"You truly wish to pursue this path?"
Jiang Yan looked at the Divine Priestess (also known as Guuji Yae) with a complicated expression. The path she wished to walk promised great prospects. If she succeeded, she would be a living reincarnation of Su Daji — perhaps even surpassing her.
But… this path was unimaginably arduous.
"Since the Nine Transformations of the Celestial Fox Art is fated to me, I will chase it to the end. I will not abandon any opportunity. Only strength will let me deny all tragedies! Just like everyone else, I too have countless reasons to become strong."
For the first time, the Divine Priestess revealed such firm resolve as she met Jiang Yan's gaze.
The great hall of the sect fell silent. After a long pause, Jiang Yan sighed lightly.
"Your will is firm. That is commendable. But I hope you do not one day stray down a crooked path, otherwise…"
"Disciple will remember Master's teachings!"
The Divine Priestess chuckled softly, her smile brimming with allure. Ever since awakening her Heavenly Allure Body after stepping onto the path of cultivation, she already bore the charm of an unrivaled temptress, even though her physique had yet to be fully tempered.
Every subtle glance, every movement of her brows stirred the hearts of onlookers.
The Heavenly Allure Body was indeed terrifying.
Yet Jiang Yan remained utterly unaffected. The gap between them was far too vast — only an Enchantress at the Union of Void and Dao stage could hope to sway him.
His eyes deepened as he produced a jade slip. This was something he had recently rediscovered in the second floor of the Sutra Pavilion. Within it were detailed records of the cultivation world and the hidden secrets of Mount Shu.
"What I told you before — that throughout all of Mount Shu and even the entire cultivation world, there is no other copy of the Nine Transformations of the Celestial Fox Art — that was not a lie."
"But… those words were not the whole truth, either."
"Long ago, when Qingqiu faced annihilation, its foundation of millions of years was destroyed. Yet, a number of its clansmen were sheltered by Mount Shu. The first three transformations of the Nine Transformations were in fact contributed by those survivors of Qingqiu."
"As for the middle three transformations — those still exist, somewhere in the lower realms."
"But the location of this scripture is… special."
"Before I tell you, you must first understand the two great fox clans in the cultivation world."
"The lineages of Qingqiu and Mount Tu."
Ganyu blinked in surprise, looking at Jiang Yan.
"Master, the Qingqiu foxes and the Mount Tu foxes… surely they are both demon clans?"
Jiang Yan nodded slightly.
This only deepened Ganyu's confusion.
With Mount Shu's reputation for being strict in its crusade against demons — striking down all they encountered — how could they possibly protect any demon clan?
"You likely think that Mount Shu, sworn to slay demons and uphold justice, kills all demons without exception, sparing only spirit beasts, correct?"
Ganyu slowly nodded.
Jiang Yan spoke softly:
"Just as humans are divided between good and evil, so too are demons. The cultivation world harbors demonic cultivators among men, does it not? So why should every demon be condemned as wicked?"
"The creed of Mount Shu to slay demons and exterminate evil applies only to those who commit heinous crimes."
"As for those demon clans that walk the righteous path, Mount Shu regards them with goodwill. Of course, in earlier times, Mount Shu indeed bore little fondness for any demons."
"The later change of philosophy… that is tied to an unspeakable past."
He paused, a faint wistfulness flickering in his eyes.
"Among the demon clans, many are close to humanity — the serpents and tortoises by the Eastern Sea, the Bodhi willows in the far West, the fire spirits of the Southern Lands…"
"The clans of Qingqiu and Mount Tu are no different. They too hold cordial ties with many sects of the cultivation world."
"However, between Qingqiu and Mount Tu exists an irreconcilable hatred. This stems from the internal strife and division within the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox clan of the upper realms."
"Both Qingqiu and Mount Tu trace their ancestry to the Nine-tailed Celestial Foxes."
"As for the cause of their schism, I cannot say with certainty. But know this: Qingqiu and Mount Tu each embody one of the two great powers of the Nine-tailed Fox lineage."
"Qingqiu excels in arts of enchantment. Mount Tu specializes in the Dao of bonds and destiny."
"Both share the same final goal — to gather nine tails and ascend as a Celestial Fox."
The Divine Priestess still did not see how this tied into her path.
Jiang Yan slowed his voice, then asked calmly:
"Do you know which bloodline awakened within you after you began cultivation?"
The Divine Priestess shook her head.
"The lineage of the Mount Tu foxes."
She still did not understand.
"Master, what does that have to do with me acquiring the middle three transformations?"
Jiang Yan sighed.
"The Nine Transformations of the Celestial Fox Art: Middle Three resides in the hands of a late-stage Return-to-Void expert of the Qingqiu clan."
"And it is widely suspected that the destruction of Qingqiu was orchestrated by the ancestor of Mount Tu."
"What's more, this Qingqiu expert herself was once deceived by the Mount Tu foxes. Her beloved perished; she herself was sealed for thousands of years…"
"If you were to appear before her, what do you think she would do?"
The Divine Priestess fell silent.
Perfect. Personal vendetta and clan hatred combined. She'd be lucky if that expert didn't kill her on the spot.
But…
How was she — a mere pink-haired fox — suddenly dragged into a grudge between two ancient, mighty clans?
"All foxes of the myriad worlds carry traces of Nine-tailed Celestial Fox blood. Over time, they branch into the lineages of Qingqiu and Mount Tu."
"You may have been but a simple fox from Teyvat, but once you entered the path of cultivation, your bloodline awakening and regression was inevitable. You cannot change that."
Jiang Yan's tone deepened:
"The Qingqiu fox in question is named Wan Yuzhi, once the most famed figure of her clan. Now, she is imprisoned within Mount Shu's Demon-Sealing Tower."
"In the past, her beloved was poisoned by Mount Tu's schemes. To prolong his life, she was forced to harvest the blood of countless humans. For his sake, she bathed her hands in blood."
"Eventually, she was discovered by the chief disciple of Mount Shu's Hall of Discipline and suppressed. Later, it was found that those she slew were all criminals, but the killings were too many."
"She was sentenced to eternal suppression within the Demon-Sealing Tower."
"That was her personal vendetta."
"Later, when Qingqiu itself was destroyed, her homeland vanished. Rumor holds it was by Mount Tu's ancestor. She believed it."
"That is her clan's hatred."
"You bear the Mount Tu bloodline. To her, you are a natural enemy."
Ganyu frowned, anger flashing in her eyes.
"From the sound of it, isn't the Mount Tu fox clan the villain here?"
"Not necessarily," Jiang Yan shook his head.
"The struggle between Qingqiu and Mount Tu has endured since ancient times. Members of Qingqiu have also betrayed Mount Tu. This is their private feud — not ours to judge."
The Divine Priestess rubbed her temples, distressed.
"So because of this absurd grudge, I have no chance of acquiring the middle three transformations?"
"Not only that." Jiang Yan's tone grew heavier.
"Do you know what the Demon-Sealing Tower is?"
Before the Divine Priestess could reply, Ganyu recalled aloud:
"Master once said that the Demon-Sealing Tower of Mount Shu imprisons only the most heinous demons and monsters. It is the most dangerous place within the sect."
"Within it are even imprisoned demon emperors at the peak of the Union of Void and Dao stage."
Jiang Yan nodded.
"The Demon-Sealing Tower is a place even Mount Shu elders are unwilling to enter."
"If you wish to meet Wan Yuzhi, you must go there. But within the tower, even the elders cannot protect you."
"She is held on the seventh floor. But besides her, there are countless other monsters of the Returning to the Void realm."
"To reach her, you must first survive the earlier levels of the tower."
"With your current strength, it would be certain death."
"Even I cannot guarantee safe passage to the seventh floor."
"After so many years, no one knows what has developed within that tower. It is a forbidden zone beyond all forbidden zones."
"And besides… the Demon-Sealing Tower is not even unsealed yet. Entering it is not possible at all."
The Divine Priestess fell silent.
So, the middle three transformations of the Nine Transformations… were completely out of reach.
The tower was sealed. Even if it opened, with her current strength, she would never survive to reach the seventh floor. Even if she did, showing her Mount Tu bloodline before Wan Yuzhi would be suicide.
And even if she somehow grew strong enough… by then, she'd already be at least Union of Void and Dao. Would the middle three transformations still even benefit her?
It was a dead end.
"So, set aside thoughts of the middle three transformations. The first three alone will serve you well for a long time. Focus on diligent cultivation. Once you ascend to the Immortal Realm, and reach Mount Tu itself, you will naturally acquire the complete Nine Transformations."
"Do not reach too far, too soon."
Jiang Yan's final words were firm. The Divine Priestess was not like those reckless hotheads who'd insist on bashing their heads against a wall even after being told it was impossible.
Hearing his explanation, she immediately let go.
Mount Shu's collection of techniques was vast; there was no need to fixate on this one alone.
For now, she would cultivate others. The Nine Transformations… would one day be hers.
With the Nine-tailed Fox bloodline and the Heavenly Allure Body, she was the perfect vessel for Su Daji's legacy.
The Nine Transformations would inevitably fall into her hands. And even if it did not…
If Su Daji once created the Nine Transformations, why could she — with Mount Shu behind her — not do the same?
The Divine Priestess nodded slightly, her voice soft:
"Thank you, Master, for your guidance. Disciple understands."
Jiang Yan smiled approvingly.
"Do not be too disheartened. Beyond the Nine Transformations, Su Daji was also versed in the Red Threads of Fate and the Art of the Incarnate Illusion. Though not as mighty as the Immortal Arts of the Nine Transformations, they too are formidable."
"Coincidentally, Mount Shu possesses these as well. But you will need to reach at least the Returning to the Void realm and step into the third floor of the Sutra Pavilion to access them."
"So, cultivation is always the priority."
"Furthermore, though you now bear the Mount Tu bloodline, it is not yet pure. You have only awakened through regression. You are not yet truly of Mount Tu."
"In time, you must temper your bloodline, and fully become one of Mount Tu. Then, that bloodline will grant you… a surprise."
Jiang Yan's gaze grew deep as he looked at her intently. His voice dropped to a low murmur:
"The Mount Tu foxes wield a secret art known as Threads of Affection Binding the Next Life."
"This art… has the power to return the dead to life. It touches upon the Dao of Reincarnation itself."
"In other words… the legendary art of resurrection."
The Divine Priestess's pupils shrank, her eyes lifting in disbelief to meet Jiang Yan's.
He only smiled faintly, gazing back at her in silence.
The Divine Priestess clenched her teeth, then suddenly broke into a radiant smile.
"Thank you, Master! Disciple will work hard in cultivation!"
Jiang Yan nodded slightly, saying no more.
Seeing this, Ganyu and the Divine Priestess both excused themselves and left.
After they departed, Jiang Yan retrieved the jade slip once more, his divine sense delving into its contents.
After a long time, he sighed quietly.
"Love… nothing wounds more deeply. Even the foxes of Qingqiu, famed for transcending affection, could not escape its suffering…"
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