"The Seven Vein Immortal Scriptures will be given to you for cultivation later."
"But…"
Jiang Yan paused, letting his gaze sweep deeply across the gathered disciples before continuing:
"The Seven Vein Immortal Scriptures are easy to begin but difficult to master. I do encourage you to eventually merge them into the Outer Jade Radiance Sutra—but only once you have completely mastered your own peak's scripture."
"And to truly merge all seven scriptures, you will need, at the very least, cultivation at the Realm of Void and Dao."
"In the short term, do not aim too high."
At these words, the disciples' excitement cooled as though splashed with cold water.
Though none of them abandoned the dream of merging the seven scriptures, they all knew it was far beyond their current reach. For now, they could only bury that ambition deep in their hearts and wait for the future.
Seeing that they had understood, Jiang Yan moved on.
"The second gift from the Ancestors is the Mount Shu Sect Treasury."
"The sect treasury?" Ganyu tilted her head in puzzlement.
"Master, wasn't the sect treasury already opened?"
Jiang Yan chuckled and shook his head.
"What I speak of is not the treasury I rebuilt later, but the original treasury from Mount Shu's peak era."
"Do you know how vast the sect treasury was in those days? Pills, spiritual herbs, spirit stones, ores, beast eggs, treasures of every kind… So vast that the treasury required an entire small world to contain it."
"It held everything—from mortal herbs and mortal-grade pills, to ninth-grade divine elixirs, even many immortal artifacts."
"What has been opened now is merely the treasure hall storing magical tools, nothing more."
With a sweep of his sleeve, Jiang Yan revealed an illusion before them, like a mirror reflecting the moon on water.
An entire world appeared—no smaller than Teyvat itself.
On the ground lay countless heaps of magical artifacts.
In the skies above, streaks of light constantly flew past, each one a magic weapon at the level of spirit artifacts.
For a moment, the disciples stood dumbstruck.
They had thought the Sword Forest beneath the mountain was already vast and majestic—but this Sect Treasury was even more overwhelming.
It was a world formed entirely of treasures.
At a glance, they could see numerous rare items: compasses, bagua diagrams, brushes, flying swords, long sabers, robes of light…
A land of boundless riches.
Even though Furina and the others did not fully understand what a spirit artifact was, seeing the fiery light in Zhongli and the veterans' eyes, and feeling the oppressive aura spilling through the illusion, they couldn't help but shiver.
Cultivators were outrageous—and their weapons, even more so!
But then again, they were about to become cultivators themselves. So perhaps that wasn't a bad thing.
When Jiang Yan waved his hand, the image vanished, leaving the disciples still dazed.
Once again, they had felt the weight of Mount Shu's foundation—a sect that stood not only atop the cultivation world, but even among the strongest in the Immortal Realm.
To store weapons in an entire world—what kind of grandeur was this?
Jiang Yan smiled lightly, pulling them back to focus.
"The treasury now opened is only that which stores magical tools—and only those below the grade of true treasures. But for the time being, it is more than enough."
"Even if I gave you artifact-grade treasures now, you could not wield them."
This was no insult.
Even Jiang Yan himself could not fully unleash the Pure World Glazed Bottle, a supreme treasure he had previously bestowed.
Still, even mere spirit artifacts from that treasury were enough to shake the world.
To the disciples, spirit artifacts and treasures were equally unreachable. After all, how many in Mount Shu even possessed a spirit weapon?
If they could obtain even one—let alone a top-grade one—their strength would rise unimaginably.
Barely restraining her eagerness, Yae Miko pursed her lips and asked expectantly:
"Master, how may one exchange for the sect treasury's treasures?"
Having joined only recently, she had no contribution points. The little she earned from tasks went straight to spirit stones for cultivation.
Her visits to the Sword Forest had yielded no recognized weapon.
At present, she wielded only spells, with no artifacts to accompany them. It did not hinder her strength, but it did not feel like the proper image of a cultivator.
What cultivator went without treasures?
Ningguang had her Purple-Gold Gourd and Tianxin Bell, Zhongli his Vortex Vanquisher and Profound One Sword, Keqing her Azure Frost Sword and Cloud-Crowned Tiara…
And Klee? Even her headpiece was a mid-grade artifact. Her entire outfit, from socks to coat, was nothing but magical gear.
Compared to that, Miko sorely lacked.
Jiang Yan nodded with a smile.
"That is exactly what I wished to speak of. The Sect Treasury has always been vital to Mount Shu's prosperity. Even the Seven Saints Elders of old had no authority to enter without the Sect Master's leave. Such rules cannot be discarded."
"But… our disciples indeed lack personal treasures now."
He swept his gaze across the room, shaking his head with a trace of pity.
"In the past, even the elite inner disciples of Mount Shu carried at least a dozen treasures. Overwhelming an opponent with artifacts was a recognized style of battle."
"Now, aside from Klee, none of you yet meet that old standard."
"Therefore…"
He pondered a moment, then declared:
"Treasures from the Sect Treasury shall be distributed in several ways. First, some will be given as rewards for outstanding disciples. Second, a set number shall be placed weekly in the Hall of Merit for exchange."
"From now on, ten spirit artifacts and a hundred magical tools will be offered each week."
"In addition, disciples' cultivation must be linked to treasures. Mount Shu will hold periodic competitions: outer sect duels and inner sect duels alike. Rankings will be established for both."
"Those who remain in the top ten for three months shall receive treasures as reward."
"Exploring secret realms and contributing to the sect will also earn treasures."
"And for those who make great contributions to Mount Shu—they may be granted entry to the Sect Treasury itself, to select a treasure personally."
"In this way, all is fair."
The disciples bowed gratefully in unison.
"Thank you, Master."
Ningguang, however, was already calculating anxiously.
At present, she had only her Tianxin Bell and Purple-Gold Gourd—merely magical tools.
As a Mount Shu disciple, even if she did not rely on a sword, she ought to have one. A sword artifact was a must.
Then a spirit-grade robe, like Klee's, for protection during secret realm explorations.
And not just that—supportive treasures, offensive treasures…
If spirit artifacts were available, why settle for magical tools?
But one spirit artifact cost at least six figures in contribution points. The better ones, hundreds of thousands. Nearly a million, perhaps.
Her total was barely over two hundred thousand.
What once seemed much now felt like nothing.
Especially when she still needed pills and spirit stones.
She sighed inwardly. Too poor.
She needed more contribution points!
She would have to climb the rankings—if not top five, at least into the top ten. And secret realms too…
But with the Nine Nether Secret Realm in turmoil, Jiang Yan had forbidden entry. That hope had to be set aside for now.
Just as she was thinking this, Jiang Yan spoke again:
"The third matter is the return of Mount Shu's symbol."
He paused, smiling.
"Do you know why Mount Shu once ruled the righteous path of the cultivation world?"
"Because our strength was unmatched in all the world!"
"Indeed!" Baizhu replied instantly.
Jiang Yan nodded.
"Mount Shu has always been overflowing with martial virtue. But the true symbol of that martial virtue is the Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower."
"The Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower is the nightmare of all demonic cultivators and monsters across the realm."
"Mention it, and none among them is unafraid."
"It is the heart of Mount Shu's suppression of demons—and the very core by which we declared our might to the world."
"For within it are sealed innumerable monsters and demonic cultivators."
"Among them—six at the very peak of Union with the Dao, each only a step from ascension!"
"They are known as the Six Demon Emperors of the Tower."
The disciples gasped, staring in shock at Jiang Yan.
They had all heard rumors of the Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower—especially Miko, who still longed for the The Nine Transformations of the Celestial Fox Art.
But none had imagined that six peak Dao-Union demon emperors were imprisoned within.
If even one such being escaped, it would shake the world.
They themselves were only at Spirit Transformation, or at best Return to void. Even Jiang Yan was only at the peak of that realm.
And yet, before them stood a tower holding six monsters a step from immortality.
No wonder they felt uneasy.
The Nine Nether Secret Realm's Seven Kings, each only at peak Spirit Transformation, had already forced Zhongli and the others to retreat without even daring to fight.
But six peak Dao-Union demon emperors?
If the tower faltered, not even Jiang Yan could hold them back. Even Mount Shu in its prime would have reeled.
How could Teyvat possibly withstand such calamity?
Even lesser demons at the Spirit Transformation stage could easily devastate nations here.
To seal such beings—was this truly something they were ready to face?
It was terrifying to think about.
And yet…
They could not help but marvel at Mount Shu's former might.
This was not merely "overflowing martial virtue." This was martial virtue to the point of explosion.
To lock away six demon emperors a step from godhood—no wonder Mount Shu had stood as the head of the righteous path.
Who would not tremble upon hearing such a name?
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