Ganyu stood atop the Qingluan's back, waving happily.
"Sister Ganyu?"
Miko instantly relaxed, waving back with the same joy.
Moments later, the Qingluan descended gracefully. Ganyu leapt down from her back, taking Miko's hand.
"Sorry, little sister Miko. I've been busy these past few days and didn't know you had already arrived in Liyue."
"It's nothing, Sister Ganyu—your cultivation comes first."
In front of Ganyu, Miko reined in her usual playful demeanor, replying with a gentle smile. Then her gaze shifted toward the Qingluan beside them.
The wild boar she had just seen, terrifyingly massive as it was, looked small in comparison to this giant bird.
Its wingspan alone must have stretched a hundred meters.
Its aura felt sacred and lively—different from the boar's violence.
But to Miko, the sense of danger radiating from it was extreme, even deadlier than facing the Raiden Shogun herself.
"Sister Ganyu, this is…?"
Curious, Miko looked up at the Qingluan. Ganyu, a little proud, explained:
"This is my spirit beast, called Qingluan. I brought her back from the Nine Nether Secret Realm.
Don't underestimate her—though she's still young, her strength is already at the peak of Qi Refinement. With her innate divine abilities, she's stronger than many top demon gods."
The corner of Miko's mouth twitched.
This thing… still young?
If it grows any bigger, will it be larger than Teyvat itself?
Miko found it difficult to comprehend cultivators' sense of scale.
"Lady Ganyu."
Baiwen stepped forward to greet her, then looked doubtfully at the boar's corpse.
"Why has such a vicious beast appeared in Jueyun Karst? Usually, the beasts here are strong, but nothing this terrifying.
If this isn't just a one-off, but starts happening often, it could be worse than demon god invasions.
We might even have to abandon many Millelith outposts in the wilderness."
"…I don't know either."
Ganyu shook her head, studying the beast curiously. After a moment, her eyes widened slightly.
"A late Foundation-stage beast?"
"That explains it…"
Baiwen shivered a little.
A late Foundation-stage vicious beast wasn't something ordinary warriors could handle—even top Vision-bearers would struggle.
If it advanced just two more steps, it would become an early Core Formation beast.
Without Ningguang and the others present, just one such creature could flatten half of Liyue Harbor.
No wonder Baiwen was worried.
After a moment of thought, Ganyu comforted her:
"It should be a rare occurrence. The qi concentration here in Jueyun Karst is unusually high, and with the Sect Master's sermons, it may have birthed this one beast.
Most likely, there's only this one. Don't be alarmed. I'll consult with the Sect Master later and let you know.
For now, have this corpse taken back to Liyue Harbor.
Every part of a late Foundation-stage beast is treasure—even its bones can be forged into weapons. Perfect for equipping elite warriors."
Relieved, Baiwen nodded.
"I understand, Lady Ganyu."
She stepped aside to send orders to the army.
Seeing Ganyu so calm reassured her.
Besides, however strong these beasts became, Liyue had late Spirit Transformation cultivators and plenty of Core Formation experts.
As long as Mount Shu's disciples stood guard, the beasts would never overturn the heavens.
At worst, it was just more meat for the Millelith—an added boon, really.
When Baiwen returned, Ganyu handed her a pouch.
"This is from Ningguang. Inside are pills—distribute them to the elites when you return.
Also, she said the Liyue candidates who pass the initial screening may be taught martial arts techniques.
That way, more will be able to stay in the Mount Shu.
This is a cultivator's storage pouch. There are also failed artifacts inside, made by Sister Ganyu and the others during crafting.
They're failures for cultivators, but for ordinary people, they're stronger than many famed weapons.
Distribute them too."
Baiwen received the pouch reverently.
"I understand."
"And," Ganyu added, "Ningguang also wants you, Baiwen, along with Baixiao and Baishi, to study cultivation knowledge more seriously. She hopes you can join Mount Shu in the opening ceremony in twenty days."
Warmth filled Baiwen's chest. She bowed deeply.
"Please assure Lady Ningguang—we won't let her expectations down."
Ganyu smiled, nodding.
"Good. Then I'll take Sister Miko with me. The rest I leave to you."
With that, she leapt back onto the Qingluan's back. Miko followed cautiously, her nerves tight.
Riding something that might be stronger than the Shogun herself gave her no small pressure.
Watching Ganyu's effortless poise, Baiwen couldn't help but sigh with envy, then turned back to inspect the beast.
Even in death, its ferocity lingered.
Its bristling hair was harder than steel—each strand as tall as a man, as thick as a staff.
Baiwen channeled inner force, striking at one hair, but it wouldn't cut.
Only after exerting most of her strength did she manage to pull one free.
The tusks were even more fearsome—nearly ten meters long, their hardness unimaginable.
Even dismantling the creature would be a challenge.
Its body still radiated boiling vitality. When Baiwen drew near, she could feel the heat, her own inner force stirred restlessly.
This meat was undoubtedly the finest among all the beast flesh Liyue had ever gathered.
One boar this size could elevate a hundred Millelith elites to the next level.
With hide, hair, tusks, bones… weapons and armor could be reforged in bulk.
Enough to outfit hundreds.
A tremendous harvest indeed.
She marveled—stronger beasts were harder to kill, but the rewards were beyond measure.
Still, she sincerely hoped such creatures would remain rare.
Without Ganyu's intervention, just this one could have cost hundreds of Millelith lives.
Before long, countless figures came leaping from afar. At the lead was Beidou, bored and looking for some action.
Landing beside Baiwen, she frowned at the boar's colossal corpse.
"What in the world? A beast this size… it's almost like Haishan all over again."
Baiwen explained what had happened. Beidou clicked her tongue, circling the body.
She grabbed at a tusk, then slashed it with elemental power—only to leave a shallow notch. The rebound stung her hand.
But instead of frustration, she grinned, stroking the tusk fondly.
"Good stuff! Truly good stuff!
This tusk is tougher than the best weapon materials I've ever seen. Forged into a blade, it'd be terrifying.
And its meat… one bite would toughen my body for sure.
Baiwen, save me the heart. Eating it might give me a breakthrough.
And the hide—make me a set of armor. It's tough enough."
Baiwen chuckled softly.
"Captain Beidou, you needn't cling to such things. With your talent, joining Mount Shu will be easy.
Once you're cultivating, you won't even care for a beast like this.
Lady Ganyu felled it with nothing but a casual arrow."
Beidou paused, then nodded thoughtfully.
"You're right. Forget it, I won't fight you for it.
So… Miko's already gone in?"
Baiwen sighed.
"Lady Ganyu has already taken her into Mount Shu."
"Is that so? Hmph, and Ningguang didn't even come to fetch me?"
Beidou scowled, displeased.
Baiwen, embarrassed, pretended not to hear, focusing on directing the Millelith to haul the boar away.
Disassembling it on the spot was impossible. Best to bring it back to Liyue Harbor for proper tools and experts.
Hundreds of men dragged the massive beast away, attracting plenty of stares along the road.
Meanwhile, within Mount Shu, Ganyu was already flying Miko across its many regions, pointing things out.
"This is the White Jade Ore Field — one of Mount Shu's three great mining areas. Mostly easy-to-gather spirit ores.
This is the Coastal Forest, home to over a hundred early Core Formation beasts—too dangerous for you right now.
This is the Taiwei Valley, rich in spirit herbs. Later it'll be a major source of contribution points, though it's also crawling with beasts."
With Qingluan's incredible speed, they crossed vast areas in minutes.
The vast, mystical landscapes of Mount Shu left Miko wide-eyed—spectacular mountains, otherworldly scenes, everywhere brimming with qi.
Even the "ordinary" beasts—early Core Formation—gave her crushing pressure.
For the first time, she felt her own smallness in such a vast world.
Yet as Qingluan swept through the skies, beasts below roared in fear and fled.
Miko felt the exhilaration of soaring freely like a true cultivator.
Her heart burned with new anticipation for cultivation.
At length, Ganyu turned to her with a smile.
"Sister Miko, Mount Shu's sights are endless. Even we haven't seen them all.
But it's getting late. I'll take you to meet the Sect Master first. You can explore on your own later."
Miko nodded warmly.
"I'll follow Sister Ganyu's lead."
Ganyu patted Qingluan's back, signaling her to return.
But Qingluan suddenly froze, staring down at a vast lake below.
At its center bloomed a strange flower, glowing so brightly it turned the whole lake azure.
"Qingluan?" Ganyu frowned.
The next instant, the bird dived straight at the flower.
"Qingluan, calm down!"
Ganyu grabbed Miko, anxious.
But the usually obedient Qingluan ignored her, wings beating into a storm as she plummeted.
With no choice, Ganyu lifted Miko onto her sword, hovering midair.
Sensing this, Qingluan accelerated. The storm bent the forest flat.
Suddenly, the lake erupted—a black serpent lunging upward, maw wide, striking at Qingluan.
Her eyes flashed with irritation.
An early Core beast dares ambush me?
Her gaze lit up, unleashing a projection that streaked faster than lightning.
The serpent disintegrated to ash.
Qingluan snatched the flower in her beak and soared skyward, swallowing its nectar.
A surge of azure light engulfed her body.
Overhead, storm clouds gathered.
Ganyu's face paled.
"Heavenly Tribulation…!
Qingluan is about to undergo her lightning trial!"
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