Two days had passed since Ganyu had informed Ningguang and the others of Mount Shu's decision to establish its sect.
Ningguang and the rest had already worked out the entire plan.
After entrusting the other Qixing with overseeing the preparations, Ningguang and Keqing returned to Mount Shu.
Jiang Yan had said that during this period he would lecture more often. Before the founding ceremony, everyone's strength should be improved somewhat.
Moreover, with a new week beginning, it was time to study fresh cultivation techniques again.
Staying outside was, after all, nothing but a waste of time.
As Ningguang and Keqing returned to Mount Shu to cultivate, a piece of news spread from the General Affairs Office throughout all of Liyue.
Half a month earlier, a true cultivator had descended upon Jueyun Karst, founding the sect of Mount Shu.
The Geo Archon and the Adepti had already joined Mount Shu as disciples.
The miraculous deeds attributed to immortals in recent days across Liyue had all been performed by disciples of Mount Shu.
In one month, Mount Shu would open its gates wide, recruiting a thousand disciples to embark on the path of immortality.
Liyue would be responsible for the preliminary screening.
What followed were details about the application process.
Immediately, the whole of Liyue was in an uproar.
True cultivation— even the Geo Archon himself had become a disciple of Mount Shu!
Keqing, after cultivating for merely a week, could already soar through the skies on her sword, roaming freely.
What had only ever appeared in novels and storybooks had become reality.
The people of Liyue felt as if they were dreaming.
But after countless explorers returned from Jueyun Karst, the illusion was completely dispelled.
Over a thousand Millelith guarded the area, each of them with strength comparable to Vision holders.
The Qixing themselves appeared in public, affirming that Mount Shu's cultivation was real.
One month later, the mountain gates would open, and recruitment would begin.
As for the Millelith, they had cultivated a mortal martial path created by the Geo Archon after taking up cultivation himself.
Through practice, they too could gain extraordinary power.
The Millelith recruitment office was soon clogged with applicants, but the Qixing had anticipated this long ago.
The recruitment standards were raised to an extremely harsh level.
After all, once the Millelith trained in martial arts, resource allocation became difficult, and those who had already trained grew powerful enough that swelling their numbers further was unnecessary.
Liyue naturally had no wish to expand endlessly.
Now that Liyue's hidden secret had been revealed, the Millelith no longer needed to conceal themselves.
At once, they displayed their prowess, leaping over eaves and scaling walls with ease.
Though only the elite thousand stationed at Jueyun Karst had reached the Innate Realm through beast flesh and medicinal pills, other detachments also had resources that raised them to the Postnatal level.
Perhaps they could not match Vision wielders, but they had already transcended ordinary humanity.
They handled monsters with ease.
Their agility in perilous terrain left others green with envy.
Even so, the news of Mount Shu's opening in a month was far more important.
Intelligence agencies across countless nations frantically spread the word.
Liyue, however, did not care.
After all, when the gates opened, those who could make it and pass the screening were free to enter.
There was no need to stop anyone.
Dragging his gravely injured body, Childe, supported by members of the Fatui, painstakingly read the announcement posted by the General Affairs Office. A blazing fire roared ever stronger in his chest.
"Cultivation… Mount Shu opening its gates…"
Clenching his fists, he said in a low voice:
"I'm going."
A Millelith guard standing nearby cast him a glance, then withdrew his gaze.
Childe shrugged off the Fatui supporting him and walked toward the Millelith.
"Excuse me, I'd like to ask—where do I sign up for the assessment?"
As he spoke, Childe couldn't help but study this Millelith.
To him, the soldier wasn't that strong.
But if pitted against the Fatui, even three or five of their enhanced soldiers would be easily taken down by this one man.
Unlike a Vision holder, whose elemental power was stored in a jewel, this Millelith's strength flowed from within his body.
That strange energy brimmed with destructive dominance, yet coursed calmly through his veins.
Childe couldn't help but marvel—martial arts were truly a wondrous path.
If only the Millelith weren't the sole ones permitted to cultivate it, he would have already tried to get his hands on a copy.
But right now, cultivation was what mattered. He could not afford petty distractions.
"What are you staring at?"
The Millelith frowned slightly, speaking in a stern tone.
Snapping back to himself, Childe hurriedly replied:
"My apologies, I didn't mean any offense. It's just my first time seeing a martial artist—this is martial arts, yes? Might I trouble you for a demonstration?"
"I am on duty. If you keep pestering me, I'll arrest you."
The Millelith's expression did not change as he said flatly:
"If you wish to apply, line up at the General Affairs Office, take a number, and wait for assessment."
Childe nodded.
"Thank you."
With that, he struggled onward, letting Fatui escort him to the General Affairs Office.
The place was already a sea of people, packed to the brim.
Most were Liyue natives, though foreigners were also present.
Childe ignored all of that, dragging his injured body toward the numbering desk.
"Excuse me, I'd like a number."
The clerk looked up briefly, frowning.
"Fatui, are you?"
Childe's face didn't change as he calmly replied:
"The notice never said Fatui were barred from applying, did it?"
Though many called Childe a brute, without wits he would not have survived this long.
He had already discerned Liyue's position.
Now that even the Geo Archon had joined Mount Shu, it was obvious where Liyue stood.
With Mount Shu opening its gates, even if Liyue had a hundred reasons, they wouldn't dare tamper with the process.
Everything would be assessed fairly. He had a chance.
"Hmph!"
The clerk grumbled unhappily:
"You should be grateful that the Sect Master of Mount Shu is merciful, or else how could the likes of you apply?"
"Here, take it. Now get in line."
Childe grinned, unfazed by the man's tone.
"Much obliged."
The clerk curled his lip.
"Don't celebrate too early. The Sect Master may be merciful, but Mount Shu's rules are strict. Liyue has the right to screen out those of ill intent."
"Haven't you Fatui done enough wicked deeds across Teyvat?"
Childe paused, then smiled faintly.
"I understand. But that was for others, not me. I've always yearned for peace."
The clerk did not continue, only called loudly:
"Next!"
Supported by Fatui, Childe went to line up.
One of his subordinates muttered indignantly:
"Master Childe, that man's attitude was intolerable! He was clearly targeting us. Shall I secretly teach him a lesson?"
Childe's eyes grew cold as he said quietly:
"At this crucial moment, you want to stir up trouble? Do you have a death wish?"
"Forget the fact that every Millelith is practicing martial arts—even that one just now could capture you with ease."
"Most of Liyue's leadership has joined Mount Shu. Who knows how powerful they are now? Where do you think that clerk's confidence comes from?"
"More importantly! I must focus wholly on preparing for the founding ceremony's assessment in a month."
"If my qualification were revoked because of you, I'd kill you myself before Liyue even lifted a hand!"
"Behave! And make sure the others behave too!"
The Fatui subordinate lowered his head at once.
"Yes, Master Childe."
Childe coughed a few times, then added:
"Send word back to Snezhnaya. Tell the Tsaritsa about Liyue's situation. At this rate, next month's Rite of Descension may not take place as scheduled."
"The plan for the Gnosis must be reconsidered."
"And another thing—news about cultivation… only the Tsaritsa may see it. Under no circumstances must the Doctor or the others learn of it."
The Fatui member nodded quickly and hurried off.
Childe looked expectantly at the number tag in his hand.
As for passing the preliminary screening, he was fairly confident.
Though an executive, he had never committed atrocities himself.
In Liyue, he had caused no trouble—he had been gravely wounded upon arrival and was still not recovered.
He had no fear of investigation.
But if the Doctor came…
That madman might well ruin his chances of joining Mount Shu.
Under no circumstances could he be allowed to come.
Remembering Keqing's lofty gaze that day, Childe felt a sharp pang in his heart.
Cultivation…
Now, the only thing that mattered was cultivation!
Anyone who dared to ruin his chance—he would kill without hesitation!
Within Mount Shu, countless experts dwelt, with endless opportunities to climb higher.
He could not afford to miss this.
Suddenly, commotion broke out nearby.
A staff member of the General Affairs Office shouted:
"Catch those three! They're Treasure Hoarders—wanted for murder!"
At once, many turned their heads.
Childe's heart stirred. If he could help catch them now, he might at least earn some credit.
Especially since he was still wounded.
A bitter-meat ploy would be even more effective.
But before he could move, a sharp whistling split the air above.
Everyone instinctively looked up. A Millelith leapt through the void, vaulting across rooftops.
He landed lightly before the three Treasure Hoarders.
As the cornered men brandished their weapons in desperation,
Millelith calmly raised his palm and struck.
Invisible inner force gathered into a massive handprint, slamming into the three with brutal force.
Blood sprayed from their mouths as they were hurled back, crashing unconscious to the ground.
Two more Millelith shot up from the distance, their feet tapping the eaves for leverage as they soared over.
They swiftly bound the three.
"Take them away! Throw them in the dungeons!"
The first Millelith's face did not change, as if he had merely swatted flies.
With a light step, he vaulted back into position.
The other two dragged the prisoners away, vanishing from sight after a few agile leaps.
The scene left the crowd at the General Affairs Office hushed, everyone gazing at the surrounding Millelith with newfound awe.
Though not cultivators, these men had only trained in martial arts…
Yet they could clearly dispatch ordinary folk with ease.
Childe's eyes blazed as he watched Millelith.
That energy was wholly different from elemental power—emerging from within, not summoned from ambient elements.
So this was inner force?
Truly exquisite.
Then Childe overheard hushed whispers.
"No wonder—he's an Innate expert, able to project inner force outward. Incredible."
"Of course. Captain Changyan is one of the elites stationed at Jueyun Karst. He just rotated back today."
"I heard that Tianxuan tested his talent with the Xuanyuan Mirror gifted by Mount Shu—mid-grade fire and lightning dual spiritual roots."
"They say his chances of entering Mount Shu are very high."
"What a pity Captain Changyan's already married, or I'd have tried to match him with my sister."
Childe followed the voices and saw two Millelith whispering.
It seemed they knew more about cultivation.
His eyes gleamed. Since his turn for assessment was still far off, he might as well join the conversation.
"Gentlemen—you mentioned… spiritual roots?"
The two Millelith stiffened, their faces stern.
"Fatui? Were you eavesdropping?"
Their inner force stirred, ready to strike.
Childe hastily waved his hands.
"My apologies, I meant no harm. I only overheard it by accident."
"I'm new to Liyue. Some time ago, I even met your Yuheng, Lady Keqing. She seemed to have cultivated it as well. We even had a friendly spar."
"But she was far too strong—defeated me in a single move, leaving me like this."
His words carried the implication that Keqing had bested him but had not killed him.
That alone was enough information to change Millelith's expressions, easing slightly…
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