Furina could hardly believe it. What had started as a half-serious suspicion had turned into reality.
Liyue was going to cultivate immortality…
Such a development was beyond her wildest imagination, and she found it hard to accept. Yet the token at Clorinde's waist, along with the books and photographs she brought back, left no room for doubt.
Once again, Liyue had shaken the world.
While the rest of Teyvat was still obsessing over harnessing elemental power, while Fontaine proudly held up its advanced technology as proof of superiority, Liyue had boldly declared: We no longer believe in elemental power or science. We choose the path of cultivation.
Furina couldn't even sit through the ongoing trial. With a glance at Neuvillette, she rushed Clorinde out of the opera house.
Back in her office, she turned the photos over and over in her hands.
Were it not for her faith in Fontaine's technology, she might have suspected Clorinde was playing a trick on her.
Soldiers of the Millelith trained as warriors, high-ranking Liyue officials soaring on swords, colossal spirit beasts serving as mounts…
Dreamlike, impossible things—yet they were real.
The most absurd part? Liyue had even published a cultivation novel, filled with details matching Clorinde's eyewitness accounts.
Did they really hand out a cultivation manual?
Rubbing her temples, Furina felt an ache in her heart.
She had been playing her role for five hundred years, finally nearing her moment of triumph—only to discover that Liyue was staging an even grander performance, one that fooled not just her, but the entire world.
Cultivation.
Immortality. Dominion over heaven and earth.
Her own centuries-long act suddenly felt childish in comparison.
And now, the seemingly calm Teyvat was sure to erupt in chaos when Mount Shu's opening ceremony arrived.
She didn't know what to say, only that she couldn't miss this. Neither could Fontaine.
Perhaps here lay a way to save Fontaine—one that spared them from the worst outcome.
After a long silence, Furina flung the papers onto her desk, crossed her arms, and sat back with a huff.
"I'll wait for Neuvillette."
Clorinde could only sigh. She knew this was just how her Archon was—stubborn to the bone. So she waited quietly, occasionally sneaking a glance at the token at her waist.
It was her pass into Mount Shu's opening ceremony, twenty days from now.
Though dazed by the thought of Liyue embracing cultivation, she couldn't resist the lure. To step into legend, to join the immortal path… it was an irresistible temptation.
Mount Shu… I want to go.
After some time, thunderous applause erupted outside the opera house. Cheers followed, as though a grand performance had just concluded.
But it was only another Fontaine trial at an end.
Furina sighed inwardly and paid it no mind.
Soon, Neuvillette returned, carrying a file. He set it on the cabinet and calmly seated himself across from her, already opening another case file.
"Lady Furina, you're acting strangely today. Normally, you never miss a trial—your so-called 'dramas.'"
At another time, Furina would have sparred with him in words. But now, she simply tossed the photos his way with a weary look.
"Clorinde. Report your findings."
"Yes, Lady Furina."
Clorinde inclined her head, then addressed Neuvillette.
"About a month ago, a thunderstorm erupted in Liyue—so massive it shook all of Teyvat. But it didn't seem natural.
Lady Furina sent inquiries, but the reply we received was… evasive. Something about the Geo Archon undergoing a tribulation."
Neuvillette frowned.
He had been too entangled in Fontaine's matters to follow up—the Grey River conflict, troubles with the House of the Hearth. He had heard of Furina's inquiry, but not the details.
A tribulation for Morax? What a ridiculous excuse.
He kept silent as Clorinde continued.
"Later, intelligence agencies sent us photos and reports.
It seems Liyue welcomed a cultivator from another world. The thunderstorm was connected to this figure.
I went to Liyue myself and confirmed it… Liyue truly intends to embrace cultivation."
At that, Neuvillette's head shot up, eyes fixed on her. Clorinde handed him the novel Liyue had published, then recounted all she had seen.
Even Furina, hearing it a second time, still found it absurd. For Neuvillette, with no preparation, it was all the more shocking.
Clorinde spoke until her throat was dry, but at last her account was finished.
Neuvillette sat frowning deeply, brows creased like rivers converging. He flipped through the book again and again before closing it, rubbing his temples.
"Martial arts. Cultivation. Mount Shu… Why would such powers descend upon a small world like Teyvat?
And that disturbance beyond the distant sea, half a month ago…"
Clorinde's voice grew hoarse as she added quietly:
"Rumor says the Sect Master of Mount Shu needed to capture demon gods to stabilize his newly created world."
"Created… a world?"
Even Neuvillette felt a tremor in his heart. A being capable of world-creation—why had they come to Teyvat?
Clorinde thought a moment before adding:
"Reliable sources say that Ningguang, Keqing, the Qixing's secretaries, the Geo Archon, and even the Adepti have already joined Mount Shu.
There are even whispers the Anemo Archon was seen entering as well.
If true, that means at least two Archons have pledged themselves already.
According to the novel, the Sect Master of Mount Shu could easily overturn Teyvat.
Cultivation is truly the path to immortality.
In twenty days, for the opening ceremony, tens of thousands have already registered. From them, Mount Shu will select over a thousand disciples.
Liyue is already in upheaval."
Neuvillette exhaled deeply.
"You've done well, Lady Clorinde. So that token on your belt…"
Clorinde nodded.
"It's proof of passing the first screening. With it, I can enter Mount Shu and attend the ceremony."
"So you too have found your chance."
He examined it briefly. Ordinary in appearance, likely crafted in Liyue Harbor.
"Finished?"
Furina finally spoke, scowling at Neuvillette.
"Then hurry and think, you clever serpent! Liyue's about to start cultivating immortality. Don't we need a response?"
Neuvillette met her gaze calmly.
"A response? We face only two choices: pretend ignorance… or join them.
Which will it be, Lady Furina?"
She fell silent.
Could they really ignore this? Cultivation, by any measure, was an undeniable blessing.
If circumstances were simpler, she'd have leapt at the chance.
But her five-hundred-year plan was nearing its culmination. What if cultivation couldn't solve Fontaine's crisis? Then even her fallback would be gone.
This wasn't just a personal decision. It was the fate of Fontaine itself.
She couldn't gamble so lightly.
Neuvillette gave her a thoughtful glance, then opened the novel again.
"If this book was deliberately circulated by Liyue, its contents deserve careful study.
Cultivators need spiritual energy. Everything depends on it.
The book mentions beasts and demons that evolve by absorbing qi.
Since cultivators are real, those monsters likely are too.
What's more, after that thunderstorm, Fontaine's primordial sea beneath us has grown calmer.
We may finally have some breathing room.
I don't know what weighs on your mind, Lady Furina—perhaps that prophecy.
But you are the Hydro Archon. The choice is yours.
Still, I will say this: it seems we have two options, but in truth, we only have one."
He paused, voice tinged with resignation.
"By Clorinde's account, Liyue holds no control over Mount Shu's selection.
Anyone from any nation who qualifies will be admitted if they come.
Immortality, dominion over heaven and earth—who could refuse?
The other seven nations will surely take part. We… have no real choice."
Furina glared at him.
"Then why pretend I had one?!"
She slumped, resting her chin on her hand with a sigh.
"So be it. Cultivation is something we must pursue, no matter what.
Clorinde—you've passed the screening. Select a group to register in Liyue. You depart tomorrow."
Clorinde nodded. Time was short. She could travel quickly as a Vision-bearer, but moving an entire group would take days, and word must be sent ahead to Liyue.
Neuvillette studied Furina a moment, then spoke softly:
"Lady Furina, I believe you should come to Liyue yourself."
"What? Are you joking? I'm the Hydro Archon—I can't just leave Fontaine!"
"Yet Barbatos has already left Mondstadt."
His gaze held quiet meaning.
"The primordial sea has calmed. Fontaine will be safe for now.
I can watch over things here. But you… I believe your place is in Liyue."
Furina froze, averting her eyes. Somehow it felt as if he'd seen through her.
But he wasn't wrong.
The threat below had quieted. For now, there was no danger.
In that case… perhaps she could try cultivation.
Maybe this was the perfect solution.
Her mind settled. Resolve lit her face.
"Fine! It's decided!
Tomorrow, I too will depart. I'll register for Mount Shu's opening ceremony!"
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