Ever since they entered Mount Shu, everyone had felt that bizarre things happened year after year—but here, they came especially often.
First, Zhongli had taken up the "Summoning Incantation," which already felt out of place.
And now…
Qiqi had learned corpse-driving arts?
So wasn't that the same as—"I drive corpses… but I'm the corpse being driven"?!
At least Zhongli's summoning technique didn't let him summon other immortals. Otherwise, if one day he cast the spell and accidentally summoned the Geo Archon himself—what then?
Zhongli massaged his temples, headache growing. For some reason, his thoughts drifted to Hu Tao.
That child probably couldn't imagine, even in her wildest dreams, that the one stealing her business was none other than the client she'd always wanted to send off.
Wasn't this like a chef renowned for cooking fish… only to find that the fish had taken over his head chef's position?
If Hu Tao saw Qiqi one day, bell in hand, leading a line of corpses down the road… she might just break down in tears.
Truly against all reason.
"Qiqi cultivating the Spirit-Shift Shadow-Walking Art is actually a rather good choice."
Suddenly, Jiang Yan's voice rang out. The crowd turned to see him standing there, his consciousness returned, smiling faintly at them.
"Master."
Everyone bowed in greeting. Jiang Yan inclined his head slightly, then looked toward Qiqi.
"The Spirit-Shift Shadow-Walking Art was indeed once a dark technique of the Yinshan Sect. But back then, my master modified it, removing its most dangerous traits.
"Qiqi herself is already a little zombie. Using this technique to temper her body is highly beneficial in her situation.
"Furthermore, she can attempt actual corpse-driving. The practice of guiding the dead back to their homeland is not an evil art—it is a deed of compassion.
"For Qiqi, corpse-driving benefits her own cultivation. By performing it with the Spirit-Shift Shadow-Walking Art, she will also gather yin energy.
"That yin energy, in turn, nourishes her, speeding her progress.
"It is a virtuous cycle."
At that, everyone nodded in sudden understanding.
But Zhongli's expression only grew more complicated.
So it was confirmed—Qiqi was indeed preparing to snatch Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business.
He personally didn't mind. But when it came to Hu Tao…
He could almost hear her wailing already.
Back then, she had always wanted to send him off, but could never manage it. Now, her future clients were being taken away ahead of time by Qiqi.
Where was the justice in that?
"Master, have you finished what you needed to do?" Ganyu asked curiously.
A flicker of complexity passed through Jiang Yan's eyes. He nodded, but didn't elaborate.
Ganyu noticed, and tactfully changed the subject.
"Master, we've gathered all the resources from the Nine Nether Secret Realm. Can we exchange them for contribution points now?"
Jiang Yan gave a small nod.
"The two great demons—their demon cores and storage rings, I recommend you keep for yourselves. As for the rest, the total comes to about one hundred and thirty thousand points."
"One hundred and thirty… thousand?!"
Zhongli and the others were stunned.
That astronomical sum meant not only had they recouped their costs, but for a long while they wouldn't lack cultivation resources at all.
"It's mostly thanks to the treasured bone inside the Golden Eagle. Without that, even with the demon cores and rings removed, the corpses alone wouldn't fetch so much." Jiang Yan explained with a smile.
He then converted the rest of the gathered resources into contribution points as well.
In an instant, the towering piles vanished, transferred into the sect's treasury.
As for the medicinal herbs, he had Lishu and the others plant them in the sect's spirit fields, to see if they could be cultivated.
Though these herbs were of lower rank, they were still true spirit herbs—not like the crude plants of Teyvat that required extensive cultivation before evolving.
At the very least, Great Bamboo Peak would soon be able to refine some simpler pills.
Jiang Yan's gaze drifted to the box holding Xuanxing's remains. With a quiet sigh, he said:
"As for Junior Brother Xuanxing… Zhongli, find him a proper resting place here on Longshou Peak.
"The jade slip he carried contains the Directing the Profound Scripture, the peak's specialized cultivation art. You may switch to that method.
"As for his other belongings—you are now acting head of Longshou Peak, and his junior brother. Handle them as you see fit."
There was nothing on Xuanxing worth Jiang Yan's attention. The deceased were gone; he had no interest in stripping their possessions.
For disciples of Longshou Peak, it was best that their own peak dealt with their affairs.
His thoughts flickered to the rewards granted after the Nine Nether Secret Realm trial.
Just as he expected, though the time spent inside had been short, the disciples had truly undergone a transformation in mentality.
Such growth matched Mount Shu's destined rise.
"Strengthen the foundation, then ascend to new heights."
Reward: Enlightenment of the Huangting Jade-View Sutra, Union of Void and Dao stage.
Mount Shu's Cave Heaven evolves into a true Small World: six spirit veins, three spirit mines.
Gateway to the Xuanyin Small World.
Seeing this, Jiang Yan felt some relief.
The troubling information he'd learned from Greenwind Ox—and the new doubts it raised—he set aside for now.
The Huangting Sutra's Union of Void and Dao-level insight would hasten his progress by severalfold.
As for Mount Shu itself, it could no longer be considered a mere pocket realm attached to Teyvat. It was a genuine small world.
The spirit veins would enrich its qi. The mines meant Windreturn Peak could finally begin proper operations.
The only concern was the Xuanyin Small World portal…
Unlike the Nine Nether Secret Realm, filled with trapped beasts, the Xuanyin realm was once a subordinate world to the Immortal Realm proper—now a gathering ground for demonic cultivators.
He wasn't certain what awaited within. For safety's sake, that reward would remain unactivated for now.
But the others could be arranged at once.
He spoke softly:
"There is one more piece of good news.
"The ancestors' gift has been activated. Tonight at midnight, Mount Shu will stir.
"We shall gain six new spirit veins, three spirit mines, and truly transform into a Small World.
"If there is turmoil tonight, do not be alarmed."
Joy lit everyone's faces.
"Master, when Mount Shu becomes a Small World, how will it differ from Teyvat?" Ningguang asked curiously.
"Of course there is a difference," Jiang Yan replied with a faint nod. "Mount Shu is rooted in a cultivation world. Thus, when it evolves, many beasts and herbs here may also be blessed.
"But because of that, Mount Shu may grow increasingly perilous in the future. All disciples must cultivate diligently."
Everyone bowed deeply.
"We shall obey the Master's teachings."
"The contribution points are already inscribed into your tokens," Jiang Yan added. "Once Mount Shu finishes its transformation, go to the Hall of Merits to exchange them if needed.
"For now, rest. If you must return to Teyvat, use the disciple token to teleport."
With that, Jiang Yan vanished.
Ganyu fell silent.
She couldn't shake the feeling that Jiang Yan had carried back some heavy burden from the Nine Nether Secret Realm.
But since he wouldn't speak of it, they couldn't ask.
After his departure, the others began chatting.
Baizhu humbly asked Lishu for advice on alchemy and spirit herbs, only for Liuyun to interject constantly, scolding that he'd better not mislead others without mastering his own basics.
Ningguang and Keqing decided to return to Liyue Harbor for a while. Keqing often went back, but Ningguang hadn't visited in ages. It was time to check on the progress of martial arts there.
Zhongli, Venti, and the others were still too injured to travel. Besides, tonight's transformation of Mount Shu into a Small World was a once-in-an-era spectacle—worth witnessing firsthand.
Lisa, though also wounded, had cultivated the Soul Burning Hellfire, feeding it with beast souls. Her combat strength had actually advanced further.
But she has been away for nearly a week now. Aside from Venti occasionally sending letters to Jean, she herself hadn't written at all. She wondered how Mondstadt was faring.
With little left to do here, perhaps it was time to return.
She found Alice.
"Elder Alice, I plan to go back to Mondstadt."
At that, Venti looked over.
"Today?" he asked softly.
Lisa nodded firmly.
"The sooner the better. I worry for Jean—she pushes herself too hard.
"Besides, with Mount Shu advancing so quickly, I want Jean to join me in cultivation. If we wait, she may fall behind."
Venti frowned slightly.
"…That is indeed a problem."
"Honestly," Alice muttered, "some people call themselves the Anemo Archon, but aren't half as reliable as Lisa."
Venti stuck out his tongue with a grin.
"Eheh! Freedom, after all!"
Lisa rolled her eyes, then continued:
"This trip, I'll resolve Dvalin's problem quickly. Then I'll settle things in Mondstadt, and bring Jean over.
"Teyvat is about to enter a great cultivation era. Jean can't afford to be left behind.
"And Senior Venti, if you have the time, perhaps spend less of it teasing people, and more on developing martial arts?
"In Liyue, the martial path has already begun spreading formally in version 3.6. In Mondstadt, people don't even know what martial arts are."
Venti's expression grew sheepish.
"It's just… I haven't had the time. And I'm not as skilled in martial arts as the old man. It takes slow refinement, right?"
Lisa only shook her head. He always had excuses.
"This trip will take only two or three days if all goes well. By the time I return, we'll be due for another visit to the Sutra Repository.
"Oh—and Venti. If Jean finds out Liyue has already begun spreading martial arts, while Mondstadt hasn't even heard of them…
"Don't you think she'll pester you endlessly to help?"
Lisa smiled sweetly at him.
Venti shivered, face filled with grievance.
"I get it already! Stop rubbing it in! I'll handle it! Seriously, where's the carefree, unrestrained life of a cultivator in all this?!"
"Five thousand contribution points," Lisa said airily.
In an instant, Venti's face turned solemn.
"This task falls to me alone! I am Mondstadt's Anemo Archon! Rest assured, by the time you return, I'll have consulted the old man and devised a martial path manual!"
Lisa chuckled behind her hand, bade Alice farewell, and activated her disciple token, vanishing from Mount Shu.
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