After Venti conceded defeat, this hasty, one-sided sparring match came to an end.
Jiang Yan dispersed the formation, restoring the arena to its original appearance with ease.
Zhongli and the others returned to Jiang Yan's side.
"Master, I have not shamed my mission," Zhongli cupped his hands and said. Jiang Yan chuckled softly.
"Though the duel was rather rushed, you all still gained something from it, did you not?"
Venti's lips twitched.
Gained?
What did he gain?
Getting caught and pummeled by Zhongli?
That sure was quite the "gain."
"The Clear Source Divine Manifestation Mantra is exceedingly wondrous. I've only just begun to learn it, and yet its power is already formidable," Zhongli said quietly.
"If I encounter some real battles, I imagine I'll understand this secret art even better."
Jiang Yan smiled.
"No need to hurry. Once we enter the Nine Nether Secret Realm, you'll find all the real battles you could ever want."
"Those fights won't be like today's—they'll be true life-and-death struggles against spirit beasts."
"And those beasts, naturally, also have their own cultivation methods."
At that, Zhongli and the others instantly grew solemn.
"We will heed the Master's teachings."
Jiang Yan waved his hand lightly, sending spirit stones into the hands of Zhongli and Ganyu.
"Though today's duel came suddenly, rewards should still be given."
"In the future, when the Seven Peaks gather more disciples, the arena will never sit idle. Moreover, there is the true Mount Shu Seven Peaks Grand Martial Meet awaiting you."
"You'd best prepare early."
At the mention of the Seven Peaks Meet, everyone's spirits surged.
That was the true grand tournament of Mount Shu, where countless prodigies debated Dao and fought to make their names known.
A true festival for cultivators.
Though, that day still seemed far off.
After settling matters with Zhongli and the others, Jiang Yan turned toward Venti and his group.
"You all traveled far to reach Mount Shu, only to be greeted by battle—our hospitality has been lacking."
"Ehe~" Venti winked and grinned.
"Not at all. I guessed the old man would want to rough me up—was pretty much expected."
"Besides, it's good to witness firsthand what immortal cultivators are capable of."
Jiang Yan smiled and nodded.
"Then let us proceed to the Grand Hall of the Sect. As for the other disciples, if you have no further duties, return and cultivate."
Just then, Ningguang spoke up:
"Master, last night I sent word to Liyue to collect ores, tomes, animals, herbs, and minerals. I believe some results should already have arrived. May I open my domain later to transport these resources inside?"
Sweeping out with his divine sense, Jiang Yan indeed found the area below Jueyun Karst filled with long lines of supply wagons.
He nodded slightly.
"Take Madame Ping with you. Her domain arts will be of great help."
Madame Ping bowed.
"As the Master commands. Though, before your eyes, my domain techniques hardly qualify as 'immortal arts.'"
"Think nothing of it," Jiang Yan said with a small shake of his head.
"Once the resources arrive at Mount Shu, Liuyun, Mountain Shaper, Xueyue, and Baisheng, you four will handle the inventory."
"Liuyun, refine storage pouches using the artifact-crafting methods as soon as possible for the disciples' use. Contribution points will be tallied under the usual system."
"Also, forge a proper cauldron for Mountain Shaper's alchemy."
"Mountain Shaper, I've already examined the many herbs you brought yesterday. Rewards will be sent to you later by the White Crane. Organize the remaining herbs and plant them in the spiritual fields with care."
"Xueyue, select suitable materials to craft formation disks. Baisheng, choose promising beasts to begin beast-taming attempts."
"Pill, Formation, Artifact, and Beast—the four subsidiary paths are pillars of Mount Shu. The disciples' cultivation cannot do without them. The burden on you four is heavy."
The four bowed in unison.
"We obey the Master's decree!"
Then Mountain Shaper spoke up again:
"Master, planting all thousand acres of spirit fields with Teyvat's non-spiritual herbs seems wasteful. Why not keep half empty, and after we explore the Nine Nether Secret Realm, plant the herbs we acquire there instead?"
Jiang Yan considered for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well."
After arranging these tasks, Jiang Yan, seeing there was nothing further, went with Zhongli and brought Venti's group toward Tongtian Peak.
Watching them leave, Ningguang murmured:
"Mount Shu will surely grow stronger again. I wonder how many will join this time."
Keqing thought for a bit, then smiled:
"At the very least, Klee will definitely join. Leaving aside that Lady Alice herself wishes it, I also noticed a hint of delight in the Master's eyes when he looked at her. She must possess a special physique."
"The only question is—will the Master accept her personally?"
Everyone was taken aback. Liuyun hesitated:
"Would he? If so, Klee would be his true disciple… meaning the next Sect Master…"
Before she could finish, Xiao's face darkened.
"The Master is in his prime, having already reached the Nascent Soul stage—how could you speak of a 'next Sect Master'? The Hall of Discipline forbids idle talk of succession."
That shut Liuyun right up. She pouted.
"Fine, fine. I won't bring it up again in front of you. Ningguang, Madame Ping, I'll go help you sort the supplies. I also need to pick materials suitable for storage pouches—who knows if Teyvat has equivalents."
At that, Mountain Shaper quickly reminded her:
"Liuyun, don't forget to refine me a pill cauldron first! Otherwise I can't start alchemy."
"Got it, got it. Obviously the pill cauldron is Mount Shu's most urgent priority," Liuyun muttered. Then she added with a mischievous grin:
"But since you're the only alchemist on Great Bamboo Peak, all the sect's pills will fall on your shoulders. That's a huge workload, Mountain Shaper."
They expected Mountain Shaper to complain. Instead, she lit up with excitement:
"You don't get it. Last night I studied the Pill Cauldron Formula carefully—I realized it's a technique created specifically for alchemy. By constantly refining pills, I can temper my true essence and grasp the art of smelting heaven and earth within the furnace. It's immensely powerful both in battle and in alchemy. Plus, the pills I make are absorbed by the Codex with incredible efficiency."
"In other words—so long as I refine pills, I grow stronger! Of course I want to refine more!"
Hearing this, everyone was delighted.
The more Mountain Shaper refined, the more resources they'd receive, and the faster they could cultivate. A virtuous cycle indeed.
Liuyun sobered.
"Once materials are sufficient, I'll prioritize studying pill cauldrons. I'll make sure you get at least a low-grade artifact first."
Mountain Shaper's face fell.
"Can't it be a low-grade spiritual artifact?"
"You think I'm the Master? If I could just whip up a spiritual artifact on command, I wouldn't be standing here. Be grateful for an artifact at all. If you don't like it, go beg the Master," Liuyun shot back.
Mountain Shaper glanced at Xiao's stern face watching her, then sheepishly muttered:
"Fine, fine. A low-grade artifact is enough."
After some more chatter, they all dispersed to their tasks.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yan led Venti and the others to the Sect's Grand Hall. Along the way, Lisa and Alice quietly admired the scenery, occasionally sighing in awe. Venti and Klee, however, shouted and cheered the whole way, brimming with excitement.
Zhongli looked at Venti and sighed inwardly. If this fellow joined Mount Shu, the sect would never know peace again. Klee was just a child—her wonder at these mystical sights was natural. But Venti… he'd lived thousands of years and still carried himself so unseriously. If he truly became a disciple, he'd probably become a frequent guest of the Hall of Discipline.
In the Grand Hall, Jiang Yan and Zhongli took their seats, looking at Venti's group.
"Please, be seated," Jiang Yan said with a smile.
Following Jiang Xuan and the others' example, they sat cross-legged on meditation cushions.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Jiang Yan, Sect Master of Mount Shu. This here—you all know him as Morax—is now Zhongli, First Seat of Longshou Peak."
"I understand your intentions. Since Mount Shu has been rebuilt, naturally we won't reject disciples of talent. But first—I must ask again: are you truly resolved to join Mount Shu, to become disciples of the sect?"
Venti and the others nodded calmly. Not only had they come here with that purpose, but after seeing Zhongli's transformation through cultivation, they were even more determined.
"A few days ago, beyond the Dark Sea, I actually met Sect Master Jiang Yan," Alice said with a smile. "You even helped me resolve a huge problem."
Jiang Yan recalled briefly, then chuckled.
"Ah yes, the Dark Sea. It was nothing more than lending a hand—hunting some suitable beasts for our disciples' trials."
Even though Zhongli had already told them the truth, hearing it again still sounded absurd.
Alice sighed inwardly, then continued:
"Regardless, Sect Master Jiang Yan, you helped both me and the Hexenzirkel greatly. The Dark Sea is stable now, the demon gods there are hiding, and won't dare show themselves for some time. Our stationed witches can finally take a short break."
"So I hurried back to Mondstadt to bring Klee. Partly to thank you, and partly to have her join Mount Shu. And… if possible, I'd like to cultivate as well."
Her eyes sparkled.
"I've traveled many worlds and read countless novels about cultivation. I know how powerful the system of immortality is. Only by cultivating can Klee one day protect herself in Teyvat."
With that, Alice thought for a moment and produced a chaotic pile of materials and equipment. Among them, Jiang Yan even spotted missile launchers and hot-weapons firearms. Alice hurriedly shoved them back in, looking flustered.
Jiang Yan couldn't help but smile wryly. Clearly, this Lady Alice had indeed traveled to many different worlds.
The clattering and clanging went on for quite some time, until even Zhongli grew uncomfortable. The Sect Master's Grand Hall was meant to embody dignity and solemnity. Anyone else carrying on like this would have been dragged straight to the Hall of Discipline. But Alice… was presenting gifts to Jiang Yan, to Mount Shu. That put him in a difficult spot.
At last, seeing that Jiang Yan said nothing, Zhongli simply chose to look away.
"All done!" Alice finally emerged from behind the small mountain of supplies, brimming with pride.
"This is more or less the collection of good things I've gathered over the years. As a disciple's gift and token of thanks—this should be enough, right?"
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