This morning alone, the events in Liyue Harbor were enough to shake the city for an entire year.
If one were to count the past few centuries, what happened today would still rank among the greatest of upheavals.
First, the cultivators gathered, and the people of Liyue saw with their own eyes a multitude of immortals, meeting and recognizing many for the first time.
Then, the legendary Sect Master of Mount Shu descended personally.
And later, the Morax himself appeared—only to directly announce his abdication.
Not just abdication. He outright abolished the divine office of the Geo Archon itself.
From this day on, Liyue would be the very first nation in all of Teyvat, and perhaps the only one, to be ruled without gods.
The citizens of Liyue were still reeling from the shock, even weighed down by grief.
But inevitably, many had already begun pondering the road ahead.
With the Morax truly retired, devoting himself solely to cultivation, and the immortals all entering Mount Shu as disciples—
Wouldn't that mean countless laws, contracts, economic policies, and even defense systems were about to undergo upheaval?
And without Zhongli or the immortals' oversight, the authority of the Qixing would rise to unprecedented heights.
The whole of Liyue would lie in their hands.
The current Qixing could be trusted, yes.
But they too were cultivators. They couldn't possibly remain bound to mortal office as Zhongli had.
Cultivation was the foremost pursuit of this age; no one would set it aside for bureaucracy.
So what of the successors who would one day replace them?
A nation governed solely by men—Mondstadt had already given the world that answer.
And that answer hadn't merely failed; it had been catastrophic.
The Lawrence clan and their fellow aristocrats had plunged Mondstadt into a living hell.
Would Liyue one day stumble down that same road?
No one could say.
Still, there was at least one reassurance…
Zhongli had only abdicated, not died. He was cultivating on Mount Shu, which was not far at all.
If some future Qixing truly overreached, Zhongli would certainly intervene.
Perhaps out of confusion for the future, the citizens were not in the mood to hear Ningguang's reassurances.
Fortunately, the Qixing had anticipated this possibility.
They issued only a few words and instructed the General Affairs Bureau to disperse the crowds.
Details would be posted at the Bureau later.
The shift from god-rule to godlessness would be a long transformation.
It was not something people could accept overnight.
Ningguang estimated they would be busy for at least ten days to half a month.
Half a month—
And with the weekly requirement to visit the Sutra Pavilion to select cultivation methods, the time remaining to prepare for the Great Netherworld Secret Realm Expedition was less than one month.
They would be lucky to have two weeks left to prepare.
The pressure was immense.
But as for Zhongli's eagerness to abdicate, no one could object.
It was his choice, and he had already given far more than enough.
Ningguang sighed, gave some instructions to the General Affairs Bureau, and with Keqing and the others, made her way toward the pavilion.
The good news was that today itself would likely not be too busy. The news of Zhongli's abdication still needed time to spread.
This might be their last day of peace.
Soon, they ascended to the pavilion. Ningguang walked quickly to Jiang Yan's side and spoke softly:
"Master, I have arranged a banquet in the Jade Chamber. Might I invite you to come?"
Jiang Yan smiled and rose.
"You've all had a hard day as well. With Zhongli stepping down, the aftermath will surely keep you busy."
Ningguang gave a wry smile and nodded.
"Indeed, it will. But for today, things are still relatively calm."
As she spoke, she cast a subtle glance at the Yae Miko who stood at Jiang Yan's side.
She had only been gone a few days, yet Yae Miko had already advanced so dramatically.
It seemed Mount Shu truly could not be left unattended for long.
If she went away again, even Lisa and the others might advance past her!
Ganyu stepping ahead was one thing—she had known Jiang Yan far longer.
But Yae Miko…
Latecomers who rose too fast were the most annoying!
Those sky-enchanting fox demons with the Heavenly Allure Physique were all calamities in the mold of Daji!
Jiang Yan, oblivious to her thoughts, was preparing to leave when Furina rushed over, looking at him with pleading eyes.
"Master, I've brought two companions from afar. May they come along?"
Jiang Yan turned his gaze toward Neuvillette and Focalors. The two lowered their eyes, unable to withstand the pressure of his vast and exalted will.
Jiang Yan chuckled.
"That is for Ningguang to decide. After all, the Jade Chamber is her domain."
"Senior Sister Ningguang…" Furina instantly turned, gazing at her with expectant eyes.
Ningguang smiled.
"If they come at your invitation, then of course they may."
"Senior Sister Ningguang, I also—" Kazuha began, but Ningguang raised her hand gently.
"No need to be so formal. We are all fellow disciples. My Jade Chamber is not so lofty that you cannot come. Whoever wishes to join, may join."
At that, Kokomi and the others lit up with joy.
At last, they would be part of an inner Mount Shu gathering.
Since Ningguang had no objections, Jiang Yan no longer delayed. Taking Klee by the hand, he transformed into a rainbow streak of light and flew toward the Jade Chamber.
Ningguang and the others hurried to follow. They couldn't possibly let him wait.
Of course, this gathering was for inner disciples only. Outer disciples and servant disciples would not be included.
No one said it outright, but they knew their place.
In the eyes of mortals, even a servant of Mount Shu was already an immortal.
But they themselves knew—the inner sect disciples were the true heart of the mountain.
And today, they had already seen more than enough. To behold so many inner disciples, all the Peak Masters, and even Jiang Yan himself—what more could they ask?
As for Zhongli's abdication, honestly, it mattered little to them.
The outer sect elders, too, had not joined the crowds.
They were all preparing for the upcoming Great Netherworld Secret Realm Expedition.
If they could seize enough fortune there, they might transition fully onto the immortal path and gain precious resources besides.
Compared with inner sect disciples, their foundations were shallow indeed.
Even brand-new inner sect disciples already had two cultivation methods, three if one counted the Sword Controlling Art.
At present, the outer sect merely held a temporary edge in raw strength.
Inside the Jade Chamber.
Anticipating a large gathering, Ningguang had set the banquet in the garden.
Fortunately, the garden was vast and could accommodate them all.
Jiang Yan took the central seat.
At his sides were not Ganyu or Yae Miko, nor the two Peak Masters Zhongli and Venti, but rather Klee and Qiqi.
Though Qiqi was not his direct disciple, Jiang Yan's care for her was nearly equal to Klee's.
Her talent might not match Klee's, but it was by no means poor.
Thanks to the Soul-Shift Shadow Art, Qiqi had already neared the late Refining-Essence-into-Qi stage.
Her constitution issues were fully resolved; she looked like a normal girl now.
Even her memory problems were gone.
And yet, her hidden physique still slumbered.
Jiang Yan conservatively judged it to be among the very top of all special physiques.
Perhaps even a divine body.
If she truly awakened as such, he would not hesitate to accept her as a true disciple—giving Klee a companion.
Yae Miko, denied the seat beside him, looked slightly aggrieved.
Lisa and Furina, however, felt secretly delighted.
So long as it wasn't Yae Miko in the place of honor, anyone else was fine.
As for why they didn't resist Ganyu's closeness, but balked at Yae Miko's?
Most likely… because Yae Miko had actually succeeded in sneaking her way into Jiang Yan's heart.
The banquet dishes were not common fare.
They were made primarily from fierce beasts—and even some from demon beasts.
The fragrance was irresistible, even for veterans who had tasted such before.
Let alone Neuvillette and the others, who had to restrain themselves with difficulty.
Once everyone was seated, Ningguang smiled and gestured to the food.
"Speaking of which, this banquet owes much to Peak Master Zhongli.
Apart from the usual Qi-Refining-stage beast meats, these three dishes at the center—you must approach with caution."
She pointed to the three plates at the table's center.
Unlike the other dishes, these portions were meager, barely a mouthful for each person.
The crowd exchanged curious looks.
Caution? There isn't even enough to overindulge in…
Noticing their doubt, Ningguang smiled.
"Since this is not only Master's first visit to Liyue Harbor, but also a celebration of Zhongli's formal abdication, these dishes could not be made casually.
The first is a Liyue specialty—Heaven's Pivot Meat—prepared by the master chefs of the Liuli Pavilion.
Tender, rich, melting on the tongue.
The second is another Liyue classic—Golden Silk Shrimp Balls—made by the chefs of the Xinyue Kiosk. Keqing's favorite.
And the third, crafted personally by Xiangling of Wanmin Hall—Immortal's Jumping Wall.
This last has quite the amusing story behind it…"
Her gaze flicked toward Cloud Retainer, whose cheeks were already flushed with embarrassment. Ningguang quickly stopped herself.
"These three represent the very essence of Liyue's cuisine. I hope you all enjoy them."
Paimon scratched her cheek.
"Eh? That's it?
Not that I think it's sloppy or anything… but I've had these with Lumine before. Delicious, yes, but now that we're cultivators, we don't even need to eat. Shouldn't food be for strengthening cultivation?"
Ningguang's smile deepened, her voice lowering mysteriously.
"But of course. That is why I said the true point comes next—and why I said this banquet owes thanks to Peak Master Zhongli.
These three dishes were made with ingredients provided by him.
The flesh of a late-stage Qi-Refining, Spirit-Transforming great demon eagle—one of the Seven Kings of the Netherworld Secret Realm."
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