"All present, Sect Master—except Lumine and Paimon."
Alice quietly reminded him.
Jiang Yan nodded, letting his gaze sweep across the hall.
A moment later, his calm voice echoed in the grand chamber.
"Much has happened in our Shushan these past days—
more than any time since the founding ceremony."
"We now welcome two new prodigies and three new elders."
"This is Shushan's good fortune.
May you five climb the Immortal Path diligently… and ascend as soon as fate allows."
"As for our new elders—cultivation is your foremost duty.
Assist the peak masters and Elder Alice in their tasks."
The five bowed together.
"We obey the Sect Master."
Jiang Yan then turned his eyes toward Ningguang and the others.
"And Ganyu—having broken through Divine Transformation—
has become our first disciple to walk from Refined Essence to Divine Transformation in one breath."
"You must learn from her.
Cultivate wholeheartedly.
Strive to reach Divine Transformation as soon as possible."
Ningguang and the others exchanged subtle looks.
Learn from Ganyu?
In what sense exactly?
Sneaking off…
dual cultivating…
and soaring straight into Divine Transformation?
If that was the standard…
Furina felt she definitely needed to study harder.
(Absolutely not because she coveted the Sect Master—only the path to strength, of course.)
Jiang Yan continued:
"Alice, keep an eye on Teyvat's spiritual revival.
If necessary, post missions through the Merit Hall."
"This will give disciples more chances to earn contribution points."
Alice nodded instantly.
She planned to visit the Outer Sea tomorrow anyway—
but she'd be back the next day at most.
Plenty of time to oversee the early chaos of spiritual revival.
And missions would help Shushan's philosophy of slaying monsters and defending the righteous spread naturally.
Jiang Yan's gaze sharpened slightly.
"In the next period, I and First Seat Zhongli will enter the Demon-Sealing Tower."
"Zhongli will stay three days.
As for me—
I may return only in time for the Nine Nether Secret Realm Expedition."
"Until then, the Sect is in your hands."
"Xiao, you will supervise disciple conduct together with Elder Neuvillette."
"Yes, Sect Master."
"Venti—until Zhongli returns, you will oversee daily cultivation.
Do not allow slackening."
"Ah—uh… fine, fine. He's only gone three days, right?"
Zhongli gave Venti a silent, withering stare.
Jiang Yan ignored the bard entirely.
"External matters shall be managed by the outer-sect elders, reporting weekly to Elder Furina."
"If difficult decisions arise, consult First Seat Zhongli or Elder Alice."
"Internal matters will be handled jointly by the inner-sect elders and peak masters."
"The Demon-Sealing Tower, the Nine Nether Secret Realm, and the Profound Underworld World—none may enter without permission."
"Xiao, Elder Neuvillette—you two will guard these places."
"Also—Xiao and the Divine Priestess are both near tribulation.
Stay within Shushan.
If you wish to undergo tribulation in Liyue, seek approval from the first seats."
He continued arranging everything from medicinal field rotations to mine excavation schedules—
every detail clearly laid out.
After a long stretch, Jiang Yan finally asked:
"That is all.
When Lumine returns, relay these instructions to her."
"Does anyone have remaining concerns?"
They exchanged glances.
Then Yae Miko spoke.
"Sect Master—if new talents seek to join Shushan while you're away, what shall we do?"
She meant Ei and the others, of course.
Once Lumine resolved Inazuma's problem, Ei would definitely come seeking the Immortal Path.
With Jiang Yan gone, Zhongli had no authority to formally take disciples.
Jiang Yan pondered briefly.
"If those with proper aptitude seek entrance, house them temporarily in Shushan Village."
"When I return, I will evaluate them."
"But those who recommend them must guarantee their character.
If their talent is mediocre…"
His eyes drifted meaningfully toward Miko.
Miko smiled back confidently.
If Ei's talent wasn't good enough…
then no one's was.
"Zhongli knows how to judge talent.
Have him perform preliminary screening."
That settled it.
Miko sighed inwardly.
If only Ei could join sooner—
she'd have more time to acclimate before the Nine Nether Expedition.
But fate seldom bent to convenience.
Still—
a chance to enter Shushan at all was already precious.
Anything more would be greed.
Jiang Yan looked around once more.
"If nothing else, that concludes the arrangements."
"Zhongli, prepare yourself this afternoon.
We depart for the Demon-Sealing Tower at dusk."
Before Jiang Yan could finish, Zhongli bowed.
"Sect Master, I require no further preparation.
Everything I need is ready."
"I may depart at any time."
Jiang Yan paused—then let out a helpless exhale.
"You are quite eager…
but the Demon-Sealing Tower is more dangerous than you imagine.
It is best to prepare thoroughly."
"I am fully aware of its danger."
Zhongli's voice was steady, firm.
"I would not gamble with my life.
For this day, I have prepared long."
"I have even retrieved Senior Brother Xuanxing's sword—
our teacher's own flying sword."
"With it, even ordinary Void-Reversing beasts cannot threaten me."
Jiang Yan couldn't help a faint laugh.
"Your obsession runs deep…
but that's fine.
If you settle it in the Nine Nether Secret Realm afterward,
your breakthrough to Void-Reversal will be far smoother."
"In that case… we depart soon."
Relief flickered across Zhongli's eyes.
"Thank you, Sect Master."
Alice raised her hand.
"Sect Master, I'll head to the Outer Sea today."
Jiang Yan's brows twitched.
"You pick quite the timing.
With me and Zhongli gone, Shushan's affairs fall to Venti and the elders."
Venti immediately made a face of pure betrayal.
Alice pretended not to see it.
"I'll be back tonight at the earliest,
tomorrow at the latest."
"I'll handle everything responsibly.
Besides—Klee is still here.
If Sect Master isn't around, someone has to watch her."
"…Fine. Handle it well."
He scanned the hall.
"Anyone else?"
Silence.
Jiang Yan rose and strode from the hall.
Zhongli followed closely.
The rest accompanied them until they reached the base of the Demon-Sealing Tower.
Even after seeing it many times—
standing before it now still sent a chill through the bones.
Despite the tower's ancient seals dulling the demonic aura,
its oppressive, eerie presence seeped through.
Even prepared, Zhongli's pulse tightened.
The Demon-Sealing Tower was nothing like the elegant halls of Shushan.
It was old—weathered—
like some abandoned giant of the ancient era.
Jiang Yan stood for a moment before speaking quietly.
"Zhongli—remember this well."
"Do not step onto the sixth floor."
"And after three years of internal time,
you must return."
Zhongli bowed deeply.
"Rest assured, Sect Master.
I treasure my life."
Jiang Yan turned back toward the group.
"Shushan's matters…
I entrust to all of you."
His gaze lingered briefly on Ganyu and Miko,
both looking at him with worry.
Jiang Yan smiled lightly—
then walked with Zhongli toward the tower's entrance.
"Sect Master…"
Ganyu clenched her sleeves,
her voice faint.
"I'll wait for your return…"
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