Perhaps it was because he had already sensed the miserable fate awaiting him.
No matter how breathtaking the scenery of Mount Shu was, Venti could no longer summon any enthusiasm to enjoy it.
Yet deep down, he still held a trace of anticipation—he wanted to witness what kind of foundation Zhongli had truly gained since embarking on the path of cultivation.
And also…
Glancing at Zhongli, Venti couldn't help but feel that the man before him radiated youthful vigor, a sharp contrast to the weary, timeworn aura he once carried.
The scars left by time and wear on him—without needing to ask, one could see at a glance that they had already healed.
Venti was genuinely happy for Zhongli.
Among the surviving Archons of Teyvat, Zhongli had lived the longest—and thus suffered the deepest erosion.
Now that such erosion had been dispelled, as a friend, Venti was sincerely glad for him.
Zhongli did not linger to show them more of the sights outside Mount Shu.
He didn't even descend to Shu Village.
He merely led them swiftly in a single circuit around the seven peaks of Mount Shu, before guiding them toward Longshou Peak.
Not long after, they landed on a vast square halfway up Longshou Peak.
Not far from them stood the roots of the Nine Nether Secret Realm.
The white cranes, as if bidding them farewell, turned and flew gracefully toward Great Bamboo Peak.
Lisa watched the cranes depart, chuckling softly:
"What a group of intelligent, adorable creatures. Compared to the white cranes of Teyvat, these are far more extraordinary."
Zhongli inclined his head slightly.
"The white cranes here, nourished by spiritual qi, are gradually evolving toward true spirit beasts. Naturally, they are different."
"Spiritual qi?"
Lisa asked curiously, while Alice grinned and explained:
"It's the energy between heaven and earth. Elemental power, to put it bluntly, is just the most insignificant manifestation of spiritual qi."
"This is basic cultivation knowledge, little Lisa. Later I'll recommend you some cultivation novels—you should study them carefully."
Zhongli cast her a helpless look. He wasn't entirely sure if learning cultivation from such strange and scattered sources was the right way…
But at the very least, it saved him the trouble of lengthy explanations.
Even if her approach was somewhat unorthodox, she had still grasped a fair bit of truth.
"The scenery of Mount Shu is truly exquisite, and the spiritual qi here is so abundant. No wonder you all prefer to cultivate here now—it really is a perfect place for immortality-seeking."
Alice sighed in admiration.
The Rainbow Bridge, the sea of bamboo waves—all of it had already broadened her horizons.
The so-called descriptions of cultivation in novels weren't even one ten-thousandth of the real thing.
Suddenly, Alice's eyes sparkled with excitement as she pointed toward the distant gateway to the secret realm:
"Zhongli, what's that place?"
"That…"
Zhongli paused briefly, then said in a calm tone:
"That is the Nine Nether Secret Realm of Mount Shu. Long ago, my master, the Wine-Sword Immortal Mo Yixi, severed a corrupted world infested by demons with a casual strike during his travels."
"It was refined into the present Nine Nether Secret Realm. Within, many great demons dwell, as well as countless treasures."
"The sect master has decreed that disciples of Mount Shu may venture into the Nine Nether Secret Realm to temper themselves."
At this, Venti's eyes widened in surprise:
"Your master? The Drunken Sword Immortal? Old man, when did you take a master?"
"The sect master accepted me on behalf of my teacher."
Zhongli explained briefly.
"The position of Longshou Peak's head disciple and the Hall of Discipline has always been passed down by master and disciple. Now that I am serving as the acting head of Longshou Peak, temporarily overseeing the Hall of Discipline, I naturally had to formally take a master."
Venti smacked his lips, muttering under his breath:
"So Mount Shu isn't just a simple sect of cultivators… seems there are a lot of old stories buried here too."
Zhongli gave a slight nod. But it was far too complicated to explain, so he let the matter rest.
He cast his gaze across the enormous square. Just by sight alone, it seemed nearly as large as Liyue Harbor itself.
According to Jiang Yan, this was where, at the beginning of the Mount Shu Seven Peaks Tournament, each peak would hold internal duels to select representatives.
Though small in comparison to the grand stage, activating the array here would still suffice for his duel with Venti.
Zhongli's eyes lingered on Venti.
The latter froze, his expression stiffening, before groaning:
"Old man… don't tell me you're planning to beat me up right now?"
Zhongli said evenly:
"The matter of the past has always weighed on my heart. If it is not resolved, every time I see you, my mind will remain unsettled."
"That would be detrimental to my cultivation."
"So it is best to resolve it sooner rather than later."
Venti's composure nearly crumbled.
On Tongtian Peak, since Venti and the others entered, Jiang Yan had halted his cultivation, focusing instead on observing their movements.
Seeing Zhongli so eager, he couldn't help but find it amusing.
Part of it was indeed to settle the matter of their contract, but another part… it was obvious Zhongli's hands were itching for a fight.
After all, this was also the first time since everyone had embarked on cultivation that they would witness such a clash.
It held a certain commemorative meaning.
Thinking this, Jiang Yan spread his vast divine sense.
Disciples cultivating on various peaks—Cloud Retainer and the others, Ningguang and her companions picking treasures within the Sword Forest…
Even Xiao, far away in the depths of the Mount Shu realm, locked in battle with a lesser Archon…
All halted their actions at once.
"Since the founding of Mount Shu, though disciples have entered to cultivate, not once has there been a true battle."
"Now, a guest has arrived in our sect, and Head Disciple Zhongli intends to spar with one of them."
"Disciples, if you are free, come to Longshou Peak and observe."
The voice fell.
All across Mount Shu, voices rose in unison:
"We obey the sect master's decree!"
In the next instant, dozens of streaks of sword-light burst forth as every disciple of Mount Shu soared toward Longshou Peak.
Jiang Yan's gaze fell on little Klee, who was happily stretching her arms toward the drifting clouds from Alice's embrace.
After a long pause, he murmured softly:
"There is no mistake…"
"A Fire Spirit Body indeed… Klee, was it? Truly a prodigy of Teyvat—she belongs here in Mount Shu."
With that, Jiang Yan also resolved to personally watch the battle later.
At the far eastern edge of the Mount Shu realm…
Xiao glanced once more at the Archon who had halted his attacks. Pressing his lips together, he cupped his fists respectfully:
"Thank you, senior, for helping me temper my skills. I have gained much. I will return another day to seek guidance."
Today, Xiao had indeed been shaken.
Though he had stepped into the stage of refining essence into qi, the opponent before him was an Archon—Archon-level strength, at least equivalent to refining qi into spirit.
Xiao's vital energy was of higher quality, yet the difference in level remained.
Even so, since this Archon was not a true cultivator but merely a divine beast, the battle had ended in a strange balance—neither side winning nor losing.
Such "cross-realm combat" was impossible in orthodox cultivation, yet here it had been forced into existence.
Hearing that Xiao intended to return for more fights, the Archon's expression twitched.
He truly didn't have the time to spar endlessly—he still wanted to raise more beasts and grow stronger.
But since Jiang Yan had captured him here as sparring partner, what else could he do?
With a sigh, he mimicked Xiao's gesture, lifting his strange, massive arm in a cupped salute.
"Think nothing of it. If you see Sect Leader, please send my regards. Tell him I am grateful for granting me this stable life."
Xiao nodded slightly, then flew off on his sword, leaving a streak of light behind.
The Archon watched enviously, then turned back to his humble task of herding beasts.
Back on Longshou Peak, Zhongli raised his head toward Tongtian Peak, his expression solemn.
"In accordance with the sect master's decree!"
Then he turned back to Venti and the others, his eyes gleaming.
"That sect master of yours actually spoke?"
Venti asked curiously.
Zhongli inclined his head.
"The sect master already knows of my intent to battle you, and has summoned all disciples to observe."
"Since the matter is now public, and since you have come here wishing to understand cultivation—or perhaps even to join Mount Shu…"
"Why not expand the scale of this duel somewhat?"
Venti's eyes lit up, his earlier unease vanishing in an instant.
"Oh? What do you mean?"
Zhongli glanced at the three of them, speaking softly:
"You and Alice possess similar strength—both of you among the top tier of Archons. Why not fight me together?"
"As for Miss Lisa—your cultivation is at the early stage of refining essence into qi. But if one accounts for the hidden power within you, you could rival mid-stage fiendish retainers."
"Would you be willing to participate as well?"
Lisa gave a bitter smile, shaking her head helplessly.
"As expected, nothing escapes Mr. Zhongli's eyes. But… my body has its issues. If I fight at full strength, I fear it will…"
"Nothing more than burning your lifespan. That is easily solved."
With a flick of his finger, Zhongli sent a strand of vital energy into her body.
"My essence will shield you from burning your lifespan. Thus, will you fight?"
Lisa's eyes widened as the familiar fatigue within her suddenly vanished.
If Zhongli, who had only just begun cultivation, could already do this…
Then what of the Mount Shu sect master?
But she knew—such a figure would not intervene without cause.
To resolve her condition once and for all, she would have to consider cultivation herself.
For now, however, this was the perfect opportunity to witness the methods of cultivators firsthand.
Lisa hesitated no longer, nodding decisively:
"Very well."
"Excellent."
Zhongli inclined his head, his voice carrying across the mountain as his essence infused it.
"In the name of acting head of Longshou Peak, I hereby declare the first Mount Shu duel upon this stage."
"Disciples, assemble!"
At once, streams of light streaked upward from the mountainside, while others approached swiftly from the horizon.
Ningguang and the others, radiating immortal aura, landed gracefully on the square.
"Greetings, Head Disciple."
They saluted lightly, and Zhongli nodded in return—his gaze then shifted to the final streak of light.
In the blink of an eye, Xiao descended, his body still wrapped in a thick miasma of killing intent and battle spirit.
He cupped his fists:
"Head Disciple."
Zhongli noticed the faint depletion in Xiao's essence—clearly his earlier fight had not been easy.
He spoke gently:
"Xiao, rest and restore your essence first."
"Yes, Head Disciple!"
Xiao immediately sat cross-legged, circulating his qi.
Endless spiritual qi swirled into a vortex above his head, astonishing Venti.
Xiao… had grown much stronger.
Was cultivation truly this outrageous?
Lisa studied Ningguang and Keqing. She hadn't met Ningguang before, but Keqing she had encountered a few times.
Back when Keqing had led delegations to Mondstadt, she was formidable—but her sword intent had not been this sharp.
Had she really grown this strong in such a short time of cultivation?
Lisa's anticipation for cultivation deepened.
Zhongli swept his gaze across the gathered disciples—no more than a dozen, easy to account for.
All had already arrived.
He spoke clearly:
"Though you have all trained diligently, none of you have yet experienced a true battle. Now, my old friend Barbatos and Alice have come to visit Mount Shu."
"They are willing to engage in combat personally, to experience the ways of cultivators."
"I hope you disciples will join in eagerly, as preparation for future ventures into the secret realm."
"Since they are but three, Miss Alice and Miss Lisa will not fight too many rounds. As for Barbatos…"
Zhongli paused, then said calmly:
"I doubt he will mind taking on several more duels. Isn't that right, Barbatos?"
His steady gaze fell on Venti.
The latter's face contorted into despair as he silently cursed Zhongli for his pettiness.
But at last, with a look as though he'd been dragged to execution, he nodded weakly.
"Y-Yes… that's right."
In that moment, Venti wished he could return to the past—just to slap his younger self for ever daring to tamper with Zhongli's contract…
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