"Isn't that from Investiture of the Gods?"
Jiang Yan chuckled and shook his head.
"The overall timeline is indeed similar, but many of the details are not.
"For instance, in Investiture of the Gods it says the Great Goddess Nuwa retaliated against the Shang dynasty because of a poem, or that the Three Pure Ones went to war with each other. All of that is completely fabricated.
"Nuwa is a Great Luo immortal. Even if King Zhou of Shang lost his senses, he would never dare speak blasphemies against a Great Luo.
"What's more, Great Luo beings walk freely upon the Great Dao. They wouldn't bother themselves with such trivialities. Would you care about an ant singing your praises or hurling insults? Either way, you wouldn't even listen.
"The Shang dynasty's downfall had nothing to do with Great Luo. They had no interest in scheming over such petty affairs. If they truly wished to intervene, they could have wiped Shang away with a flick of the hand—even though Shang then had no shortage of Golden Immortals and even some True Immortals of the Taiyi realm.
"But to a Great Luo, that's still nothing more than an anthill, hardly worth mentioning.
"As for the Three Pure Ones, they represent the beginning, the process, and the end of all things. They are fundamentally inseparable—it is absolutely impossible for conflict to erupt among them. Otherwise, the very cycle of the Heavenly Dao across the myriad worlds would fall into chaos.
"But other aspects of the story are indeed largely true."
Hearing Jiang Yan's explanation, Alice's eyes lit with sudden understanding.
"No wonder! I thought so myself—how could a Great Luo care about such tricks? If they truly wanted Shang destroyed, one slap would have ended everything."
Jiang Yan spoke calmly:
"As for Shang's collapse, there were countless hidden currents, involving the struggles of many factions in the Immortal Realm. The full truth, even I don't know.
"It is only recorded that in those days, Shang held sway over nearly all of the Immortal Realm. After its destruction, the title of Human Sovereign disappeared, and Heaven became the dominant power.
"Perhaps Shang stood in too many people's way.
"What I do know is that King Zhou's methods were indeed ruthless, but he was not the cruel tyrant history paints him as.
"No Human Sovereign in history could ever have been such, for otherwise, how could they bear the mantle of Human Sovereign?"
The crowd nodded slightly, each forming their own guesses.
A dynasty monopolizing the Immortal Realm for too long—how could it not block the paths of others? The result was easy to imagine.
But such matters were too far removed from them; there was no need to dwell.
"As for Su Daji," Jiang Yan continued, "she was originally a princess of the You Su clan in the Immortal Realm. After her tribe fell to Shang, she was sent to Chaoge.
"On the way, passing Xuanyuan's Tomb, she was replaced by the Nine-Tailed Fox, a traitor of the Qingqiu clan.
"As for the fox's true motives, no one knows. Perhaps it sought a powerful patron, or perhaps deeper schemes were at play.
"But after taking Su Daji's place, she indeed sowed chaos.
"The deeds you mentioned—she truly committed them.
"And according to legend, she relied on her Heavenly Allure Body to bewitch King Zhou, pushing a dynasty already on the brink into utter ruin.
"As for the exact truth, no one knows. Such things remain secrets of the Immortal Realm.
"But regardless, because of Su Daji, the Heavenly Allure Body has borne heavy prejudice ever since.
"And indeed, later in history, many who possessed it followed her example and brought calamity.
"Whether that is due to some hidden influence within the Heavenly Allure Body itself is hard to say.
"Therefore…"
Jiang Yan paused, looking at Guuji Yae, whose expression had grown complicated.
"It would be best for you to walk through the Heart-Testing Array.
"First, it will temper your state of mind. Even if the Heavenly Allure Body has side effects, you'll be prepared.
"Second, the array also strengthens the soul—it will do you good."
Hearing this, Ganyu grasped Guuji Yae's hand tightly.
"I believe Guuji Yae is not such a person!"
Jiang Yan smiled.
"I have always said: power has no inherent right or wrong, techniques no inherent good or evil.
"So long as your heart is steadfast, even demonic arts can slay demons and serve the world. Lisa is living proof of that.
"But the Heavenly Allure Body has always been enigmatic. Even I don't know what will happen once it awakens.
"To be cautious, it's best to make preparations before you begin cultivating.
"Rest assured, I hold no prejudice against you for possessing it.
"Power is always wielded by the person, not the other way around."
Guuji Yae fell silent for a long moment before softly saying:
"Thank you, Sect Master."
Jiang Yan nodded.
"Time is nearly up. These past days, everyone has made progress. Today even Qingluan has broken through to Spirit Transformation.
"Go and consolidate your cultivation."
Just as Jiang Yan was about to leave, Baizhu hurriedly asked:
"Sect Master, do you know where Qiqi is? She hasn't appeared all day."
Jiang Yan chuckled.
"I sent Qiqi to Liyue. She cultivates the Spirit-Moving and Shadow-Walking Arts, which require practice.
"Besides, for her to break through quickly will ease her condition as a jiangshi. Perhaps her unique constitution might even awaken further.
"But Mount Shu has no corpses for her to practice on, so I told her to look for opportunities in Liyue.
"Do not worry—she bears my Golden Light Talisman. Nothing will happen."
Relieved, Baizhu bowed in thanks before departing on his sword.
One by one, the others also excused themselves. Ganyu gently pulled along the thoughtful Guuji Yae, bringing Qingluan as well, to show them the sights of Mount Shu before Guuji Yae began her intensive retraining the next day.
Jiang Yan himself was preparing to leave when Ningguang spoke up:
"Sect Master, if you have time, there is a matter I wish to consult you on."
He inclined his head.
"Let's speak in the sect hall."
A thought carried them to the grand hall, where Jiang Yan seated himself on a meditation mat and looked at her.
Ningguang bowed respectfully.
"Sect Master, regarding the Mountain-Opening Ceremony in twenty days, I have some suggestions."
Jiang Yan's interest was piqued.
"Go on."
She nodded.
"As the Sect Master intends, a thousand will be recruited—some to the inner sect, some to the outer sect.
"This will indeed prosper Mount Shu. But upon further thought, I feel something is lacking.
"With so many new disciples, sect affairs will multiply. Outer and inner disciples should focus on cultivation. These chores cannot all fall on them.
"Why not recruit people specifically to handle sect duties, ensuring the sect's daily needs are met?"
Jiang Yan blinked, then looked at her with admiration.
"You are quite right. I had overlooked that."
"Of course you would," Ningguang smiled lightly. "The Sect Master must see to greater matters, not such trifles."
She then asked:
"Tell me, do cultivation sects ever recruit such attendants?"
Jiang Yan shook his head.
"No. Ordinary mortals cannot set foot in such places—sect grounds brim with spiritual traces that would overwhelm them.
"But sects do take in a type of disciple known as menial disciples.
"Their talent falls short of outer disciples, but they still qualify to cultivate.
"They are admitted mainly to handle chores. Yet they remain disciples, and if they pass tests or prove their strength, they may advance to outer disciples.
"Indeed, many strong cultivators of the past rose from such beginnings."
Ningguang's eyes lit up.
"Would the Sect Master consider admitting menial disciples?"
She sighed before continuing:
"To be frank, after the first round in Liyue, more than two hundred thousand remain in contention for the Mountain-Opening Ceremony.
"By the deadline, nearly a million may arrive.
"To admit only one thousand is too cruel.
"Cultivators live long lives. Who knows when the next ceremony will be? By then, many mortals will have already perished with their talents wasted.
"If we admit some as menial disciples, not only will they handle chores, they can also become reserves for the sect's future growth."
Jiang Yan considered this, then nodded.
"You make sense. Very well—select the three thousand who rank just below the top thousand as menial disciples.
"From the rest, choose a number of promising talents to cultivate martial arts for now, and keep them on Mount Shu."
Relieved, Ningguang bowed deeply.
"Many thanks, Sect Master."
Jiang Yan teased:
"You must also have worried that so many failing to enter Mount Shu would leave Liyue unable to house them all, no?"
Her cheeks reddened as she admitted it.
"You see through everything, Sect Master. Liyue has the confidence to maintain order, but these people passed the initial screening—they are all upright. It would be unseemly to treat them harshly."
Jiang Yan nodded.
"No matter. Menial disciples are vital to a sect, and an important pool from which true disciples are chosen.
"But they are still menial disciples. If they never advance, they may enter the Sutra Pavilion only once in their lives.
"As for the rest of the arrangements—since you raised the matter, you may also oversee it."
Ningguang smiled.
"As is only proper. Within three days I will devise a full plan for their placement."
She then excused herself.
Jiang Yan closed his eyes, his divine sense spreading outward.
Mount Shu's tranquility had been broken today: Guuji Yae, possessor of the Heavenly Allure Body, had arrived to seek entry, and Qingluan had broken through to Spirit Transformation. Both were good omens.
He mused: Guuji Yae's true form was a pink fox with nine tails—an uncanny echo of Su Daji. Would she one day reach that level?
But as for walking Su Daji's path, he thought not.
Though she exuded an alluring charm, in truth Guuji Yae was more of a playful mischief-maker, much like Lisa.
Her destiny lay with being an entertainer, not a calamity-bringer.
On that, Jiang Yan had confidence.
His divine sense swept across all Teyvat, seeing the unrest brought by the rise of cultivation—but he cared little.
Mount Shu was meant to be the world's focus.
However…
Jiang Yan slowly opened his eyes, an odd look on his face.
"Qiqi… already found a corpse to drive?"
"In that case, doesn't this mean Hu Tao just got her job poached across industries?"
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