun leaned in to listen—Himeko was explaining the Astral Express and the Nameless to them.
The two little ones were absolutely fascinated by the idea of the Nameless.
"Hook, Clara, have some juice. Brother Ye Yun's busy right now, so be good and listen to your sister Himeko, alright?" Ye Yun placed the two glasses of juice in front of them.
The kids nodded obediently.
Then Ye Yun turned to Himeko.
"Himeko, I'll leave these two in your care for now. I need to help Lumine with her purchase."
Himeko smiled.
"No problem. Hook and Clara are very well-behaved."
Ye Yun nodded, reassured, and returned to help Lumine with shopping.
Taking a sip of his tea, Ye Yun sat on the high stool beside Lumine.
"Well? Anything catch your eye?"
Lumine sighed and shook her head, spreading her hands.
"Nope~"
Ye Yun thought again.
"How about a camper van? Look at this off-road model—it has a kitchen, a bathroom, and a bedroom. There's even a small storage area. Both sides can expand to create a table and an awning. It runs on solar power too. The price is only 2,000 Star Coins."
Lumine looked it over. It really was a good fit.
But… she couldn't afford it. She had already exchanged all her resources into Star Coins—only 1,420 in total.
After returning yesterday, she had been hunting treasure chests non-stop. Thankfully, she bought the Unsealing Pill and restored her strength—otherwise, she wouldn't have earned this much Primogems.
"I think I'll keep looking…"
Ye Yun noticed the brief flash of embarrassment in Lumine's expression.
"Short on funds? I can let you buy it on credit—no interest."
Ye Yun had full confidence in Lumine's ability to earn Star Coins.
After all, she had a passive skill that was basically broken: 'Never misses a treasure chest in sight.'
Lumine's face lit up with joy.
"Really? I am just a bit short!"
Ye Yun nodded.
"Of course it's real. How much are you short?"
Lumine pulled out all her Star Coins.
"Here—this is all I've got. 1,420."
Ye Yun took her coins and pulled out another 580 to cover the rest.
With a snap of his fingers, a camper van encased in a bubble appeared before them.
"So, what now? Want to head over to your world?"
Lumine was a bit surprised.
"You can go to my world too?"
Ye Yun nodded.
"Of course. Others can go too—but you have to use my portal. Yours won't work."
Himeko and Welt both turned to look.
Welt closed his book.
"Ye Yun, you're saying you can take us to Lumine's world?"
Ye Yun nodded again.
"Yep. So, you two interested in going?"
Welt was tempted. He had wanted to go on this expedition but stayed back to let the newcomers gain experience.
Now that a chance to explore had come up—he didn't want to miss it.
But someone had to stay behind on the train.
Seeing the look on Welt's face, Himeko smiled.
"Welt, you go. I'll watch the train."
Welt shook his head.
"No, you go. I'll stay."
Just as Himeko was about to argue, Ye Yun interrupted.
"Alright, alright—you both go. As for the train…"
Ye Yun turned to Rios, who had been quietly watching the stars through the window.
"Rios, keep an eye on the train for me."
Rios turned around.
"No problem. Leave it to me."
Ye Yun nodded and turned back to Himeko and Welt.
"Don't worry. Rios is at the Half-Stage Emanator level. With him around, nothing's going to happen to the train."
Himeko was surprised to hear that Rios was so strong.
She'd been so focused on Hook and Clara that she had overlooked the fire stag Ye Yun called his "spirit."
And come to think of it—
Wasn't Ye Yun's strength a bit off too?
When they left yesterday, he was just a high-level Pathstrider. Now, not even a full day later, he was already at the Half-Stage Emanator level?
***
However, Himeko didn't intend to ask further questions.
After all, on this train, who doesn't have their own secrets? Isn't that right?
Himeko smiled as she looked at Rios.
"Thanks for your hard work, Rios."
Rios shook his head.
"It's nothing."
Seeing this, Ye Yun snapped his fingers, and a portal appeared.
"Alright, everyone, let's go see how Lumine is doing."
Then, everyone stepped through the portal toward the world where Lumine was.
In Teyvat, just outside Mondstadt, within a canyon near Starfell Lake and Starsnatch Cliff—
Ye Yun and the others appeared.
Hook and Clara, the two little ones, were excited as they looked at the lush and vibrant world before them.
"Wow! It's so beautiful here! Hook loves it!"
"Mm, Clara likes it too."
Welt was crouched beside a bush, carefully observing a Windwheel Aster Butterfly.
The butterfly seemed incredibly dreamy to Welt. As it fluttered about, faint green specks of starlight shimmered from its wings.
Himeko and Ye Yun walked alongside the two little ones, chatting while keeping an eye on them.
Lumine and Paimon, meanwhile, were excitedly exploring the off-road RV they had just bought.
Unable to contain her excitement, Lumine opened the door. Just inside was a booth-style sofa that could seat four.
A bit to the right was a small bathroom, about 4 square meters in size.
Further right were double bunk beds.
Each bed was a full-sized mattress, and next to them was a large one-way glass window.
The window took up a good portion of the wall, allowing sunlight to stream in, making the interior bright even without lights.
To the left of the entrance was a small kitchenette, complete with a gas stove.
Opposite the kitchenette was a 6-square-meter storage area.
Beyond that was the driver's seat at the front.
Paimon flew up to the top bunk and flopped down.
"Wow, Lumine! This bed is so comfy!"
Lumine looked at the RV that now belonged to her with a strong sense of accomplishment—it had been bought with her own Primogems.
From now on, this RV would accompany her across Teyvat, in search of her brother.
She walked to the driver's seat and honked the horn to catch everyone's attention.
Once they all looked over, Lumine rolled down the window and shouted happily,
"Everyone, hop in! We're heading out!"
Clara and Hook, holding colorful flowers, ran excitedly toward the RV.
Himeko and Ye Yun followed.
Welt, after capturing a Windwheel Aster Butterfly in a glass jar, ran after them.
Once everyone was onboard, Lumine shut the door.
"Attention passengers! The Traveler Express is about to depart—please sit tight and hold on!"
Ye Yun raised an eyebrow and asked,
"Lumine, do you even have a license?"
Lumine froze—she really didn't have one.
But hey, as long as she could drive, right?
"O-of course I do! Just… not on me right now. Sit tight, I'm starting the engine!"
Ye Yun teased her.
"Hey now, Lumine, it's not embarrassing not to have a license, is it?"
Lumine, irritated by his teasing, exploded.
"Ye Yun!!! Get over here!!!"
In an instant, the RV was filled with laughter.
After some playful chaos, Lumine started the engine and stepped on the gas, heading toward Mondstadt.
On a nearby hilltop, Barbatos, the Anemo Archon—Venti—was curiously watching the RV zoom past below.
"Interesting. That thing sure moves fast."
With that, Venti's figure turned into a breeze and floated toward the RV.
The RV journeyed on, and after more than an hour, stopped in front of a statue.
Paimon pointed toward a statue in the lake.
"That's a Statue of The Seven! There are seven nations in Teyvat, each ruled by a god.
And the statues are carved in their images.
Right now, we're in Mondstadt, the land of wind, and the god here is Barbatos, the Anemo Archon.
Let's go take a look! They say praying at the statue brings good luck~"
Everyone seemed intrigued.
Lumine walked to the lakeside, about to jump in.
Thankfully, Ye Yun stopped her just in time.
"What are you doing? You planning to swim across?"
Lumine looked at the short distance to the island in the middle of the lake.
"Yeah, why not?"
Ye Yun replied,
"No need to swim—I'll fly us over."
He then used his power to lift everyone up and fly toward the island.
Hook mimicked a bird happily, flapping her arms.
"Hook can fly! Fly! Fly!"
Soon, everyone arrived beneath the statue.
Under Paimon's guidance, Lumine successfully resonated with the wind element from the Statue of The Seven.
Ye Yun, Welt, and Himeko tried as well, but nothing happened.
It seemed this ability was unique to Lumine.
However, unlike in the original storyline, Lumine didn't get excited after gaining the power. Instead, she stared at the statue, rubbing her chin, clearly deep in thought.
Ye Yun walked over and patted her shoulder.
"What are you thinking about?"
Startled, Lumine snapped out of it.
"I was wondering if this statue could be traded for Star Coins. It's pretty unique, don't you think?"
Ye Yun was speechless. Typical Lumine—wherever she goes, nothing is left intact.
Before she could test the idea, Lumine pulled out her sword and looked ready to chip off a piece of the statue.
Watching in the shadows, Venti's eyes widened in horror.
This Traveler actually wants to dismantle my statue?!
Thankfully, Ye Yun stopped her just in time, or Venti would have been forced to show himself.
These statues are connected to that one in the heavens—they can't be damaged!
Afterward—
Lumine started up the RV again and the group set off once more. Ye Yun leaned by the window, enjoying the scenery and munching on a freshly picked Sunsettia.
On the way—
They met Amber in Whispering Woods. After a brief introduction, she joined them in the RV.
They also took down a few Hilichurls camps along the route.
Over two hours later, the group finally arrived at the bridge just outside Mondstadt.
Ye Yun couldn't figure something out.
Since Lumine already met Amber, why hadn't they run into Venti and Dvalin in Whispering Woods?
According to the original story, Lumine should have met them just before Amber—only moments apart.
After thinking hard, Ye Yun gave up.
What he didn't know was that Venti had deliberately led Dvalin away, keeping him hidden from Ye Yun.
No joke—with what Venti sensed from Ye Yun, Himeko, and Welt, none of them were ordinary.
With Dvalin's strength, Venti feared the dragon might get taken down.
To protect Dvalin, he made the preemptive move.
Tsk tsk, what a diligent little Archon I am~