On the Jade Chamber.
After listening to Baiwen, Uncle Tian, and the others explain everything, Beidou pressed her fingers to her brow, visibly pained.
The hall had fallen utterly silent. Only after a long pause did she murmur in disbelief:
"So… you're telling me a true immortal has arrived in Liyue, and that the Lord of Geo himself, along with the Adepti—and even Ningguang—have gone to cultivate under him."
"That in twenty-some days, Mount Shu will open its mountain gates and recruit disciples into the path of immortality."
"Are you sure this isn't all just some elaborate prank? Or worse, some new money-making scheme Ningguang cooked up?"
At her words, Baiwen could only sigh helplessly.
"Captain Beidou, it is indeed true. The entire harbor witnessed Lady Keqing soaring upon a flying sword with their own eyes."
"Moreover, the martial path His Excellency the Lord of Geo devised has already spread through the Millelith. Over a thousand innate experts have emerged."
"And the Sect Master of Mount Shu himself will indeed open the gates in a month's time."
"We would never joke about such matters."
Beidou fell silent, still dazed.
"But this all sounds exactly like something out of one of those cheap storybooks…"
"…Whatever. Leave that aside for now—why did Ningguang summon me here?"
Baiwen produced a delicate token and presented it respectfully.
"This is your entry token for the coming trials. Lady Ningguang hopes that Captain Beidou will also join Mount Shu to cultivate, thereby strengthening Liyue's foundations."
Beidou's interest was piqued. She took the token, turning it curiously in her hand.
"Oh? So I don't even need to take the test? Don't tell me Ningguang's abusing her authority for my sake?"
At this, Baiwen faltered, unsure how to reply. Uncle Tian chuckled warmly, setting down his teacup to smooth things over.
"Come now, Beidou, don't make things difficult for Secretary Baiwen. The examinations are only meant to filter for upright character."
"Your kindness is known to all of Liyue—what need have you to prove it again?"
"What you should do now is acquaint yourself with the basics of cultivation, so that you'll be prepared when the true trials begin."
Beidou shrugged. The whole affair still felt surreal.
She had only just returned to Liyue, only to be slammed in the face with a storm of news about immortality.
Had she not checked repeatedly to be sure she wasn't dreaming, she might have jumped from the Jade Chamber just to wake herself up.
"Fine, since it's Ningguang's goodwill, I'll accept it."
She tucked away the token, then glanced back at the two who had accompanied her—Kaedehara Kazuha and the cloaked figure.
After a moment's thought, she spoke softly:
"Could you prepare tokens for them as well? I'll vouch for their character with my own name."
Baiwen hesitated, gaze drifting toward Yelan.
At last, Yelan lifted her head, her cool eyes falling upon Kazuha. After a pause, her voice was quiet but edged with steel:
"Kaedehara Kazuha of Inazuma, once a young master of the Kaedehara Clan—one of the Shogun's Five Commissions…"
"…now, a wanted fugitive?"
The air in the chamber shifted.
The relaxed Qixing stilled, their killing intent pressing down like a storm upon Kazuha.
The Millelith guards fixed their sharp eyes upon him as well.
The pressure of martial experts and the oppressive will of top Vision-bearers struck him like a flood. His breath caught in his chest.
But after a moment, he clenched his jaw and answered evenly:
"Under the Vision Hunt Decree, any who refused to surrender their Vision were branded criminals. By that measure, all who resisted became fugitives."
At the mention of the decree, the Qixing's sharp aura softened. They exchanged brief glances, then nodded faintly.
Yelan, too, withdrew her gaze and gave Baiwen a subtle nod.
A token was passed to Kazuha.
Inazuma's politics were not Liyue's concern. If the only crime was resisting the Vision Hunt Decree, then it mattered little.
Moreover, Kazuha's character was beyond reproach—Yelan had confirmed this herself.
Taken in by Beidou, his ties to Liyue were already deep. His strength was undeniable.
Granting him direct entry to the trials was no problem.
After all, though Liyue prided itself on fairness, it was not devoid of privilege.
Beidou was Ningguang's close ally—and Ningguang herself a disciple of Mount Shu.
Such a minor favor was hardly worth quibbling over.
"And this one?"
Uncle Tian now turned his eyes toward the cloaked figure beside Kazuha.
The woman laughed lightly, removing her hood.
"Yae Miko, current Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine. Greetings."
The others nodded in sudden realization, offering polite words.
Uncle Tian gave a rueful chuckle.
"Beidou, your new 'crew members' are rather… unusual."
"The Guuji herself, favored by the Raiden Shogun—if you're here, then surely you slipped away without her leave."
"Beidou, you're bold indeed…"
Beidou laughed heartily, shaking her head.
"The Alcor has no berth large enough for a goddess such as the Guuji. We merely met on the way—she was heading to Liyue, so we offered her passage."
Miko smiled slyly.
"Thanks to Captain Beidou, otherwise I'd have drifted alone upon the sea for quite some time."
"It's true I came without her knowledge—but rest easy, I've prepared thoroughly. I won't bring you trouble."
The Qixing exchanged glances, sharing a knowing smile.
"Trouble is hardly the word… So, Guuji, you've come to register as well?"
"More than registering, I wished to meet with Sister Ganyu. It's been so long since I've seen her."
At this, Uncle Tian grew hesitant.
"Ganyu… is seldom in the harbor of late. Aside from returning briefly to deliver the Sect Master's decrees, she spends nearly all her time upon Mount Shu."
Miko blinked, a touch of surprise crossing her face.
"But—it was Sister Ganyu who sent me word to meet her here in Liyue."
She produced the letter, suffused faintly with immortal essence. The handwriting was unmistakably Ganyu's.
Uncle Tian studied it, then nodded, exchanging a glance with the other Qixing.
"In that case, we will send word to her. Someone will escort you to Jueyun Karst afterward."
"I'm grateful."
Miko smiled politely, asking for no more. But inwardly, her thoughts churned.
This journey to Liyue had already exceeded her every expectation.
Perhaps, even Ei's troubles might yet find resolution.
Meanwhile, Beidou's attention was caught by the oppressive aura lingering on the Millelith soldiers.
"So this is the martial path born from the Geo Archon's cultivation?"
Uncle Tian saw the gleam in her eye and chuckled.
"What's this—itching to try it out yourself?"
"If I can, all the better."
Beidou rose without hesitation, shrugging off her cloak, flexing her wrists.
Her directness made Uncle Tian laugh aloud. He waved a hand.
"Fengyan, step forward."
"Yes, sir!"
A young Millelith leapt into the air, landing with feather-light grace upon the open floor.
Beidou's eyes lit up. His strength aside, that movement alone rivaled many Vision-bearers.
"Fengyan is one of a thousand elites stationed in Jueyun Karst. He has already broken through to the innate realm."
"Be careful, Beidou. Don't underestimate him."
Beidou snorted, amused.
"Do you really take me for being so fragile?"
She strode forward, nodding at the young soldier.
"Not bad. What weapon do you use?"
"Captain Beidou—my fists are my strongest weapon!"
"Good!"
Beidou tossed her greatsword casually to Kazuha.
"Then I won't bully you. I'll use neither my Vision nor my blade."
Fengyan was not insulted—he knew full well of Beidou's renown. Without a Vision, she had slain the sea monster Haishan in a single stroke.
How could he compare?
Steeling himself, he summoned his inner strength. A pale glow spread across his body like armor.
Miko watched with keen interest.
"How curious… Power flowing from within, not elemental energy."
Fragile by her standards, perhaps—but for a mortal who had trained mere months, it was remarkable indeed.
Beidou's grin widened.
Keen fists like thunder fell upon her in a storm, his inner force condensing into shadows of white tigers that hammered every angle.
"Impressive!"
Beidou praised him sincerely—even as she parried with effortless ease.
Fengyan's heart sank. Even at full force, he could not breach her guard. His pride as an innate cultivator crumbled.
Knowing brute strength would not suffice, he leapt high into the air.
"Five Tigers Soul-Severing Strike!"
His inner power roared forth, shaping into five immense tigers that descended upon Beidou.
Beidou's eyes lit with battle-hunger. Drawing back her fist, she struck once.
The raw force of her blow shattered the conjured beasts in an instant.
The shockwave whistled past Fengyan's cheek, rustling every leaf and blade of grass upon the Jade Chamber.
Landing lightly, he exhaled and bowed.
"I concede. Thank you, Captain Beidou, for your mercy."
Beidou strode up, clapping him firmly on the shoulder.
"Good work. Your technique's solid. With time, you could surpass many Vision-bearers."
"But you waste your strength—throwing it out in waves instead of honing it within. Better to strike clean and direct."
"Keep at it. You'll go far."
Eyes shining, Fengyan bowed deeply.
"Your teaching, I will remember!"
Beidou laughed, returning to her seat.
Uncle Tian sighed with admiration.
"As expected of Beidou. Without even using her Vision, she outstrips our carefully-trained martial experts."
"Your aptitude for cultivation may not be ordinary. Perhaps even… some special constitution."
Beidou raised a brow.
"Special constitution? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Ah, that is a long story."
Uncle Tian smiled knowingly.
"In any case, there's still time before the trials. If you're in no rush, we can explain the principles of cultivation in detail, so that you may prepare yourself."
Beidou nodded earnestly. She had only just returned to Liyue—her schedule was empty.
And besides…
What matters in the world could be more important than cultivating immortality?
Meanwhile, as Liyue Harbor seethed with visitors and hidden powers, the trial upon Mount Shu's Heart-Testing Array was also reaching its turning point.
The first to emerge from the formation at last stepped out…
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