Jiang Yan did not rush to answer Zhongli and the others' questions.
Instead, his expression grew solemn. In a low voice, he said:
"My apologies in advance."
Before anyone could react, Jiang Yan vanished from where he sat and reappeared behind Shenhe, pressing his palm lightly to her back.
"Jiang Yan?!"
Ganyu's voice rose in alarm. She was just about to speak when Cloud Retainer caught her arm.
"Calm yourself. Jiang Yan would never harm Shenhe."
"…"
Ganyu had no reply to that.
Off to the side, Zhongli let out a faint, silent sigh.
Cloud Retainer… not only did she speak bluntly, she failed to read the situation.
Ganyu's worry wasn't that Jiang Yan would hurt Shenhe.
Every thought and feeling of hers was written plainly on her face.
But it was, after all, a maiden's private sentiment. Zhongli could hardly point it out aloud.
Even so…
The fact that Ganyu seemed to have taken a liking to Jiang Yan left him uneasy.
By Jiang Yan's own account, his goal was to attain immortality.
When that day came, would he remain in Teyvat—or would he ascend to the so-called Immortal Realm?
No one could say.
All Zhongli could hope was that Ganyu would not be left heartbroken.
The others watched Jiang Yan in silence as a faint golden-violet pattern shimmered between his brows.
A wisp of violet qi bloomed where his palm met Shenhe's back.
After a while, a trace of joy appeared on his face—
Enough to draw the attention of Zhongli and the rest.
In the short time they'd known him, they had already realized Jiang Yan was not one to show emotion easily.
Aside from his earlier reaction upon discovering everyone's remarkable talents, this was the first they had seen him look so openly pleased.
So…
Could it be that Shenhe's aptitude was exceptional?
The thought brought a small, knowing smile to Zhongli's lips.
The more people in Liyue with great cultivation potential, the better.
When Jiang Yan finally opened Mount Shu's gates once more, Liyue's strength would surge like a rising tide.
At last, Jiang Yan withdrew his hand and, like moonlight reflected in water, returned soundlessly to his original seat.
The ease of that displacement piqued Zhongli's curiosity.
But for now, Shenhe's matter was far more important.
"How is she? Is there a problem?" he asked.
Jiang Yan shook his head, his tone carrying a note of genuine amazement.
"No problem. Merely… I never imagined such an unexpected gain.
"Teyvat truly does teem with talent. If the Third Elder of the Qinghui Lineage were to meet Shenhe, she would be overjoyed to take her as a disciple."
His lips curved faintly.
"The Innate Yin Body… who would have thought such a constitution would appear in a small world?"
Cloud Retainer could no longer restrain herself.
"And what exactly does that mean? Is it good or bad?" she pressed.
Jiang Yan's mouth tightened slightly. His voice dropped low.
"For you, it is the worst of bad news."
"The Innate Yin Body is aligned wholly with yin. Its bearer's life is fated to be full of misfortune. Over time, Shenhe's emotions will fade, until one day… she cares for nothing at all, and ends in self-destruction."
Cloud Retainer's composure cracked.
"Is there a way to resolve it?" she asked urgently.
"Cloud Retainer! Let him finish," Zhongli said, his voice just sharp enough to cut through her interruption.
She hesitated, then dipped her head. "My apologies…"
"I understand," Jiang Yan said mildly. "Concern clouds the mind."
He went on,
"What I meant is this—for you, the Innate Yin Body is ill news.
"But for Shenhe herself, if she embarks on the path of cultivation, it is one of the finest constitutions a female cultivator can possess.
"The Third Elder of the Mount Shu Qinghui Lineage has, in every generation, possessed the Innate Yin Body.
"Though always women, each was among the most formidable of the elders.
"The Qinghui Lineage takes only one disciple each generation—always an Innate Yin Body—and that disciple is the next Third Elder in line.
"And without exception, every Third Elder in history has ascended."
"When disaster befell Mount Shu, the current Third Elder was already at the peak of the Spirit-Refining and Returning to the Void stage, ready to ascend at any moment.
"But without a successor to inherit the Qinghui legacy, she would not leave.
"If she knew of Shenhe, she would cross worlds to take her in."
At this, Cloud Retainer finally understood—and seized Shenhe's hand in delight.
"So Shenhe's talent is exceptional, isn't it? But I thought I saw only a middling glow from her spirit root…"
Jiang Yan shook his head.
"For those with an extraordinary constitution, spirit root aptitude is irrelevant.
"Shenhe's root is a mere mid-grade Ice Root. The Third Elder of my generation was a three-root cultivator—yet her constitution made her unrivaled among her peers.
"The Innate Yin Body is a special constitution, superbly suited to cultivation.
"With the right techniques, its bearer's strength will far surpass the average genius of the same realm.
"And in time, the emotional coldness will fade."
He paused, then added after a moment's thought—seeing their worried faces—
"That said… the very power of the Innate Yin Body makes it dangerous.
"Before she cultivates, Shenhe's emotions will indeed remain distant.
"More than that… it is an ideal constitution for dual cultivation. If discovered by the Hehuan Sect or other demonic cultivators, they would stop at nothing to capture her for… harvesting."
Zhongli's brow furrowed at the ominous tone.
"Explain," he said evenly.
"In Teyvat, there is no such risk—you may rest easy," Jiang Yan said.
"But in the cultivation world, the Hehuan Sect is devoted to dual cultivation. In your terms… they pursue the Dao of yin and yang through the union of man and woman."
The assembled immortals stiffened, and Zhongli's hand tightened on his teacup.
That "Dao" sounded suspiciously like what it plainly was.
"Despicable!" Cloud Retainer snapped, her voice icy. She gripped Shenhe's hand as if to shield her.
"How can such filth be called a cultivation method? Foul and debased!"
Jiang Yan gave a wry smile.
"Yet such sects exist—and in the cultivation world, they are branded as heretical.
"The Hehuan Sect's disciples cultivate by draining the vital yin or yang essence of their partners.
"And those thus harvested… their life force collapses, and they rarely live past twenty-five.
"In the righteous path, the Hehuan Sect is an enemy to be killed on sight.
"If they set their sights on someone, they will use any means—drugging, kidnapping—until they succeed.
"But you need not worry. In Teyvat, I am the only cultivator, and I do not practice the Hehuan arts."
Zhongli set his cup down gently.
"So the cultivation world is not as harmonious as one might imagine."
"Of course not." Jiang Yan shook his head.
"Where there are people, there is strife. There is righteous, and there is evil—this is the unchanging truth of Heaven and Earth.
"But once Shenhe begins her cultivation, and gains the power to protect herself, the Innate Yin Body will become her greatest trump card—not a curse."
Cloud Retainer glanced at Shenhe's impassive face, a flicker of pain in her eyes.
It was sheer luck Shenhe had not been born in the cultivation world—otherwise, she might never have lived to set foot on the path at all.
Sensing the heaviness in the air, Jiang Yan changed the subject.
"As I said before, spirit roots are merely the foundation of cultivation.
"Heaven Roots are rare, but special constitutions are the true hallmark of a cultivation prodigy.
"For Shenhe not to cultivate would be a waste beyond measure."
He sighed softly, then added,
"I do not currently possess the Qinghui Lineage's methods. But I carry many of Mount Shu's secret treasures, and in time I will open them one by one.
"When the time comes, Shenhe will be able to cultivate.
"I can take her as a disciple in the Third Elder's stead.
"Shenhe… would you be willing to join Mount Shu, and formally set foot upon the path of cultivation?"
It was the first time Jiang Yan had ever personally extended such an invitation.
Not because he was impatient—
But really…
An Innate Yin Body!
How could she not cultivate?
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