As for Ningguang's reply, the Seven Nations were all rather dumbfounded.
Such a massive thunderstorm, and in the end, it was brushed off as "the Geo Lord was transcending his tribulation"?
A little too casual, wasn't it?
But just as Alice had said, Teyvat was about to enter turbulent times.
For now, most of the nations were too busy with their own troubles.
Even if they did worry whether Liyue's situation might affect them, they had no time to spare.
Inazuma was trapped within the Vision Hunt Decree and Sakoku Decree; managing to get even a little information was already their limit.
In Sumeru, Nahida was still imprisoned, and the Akademiya was fixated on their God-Creation Project. At most, this news would only make the Grand Sage more anxious—wanting to hasten that plan.
Fontaine still had its crisis of prophecy unresolved. Whatever was happening in Liyue, no matter how serious, clearly… Liyue still seemed stable enough. But if Fontaine's Primordial Sea problem wasn't solved, the whole nation would explode. At best, they could only send more agents to dig up information.
Natlan was still burning in the fires of war; even if they worried, they had no strength to send scouts.
As for Snezhnaya, the Tsaritsa had already urged Childe multiple times to hurry to Liyue and investigate.
Overall, the whole of the Seven Nations was in chaos—utterly absurd.
And Mondstadt?
Jean and the others actually knew more of the truth, so they weren't too anxious. Their priority was resolving the Stormterror issue. Surely they couldn't expect Venti to come back and handle it again, right?
Angel's Share Tavern.
Today, the tavern was closed to the public.
But it was hosting some very special guests.
Behind the bar, Diluc mixed drinks with a sullen face, while Kaeya sat across from him.
At a nearby round table, Jean read a letter. After a long moment, she sighed, rubbed her temples, and burned it to ash.
"So? So? Captain Jean, what did the bard say?"
Paimon, chewing on a skewer of meat, spoke up on behalf of Lumine, who still hadn't fully recovered her voice.
Although Venti hadn't traveled with them long, after asking around Mondstadt about him, Paimon had promptly nicknamed him "the bard who only knows how to sing."
At Paimon's question, Diluc perked up his ears despite pretending not to listen.
This whole gathering, after all, had been Lumine's idea. Diluc had given in only after her stubborn insistence—especially since she said Jean could reach both Venti and Alice.
He already knew a little about Venti and Alice going off to "cultivate immortality," but not the details. Lumine's explanations were vague; Alice's, far more complete.
Jean carefully chose her words and said softly:
"Lord Barbatos reports that their cultivation in Liyue is going smoothly. Just a few days ago, they formally joined Mount Shu, turning to the immortal path.
At present, Lord Barbatos is acting head of Chaoyang Peak. Lady Alice is an elder of the Discipline Hall.
Lisa has entered one of Mount Shu's seven branches, Dazhu Peak, to specialize in alchemy.
As for Klee…"
Jean's eyes softened, pride showing unconsciously.
"Klee's talent is extraordinary, her comprehension high, and her luck unparalleled. She has already been accepted by Mount Shu's sect master Jiang Yan himself—taken as his chief disciple. She is now under the sect master's personal tutelage."
Lumine's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Klee… became the disciple of that sect master? You're not joking? That kind of existence actually took a disciple?"
Kaeya sipped his wine and said casually:
"So what if she did? Klee's talent was always great, her luck everyone knows, and she's adorable and obedient. Isn't it reasonable the sect master would take her in?"
"No! You don't understand at all!" Lumine shook her head emphatically.
"That sect master is a genuine immortal cultivator—already at the Nascent Soul Late Stage. Someone like that could wipe out Teyvat with a flick of the wrist. Klee just latched onto the strongest thigh imaginable!"
"And not just that—she's his chief disciple! Do you know what that means?"
"Chief disciples are groomed as the next sect master! According to Alice, Mount Shu's sect master is the undisputed leader of the righteous path, the sovereign of the cultivation world. Their foundation runs unimaginably deep.
If Klee ever became sect master, forget Teyvat—even in the wider cosmos of the Tree and the Sea, she could smash anyone she pleased!"
Jean, embarrassed, interjected gently:
"Klee shouldn't have such violent habits… And besides, Lord Barbatos said the sect master is still young, already in the Nascent Soul Late Stage. Conservatively, he has tens of thousands of years of life left. The position of sect master is not something to be considered so casually."
Lumine pouted, spreading her hands.
"Still, she's the sect master's chief disciple! If you've read cultivation novels, you'd know—chief disciples are the sect's most treasured core. They can't be allowed even the smallest mishap.
No one will dare touch a hair on Klee's head again. Cultivators are fiercely protective. Forget hurting her—if someone even spoke ill of her, that sect master could slap them into paste.
To question the chief disciple is to insult the sect master himself. Now, Klee has the entire Mount Shu behind her. Ahhh, I'm so jealous… I want to cultivate too!"
With a dramatic groan, Lumine collapsed onto the table in despair.
Kaeya, however, noted her information carefully before asking,
"Captain Jean, did that great lord say anything else?"
Jean pressed her lips, a bit helpless.
"Mostly complaints—that the Geo Lord, now the head of Dragon's Head Peak, is far too harsh with him. Punishing him by locking him in the Discipline Hall to copy precepts, or docking his stipend of spirit stones.
Other than that…" She paused, then added softly:
"Lord Barbatos said that after turning to cultivation, both he and Lady Alice advanced rapidly—much stronger than before.
Even Lisa, if she fought seriously, would not be weaker than a top-tier Archon's familiar.
Klee, with treasures and techniques from the sect master, could fight such beings and win.
As for himself—he bragged that just yesterday he beat up two beings from the Quantum Sea, creatures stronger than Archons, over in Mount Shu's Eastern Ocean.
I think he meant to tell us that through cultivation, he has already surpassed the level of Archons."
Diluc's hand froze mid-pour, a storm surging silently in his chest.
Only a few days of cultivation…
And Lisa could already rival the strongest familiars?
Venti surpassing Archons altogether?
Could cultivation truly be so powerful?
Unbidden, a fire sparked within him. He found himself yearning to go to Liyue, to cultivate.
Jean continued:
"Lord Barbatos also said—Stormterror's problem would be child's play for him now.
But these days, Mount Shu disciples are undertaking a group expedition to a place called the Nine Nether Secret Realm.
They need to collect resources to exchange for contribution points, and to fight true cultivation-world beasts.
So he might not return soon. If we can't resolve the problem ourselves, once he comes back from the secret realm, he'll handle Stormterror.
In short—it's all good news."
Lumine suddenly straightened, shocked.
"The Nine Nether Secret Realm? The legendary ancient secret realm that cultivation sects control?"
Her eyes sparkled like stars.
A secret realm!
In every cultivation story, the hero had to enter secret realms—treasures everywhere. A single trip could make one rich beyond imagination.
Her heart burning with envy, she asked eagerly:
"Captain Jean, did Venti say anything about pills or magical treasures?"
"You know these things well?" Jean asked reflexively, before remembering—Lumine was a Traveler. It made sense.
"Yes, Lord Barbatos mentioned it. He hasn't gotten any pills or artifacts yet, but Klee already has a full set of top-grade artifacts personally forged by the sect master.
As for pills, only Klee has some—the sect master refined them just for her.
Others must follow sect rules: complete missions, earn contribution points, then exchange for pills.
By the way… are pills and artifacts really that powerful?"
At that, Lumine jumped up, arms waving.
"Powerful! Incredibly powerful!
The strongest pills can revive the dead, or instantly make someone a powerhouse.
Artifacts—well, let's put it this way…"
She glanced around, then pointed at Paimon.
"If Paimon had a strong enough artifact, she could smack Venti flying!"
"Captain Jean, you should press him to bring back more pills!"
Seeing Lumine's shining eyes—and even Kaeya and Diluc looking intrigued—Jean could only give a wry smile.
"Lord Barbatos said they've only just entered the sect. Even if resources are available, most must go to their own cultivation.
But since Lisa is now studying alchemy on Dazhu Peak, perhaps in the future…"
At the mention of Lisa learning alchemy, everyone perked up, already plotting to build good relations with her.
Jean added:
"Also, Lord Barbatos asked me to gather animals, books, and Primogems.
Apparently, animals placed into Mount Shu's cave-heaven absorb spiritual energy and evolve into ferocious beasts.
And their meat—not only delicious, but eating it strengthens the body. Liyue has already tested it, with excellent results."
No sooner had she finished than Paimon shot into the air, eyes blazing.
"Eating makes you stronger—and tasty too? Such a good deal exists?!
Lumine! Lumine! Take Paimon to Mount Shu, quick!!"
Lumine pressed her down with a sigh, though she herself was equally tempted.
Jean smiled, then said:
"We must prepare early—use Primogems and books for trade with Mount Shu.
Kaeya, later have… Amber handle it."
She sighed—at present, the Knights of Favonius barely had manpower left.
But before Kaeya could reply, Diluc suddenly spoke:
"I'll handle it. The Knights' efficiency is too low. My Dawn Winery caravans can collect Primogems and books far faster."
Jean blinked, then exhaled lightly.
"Then I'll trouble you, Diluc… senior."
He gave a cold snort, turning away to mix drinks again—but his motions were clumsy now.
His mind churned with visions of Mount Shu.
If he could join…
Revenge would be the least of it. He would grow stronger and stronger. One day, Mondstadt would never again suffer what it once did.
His grip tightened, a glass cracking faintly in his hand.
Kaeya glanced at him, then leaned back lazily, drawling:
"Well then, since everything's going so well, can't we just relax? Anyway, once Lord Barbatos—or even Lisa—returns, they can fix the problem with ease."
But Jean shook her head firmly.
"No. We must resolve Stormterror's issue now."
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