Hearing Jiang Yan's question, everyone fell silent, then turned to look at Zhongli.
The latter, for a moment, didn't know what to say.
To say that they wanted to join Mount Shu seemed too eager, especially since they had only learned about cultivation a day ago.
But to say that they didn't want to join Mount Shu…
Not to mention whether Jiang Yan would think, if you don't want to join Mount Shu, why did you come here today to bother me and watch me?
Moreover…
The wonders of cultivation were clear for all to see, it was simply impossible to refuse.
Seeing Zhongli silent for a long time, Jiang Yan laughed:
"Morax Daoist, are you perhaps hesitant because it's too soon, and you haven't had time to think it over?"
Zhongli hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Jiang Yan laughed dryly and shook his head, saying:
"I think, Morax Daoist, you seem to be overthinking this."
Zhongli was stunned, looking at Jiang Yan with confusion.
The latter said:
"I can sense that, Morax Daoist, you already have the thought of joining Mount Shu in your heart."
"Your concern is that you have only been exposed to cultivation for a day, and are already eager to join Mount Shu and cultivate."
"You don't understand everything yet, and it's hard to grasp what might happen next."
Zhongli remained silent for a while, then nodded.
"But why should there be such concern?"
Jiang Yan chuckled.
"In the world of cultivation, cultivation is not something widely known. Many secluded villagers have never heard of cultivation."
"But once a genius is born, and a cultivation sect comes to recruit disciples, they will still choose to join without hesitation."
"People won't give up the path to becoming stronger. If they find it, they will use everything to walk it."
"Morax Daoist, do you still remember the essence of cultivation?"
Zhongli pondered slightly, seemingly realizing something.
"It's…seeking the Dao."
"That's right."
Jiang Yan nodded.
"The essence of cultivation is seeking the Dao, using the mortal body to master the power of heaven and earth."
"Therefore, I can tell you directly, cultivation is bound to be filled with countless hardships and dangers, all kinds of dangers."
"But the more difficult it is, the stronger the cultivators will become."
"Every cultivator is someone with ambitions reaching the heavens."
"They are confident that they can overcome any danger. Of course, some are overconfident and become arrogant, and then perish."
"But even so, there are still countless talented individuals who embark on this path. Morax Daoist, do you know why?"
Zhongli seemed to understand, and softly said:
"Because they have things they want."
Jiang Yan smiled.
"Longer life, greater power, a position that allows them to command the world… "
"Whether they are forced onto the path, seeking revenge, or overcoming countless difficulties to seek the Dao and join a sect."
"I have seen too many such disciples in Mount Shu."
"Some seek the Dao only for revenge. But after truly getting their revenge, they didn't lose their drive to progress."
"They have experienced the feeling of controlling their own destiny, the beauty of eternal life."
"They cannot abandon cultivation."
"Greed is the instinct of all intelligent beings."
"Having gained some, they want more."
Zhongli sighed.
"People have many desires, and we archons, how can we escape from this mundane state?"
"So, they can't refuse cultivation!"
Jiang Yan declared:
"Want revenge? Cultivation gives you power."
"Want eternal life? Cultivation gives you time."
"Want to stand above millions? Cultivation can let you rule the world."
"Want to revive the dead, want your family reunited."
"Whether it's the 'Seventy-two Techniques of the Heavenly Gang' to bring the dead back to life, or other life-saving pills, it is all possible."
"Even stepping into the river of time in a small world to change everything, is possible."
"Everything in the world exists within the Dao, and cultivation is to seek your own Dao."
"Morax Daoist, what do you say?"
Jiang Yan looked at Zhongli with a smile, but there was a sense of helplessness in his heart.
Although he could easily recruit disciples with his strength, a simple wave of his hand would cause countless people to respond.
But disciples with exceptional talent like Zhongli and the others were not found everywhere. If they didn't want to join, he couldn't kidnap them, could he?
He was confident that Zhongli and the others couldn't refuse cultivation. Their hesitation now was simply because they were considering Liyue's future. Such a major decision couldn't be made hastily.
If they saw something good and chased after it without a second thought, he wouldn't be worthy of being the Geo Archon who carried the hopes of Liyue's people.
Every word he said, every move he made, every sip of wine he took, everything involved the fate of the nation, the future of countless people. Zhongli didn't have the right to make a decision casually.
Because his love for his people surpassed his love for himself.
Jiang Yan could simply cultivate at his leisure and wait for them to come knocking. But, in the depths of his mind, there was a feeling that told Jiang Yan that he needed to build Mount Shu as soon as possible, to make Mount Shu prosper as quickly as possible.
Then…
This seemed related to his future… and Mount Shu's past?
Jiang Yan was a bit unclear about this, but it was definitely right to build Mount Shu as soon as possible.
Previously, Jiang Yan had thought that Teyvat was full of geniuses. After all, he had found two individuals with special constitutions and a bunch of top-grade spiritual roots in just one day.
Even ordinary people would be good, but not that good.
But Jiang Yan had overestimated Teyvat.
Among the current Liyue Qixing, the best case scenario…
Was a three-spirit root individual.
Even those without spirit roots were accepted.
It seemed that ordinary people indeed had the opportunity to cultivate.
But true geniuses were still those who shone brightly in the original world game.
Perhaps…
Was it because the world favored them?
But it was quite unbelievable for a small world to produce so many geniuses.
Ultimately, the main force for Mount Shu's recruitment would still be those with strong presences.
Thinking about this, Jiang Yan sighed and said:
"So, have you made your decision?"
Before Zhongli could speak, this time, Ningguang spoke first.
"Mr. Jiang Yan, will you be recruiting disciples from other nations in Teyvat?"
"Naturally."
Jiang Yan nodded.
"The revival of Mount Shu is a long and arduous journey. Just Liyue alone cannot meet the needs of Mount Shu's revival."
"Even if all the geniuses in Teyvat were gathered together, they would probably only be enough to barely meet Mount Shu's development goals in the initial stages."
"In the past, when Mount Shu was prosperous, the lower realm Mount Shu Sword Sect recruited disciples from one hundred and eight middle thousand worlds."
"And the upper realm Mount Shu Immortal Sect recruited disciples from the entire great thousand world."
"Teyvat is now only a subsidiary small world of a middle thousand world. While it has many geniuses, it is probably not enough to meet Mount Shu's development needs."
"Later on, I may recruit disciples from other worlds."
"Is there a problem, Ms. Ningguang?"
Hearing this, Ningguang shook her head.
"None, thank you for answering my question, Mr. Jiang Yan."
After saying that, Ningguang subtly glanced at Zhongli.
Asking Jiang Yan's question was meant for Zhongli.
Since they had already decided to cultivate yesterday, there was no need to dwell on one or two days.
What if they delayed and people from other nations came first, and Jiang Yan recruited them first?
Liyue would be a step behind, and they would surely regret it later.
Not to mention, hadn't Alice already gone back to pick up Klee and was planning to come to Liyue?
Zhongli naturally understood Ningguang's urging.
He also realized he had overthought things.
Since he had already made up his mind, there was no need to hesitate for another day or two.
Immediately, Zhongli nodded and said:
"We came here today to represent Liyue, wishing Mount Shu a successful rebuilding."
"We also brought everyone here to see if they have the chance to join Mount Shu, to cultivate and seek the Dao. Is that alright?"
Jiang Yan smiled and surveyed everyone in the room.
Unknowingly, purple energy seemed to flow in his eyes.
After checking each of them, Jiang Yan, despite being prepared, was still amazed.
The person with the worst talent out of this group was an unnamed immortal.
Upper-grade Gold Spirit Root.
The ones with the best talent were Keqing with the Sword Body, Ningguang with the top-grade Earth Spirit Root, and Ping姥姥 with the top-grade Water Spirit Root.
Everyone who had a name, like Ningguang and the others, had excellent talents, one better than the next.
Even the unnamed immortals all had upper-grade Spirit Roots.
Teyvat was such a suitable place for cultivation.
Jiang Yan felt that it would be a waste of resources if Teyvat didn't cultivate.
He took a deep breath, then said:
"Truly a generation of geniuses. Your talents are simply born for cultivation."
Hearing Jiang Yan say this, everyone became quite excited.
Jiang Yan smiled, stood up, and said:
"If that's the case, then let's not waste any more time."
"Everyone, follow me to the Mount Shu Cave Heaven."