The first sight that entered their eyes was an endless sea of surging clouds.
Billowing and rolling, like great waves crashing, vast and magnificent.
Whether it was the refraction of the sun or some unique resource of the cultivation realm, multicolored rays of light shimmered across the clouds, dazzling and radiant.
Every now and then, streaks of light flashed past them.
The scenery of the earth below gradually sank into the ocean of clouds.
Before long, the rainbow bridge carried the group straight through the clouds, arriving above their boundless sea.
The sight of the seven veins of Mount Shu shattered their perception of the world.
From the mountains' mid-slopes upward, the seven veins all stood above the sea of clouds. To the eye, they seemed like seven celestial peaks floating amidst the firmament itself.
Birds of all kinds flew leisurely between the peaks, but the most eye-catching were the pure-white immortal cranes.
They glimmered with light, drifting in the sky as if they were not flying but floating.
In the distant seas of clouds, enormous fish swam leisurely, leaping now and then, raising up great waves of cloud that surged like an ocean storm.
A halo arched across the dome of the heavens, circling the seven veins of Mount Shu, never dispersing—this was true immortal radiance.
And around the seven towering peaks floated countless islands, drifting gently, like a hidden paradise of legend, a world beyond compare.
Even Zhongli and the others, who had seen this sight before, could not help but feel awe once again—let alone those who were beholding Mount Shu for the first time.
The seven towering peaks pierced straight into the sky, vanishing into the heights even after cutting through the sea of clouds.
As though they alone upheld the very heavens.
Such a sight shattered the worldview of the thousand newcomers and rebuilt it anew.
Only now did they faintly realize what cultivation truly represented.
Green peaks, pine and cypress, seas of bamboo, hidden valleys of peach blossoms, snowy summits, misty canopies…
All fused together into one painting that contained both the seen and the unseen, a landscape beyond description.
Guuji Yae gazed at the scenery with a trace of longing and said softly:
"Beautiful, isn't it? No matter how many times I see it, Mount Shu always fills me with awe and reverence."
Beidou nodded slightly and murmured:
"This place surpasses all beauty I've ever known. Here, even without cultivating, one could live happily and long."
"That's why…"
Guuji Yae turned back and blinked playfully.
"Do you now understand just how powerful the Sect Master is?"
"What do you mean?"
Furina looked at her in puzzlement.
"Everything you see—including this world, which is ten times the size of Teyvat—was created by the Sect Master."
"..."
Once again, silence fell, broken only by their stunned breaths.
They had already thought they'd imagined Jiang Yan's strength to the utmost—but now they realized their imagination had been far too shallow.
It made sense.
How could the heart of mortals ever fathom the power of a true cultivator?
After who knew how long, the rainbow bridge finally withdrew, and everyone once more felt solid ground beneath their feet.
Turning back, it seemed as though they now stood at the very pinnacle of the world.
Not far ahead lay a grand complex of towering halls.
Glorious light shone from them, making one feel reverence at first sight.
"This is the symbol of Mount Shu—the Sect Grand Hall, and the place where the Sect Master cultivates in seclusion.
Without permission, no one may fly here. Violators will be severely punished."
Xiao turned, his expression stern as he issued the warning.
Truthfully, these outer disciples, if they never advanced, would never set foot here in their lifetimes—many would never even catch a second glimpse of Jiang Yan.
But with so many inner disciples present, his words were meant for them.
Everyone nodded repeatedly, committing it firmly to memory.
"The Grand Hall is the Sect Master's long-term abode. No one may bring weapons here."
Xiao reminded them again. At once, Tartaglia and the others hurriedly removed their weapons and placed them aside for safekeeping.
Seeing this, Xiao felt satisfied that the disciples understood, and continued:
"To enter the Grand Hall, your attire must be proper."
At that, many looked embarrassed and quickly adjusted their appearance.
Furina grumbled inwardly.
We haven't even officially joined Mount Shu yet, haven't learned a single cultivation method—but we've already memorized a pile of rules.
After carefully inspecting the group and finding no issues, Xiao returned to Zhongli's side.
Zhongli inclined his head slightly and cupped his hands.
"Sect Master, the thousand prospective disciples of Mount Shu have been brought."
The massive gates of the Grand Hall swung open with a thunderous rumble, revealing a vast space within.
At its center sat Jiang Yan in meditation, a great glowing character for "Dao" shining brilliantly behind him.
"You have worked hard. First Seats and peak disciples, return to your places."
"Yes!"
Zhongli answered in a clear voice, then led the group inside.
He and Venti, along with another, naturally returned to their seats, while Ningguang and the others sat among their respective inner-sect groups.
Klee, however, cared little for rules. Having not spoken with Jiang Yan all morning, she could hardly bear it any longer.
"Master!"
Her little legs carried her eagerly toward him.
"Klee, you must not disturb the Sect Master."
Alice caught her with a helpless look. After all, this was the final rite of the sect's founding ceremony—how could they let Klee run wild?
Klee pouted, her eyes misting as she looked pitifully at Jiang Yan.
He smiled faintly, raising a gentle hand.
"It's fine, Klee. Come."
Immediately, Klee stuck her tongue out playfully at Alice, then rushed happily to Jiang Yan's side, sitting down and gazing at him with wide, shining eyes.
Jiang Yan chuckled helplessly, ruffling her hair, then slipped her a few mid-grade spirit stones.
Ningguang and the others looked on in mild exasperation.
They had to labor over missions in the Hall of Merit to earn contribution points, which could then be exchanged for spirit stones.
Klee, however, needed only to act spoiled, and Jiang Yan rewarded her freely.
Indeed, the Sect Master's personal disciple had her advantages.
Hu Tao and the others exchanged curious glances. Only now did they recall Bai Wen's words—that this little one was currently the Sect Master's sole true disciple.
Meaning…
She might very well become the next Sect Master of Mount Shu.
Their hearts stirred, but they looked no longer, simply waiting quietly for Jiang Yan's instructions.
After settling Klee, Jiang Yan lifted his gaze, sweeping across the assembly. His eyes lingered briefly on Furina before he spoke slowly:
"You have all emerged from among more than 1.3 million candidates—each of you must be a genius.
But remember: the cultivation world lacks not for geniuses. What it has most of all are fallen geniuses."
"Once you join Mount Shu, forget all past honors. Begin anew. Hold firm to your Dao heart, and seek the immortal path."
"Mount Shu has many rules, but above all stands our guiding principle—
To subdue demons and uphold the righteous Way."
"If anyone abuses the power of cultivation to commit crimes or spread evil, no matter where they flee, Mount Shu will cleanse its own gates."
"All disciples must keep in mind the Nine Practices and Ten Commandments of Mount Shu."
"To act without striving.
To act with softness.
To hold to yielding, never striking first.
To act without seeking fame.
To act with purity and stillness.
To act in all goodness.
To act without greed.
To know contentment.
To yield and give way."
"Disrespect your master—be executed! Kill without cause—executed! Blaspheme against heaven and earth—executed! Aid the wicked—executed! Tear families apart—executed!
Harm your fellow disciples—executed! Covet endlessly—executed! Be disloyal or unfilial—executed! Indulge in debauchery or theft—executed! Hold others in contempt—executed!"
"The human Way is narrow and dim, the immortal Way vast and wild.
Cultivation is the tempering of both nature and heart. If your heart is unsettled and your nature unbalanced, you will never attain the Dao—you will fade into mediocrity.
A cultivator stands above all, but should remain humble, not arrogant.
Remember well: there is always someone stronger, always a higher mountain.
Do not let small achievements make you proud and blind, or your entire life will amount to nothing."
At these words, solemn looks spread across every face. They cupped their hands and answered in unison:
"We disciples shall remember the Sect Master's teachings."
Furina and the others felt conflicted.
The rules were many, yet in truth, most did not restrict them much.
Jiang Yan nodded slightly and went on:
"From the cultivation novels that spread from Liyue, you should already know a little about the immortal path.
As for the divisions of realms, I need not repeat them—once you cultivate, you will understand.
The pursuit of cultivation is to claim great power as your own, to grasp heaven and earth within your body.
Immortality, life as long as the heavens, carefree freedom, mastery over sun, moon, and stars—these are but byproducts of the pursuit of Dao.
Never mistake the branches for the root, lest you lose everything.
Pursue strength too obsessively, and you will fall into demonic ways. Pursue longevity too desperately, and you may find the opposite instead.
Follow the will of heaven, yet strive for man's triumph over it—such is the way of a true cultivator."
Again the disciples bowed.
"We disciples shall remember the Sect Master's teachings."
Jiang Yan nodded slightly and looked over the outer disciples.
Most were powerless mortals; a few stronger ones had robust physiques and practiced martial arts, but nothing beyond that.
There was no need to switch their paths as had been done in Teyvat.
With a casual gesture, countless streaks of light flew into their brows.
Jiang Yan had imprinted the circulation of the Zhou Tian Circulation Method into their minds.
Once finished, he waved his hand.
"Outer disciples, you may leave. Wait at the plaza outside the Grand Hall. Soon, outer-sect elders will come to receive and settle you.
Seven days from now, once you are familiar with the Zhou Tian Circulation Method and have grasped the basics of cultivation, I will lecture publicly and teach you the Mount Shu Sword Control Art."
The outer disciples' faces lit up as they felt the overwhelming power of the technique now in their minds. They longed to begin cultivating immediately.
Hearing Jiang Yan dismiss them, they quickly bowed and departed.
Before long, the hall was quiet again.
Only twenty-one inner disciples remained, gazing nervously at Jiang Yan, unsure of what would follow.
Just as he was about to speak, the long-silent system in his mind stirred at last.
"Progressing smoothly, rising step by step.
Your Mount Shu has successfully held its founding ceremony, recruiting a thousand disciples of exceptional talent.
Rewards: Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower, specialized cultivation methods for the Seven Veins, sect treasure vault now open up to top-grade spirit artifacts.
Rewards: One Dao Comprehension Tea Tree, one Bodhi Tree of Enlightenment.
New arts gained: The Seventy-Two Earth Fiend Techniques.
New divine power: Samadhi True Fire."
Glancing briefly at the list, Jiang Yan's lips curved upward.
Indeed, his effort in organizing such a grand ceremony had not been in vain.
As expected, this founding ceremony had greatly advanced the progress of Mount Shu's restoration.
What the system granted this time—these were treasures not only for him, but for the entire sect.
Jiang Yan turned to Zhongli, his expression becoming solemn.
"First Seat Zhongli, convey to the disciples the abilities of the Seven Veins on my behalf."
Zhongli had already noticed Jiang Yan's shifting expression and the joy beneath it. Curious, he asked:
"Sect Master, has some great fortune come to us?"
At his words, Ningguang and the others also looked expectantly toward Jiang Yan.
He nodded.
"Indeed. With Mount Shu's restoration advancing, the new gifts of our ancestors have been unlocked."
At once, the hall filled with excitement—save for Furina and a few others still left in bewilderment.
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