Hearing Jiang Yan's words, the two immediately grew uneasy.
After pressing her lips together, Yelan was the first to speak:
"Master, please grant me your guidance. The technique I've chosen is… Hero's Walk."
Ganyu and the others looked puzzled.
The name sounded normal enough—so why had Jiang Yan specially pointed it out?
But once they recalled his earlier words, they couldn't help sighing helplessly.
"Hero's Walk… not bad."
Jiang Yan nodded slightly, smiling.
"It's the signature foundational art of the top assassin organization in the cultivation world—Netherworld Youluo."
And just like that, the case was solved.
One by one, the new disciples proved themselves to be true characters.
The Hall Master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had ended up walking the path of ghost cultivation.
Now, the mistress of Liyue's greatest intelligence network, also in charge of handling dirty work, had chosen to become an assassin.
Hm…
In a strange way, it even fit her rather well.
"Hero's Walk is an extremely formidable assassin's art. Though ranked only at the peak of the Yellow grade, it is the mandatory foundational method for all assassins of Netherworld Youluo.
Many higher-level techniques are extensions of it, so it does suit you."
Hearing this, Yelan froze in surprise.
"Master, you actually approve of me cultivating this art?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
Jiang Yan countered, then added calmly:
"Since it's placed within the Sutra Pavilion, it means our forebears permitted it. And besides, what of assassin's arts?
Netherworld Youluo is not some irredeemably evil sect.
They merely take money to do their work.
Of course, you'll need to file it with the Hall of Discipline."
Relief washed over Yelan. She cupped her fists.
"Thank you, Master!"
Jiang Yan nodded again, then turned his gaze on Tartaglia.
The latter scratched his head awkwardly and muttered in a low voice:
"Master, the technique I've chosen is… Blood-Reversal Demon Blade..."
"???"
Everyone stared blankly at him.
Compared to Yelan's choice—which at least had a normal-sounding name—Tartaglia's technique all but screamed I'm a demonic art.
This crop of new disciples was truly bizarre.
One had come to Mount Shu to walk the path of kingship, another to practice ghost cultivation, another to be an assassin…
And now a full-fledged devil cultivator?
Lisa suddenly felt she wasn't so alone in her ways after all.
But Ningguang and the others couldn't help growing worried.
With other people, practicing a demonic art might still be acceptable—they trusted most could control themselves.
But Tartaglia…
Even setting aside his Fatui background, his own nature was the real issue.
He was a battle maniac through and through!
Just standing there, he radiated I want to fight.
Now, with a technique called Blood-Reversal Demon Blade… who knew how much crazier he might get?
If he lost control in prolonged combat and fell into true demonic frenzy, the Hall of Discipline would have to intervene.
And the ironic twist—Tartaglia himself was a member of the Hall of Discipline.
That would be a joke written in blood.
"Blood-Reversal Demon Blade—kills but does not wound…"
Jiang Yan sighed with some emotion, eyes fixed on Tartaglia.
"You really know how to pick—the fiercest of all killing arts."
"Kill but not wound?"
Zhongli frowned deeply, glancing toward Jiang Yan with concern.
The latter nodded.
"In truth, when our forebears considered placing this technique in the Sutra Pavilion, the Hall of Discipline elders quarreled bitterly.
Compared to other demonic arts collected here, this one is utterly pure—born solely for killing.
Even Lisa's Soul Burning Hellfire can be used to refine pills with karmic fire, and its main purpose is to punish wicked souls.
Most demonic arts in the Sutra Pavilion are like this—they look sinister, but have alternative applications.
But the Blood-Reversal Demon Blade is different."
Jiang Yan's gaze fell squarely on Tartaglia. The latter wished he could vanish into thin air, given the sharp stares around him.
He had no desire to make enemies of his new sectmates, but he truly couldn't bear to give up the technique.
"The manifestation of this blade art is absolute.
It was created purely for slaughter.
Anyone struck by it has only one fate—death.
It cannot be used for friendly sparring.
Once unsheathed, it means endless carnage.
The Demon Blade devours the enemy's blood and essence to grow stronger.
Even if one escapes, the wound is incurable—unless a being of far higher realm intervenes.
Thus, unlike other arts that can still be used for martial contests, this one leaves no survivors.
Once unleashed, the battle is to the death."
Zhongli's frown deepened further.
"Devouring essence and blood… no quarter given…
This art is far darker than the Soul Burning Hellfire."
Jiang Yan inclined his head.
"Indeed. It represents the truest devil cultivator's path.
Unmatched destructive power, venomous methods—each strike carries the resolve that one of the two must die.
This was why our forebears initially wanted to destroy the art.
It shows no mercy, and that went against Mount Shu's standards.
But in the end, the sect master of that generation personally decreed it should be preserved in the Sutra Pavilion."
Everyone looked confused. Ningguang asked:
"Master, why? This Blood-Reversal Demon Blade is sheer cruelty, with no redeeming qualities."
"The same old truth," Jiang Yan said softly.
"No technique is inherently right or wrong. Power itself bears no moral alignment.
But the true reason was that the sect master wished to test whether disciples could master such a blade without falling.
To walk the righteous path while wielding it.
After all, though the blade leaves no survivors, Mount Shu itself shows no mercy to those who prey on the innocent.
If turned against monsters and demons, it is perfectly acceptable.
And history proved this true. While some disciples lost their way, others upheld their hearts.
Elder Cangu, for example, mastered the Blood-Reversal Demon Blade and became a nightmare to all fiends—hailed as the devil among devils.
Mount Shu has never discarded a technique simply for the sins of a few.
And so the Blood-Reversal Demon Blade remains."
Jiang Yan fixed Tartaglia with a penetrating look, as if to peer into his very soul.
After a long pause, he spoke gently:
"Tartaglia is indeed battle-hungry, but he is not wicked. He has his bottom line.
Even so, I must warn you.
The Blood-Reversal Demon Blade is merciless. Once drawn, it must taste blood.
You must never turn it upon your fellow disciples or upon innocents.
Otherwise—even without taking a life—the very intent to kill will condemn you, and the Hall of Discipline will suppress you without hesitation.
Do you understand?"
Tartaglia bowed his head gravely.
"Disciple understands. Please rest assured, Master—I will never use the Blood-Reversal Demon Blade for evil.
All whom it slays shall be evildoers.
If I break this vow, may heaven and earth strike me down."
Jiang Yan nodded. With a Dao-heart oath sworn, there was little more to fear.
Though Tartaglia was combative, he still held to his own code. The oath would erase him the instant he strayed.
The others relaxed slightly, no longer dwelling on his choice.
Aside from a few oddities like Tartaglia, Yelan, and Lisa, most disciples' choices were reasonable.
Well—except perhaps Xingqiu and Chongyun.
They weren't devil cultivators, ghost cultivators, or assassins.
But dual cultivation between them… was still a bit much.
Jiang Yan cast them a complicated glance, making the pair flinch guiltily.
They silently prayed he wouldn't speak of it—otherwise, they'd never live it down.
Especially with Shenhe present. If she learned of it, Chongyun's family letters would pile up until he drowned in them.
The Chong clan's only heir absolutely couldn't stray from the proper path!
Thankfully, Jiang Yan refrained.
He merely sighed inwardly at their curious "star-crossed romance."
It wasn't his place.
As sect master, he cared only for cultivation.
His disciples' preferences and orientations—
Those were their own affair.
With that, the initiation was concluded.
Night had fallen completely, and the day's work was done.
Tomorrow, the new disciples would begin their real cultivation.
But before that—
Jiang Yan glanced at Ningguang and the others.
They hid it well, but their occasional glances toward the artifacts above his head hadn't escaped him.
Those treasures weighed heavily on their minds.
They likely wouldn't be able to obtain them, but merely seeing was free.
"All right, your matters are settled. Now I must give you a word of instruction."
Slowly, Jiang Yan raised his hand.
The Tricolored Exquisite Pagoda, nourished by the Heavenly Primordial Water, drifted down into his palm.
Alice's eyes lit up.
If Jiang Yan donned armor at this moment, he'd look exactly like the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King come alive.
Even the auspicious clouds followed the tower down, shrinking in size yet losing none of their force.
"Not long ago, I went to the sect treasury and selected several artifacts.
I intend to place them in the Hall of Merit for you to redeem."
The moment he spoke, Lumine perked up excitedly:
"Master, are you saying this little tower will be up for redemption?"
Jiang Yan froze, then chuckled helplessly.
Trust Lumine.
Her treasure-hunting instincts were uncanny.
But he shook his head.
"Of course not. The Tricolored Exquisite Pagoda is my personal artifact.
Even if it were placed in the Hall of Merit, whether you could afford it is one matter—whether you could use it is another."
Perhaps indulging in a little showmanship, Jiang Yan flicked his wrist.
The pagoda expanded, growing into a colossal tower that stood tall within the great hall.
Seeing Lumine gape in astonishment, Jiang Yan teased lightly:
"This pagoda has nearly transcended the level of spiritual artifacts. With the Celestial First-Water's nourishment, it has already reached half a step into the treasure grade.
When reforged in the future, it will become a true treasure.
How could you possibly redeem—or wield—it?"
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