Seeing the Millelith soldiers' expressions soften, Tartaglia hurriedly pressed his question:
"Just now you mentioned something about spiritual roots… what exactly is that?"
The Millelith were a little surprised.
"You signed up without even knowing what a spiritual root is? Haven't you ever read a cultivation storybook?"
Tartaglia looked a bit embarrassed.
"I only just arrived. I haven't had time to read anything yet."
"No wonder…"
The Millelith shook their heads. This wasn't exactly a secret, and since Tartaglia had once crossed blades with Keqing—and she hadn't killed him afterwards—he patiently explained a few things about cultivation.
Of course, all his knowledge also came from storybooks. But those storybooks were distributed by the General Affairs Department, so they weren't far from the truth.
After listening in fragments for half the day, Tartaglia only managed to remember one thing clearly…
Cultivators could live forever, and the truly powerful could pluck the stars and seize the moon.
Everything else, he forgot completely.
The fire in his heart only burned hotter.
Suddenly, someone from the General Affairs Department called out:
"Number 3,132! It's your turn!"
Tartaglia snapped back to attention and quickly replied:
"Coming!"
He thanked the Millelith soldiers and hurried back to the office.
The moment he stepped inside, he noticed several people with unusual attire silently scrutinizing him. Tartaglia said nothing. After what felt like a long while, a side door opened, and a neatly dressed, short-haired woman emerged.
"You go test the next one. As for him, I'll handle it personally."
"Yes, Lady Yelan."
The others rose and left. Yelan sat down, calmly fixing her gaze on Tartaglia.
"The lowest-ranked Harbinger of the Fatui, Childe. You, too, wish to join Mount Shu?"
Tartaglia grinned.
"Eternal life, the power to pluck stars and seize the moon… even Rex Lapis longs to become such a cultivator. Why wouldn't I?"
Yelan stared at him for a moment, then said evenly:
"The Fatui have thrown Teyvat into chaos, committing countless evils. And you think you'll pass this assessment?"
"That's them, not me."
Tartaglia's smile brimmed with confidence.
"Though I am a Harbinger, I've never done anything to defy heaven or humanity. Can good and evil really be judged by faction alone?
Besides, Lady Yelan—you haven't even told me the requirements of the preliminary test, have you? Mount Shu may be opening its gates with Liyue's cooperation, but surely Liyue doesn't have the courage to dictate who can become its disciples?
I should be judged by Mount Shu's standards, not Liyue's."
Yelan studied him quietly, then said:
"Mount Shu disciples must never commit crimes or wicked deeds. They must uphold justice, subdue demons, and slay monsters.
By that measure, you do qualify."
Tartaglia exhaled in relief.
"So I've passed?"
"This is only the preliminary selection."
Yelan rose and walked toward the door. Just as she reached it, she paused and spoke softly:
"True, Liyue will use Mount Shu's standards to choose. We won't resort to tricks.
But don't forget—Rex Lapis himself is one of Mount Shu's acting Head Elders. Many of Liyue's Adepti, and even Ningguang and Keqing, are disciples of Mount Shu as well.
Tartaglia… in Liyue, you must always keep a low profile."
Tartaglia paid little heed to the warning, laughing cheerfully.
"I think I've behaved quite properly here, haven't I? Otherwise, I doubt Lady Keqing would've spared me back then."
"Best keep it that way."
With that, Yelan shut the door and left.
Tartaglia too staggered out, still wounded. The glare of the sun made him squint.
"Lord Childe!"
Several Fatui agents hurried to support him. Tartaglia glanced back—he saw that the first round of assessments had already ended.
As expected, there had been no obstacles. After all, this was judged by Mount Shu's standards, not Liyue's. On that point, his guess had been exactly right.
The rest would depend on his talent… and the Heart-Testing Array.
"Let's go!"
He gave the order and headed toward the Northland Bank.
One of his men leaned in close and whispered:
"My lord, a letter from Her Majesty. Lady Signora will soon be arriving in Liyue…"
Tartaglia frowned slightly, then said in a low voice:
"Noted. Ignore her for now. Also, send people to gather the most popular cultivation novels—and some medicinal herbs for healing.
Within a month, I must recover."
The Fatui agent immediately agreed, then beamed.
"Congratulations, my lord, on passing the test! Immortality is within reach!"
Tartaglia's mood lifted slightly, but he shook his head.
"This was merely a test of conduct. Mount Shu's standards—Liyue dares not alter them. The real trial comes in a month."
"Your subordinates believe you will surely be accepted into Mount Shu!"
Confidence shone in Tartaglia's eyes.
"That is inevitable!
For this month, no Fatui are to leave Liyue Harbor or cause trouble. Any who disobey—I'll execute myself."
"Yes, Lord Childe!"
His men couldn't help feeling secretly delighted. If Tartaglia became a cultivator, even they, his personal retinue, might benefit.
He was far kinder to his followers than any other Harbinger. Perhaps once he cultivated, he'd even allow them to train in martial techniques. Even if they couldn't ride swords through the skies, just leaping across rooftops would be quite the experience.
As news spread like wildfire across Liyue—that Mount Shu had opened its gates—and the storm of excitement rippled out to all of Teyvat…
Lisa, together with Jean and the others who had finished organizing Mondstadt's affairs, arrived at Mount Shu.
Crossing through the great gateway into Mount Shu's realm, the first sight that met them was a world that had fully transformed into its own pocket dimension.
The air was thick with spiritual energy. Lisa took a long, indulgent breath, eyes half-closed in comfort.
"As expected, Mount Shu's aura is abundant. These past days cultivating in Teyvat have been unbearable. Unless absolutely necessary, I'm not going back there again."
Lumine and the others were equally wide-eyed, marveling at their surroundings.
They couldn't absorb spiritual energy, but simply standing here filled them with a comfort unlike anything they had ever experienced. Their very spirits felt renewed.
Lifting her gaze to the towering, awe-inspiring Mount Shu gates, Lumine sighed sincerely:
"So this is a cultivation sect? How magnificent! It feels even more ethereal than in the novels!"
Lisa chuckled.
"This is only the beginning. You haven't even seen Mount Shu's Seven Peaks yet—that's where the true immortal paradises lie.
Just a single glance will be etched into your memory forever. And the Seven Wonders of Mount Shu… breathtaking beyond words.
In time, you'll see for yourselves. Now that Mount Shu has become a world of its own, I'm curious what new sights have emerged as well. For now, though, let's go greet the Sect Master."
Jean looked around, puzzled.
"But… how do we get there?"
"Why, by calling for Mount Shu's transportation, of course."
Lisa flicked out a thread of true essence, which burst like fireworks high in the sky.
Moments later, a gale roared upward from beneath the cliffs. The sea of clouds was torn apart—
And a colossal azure bird, wings spanning several hundred meters, ascended in a spiral and alighted upon the cliff's edge.
"Wow! What a beautiful bird!"
Paimon squealed, eyes sparkling with delight at the giant creature.
"Hm? And you, little one—what are you doing here?"
Lisa looked a bit surprised as she approached, reaching up to stroke the bird's head.
"Have you taken over the white cranes' duties now? How could Ganyu bear to part with you?"
The Qingluan nuzzled against Lisa, sending a message directly into her mind.
"So you're just passing through, are you? Looks like you're enjoying life here—too busy soaring through the skies to bother cultivating anymore, hmm?"
Lisa teased, earning a displeased flap of the bird's massive wings that nearly blew everyone off their feet.
"Alright, alright! Just kidding. I know how strong and diligent you are. You really can't take a joke, can you?"
Lisa patted the bird in appeasement. The Qingluan gave a proud cry, finally settling down.
Kaeya swallowed hard, leaning toward Diluc.
"Tell me… are all the sect's birds this strong? That thing looks like it could swat Dvalin dead with one wing."
"But of course."
Lisa turned back with a bright smile.
"This is Ganyu's spirit beast, the Qingluan. Don't be fooled by her mere two centuries of age—she's already at the peak of Qi Refinement, far stronger than I am.
Forget Dvalin—even if Venti himself faced her, he'd get toyed with. Why, back in the Netherworld, her speed alone managed to put him at a disadvantage."
Jean's expression turned solemn.
"So it is Qingluan…"
It felt odd to address a bird that way, but she figured cultivation was no place for common sense.
The Qingluan looked immensely pleased, nodding as if to say, Finally, someone with proper manners.
"Are we… actually going to ride her to Mount Shu?" Lumine swallowed nervously.
A peak Qi Refinement spirit beast… Jean and the others might not understand, but Lumine did. A creature like this could wipe Mondstadt from the map in minutes. This was no mere mount—it was a true powerhouse.
"Just so happens Qingluan's returning to Ganyu. Let her take us along." Lisa smiled.
"I've always wanted a ride myself. Guess we're in luck today."
She hopped onto the Qingluan's back and winked at the others.
"Come on—opportunities to ride a peak Qi Refinement beast don't come every day."
Jean hesitated, but after a moment whispered:
"Then… we'll be in your care."
One by one, they climbed aboard.
The Qingluan spread her wings—and in an instant they shot into the clouds like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Though the speed was terrifying, spiritual energy enveloped them, making the ride feel as steady as walking on solid ground, without even a trace of buffeting wind.
Jean and the others were secretly astonished. At this pace, Qingluan could make a round trip from Liyue to Mondstadt in under ten minutes. No wonder Venti had suffered against her speed.
"Slow down a little, Qingluan—let us enjoy the view."
At Lisa's gentle tap, the bird reduced her speed. The breathtaking scenery of Mount Shu unfolded beneath them—mountains bathed in spiritual light, a land brimming with immortal aura.
From time to time, strange beasts darted through the forests below. Each one radiated enough menace to set their nerves on edge.
Playful as ever, Qingluan occasionally dove straight at a herd of monsters. The sheer pressure of her peak Qi Refinement aura left them trembling, sprawled on the ground. Then she'd fly off with a triumphant cry.
Lisa shook her head, laughing.
"You naughty little thing—you'll be Mount Shu's number-one troublemaker yet."
The Qingluan trilled proudly.
"Yes, yes, I know—both the Sect Master and Ganyu spoil you rotten."
Suddenly, she spotted something new to play with. With a dive, she snatched a massive creature from its nap in the forest and casually dropped it into a lake.
When it surfaced, roaring with fury—then saw who had done it—it choked back its anger instantly.
"Damn it—ah… Lord Qingluan! As long as you're happy…"
Jean and the others could only stare, wide-eyed. The beast radiated a pressure several times stronger than Dvalin himself, yet it cowered like a drenched cat before Qingluan.
"…What was that?"
Diluc frowned, glancing at Lisa in surprise.
"Oh, him?" Lisa chuckled.
"He's one of the wardens who raise ferocious beasts in this region. Or, if you prefer the formal name—"
"The Demon God Beisht."
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