With Ningguang's promise, Furina and her companions were naturally delighted—especially the Hydro Archon and Neuvillette.
So long as Fontaine could step onto the right path swiftly, its national strength would rise, its destiny would stabilize, and Furina could resolve Fontaine's troubles at the fastest pace.
But human joys are never shared equally.
Neuvillette and the others saw hope and rejoiced. Ayaka and her companions, however, were left with envy and sorrow for their own Inazuma.
All of Teyvat was evolving—Liyue stood at the forefront. Mondstadt, Fontaine, and Snezhnaya followed close behind. Even Sumeru had disciples joining Mount Shu, ready to begin their evolution at any time.
Only Inazuma…
The war had barely calmed, and no one knew if more conflict would erupt. The Vision Hunt and Sakoku Decrees had yet to be lifted.
Its people struggled even to eat. Martial cultivation? Impossible in the short term.
Even if the decrees were abolished and the nation stabilized, who could say how long recovery would take? Who could say if Inazuma even had the resources or people fit to cultivate?
The military's morale was broken—ever since the Shogun was defeated in a single blow by Xiao, Kujou Sara had seen it clearly.
Inazuma had barred itself from Teyvat's great evolution with its own hands.
As others prepared to soar, Inazuma wallowed in its stagnant eternity, waiting for death.
For the first time in her life, Kujou Sara questioned eternity itself. Could such an eternity truly keep Inazuma alive?
From what she saw, such eternity offered no future, no chance for civilization to endure.
When the raging beasts struck, they would be the first to rip away Inazuma's veil of shame.
Sara longed from her heart for Inazuma to stand tall like Liyue—armed with martial cultivators, guided by sects, guarded by masters.
She had seen them: masters aplenty, each strong enough to crush her with ease. And Liyue had so very many of them.
If only Inazuma could have the same…
If only Mount Shu had descended there first…
But she dismissed the thought at once. In those days, Inazuma hadn't even permitted Archons free range, let alone cultivators. Had they appeared, her Shogun would have drawn her blade without hesitation.
And once that blade was drawn… Inazuma itself might have perished.
Cultivators were not bound by Inazuma's decrees. Eternity, Vision Hunts—none of it mattered to them.
They were no saints; if the mood struck them, they could slaughter a nation as easily as spare it.
At the root of it all… Inazuma was sick.
Sara bowed her head, sorrow darkening her gaze. For now, all hope rested on the Guuji. They could only pray she would change their homeland's broken state.
But Inazuma's heaviness did not dim the others' joy.
Taking a sip of tea, Ningguang smiled softly.
"These leaves may not rival the teas of Mount Shu, much less the Sect Master's enlightenment tree… but they are Liyue's finest. If Sect Master does not mind, take some before you depart."
She glanced at the others.
"And of course, if anyone else wishes, take some as well."
Jiang Yan nodded with a smile.
"You're thoughtful."
The rest thanked her gladly. They were not Jiang Yan, free to take what they wished from Mount Shu.
Even evolving spirit herbs were not easily obtained. Spirit tea—rarer still.
To receive some unbidden was a welcome surprise. And once aged within the aura of Mount Shu's Seven Peaks, they would evolve to perfection. Drunk then, their effects would be all the greater.
Ningguang, watching the closeness this simple gift had fostered, felt deeply satisfied. To win such ties with cultivation geniuses for the price of tea alone—what a bargain.
After some casual conversation, Jiang Yan answered a few cultivation questions. When none remained, he set down his cup and looked at Furina, who had been fidgeting with impatience all this time.
Her face fairly screamed: I have something to say.
Jiang Yan chuckled.
"Since no one else has questions… Furina, what is it you've been waiting to say?"
Furina leapt to her feet, joy flashing in her eyes.
"Sect Master, this disciple indeed has a request."
Jiang Yan's gaze flicked to Neuvillette and Focalors.
"You wish for them to enter Mount Shu?"
At once the Hydro Archon, Rosalyne, and the others straightened, staring intently.
Furina scratched her cheek, speaking softly.
"Sect Master sees clearly… I know the initiation ceremony has passed, but their talent will not disappoint you.
"You have said yourself—Mount Shu is not a rigid sect bound by dead rules. For true talent, exceptions can be made.
"So I dare to recommend them. With their gifts and strength, they could help our sect flourish."
Focalors blinked in surprise. This was not the same Furina who had once ruled Fontaine with haughty arrogance. Her words were measured, her tone pleasant. She truly had changed.
Still, since Furina was speaking for her and Neuvillette, Focalors simply stood quietly, her heart filled with expectation.
Jiang Yan studied Furina with interest.
"You are confident. Yet the ceremony has just ended, many have only just joined.
"And you would use your inner disciple's privilege to bring them in.
"Have you considered what others might think?
"To those who struggled through the trials, would this not seem unfair?
"Do you believe inner disciples should wield such unfair privilege?"
At this, Focalors and Neuvillette stiffened. They had worried over this possibility before, but spoken aloud by Jiang Yan himself, it carried far greater weight.
They had no wish to taint Furina's reputation—or worse, draw even a trace of displeasure from him.
Focalors quickly spoke:
"Sect Master, Furina harbors no such thought. It was I who asked her to speak for us. If you deem it unfit, then let it pass."
Neuvillette added, bowing deeply:
"Lady Furina has always revered Mount Shu and honored you, Sect Master. She would never abuse her privilege. This matter lies with us, not her."
Jiang Yan gave no reply. He only lifted his gaze slightly, and in that instant, a will greater than heaven and earth pressed down upon them.
The weight left them breathless, silencing every word.
The air turned heavy.
Xiao frowned, trying to recall the laws of the Hall of Discipline. He couldn't remember any such prohibition. In fact, many rules guarded the inner disciples' privileges.
So why was Jiang Yan pressing this point? Did he mean to make an example?
Zhongli had thought to speak in Furina's defense—but then he saw the faint upward curve of Jiang Yan's lips. Enlightened, he held his tongue.
".Aside from Furina… Tartaglia, have you anything to say?"
Jiang Yan's gaze shifted. Childe hesitated, catching the anxious look in the Hydro Archon's eyes.
She clearly wanted him to hold back.
But after a pause, he cupped his hands and declared:
"Sect Master, I too would recommend three—Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, Rosalyne, and Arlecchino—to join Mount Shu!"
The Hydro Archon's anxiety only grew. She thought to explain, but one glance from Jiang Yan's blazing eyes froze her in place.
It was as if the weight of the heavens bore down upon her—no movement possible.
"And you, Kazuha?" Jiang Yan asked at last.
Kazuha shook his head, his eyes calm.
"I came with Inazuma's envoys only to recommend Guuji Yae to you, Sect Master.
"Compared to joining Mount Shu, what they long for is to solve Inazuma's plight.
"If later they wish to enter, I will recommend them. It will be the last thing I do for Inazuma. Beyond that, I sever all ties."
Jiang Yan inclined his head, smiling.
"From the look of things, one might think you came here to force my hand."
At once, Furina and the others paled and waved their hands.
"Disciple would never dare!"
Ningguang and the rest, puzzled by the exchange, dared not speak.
"So, you seek to use the privileges of inner disciples to enact such an unfair thing?" Jiang Yan asked again, his tone unreadable.
Furina and Childe both nodded firmly.
"Yes, Sect Master!"
Jiang Yan's gaze pierced them for a long moment. Then he laughed softly, the immense pressure dissipating at once.
"Good… you already bear some of the backbone of inner disciples."
The mood lightened instantly. The others exchanged bewildered glances.
Furina let out a quiet breath of relief, though doubt tinged her voice.
"Sect Master… you are not angry?"
"Why should I be?" Jiang Yan replied.
"Because you exercised the privilege of an inner disciple?"
They dared not answer. He smiled faintly and asked in return:
"Tell me, then—do inner disciples truly have privilege or not?"
The room fell silent. At last, Ningguang ventured cautiously:
"Since all disciples of Mount Shu are of one family… perhaps there should be no privilege?"
Even if such privilege existed, who would say it aloud?
But Jiang Yan shook his head, unsatisfied. His voice was calm, yet weighty.
"Wrong.
"Inner disciples do possess privilege.
"Within Mount Shu, there are many privileges.
"But at the root, they all have only one meaning.
"Strength—that is the greatest privilege of all."
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