Hearing Ningguang's question, Zhongli paused in thought for a moment.
Perhaps because his tribulation had ended, his strength had greatly increased, and his mood was good, he decided to make a little joke.
"Outside of Mount Shu, I suppose you'd call me Zhongli… but on Mount Shu…"
"…I believe the title should be 'First Seat'?"
The somewhat stiff atmosphere instantly eased at his words.
Ningguang smiled with sudden understanding.
"In that case, First Seat Zhongli, may I ask why you have been hiding your identity and living in Liyue?"
Zhongli's gaze turned distant. After a brief silence, he spoke softly:
"Some time ago, in the rain, I overheard a merchant telling a dockworker, 'Your work is done. You can go rest now.'"
"I began to wonder—having led Liyue for over three thousand seven hundred years—have I truly finished my work well? And when will it be my time to rest?"
"Until last year, during the Rite of Parting, when the Yuheng Star asked me that question."
"I thought… perhaps it is time for me to rest."
Zhongli looked at Keqing with a gentle expression, which made her feel a little awkward.
"Liyue has advanced for 3,700 years. This is not the end—my departure will only mark a new beginning for Liyue."
"Especially now that you have set foot upon the path of cultivation. I have seen with my own eyes the abilities of the Tianquan Star and the Yuheng Star."
"Placing Liyue in your hands, I am confident you will make her greater still."
"With that assurance, I can finally be at peace."
"I had originally planned to fake my death during this year's Rite of Parting—already prepared the excuse of 'perishing in tribulation'…"
As he spoke, Zhongli glanced at Jiang Yan with an amused look.
"Who could have thought that today, I almost truly died in tribulation? Indeed—oaths are not to be made lightly."
Jiang Yan shook his head with a smile.
This one, Mount Shu would not be taking the blame for.
"According to my original plan, this year's Rite of Parting would mark my complete retirement from the title of Geo Archon, leaving only 'Zhongli'."
"I did not expect that you would see through it ahead of time."
"But I feel there is no need to test you further. Your abilities—I trust completely."
"In that case, let us speak openly."
Zhongli's expression grew solemn.
"Tianquan Star, Yuheng Star—starting today, I relinquish the seat of the Geo Archon. From this moment on, Liyue will rest entirely in the hands of her own people."
"Do you have the confidence to lead Liyue forward, to a height even I must look up to?"
Ningguang and Keqing immediately rose with solemn faces and replied firmly:
"We most certainly do!"
"Excellent!"
Zhongli nodded slightly, smiling.
"Then I am at ease. At this year's Rite of Parting, I will feign death and withdraw completely."
"From this day forth, Liyue belongs to Liyue."
"I can focus on my cultivation and strive to truly become the First Seat of Longshou Peak."
Ningguang and Keqing exchanged a joyful glance, countless ambitions igniting within their hearts.
They had already been confident—now, with Liyue under human leadership and under the auspices of Mount Shu's cultivation sect, they were certain they could make Liyue stronger than ever.
On the side, Liuyun and the others opened their mouths as if to speak, but in the end remained silent.
Zhongli had been tired enough. Now that he could rest and cultivate in peace, there was no need to force him to continue leading Liyue.
Besides, though the immortals had rarely shown Ningguang and the others a friendly face, they could not deny their skill and capability.
Perhaps… this was for the best.
However, Zhongli's abdication left Ganyu a little thoughtful.
She had served as secretary to the Liyue Qixing for over a thousand years.
Taking a rest… seemed perfectly reasonable.
And at that time…
Gazing at the gentleman's figure, Ganyu suddenly felt a strange impulse.
"Your Zhou Tian Circulation Method has now reached entry level. From here on, you can cultivate in peace on Mount Shu."
"To recruit so many prodigies today, and to see the First Seat of Longshou Peak return to position—Mount Shu is indeed fortunate."
"By rights, I should ring the bells thrice to announce this to the world, but with the sect still in reconstruction, let us not make a fuss."
Jiang Yan smiled at the group and said softly:
"Now that you have formally stepped onto the path of cultivation—does it meet your expectations?"
"It has far exceeded them."
Ningguang smiled happily, then added:
"Also, I have one more request for First Seat Zhongli."
Zhongli understood at once and replied softly:
"You mean martial cultivation techniques? When I have time, I will certainly see to it as my first priority."
In truth, Zhongli had already thought of many such techniques—combining his original immortal arts with his new understanding of spiritual energy's essence, he could easily create several martial cultivation methods.
But he would need to analyze the Millelith's actual strength and design techniques most suited to them.
Of course, before that…
He wanted to visit the Scripture Pavilion.
Having gone through tribulation himself, Zhongli now understood well the difference between having a cultivation technique and having none.
With a proper method, his tribulation need not have been so difficult.
A cultivator without techniques is like a child holding a pistol—able to fire, but not necessarily able to hit the target.
Still dangerous, of course.
Cultivation methods were a necessity.
Also…
He would have to remind Mountain Shaper to hurry up and learn alchemy—he was counting on him to start producing pills soon.
Still, today had brought Zhongli some pleasant surprises.
Not least that he had now entered the basics of the Mount Shu Sword-Manipulation Art. From here on, he would need to study it carefully.
Its speed surpassed even his own flying, second only to instant teleportation via divine authority and Liyue's ley lines.
But teleportation was limited to Liyue—elsewhere, the ley lines were not his to command.
In the end, sword flight was far more convenient.
"Master, was what you just demonstrated the Sword Flight mental formula?"
Keqing could not hold back the question.
Seeing Zhongli instantly comprehend the Sword Flight Technique and use it to cut through heavenly tribulation had made her more than a little envious.
She was supposed to have a sword physique—yet it seemed he had grasped it faster than she had.
"Of course—it was the Mount Shu Sword-Manipulation Art."
Jiang Yan smiled.
"No need to rush. Today, you have only just set foot on the path of cultivation. With no need to face tribulation yet, there's no urgency to learn it immediately."
"For today, you might as well explore Mount Shu's grotto-heavens, get familiar with your future places of cultivation."
"As for the Sword Flight Technique—since Mount Shu is famed for the sword, I will naturally teach it to each of you in time."
"Of course, refining, alchemy, formations, talismans, beast taming—these will all be taught as well."
"If you do not understand something, you may visit the Scripture Pavilion and select a book."
"Every Monday, you may wait outside the sect's main hall—I will teach you all together, and afterward give time for questions."
"The rest will depend on your own cultivation. If I have time, you may also consult me directly."
"Among yourselves, you are encouraged to spar and exchange insights—Mount Shu encourages such duels, so long as they stop short of injury."
The group nodded in agreement. Ningguang then asked:
"Master, will we have to remain here on Mount Shu to cultivate from now on?"
She was reluctant to leave Liyue entirely in others' hands.
"That will not be necessary."
Jiang Yan shook his head.
"Mount Shu disciples have the concept of 'tempering the heart in the mortal world'. If you wish to return to Liyue to handle affairs, that's fine."
"But the spiritual energy in Teyvat is ultimately not as rich as Mount Shu's. For cultivation, it's best to remain here."
"The disciple token I've given you is your pass to enter and leave Mount Shu."
"Holding the token, you may teleport back to Teyvat from anywhere off the mountain."
"Likewise, wherever you are in Teyvat, you may use the token to return directly to Mount Shu's main gate."
"You now know how to return—I won't say more. Treat it as a treasure that can also be used to escape danger at any time."
"But remember—wherever you teleport to Mount Shu from, returning will place you back in the exact spot you left. Keep that in mind."
Hearing this, everyone valued the token even more.
After a short pause, Ganyu recalled another important issue.
"Master, Mount Shu is so vast—if we haven't learned the Sword Flight Technique yet, how will we travel?"
After all, just walking from Tongtian Peak to another could take an entire day—longer without the rainbow bridges.
"That is not a problem."
Jiang Yan had clearly anticipated the question. With a wave of his hand, a number of plain, standard-issue flying swords came soaring from the horizon.
"These are the simplest flying swords issued to disciples—not even proper magic tools."
"But with your true essence to fuel them, they can still fly a thousand li a day."
"Roughly speaking, you could make a round trip from Liyue to Mondstadt in a day."
"But note—within Mount Shu, flying swords are empowered by the great formation covering the world, with endless spiritual energy supplied."
"Outside, you will have to fuel them with your own true essence. In the early stages of Essence Refinement into Qi, you might only manage a trip from Liyue Harbor to Mondstadt City."
"To keep flying, you'd best carry some Spirit Gathering Pills or spirit stones to replenish your true essence."
At the mention of pills and spirit stones, everyone subconsciously glanced at Mountain Shaper.
Mountain Shaper swore—never in his life had so many people looked at him with such eager eyes.
Was he really about to become an unfeeling pill-refining machine?
Still, they knew spiritual herbs had yet to be produced, so asking him to make pills now would be difficult.
Instead, their thoughts turned to their own spirit stones.
Taking them out again for inspection, they felt a soul-deep craving.
Compared to before they had begun cultivating, the desire for spirit stones was now far stronger.
Fortunately, Ningguang and the others restrained the urge to absorb them on the spot.
Turning the stones over in their hands, they became ever more aware of their marvels.
Ningguang thought that if a single lower-grade spirit stone were used to replace the core of the Jade Chamber's power system, it could last at least a year.
If they used a higher-grade stone…
Wouldn't the Jade Chamber soar straight to Celestia?
The desire for spirit stones surged once more in Ningguang's heart.
She swore to herself—she would become the wealthiest spirit stone magnate in all Teyvat's cultivation world!
Only…
Relying solely on exchanging raw crystals or completing small tasks would never yield enough.
She began calculating how to acquire more.
Suddenly, inspiration struck—she recalled something the gentleman had mentioned before.
"Master, I just realized—the sect contribution point system has yet to be established."
Jiang Yan paused, then nodded slightly, clearly knowing what Ningguang had in mind.
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