"Cloud Retainer!"
Zhongli's voice carried a trace of anger now.
Cloud Retainer immediately shrank back, saying nothing.
Zhongli sighed helplessly.
"Cloud Retainer was startled by the gentleman's display just now. Her words are nothing more than words in anger — you need not take them to heart."
Ningguang and the others knew Cloud Retainer's temperament well enough, so they naturally wouldn't truly mind her outburst.
After a long moment of silence in the Jade Chamber, Ningguang let out a soft sigh.
"In that case, I believe we have only one path left to us."
"This cultivation of immortality — we must pursue it!"
At that, the others looked at her in surprise, but Ningguang spoke softly:
"Since we cannot restrain him, and it is impossible to restrain him, then forging common interests is the only way to maintain relations."
"According to the Lord, this the gentleman is now seeking to rebuild Mount Shu and recruit disciples."
"We can help rebuild it, and have our people join Mount Shu."
"That way, even if trouble arises, he will hesitate for the sake of those disciples. At the same time, we will also gain the power of immortal cultivation."
"Leaving aside everything else, if cultivation is truly as the gentleman described, then it is undeniably powerful — this could be Liyue's chance to rise beyond the bounds of Teyvat."
Zhongli nodded thoughtfully.
"So, you support Liyue pursuing immortal cultivation."
Ningguang gave a bitter smile.
"I have no choice but to support it. There is no other option."
Zhongli turned to the others.
"And your opinions?"
Keqing sat with arms folded, head lowered in mild frustration.
"With someone so powerful, if we cannot oppose him, we can only follow along. Do we have any other choice?"
Old Man Tian chuckled, easing the tension.
"Look on the bright side — it's not necessarily a bad thing. At the very least, Liyue will only grow stronger, won't it?"
"Let's take it step by step. It may sound a bit defeatist, but at present, it's the only course open to us, isn't it?"
No matter what else they might be thinking, for now, everyone could only agree.
The other adepti had no particular opinions on the matter.
They were excellent in battle, but when it came to policy decisions… that wasn't their strong suit.
Better to think about what cultivation might bring them than to wrestle over strategy.
It was almost laughable —
a group of adepti going to a foreigner's domain to learn how to cultivate immortality.
Had they all… cultivated the wrong way this whole time?
"In that case, there's no need to overthink it."
Seeing that no one objected, Zhongli made the decision final.
"From today onward, Liyue will officially embark on an immortal cultivation plan — though in the early stages, it will not be widely promoted."
"First, to minimize losses should anything go wrong. Second, cultivation is not something just anyone can practice."
After some thought, everyone agreed this was the wisest course for now.
"The exact candidates will be decided after aptitude testing. Tomorrow, I will bring a group to speak with the gentleman."
"And another thing — you must all remember never to refer to yourselves as 'immortals' in front of him."
Zhongli's tone grew serious as he looked over the adepti.
"As he said, Mount Shu fell due to the disputes among the Great Luo — beings born innately divine. You, though powerful, are merely Refining Essence to Transform Qi stage cultivators born of Teyvat's heaven and earth."
"To call yourselves immortals may remind him of the past, which could stir his displeasure."
The adepti glanced at each other, but Zhongli's orders were law — there was no question of disobeying.
"Lord Rex Lapis, there is another matter," Keqing suddenly said.
"Regarding today's tribulation in Liyue, the other seven nations are all speculating wildly, with many reaching out to us. How should we respond?"
Zhongli was silent for a moment before replying quietly:
"Suppress the news for now. Cultivation is not yet a certainty — we'll speak once we've explored it fully."
"If there is danger, then only Liyue should bear the cost. We will not stoop to dragging all of Teyvat into the water with us."
"If there is no danger, then all will be well — and Liyue can quicken her pace, taking the lead in the path of cultivation."
He was, after all, Liyue's god. Her welfare came first.
"There's also what the gentleman said — that even ordinary people can practice martial arts in his world…"
Keqing pressed on softly,
"To him, perhaps it's nothing remarkable. But for us, the strategic value is immense."
"If all Millelith soldiers could cultivate martial arts, Liyue's military power would advance by leaps and bounds."
"Our fundamental strength could become the greatest in all of Teyvat."
"Lord Rex Lapis, is that possible?"
At this, Ningguang and the others all looked at Zhongli expectantly.
Since they had decided to pursue cultivation, there was no point dwelling on the potential downsides.
If they could grow stronger right now, why wait?
Zhongli hesitated. After a moment's thought, he said quietly:
"Though the gentleman mentioned martial arts with little apparent interest, it is, after all, a foundation of another world."
"We can try. If our relations remain good, perhaps he will not be stingy in teaching it."
It wasn't a firm promise, but under the current circumstances, it was already an excellent sign.
Keqing did not press the matter further.
"In that case, since there are no other questions, let's settle the matter of cultivation. Now then…"
Zhongli paused, then produced the Xuanyuan Mirror.
"Let's first test your aptitudes."
"Earlier, I and the adepti had ours tested at the gentleman's place — the results were quite good. I'm curious whether it will be the same for you."
"If your talents are high, you will progress in cultivation all the faster. The more of us that join Mount Shu, the closer Liyue's ties to them will become."
At this, Ningguang and the others perked up.
Immortal cultivation promised longevity and eternal youth —
a temptation no short-lived race could truly refuse.
Even if not now, at some point in life, everyone longed for it.
While Ningguang placed Liyue's welfare first, she could not deny her curiosity.
For example… that so-called Xuanyuan Mirror.
"Lord Rex Lapis, is this the Xuanyuan Mirror that the gentleman created?"
Ningguang looked at Zhongli expectantly. He understood her thoughts and simply handed her the mirror.
"Capable of surveying the heavens above and the seas below, peering into all realms without limit?"
Ningguang examined it with great interest. The thing sounded utterly absurd.
With such a tool, wouldn't all of Teyvat have no secrets before Liyue?
Even Zhongli could only observe within Liyue using the leylines and the authority of his Gnosis.
And this? A tool formed of pure vital essence, with such power?
If real, its strategic value to Liyue would be tremendous.
And supposedly, it could even harm Archons?
That part, Ningguang was more skeptical about.
"If the gentleman says so, it's likely not false — he is not one to speak carelessly."
Zhongli shook his head lightly.
"Moreover, there is indeed a sealed curse within the mirror. When I examined it earlier, that curse gave me an intense sense of danger — as though it could kill me outright."
"Still, this mirror is not truly a weapon. It can only be used once before disappearing."
"Its real use is testing aptitude and observing the world."
"Unless absolutely necessary, do not use it in battle — that would be a loss for Liyue. I would also be embarrassed to ask the gentleman for another."
Ningguang nodded in agreement.
After thinking for a moment, she asked curiously,
"How does one use it?"
Zhongli froze for a moment — evidently caught off guard.
After a pause, he said uncertainly:
"I suppose it must be driven by some special energy? After all, it was forged from special energy."
Ningguang nodded slightly, channeling a bit of elemental power into the mirror's surface.
In the next instant, the mirror flared with a deep earthen-gold light, which condensed into a beam about a foot high and merged into Ningguang's body.
"What is this?"
Ningguang was momentarily stunned. She had meant only to survey Liyue.
Zhongli's expression grew complicated.
"It seems I guessed wrong. This is how it tests aptitude."
"Aptitude testing? Then… does that mean I have a spiritual root?"
Zhongli was silent for a moment before nodding.
He was beginning to understand how the gentleman must have felt earlier.
Ningguang's light beam was only a shade weaker than his own.
In other words—
"Supreme Earth Spiritual Root…"
Utterly absurd!
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