Baizhu had already guessed that quite a few of Liyue's higher-ups had joined Mount Shu.
He had even just heard from Jiang Yan that the Geo Archon himself had become a disciple of Mount Shu.
But Ningguang…
As the Tianquan, she was endlessly busy every day, yet she still managed to join Mount Shu and cultivate?
Since there was nothing urgent at hand, Jiang Yan was happy to explain a bit more.
"Mount Shu has only just been founded, and for now, our disciples are not many.
I imagine the seniors and sisters you'll meet, you should already know of them."
"On my Tongtian Peak, there are only three disciples: Ganyu, Keqing, and my personal disciple, Klee."
"On Longshou Peak, the acting head is Zhongli, your Geo Archon. He is currently overseeing the Hall of Discipline."
"Longshou Peak has Senior Disciple Xiao, and Elder Alice of the Hall of Discipline."
"On Great Bamboo Peak: Liyue's Lishu, and Lisa."
"On Small Great Bamboo Peak: Ningguang, and Shenhe."
"On Windback Peak: Cloud Retainer, and Songdust…"
After a brief explanation, Baizhu was increasingly stunned.
Though Mount Shu had few disciples, every single one of them was a figure of renown.
Two Qixing leaders, and nearly all of Liyue's named adepti, had already joined Mount Shu.
As for the rest—Alice's name was known throughout Teyvat, and Lisa's genius was something Baizhu had even heard of back in Sumeru while studying chimeric maladies.
So in the end, all of his senior brothers and sisters were great figures.
But what Baizhu cared about most was—
"The Archon himself has joined Mount Shu? And the other adepti as well?"
He felt something strange at heart.
The adepti, coming to Mount Shu to cultivate immortality?
Didn't that mean they were admitting they weren't true immortals to begin with?
Thinking back to how he had once begged the adepti for immortality, only to be scolded and rejected… Now those very same beings were his fellow disciples. A rather amusing twist of fate.
Jiang Yan gave a slight nod.
"Zhongli was accepted as a disciple under my senior uncle, Mo Yixi, the previous head of Longshou Peak. Strictly speaking, he became Mo Yixi's disciple."
"As for the rest of Liyue's adepti, they too are now disciples of the Seven Peaks.
But within Mount Shu, the titles must change accordingly. Head Zhongli values such rules greatly."
Baizhu nodded seriously.
"This disciple understands. Sect Master, I wish to ask—how does cultivation in Mount Shu differ from Liyue's path of immortality…?"
Jiang Yan sighed helplessly.
When Alice and the others came, at least Alice herself had some knowledge, and Zhongli could explain things.
That saved him a great deal of effort. But now, with everyone away in the Nine Nether Secret Realm, the task fell back on him.
"Cultivation in Mount Shu is completely different from Liyue's way. As long as you have spiritual roots, you can embark on the immortal path."
He then explained to Baizhu the basic concepts of cultivation.
Even though Baizhu had prepared himself mentally, he couldn't help but feel his heart shake with waves of shock.
Mount Shu's immortal path, Jiang Yan's immortal path, was even more unbelievable than the so-called tales of cultivation in Liyue's storybooks.
That which Baizhu most desired—longevity—was considered little more than a side benefit along the way.
According to Jiang Yan, once one became an immortal, one's lifespan was no longer an issue—immortals lived as long as the heavens themselves.
Even a beginner at the Refining Essence into Qi stage enjoyed five hundred years of life.
At the stage of Spirit-Transformation, one could easily live tens of thousands of years.
And as for Spirit Refining and Returning into Void—Jiang Yan's own current level—Baizhu guessed the lifespan was likely measured in six digits.
But correspondingly, each step forward was unimaginably difficult.
One minor breakthrough might take centuries, even millennia.
Even a genius required decades or centuries of grinding.
And as for himself…
Though Baizhu believed that his willpower could defy the heavens, deep down, he couldn't help but feel uneasy.
No wonder Jiang Yan had asked him repeatedly about his desire for immortality.
If he were to stall forever at the peak of Refining Essence into Qi, unable to break through, watching eternity within reach only to fail at the final step…
That despair could not even be described by "dying with regrets."
Still, for now, he had time, and such worries were fleeting.
Baizhu cupped his hands solemnly.
"This disciple knows his talent is lacking, but I vow—I will not let Sect Master down!"
"That resolve is good. A wavering Dao heart is the greatest taboo for cultivators."
Jiang Yan smiled and shook his head.
"Besides, a mid-grade single-root spiritual root is not poor—it counts as above average.
It's just that your senior brothers and sisters are exceptionally gifted, so you'll need to put in many times the effort to keep up. Do you understand?"
Baizhu nodded heavily.
"This disciple understands!"
If talent wasn't enough, he would make up for it with effort!
If others cultivated an hour, he would cultivate a day, a year!
With the chance for immortality right before his eyes, he would sooner die than give it up.
From this day forward, apart from cultivation, nothing else mattered.
"Your mentality is truly firm—rare in all my life."
Jiang Yan glanced at Baizhu in admiration, then continued:
"As for your talent, you needn't worry too much. Mount Shu's foundation runs deep. We have many pills that can improve spiritual roots.
Your senior brother Lishu knows of such formulas. What we lack are the spirit herbs and proper techniques.
But in time, you'll surely have the chance."
Hearing this, Baizhu's heart lifted with joy.
"Many thanks, Sect Master, for your concern."
After a moment's thought, he asked curiously:
"Sect Master, the so-called 'Sword Immortal' rumored in Liyue—who might that be among my seniors?"
Jiang Yan chuckled.
"Zhongli and the others rarely return to Liyue. Even when they do, they use disciple tokens to teleport directly.
Only Keqing, stationed with the Millelith at Jueyun Karst, travels often between there and Liyue Harbor.
That 'Sword Immortal' legend is likely from her flying on her sword."
At this, Baizhu felt a pang of envy.
By strict measure, Keqing had only joined about a week earlier than him, yet she was already flying on a sword?
Her talent must be extraordinary indeed.
And yet, Baizhu still hadn't seen any other disciples on Mount Shu, not even within its cave-dwellings.
He couldn't help but ask:
"Sect Master, are the other disciples not on Mount Shu?"
Jiang Yan nodded slightly, glancing toward Longshou Peak.
"They just entered the Nine Nether Secret Realm today for exploration. It will be some time before they emerge."
The Nine Nether Secret Realm…
Baizhu had just heard about it—Mount Shu's only restored secret realm, overflowing with spirit herbs and treasures, yet filled with countless ferocious beasts.
A perilous place.
But surely an invaluable training ground.
It seemed he wouldn't meet his senior brothers and sisters anytime soon. Baizhu felt a bit of regret.
He had wanted to consult them on details of cultivation, since Jiang Yan had only provided an overview.
But as Sect Master, Jiang Yan naturally couldn't spend all his time on beginner explanations.
For now, Baizhu would have to cultivate on his own and seek guidance when the others returned.
"If there are no further questions, I will impart you a cultivation method. Spend the coming days in quiet cultivation.
The Nine Nether Secret Realm is fraught with danger. Just earlier, Head Zhongli and the others encountered two late-stage Spirit-Transformation monsters and were gravely wounded.
I must attend to that."
Baizhu's heart jolted.
They had only just entered the Netherworld, yet already faced such monsters?
Even the mighty Geo Archon was injured?
If word spread to Liyue, the city would be thrown into uproar.
And clearly, it wasn't only Zhongli who was hurt—likely Venti and Alice had acted as well, and suffered for it.
The Nine Nether Secret Realm truly was perilous beyond measure.
Baizhu dared not trouble Jiang Yan further. He had already gained the chance for immortality—now it was up to him to strive.
"This disciple has nothing else to ask. I should not waste Sect Master's time."
He bowed with impeccable courtesy.
Jiang Yan's eyes flashed with approval.
From the moment Baizhu had arrived at the foot of Jueyun Karst until now, his manners had been impeccable.
Adjusting his robes, even carefully wiping his and Qiqi's shoes before entering the great hall—ensuring no trace of impropriety.
Though Jiang Yan himself cared little for ritual, such an attitude was indeed pleasing.
To Ningguang and the others, Baizhu's desperate pursuit of immortality made him dangerous, especially with Qiqi at his side.
Liyue naturally watched him cautiously.
But to Jiang Yan, it was no great matter.
Human life was nothing more than desires at work.
Even cultivators harbored countless desires.
And Baizhu desired only longevity.
Having suffered illness all his life, having saved countless others but never himself…
His lineage of physicians had borne this curse for countless generations, bound as well to that mysterious contract with "Eternal Life."
Longevity had grown weary of its burden, and Baizhu wished his descendants not to inherit the same fate.
Whether for the mysterious white serpent that had accompanied him all his life, or simply to escape the cycle of birth and death, his pursuit of longevity was no sin.
Desire was like a boulder rolling down a mountain—once begun, it could not stop.
But without desire, all beauty in the world would lose meaning.
In truth, Jiang Yan admired Baizhu's open, unashamed yearning for immortality.
The only pity was his lack of talent…
But that too was not an obstacle.
Legends told of even physiques being refined postnatally—let alone spiritual roots.
There were always methods.
As that thought passed, Jiang Yan raised his gaze.
For a brief moment, Baizhu seemed to see Jiang Yan's figure transfigure into that of a Celestial Sovereign towering above the nine heavens.
Majestic yet merciful, his gaze filled Baizhu with awe.
At that instant, beyond longevity, Baizhu yearned also for that peerless power of the higher realms.
"Baizhu."
"This disciple is here!"
Baizhu bowed deeply, and Jiang Yan spoke slowly:
"You bear a mid-grade herb spiritual root. Though your talent is average, your nature is excellent, your Dao heart is unwavering.
Today, I accept you as an inner disciple of Mount Shu, of Great Bamboo Peak, as its third disciple.
From this day, may you be ever diligent, swim against the current, and keep your Dao heart steadfast.
Obey the rules of Mount Shu, cultivate the Dao, and subdue demons and fiends.
I shall pass to you Mount Shu's fundamental cultivation art, the Circulatory Qi Method, and the True Explanation of Basic Alchemy."
"Do you accept?"
Baizhu's eyes shone with barely restrained excitement.
"I accept! From this day forth, I shall uphold Mount Shu's rules as my lifelong code. I shall cultivate the Dao, vanquish demons, and make the honor of Mount Shu my eternal pursuit!"
Jiang Yan nodded in satisfaction.
"Good…"
A streak of light flew from his fingertip into Baizhu's brow.
A torrent of vast knowledge surged into his mind.
Baizhu gazed at Jiang Yan, overwhelmed.
At this very moment—
The tragedy of his lineage across countless generations had come to an end.
The immortal path he had sought all his life…
Lay now at his very feet.
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