At the break of dawn, the disciples sat in their own dojos, attending Jiang Yan's morning lecture in silence as they cultivated.
When the sun finally rose and the lecture ended, the disciples were about to return to their own practice when suddenly—
a deep, ancient chime echoed across the entire Mount Shu.
Everyone instinctively looked up, eyes shining with excitement as they turned toward Tongtian Peak.
The Jade Chime Bell, the very symbol of Mount Shu, had been struck.
It signaled that Mount Shu was about to make a major move.
The disciples immediately reacted, flying toward Tongtian Peak in streaks of light.
Whenever the Jade Chime Bell rang, no matter what they were doing, all disciples were required to return immediately.
And this was the only time they were permitted to fly within the sect grounds.
Before long, nearly a thousand outer disciples and all inner disciples had gathered on the square before the Grand Hall.
Upon landing, they maintained silence. Their eyes first drifted toward the towering Demon-Sealing Tower not far away, awe flashing in their gazes.
Then, full of anticipation, they looked toward the doors of the Grand Hall.
When everyone had assembled, the massive doors rumbled open. Jiang Yan walked out, face calm, steps light.
Though he stood there alone, in the eyes of the disciples, it was as if the boundless heavens themselves were pressing down.
They even slowed their breathing instinctively.
The outer disciples, in particular, stared at Jiang Yan with burning zeal. For many, this was their very first glimpse of the Sect Master since entering Mount Shu.
Unlike the inner disciples, they had no chance to seek him out on business. Their contact was limited to outer sect elders.
For them, this was a rare privilege indeed.
"Greetings, Sect Master! May the Sect Master's Dao be equal to Heaven itself!"
The voices of thousands rose in unison, so loud the bamboo groves on Tongtian Peak rustled and swayed.
Jiang Yan gave a slight nod, his tone light:
"Since the Opening Ceremony, it has been one week since you all entered Mount Shu.
Though your cultivation may not have advanced much in such a short time, I believe by now you have at least grasped the basics of the Immortal Path."
Hearing this, pride welled up in the disciples' hearts.
True, only the most gifted inner disciples had made visible breakthroughs in a week.
But even the outer disciples had now adapted to cultivation.
At the very least, every one of them had reached the early Foundation Establishment stage, and with Jiang Yan's teachings, could already control their flying swords.
They now carried themselves with a hint of immortal bearing.
"Though you have achieved some progress, the immortal path is long. This is only your first step."
Jiang Yan's voice shifted, making the disciples instantly sober up, quickly tucking away their pride.
"As I said before, Mount Shu would remain sealed for one week after the Opening Ceremony, so all disciples could fully adapt to cultivation.
Now, that week has passed. I have observed your progress.
You are all gifted beyond measure."
The disciples flushed with joy at the Sect Master's praise, especially the outer sect disciples.
"As the saying goes: To achieve glory but not return home is like wearing brocade in the dark.
Now that you have some accomplishment, it is time to return home in glory."
Jiang Yan smiled, then declared:
"From this moment, the seal on Mount Shu is lifted. All disciples may return to Teyvat."
The square erupted instantly.
"Sect Master is wise!"
"Long live the Sect Master!"
"Silence! Fool! The Sect Master stands at the peak of the Returning-to-Void realm, with lifespans stretching hundreds of thousands of years. One day he shall ascend, eternal as the heavens. To cry 'long live'—are you cursing him?!"
"I—I misspoke… forgive me!"
Excitement coursed through the disciples' chatter.
"Though it's only been a week, my family already knows I'm cultivating… but I still need to go back and tell them in person."
"Yes! And I have affairs to settle. Once that's done, I can devote myself fully to cultivation."
"My old mother's health has been frail. Now that I walk the Immortal Path, I must go back and heal her."
Jiang Yan's gaze softened slightly. Mount Shu truly was flourishing. His years of hard work had borne fruit.
When the voices grew too loud, Xiao stepped forward, channeling true essence as he barked:
"Silence!"
The square fell quiet at once.
Among Mount Shu disciples, there was no one they feared more than Xiao.
The Sect Master was revered, but gentle.
Xiao, as the chief disciple of the Hall of Discipline, was merciless and unbending—
he would even punish peak masters if they erred.
His name alone could stop a child's cries.
And Xiao took great satisfaction in this.
Jiang Yan glanced at him, then continued:
"You may return in glory, but remember—do not use your newfound cultivation to commit evil.
Wherever you flee, Mount Shu will hunt you down.
Do not lose yourselves in false praise or hollow flattery, or you will never shoulder great responsibility.
I know you wish to show off before mortals, and that is natural—
but keep it measured.
Cultivation is the pursuit of the Dao, not a tool for arrogance.
Go home, settle your worldly matters, then return swiftly to resume your training.
Do you understand?"
In other words—
Jiang Yan permitted them to show off a little. He understood the desire.
But it must not go too far.
This homecoming was meant for visiting family and settling worldly ties.
Only then could they devote themselves fully to the Dao without distraction.
"We disciples shall obey the Sect Master's decree!"
The thunderous response pleased Jiang Yan.
He then added:
"When you return, one month hence, the Nine Nether Secret Realm shall reopen, and Mount Shu will hold its First Secret Realm Exploration Tournament.
Three months from now, the Seven Peaks Martial Gathering shall begin, ranking all inner and outer disciples on the Heavenly Ladder.
There, Mount Shu shall display its immortal glory.
Remember—do not let worldly affairs hinder your cultivation."
The disciples nodded eagerly. Excitement surged at the thought of upcoming competitions, but so too did urgency.
If they weren't strong enough, they'd be thrown straight out of the Nine Nether Secret Realm—an unbearable humiliation.
Seeing his points made, Jiang Yan dismissed them:
"Go. Pack your things and return to the mortal world. But do not lose yourselves in the red dust."
"We obey!"
In streaks of light, thousands of disciples shot off in all directions, joy plain on every face.
Truly, this was a triumphant return.
As Jiang Yan was about to return to his cultivation, Zhongli called out:
"Sect Master, I have a matter to discuss."
Jiang Yan's eyes twinkled with interest. "What is it, Peak Master Zhongli? The Demon-Sealing Tower?"
Zhongli shook his head. "No, not the tower, nor any pressing matter.
Since you descended into Teyvat, you have remained here in Jueyun Karst, dedicating yourself wholly to Mount Shu's rise.
Now that the sect prospers, I feel the Sect Master should also rest, and clear his heart.
Cultivation is vital, but at your level, state of mind is paramount.
Why not visit Liyue Harbor for respite?"
Jiang Yan fell silent.
Truth be told, since arriving in Teyvat, he had never once left Jueyun Karst.
The only exceptions were a brief foray into the Outer Sea and the Quantum Sea, purely for business.
Never had he simply strolled the land with a leisure heart.
Now, standing on the cusp of the Union of Void, he had hit bottlenecks despite hard cultivation.
Perhaps a change of scenery would indeed help.
After some thought, he nodded:
"Very well. When your Rite of Descension is held, I shall visit Liyue Harbor as a guest."
Even Zhongli showed rare delight, bowing:
"My thanks, Sect Master. I shall make preparations and inform you in advance."
With that, he turned into a streak of light and left.
Alone again, Jiang Yan gazed over the magnificent peaks of Mount Shu, a sigh escaping his lips.
The sect was thriving at last. Perhaps it was time he too took respite.
Liyue Harbor…
Yes. He ought to see it for himself.
And walk there with Ganyu, letting her show him the place she had guarded for a thousand years.
Surely, it would make her happy.
A faint smile touched his lips as he returned to the Grand Hall, the doors booming shut behind him.
Inside, he sank once more into cultivation.
Most disciples eagerly returned to Teyvat.
Ningguang and the others, however, showed little interest—they had just been home days earlier, and wished to use every moment for cultivation before the upcoming tournaments.
Tartaglia wanted to stay as well, but with Zhongli's Gnosis in his hands and the Tsaritsa already in Liyue, waiting, he could not delay.
Others, like Tighnari and Alhaitham, chose to remain in Mount Shu.
Sumeru was mired in political strife—something they had no interest in meddling with.
Each disciple had their own path.
But no matter what—
That day, Mount Shu reopened.
Thousands of streaks of light soared from the peaks of Jueyun Karst, like meteors splitting the sky, scattering across every corner of Teyvat.
The cultivators of Mount Shu had returned to the mortal world—
and with them, they would bring the grandeur of the Immortal Dao.
The Opening Ceremony had lit the first spark.
Now, with their return, the Immortal Path truly began to flourish.