Back in Mount Shu's Cave Heaven, Zhongli and the others finally let out a sigh of relief.
The first thing they did was carefully lay Xuanxing's remains to rest. Only then did Zhongli sit down cross-legged.
His injuries were still severe—his breathing labored. Even with Mount Shu's abundant spiritual qi, it would take him several days to recover.
But at least here, they were safe. There was no need to stay on guard every moment.
The group quickly noticed Jiang Yan, who sat cross-legged at the entrance of the secret realm.
Keqing called out instinctively:
"Master?"
But Jiang Yan showed no response.
Ganyu reacted a moment later, and said softly:
"Master must be using his divine sense to walk the Nine Nether Secret Realm . It looks like… he's attending to private matters."
Everyone understood and refrained from disturbing him.
In Ganyu's arms, the young Qingluan could no longer contain herself. She broke free, spread her wings, and soared into the air.
She circled Longshou Peak with joyful cries before turning back, eyes sparkling with expectation as she looked at Ganyu.
Ganyu immediately understood her intent, and smiled.
"Go on, Qingluan. You're safe here—fly as much as you like. Just be careful not to disturb the Master."
Receiving her approval, the Qingluan no longer restrained herself. She unfurled her wings, her body rapidly expanding to its true size.
Her wings stretched hundreds of meters across. In the afterglow of sunset, her radiant plumage shimmered like flowing light.
No longer merely cute—she was divine and magnificent.
"So this little one was actually that big…" Venti muttered, already scheming. If I could ride her like this, wouldn't that be the perfect sightseeing trip?
Compared to her, even Dvalin seemed small. And rumor had it, she wasn't even fully grown yet?
The creatures of the cultivation world were utterly absurd.
Venti shook his head, setting aside such thoughts.
After exchanging a chirp with Ganyu, the Qingluan shot into the skies, leaving Mount Shu's seven peaks behind as she went to stretch her wings across the world.
"She was stifled far too long in the Myriad Demon Mountains. Let her fly freely now." Ganyu's gaze softened as she watched her spirit beast's silhouette vanish into the horizon.
Beside her, Ningguang spoke:
"We should tally up our spoils as well."
At that, everyone turned to Klee—who was already toddling over on short legs, plopping down beside Jiang Yan with her face propped in her hands, watching him silently.
"Klee, take out the things from your storage ring," Alice reminded helplessly.
Ever since her daughter had taken Jiang Yan as her Master, she'd grown so attached to him it left Alice just a little jealous.
"Got it, Mommy!"
Klee obediently nodded, and dumped out everything from her storage ring in one go.
Chunks of the two great demons' bodies took up most of the space, followed by numerous beast corpses from the Spirit Transformation realm. Then there were countless bottles and jars filled with herbs they had collected.
But…
Keqing's gaze drifted to several flying swords darting about in the air, and two sets of floating feather-robes. For a long moment, she was speechless.
What… are those?
And the jade bottles—were they all filled with spirit medicine? Had they really harvested that much?
Alice pressed her temples.
"Klee, you even dumped out the treasures your Master gave you!"
Klee stuck out her tongue playfully, and hurried to scoop the extra things back up.
Everyone else felt a pang of frustration.
After all the effort they put in, their harvest couldn't even compare to what Klee had casually taken out of a single storage ring.
Just the low- and mid-grade spirit stones she'd spilled out just now—there had to be tens of thousands.
So this was the treatment of a personal disciple…?
Truly heartbreaking.
Still, they had no time to sulk, and quickly began sorting through the haul. How many contribution points it all amounted to would have to wait until Jiang Yan returned.
But the commotion was enough to draw the attention of Baizhu and the others, who had just exited the Sutra Repository.
The bloodstained aura left behind by slain monsters was still thick, and Baizhu immediately thought some ferocious beast had dared fight on Longshou Peak.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Qiqi and Changsheng, mounted the flying sword Jiang Yan had given him, and rushed over.
From the air, the sight of two mountain-sized heaps of flesh left him stunned.
Changsheng poked his head out from around Baizhu's neck, his tone grim:
"These corpses… they feel stronger than even Morax!"
Baizhu's jaw tightened.
"I'll check the situation. If anything goes wrong, you and Qiqi must retreat and warn the Master!"
But as they drew closer, the truth became apparent—the heaps were only dead remains, their residual malice spreading outward. Below, a group of battered but familiar figures came into view.
"It's the senior brothers and sisters…" Baizhu exhaled in relief.
Excitement welled up in his chest as he urged the sword faster.
The others had already noticed his approach. Jiang Yan had mentioned Baizhu's entry into Mount Shu before, so no one was surprised.
He alighted gracefully, strode forward, and bowed with a clear voice:
"Baizhu, third disciple of Great Bamboo Peak, greets the honored Elders, and senior brothers and sisters."
Ningguang glanced at him, and said softly:
"So you're the first from Liyue Harbor to truly find your way here."
"Baizhu's heart yearns for the Dao. Naturally, I hold these matters dearer than all else." He smiled faintly, then added, "In the past, I did cause Senior Sister Ningguang no small amount of trouble. Allow me to formally apologize."
Ningguang shook her head.
"It was hardly a problem. And now that you've entered Mount Shu, there's no need to dwell on the past."
"My thanks for Senior Sister's understanding."
Just then, Liuyun's gaze flicked curiously to Qiqi and Changsheng.
"They've joined Mount Shu as well?"
The true essence of cultivators was unmistakable upon them—though one was a white serpent, the other a zombie. For them to cultivate… truly curious.
Baizhu nodded, glancing at Jiang Yan who was still lost in the Nine Nether Secret Realm .
"Thanks to the Master's mercy, both Qiqi and Changsheng are now disciples of Mount Shu. Qiqi's memory has also recovered much. Master said, once she reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, she will be no different from a normal person."
Liuyun and the others brightened at this.
What had happened back then weighed on them all. That Qiqi now had a path forward in cultivation was a cause for joy.
Since Jiang Yan was still occupied, and the spoils had been sorted, the group found themselves with a moment of leisure—perfect for conversation with the new arrivals.
"You've already been to the Sutra Repository?" Venti asked curiously.
Baizhu nodded.
"Yes, Senior Venti. We just left. When we saw the blood aura rising here, we feared something had gone wrong and hurried to investigate. I hope we didn't intrude."
Venti waved a hand sheepishly.
"Eheh, no need to be so formal!"
"By the way, what techniques have you all chosen to cultivate?"
Baizhu answered softly:
"Master imparted the Zhou Tian Circulation and the Sword-Control Formula to me. For now, I feel my combat methods are sufficient. So, in the Repository, I chose a text on alchemy and spirit herbs instead."
The group's eyes lit up instantly.
Alchemy and herb lore—this was knowledge they sorely lacked. With the mountain of herbs they had gathered, they couldn't just exchange them all for contribution points, could they?
Liuyun shot Lisa a sidelong look.
"See that? Baizhu knew as a disciple of Great Bamboo Peak, his first choice should be a technique on alchemy and herbs. Unlike some people…"
Lisa winced. Liuyun really never changes…
She and Lishu both had pill-related techniques. Her own path… well, she had gone straight for demonic arts. Not exactly defensible at this moment.
"I chose a healing art," Changsheng said. He looked at Zhongli and the others with some regret. "Sadly, I haven't mastered it yet. Otherwise, I could tend to your injuries."
Zhongli shook his head, his gaze lingering on Changsheng before he turned away.
"It's fine. The grotto-heaven is safe. We can heal slowly."
Finally, everyone turned to Qiqi.
The girl's memories had improved, but she was still slow to respond. Noticing their stares, she only tilted her head blankly.
Baizhu sighed, and drew out her jade slip. His expression grew complicated.
"Qiqi's technique is… Spirit-Shift Shadow-Walking Art."
"Spirit-Shift Shadow-Walking?" Venti perked up.
"Sounds like a speed technique! I was just saying I should learn one of those next time!"
He paused. "Wait, isn't the next chance to enter the Sutra Repository the day after tomorrow?"
Baizhu's expression grew stranger still. After a moment's silence, he said tactfully:
"Senior Venti, I fear Qiqi's Spirit-Shift Shadow-Walking is not quite what you imagine."
"Huh? Then what is it?" Venti asked in puzzlement.
Baizhu's lips pressed together before he recited:
"Yellow-rank supreme technique: Spirit-Shift Shadow-Walking.
'With a cinnabar pen, the dead are guided.
Once of the Yinshan Sect, now reformed by a Mount Shu Master of old.
Unlike its origin, it does not desecrate corpses or corrupt the earth's veins.
Through tempering with moonlight essence, a corpse can be endlessly strengthened. With utmost yin and cold essence, results are even better—potentially achieving incorruptibility.
Those trained may direct corpses with agility, moving like thunder.'
"Note: though born of a sinister art, when practiced righteously it is a technique of virtue. Mount Shu disciples must never stray into evil."
The group fell silent, expressions twisting.
This "Spirit-Shift Shadow-Walking"… was it not, essentially, a proper corpse-refining art? One could strengthen corpses, then command them in battle.
And it sounded all too familiar to Zhongli. After pondering for a while, his gaze landed complicatedly on Qiqi's dazed little face.
"So… Qiqi's Spirit-Shift Shadow-Walking is actually—"
Before he could finish, Venti cut him off sharply, unable to hold back:
"What 'Spirit-Shift Shadow-Walking'?! Old man, can't you see what this is?"
"Tell me—why is Qiqi, a little zombie girl, cultivating corpse-driving arts?!"
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