After seeing the other Qixing off, Ningguang and Keqing exchanged a few more words before watching Keqing ride her sword away from the Jade Chamber.
Gazing at Keqing's confident silhouette flying toward Liyue Harbor, Ningguang felt a trace of helplessness.
At this rate, sooner or later, all the people of Liyue would know that something new was afoot in Liyue Harbor.
It seemed that, in the end, there was no point in keeping it a secret.
Mount Shu stood lofty and detached, overlooking the mortal world. No matter how noisy and bustling that world became, Mount Shu would hardly spare it a glance.
The Sect Master certainly didn't seem like the sort with the leisure to ponder such matters.
If she put herself in his position… if one day she were to be gazed upon, praised, and revered by countless mortals, she would feel a measure of pride herself.
So it was a matter of mindset, after all.
Ningguang sighed softly. Ever since she began cultivating immortality, she had come to understand just how important one's state of mind truly was.
No wonder the Sect Master spoke of mindset and inner demons with such solemn weight.
"Baiwen."
Ningguang called lightly, and Baiwen stepped forward respectfully.
In her eyes, Ningguang had grown ever more exalted since embarking on the path of cultivation.
Before, her lofty presence had come from the backing of power and position.
Now…
It came purely from personal strength and an extraordinary air.
Ningguang was beginning to seem… not quite mortal.
"Lady Ningguang, what are your orders?"
After a brief moment of thought, Ningguang said softly:
"Secretary Ganyu is presently cultivating on Mount Shu. Whatever the future may bring, she certainly won't be back anytime soon.
Keep a close eye on the Yuehai Pavilion's affairs for the time being.
In addition, there should be stories of Mount Shu cultivation spreading among the people of Liyue. Given Keqing's temperament, I expect the whole of Liyue will know before long.
Also, in the coming days, handle governmental matters as you see fit. Anything you can't resolve, leave for me to deal with in the evening when I return.
That's the gist of it. If you feel the workload is too much, hire more hands—Liyue Harbor can afford the salaries."
Baiwen considered her words for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes, Lady Ningguang. Also, Lady Yelan has sent word—the lowest-ranked Harbinger of the Fatui appears to be on the way to Liyue."
"It's said he's to be stationed at the Northland Bank. Shall we…"
Ningguang smiled faintly, as though the news was hardly worth her concern.
"To be stationed at the Northland Bank… or perhaps for other designs?"
"That… Lady Yelan didn't specify. Should we contact her for a thorough investigation?"
Ningguang shook her head, a touch disinterested.
"No need. Yelan is busy enough as it is—no reason to distract her.
A Harbinger? Let him come if he wishes—the legs are his own.
But if he dares stir up trouble in Liyue… I imagine Keqing would be delighted to have an opponent for her first battle as a cultivator."
Such confidence made Baiwen momentarily dazed.
Before, Ningguang's confidence had come from her intellect and political skill.
Now…
She truly had the strength to face any upheaval.
Involuntarily, Baiwen felt herself influenced, smiling as she said:
"Then we won't bother with him. But since the Northland Bank's tax rates don't match Liyue's standards, the Ministry of Civil Affairs should audit their books and hold them accountable."
The corners of Ningguang's lips curved upward as she shook her head.
"You… you're becoming more and more like me. Very well, do it.
Let that Harbinger feel the hospitality of the Nation of Contracts."
Baiwen nodded and was about to withdraw when Ningguang stopped her.
"One more thing—soon, I won't have time for many government matters. You three will act on my behalf, and as my representatives, you should naturally have the proper means."
As she spoke, Ningguang formed talismans out of thin air. At first she was a bit clumsy, but quickly grew more practiced.
Before long, she had produced nearly a hundred talismans—at the cost of draining her true essence completely.
"This is my cultivation secret—the Five Thunders Talisman. Should you encounter an enemy, throw it to summon heaven's lightning upon them.
Even a peak Vision-holder struck by it would be grievously wounded, if not left on the brink of death.
Divide them among yourselves."
The three were overjoyed.
A cultivator's talisman!
Such a treasure could be passed down for generations. They carefully stored them away, thanked her, and quietly took their leave, closing the door behind them.
Only then did Ningguang, weakened, lean on the table and sit down.
A quick inner inspection revealed an empty dantian. Ningguang gave a wry smile.
"In the end, this is still too much for me at the early Essence Refinement into Qi stage.
It seems I'll have to keep pushing for a breakthrough."
She forced herself back to her inner chamber, sitting cross-legged on her bed.
But as soon as she began cultivating, she frowned.
There was spiritual energy here, yes—but scattered, nothing like the dense, mist-like qi in Mount Shu's cave heaven.
Once you'd experienced Mount Shu's abundant spiritual energy, living in such meager conditions again was… unbearable.
She was tempted to return at once, but remembering she still had documents to review later, she restrained the urge.
Suddenly, she understood why Cloud Retainer and the others were reluctant to leave.
When you could cultivate in a place brimming with spiritual energy, why come out and suffer?
With a sigh, she remembered the spirit stones she'd exchanged for with raw crystals earlier today.
Taking one into her palm, she felt its steady flow of qi pour into her body.
"So this is why cultivators crave spirit stones so much."
She sighed wistfully.
"Mora is merely a measure of value for mortal life, but spirit stones…
They are genuine resources for improving one's cultivation. I'll need far more of them."
Even this single lower-grade spirit stone had a higher qi concentration than Tongtian Peak's spiritual vein.
Cultivating with them was all benefit, no harm—the only drawback…
Was that they might not last long.
Especially for her and Keqing, who frequently returned to Teyvat.
"Spirit stones!"
Ningguang's eyes burned with determination, reminiscent of her early days amassing her first fortune in Mora.
She would become the richest disciple in spirit stones!
She placed several stones on the bed, running her circulation technique.
The qi within them poured steadily into her body, rapidly replenishing her true essence—
And even leaving it slightly more refined.
No wonder the Sect Master said cultivators couldn't avoid battle.
It turned out… battle could help one cultivate.
Her earlier plan to use spirit stones as an energy source for the Jade Chamber now vanished.
The chamber was fine as it was—no need to waste the few stones she had.
At worst, she could ask her senior brothers and sisters for help. Wasn't that what fellow disciples were for?
But a hundred stones would not last. She'd have to reorganize the Jade Chamber's Primogem reserves and bring more tomorrow to exchange.
She would also order all Chamber-affiliated merchants to gather raw crystals with all their might.
In addition, she needed to establish the Sect Contribution Point system as soon as possible.
"I wonder if the Scripture Repository has jade slips on talisman-making. I'll have to check next week when I return there."
She murmured to herself.
"If I recall correctly, the Tongtian Scroll describes a talisman for transmitting messages over ten thousand li.
With that, I wouldn't need to stay in Teyvat so often—Baiwen and the others could just send word by talisman."
"This might be urgent after all… I may need to consult the Sect Master."
Having set her plans for tomorrow, Ningguang devoted herself wholly to cultivation.
And she wasn't the only one dissatisfied with Teyvat's poor cultivation environment.
Zhongli and Keqing, after seeing to Hu Tao and their families, also began full cultivation—
Only to end up, like Ningguang, reluctantly using spirit stones.
They envied Ganyu and the others who could remain in Mount Shu's cave heaven, where abundant qi meant you didn't have to rely on stones.
Zhongli began considering ways to both appease Hu Tao and remain in Mount Shu long-term.
…
The night passed without incident.
Before dawn the next morning, Ningguang and the others ended their cultivation.
One night without sleep, spent entirely on cultivation, left them more refreshed than ever.
Realizing this, Ningguang and Keqing happily erased "sleep" from their lives entirely.
Sleep?
What true cultivator sleeps?
Every moment should be devoted to cultivation.
When Ningguang stepped outside, preparing to ride her sword to Jueyun Karst, Zhongli and Keqing were already waiting atop the Jade Chamber.
Ningguang was unsurprised. She inclined her head slightly.
"First Seat."
Zhongli said quietly:
"The time has come. We should go to Jueyun Karst for the Sect Master's morning lesson."
With that, he rode his sword into the sky.
Yesterday he'd compared riding a sword to riding a spear. While the difference in performance wasn't great, the appearance was another matter—
From afar, riding a spear looked like he was standing on a stick. Not very dignified.
Ningguang nodded to Keqing, and the two rode their swords toward the horizon.
Baiwen and the others emerged rubbing their eyes, just in time to see two streaks of light vanish into the distance.
They couldn't help but envy the ease and freedom of cultivators.
Alas, they had tested their aptitudes yesterday and found they all had dual spiritual roots—not hopeless for cultivation, but far from exceptional.
With Mount Shu's resources still scarce, Jiang Yan had no plans to recruit disciples of average talent for now.
They could only wait for the day the Sect truly opened its gates.
Shaking off their sleepiness, the three began their work.
With both Ningguang and Ganyu away, Yuehai Pavilion and the Jade Chamber had no shortage of affairs to manage—
And more hands would be needed.
Meanwhile, at Jueyun Karst, Cloud Retainer and the others who had remained in Mount Shu were already present.
Each found a place to sit cross-legged, waiting for Jiang Yan's morning lesson, and sharing cultivation insights from the previous day.
Only Ganyu sat in a daze, occasionally smiling foolishly—enough to make Shenhe worry.
"I don't know why the Sect Master insists on holding morning lessons in Teyvat. Mount Shu's qi is abundant, but here, this scattered qi makes me uncomfortable," Cloud Retainer muttered.
Xiao's cold voice cut in:
"Cloud Retainer—no speaking ill of the Sect Master in private!"
Freed from his karmic debt by Jiang Yan—and having had Zhongli's erosion healed so they could cultivate together—
Jiang Yan now held the highest place in Xiao's heart.
He already bore the air of Mount Shu's senior disciple.
"I was only wondering aloud, not speaking ill," Cloud Retainer said helplessly. She knew Xiao's temperament and didn't press the matter.
Madame Ping smiled.
"Anyone can tell you weren't paying attention yesterday.
The Sect Master made it clear—the morning lesson isn't for absorbing qi, but for drawing in the Purple Qi from the East.
Even though Teyvat's sky is false, the sun and moon are not.
No matter how sturdy a cave heaven's spatial barriers, its sun and moon are ultimately illusory.
Thus, we must absorb the Purple Qi each morning—it's the first essence of heaven and earth, and of great benefit to cultivators."
Cloud Retainer flushed slightly.
"I know, I know—don't flaunt your knowledge. I was only saying it casually."
Just then, three streaks of light appeared on the horizon.
Zhongli, Ningguang, and Keqing landed at Jueyun Karst.
The gathered disciples rose and saluted:
"First Seat."
Zhongli inclined his head and took the foremost position. Ningguang and Keqing sat in their own spots.
Before long, the sun crept over the horizon, and a deep, resonant chime rang from their tokens—sounding in each person's mind.
All stray thoughts vanished in an instant.
Without a sound, Jiang Yan appeared at the front, facing the rising sun.
It was as if he had stood there since time immemorial, unshaken.
"All disciples, listen well—run the circulation technique."
The group immediately calmed their hearts.
Jiang Yan, too, faced the Purple Qi from the East—visible only to cultivators—and began his Huangting Yujing Sutra.
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