"You all now have your primary cultivation methods. It would be good to head to the Library Pavilion and select additional techniques."
"Lisa, you've only just returned. You didn't have the chance to choose your secondary method before. Go as well, and guide Jean and the others along the way."
Lisa naturally nodded in agreement.
Jiang Yan swept his gaze across the group again, speaking softly:
"For the time being, there is no need to enter the Nine Nether Secret Realm . Instead, focus your efforts on cultivation."
"The Mount Shu World has many demon beasts worth exploring, and the scattered spiritual herbs must be gathered and recorded."
"These tasks fall under the Hall of Merits. You should make use of them."
"Additionally, now that the Hall of Merits has been properly established, I will soon add treasures, elixirs, and other items for exchange. If you have needs, prepare in advance."
"As for one last matter… Ningguang."
Jiang Yan turned toward her, voice calm:
"In one month, Mount Shu will see a surge of new disciples. Aside from the Hall of Merits, we must also establish a trading market for disciples. This falls to you."
"With such a market, disciple-to-disciple exchange and interaction will have proper structure."
"Discuss the details with the Hall of Discipline. Once built, they will oversee its regulation."
"For establishing this trading market, I will grant you an additional one hundred thousand contribution points."
Joy flickered in Ningguang's heart. She immediately clasped her hands respectfully:
"Your disciple accepts the order. Within one month, the market shall stand complete."
Jiang Yan gave a slight nod.
"Good. Go now. Lumine and Paimon—remain behind."
The two, who had been preparing to leave, froze for a moment. Lumine grew a little uneasy, glancing instinctively at Jean.
Though Jiang Yan did not release any pressure, his presence was like a sovereign high above the nine heavens, compelling awe from the heart.
Ordinarily, with Lumine's nature, she would already be bouncing with excitement. Yet now, she too was subdued.
Jean, noticing her unease, offered a reassuring look. Then she and the others took their leave of Jiang Yan.
Ganyu pursed her lips slightly and stole a glance at him. Jiang Yan, naturally aware, returned her a faint smile. Her heart leapt, but she quickly followed the group out.
In the blink of an eye, only Jiang Yan, Lumine, and Paimon remained in the great hall.
As for Klee, she was in the back hall cultivating—this was her fixed training time each day.
Though Jiang Yan personally believed endless cultivation was no vice—even days, months, or years uninterrupted—Klee was still a child. He did not want her future memories of childhood to be filled solely with cultivation.
Thus, apart from listening to his Dao lectures and her own practice time, the rest of her day was spent at play. Alice was deeply grateful to Jiang Yan for this.
Now Jiang Yan's gaze shone with purple light as he looked upon Lumine—penetrating her Glazed Sword Heart.
Over her heart spread a translucent film, like seven-colored glass, from which subtle, mysterious sword intent flowed ceaselessly.
As for Paimon…
Within her body and even her sea of consciousness, stars glittered faintly, shrouded in divine obscurity.
Below, the two girls shifted nervously. Jiang Yan's silence, as he fixed his eyes upon them, only heightened their unease.
At last, Paimon shrank back, hiding behind Lumine's shoulder.
The one always chattering, who usually spoke for Lumine—now could not utter a single word.
"Master…?"
Lumine broke the silence softly, unable to endure.
Jiang Yan finally withdrew his gaze, smiling.
"Good. Upon stepping onto the path of cultivation, your physiques have fully awakened. That saves me much trouble."
"Lumine—you bear the Glazed Sword Heart. With such a gift, your advancement in the Sword Dao shall be swift as lightning."
"Such talent must not be squandered. Henceforth, I will personally instruct you in the Sword-Control Art, and see it perfected at the earliest possible time."
"Paimon—you possess the Star Physique, most suited for the mantras of the Mystic Dao. Of the Eight Great Divine Mantras, the Purifying Heaven-and-Earth Mantra is most fitting for you."
"However, you must first lay a foundation in the basic incantations. I will pass you the True Explanation of the Foundational Mantras. Train diligently."
"Only when you have mastered this will I transmit to you the Purifying Heaven-and-Earth Mantra itself."
In his heart, Jiang Yan felt some satisfaction.
He seldom displayed his powers, but the arts he commanded were each of the highest grade:
The Divine Sword Lightning True Formula,
The Eight Great Divine Mantras,
The Mount Shu Sword Canon, Complete Essence.
Each one was a path leading directly to immortality.
The Eight Great Divine Mantras, in particular—once he ascended to the Immortal Realm, they would transform into true Immortal Supernatural Powers. From them could even be derived the Nine-Syllable True Words—one of the highest secrets of the Immortal Dao, used even by Taiyi Golden Immortals.
For Mount Shu, these three systems of arts were its most profound inheritances. Each one could remake the heavens and earth.
Alas, until now, not even Keqing, Ningguang, nor even Klee were suited for them. Their talents were fine, but mismatched.
The Divine Sword Lightning True Formula and the Sword Canon required a peerless sword physique. Even Keqing, though gifted, could not approach them until she reached the Spirit-Transformation stage.
As for the Eight Divine Mantras, they represented the pinnacle of spellcraft. Klee already had her Crimson Emperor Burning Heaven Formula and the Southern Bright Fire Condensation Method. Adding Jiang Yan's supreme secrets atop them would only burden her time.
But Jiang Yan himself, with his Innate Dao Body, could wield them with ease.
Still, to him, being Sect Master meant more than cultivation—it meant passing on the Dao. If such ultimate arts were never inherited, it would be a tragedy.
Now, finally, he had found successors. Lumine, with her Glazed Sword Heart, could pursue the Divine Sword Lightning True Formula.
Paimon, with her Star Physique, though unfit for all eight, was perfectly suited for the Purifying Heaven-and-Earth Mantra.
At last—true heirs.
Jiang Yan's gaze softened.
"Master, what is the Purifying Heaven-and-Earth Mantra?"
Perhaps influenced by his gentleness, Paimon plucked up courage. Floating forward, she asked curiously.
Jiang Yan chuckled, but did not answer. He regarded her quietly for a moment, then swept his sleeve. Instantly, the three soared into the skies above the Nine Heavens.
"Words are too pale. Better that you witness with your own eyes the art you are to inherit."
Excitement flickered in both Lumine and Paimon as they looked at him.
Truth be told, Jiang Yan himself felt eager. Since his rise, he had not met a true opponent. His Divine Sword Lightning True Formula was only used in tribulations; his Eight Mantras, only when forging treasures for Klee.
He had not given them a stage worthy of their power.
Yet now, if he truly unleashed his strength as a peak Void-Returning cultivator, one strike would shatter not just Teyvat, but even the Mount Shu small world itself.
Thus, he had no chance to fully battle. Only his disciples, in future, could allow these supreme arts to bloom properly.
Now, with hands forming seals, Jiang Yan gazed down upon the land. His voice rolled like thunder:
"Heaven and earth, natural and pure—disperse the foulness, reveal the void of mystery, shine forth the Supreme Origin."
"Eight directions, divine powers—follow my nature; the Spirit-Treasure Talisman's decree, proclaimed unto the Nine Heavens."
"Qianluo Dana, Primordial Celestial Force—cut down demons, bind all evils, ferry countless souls…"
His Dao voice resounded across all of Mount Shu.
All living beings instinctively lifted their heads toward the sky.
At that instant, heaven and earth themselves seemed to bow in reverence to Jiang Yan.
"Rex Lapis? What is the Sect Master doing…?"
Xiao frowned, uneasy. He could clearly sense the shaking of this world, the surging tide of qi converging madly toward Jiang Yan.
Zhongli stood calmly, gazing at the sky for a long while before sighing softly.
"The Purifying Heaven-and-Earth Mantra… One of the Eight Great Divine Mantras of Daoism. A true Immortal Dao art of the Sect Master."
"Immortal Dao…?!"
Xiao stared in shock.
Zhongli nodded faintly. Like Jiang Yan, the jade slip he had chosen was not a cultivation method, but an introduction to the Immortal Realm.
From it, he had learned of Mount Shu, of the vast Immortal World, and of its legends.
Among them, the Eight Great Divine Mantras—names most resplendent.
"Any one mantra alone is comparable to an Immortal art. Through history, countless invincibles have been forged upon them."
"But all of them mastered only one."
"From ancient times until now, only our Sect Master alone has grasped all eight. The last person to reach even six… was a Mount Shu Patriarch, a Taiyi Golden Immortal."
"It is said that if the Eight are united, the Nine-Syllable True Words may be derived—the loftiest of all Immortal Dao supernatural powers."
"And now, the Sect Master displays the Purifying Heaven-and-Earth Mantra—one of the Eight."
Zhongli sighed, eyes tinged with regret.
"Once, the Sect Master even offered to pass me a mantra. But my gifts were insufficient. In the end, I gleaned only a fragment of the Heart-Purifying Mantra."
"Even that fragment strengthened my spirit and soul dozens of times over."
"The Eight Great Mantras demand impossible talent. Among all of Mount Shu, only Paimon seems to match the Purifying Heaven-and-Earth Mantra."
"…Talent. It is something that humbles even the proudest heart."
With a wry smile, Zhongli sat cross-legged.
"Come, Xiao. With this mantra active, all the world's qi gathers as one—purest, richest. The perfect time to cultivate."
Xiao bit his lip, then wordlessly sat down to meditate.
All across Mount Shu, disciples felt the change in heaven and earth and did likewise.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yan pressed the Purifying Heaven-and-Earth Mantra to completion.
In the void, countless forms appeared—humans and demons alike, yet each radiant with awe-inspiring righteousness, suffused with the will to suppress all evil.
Lumine gazed in stunned silence. These visages seemed strangely familiar. She searched her memory, and then—like a bolt of lightning—it struck her.
She had seen them before.
On a distant, peaceful world… in a land called Shenzhou. In a Daoist temple, she had glimpsed their images.
"This is…"
Her eyes widened in shock, turning to Jiang Yan.
"The Twenty-Eight Celestial Mansions!"
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