“Liuyun!”
Zhongli’s voice carried a hint of anger.
Liuyun immediately shrunk her head, remaining silent.
Zhongli sighed, helplessly saying,
“Liuyun was frightened by Jiang Daoist’s abilities earlier. Don't take her words to heart, they were just angry words.”
Ningguang and the others knew Liuyun’s character. They wouldn't take her words seriously.
Silence hung in the air at the Yujing Terrace for a while before Ningguang sighed.
“If so, I believe there’s only one path we can take.”
“We must cultivate this Xian!”
Hearing this, everyone looked at Ningguang with a touch of surprise. She spoke softly,
“Since we cannot control him, nor can we restrain him, then creating a common benefit is the only way to maintain a relationship.”
“As the Di Jun said, Mr. Jiang currently needs to rebuild Mount Shu and recruit disciples.”
“We will send people to help with the rebuilding and join Mount Shu.”
“Even if there are any issues, considering the disciples who have joined Mount Shu, Mr. Jiang will have some reservations.”
“In this way, we can also obtain the power of cultivation.”
“Putting aside other aspects, if cultivation is as Mr. Jiang described, it is undeniably powerful. This is also Liyue’s chance to transcend Teyvat.”
Zhongli nodded thoughtfully.
“So, you support Liyue’s cultivation.”
Ningguang gave a wry smile.
“I can only support it. There’s no other way.”
Zhongli turned to the others.
“What are your opinions?”
Keqing, arms crossed, sat in her chair, her head lowered in a sense of loss.
“For such a powerful person, if we can’t defy him, we can only follow him. Do we have any other choices?”
Tian Shu, sitting beside her, chuckled and played the role of mediator.
“On the bright side, it’s not a bad thing. At the very least, our Liyue will be stronger, won’t it?”
“Let’s take it one step at a time. Although it’s somewhat pessimistic, this is the only decision we can make at the moment, isn’t it?”
Even if the others had their own reservations, they could only agree at this point.
The other immortals didn’t have any opinions of their own.
They were excellent at fighting, but when it came to decision-making.
They were helpless.
It was better to think about the benefits of cultivation than these matters.
It was ironic.
A group of immortals were going to the domain of an outsider to learn cultivation.
It seemed they had all been cultivating wrongly.
“Since this is the case, then there’s no need to be indecisive.”
Seeing that everyone had no objections, Zhongli made the final decision.
“From today onwards, Liyue will officially embark on a cultivation plan, but it will not be widely promoted in the early stages.”
“Firstly, to prevent any unforeseen circumstances and minimize losses. Secondly, not everyone can cultivate.”
After careful consideration, everyone agreed that Zhongli’s current arrangement was the best decision.
“I will bring a group of people to discuss with Jiang Daoist tomorrow after testing their aptitudes.”
“Secondly, all you immortals must remember, do not refer to yourselves as Xian in front of Jiang Daoist.”
Zhongli paused, seriously looking at the immortals.
“As he said, Mount Shu perished due to numerous disputes among Da Luo. Da Luo are inherently born deities.”
“However, all of you immortals have reached the Refining Essence stage. You are all beings born from the heavens and earth of Teyvat.”
“If you refer to yourselves as Xian, it’s bound to remind him of the past and cause displeasure.”
The immortals looked at each other, but Zhongli’s orders were their will.
They would not disobey.
“Di Jun, one more thing.”
Keqing suddenly spoke up.
“The other seven nations have different opinions about today’s tribulation in Liyue, and many people are contacting us.”
“How should we respond?”
After a moment of silence, Zhongli said softly,
“Try to suppress it. Cultivation is not yet a certainty, we’ll talk about it after we investigate.”
“If something happens, only Liyue will suffer, and we are not so low as to drag all of Teyvat down with us.”
“If nothing happens, it will naturally be a happy outcome for everyone. Liyue can also accelerate its pace and take the lead in the world of cultivation.”
As the god of Liyue, Zhongli naturally prioritized Liyue in such matters.
“Also, Mr. Jiang mentioned that mortals in the world of cultivation can practice martial arts…”
Keqing asked again, speaking softly,
“It may be nothing to him, but for Liyue, its strategic significance is too great.”
“If all the Qixing troops can practice martial arts, Liyue’s military strength will increase exponentially.”
“Our basic strength will also become the strongest in all of Teyvat.”
“Di Jun, is there a chance?”
Hearing this, Ningguang and the others also looked expectantly at Zhongli.
Since they had decided on cultivation, they would not consider any other drawbacks.
Whether it’s good or bad, they could become stronger now, so why wait?
Zhongli was also somewhat uncertain about this.
After a moment of contemplation, he said softly,
“Although Jiang Daoist mentioned martial arts, his attitude was somewhat casual, not taking it to heart, but it’s still the foundation of another world.”
“We can try. If our relationship is good, perhaps Jiang Daoist would be willing to share his knowledge.”
Although he did not give a definite answer, this was already very good in the current situation.
Keqing didn't expect more, she nodded and didn't say anything else.
“Since there are no other questions, the matter of cultivation is settled. Now…”
Zhongli paused, reaching behind him to take out the Xuan Yuan Mirror.
“Let’s test everyone’s aptitude.”
“Earlier, I tested the aptitude of all the immortals at Jiang Daoist’s place, and the results were good. I’m not sure if the same applies to you.”
“If your aptitudes are also good, cultivation will progress rapidly. The more people who join Mount Shu, the closer the relationship between Liyue and Mount Shu.”
Hearing this, Ningguang and the others perked up.
Regardless, cultivation, immortality, and eternal youth.
They couldn’t refuse this.
Who among those with short lifespans wouldn’t desire immortality?
Even if they didn’t need it now, they would long for it at some point in their lives.
Ningguang and the others, while they valued Liyue, could not escape the shackles of longing for immortality.
But for now, Ningguang had to consider it from Liyue’s standpoint.
For example…
The so-called Xuan Yuan Mirror.
“Di Jun, is this the Xuan Yuan Mirror that Mr. Jiang condensed?”
Ningguang looked at Zhongli with anticipation. Naturally, he understood her thoughts and simply handed the Xuan Yuan Mirror to her.
“It’s said to be able to examine the nine heavens above and the vast seas below, a boundless world, nothing is beyond its reach?”
Ningguang excitedly examined the Xuan Yuan Mirror. This thing was simply unbelievable.
Having this, wouldn’t it mean that all of Teyvat held no secrets in Liyue’s eyes?
Ningguang felt it was utterly absurd deep down.
Even Zhongli could only rely on the authority of the Geo Archon and the Geo Gnosis to survey within Liyue.
Could an object formed from genuine energy accomplish this?
If true, this object’s strategic significance to Liyue was too great.
Furthermore, it was said that this mirror also possesses the power to kill gods?
Ningguang truly doubted it.
“Since it’s what Jiang Daoist said, it shouldn’t be false. He’s not the type to talk nonsense.”
Zhongli shook his head and said softly,
“Moreover, there is indeed a curse sealed within this mirror. When I examined it earlier, that curse gave me a strong sense of danger.”
“As if a single curse could kill me.”
“But this mirror is ultimately not a weapon, it can only be used once and then disappears.”
“Its true use is to examine aptitude and inspect the world.”
“It shouldn’t be used against enemies unless necessary, otherwise it would be a loss for Liyue.”
“I’m also not comfortable asking Jiang Daoist for another one.”
Ningguang nodded in agreement.
After a moment of contemplation, she asked in confusion,
“How do you use this mirror?”
Zhongli was taken aback. He was clearly a little embarrassed.
After a moment of thought, he said uncertainly,
“I imagine it’s powered by special energy? It’s a mirror built from special energy after all.”
Ningguang nodded slightly, channeling some elemental power into the mirror.
The next moment, the mirror suddenly erupted with a thick, earthy golden light, transforming into a foot-high pillar of light that merged into Ningguang’s body.
“What is this?”
Ningguang was a little dazed.
She originally intended to observe Liyue.
Zhongli opened his mouth, his emotions a mix of complexities as he said,
“It seems I was wrong. This is the way to test aptitude.”
“Test aptitude? Does that mean I have a spiritual root?”
Ningguang asked in confusion.
Zhongli remained silent for a moment, then nodded.
Now he somewhat understood Jiang Yan’s feelings.
Ningguang’s pillar of light was only slightly inferior to his own.
In other words…
“Top-grade Geo Spiritual Root…”
Ridiculous!