Jiang Yan descended slowly, the Primal Rock Jade beneath his feet breaking away from him in a swirl of vibrant light, circling him playfully—like a child seeking the affection of an elder.
With a light tap of his finger against the blade, the Primal Rock Jade instantly quieted, obediently floating back into place behind him.
The scene lit up the eyes of the Millelith soldiers in the back.
Now they finally understood why this trip was called a "visit to an immortal."
If this wasn't an immortal… what was?
Even among the immortals present, few could match this bearing.
The Millelith straightened their backs, determined to leave this immortal with a fine impression of their discipline.
Up close, Jiang Yan didn't appear outwardly unusual—yet his presence was impossibly transcendent. At a glance, anyone would say he was no man of the mortal realm.
His expression was warm, his lips carrying the faintest smile. The violet-gold cloud-mark between his brows lent him an air of noble grace. And those eyes—like sinking into a sea of stars—were dazzling beyond measure.
Ganyu felt her cheeks heating again.
Ningguang and Keqing also found themselves momentarily lost.
Zhongli cast a glance at the docile Primal Rock Jade floating behind Jiang Yan and smiled.
"It seems you've taken to that sword quite well."
"Naturally," Jiang Yan replied with an easy smile.
"I should thank you for parting with it."
"It's no matter," Zhongli answered with a chuckle. "In your hands, the sword can realize its full worth."
At that, the Primal Rock Jade darted forward, hovering in front of Zhongli and flipping through the air as if expressing gratitude.
A sword… showing emotion?
Zhongli blinked, surprised.
Jiang Yan explained with a light laugh,
"I reforged the Primal Rock Jade last night. Its strength hasn't increased much, but I did awaken its spirit. At present, it can be considered a low-grade spiritual weapon."
Zhongli nodded thoughtfully.
A "low-grade spiritual weapon"... so that was what cultivators called their armaments.
He wondered how they compared to the artifacts he knew.
He could still recall Jiang Yan mentioning artifacts yesterday. But for now, he didn't ask further.
Feeling the sword's energy again, Zhongli's thoughts turned wry.
Hasn't increased much?
This blade could already cleave his Vortex Vanquisher with ease!
If this was just "a simple reforging," perhaps… Jiang Yan could "simply" reforge his spear too?
The thought amused him, but he kept it to himself.
Jiang Yan looked around at the group, then made a Daoist salute.
"Fellow travelers, I am Jiang Yan, head of the Mount Shu Sect. Simply call me Jiang Yan. This isn't the best place to talk—if you don't mind the intrusion, allow me to give you a lift."
"Would it be convenient, The gentleman?" Ganyu asked quickly. "There are quite a lot of us."
"No trouble," Jiang Yan replied with a shake of his head. "As long as Cloud Retainer has no objection to her abode being disturbed."
Cloud Retainer shrugged, unconcerned.
With her consent, Jiang Yan wasted no time. He pressed his fingers together into the shape of a sword and murmured,
"Come, swords."
In an instant, countless lost and abandoned blades scattered across Jueyun Karst tore through the air, each hovering at the feet of the visitors.
The Primal Rock Jade drifted back under Jiang Yan's feet.
"No need to be alarmed," Jiang Yan said with a smile. "Step onto the flying swords. You won't fall."
Zhongli, intrigued, didn't hesitate. He stepped onto a sword without pause.
He could already fly by his own means, of course—but swordflight was a novel experience.
The moment he set foot upon it, he felt as though the sword and he were one, with no risk of slipping. An invisible barrier blocked the force of the wind around him.
Seeing Zhongli go first, the others followed suit.
The Millelith soldiers, in particular, could hardly contain their excitement—this was flying on swords! Who knew if they'd ever get another chance?
Imagine the envy when they told the story later.
Of course, the swords carried them only under Jiang Yan's control—they could not steer freely.
Keqing, however, found the experience fascinating. Jiang Yan had once told her she had the "body of a sword." If she began cultivating herself… perhaps she could easily master swordflight.
"Let's go, then," Jiang Yan said once everyone was steady. With a decisive gesture, he commanded the blades skyward.
For Ningguang and the others, this was their first time traversing the heights of Jueyun Karst in such a way. The scenery was breathtaking; even the self-parting seas of cloud along their path were worth bragging about for a lifetime.
It was almost a pity they couldn't steer at will—otherwise, they might have lingered to explore.
The flight was swift. In the blink of an eye, they reached the mountain's peak.
The Primal Rock Jade slipped back behind Jiang Yan as they dismounted. The other swords peeled away and returned to where they had lain below.
Seeing the stunned looks on their faces, Jiang Yan chuckled.
"My first time flying by sword was the same. The view stays with you.
"The Mount Shu Sect is famed for its swords; even though we can fly without them, we often choose swordflight. In time, we developed special blades inscribed with arrays to increase speed.
"These, however, are just ordinary discarded swords. To have borne you aloft—well, at least they've found some use."
The others collected themselves. Keqing still thought it wondrous, but if she could one day cultivate, swordflight might become her own skill. She was confident in her "sword body."
"To ride a sword through the void—truly spirited, with the bearing of a real immortal," Cloud Retainer said in admiration, then sighed. "It seems we, who call ourselves immortals, look rather plain when we simply fly in our true forms."
Jiang Yan shook his head slightly.
"No need for self-reproach, Cloud Retainer. In Teyvat, you are immortals."
Cloud Retainer only smiled bitterly in response.
Keqing ordered the Millelith to spread out. Even in Jueyun Karst, where danger was unlikely, proper form was proper form.
Jiang Yan glanced at the old stone table nearby—clearly too small for so many guests. With a flick of his finger, the table began to grow as though it were a living plant.
In moments, it was large enough for everyone, complete with matching stone chairs.
Even after all they'd seen today, the sight of stone "growing" still drew gasps. But Jiang Yan's casual manner made it clear this was nothing special, and so they refrained from asking.
Cloud Retainer, seated, looked around and asked curiously,
"The gentleman, didn't you say you'd finished building the Shushan Cave Heaven? Where is it stored?"
Jiang Yan blinked, then remembered.
"Ah—my apologies. In my eagerness to rebuild Mount Shu yesterday, I set the entrance near your residence, Cloud Retainer. If it's inconvenient, I can move it—transferring the entrance is simple enough.
"If so, Lady Ningguang, I might ask your help to find a suitable location."
Ningguang's heart leapt.
A "suitable location"… Considering the miraculous effects of Jiang Yan's morning recitations, she would love nothing more than to have the entrance in Liyue Harbor itself.
But before she could speak, Cloud Retainer said,
"I don't mind. Having it nearby is convenient for me as well. I could hear your morning lessons every day.
"Besides, Jueyun Karst is secluded; few would disturb you. I imagine such tranquility suits a cultivator."
Ningguang felt a pang of disappointment.
Her little scheme had just fallen through.
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