"To grant them knowledge, bestow them with great power, ignite the flame of civilization, and establish everlasting peace?!"
Guizhong raised her wide sleeves to cover her mouth, eyes widening slightly in astonishment. The starlight in her pupils shimmered with surprise.
She was truly taken aback by Gu Chen's grand ambition.
"You… actually have such a lofty goal?" she couldn't help but ask.
"Of course. That's probably the reason I came to this world," Gu Chen nodded calmly before adding, "Besides that, I honestly don't know what else I should be doing here."
"I see…"
Guizhong looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, then smiled. "Then let me help you!"
Gu Chen turned to glance at the warm-hearted Archon girl beside him, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes—he seemed to be wondering if he should accept her offer.
"One person's strength is always limited, you know~" she said playfully. "You have such a great ambition; of course I want to help!"
Gu Chen nodded. "You're right. In that case, I'll establish my teachings within your settlement."
"Teachings?" Guizhong tilted her head in confusion.
"To spread enlightenment—to teach."
"I possess the arts of the immortals, and I cannot bear to watch people suffer in this chaotic age. By granting them strength, they'll at least be able to protect themselves."
Guizhong's eyes lit up with realization, and she readily agreed, "All right!"
[Cloud Retainer]: As expected, he's going to found a sect!
[Collei]: Mr. Gu Chen's aspirations are so grand! To bring peace to all generations… can a person really achieve such a thing? (Paimon shocked)
Even in today's age of the Seven Archons, none dare to claim they can ensure eternal peace!
[Zhongli]: This Gu Chen wields immortal arts. From what I can see, he intends to pass them on to all people. If that truly comes to pass, the consequences will be… unimaginable. (Zhongli sipping tea)
In truth, humans can learn immortal arts if they possess enough talent. Zhongli knew that Cloud Retainer once took on a human disciple, and that Song of Pearlescent Waves also had a human pupil.
Both of them happened to possess Visions, but those served merely as external energy reservoirs to fuel immortal techniques.
Knowing how difficult it was for humans to learn such arts, Zhongli understood better than anyone how daunting Gu Chen's plan truly was.
To teach the Way to all humankind… was it truly possible?
[Albedo]: Gu Chen's decision will undoubtedly cause sweeping change across Teyvat. I only wonder how far the ripples will spread. (deep in thought)
Under Guizhong's guidance, Gu Chen toured every corner of her settlement. The more he saw of humanity's struggles in this harsh world, the firmer his resolve grew.
This was the meaning behind his arrival here—perhaps even his mission.
"What will you do next?" Guizhong asked curiously.
Gu Chen looked around before answering, "Establish a sect. But unfortunately, this place isn't suitable for building a mountain gate."
"Eh? Why not?"
"It's too flat here. It's not conducive to cultivation. Disciples must be forged amidst hardship—flowers raised in a greenhouse cannot survive a storm. In an era of great conflict, only those who've faced death can truly grow."
After a pause, he added, "The mountain range I started from would be perfect."
Guizhong puffed her cheeks. "That's really far away… but no problem, we can just move there!"
Gu Chen glanced down at the smaller Archon beside him, thought for a moment, and nodded. "Very well. Then let's move."
"I'll go inform everyone! Oh, but we'll have to be careful—don't want to wander into another god's territory by mistake!" she said brightly before dashing off.
The mortals under her protection didn't protest the sudden move. Though they were reluctant to leave their homes, Guizhong explained clearly: they had been granted a divine opportunity.
"There are over three thousand of them," Guizhong reported. "When do we leave?"
"Now."
With a wave of his hand, a gust of wind howled past—and in an instant, the three thousand people shrank to the size of ants and were swept into Gu Chen's sleeve!
Guizhong crouched beside his arm, poking curiously at his robe. "How did you do that?"
"Want to learn?" Gu Chen smiled.
"Uh-huh! That's so convenient!" she said excitedly. "My sleeves are even bigger than yours—if I learn it, I can fit even more people and things, right?"
Gu Chen glanced at her, then at his own sleeve, momentarily speechless. "The capacity of a spatial technique doesn't depend on the size of your sleeve..."
"It doesn't? Oh…" She looked disappointed for a second, then perked up. "Then the stronger I get, the more I can fit, right?"
"Mm."
"Great! Let's go, and when we finish building the sect, I'm learning that first!"
"This is a profound divine art—difficult to master. Are you sure?"
Guizhong puffed up her cheeks. "You underestimate me! I'm an Archon, not an idiot!"
Gu Chen chuckled. "Confidence is a good thing. Let's go then. Are you sure you're ready to leave?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I noticed that field of flowers over there—are you really willing to leave it behind?"
Far away, a sea of Glaze Lilies swayed in the wind, radiant and dreamlike, as if an immortal landscape had been painted into reality.
Guizhong sighed. "They are beautiful… but it's fine, I can always come back to visit!"
Gu Chen mused for a moment. "I was thinking of taking them with us, but since you say so—"
Before he could finish, Guizhong's eyes sparkled. "Take them! Take them!"
Gu Chen laughed. With a casual sweep of his hand, an invisible scroll unfurled in midair, capturing the entire flower field within it. The sea of blossoms vanished silently.
"How mysterious…" Guizhong murmured, unable to grasp the principle behind it.
"Anything else you want to bring?"
She thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"Then let's depart."
Mist gathered around them, forming a bed of clouds.
Guizhong curiously reached out to touch it—it was indeed a cloud. But when it began to rise and she realized they were flying, her eyes went wide.
"Wait, this is a cloud—why does it feel like solid ground?!"
"This is an immortal art—Riding Clouds and Mists. You'll learn it one day," Gu Chen said with a smile.
"This is way more fun than any contraption I've ever built!" Guizhong exclaimed in awe.
"Hold on tight."
The drifting cloud suddenly surged forward with astonishing speed.
"Ehhhhh?!"
[Paimon]: So that's immortal art?! Amazing! (shocked)
[Xingqiu]: His sleeve can fit three thousand people—that's a world within a sleeve! (stunned)
[Kaeya]: Flying on clouds like that? That's insane! Who needs horses when you can ride the wind? Forget being a Cavalry Captain—I'm going to be an Immortal Master! (mischievous grin)
[Venti]: I have a wind-riding technique too. Want me to teach you? (Hu Tao evil laugh)
[Dvalin]: Bro, how's he supposed to use wind power when his Vision's Cryo? You drunk again? (picks nose)
[Venti]: You just have to feel the wind, my friend. When your heart is calm, you'll sense the currents of the world—and then, you can ride them. Simple! (nods sagely)
[Heizou]: Before I got a Vision, that sounded like pure nonsense. But after getting an Anemo Vision… yeah, he's right. (smirk)
[Furina]: So the key is having an Anemo Vision, huh?! We Hydro users can't do that!! (pouting)
[Mona]: Now that I think about it, turning into water and flowing along the ground feels so… low-tier in comparison. (depressed)
[Ayaka]: …Suddenly, gliding over water doesn't sound all that elegant anymore. (frozen smile)
[Tighnari]: At least you have special movement abilities. What about us who just… walk? (shocked)
[Cyno]: …(Collei not responding)
[Kaveh]: Yeah! Cyno runs so much chasing criminals that his legs got leaner! (laughs)
[Cyno]: Where are you right now? (Duel mode activated)
Back in the video, Gu Chen and Guizhong returned to the mountains.
"This place has nice scenery," Guizhong observed. "But there are too many beasts here—no wonder humans don't live nearby."
"That will change, starting today."
Standing upon the clouds, Gu Chen gazed down at the towering peaks wreathed in mist. With a wave of his hand, endless clouds surged in like a roaring sea, cascading down the mountains like waterfalls.
The sight left Guizhong awestruck—but when the storm of clouds subsided, she realized the mountains had become gentler, the air more harmonious.
The commotion drew the attention of many beasts—and of Cloud Retainer herself.
The monsters hesitated, but a single glance from Gu Chen sent them fleeing.
Cloud Retainer alighted upon the cloud and bowed deeply. "Senior."
"Whoa, a talking bird!" Guizhong exclaimed in amazement.
Cloud Retainer gave her a sidelong look and ignored her.
"It's been a while," Gu Chen said. "How is your cultivation going?"
"The immortal arts are profound and difficult to grasp," she admitted humbly. "There are many things I still do not understand."
"That's natural," Gu Chen said kindly. "I intend to open a sect here—to teach the arts of longevity and the ways of self-protection."
Cloud Retainer's eyes widened. "Senior, you mean to… found a sect?!"
"Indeed."
"Then… may I become your disciple?" she asked, both nervous and hopeful.
Gu Chen smiled. "Of course."
Her eyes shone with joy.
Soon after, Gu Chen began reshaping the terrain. With immortal arts, palatial structures rose from mist and mountain, grand and ethereal as if heaven itself had descended to earth.
After half a day's work, he released the three thousand mortals from his sleeve.
These early humans were blank slates—they had yet to form even the most basic worldview.
Gu Chen selected a few dozen of the brightest among them, sent forth avatars to teach them reading and writing, instilling morality and understanding, and in turn had them educate others.
For how could one comprehend the Scripture of Immortals without first knowing how to read?
Half a year has passed.
Now, every person could read. Gu Chen had also passed down knowledge of farming, weaving, mining, smelting—even those not immediately useful, he encouraged them to explore freely.
Then, one day—
"Immortal arts may seem profound, but at their core they are simply about understanding heaven and earth, knowing oneself; drawing in power and using it with purpose.
But like study itself, talent determines progress. Among these three thousand, eight hundred have the aptitude to walk this path. It's time they learned the Way."
He gathered the eight hundred, teaching them the Dao of Immortality.
A month later, when the first person cultivated even a faint wisp of spiritual energy—human destiny changed forever.
These eight hundred became known collectively as—
Outer Disciples of the Taixuan Sect!
[Venti]: So that's how the Scripture works! Drawing strength from within—it's a far purer path than relying on a Vision!
[Zhongli]: Indeed. It accords with the logic of nature itself.
[Raiden Ei]: I tried following the entry-level method in the video. Managed to gather a trace of energy—it's weak, but real. At this rate, mortals could rival gods one day! (nodding)
[Furina]: Wait—you all understood the scripture?! (Paimon shocked)
[Nahida]: You didn't? (Qiqi stealth watching)
[Furina]: I read it. I just… didn't understand it. (shrugs)
[Neuvillette]: …
[Kaeya]: @GuChen — Master! Sect Leader! I've cultivated a wisp of energy! Sorry, @Jean, I'm quitting as Cavalry Captain—I'm going to be an Immortal Master! (Hu Tao laughter)
[Jean]: …Kaeya.
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