Once everyone was ready, Xiao finally stepped aside, opening the way to the Sect Hall.
He himself headed toward the mountainside, intending to check the Hall of Merits for any missions.
Lisa led Jean and the others quickly to the doors of the grand hall. Even Lumine and Paimon, normally lively and restless, fell quiet as they drew close.
Standing before the vast and solemn Sect Hall, they couldn't help but feel subdued.
This was a place that could silently instill reverence in anyone who stepped near.
Lisa took a deep breath and called clearly:
"Sect Master, your disciple Lisa brings Mondstadt's visitors and the Traveler to pay respects."
The massive doors slowly creaked open.
Lisa composed herself, then guided the group across the threshold.
For Jean and the rest, it was their very first glimpse of the highest seat of power within a cultivation sect.
Unlike the ornate office of the Acting Grand Master back in Mondstadt, the Sect Hall of Mount Shu was utterly plain.
Seven simple meditation mats.
A single great character for "Dao."
That was all.
The hall seemed empty, yet the air was filled with a pressure that made their hearts tremble.
At the very center, seated upon a mat, was a young man dressed in dark robes.
His features were handsome, sharply defined yet softened by a gentleness that carried pity for the world.
Between his brows, a faint purple-gold cloud pattern lent him an air of noble dignity.
The embroidered designs on his robe shimmered faintly, as though flowing with his every breath.
Lumine froze.
She stood rooted in place, staring blankly at Jiang Yan.
She had read so many cultivation tales—but this was her first time seeing a true master with her own eyes.
That seemingly slender figure, sitting quietly, felt greater than heaven and earth themselves.
Around him lingered an aura of Dao so profound that she nearly lost herself in it.
"Lumine!"
Lisa nudged her gently, then gave Jiang Yan an apologetic glance.
"Forgive her, Sect Master. Lumine… lost herself for a moment."
"It doesn't matter."
Jiang Yan slowly opened his eyes.
In that instant, they all felt as though they glimpsed the reflection of heaven's laws within his gaze.
Lumine snapped back to herself.
Her heart skipped a beat—she quickly lowered her head, twisting her fingers nervously.
Only now did she realize her grave mistake.
She had dared to openly stare at the Sect Master of Mount Shu, and for quite a while at that…
A cultivator on the verge of transcending to the Immortal Realm!
If the stories were true, such an offense could be punishable by death.
Even if Jiang Yan did not mind, should the Hall of Discipline learn of it, they would no doubt make an issue of her behavior.
And the Hall of Discipline, under Zhongli's strict oversight, was already becoming a place feared and respected by all.
Lisa gave Jean a subtle signal.
Jean quickly straightened and bowed deeply.
"Jean, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, pays respects to the Sect Master."
Jiang Yan's lips curved into a warm smile.
"You traveled all the way from Mondstadt. That must have been tiring."
Jean shook her head firmly.
"Not at all. With Lisa guiding us, the journey was smooth."
"Sect Master, our purpose in coming to Mount Shu is twofold. First, to thank you for your aid in resolving Mondstadt's dragon disaster."
"Second, to humbly request admittance into Mount Shu to pursue cultivation."
Jiang Yan's eyes glimmered with amusement.
"The dragon crisis was not resolved by Mount Shu as a whole. It was Lisa who settled it upon her return. Mondstadt owes thanks to her, not me."
Jean's tone remained serious as she replied:
"But without Mount Shu's training, Lisa could never have done so. Were it not for her return, Mondstadt may well have perished in the ruins of Stormterror's Lair. So no, Sect Master, I am not exaggerating."
She gestured, and Lisa produced an assortment of offerings from her spatial bottle:
glittering primogems, rare herbs, cages holding exotic beasts, and even ancient tomes.
They were not priceless in a cultivator's eyes, yet it was clear Mondstadt had gathered the best they could offer.
Jiang Yan accepted them with a single wave, the items vanishing without trace.
"Your thoughtfulness is received."
Jean exhaled softly, relieved.
Then, she bowed again.
"We should have come sooner, when Lady Alice and the others first visited. But Mondstadt was in dire straits then, and we could not leave. For that, I apologize."
"Now, with Lisa's return, the dragon crisis quelled, and even healing pills gifted to us, Mondstadt owes Mount Shu a great debt."
"Having witnessed true cultivation for ourselves, we wish only to follow this path. We beg Sect Master to grant us the chance."
Diluc and the others looked on with hopeful eyes.
Jiang Yan chuckled softly, turning to Lisa.
"It seems Mondstadt truly has been busy—so busy, you've not even checked your disciple token these past days."
Lisa blinked in confusion.
He explained with a calm smile:
"I have already decreed that one month from now, Mount Shu will open its gates. Liyue will oversee the ceremony. A thousand disciples shall be accepted."
Lisa gasped.
"The Sect will open its gates? Forgive me, Sect Master—I truly did not read the notices."
"It is of no concern."
Jiang Yan shook his head gently.
"With Mondstadt rebuilding, your attention was rightly elsewhere."
But Diluc's brow furrowed.
A month later? Would they already be left behind by then?
Lisa asked carefully:
"Sect Master… must Jean and the others truly wait until then to join?"
Jiang Yan studied the group in silence, Dao light flickering faintly in his eyes.
At last, he spoke:
"Though the grand opening will be our primary intake, Mount Shu does not shun prodigies outside its rituals. To cling blindly to rules would stifle growth."
"Jean and the others show rare potential, and you have personally vouched for them. Thus, I will allow exceptions—"
He paused, smiling faintly.
"But some measure of trial is still required. Your junior brother Baizhu braved the Heart-Testing Array to earn his place. If I accepted you all directly, fairness would be questioned."
Jean answered at once, eyes shining:
"We accept! Whatever trial is required, we are willing."
"Very well."
Jiang Yan nodded.
"At the upcoming ceremony, passing the first layer of the Heart-Testing Array grants entry as an outer disciple. Passing three layers earns entry as an inner disciple. You may take that same trial. Lisa knows its place, and I will have Zhongli oversee the proceedings."
Lisa bowed deeply in thanks.
Then Jiang Yan's gaze swept across them once more—and lingered long upon Lumine.
His look pierced through her entirely, as though stripping away every secret she bore.
Uneasy, Lumine quickly tried to empty her mind, fearing he might read her thoughts.
After a long pause, Jiang Yan's lips curved in a knowing smile.
"As for this trial—Jean, Diluc, Kaeya, and Barbara shall participate."
Lumine froze.
Her head drooped, and Paimon shrank behind her shoulder in visible dejection.
Lisa, however, blinked in dawning realization.
"Sect Master… Lumine and Paimon…?"
Jiang Yan gave a slow, satisfied nod.
"Yes. Two peerless prodigies, rarely seen in a thousand years. Today, both stand before me."
"Lisa, you've brought me quite the surprise indeed. Teyvat truly is abundant in talent."
His smile deepened.
"A Glazed Sword Heart… and a Star Physique."
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