As Jiang Yan's voice fell, the entire great hall fell silent—even the sound of breathing seemed to vanish.
Everyone's eyes were fixed tightly on Klee. Alice wished she could answer in her daughter's stead.
Having read countless cultivation novels, she knew all too well what it meant to be the Sect Master's personal disciple.
It was the most central disciple of a cultivation sect—the top genius of the entire sect.
Even elders would have to treat such a disciple with respect.
They had only joined Mount Shu as ordinary disciples under the sect's name. But Klee… she was formally taking a master.
Between the titles of "Sect Master" and "Master," which was more important and intimate? The answer was obvious.
Moreover, Jiang Yan was a powerhouse at the late stage of Refining Spirit, Returning Void. With him as her master, Klee had basically latched onto an invincible thigh.
Even if all of Teyvat were to explode, nothing could touch her.
Klee becoming Jiang Yan's disciple far exceeded Alice's expectations.
She had originally only hoped for Klee to be accepted into a particular peak—even if it was only under a deputy teacher.
Alice anxiously looked at her daughter, nearly blurting out for her to agree immediately.
But Klee didn't really understand what "taking a master" meant. She only blinked her big eyes and curiously asked Jiang Yan:
"So… Klee has to call the big brother teacher? Will big brother also teach Klee how to make bombs?"
Jiang Yan chuckled helplessly and nodded.
"As the Sect Master's personal disciple, you can learn whatever you want. Once your cultivation has a foundation, all of Mount Shu's methods will be open to you."
"As the Sect Master's disciple, you won't need to make contributions to obtain resources. So long as you complete your daily cultivation, each month the sect will deliver the most suitable resources to you—completely free."
"So, little Klee, your only task is to cultivate—and become stronger."
Hearing this, Zhongli felt a little sour in his heart.
As the head of Longshou Peak, his resources were also given for free, but he still had to fulfill his peak's duties.
But the Sect Master's disciple? She didn't have to do anything—just sit and cultivate, and everything would come to her.
No wonder such disciples were groomed as future Sect Masters.
"Then… if Klee accepts big brother as teacher, can Klee still see mommy often?"
Jiang Yan glanced at Alice, who looked touched, and nodded gently.
"Your mother has become an elder of the Longshou Peak's Hall of Discipline. She will supervise the disciples' cultivation and conduct."
"So naturally, you will often meet."
"And since you are both in Mount Shu, as long as you finish your daily training, you can visit Alice whenever you like."
At that, Klee immediately brightened up, nodding excitedly.
"Klee is willing! Klee wants to be a big brother's student!"
"Disciple," Jiang Yan corrected, smiling warmly as he rubbed her head.
"From now on, you must call me Master."
"Okay! Master!"
Klee didn't understand what "Master" truly meant, but she trusted Jiang Yan completely.
At the very moment Klee called him Master, the system prompt appeared:
Crimson Emperor's Heaven-Burning Canon and Pure World Glazed Bottle received.
Unfortunately, despite Venti and the others joining the sect, and even the head of Morning Sun Peak returning to her position, it had not yet triggered the system's "Mount Shu Prosperity" reaction.
It seemed prosperity would not come simply by recruiting disciples.
Mount Shu's growth probably depended on all aspects:
The first time refining pills.
The first time forging artifacts.
And so on…
Regardless, it was a good start.
Jiang Yan beckoned Klee to sit beside him, then turned to Zhongli and gave him a nod.
Zhongli understood and rose, walking outside.
A moment later—boom, boom, boom!—three thunderous chimes of the great bell resounded throughout Mount Shu's domain.
Whether it was Ningguang and Madame Ping who were just moving resources, or Ganyu and others in the middle of cultivation, all raised their heads toward Tongtian Peak.
Zhongli's solemn voice, carried by the bell, spread across the sect:
"Three chimes of the bell—disciples, return at once."
"Today, the Sect Master has accepted a peerless genius. All disciples are to come witness the ceremony."
All over Mount Shu, the disciples were stunned.
The Sect Master… had taken a disciple?
That meant…
The Sect Master's personal disciple?
This was a momentous event that shook the entire sect. Everyone immediately dropped what they were doing and flew their swords toward Tongtian Peak.
Before long, Ganyu and the others rushed into the grand hall, wondering who had been accepted.
But as soon as they entered and saw Klee sitting sweetly by Jiang Yan's side, calling him Master in her soft little voice, realization dawned.
"Greetings, Sect Master. Greetings, Head Zhongli."
They bowed in unison. Jiang Yan raised his head and said:
"Today is a day worth commemorating Mount Shu. Venti has joined our sect and is now acting head of Morning Sun Peak, temporarily overseeing the Star-Picking Tower."
"Xueyue, as Morning Sun Peak's senior disciple, you must fully cooperate with Venti to restore the Star-Picking Tower and revive Mount Shu's path of formations."
Xueyue blinked, momentarily stunned at suddenly gaining a direct superior. But he had no objection to Venti's appointment.
Venti's strength spoke for itself, and he was also one of the first Archons and an old friend of Zhongli.
He had no reason to resist.
"I shall obey the Sect Master's decree. Morning Sun Peak disciple Xueyue greets Head Venti."
Venti scratched his head awkwardly, still not used to the feeling.
"I'll be relying on you, Xueyue."
Xueyue nodded seriously, saying no more.
Jiang Yan continued:
"Lisa has joined Great Bamboo Peak as its second disciple. Mountain Shaper, though you haven't been here long, you understand cultivation more than Lisa does. Please guide her well. Both of you must work to revive Mount Shu's alchemy."
Mountain Shaper bowed deeply.
"I obey the Sect Master's decree."
"Alice has joined Longshou Peak's Hall of Discipline as its elder, tasked with overseeing the sect's rules and cooperation among all divisions."
"Head Zhongli, I'll leave this to you."
Zhongli inclined his head slightly.
"Please rest assured, Sect Master."
Jiang Yan smiled, rubbing Klee's cheek before turning solemn.
"Lastly, I have formally accepted Klee as my personal disciple."
"Klee's talent is unmatched. With her Fire Spirit Body cultivating the Crimson Emperor's Heaven-Burning Canon, she can evolve into the Crimson Emperor's Heaven-Burning Body—one of the Divine Bodies."
"So I ask all disciples to look after her from now on."
Seeing how close Jiang Yan was with Klee, Ganyu and Ningguang felt a twinge of sourness.
In the end, a personal disciple truly was different.
But Klee was indeed extraordinary—both in talent and her adorable, well-behaved nature. They couldn't help but like her.
They greeted Klee warmly, and she happily waved back at them all, seemingly oblivious to the weight of her new identity.
Of course, that was understandable—she was still just a child.
After brief introductions, Jiang Yan left the practical matters to Ningguang and the others.
As for Klee's resources… She was his personal disciple. She wouldn't even need to go through the sect's treasury.
Suddenly, Ganyu spoke:
"Sect Master, when the other elders and heads switch to the path of cultivation, won't that trigger tribulation lightning? Will Mount Shu face two heavenly tribulations today?"
At this, Alice and Venti both grew uneasy.
They had already heard from Zhongli about tribulations.
They knew he had nearly lost his life crossing his own.
And now, they were at the same stage, without proper methods to help them survive.
Crossing a tribulation seemed nearly impossible.
That was the trouble of converting to cultivation—they were strong, and could immediately reach the Spirit Refining realm, but the tribulation was the problem.
But that was before Klee became his disciple.
Now… at least they had a safeguard.
"Shall we delay, Sect Master?" Zhongli asked softly.
Jiang Yan shook his head, turning his palm.
A crystal-clear jade bottle appeared in his hand, faintly glowing with divine light. At the mouth of the bottle, a sprig of green bamboo grew, lush and vibrant.
Under the sunlight, seven-colored radiance shimmered faintly.
The moment the Pure World Glazed Bottle appeared, a faint fragrance spread through the hall.
Instantly, everyone's spirits soared—their essence, energy, and spirit refreshed as their true essence began flowing faster than ever.
It was unmistakably a supreme treasure.
Even Jiang Yan himself was a little surprised.
This item… was even stronger than he had imagined.
"Master… what is this…?" someone asked cautiously.
"This is one of my treasures."
Jiang Yan spoke lightly. Seeing the curiosity in their eyes, he chose not to hide it.
"A top-grade artifact—the Pure World Glazed Bottle."
At this, the hall erupted in shock.
A top-grade artifact—that was only one step below an immortal artifact.
So far, the strongest item they had ever seen was only a spiritual artifact.
And now, suddenly—a treasure, and not just any, but a top-grade one.
If spiritual artifacts were already terrifying, then what was a treasure like?
None of them could even imagine.
Alice, however, after a moment of thought, spoke with a strange look:
"Pure World Glazed Bottle? That name sounds awfully familiar…"
Jiang Yan smiled faintly.
"So, you've also heard of the Pure World Glazed Bottle in another world."
Alice nodded, meeting everyone's gazes before explaining:
"The Pure World Glazed Bottle is said to be the treasure wielded by Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva of Buddhism."
"She is one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas, a supreme deity of Buddhism."
"Legend says the bottle holds the Three-Light Divine Water, a divine substance even rarer than anything in the Immortal Realm."
"Speaking of the Three-Light Divine Water… we can't avoid mentioning Sun Wukong, the Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi, and the Ginseng Fruit."
"That Ginseng Fruit tree was one of the Ten Supreme Innate Spiritual Roots, born at the dawn of the Great Dao itself."
"It's said the fruit, also called 'Herbal Elixir,' bloomed once every three thousand years, bore fruit after three thousand more, and only ripened after another three thousand. In ten thousand years, it produced only thirty fruits."
"One whiff could grant three hundred and sixty years of life. Eating one extended life by forty-seven thousand years."
"It could revive the dead and regrow flesh on bones—calling it miraculous medicine is an understatement. For cultivators, a single fruit could mean instant ascension."
"And yet… Sun Wukong broke it."
At this, Alice paused and glanced at the gentleman. He only smiled faintly, eyes deep.
Alice understood.
So that event had truly happened—but the story must have had deeper layers, perhaps a game between mighty beings.
After all, with a spiritual root born before heaven and earth, Zhenyuanzi must have been a Great Luo Immortal.
How could Sun Wukong, a mere Golden Immortal, destroy it?
Still, Alice wasn't interested in such mysteries—they were far beyond her reach.
"What happened after that?" Keqing asked curiously, clearly fascinated by the tale.
"Afterwards…" Alice thought for a moment, then continued softly:
"According to the records of Journey to the West, Sun Wukong sought Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, begging her to intervene."
"The Bodhisattva used the Three-Light Divine Water within the Pure World Glazed Bottle to revive the spiritual root."
At this, everyone's eyes turned once more to Jiang Yan's Pure World Glazed Bottle, filled with renewed awe.
This treasure… was far more extraordinary than they had imagined.
Mount Shu's foundations… seemed almost too deep.
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