Within the Heart-Testing Array, Jean and the others stood frozen, their minds caught within its illusions.
Baizhu watched quietly, then let out a faint sigh of remembrance.
"Only a few days ago, I stood here as they do now. The Heart-Testing Array…"
"Only after truly embarking on the immortal path did I understand the Sect Master's words—that nothing is more dreadful to a cultivator than the trial of one's own heart."
"To question the heart is to question the Dao itself. Should the heart waver, the Dao collapses."
"Even now, recalling my own experience within the array chills me. Had I faltered, I might have wasted this entire life in mediocrity."
Everyone knew what he meant.
Baizhu had passed through all nine layers of the array—a feat that had already become legendary among Mount Shu's disciples.
Each layer represented a fleeting lifetime.
In other words, Baizhu had lived through nine lives within, yet through them all clung unwaveringly to the pursuit of immortality.
Such resolve was rare indeed.
In a sense, his mindset was not far from a special constitution of its own.
Lisa's gaze, however, lingered worriedly on Jean and her companions. She trusted their hearts, but still—she herself had never faced the Heart-Testing Array, and its terrors were unknowable.
Ningguang and the others looked on with bright anticipation, hoping to glean insight from watching.
But alas—the Heart-Testing Array was something that not even Jiang Yan himself could pass on another's behalf.
Only one's own strength could carry them through.
For a cultivator, to question the heart was the most difficult trial of all.
Meanwhile, beyond the mountain—
All across Teyvat, news of Mount Shu's opening had spread. Guests of every nation converged upon Liyue.
From Fontaine came Clorinde.
From Inazuma, the Guuji, Yae Miko.
From Snezhnaya, the Harbinger Rosalyne.
Countless great and small figures from the Seven Nations made for Liyue Harbor.
Yet the things they saw along the way left them speechless.
Mount Shu's proximity to Liyue meant its evolutionary transformation of the world—and the Sect Master's teaching of disciples—spilled spiritual qi across the land.
This overflow of aura strengthened everything upon Liyue's soil.
Even the weakest roadside beasts had grown formidable.
Common monsters had become dangerous.
Even ordinary animals now radiated unsettling power.
Clorinde, after days of travel, finally reached the wilderness bordering Liyue Harbor.
Of all travelers, she understood best the change in Liyue's monsters.
Though trivial to her strength, for ordinary folk—even ordinary Vision-bearers—such monsters were now dire threats.
Today alone she had already cut down four waves of hilichurls.
Lifting her pistol, she felled another and exhaled softly.
Somehow, the stronger the monsters grew, the more active they became.
The Liyue wilderness was no longer safe.
Not knowing the cause, Clorinde pressed onward.
But soon, yet another band of hilichurls emerged—nearly a hundred strong, led by a hulking berserker marked with glowing azure stripes.
Even she felt a trace of pressure.
Weakened from past battles, her elemental strength not yet fully restored, she could not fight recklessly.
Fortunately, the gates of Liyue Harbor were already in sight.
Just then, a cluster of black dots appeared far across the land.
With impossibly light leaps, each spanning dozens of feet, they arrived before her in moments.
Their oppressive aura made Clorinde tense—these dozen men felt more dangerous than the entire horde of monsters.
But their armor marked them clearly: the Millelith.
She eased her stance.
"Fontainian? Come to register?"
The squad leader's question caught her off guard, but she nodded anyway.
The captain gave a slight nod in return, then apologized:
"Judging by your appearance, you've fought much already. Forgive us—Liyue has failed in its hospitality."
"In recent days the surge of spiritual qi has caused monsters to grow stronger and multiply. We cannot keep pace."
"Spiritual… qi?"
Clorinde marked the phrase in her heart.
She shook her head lightly.
"No need for an apology. Consider it training."
"Haha! A strong one indeed."
The captain's eyes flicked to her Vision, weighing her measure.
"If you wish to register, go to the Ministry of Civil Affairs in the harbor. But be warned—the crowds are immense. Your assessment may take several days."
"For now, leave this place to us."
This squad was none other than Fengyan and his companions.
Having trained in Jueyun's abundant aura and ferocious beasts, each had now stepped into the innate realm.
But in recent days, with monsters multiplying beyond measure, mere postnatal martial troops could not cope.
With Mount Shu secluded for now, the Qixing had recalled Fengyan's group to stem the tide.
Across Liyue, these innate experts had become near-mythic figures—
appearing from nowhere, vanishing as quickly, their martial might dazzling the common folk.
And to think—this was but a martial path casually created by cultivators.
Little wonder Liyue's craze for cultivation now burned hotter than ever.
"I'll help you."
Clorinde, moved by their goodwill, lifted her weapon to join the battle.
But Fengyan waved her off.
"A guest from afar needs no part in Liyue's troubles. That is not our way."
With a barked order, his squad leapt forward, bodies blurring into streaks of light.
Sword-qi carved through monsters like paper.
Palm-shadows pounced like tigers, tearing beasts apart.
In moments, the vast horde lay annihilated, the earth scarred by their passing.
Clorinde was dumbstruck.
These warriors bore no Visions, yet wielded strength beyond reason.
Not like the Fatui's grotesque alterations—this power was clean, natural, born of their own bodies.
And their might rivaled even that of seasoned Vision-holders.
Where had Liyue gathered such men?
An army of this caliber…
Fengyan noticed her confusion, raising a brow.
"You came to register, yet know nothing of what is happening here?"
"What?"
Clorinde faltered.
But before he could explain further, a soldier leaned in to whisper.
Fengyan sighed.
"Forgive me. Duty calls—we must move on. If curiosity plagues you, ask in the harbor. All will be clear there."
And with that, they vanished into the distance once more.
Clorinde stood stunned.
It seemed all of Teyvat was racing toward a future she could not comprehend.
And the source of it all—was Liyue.
She quickened her pace.
This news was too crucial. She must uncover the truth and send word to Furina at once.
At the Harbor
A small vessel docked, carrying three figures ashore.
At their head was a tall woman with an eyepatch, strides powerful and commanding.
Though plainly a pirate, the dockworkers greeted her with respect, calling her Captain Beidou.
At her side trailed a short youth like a wandering swordsman, and on the other side a cloaked figure, fox-bright eyes glinting with playful lightning.
"Captain, back at last! Been gone over a month."
"And you've picked up two more crew?"
One of the workers hailed her with a grin.
Beidou laughed.
"Old Shi, long time no see. I hear Liyue's been changing lately?"
"Hah! More than you'd believe!" Old Shi shook his head.
"Too long a tale for me—but first things first, Captain. You'd best hurry to the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
"Go register quickly. Everything else you can learn later. If you delay, you'll wait ages for another chance."
"Register? For what?"
Beidou blinked.
She had been away long, knowing only that recent lightning storms had wracked Liyue. Fearing trouble, she rushed back. Of the rest, she knew nothing.
Before Old Shi could explain, several Millelith hurried over.
"Captain Beidou, Secretary Baiwen requests your presence."
Beidou scowled.
"Baiwen? What—has Ningguang already dismissed me in my absence?"
The soldiers hesitated.
"Where is she? First she summoned me to the Jade Chamber like some errand hand, now she won't even come herself, only sends Baiwen?"
Her glare pinned them.
At last, with a weary sigh, one lowered his voice:
"Captain… Lady Tianquan is currently cultivating in Mount Shu. She cannot return. For now, the other Qixing and the three secretaries oversee the harbor."
"This summons is one Ningguang left behind before she departed."
Beidou froze.
For a long moment she simply stared, stunned.
Then, incredulous, she burst out:
"Ningguang… cultivating immortality???"
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