The incantation for the Mount Shu Sword-Manipulation Art wasn't particularly lengthy, and Jiang Yan had already recited it yesterday when Zhongli was undergoing his tribulation.
This time, there was no need to repeat the full formula.
Most of his instruction focused on how to better control one's flying sword through True Essence and divine sense.
As for Zhongli, what he needed to learn was how to make his flying sword more lethal, how to split one into thousands, and even how to form a sword formation.
"The Mount Shu Sword-Manipulation Art is Mount Shu's most fundamental method—every disciple must master it.
Yet it is also a technique whose ceiling and floor are worlds apart."
Jiang Yan directed the Primordial Jade Cutter, letting it weave freely through the sky under the crowd's watchful eyes.
At times it spun a blossom of swordlight; at times it split into ten thousand blades, locking into a sword formation that radiated unparalleled slaughter intent.
At times it was shrouded in a subtle, mysterious radiance—seemingly unremarkable, yet wherever it passed, space itself trembled.
Had they been in Teyvat, it might have sliced space clean apart.
At last, the Primordial Jade Cutter expanded in an instant, becoming a towering peak suspended overhead, blotting out the sun and dwarfing even Tongtian Peak.
The oppressive weight bore down so fiercely that few could even raise their heads.
When Jiang Yan withdrew the True Essence that empowered it, the Primordial Jade Cutter flew back to his back of its own accord.
"What I've just demonstrated is the extent the Mount Shu Sword-Manipulation Art can reach.
Though it is the most basic of Mount Shu's foundational arts, its true strength depends entirely on its wielder.
Some disciples can barely manage sword-flight at full exertion.
But…"
He paused, recalling the familiar name he'd seen recorded on the jade talisman yesterday. After a moment's thought, he spoke:
"In the past, Head Disciple Xu Changqing used the most basic sword control to turn his flying sword into a blade that cut through heaven and earth, even injuring the Demon Lord of the cultivation world.
Thus, whether the Mount Shu Sword-Manipulation Art is mighty or mediocre lies in how deeply you study it.
It is the foundation of the entire Mount Shu Sword Canon.
To learn the Sword Canon's techniques—whether it be Demon-Subduing Sword, Mountain-Crushing Sword, Myriad Swords Art, or even the Three Divine Swords—you must first have a strong foundation in the Mount Shu Sword-Manipulation Art.
This is a technique whose upper limit reaches near the Heaven-grade."
Everyone nodded solemnly.
Thanks to his guidance, most were already at the entry stage. The rest would only need a little time to reach it.
But entry was easy—mastery was hard.
Many spent their entire lives only reaching the level of sword-flight.
Using it in true combat was beyond them.
Still, given their talent, Jiang Yan wasn't worried they'd fail to master it.
Before long, over the plaza before the sect's main hall, many disciples were unsteadily riding their flying swords into the air.
Among them, Keqing was the fastest—after only a brief adjustment, she was darting through the air at speed.
A true genius with the sword physique indeed.
Not all were so fortunate; some immortals could barely get their swords to hover. It would take them more time.
Seeing that most could at least perform simple aerial maneuvers, Jiang Yan called them to land.
"That's enough for today's lesson.
In cultivation, depth matters more than breadth. Between your own techniques and the sword control you've just learned, you have enough to study for some time.
When you visit the Scripture Repository, you don't need to only seek combat arts—there's value in the auxiliary paths of cultivation as well: identifying spirit herbs, refining artifacts, taming spirit beasts… all of these are important."
"Now, do you have any questions?"
Ningguang's eyes lit up and she cupped her hands.
"Sect Master, I have heard of a talisman called the Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission Talisman, which allows one to send messages no matter the distance. How might we learn it?"
Her question gave Jiang Yan pause.
In time, they would need to reside in Mount Shu's cave realm, for Teyvat's scattered spiritual energy wasn't ideal.
But that would make managing affairs in Liyue Harbor difficult without a means of instant communication.
After a moment's thought, he tapped the air; a golden talisman appeared before her.
"This is the Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission Talisman. It cannot truly work across any distance, but within Teyvat it poses no problem.
Since the Mount Shu cave realm exists within Teyvat, it works here as well.
Learn the Tongtian Scroll and record this design—you can reproduce it yourself."
Overjoyed, Ningguang stored it away with care.
Jiang Yan gave a slight nod, then asked:
"Has there been progress on the contribution point system?"
"I thought about it last night," Ningguang replied, "but it will take a bit more time to make it flawless. If it's urgent, I can finish within three days."
"No need to rush at the cost of your cultivation," he said lightly. "For now, Mount Shu has little that depends on it."
She then raised the matter she had discussed with the Qixing—about releasing the animals Liyue would send.
Jiang Yan closed his eyes, divine sense sweeping the cave realm.
Outside Mount Shu, the demons seemed to be helping—many animals were already pregnant. A population boom was imminent.
Some beasts were already mutating into savage beasts from the abundant spiritual energy he had drawn in through nodes to the Quantum Sea.
The demons eagerly hunted these savage beasts for meat, clearly seeing a new line of work for themselves.
For now, more animals were a boon. In a few years, when the realm was teeming with savage beasts, disciples could cull them in a controlled fashion.
"House them a thousand li west of Mount Shu Village—there's grassland, forest, and lakes. Raise a few promising ones on the Seven Peaks."
Ningguang agreed at once.
Keqing then asked:
"Shall we simply let them roam free, or assign caretakers?"
"No need. That area belongs to a pack of savage beasts brought from the Dark Seas—they'll naturally dominate the new arrivals.
They're intelligent; show them your disciple token, and they'll understand."
Other disciples raised cultivation questions, which Jiang Yan answered one by one.
When all had been addressed, he concluded:
"That's all for today. Same time next week.
And remember—this week's Nine Nether Secret Realm trial must not be wasted. Once you've consolidated your strength, I will personally guide you inside."
"I've also placed more artifacts in the Sword Forest at the mountain's base. If you find one suitable, claim it for the Nine Nether expedition.
If not, there will be treasures within the realm itself.
"Liuyun, Madame Ping—you two may also try your hand at artifact refining."
A few motes of spiritual light flew from his fingers into the brows of Liuyun, Mountain Shaper, Xueyue, and Baisheng.
"These are the basics of pill refining, artifact crafting, formations, and beast taming.
Great Bamboo Peak, Windreturn Peak, Morning Sun Peak, and Luoxia Peak each bear one of Mount Shu's Four Auxiliary Paths—train diligently.
Mountain Shaper, the spirit fields are nearly ready for harvest—begin with alchemy when the first batch ripens.
Xueyue, you can practice formations with common jade while spirit stones are scarce.
Baisheng, you can start taming common animals; success will hasten their evolution.
Liuyun, Madame Ping—materials await you on Windreturn Peak."
The disciples were overjoyed, studying the auxiliary methods imprinted in their minds.
"The Four Auxiliary Paths are now assigned," Jiang Yan added. "Others who wish to learn may ask them—but do not neglect your own cultivation."
"Yes, Sect Master!" everyone chorused.
Jiang Yan nodded, then drifted back into the main hall.
The doors closed, and Tongtian Peak once more fell silent.
To read 220+ future chapters, head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/WhiteDevil7554