Zhongli raised his head and glanced at the long-lasting sword mark in the sky. Compared to the vastness of Mount Shu's cave-heaven, it was almost negligible.
If it were on Tongtian Peak, the slash probably wouldn't have cut very far at all.
But this was, after all, Mount Shu's cave-heaven, where the spatial structure was stable.
If such a strike were unleashed on Teyvat, it could easily overwhelm an ordinary immortal before they had even embarked on the path of cultivation.
In other words, Keqing now possessed at least the combat power of an average subordinate of a god.
The next step up would be the level of the Three-Eyed and Five-Manifestations Immortals.
And this wasn't even Keqing's full strength—she hadn't even called upon the Azure Frost Sword for aid.
The difference between cultivating and not cultivating immortality… truly was vast.
Zhongli sighed inwardly, yet his heart was full of joy.
"Your talent is exceptional. With swordsmanship, your path will be smooth sailing. In time, I believe the affairs of Teyvat will be something you can resolve on your own.
With Liyue in your hands, I can rest much easier."
Receiving Zhongli's recognition once again, Keqing and Ningguang exchanged a smile.
They had never doubted their ability to make Liyue flourish—and now that they were cultivating, they had even less reason to doubt themselves.
"Shall we return to Liyue now?"
Keqing asked softly, and Ningguang nodded.
"Uncle Tian and the others are still waiting for our meeting. We should go back and report the details."
"What a pity."
Keqing sighed, glancing back at her own cave residence with a trace of reluctance.
"The spiritual energy here in Mount Shu's cave-heaven is so rich. If I could train here constantly, my strength would surely advance by leaps and bounds.
But never mind—we'll handle official business first, then I'll focus on cultivation. Tonight, I'm going to attempt to learn the Mount Shu Sword-Manipulation Art."
Seeing Keqing's enthusiasm, Ningguang chuckled and nodded.
"Once the meeting's over, we'll come back together.
For now, let's inform the Sect Master. Oh, where's Ganyu?"
Keqing thought for a moment and pointed to a cave residence closest to the mountaintop.
"She's cultivating inside. Should we call her?"
Before Ningguang could reply, Zhongli spoke gently:
"No need. If Ganyu wishes to rest, let her rest. She's served as the Qixing's secretary for centuries without pause.
She can return whenever she feels ready."
Ningguang gave a wry smile at that.
Ganyu could rest, certainly—but the Yuehai Pavilion would be worked to exhaustion.
Her workload alone could match the efficiency of the entire Pavilion combined.
It looked like Yuehai Pavilion would have to expand its staff.
After all, now that Ganyu had begun cultivating, they couldn't possibly keep her from training just for the sake of paperwork.
The three of them passed by Ganyu's cave and headed straight for the grand hall atop the peak.
At this moment, Jiang Yan was not cultivating, only consolidating his foundation, so he was not in seclusion.
For a sect master to go into seclusion was a serious matter—one that had to be announced to all of Mount Shu.
Mount Shu was still newly established; it was not yet the time to disappear from sight without notice.
When Ningguang and the others stepped onto the summit of Tongtian Peak, Jiang Yan sensed them.
He slowly opened his eyes, and the doors of the grand hall swung wide.
The three entered without surprise.
"Greetings, Sect Master."
They bowed in unison. Jiang Yan replied softly:
"There's no need to report such matters to me. Mount Shu does not forbid disciples from traveling. If you need to return, you may do so freely—so long as it does not delay your daily cultivation."
Ningguang nodded lightly.
"But since we've just formally joined Mount Shu today and already need to leave for a time, we felt it proper to inform you."
Jiang Yan smiled warmly.
"There's no need to be so rigid. I am not without understanding.
Is there anything else?"
Ningguang considered for a moment before speaking:
"Sect Master, while Mount Shu has been rebuilt, disciples are scarce, and the sect has yet to regain its former prosperity.
You previously mentioned that the sect would one day open its gates widely. I wonder—when will that be?"
Jiang Yan thought briefly, then shook his head.
"It's not decided yet. For the foreseeable future, it won't be.
Though Mount Shu is rebuilt, its foundation is unsteady. More importantly, our spiritual veins cannot yet sustain large numbers of disciples.
The Pill, Array, and Artifact branches also cannot provide the necessary support.
And most crucial of all, we must stabilize the contribution point system first. Only then can the disciples' progress be in step with the sect's development.
Besides, you yourselves have only just begun cultivating immortality. Your strength has yet to grow much."
At this, he stopped—but the meaning was clear to Ningguang and the others.
A vast sect like Mount Shu had only him, a Refining Spirit to Return to Void sect master, and a single Refining Qi into Spirit chief seat worth mentioning.
The rest were mostly still at the Essence Refinement into Qi stage.
What kind of large-scale recruitment could they possibly sustain like this?
Even if they handed out a single cultivation technique…
Sure, many would come just for the chance to tread the immortal path, even if nothing else was offered.
But then what?
The disciples' progress would be slow, the sect's growth slower still, and the system's missions would drag on endlessly.
Jiang Yan recruited disciples so they could break through quickly, boost Mount Shu's prosperity, and thus keep unlocking system rewards.
Ningguang and the others had enough talent and resources—and they were at the very start of their cultivation path—so their growth would be swift.
But he couldn't guarantee the same for others.
The truth was, those with talent were always the minority.
Realizing Jiang Yan had no plans to open the gates soon, Ningguang let go of her questions about recruitment details.
Jiang Yan then added:
"From an objective standpoint, Liyue has long been home to immortals, and its people have always sought the path.
They already have some understanding of cultivation.
And Liyue's customs align closely with Mount Shu's own traditions. For the first large-scale recruitment, Liyue will likely be the chosen site.
At that time, your government's cooperation will be essential."
Ningguang froze for a moment, then smiled with delight, bowing slightly.
"Many thanks, Sect Master! All of Liyue will make Mount Shu's will our top priority and assist in the recruitment.
All expenses will be borne by Liyue."
Jiang Yan smiled faintly.
It wasn't favoritism—Liyue simply fit the cultivation system far better than the other six nations.
Its customs, its people's understanding—it was almost identical to ancient Shenzhou.
In other nations, you had to first explain that immortals were not Melusines.
But Liyue's people had long understood the concept from folk tales.
Talent might be similar across the nations, but efficiency would be far greater here.
And right now, he needed disciples who could break through quickly and boost Mount Shu's prosperity.
Naturally, he would prioritize those who could produce results fastest.
There were also some personal reasons, however small.
And with Ningguang and the others already in the sect, Liyue's entire apparatus could work in perfect sync with Mount Shu.
Thus, Liyue was the obvious first choice for opening the gates.
Ningguang, seeing him lost in thought, added softly:
"Sect Master, though you often say cultivation values tranquility, you have also mentioned that Mount Shu disciples temper their hearts in the mortal world.
I think that occasionally leaving the cave heaven to witness the myriad states of the mortal realm could also benefit your state of mind.
Over Liyue's thousand-year history, many great figures have penned works you might find interesting."
Jiang Yan chuckled, though her words did strike a chord.
On the cultivation path, he was ahead of everyone in Teyvat.
But that didn't mean he was ahead in all things.
His state of mind was tied to his realm; improve one, and the other would follow.
Exposure to Liyue's accumulated writings could indeed be beneficial.
As the oldest nation, its cultural depth was without doubt.
Still, he teased:
"If you want me to visit Liyue, just say so. I'm no ascetic who'd stay in Mount Shu forever.
But for now, the sect is still settling—there are many arrays and matters that need my personal attention. I can't spare the time yet.
When I do have the time, I'll come for a stroll, and you'll have to show me around."
Ningguang's lips curved in a faint smile.
"It would be my honor. When you visit Liyue, I'll handle all your arrangements.
If there's nothing else, Sect Master, we'll take our leave."
Jiang Yan nodded, watching them go—then suddenly remembered something before they stepped out of the hall.
"You've already used your visit to the Scripture Pavilion this week, but you haven't explored the Nine Nether Secret Realm. Don't let it go to waste.
Once you've familiarized yourselves with your techniques, I can personally guide you through it."
The three lit up with joy. Zhongli quickly bowed.
"We are grateful, Sect Master. But… the Nine Nether Secret Realm is meant for those below the Refining Spirit to Return to Void stage—how will you enter?"
Jiang Yan shook his head.
"I won't enter in person—I'll attach a wisp of divine sense to you.
My divine sense can't use special powers there, but I can at least offer guidance.
The realm is filled with dangers and treasures alike. You don't yet recognize many of these treasures, and might let rare gems slip through your fingers.
This will also be your first true life-and-death battle against immortal beasts. As your sect master, I should watch over you."
Inwardly, Jiang Yan gave a wry smile.
Normally, a sect master wouldn't bother with a disciple's training unless they were a prodigy.
But all his disciples were prodigies—none of them understood the subtleties of cultivation.
And this time, every Mount Shu disciple would enter the Nine Nether Secret Realm.
True, fatal danger would send them to the exit instantly—but he feared some might stubbornly return for another try, only to die for real.
Right now, each of these geniuses was a unique seedling of Mount Shu; losing even one would pain him.
Moreover…
He had another reason to visit the Nine Nether Secret Realm—one tied to Mount Shu's past secrets.
"Other than that, there's nothing else. If you wish to accelerate your cultivation, you should urge Mountain Shaper to succeed in his alchemy.
Once he does, your progress will speed up.
Outside Mount Shu, where spiritual energy isn't as dense, you can set up simple spirit-gathering arrays with spirit stones.
But I still recommend training here."
They all nodded, bid farewell again, and this time Jiang Yan did not call them back.
Once they left via their tokens, Jiang Yan sighed softly.
His figure flickered, appearing at the very peak of Tongtian Peak, on a delicate moonlit platform revealed only under the silver glow.
It was a broad surface, thin as cicada wings, shimmering like gold and jade.
Here, cultivating yin-based techniques yielded double the results.
Standing alone, gazing up at the bright moon, his black robe billowed in the wind, unbound hair dancing with the gale—lonely and cold, yet wild and unrestrained.
Mount Shu was finally established.
Now, as long as his disciples advanced steadily, the sect's prosperity would grow, and the system's rewards would flow without end.
His cultivation would become ever smoother.
Cultivation… was, in the end, cultivation of the self.
At least one thing Alice had said was true: at heart, every cultivator was selfish.
Teaching, guiding, answering questions…
All for the sake of more system rewards, and a broader immortal path.
He needed his disciples to grow quickly and make Mount Shu flourish—so he could climb the immortal road faster.
Moonlight draped the mountains in silver.
Behind him, countless phantom figures like himself demonstrated myriad profound arts: fierce, domineering sword forms; ethereal divine incantations; thunder techniques of ruthless destruction…
Each was an unimaginably powerful art—yet on closer look, the phantoms seemed to vanish.
Profound beyond measure.
Jiang Yan had engraved cultivation into his very soul.
As he admired the moon, he suddenly felt someone watching him.
Lowering his gaze, his eyes met Ganyu's below.
She immediately panicked and lowered her head.
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