Hearing Tartaglia's remark, everyone turned blankly toward little Klee, who was nestled in Alice's arms acting spoiled.
It was hard to imagine that this tiny bundle carried such terrifying potential.
The word treasured was practically written across her forehead.
And indeed, it showed just how much Jiang Yan valued her.
"All Shu disciples were accepted into the sect. Only Klee was truly born of it."
Even Furina couldn't help but sigh.
"Of course. She bears the Crimson Emperor's Heaven-Burning Physique, and she's just a child. Didn't the Sect Master say it himself?"
Hu Tao spread her hands with a grin.
"Klee's innocent heart makes her born for cultivation. Even if she simply followed the proper path step by step, within a few thousand years, she'd be soaring into immortality."
"And let's not forget, the Scarlet Sun Physique once belonged to Elder Xuanxi, one of Shu's founding immortals. Elder Xuanxi became a Golden Immortal of immense power."
"With such a shining precedent, of course the Sect Master treasures Klee. Who knows? In tens of thousands or even millions of years, she might become a legend of Shu herself."
Furina nodded, offering no rebuttal.
"Tch… you can't put it that way."
Lumine muttered in envy:
"Paimon and I are divine physiques too. How come the Sect Master doesn't treat us like that?"
"Ugh, don't start!"
Furina rolled her eyes.
"You earn more spirit stones in a month than I can in a year. The Sect Master's already given you and Paimon piles of treasures."
"Not to mention your arts — destined to reach immortal-grade techniques."
"If I recall correctly, didn't the Sect Master even lend you his own Primordial Jade Cutter before you left?"
"That's a top-tier spirit weapon!"
Lumine scratched her cheek, smiling sheepishly.
"Well… that's only because the Sect Master doesn't need it right now. He lent it to me so I could grasp his sword intent and quickly master the Divine Sword Thunder Art."
"It's not like it's mine — just a loan."
Hearing this, Furina and Hu Tao felt a bit better.
But then Lumine added under her breath—
"Still, he did say if I can master the simplified version of Divine Sword Thunder Art within a month, he'd gift me a mid-grade spirit weapon…"
"…Shut up!"
"…Okay."
Lumine chuckled slyly, watching Hu Tao and Furina's "broken defenses," her mood brightening.
Between sisters, rivalry was only natural.
While those in the pavilion exchanged banter, the masses below in Liyue Harbor were abuzz.
Mysterious cultivators of Shu, so rarely seen, were gathered in plain sight today.
For the people, this was priceless.
But along with awe, their desire for cultivation surged even stronger.
With cultivation, one could rise above the mundane — flying high, transcendent.
Truly enviable.
Ningguang glanced toward the pavilion. Most of her sectmates had arrived. Only three were missing: Ganyu, Yae Miko, and Jiang Yan.
With the Rite of Descension about to begin, she grew concerned that Jiang Yan might have lost track of time in cultivation.
But the ceremony could not start without him, not after Zhongli had said Jiang Yan promised to appear.
If they began without him, it would be unseemly.
Ningguang wavered.
Keqing, sensing it, whispered:
"Should I return to Shu and notify the Sect Master?"
Just as Ningguang was about to agree, a melodious birdsong echoed across the skies.
A violent gale followed. In the blink of an eye, a magnificent azure bird with a wingspan of a thousand meters appeared above Yujing Terrace.
Its wings cast a shadow over the crowd, its gusts bending trees.
But before the winds could sweep the terrace, Venti tapped his lyre, and unseen power dispersed the storm into silence.
"Qingluan, don't be naughty."
Ganyu's gentle yet reproachful voice drifted down.
Another, playful and lilting, followed:
"No need to be so rigid, Sister Ganyu. She hasn't been let out in so long. She's still just a child — a little mischief is natural."
A child?
Everyone gawked.
What sort of child was a colossal beast that could blot out the sun?
If that's a child, then what were they? Ants? Dust?
"That's Senior Sister Ganyu, peak of Refining Essence into Qi. The spirit beast Qingluan she found in the Nine Nether Secret Realm has already reached the Spirit Transformation stage."
Clorinde explained softly, then added:
"And with her is Senior Sister Yae Miko."
Ayaka and the others' eyes lit up instantly.
Their long journey had been for this very person.
Finally, they had found her.
Were it not for the solemn occasion, they would have rushed forward in joy.
"Ganyu… the chief disciple of Heaven-Piercing Peak, and the Sect Master's…"
Focalors began aloud, but Furina quickly clapped a hand over her mouth, darting glances around.
Seeing no one noticed, she let go and glared.
"Are you insane? Even the peak masters don't dare say such things openly. How dare you?"
"Don't discuss the Sect Master's private affairs. Know them silently."
"Xiao is sitting right there. If he heard you prattling about the Sect Master's business, you'd be in trouble."
Focalors winced and nodded awkwardly.
On the other side, the Cryo Archon's group exchanged knowing glances as Qingluan shrank and descended.
Some things need not be spoken.
This Ganyu clearly had… extraordinary ties.
If Klee was the Sect Master's cherished disciple, then Ganyu was undoubtedly his beloved.
Soon, Qingluan landed gracefully, transforming into a delicate girl with jade-carved features.
She gazed up at Ganyu with wide, pleading eyes.
"Big Sister Ganyu…"
Ganyu smiled gently and nodded.
"Go on. Find Klee and Qiqi. But behave — the Sect Master is arriving soon."
"Yay! Thank you, Sister Ganyu!"
With a cheer, Qingluan scampered off with her ponytail bouncing, rushing toward Klee.
"See? Children should be allowed their fun. Sister Ganyu, you can't restrain her too tightly."
Yae Miko covered her lips with a laugh, eyes gleaming as she watched Qingluan and Klee together.
Since being with Jiang Yan, she had grown even fonder of these little girls.
Sometimes she even wondered — if she bore one of her own with him, would their daughter be just as adorable?
A little fox girl… surely Jiang Yan would love that.
Ganyu only shook her head, leading her toward their seats — placed, quite tellingly, on either side of Jiang Yan's.
But as Yae Miko passed Furina's group, she halted, blinking in surprise.
"Kujo Sara? Kokomi? Little Ayaka?"
"You're here? Don't tell me that stiff-headed woman actually changed her mind?"
Her unrestrained jab at their general made Sara's face darken, but she held her tongue.
For Yae Miko was no longer just the Grand Narukami Shrine's overseer. She was a cultivator of Shu.
"Lady Guuji, it has been a long time."
Ayaka rose with a polite smile.
"This is a long story. If Lady Guuji has time later, may we speak with you privately? There are matters in which we seek your aid."
Yae Miko's lips curved into a secretive smile.
"That… depends on my mood."
"Lady Guuji…"
Ayaka could only sigh. Even as a cultivator, her nature hadn't changed a whit.
If anything, her Heavenly Allure Physique only magnified her charms.
That single descent from Qingluan had already ensnared countless hearts below.
Even Ayaka herself dared not look at her directly, lest she be captivated.
"Relax, I'm teasing. You're still as stiff as ever, Little Ayaka. A girl like you will have trouble finding a husband, you know?"
Teasing lightly, Yae Miko looped her arm through Ganyu's and strolled onward.
"Let's talk after the Rite of Descension."
Ayaka exhaled in relief, bowing gratefully.
"Thank you, Lady Guuji."
But Furina suddenly froze, eyes widening at Yae Miko.
"Impossible!"
"What is it?" Neuvillette asked.
Furina shook her head slowly, still in disbelief.
"I was only gone three days. How could Senior Sister Miko have advanced from late-stage Refining Essence into Qi to its very peak?"
"That's absurd! Even with effort, it should take at least a year or two!"
A cold, mocking voice answered her:
"Why not? Certain fox spirits only need to exploit their natural talents — and slip ahead."
Furina turned. Lisa was glaring at Miko's back with clear irritation.
"Slip ahead…?"
The words sank in.
Seeing Miko seated beside Jiang Yan, her every smile radiating allure, Furina suddenly understood.
Her expression twisted — anger, frustration, and loss all at once — before finally settling into a sigh of envy.
So this was the power of the Heavenly Allure Physique.
In matters like these, Yae Miko was simply a professional.
What's done was done. Nothing could be changed.
The only comfort Furina found was this—
If Miko had succeeded, then at least the Sect Master wasn't beyond the touch of women.
That alone was motivation enough to keep striving.
Others also pieced it together silently.
To leap to peak stage in just three days — no amount of pure cultivation or common pills could achieve it.
Only dual cultivation with someone of immense strength and mastery could explain it.
And there was only one such man in Shu.
Jiang Yan.
Unnoticed by most, Yae Miko had indeed accomplished something monumental in those three days.
"…Could Lady Guuji have really…?"
Ayaka faltered, watching Furina and the others' secretive expressions. Her eyes grew complicated as she looked toward Miko.
"Don't say it. Xiao is here."
Kazuha warned softly. Ayaka bit her lip and fell silent.
But deep down, she realized — perhaps this wasn't all bad.
At least now, through Miko, Inazuma might draw closer to Shu.
With Ganyu and Yae Miko's arrival, only Zhongli and Jiang Yan remained to appear.
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