"The sect's contribution system is of great importance. Traditionally, it is overseen by the Hall of Discipline, working jointly with the Alchemy Pavilion, the Weapon Refining Pavilion, the Beast Taming Pavilion, the Star-Picking Tower, and the sect treasury."
"Right now, only the Hall of Discipline has been restored. Without the Hall of Merits, there's no way to establish the system properly—so I simply hadn't given it thought."
"Does Ningguang have something in mind?"
Ningguang nodded slightly, her gaze brimming with confidence.
"Give me just one week, and on the current foundation I can create a sufficiently complete contribution point system. It can later be expanded further as each department is restored."
Hearing this, Jiang Yan was more than happy to relax.
Ningguang was one of the wealthiest merchants in all Teyvat—her designing a contribution system would certainly be better than his own "DIY" attempts.
So he nodded.
"If you have the confidence, I'll leave this matter to you. But you must not neglect your cultivation. Remember—everything is secondary to your own progress in the Dao."
"Naturally."
Ningguang's smile was bright and assured.
"I promise to design a system within one week that will satisfy the Sect Master and can be put into immediate effect. If I fail, I will accept punishment without complaint."
Seeing the anticipation in her eyes, Jiang Yan suddenly understood.
So that's it…
She's already scheming to use the contribution system to earn spirit stones.
Not that he minded.
The Hall of Merits, the sect's trading markets—these all had to be rebuilt sooner or later. Rather than giving himself a headache over it, why not let someone who excelled at such things handle it?
Contribution points were just numbers to him—they wouldn't interfere with his cultivation.
Besides, rebuilding the Hall of Merits and reorganizing the contribution system would be a major advancement in the sect's development…
Which meant the system itself would probably reward him.
A good thing all around!
He smiled.
"Rebuilding the Hall of Merits and reorganizing the contribution point system is indeed a great achievement—of great importance both to our disciples' cultivation and to Mount Shu's governance."
"In terms of contribution points, it's worth no less than… at least a hundred thousand."
Ningguang blinked, curious.
"Sect Master, what's the purchasing power of contribution points?"
"One point can be exchanged for a lower-grade spirit stone. A hundred thousand points can be traded for ten upper-grade spirit stones… or for a secret cultivation art at the Spirit-Refining and Returning to the Void level."
Ningguang's eyes lit up in delight.
Jiang Yan chuckled at her expression.
"If you can organize the sect's contribution system within a week, I'll award you a hundred thousand contribution points."
Seeing Jiang Yan look at Ningguang with such appreciation made Ganyu anxious—she began rubbing her hands together.
Not for the points—
But if she'd known this task would earn such importance and special regard, she would have volunteered herself!
System design?
She had been a secretary for over a thousand years—of course she knew how to do that!
Ningguang's smile grew even brighter. She nodded decisively.
"In one week, I will certainly reorganize Mount Shu's contribution point system. I'm willing to sign a military order for it."
Inside, she was positively gleeful.
A hundred thousand contribution points in the bag—that meant a hundred thousand lower-grade spirit stones.
Of course, she wouldn't convert all of them into stones.
Spirit stones could be earned later through more contributions, once the sect had more disciples. Her business acumen had never failed her before.
But contribution points… that was a different matter.
Points could be exchanged for stones, pills, weapons, spirit beasts, cultivation techniques…
Within Mount Shu, they were the universal currency.
She would ensure she was rich not only in stones, but in points as well.
With the most contribution points in the sect, she would have access to the very best cultivation resources.
She had built herself into Teyvat's wealthiest merchant from nothing—in Mount Shu, she could do it again.
Failure? That thought never even crossed her mind.
She had already planned how to spend her first hundred thousand points—first, trade for five hundred mid-grade spirit stones, the highest level she could currently use.
The remaining fifty thousand points… would be her seed capital for future ventures.
As she quickly calculated in her head, she was already mapping out her next business plan.
"Today's matters are mostly settled. Do you have any other questions?"
Jiang Yan glanced at the sky—it was already midday.
He didn't intend to keep chatting. He could go without food, but Ningguang and Keqing were only just entering the Essence Refinement into Qi stage. Even if they could abstain from eating, there was no need—it would only harm the body.
He was still mindful of his disciples' health.
Besides, they were likely itching to visit the Scripture Pavilion, while Keqing seemed to be toying with the Azure Frost Sword—probably hoping to take it for a flight.
This morning had been overwhelming enough; now that they had just stepped onto the cultivation path, they would need time to process it all.
So no one raised any new questions, and they prepared to take their leave.
Suddenly, Jiang Yan's expression shifted as he looked beyond the sect gates.
After a moment, he said warmly:
"I was just thinking, on the day of your initiation, with Mount Shu rebuilt, it would be fitting to offer you some worthy hospitality."
"Unfortunately, I hadn't found anything suitable—yet now, it seems our ingredients have come knocking at the door."
"Fortunate indeed—perhaps Ganyu's luck at work?"
Beside him, Ganyu's cheeks flushed faintly, and she turned her head aside.
"If you're not in a hurry, why not wait here a while longer before going to explore?"
With that, Jiang Yan rose and strode toward the great hall's main doors.
The gates boomed open—yet the Millelith guards outside were nowhere to be seen.
From not far away came the thunder of battle cries.
Ningguang frowned slightly, glancing instinctively in that direction—
But before her eyes could reach, a force welled up from her mind, projecting the scene directly into her thoughts.
She saw the Millelith drenched in sweat—dozens of them surrounding a massive figure, trying to block its path toward the sect.
She froze for a moment.
"This is…"
"This is divine sense," Jiang Yan explained with a smile.
"Divine sense is the extension of a cultivator's soul, used to perceive the world. It allows you to see far beyond your eyes' reach—more clearly, and without blind spots."
"With it, you can spot an enemy's weak points, sense the flow of spiritual energy… The most powerful divine sense can even see the movement of energy within the enemy's body."
"Divine sense can also be wielded like a blade—to sever the soul. Mount Shu has many techniques for cultivating it."
"That you could spontaneously manifest divine sense so soon after starting your cultivation suggests you have a natural talent for the incantations of Great Bamboo Peak."
Ningguang thought for a moment, then said in realization:
"It's similar to the elemental sight of the original gods, but stronger."
"You could say that."
"Explore divine sense on your own later—it shouldn't be difficult, given your experience with elemental sight. But for now—the situation there isn't good. If we don't intervene, there may be casualties."
At that, Keqing and the others tensed and quickly followed him.
What they found was dozens of Millelith gripping their spears and staring tensely at… a wild boar?
If it could still be called that.
It was nearly five meters tall at the shoulder, and over nine meters long.
Its entire coat stood up like steel needles—and everyone suspected those needles could actually be fired.
"As I thought—it already has the makings of a demon beast. A pity it never gained true sentience."
Jiang Yan shook his head.
If it had, like the white cranes, it would likely have meekly approached him already.
This one was likely transformed by the sudden revival of Tongtian Peak's spirit veins—a flood of spiritual energy pouring into it.
But it couldn't withstand the influx, and so became this savage and violent creature.
No… more accurately, it was a savage beast.
"So this is what you call a savage beast?" Zhongli asked.
Jiang Yan nodded.
"When spiritual energy surges—dense enough to form mist—wild animals will naturally evolve. Those who can withstand it will awaken intelligence and walk the path toward becoming demon or spirit beasts. Those who can't…"
"…become savage beasts—useless except for eating."
"In that case, why not make it today's lunch?"
At this, Keqing's eyes lit up. It was only a boar—but with her new sword and her first steps on the cultivation path, she needed a battle to test herself.
Jiang Yan saw her intent and nodded lightly.
"Be careful—it's only a savage beast, but with spiritual energy in its body, it's no weaker than a stronger original god."
Keqing hesitated briefly, but still charged forward with the Azure Frost Sword.
Sensing danger, the boar's fur rippled—then a volley of needle-like hairs exploded outward in a deadly rain.
"It really can fire them?" Ningguang murmured in surprise.
Zhongli instinctively raised his hand—
A golden barrier flared into a shield, blocking every last needle.
Frowning slightly, he said,
"This beast's strength is comparable to a fairly strong original god."
"But for the Yuheng Star, it's still no problem."
Indeed, with her true essence flowing, Keqing's instincts wrapped her in a layer of protection, shrugging off the steel needles as she closed the distance.
In a flash, she was before the boar—Azure Frost Sword cleaving straight down.
The boar froze, then split cleanly in two.
Even its blood was sealed in place by the lightning surging from the blade.
Keqing stood there, slightly dissatisfied.
She hadn't even used her sword techniques—just the combination of true essence and the Azure Frost Sword had ended the fight.
Like using an anti-air cannon to swat a mosquito.
Still… the sword was undeniably powerful.
The weapon hummed happily, circling her before darting forward again.
A few swift cuts, and the massive carcass was neatly divided by meat type.
Keqing stared at it strangely, then muttered,
"You even know how to process ingredients?"
Jiang Yan could only sigh.
The sword had probably once belonged to a great traveling chef.
"Sect Master, there's far too much meat here for us to finish," Ningguang said, looking at the pile that was nearly a small hill.
"It's fine—eat as much as you like. This meat contains considerable spiritual energy."
"In the cultivation world, savage beasts are prized ingredients. Even cultivators seek them out."
"First, the taste is superb."
"Second, the meat's spiritual energy can be converted directly into cultivation progress."
"For ordinary people, it strengthens the body; for martial artists, it's a tremendous boost to their training."
At this, everyone's interest was immediately piqued.
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