Zhongli's words left Ningguang and the others in silence.
To be fair, they too supported the idea of bringing Guizhong and the other immortals back.
No one knew better than they how deeply those immortals cared for Liyue.
If they could be restored through the God-Sealing List, Liyue truly would have nothing to fear.
But from Zhongli's perspective, his reasoning was sound.
If one had the talent for cultivation, why choose the path of Investiture, which offered no real future?
It wasn't as if his old friends lacked the aptitude to ascend as cultivators.
Why should they abandon their immortal prospects just to be tied down as gods?
If the God-Sealing List could revive them immediately, it might be tempting.
But Zhongli had the ability to bring them back himself—
it would simply take time.
Why rush into Investiture and destroy their futures?
Thinking this through, Ningguang and the rest sighed and said no more.
Guuji Yae also pondered for a while before setting the thought aside.
If cultivation was an option, then of course she would rather see her friends return to walk the immortal path alongside her.
To those with talent, Investiture was no blessing—it was a shackle.
Diluc, however, had no such reservations.
Unlike Zhongli, whose friends were immortals and archons—each with at least the qualification to cultivate—
Diluc didn't think his father possessed such gifts.
For him, Investiture was still the best, most fitting choice.
Even knowing Zhongli's reasoning, the thought of delaying reunion with his father was still painful.
Why wait years when there was a way to meet him sooner?
The torment of patience gnawed at him.
Zhongli, seeing through their emotions, sighed softly.
"Rest assured, everyone. I will devote myself to cultivation and strive to bring my old friends back as soon as possible."
Cloud Retainer and the others bowed.
"Many thanks, First Seat."
They could not help him in such a task; only Zhongli had the power.
How could they burden him with pressure on top of that?
Still, when their eyes fell back on the God-Sealing List, none could hide their reluctance.
It was, after all, the fastest way to restore the departed...
But Jiang Yan was openly pleased with Zhongli's decision.
"If it were the original God-Sealing List, then there would be no issue. Talent would be irrelevant, for the moment one was inscribed, one became an immortal. No worries needed.
"But this mass-produced God-Sealing List—" Jiang Yan's tone grew serious.
"For those with potential, Investiture is nothing short of a calamity."
Alice suddenly understood.
"So that's why, in The Investiture of the Gods, everyone fought tooth and nail, heaven and earth trembling—yet no one willingly entered the list.
"For those who'd never become immortals, Investiture was a chance.
But for those already on the immortal path, it cut them off forever—and left them bound to another's will."
Jiang Yan nodded approvingly.
"Exactly. That is why you must all be cautious. Do not abandon thought simply because the God-Sealing List can forcibly revive the dead.
"Compared to instantly becoming a peak Spirit Transformation God of the Nation...
...having the qualification to climb the immortal path is what truly matters.
"To sever another's path to immortality—
that is a hatred as deep as the sea of blood in the cultivation world.
"If you intend to use Investiture, you must be cautious."
At these words, everyone nodded solemnly.
"Master, then... how much does this God-Sealing List cost?" Ningguang couldn't help asking.
Even knowing its dangers, no one could deny it was a supreme treasure for any nation.
With it, the realm's stability would be unshakable.
Naturally, it had to be secured—ideally, along with the God-Beating Whip.
She looked to Jiang Yan with expectation. He smiled faintly.
"The God-Sealing List and the God-Beating Whip are a pair—they cannot be separated. Redeeming one means taking both."
Everyone's hearts sank. Two top-grade spirit artifacts bundled together... that meant the price could only be higher.
"But—" Jiang Yan's words made hope flicker again.
"They are not like other top-grade artifacts restricted to dynasties.
Nor are they desirable to most cultivators. They are mass-produced, after all.
So their price won't be too high."
Everyone brightened immediately.
"The God-Sealing List and the God-Beating Whip together: ten million contribution points."
The hall fell silent. The light in their eyes dimmed at once.
It wasn't that the price was exorbitant—quite the opposite.
Even Childe and the newer disciples of Mount Shu knew it was absurdly cheap.
Two top-grade spirit artifacts for just ten million? Only ten million lower-grade spirit stones?
If the wider cultivation world learned of this, they'd call Jiang Yan a wastrel.
Ordinary top-grade artifacts went for upper-grade spirit stones, not lower.
He had practically given them away.
But cheap or not, none of them could afford it.
All of Mount Shu combined probably didn't have five million contribution points yet.
Ten million was simply out of reach.
Jiang Yan could see the struggle on their faces.
But ten million was already the lowest price he could set.
The truth was simple:
with spiritual energy reviving in Teyvat and beasts running rampant, solutions had to be prepared.
In a few years, chaos would spread across all seven nations.
If that happened, how could Ningguang and the others focus on cultivation?
Besides, the God-Sealing List and God-Beating Whip were highly specialized.
The List could only enshrine gods; it had no direct power boost.
Surely no disciple would be foolish enough to inscribe themselves and cut off their own path.
As for the Whip, it was deadly against Invested gods, but against ordinary foes it was barely stronger than a basic spirit tool.
And Mount Shu's Sutra Pavilion contained hundreds of such lists already.
Hardly rare, hardly precious.
But still—not something to give away for free.
Ten million was the perfect balance.
The wanderers like Lumine had no use for it.
It was Ningguang and the other leaders of nations who needed such treasures.
A price like this would spur them to greater contributions—and harder cultivation.
Of course, Jiang Yan knew they couldn't produce ten million quickly.
And since each nation would want their own copy, the real demand was closer to sixty million.
For the foreseeable future, the entire sect would be consumed by a frenzy of earning contribution points.
Perhaps not a bad thing—it stimulated internal growth.
Cloud Retainer and the others, hearing the price, abandoned all thoughts of selfishly reviving old friends.
Ten million contribution points... she could barely craft a low-grade artifact for a few thousand.
Even burning herself out, she could never gather such a sum.
Resurrection could wait. For now, step by step, they would have to save.
Stowing the List and Whip away, Jiang Yan turned to Zhongli.
"First Seat Zhongli, earlier you sought me for something. Now is the time to speak."
Pulled from his silence, Zhongli hesitated.
He had originally come only to say that he intended to step down as Rex Lapis and focus entirely on cultivation, taking time off to settle old affairs.
But now, with the God-Sealing List and Whip revealed, doubt stirred in his heart.
If he relinquished the throne, he would no longer be able to use them in Liyue's name.
Passing Liyue fully into mortal hands was acceptable, but to leave them control over Investiture... could he trust it?
His gaze flicked to Ningguang and the others. After a moment's hesitation, he steeled himself.
"Master," he said softly, bowing,
"I wished only to confirm what I mentioned before—that I will relinquish my duties as Rex Lapis."
The disciples of Liyue gasped, looking up at him in shock.
They long knew this day was coming, but hearing it again now made their hearts heavy.
"Whether or not you abdicate is for Liyue's people to decide," Jiang Yan replied gently.
"It is a private matter, not one that Mount Shu will interfere in—unless it violates our sect's precepts."
Zhongli nodded and looked to Ningguang and her companions.
"A month ago, I said that once cultivation was properly underway, after this Rite of Descension, I would fully abdicate as Rex Lapis.
From then on, Liyue would be governed by mortals, and I would remain here at Mount Shu to cultivate.
"Because of the sect's founding ceremony, the Rite was delayed. Now that it is over, we can proceed with the final Rite of Descension."
The disciples of Liyue grew conflicted.
They all knew this would be the last Rite, but still...
The founding ceremony had only just ended—this very day.
And already Zhongli pressed to retire.
It felt rushed, as though Liyue were a burden he couldn't wait to drop.
Worse, when Liyue became a human-ruled nation, they would be the ones doing the work—
at the cost of their cultivation time.
For the first time, Ningguang wondered if perhaps his abdication need not be so hasty.
She opened her mouth, but Keqing spoke first:
"First Seat Zhongli, Liyue is already unsettled from the rise of cultivation.
This is no time to step down.
Why not wait a while longer before abdicating?"
Everyone blinked in surprise.
Such words of persuasion—from Keqing of all people?
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