With a flick of her cloud sleeve, space shattered before the eyes of everyone present.
The dark, profound opening of the void had just emerged, but it quickly became tinged with a layer of serene, white clouds.
Birdsong and the fragrance of flowers wafted from the opening.
A refreshing aroma, invigorating to the soul, entered everyone's nostrils.
Immediately, Zhongli and the others felt an indescribable, vast amount of elemental energy brewing within the celestial realm.
Even the occasional glimpses they caught caused their own elemental energy to become more active.
"Such rich elemental energy!"
Ganyu exclaimed in admiration. Jiang Yan smiled and said,
"You call it elemental energy? That's rather simplistic. What you perceive is merely a negligible element attribute within spiritual energy."
"Once you begin your formal cultivation, you will be able to sense a power more inclusive and vast than elemental energy. Elemental energy is just a minor branch within it."
"That would be spiritual energy."
"Spiritual energy is the foundation of cultivation and the essential energy source for cultivators."
"The more concentrated the spiritual energy, the better the cultivation environment. That's why I inscribed many spirit gathering formations in the Shushan Celestial Realm."
"Drawing spiritual energy from the Quantum Sea has been very effective."
"Now, the concentration of spiritual energy in the Shushan Celestial Realm is quite substantial."
"Even if you don't cultivate, living here long-term can extend your lifespan, enhance your physical strength, and eliminate fatigue."
"Spiritual energy has endless applications. You will understand once you start cultivating."
Upon hearing this, Ganyu felt a touch of envy.
"Spirit gathering formations? The methods of cultivators are truly amazing."
Jiang Yan turned his head and smiled warmly at Ganyu.
"If you start cultivating, with your talent, Ganyu, you will soon be able to inscribe spirit gathering formations yourself."
"Of course, if you need it, I can also inscribe one for you in your home or workplace now."
Ganyu's eyes immediately lit up, twinkling like stars as she looked at Jiang Yan.
"Really? Thank you, Jiang Yan!"
Lost in thought, Ganyu suddenly wondered if she should change into something nice before Jiang Yan arrived.
Jiang Yan didn't think that far ahead. He nodded slightly and stepped into the celestial realm.
"Everyone, follow me. The Shushan Celestial Realm is vast, and the Seven Peaks are not easy to navigate. Plus, I released quite a few fierce beasts as trials yesterday."
"It would be quite dangerous if you accidentally get lost."
Everyone thought about what Alice had said yesterday - how Jiang Yan had captured so many demons in one breath.
They twitched their lips and followed more closely.
Quite dangerous?
It's probably extremely dangerous!
Even if Zhongli got lost, he might not come back in one piece.
Imagine walking around a corner and bumping into a demon.
Even Zhongli might be left with some psychological trauma.
And...
In this place with such abundant spiritual energy, wouldn't those demons become even stronger?
If those demons were to escape the celestial realm by accident, wouldn't that be a catastrophe for Liyue?
As these thoughts ran through his mind, a sense of worry began to well up in Zhongli's heart.
Jiang Yan naturally noticed what Zhongli was worried about and readily reassured him,
"Don't worry, those fierce beasts, though I brought them to the celestial realm, are forbidden from leaving unless their strength surpasses mine. "
"Even if they leave, their souls are bound by the soul-binding curse I inscribed. Even if they become stronger than me, I can still control them."
"Naturally, I would have taken every precaution before bringing such ferocious beasts here."
Upon hearing this, Zhongli was relieved, and he suddenly became somewhat interested in Jiang Yan's so-called soul-binding curse.
"The soul-binding curse is..."
Jiang Yan fell silent for a moment, as if hesitant to speak. He mumbled,
"It's a rather insidious method. Those controlled by the soul-binding curse will remain under its control for their entire lives, unless they destroy their soul foundation and undergo a complete transformation."
"Otherwise, they will be forever bound by the curse."
"You don't need to know too much. This kind of curse is typically used to deal with wicked demons."
"In the past, the Shushan Demon-Suppressing Tower imprisoned countless wicked demons. Naturally, some means were necessary to control them."
Zhongli nodded slightly without asking further.
It sounded like a demonic cultivation technique, but he didn't see a problem with it.
Magic has no inherent good or evil; it depends solely on how the user employs it.
Zhongli trusted Jiang Yan's nature.
It's just a pity...
He couldn't bring himself to ruthlessly control the likes of Ruotuo with this curse.
He wanted Ruotuo to regain his sanity, not to become a controlled puppet.
However, there are likely many such techniques within Shushan.
Zhongli was not in a hurry.
"Alright, let's go in."
Jiang Yan turned to Ningguang and the others, speaking softly,
"Will your army be joining us?"
Ningguang pondered for a moment and replied softly,
"Would it be disruptive to Shushan's tranquility if the army were to enter?"
"That won't be a problem. Shushan is vast. We won't lack space for a few people."
Ningguang bowed slightly and said,
"In that case, we'll leave it to you, Mr. Jiang Yan."
Jiang Yan waved his hand, and the portal to the celestial realm expanded by half.
"Follow me."
With that, Jiang Yan stepped into the celestial realm first.
Then, everyone crossed the celestial realm portal one by one. After a while, the large group of people from Jueyun Karst disappeared from this world and entered the Shushan Celestial Realm.
After a momentary blur of darkness, everyone was suddenly greeted by a clear, open vista.
Even the well-traveled Zhongli couldn't help but gape in wonder at the world spread before them.
Ningguang and the others were more composed, merely rubbing their eyes in disbelief.
As for the Liyue Qixing soldiers, each of them stood with their mouths agape, as if dumbstruck.
The place where they emerged was a towering cliff.
Ahead of the cliff was a jade gate that seemed to reach towards the heavens.
The two gateposts were simple, without any elaborate patterns.
Only at the very top, practically blending with the sea of clouds, did the lintel bear two large characters inscribed in bold, ancient script, written with an iron pen and silver hook.
Shushan!
They didn't recognize these characters, but anyone who saw them for the first time could instantly understand their meaning.
It was probably another manifestation of a cultivator's power.
This cliff was extremely high. Looking down, all they could see were layers of mist.
Yet, even at this height, as far as the eye could see,
seven mountain peaks stood, their summits completely obscured from view.
They stood tall and majestic, reaching for the sky.
Layers of white clouds, like an endless sea, rolled and surged, crashing against those seven peaks.
A great sun hung suspended atop the middlemost peak.
It was like a brilliant pearl growing from the summit.
The clear, resonant calls of cranes echoed. From the cloud sea, a group of white cranes, larger than their ordinary counterparts, emerged.
Trails of clouds followed in their wake.
They flapped their wings languidly, circling aimlessly.
As far as the eye could see, the world was enveloped in a boundless sea of clouds.
It felt like being in a world of white.
"A heavenly abode! A true heavenly abode!"
Liu Yun gripped her fists excitedly. Compared to this celestial realm, her own abode and even all of Jueyun Karst seemed so ordinary.
The minimalist world of cloud seas, the arrayed white cranes, the towering Seven Peaks.
Suddenly, Liu Yun understood what kind of cultivation environment a true immortal should seek.
Ganyu came to her senses. Taking a deep breath,
she felt her elemental energy flow endlessly, stronger than ever. With every breath she took, the air seemed to contain unimaginable energy.
Ningguang pursed her lips and said softly,
"This is truly the dwelling of a true immortal. Even just breathing, I feel my Vision's elemental energy constantly growing and becoming more refined.
"There's even some leaking elemental energy constantly entering my body, transforming my physique..."
"If I lived here for a year, I can't imagine how strong I would become."
"Mr. Jiang Yan, is this celestial realm really something you built in one day, all by yourself?"
Jiang Yan smiled warmly and turned to face the group.
The wind from the cloud sea gently blew through his long hair, making his carefree and elegant demeanor even more pronounced.
"Welcome to the Shushan Celestial Realm!"