"Liyue… how is that possible?"
Jean stared at Lisa in disbelief.
Lisa sighed and shook her head helplessly.
"Liyue was the first to make contact with the sect master, and also the first to fully commit to cultivation. Rex Lapis and the Adepti joined Mount Shu early on."
"They also happen to be the closest to the sect."
"Zhongli, First Seat of Longshou Peak specializes in martial combat. After receiving the sect master's guidance, he even created martial cultivation techniques of his own."
"Though far inferior to true cultivation, those martialists each possess extraordinary power."
"You must understand— once martial arts reach their peak, a Martial Celestial is on par with a top-tier Archon's harbinger, with a lifespan of three hundred years."
"This recent exploration of the Netherworld brought him the greatest harvest. Ningguang and the others also gained plenty."
"By leaking just a trickle of contribution points and exchanging for some pills to aid their Millelith…"
"Soon, the Millelith soldiers will all break through to the Innate Realm. By then, picking one at random, their strength will rival Kaeya's."
Lisa glanced meaningfully at Kaeya, who looked like he wanted to protest.
"Of course, I mean Kaeya without… awakening that hidden power of his."
Kaeya froze, his smile stiff as he gave an awkward laugh and slipped to the side.
Inside, he fumed. These cultivators' eyes were too sharp— nothing could be hidden.
"Martial arts, huh…"
Jean massaged her temples wearily.
"Don't worry. Before I left, I urged Venti to seek out Zhongli for guidance in creating martial arts techniques of his own."
"Honestly, if Venti weren't so playful— spending all his time either drinking or causing mischief—"
"He would have invented martial arts long ago."
Lisa let out a sigh at the thought.
Curious, Lumine asked:
"So even at Mount Shu, Venti still dares to mess around?"
Lisa nodded helplessly.
"In just one week, Venti got all his spirit stones deducted by the Hall of Discipline, and even ended up in debt with contribution points."
"Not long ago, he nearly got forced into meditation by Zhongli, because he buried wine jars in the spiritual fields."
"A full third of the contribution points he earns go straight to paying his fines."
Diluc pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly pained.
"To be stuck with such an Archon… in some sense, it's a curse."
"Don't say that. Lord Venti brought freedom to Mondstadt."
Jean hurriedly smoothed things over, embarrassed.
"So Jean, don't expect too much from Venti. He only behaves right now because the Hall of Discipline gave him a beating. Sooner or later, he'll start fooling around again."
"The burdens of Mondstadt rest on you alone. Which is why— take these pills. Consider it support from your closest friend."
Jean bit her lip lightly, lowering her voice.
"…Thank you. I'll repay your contribution points with primogems."
Lisa shook her head, dismissing the idea.
"Not necessary. But— I do have one condition."
Her tone suddenly sharpened.
"These pills cannot be given to those lazy Knights who refuse to improve themselves."
"Jean, you know what I mean. I want you to build a Knights of Favonius that truly belongs to you."
Diluc's heart leapt with joy, and he almost clapped aloud.
"But…"
Jean hesitated, troubled.
"Jean."
Lisa looked at her solemnly.
"The power I'm giving you must not be wasted on rotten men. Do you understand?"
Diluc nearly burst out laughing, barely hiding the grin tugging at his lips.
Lisa was cornering Jean— and he loved it.
If Jean truly reshaped the Knights, they would far outshine their current sorry state.
And with Mount Shu backing her, her position as Grand Master would be unstoppable.
"These pills came from Mount Shu. The Hall of Discipline has every right to supervise their use."
"If they're misused, the Hall will intervene with iron-blooded suppression. Not even Venti could shield them."
"The Hall of Discipline embodies Mount Shu's discipline— feared even by Venti himself."
"To protect them would only doom them."
Jean drew a long breath, then nodded firmly.
"I understand."
Lisa smiled approvingly.
"Good. Now, there's one more thing."
Her lips curled mischievously.
"I know you all want to cultivate. This time, I came specifically to take you to Mount Shu."
"Mount Shu is flourishing. If you wait too long, the sect master may fully open the gates, and disciples will pour in. I want you to enter early— and begin cultivating sooner."
Jean's heart stirred.
But before she could answer, Diluc immediately declared:
"I'm ready anytime. The offering for my initiation gift is already prepared, waiting at Dawn Winery."
"Me too!"
Lumine eagerly raised her hand.
"My Mondstadt journey's finished. I was going to head to Liyue anyway. Sister Lisa, take me with you! I promise I'll behave!"
"And Paimon wants to eat spirit beast meat!"
Kaeya rubbed his chin, shrugging casually.
"If you don't mind, could you bring me too? I'd like to try cultivation…"
Lisa chuckled, nodding, then turned to Jean.
"And you?"
Jean sighed softly.
"To be honest, I want to go. Cultivation would make me stronger, help me protect Mondstadt. But right now, with the dragon crisis only just past, I…"
Lisa cut her off with a shake of her head.
"There's nothing to worry about. The Fatui have already withdrawn. I met with Rosalyne— she doesn't dare linger in Mondstadt anymore."
"Dvalin has regained his clarity. I'll take him to Mount Shu to find Venti."
"As for rebuilding, you can delegate. And for trade routes— at Mount Shu, you'll meet Ningguang. Discuss it face-to-face."
"What else remains to trouble you?"
Jean froze. The fog clouding her thoughts dissipated all at once.
"Well? Still want to refuse?"
Lisa's eyes gleamed slyly.
"If you do, I'll simply take Barbara instead. And then— you'll have to call her Senior Sister."
Jean stiffened. The image flashed in her mind: meeting Barbara at Mount Shu, forced to call out "Senior Sister Barbara."
That picture shattered her last shred of hesitation.
Her gaze hardened with resolve.
"Fine! I'll go to Mount Shu!"
"That's more like it."
Lisa beamed, eyes narrowing in satisfaction.
When it came to persuading Jean, one could appeal to Mondstadt— or simply… Barbara.
Lisa had learned this rule well.
"In that case, we'll depart in three days. Use the time to put Mondstadt in order."
"But there's one thing— be prepared."
"You've already missed the best window to join Mount Shu."
"When I returned from the Netherworld, I met Baizhu of Liyue. To be admitted, he had to pass the Heart-Testing Array, the sect master's trial formation."
"My guess is, unless one has an extraordinary talent like Klee's special constitution or Venti's innate spirit roots, you'll need to face the formation."
Lisa paused, then continued seriously:
"I asked Junior Brother Baizhu. In that array, he experienced what felt like an entire lifetime in a single instant. Only his unwavering Dao Heart let him succeed."
"If you falter, you'll fail."
"So steel your hearts."
"Beyond that, I know little. The Heart-Testing Array is among Mount Shu's most sacred places, overseen directly by the Hall of Discipline. There can be no trickery."
Jean and the others nodded solemnly. Diluc then asked quietly:
"Can I bring Mondstadt's initiation gift along with me?"
"Though the sect master won't care for such worldly things, it is Mondstadt's token of respect."
Lisa nodded.
"I'll store it in my pocket realm tomorrow and take it along."
"My thanks."
Diluc inclined his head.
"Then— could you tell us what rules we should know, so we don't make any missteps?"
Lisa chuckled.
"Though Mount Shu looks strict, in truth it isn't oppressive. Disciples are free to come and go, so long as it doesn't concern the sect's core matters."
"However: never trespass into the spiritual fields, Scripture Pavilion, or Netherworld. Otherwise, the Hall of Discipline will come for you."
"Flying is forbidden atop the seven peaks, especially Tongtian Peak, where the Grand Hall and the sect master reside."
"Mount Shu's white cranes serve as mounts for disciples— they must never be harmed."
"Beyond Mount Shu, each region has evolved demon gods resembling spirit beasts. They won't harm disciples, but don't enter their territories lightly."
"They were placed by the sect master to tend the sect's beasts and spirit flocks. If you spar with them, do it away from their herds."
"And then, there's the sect treasure— the Jade-Resonant Golden Bell. Its rules…"
Lisa carefully explained Mount Shu's customs one by one.
Overall, the sect was surprisingly lenient. Even demonic and Buddhist arts could be cultivated freely.
Jean and the others listened intently, and in their minds, a vast and wondrous cultivation world slowly took shape.
Before long, their hearts yearned for Mount Shu, eager to tread the immortal path at once.
The night passed swiftly. Thanks to the Rejuvenation Pills, none of them felt tired, their spirits bright.
By dawn, Lisa had finished her explanations. Jean and the others gathered their notes, preparing to spend the next three days setting Mondstadt in order.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yan and Ganyu finally left their tender seclusion.
After morning lessons, they parted.
This time, Ganyu did not fly on her sword. Instead, she was carried by the majestic blue luan, soaring toward Liyue Harbor.
The colossal yet graceful bird cleaved through the sea of clouds, drawing countless gasps from the people below.
As they neared Liyue Harbor, the commotion grew louder.
Tartaglia, basking in the morning sun, froze when his eyes caught the massive azure bird overhead.
Just a bird— yet the pressure it radiated eclipsed even Keqing that day.
His heart clenched. Which immortal was this? Surely another who had joined Mount Shu.
High atop the Jade Chamber, Ningguang was in the midst of a Seven Stars council when she felt the surging spiritual aura approaching.
She wondered which senior brother or sister it might be.
At that moment, Baiwen burst in anxiously.
"Lady Ningguang! Outside— outside, a huge azure bird immortal has arrived!"
"Azure bird?"
Ningguang blinked in surprise. She had met many immortals by now, but none whose true form was such a bird.
"…It must be the Qingluan."
Keqing reminded her softly.
Realization dawned. Ningguang rose at once, the other Stars following curiously behind.
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