"For you to guard my Dao is one thing."
"But the Xuanyin Minor World teems with demonic cultivators—even I must tread carefully." Jiang Yan shook his head, his tone carrying a touch of calm indifference.
"The true key point is this—you must find a way to investigate the current state of the Xuanyin Minor World."
"The Xuanyin Minor World was a gift left to Mount Shu by the Ancestors. One day, it will inevitably be opened, and disciples will be sent inside to temper themselves."
"Though training disciples means leaving life and death to fate, Mount Shu cannot lightly accept needless sacrifices."
"The strength and situation of the Xuanyin Minor World must be clearly understood."
"The world itself is vast. Its cultivation resources far exceed those of the incomplete Nine Nether Secret Realm."
"And since you've already resolved to redeem the set of supreme-grade spiritual treasures—the Investiture of Gods List and the God-Beating Whip—not to mention Furina's cultivation of the Celestial Investiture of the Gods…"
"In the future, enhancing national fortune will become a matter of utmost importance."
"Teyvat is ultimately too limited in scope. Even the Tree-and-Sea cosmos cannot be called expansive—and its strangeness makes it far from the ideal land for development."
"By comparison, the Xuanyin Minor World is far more suited for the growth of cultivators. Naturally, it is the prime choice for expansion of territory and elevation of national destiny."
"I believe you must have already considered this before."
At these words, Keqing scratched her cheek a little sheepishly and said in a low voice:
"We… indeed thought about it."
"There's no need to be embarrassed. Such thoughts are natural." Jiang Yan casually reassured her, then glanced at Kokomi and the others who looked rather bewildered. Patiently, he added:
"You may not understand the topic we are discussing. Consult the others later."
"Yes, many thanks, Master."
Kokomi and her companions set aside their doubts for the time being, quietly observing Jiang Yan's discussion with the Mount Shu cultivators.
"Whether it is my tribulation, your training, or the expansion of your nations—none of it can bypass the Xuanyin Minor World."
"If so, then we must first fully explore it."
Jiang Yan paused, recalling the information he had about the place, then continued in a quiet voice:
"You all know that once, the cultivation world—including Mount Shu—suffered a devastating calamity."
"That disaster annihilated nine out of ten living cultivators. Even the Immortal Realm and myriad heavens may have been affected."
"And yet, the Nine Nether Secret Realm inexplicably survived, its Seven Kings of the Nine Nether Secret Realm still alive to this day."
"Thus, I suspect that the Xuanyin Minor World, being similar to that realm, may also have been spared."
"The Xuanyin Minor World was discovered by the Third Elder of the Seven Elders while traveling the heavens. Later, he brought it back to Mount Shu as a place for disciples to temper themselves."
"Unlike other worlds, the Xuanyin Minor World is a pure and extreme realm of demon cultivation."
"All the cultivators within practice demonic arts. Though Mount Shu does not strictly define all such people as 'demonic cultivators,' the truth is, most who pursue these techniques are far from virtuous."
"In the Xuanyin Minor World, pillage, murder, slaughter of the innocent—these are everyday occurrences."
"Such a world can sharpen disciples' strength and willpower alike. Thus, though the Elders despised it, they still preserved it."
He paused to sip his tea, letting his words sink in, before continuing:
"Now, I cannot be sure whether the Xuanyin Minor World, like the Nine Nether Secret Realm, survived the catastrophe intact—retaining its full power."
"But as Mount Shu's Sect Master, I must assume the worst."
"This time, only the two First Seats, the Elders, and I may enter."
"The Xuanyin Minor World is unlike the Nine Nether Secret Realm. It is a complete lesser world, teeming with demon cultivators. Its danger is far greater."
"The strongest in the Netherworld were merely peak Spirit-Transformation. But the Xuanyin Minor World's peak once reached Returning-to-Void."
"More importantly, because it is a complete world, its demon cultivators are not limited like the beasts of the Netherworld—they can keep advancing."
"And as those who forsake all morality to embrace true demonic paths, their cruelty and lack of conscience only fuel terrifying speed in cultivation and devastating power in battle."
"If the Xuanyin Minor World truly remained unscathed, I cannot rule out the existence of Union of Void and Dao cultivators within."
At this, the group finally understood just how perilous this expedition would be.
Ganyu, worried, spoke up:
"Master, is it truly safe to undergo your tribulation in such a place? That world is full of demon cultivators…"
Jiang Yan waved her concern aside.
"My matters need not trouble you. As long as no one there has ascended to true immortality, I will be unharmed."
"The greater concern is to grasp the structure of power in the Xuanyin Minor World. Only then can we decide how best to explore it."
Ganyu opened her mouth to speak further, but Yae Miko gave her a soft nudge, silencing her.
Even Alice and the others sensed how thorny the matter was. Their chopsticks halted midair as they fell into heavy thought.
The air grew thick with tension.
The Cryo Archon and her companions didn't fully understand what the Xuanyin Minor World was, but from what little they'd heard, they could imagine its nature:
A realm crawling with demonic cultivators—its danger was beyond question.
But at the same time…
It was a lesser world!
A true cultivation world—endless land, boundless resources!
From the perspective of a nation, the future it promised was immeasurable.
They could talk for days without exhausting its significance. But the most important word was—
Future.
A bright, dazzling future!
If they could, with Mount Shu's permission, take part in developing the Xuanyin Minor World, wouldn't that mean their own nations could rise to new heights?
The Investiture of Gods List—they'd heard of it from Childe. Who wouldn't covet it? But affording it was another matter entirely.
Even so, they could at least begin preparations to boost their national destiny.
With that, even if they never cultivated immortality themselves, their strength would rise alongside their nation's.
The Xuanyin Minor World was a supreme treasure trove.
If even a sliver fell under Snezhnaya's domain, its destiny would soar!
And with the Investiture of Gods List—instant godhood!
Meanwhile, Kokomi and the others, though ignorant of what the Investiture of Gods List was, could not resist the lure of an entire lesser world.
Inazuma's greatest problem was lack of land—too many people, too many monsters occupying space.
If they had the Xuanyin Minor World…
Just imagining it made Kujou Sara's eyes sparkle—only to dim again moments later.
The Xuanyin Minor World might be of little consequence to Mount Shu itself. But to its disciples, it was everything.
And Inazuma had no cultivators—only Miko, whose path might not even align with this era of cultivation.
Compared to the surging tide of the Immortal Dao, Inazuma was falling behind…
"I understand the gist," Zhongli finally said, nodding slightly.
"Master wishes us to probe the Xuanyin Minor World's power structure, is that correct?"
Jiang Yan nodded.
"Exactly. First, I must prepare for my tribulation. When the time comes, it will shake the entire Xuanyin Minor World—that will be the best chance to gauge its foundations."
"Second, the three of you, as Spirit-Transformation cultivators, are neither too strong nor too weak. You will draw less attention, while still being capable."
"Gathering intelligence will suit you best."
"Unlike the Netherworld, filled with beasts, the Xuanyin Minor World is dominated by human demon cultivators. That makes concealing your Mount Shu identities easier."
"I will remain behind the scenes, temporarily altering your auras to resemble those of demon cultivators."
"But even so, do not trust any of them. Most demon cultivators have long since abandoned humanity."
"For the sake of power, they even devour their own kind."
"Thus, cast aside your mercy. In the Xuanyin Minor World, to gather information, you must be more ruthless than they are."
"Do not cling to your old gentleness. Abandon conscience. Soul-searching, spirit-seizing, torture… Use them without hesitation."
"Only through cruelty can you extract the truth from a demon cultivator's mouth."
This was why Jiang Yan would not send ordinary disciples.
The world of demon cultivators was too filthy, too poisonous.
Compared to it, Lisa and Childe's demonic techniques were child's play.
Yes, their aura resembled that of demon cultivators—but they were not true demons. And between demons, there was no kinship.
Did anyone think that being 'fellow cultivators of the demonic path' would inspire trust?
It only meant a sharper knife in the dark.
Most young disciples lacked the years of experience to face such darkness. To thrust them into it would risk qi deviation, or at the least, scars that never faded.
But Zhongli and the others were different.
He and Venti had lived too long, seen too much cruelty.
Alice, though younger, had traveled countless worlds, her heart resilient and broad.
They could endure the suffocating atmosphere of the demonic world. Others could not.
The three of them realized this as well, their faces tightening.
Gentle Jiang Yan—yet here he was, instructing them to use such vicious means.
Clearly, the Xuanyin Minor World was even more terrifying than they had imagined.
Still, they understood. Few others could bear its filth.
Drawing a deep breath, Zhongli nodded firmly.
"The art of soul-searching and spirit-seizing—I have mastered it."
"Rest assured, Master. I will not be burdened by soft-heartedness."
His eyes gleamed with a flash of cold ruthlessness.
A ruler who had endured six thousand years as the Geo Archon could never have been purely kind.
Against the righteous, he had righteous methods.
Against demons—he had darker ones.
Torture? He knew more than enough.
"It is enough that you understand."
Jiang Yan sighed softly.
In this world that was still—on the surface at least—twelve parts pure and bright, ordering such things felt inappropriate.
And yet…
"Never mistake your own mercy, never mistake your softness, for virtues when dealing with demon cultivators."
"You can never fathom the depths of their depravity."
"Remember this well—demon cultivators… are no longer human!"
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