Everyone was beginning to grasp the pros and cons of the Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower.
Truthfully, the risks were immense—but the rewards were beyond reckoning.
Not only did it provide a superior cultivation environment where one could break through in the shortest of times,
but by hunting demons within, one could harvest resources from their bodies.
Considering this, the risk seemed worth taking.
That was the conclusion in their hearts.
But…
"Back then, countless Mount Shu disciples thought exactly the same."
Jiang Yan shook his head, reminding them:
"The Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower is filled with peril. The Nine Nether Secret Realm cannot compare.
"Too many geniuses once saw only the benefits, neglecting the dangers—resulting in tragic losses.
"The tower's danger is not only from the demons. The laws of time themselves are a threat.
"Even immortals can lose themselves to temporal confusion. How much worse for disciples who have yet to ascend?
"Just among the records alone, there were seven divine-body prodigies and tens of millions of Inner Sect geniuses whose Dao hearts were shattered by time's erosion in the tower.
"If you seek fortune, you must also withstand the peril it carries."
He paused, then continued:
"Later, Mount Shu realized the losses were too great. The Sect Master and the Seven Sacred Elders placed new restrictions on the tower.
"Only Inner Sect disciples may enter. Even then, only once per month, no more than three days at a time.
"Only thus was the death toll barely restrained.
"Now that the tower has returned, the same applies. It is both opportunity and calamity.
"So I will not forbid you from entering—but you must weigh the risks yourselves."
Jiang Yan's gaze lingered pointedly on Tartaglia, who immediately felt guilty.
"Right now, Mount Shu must strengthen itself swiftly. I support your entry into the tower—but remember: nothing matters if you do not survive.
"There are no elders within to shield you. Unlike the Nine Nether Secret Realm, there will be no chance to withdraw.
"In the Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower, death is true death—even your corpse cannot be brought back.
"Before deciding, you must consider carefully. Do not act rashly."
He went on:
"The tower's levels are each sealed. One day outside is one year inside. Demons of higher levels cannot descend, nor can those below ascend.
"From the seventh level onward, the weakest demons are already at Spirit Transformation.
"The six great Demon Emperors dwell on the ninth.
"So long as you do not recklessly ascend beyond the sixth floor, it is not overly dangerous.
"The lower three are filled with Refining Essence into Qi demons.
The fourth through sixth are dominated by Refining Qi into Spirit demons.
"Should you enter in the future, remember this—act within your limits.
"And beware—within are not only beasts, but demonic cultivators and ghost cultivators as well.
"Demons, fiends, ghosts beyond number. Even the Hehuan Sect cultivators I spoke of earlier—many are imprisoned within."
As he said this, Jiang Yan glanced meaningfully at Chongyun, leaving him awkward.
The meaning was obvious enough—
those imprisoned demons might truly take an interest in him.
"Mark this well: stay no longer than three days. If you do, even should you return alive, you will be expelled from Mount Shu.
"The erosion of time's power is silent, seeping into the Dao heart. Without ascension, prolonged exposure yields no benefit."
The group nodded quickly in acknowledgment.
Zhongli's eyes flicked toward Venti, making the latter even more uneasy.
But what could he do?
It wasn't as if he wanted to be tied to the power of time—
he was simply born that way!
"The matter of the tower will be addressed once I have set its place. For now, I do not wish you to delve into it."
Jiang Yan regarded them solemnly.
"You are indeed geniuses, but Mount Shu has seen too many prodigies fall.
"Arrogance and carelessness—these are what kill most talents.
"You are strong, yes—but compared to the demons who once shook the cultivation world, you are far behind.
"I have said it before—the ones suppressed in the Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower are those who wreaked havoc upon the world, committing countless atrocities.
"The beasts among them are overlords of their kind, devourers of life, wielding unimaginable powers.
"The demonic cultivators are butchers who slaughtered cities, forging banners of ten-thousand ghosts. Each holds terrifying, unnatural abilities condemned by heaven itself.
"With your current foundation, even fighting equals of your own realm among them would be death.
"In the Nine Nether Secret Realm, beasts were endless, yes—but most were ordinary.
"The tower, however, holds beings on par with the Seven Kings of the Nine Nether Secret Realm—prodigies all, invincible among their peers.
"I believe my Mount Shu disciples are among the finest of their age. But your cultivation time has been short. Against such monsters, your confidence will not be enough.
"So—for now, put aside thoughts of the Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower. When the time is right, I will let you face it."
The group bowed in unison.
"Many thanks for the Sect Master's care."
Jiang Yan continued:
"Besides the tower, there was in fact another gift from our ancestors some time ago. But after consideration, I did not reveal it then."
He then told them of the Xuanyin Minor World.
Lisa suddenly understood.
"Sect Master, was it during Mount Shu's evolution recently?"
Jiang Yan inclined his head.
"At that time, you had just returned from the Nine Nether Secret Realm, many of you gravely wounded, while the realm itself remained in turmoil.
"I did not wish to push you into another trial.
"Besides, this gift was no mere secret realm, but an entire self-contained cultivation world."
At this, the disciples exchanged shocked looks.
Ningguang asked hesitantly:
"Then… does the Sect Master now deem us qualified to explore both the secret realm and the Xuanyin Minor World?"
"Qualified…"
Jiang Yan chuckled, shaking his head.
"What is qualification?"
That silenced her.
"Should I wait until you are at the peak of Refining Qi into Spirit, or even Spirit Transformation, before allowing you to face danger?
"But now even the Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower has been entrusted to Mount Shu by our ancestors. Compared to that, what are the Xuanyin Minor World or the Nine Nether Secret Realm?
"In truth—I was too attached to caution."
He gave a bitter smile and sighed.
"Since Mount Shu's rebirth, I have sought to restore its former glory. You have given me hope in this.
"Three First Seats with Heavenly Spirit Roots, the Law-Enforcing Elder, divine-body Klee, rare physiques like Shenhe and Keqing, peerless roots like Ningguang and Ganyu…
"Now Mount Shu holds three disciples of divine bodies, four with Heavenly Spirit Roots, two who passed the Ninth Heart-Testing Array, and numerous rare constitutions besides.
"Even by the standards of the old cultivation world, our Inner Sect disciples are geniuses indeed.
"And so—I grew fearful."
His sigh was not empty words, but truth from the heart.
"One foray into the Nine Nether nearly cost two First Seats and an elder their lives.
"I could hardly accept losing any of you there.
"Not to mention… we found the remains of Senior Brother Xuanxing there. His talent was extraordinary, once all but guaranteed to become the next First Seat of Dragonhead Peak.
"Brilliant, compassionate, respectful, upholding sect rules. To many, the perfect senior brother.
"All thought he would ascend as an immortal.
"And yet…"
At this, Zhongli's expression dimmed.
Though he had only met Xuanxing's remnant soul, the man's free-spirited bearing and his hopes for him had left a deep mark.
The thought left Zhongli clenching his fists.
If he did not grow stronger, how could he avenge his senior brother in the Nine Nether?
Xuanxing had given him everything—his arts, his resources, even his supreme treasure, the Profound One Sword.
How could he accept such gifts without seeking justice?
"Even prodigies like Xuanxing fell upon the path of seeking Dao.
"Now Mount Shu has only just rebuilt, and you are all of peerless talent.
"I cannot allow needless loss. That is why, after the Nine Nether, I sealed it away.
"Even when the Xuanyin Minor World appeared, I did not reveal it.
"It was my own overcaution."
His sigh, though heavy, warmed their hearts.
"Sect Master need not blame himself—it was for our safety."
Ningguang gazed at him, eyes shimmering like water.
Such a man—it was hard not to fall for him.
And if Ganyu could, why shouldn't she?
Jiang Yan went on:
"With your talents, even without life-and-death trials, Mount Shu could prosper steadily.
"But the return of the Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower has awakened me."
He rose to his feet, clasping his hands to the heavens.
"Since its founding, Mount Shu disciples have lived to subdue demons and uphold the righteous path.
"We are not cowards who cling to life.
"To cultivate is to struggle—against heaven, against earth, against men. Battle is the rhythm of our path.
"As Xuanxing chose to face certain death in the Nine Nether to save his junior sister.
"As Elder Cangu, whose family was slain by demons, walked the path of demon-slaying, growing ever stronger.
"As the Wine Sword Immortal, who even at Refining Qi into Spirit stood before his juniors against a Spirit Transformation Demon Emperor.
"Not every cultivator must pass through trials of life and death.
"But the truly strong never lose their indomitable will to fight.
"There are things more important than life and death—
to sacrifice oneself for righteousness, to die for the Dao.
"Our ancestors entrusted us with the Mount Shu Demon-Sealing Tower perhaps to remind me of this.
"Mount Shu has never feared battle, nor death.
"Without the tempering of combat, without breaking through despair to see one's true self, how can one become truly strong?
"To deny you this would be the true irresponsibility toward disciples of such heavenly gifts."
He lowered his head, meeting the burning, eager gazes of the disciples.
"So I have decided—
I will no longer restrain you.
"You shall endure a thousand tribulations, ten thousand hardships.
"You will become not only mighty cultivators, but also true warriors.
"You are not meant to be mere ordinary ascetics.
You should stand invincible among your peers across the cultivation world.
"As Mount Shu disciples, each of you must forge your own path to invincibility!"
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