Earlier, even Zhongli's heavenly spiritual root hadn't made Jiang Yan rush to take a disciple. Yet now, Shenhe's special constitution had him visibly impatient.
Zhongli and the others finally understood just how powerful a special constitution could be.
Still, when it came to the matter of formally taking a master… this clearly wasn't the right time.
Zhongli shot a subtle glance at Cloud Retainer, who gave a slight nod and said softly,
"Jiang Yan, we still know next to nothing about cultivation. Why not let us think it over first?"
Jiang Yan realized he was being a bit too hasty. He nodded at once.
"Fair enough. I was too abrupt. This is an entirely new cultivation system—you'd naturally want time to consider.
"And besides, Mount Shu has yet to be rebuilt. But once you've decided, Shenhe can join at any time. The same goes for all of you—your talents are exceptional. Not cultivating would be a real waste."
Truth be told, spiritual roots were precious, but they only marked someone as an average genius. The truly top-tier prodigies? Every single one of them had a unique constitution.
These days, if a cultivator didn't have some kind of special physique, they were almost embarrassed to call themselves a genius.
Shenhe's Innate Yin Body had genuinely startled Jiang Yan.
He couldn't help marveling again at Teyvat's absurdity. Other places produced many prodigies—enough to be called a cradle of talent. But Teyvat? It was like a mass-production assembly line for geniuses.
From what he'd seen so far, Zhongli and the rest were each outstanding cultivation prospects in their own right.
Not cultivating? That just didn't make sense.
Jiang Yan wasn't worried they'd refuse. The ability to erase erosion and even revive the dead was reason enough for them to commit. All they needed now was some time to think things through.
That suited him just fine. It would give him time to rebuild Mount Shu. As for how… while he didn't have a vast repertoire of cultivation techniques right now, he was still a Return-to-Void stage cultivator.
He couldn't create a private small world, but raising a large cave-heaven and shaping some mountains? That would be child's play.
They'd already learned plenty for one day. If they talked any longer, Zhongli feared some might not be able to digest it all.
So he rose and said,
"Today has truly been an eye-opener. Cultivation is mysterious and alluring indeed. But let's end here for now—you've just survived a tribulation and need rest.
"As for the reopening of Mount Shu's gates, I've already agreed. You may choose any location in Liyue you wish.
"Still, this is no small matter. I must inform the Qixing. We'll take our leave now, but rest assured—by tomorrow at the latest, you'll have our answer.
"This is to our benefit, and we'll certainly give our full support."
Jiang Yan smiled and nodded.
"No rush. If there's one thing cultivators have in abundance, it's time. You've all had a long day—take some rest. Unless something unexpected happens, I'll be staying here in Jueyun Karst for a while.
"I hope I won't be intruding, Cloud Retainer."
Cloud Retainer smiled lightly.
"Jueyun Karst has always been deserted—it's vast enough. You've been living in my abode for quite some time now. Staying on is no problem."
As the group prepared to depart, Jiang Yan thought for a moment, then reached out toward Xiao.
A golden light flared at his fingertips as he murmured,
"Heaven and Earth as my witness, myriad energies as my root; through endless kalpas I cultivate, to prove my divine power."
The golden light flowed like a stream into Xiao's body, scattering into countless motes that fell upon Zhongli and the others as well.
Xiao froze for a moment but didn't resist. From what he'd seen, if Jiang Yan truly meant them harm, they wouldn't be able to stop him anyway. And besides, their conversation had been cordial—there was no reason for Jiang Yan to act against them.
Moments later, Xiao felt a weight he hadn't even realized was there suddenly lift. His eyes widened in surprise and he looked at Jiang Yan.
The latter gave a warm nod.
"I've just regained my strength, but all my treasures were destroyed in the turbulent void. The Mount Shu secret vault is sealed for now, so I can't offer you a proper gift.
"But I noticed the Conqueror of Demons carries an external heart-demon. The Golden Light Mantra is a supreme method for subduing such demons. I used it just now to purge Xiao's heart-demon, and incidentally, to ease the erosion of your Dao hearts as well.
"You should all feel somewhat lighter now."
Zhongli's face lit up with joy. He grabbed Xiao's arm, reaching out with his senses.
The gnawing curse that had clung to Xiao seemed utterly gone. And when Zhongli probed his own state, he found the erosion greatly diminished—long-forgotten memories stirred once more.
He turned solemnly toward Jiang Yan.
"Thank you! It may have been effortless for you, but to us, it's a tremendous favor."
"No need to call it a favor. I'm just glad I could help."
Jiang Yan smiled faintly.
"If you really wish to thank me, then once Mount Shu reopens its gates, join us. Your talents are exactly what Mount Shu needs right now."
Zhongli chuckled warmly.
"Rest assured—we'll give it serious thought. Faced with cultivation like this, it would be hard to refuse."
Jiang Yan inclined his head slightly.
"Safe travels."
Zhongli returned the nod. He and the others—Ganyu, Shenhe, and the rest—turned into streaks of golden light and vanished.
Left alone, Jiang Yan sat on the mountaintop, savoring his tea.
After a long while, he sighed quietly.
The groundwork for Mount Shu's return was nearly laid. All that remained was the formal founding.
"The road is long and winding…"
A lone, withered leaf drifted down onto his shoulder. Jiang Yan glanced at it—and suddenly laughed aloud.
"Following the current to its source, eh…?"
Outside Liyue Harbor
With the power of the Geo Archon and the ley lines, Zhongli brought the group to the heights of Mt. Tianheng.
He casually summoned a stone table and gestured for everyone to sit.
Rubbing his brow, he said,
"Speak freely, everyone. What are your thoughts?"
But Xiao and the rest merely exchanged glances in silence.
Zhongli understood their hesitation—they were worried Jiang Yan could overhear them even from afar. Given his power, it wasn't impossible.
They were about to discuss Jiang Yan himself—naturally, they were uneasy.
Seeing this, Zhongli said quietly,
"Don't worry. I don't believe Jiang Yan to be the sort to eavesdrop, nor is it in his character."
"Since no one else will speak, I'll start. How much of what Jiang Yan told us do you think is true?"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Ganyu parted her lips to speak.
Zhongli sighed inwardly. Ganyu was judging Jiang Yan entirely by her own personal feelings now.
A qilin lost in matters of the heart was rarely able to think with complete clarity.
At present, Ganyu couldn't fully weigh matters from Liyue's perspective.
It wasn't paranoia on Zhongli's part—he simply knew that, as Liyue's de facto ruler, every word and decision he made could have enormous consequences.
He carried the fate of Liyue's people on his back; there was no room for even the slightest error.
Allowing Jiang Yan to establish Mount Shu in Liyue was, in part, a way to keep him within sight.
Someone you could see was very different from someone hidden and unreachable.
So before Ganyu could speak, Zhongli raised a hand.
"Ganyu, there's no need for you to trouble yourself with this. Just keep your usual records."
Ganyu pressed her lips together. She guessed he had already seen through her thoughts and felt a twinge of guilt, but she didn't disobey.
"Cloud Retainer, you've had the most contact with Jiang Yan. What do you think?"
Zhongli turned to her, eyes serious beneath the shadow of his hood.
Cloud Retainer understood well that the decision they were about to make would affect all of Liyue—and possibly all of Teyvat. She dared not take it lightly.
She pinched her chin thoughtfully, recalling her hundred days of interaction with Jiang Yan.
At last she lifted her head and said softly:
"Eighty percent."
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