"What!"
Aether grabbed the Abyss Mage by the throat, his voice icy:
"Are you certain? Every last one of them is dead?"
The Abyss Mage trembled, pointing a shaking finger toward the piles of Hilichurl corpses nearby.
"It's true! Truly, Your Highness! They're all dead!"
"Their souls… it's as if they've been completely stripped away!"
"Their bodies remain intact, but their souls are gone!"
At those words, Aether loosened his grip, dazed.
"Their souls… stripped away…?"
"Flying sword arts… a cultivator…"
"Damn it! Has a true cultivator actually come to Teyvat? And not just that— a demonic cultivator?"
"Cultivating by ripping out souls… that's even more twisted than the Abyss itself!"
"Damn it all…"
For a moment, Aether's head spun.
There was good news: Lumine had been saved— by none other than a legendary cultivator.
But the bad news?
That cultivator was a demonic cultivator— the kind who devoured souls to advance.
Aether's hands itched, unsure of what move to make.
"What about information on that person?"
After a long silence, he pressed further.
"Yes, Your Highness. The one responsible was Mondstadt's hidden expert— Lisa, wielder of Electro."
"Electro?"
Aether froze, then frowned.
"Not a Descender?"
"She belongs to the Hexenzirkel, not a Descender, Your Highness."
The Abyss Mage hesitated, then added:
"It seems she went to Liyue about a week ago. After returning, she…"
"Liyue…"
Aether suddenly recalled the violent thunderstorm that had raged there days ago. At the time, his plans were at a critical stage, and he hadn't dared spare the effort to investigate.
Later, when he finally had the chance, word came of the Adepti stirring restlessly, and he set aside his curiosity.
So then…
The true cultivator who descended— was in Liyue?
But were they a demonic cultivator?
If they were, Aether thought grimly, he might as well give up now.
Anyone who could stir the heavens with such force… if they were a demonic cultivator, the destruction of all Teyvat would be unstoppable.
If not… then where had Lisa learned her soul-devouring art?
For the first time in a long while, Aether felt deeply unsettled.
This tiny Teyvat… how had it drawn in a figure of such magnitude?
"Your Highness, what should we do?"
The Abyss Mage asked nervously.
Aether sighed.
"Be cautious. Investigate Liyue thoroughly, but make no other moves for now."
"And above all— keep a safe distance from anyone suspected to be a cultivator."
The Abyss Mage nodded rapidly.
Nothing would please him more than staying far, far away. The fate of the monsters here had chilled him to the bone.
Souls stripped away, leaving nothing behind…
That was more terrifying than simple death.
After a long pause, Aether sighed once more and sank back into the Abyss.
Stormterror's Lair grew silent again.
Yet now, it has become a true land of death— a forbidden zone utterly devoid of souls.
At the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
Lisa had brought everyone back swiftly.
Their curiosity burned, and so she briefly recounted their exploration of the Netherworld.
After listening, Jean let out a faint sigh.
"So… the immortal world is a place of endless schemes and peril. You suffered much to encounter the Seven Kings of the Netherworld as soon as you entered…"
"Had they broken free, it would have spelled a calamity for all Teyvat."
Venti and the others were among the strongest beings in Teyvat.
Yet just two late-stage Spirit-Transformation fiends had nearly annihilated them.
If even one of the Seven Kings— ancient monsters who had cultivated for ten thousand years— emerged into the world…
All Teyvat would be doomed.
"It's not as dire as that."
Lisa shook her head with a smile.
"As long as the sect master stands, the Netherworld can't stir up true chaos. Even if all Seven Kings appeared at once, the sect master could crush them like ants."
"What seems like a desperate hellscape… in the sect master's eyes, is no more than a training ground for children."
"But trouble, yes— we do have trouble."
Lisa's expression dimmed with mild frustration.
"The Seven Kings have marked us. Their influence covers the Abyssal Realm, making it impossible to enter safely for now."
"If we did, we'd likely be seized at once."
"Even if Zhongli, First Seat of Longshou Peak and the others joined forces, they could not withstand a single strike from a King."
"To be captured would be trivial. To disgrace Mount Shu would be unforgivable."
"We'll need to train diligently before continuing the exploration."
"But still— we gained much this time. For now, at least, we won't be short of cultivation resources."
Lumine, for her part, didn't find the ordeal as dreadful as the others. Thrilling, yes— but stimulating, too.
"From the novels I've read, the demon realm isn't so bad compared to the cultivation world. Yes, it's full of strife, but at least everything is straightforward."
"If you'd gone to explore the true cultivation world… you might not even have bones left."
"Those old monsters— every one of them is a schemer, each more treacherous than the last."
Lisa chuckled and nodded.
"The sect master says the same— in the cultivation world, schemes and manipulation are the norm."
"But this journey to the Netherworld was worthwhile. It taught us the mindset needed to face the cultivation world. That alone was valuable."
Jean nodded faintly, though worry still lingered.
"And Lord Venti's injuries…?"
"Don't worry."
Lisa shook her head.
"With contribution points, we can exchange for pills at the Hall of Merits. Recovery will be swift."
"Mount Shu's spiritual energy is abundant, and with the sect master there, it's perfectly safe."
Jean finally relaxed, though she still felt a pang of awe.
Venti and the others were Teyvat's mightiest— yet in what was merely a disciple's trial ground, they had been gravely wounded in less than a day.
"So cultivation… isn't as flawless as it seems."
Jean sighed softly.
Diluc, however, spoke with conviction.
"Just a trial. Injuries are normal. To gain true strength, one must fight."
"Cultivation already grants power beyond comparison. To also have worthy foes—that keeps the path clear, prevents aimless stagnation."
Lisa smiled and nodded.
"There's always a higher peak. Only by cultivating do you truly sense this truth."
"I once thought myself among the strongest wielders of a Vision. But after entering Mount Shu, I found countless senior brothers and sisters stronger still."
"Above them are the Heads of the Peaks, and above even them… the sect master."
"Zhongli is invincible in battle, yet even he was wounded in the Netherworld— and dared not face a King directly."
"The Kings are tyrants of the Netherworld, yet before the sect master, they're nothing."
"Cultivation is an endless ascent. That's why the sect master emphasizes keeping our Dao Hearts firm."
Diluc's blood stirred, and he said deeply:
"Only through endless climbing can we keep our will sharp."
Lumine tilted her head curiously at Lisa.
"So, Sister Lisa… what changes has cultivation brought you, aside from strength?"
Lisa twirled playfully, spreading her arms.
"See anything different?"
Jean, knowing Lisa best, immediately noticed.
"Your Vision…"
"I don't use it anymore."
Lisa drew out a dim, lifeless Vision.
"This thing is just an external organ for channeling power. To a cultivator, it's less useful than a rock."
"I converted all the elemental energy I'd cultivated into true essence. After that, the Vision was worthless."
The others grew dazed, staring at the lifeless gem.
The object countless mortals dreamed of… to a cultivator, was beneath contempt.
It was almost tragic.
"Other than that, I also have longevity now."
Lisa added casually:
"Even if I never advance again, I already have nearly two thousand years of lifespan. If I reach Spirit-Transformation, it'll be over ten thousand."
"Venti estimated that if he stopped progressing, he'd still live seventy-five thousand more years."
"And that's without decay."
"Immortality, eternal youth— this is another gift of cultivation."
"It's the path of transcending the very limits of life."
"Also, by refining the Lord of the Tower's soul just now, I'm about to break through to late-stage Essence-Refining."
"Once the Scripture Pavilion's cooldown ends the day after tomorrow, I plan to study alchemy."
"From then on, I'll be able to refine pills myself. Jean, you'd better stay on my good side~."
Jean smiled brightly, genuinely happy for her friend.
"Congratulations, Lisa."
"So you'll be returning the day after tomorrow?"
Lisa nodded.
"More or less. Mount Shu has no pressing matters now, and the sect master allows us freedom."
"If anything arises, my disciple's token will summon me."
"But I won't linger here too long. Teyvat isn't ideal for cultivation, and I've brought little spirit stone with me."
"I also want to visit the Hall of Merits for a proper artifact. For a cultivator, a good treasure is a second life."
"Besides, I returned with another important matter to handle."
She produced a small pouch of pills, handing them to Jean.
"One hundred Tiger-Elephant Body Tempering Pills. For mortals, they grant strength rivaling a Vision-holder."
"You'll find them very useful."
Diluc's eyes lit instantly.
"Would you sell them? To hand them out to the Knights would be wasteful. But with them, I could raise an elite force of my own."
"No. They're for Jean."
Lisa shook her head firmly.
"The Knights are decayed, yes. But Jean— I believe in you. You can reform them. This is the greatest aid I can give you now."
"With a truly elite force, you can protect the Mondstadt you love."
Diluc fell silent. He didn't trust the Knights, but Jean…
After this battle, he respected her. With power, she could indeed reshape the order.
"Lisa… this is too precious…"
Jean hesitated, troubled.
Lisa only laughed, waving it off.
"Not at all. These pills are cheaper than Rejuvenation Pills. Useless to cultivators, but invaluable for mortals."
"As long as I have ingredients, I can make them myself."
"For ordinary people, though, they're perfect."
"Don't refuse, Jean. We're friends, aren't we?"
Jean still wavered, her pride holding her back.
Lisa knew her well.
Jean was strong-willed, reluctant to accept favors. But Lisa was no mere acquaintance. Their bond was too close.
And so Lisa delivered the final blow:
"Jean, don't hesitate. Did you know— in Liyue, they've already armed thousands of Millelith soldiers with strength rivaling Vision-holders?"
"What?!"
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