Hu Tao's reaction to learning that Zhongli was not only the acting First Seat of Longshou Peak but also the Geo Archon himself came swiftly.
It was a mix of realization and indignation.
She had long suspected Zhongli's identity—maybe some hidden adeptus.
But she never expected that her own thinking had been far too narrow.
This lazy man, eating and drinking for free every day, turned out to be the Geo Archon himself!
Now, the acting First Seat of Longshou Peak of Mount Shu!
The most infuriating part was…
Such a good thing as joining Mount Shu's cultivation, and Zhongli hadn't told her!
Hu Tao was furious, and decided from now on she wouldn't be paying any of Zhongli's bills.
The masses in Liyue Harbor were just as dumbfounded, though Tartaglia seemed to have realized something.
"No wonder Her Majesty wanted me to get close to Mister Zhongli… I didn't expect this…"
He shook his head. "Forget it, it doesn't matter anymore. Entering Mount Shu is what's important."
Quickly adjusting his mindset, Tartaglia stared intently at the high platform and the many powerful figures gathered around.
Blood surged with excitement—this was it!
These… these were all mighty cultivators!
Those awaiting the trial, upon seeing Zhongli and the others appear, even after learning that Zhongli was the Geo Archon, didn't dare to so much as breathe too loudly.
The silence was terrifying.
There was no helping it.
Every figure standing around radiated overwhelming strength.
Even those who were close friends, like Ningguang and Keqing, didn't dare to exchange looks.
Here and now, there were only two identities:
Mount Shu cultivators, and candidates awaiting the trial.
Each cultivator was different—
Librarian Lisa, whose aura carried a heavy, oppressive force from cultivating demonic arts.
Traveler Lumine, sharp as a sword, her sword intent soaring to the heavens.
Qin, surrounded by the phantoms of the Four Symbols; Diluc, seated upon a lotus platform like a vajra reborn; Baizhu, smiling faintly with a cauldron of pills in his hand…
Even these Mount Shu disciples alone gave the candidates a crushing pressure.
And beyond them, there were even more unknown figures.
All clad in the uniform Mount Shu robes, gazes coldly appraising the crowd.
"Those… seem to be Archons," Clorinde whispered to Furina.
Furina only gave a slight nod, saying nothing, her eyes fixed firmly on the three on the high platform.
Her heart was pounding with joy.
There was Zhongli, stern and calm, exuding authority without anger.
Venti, casually swigging from a wine gourd, looking tipsy.
And Alice, watching the crowd with a smile, occasionally nodding.
The aura of these three was unfathomable—like oceans without end.
Furina felt it instinctively:
In their presence, the so-called crisis of Fontaine amounted to nothing.
And yet… not long ago, these three had been no stronger than Archons.
Cultivation truly was the optimal path to resolve everything.
Still, a shadow of worry flickered in Furina's eyes.
She knew herself too well—if Focalors were to appear here, she would surely already have reached the level of Return-to-Void.
But her…
She glanced at Clorinde.
Five hundred years of acting alone… perhaps today that façade would finally be stripped away.
And oddly enough, this thought filled Furina with unprecedented relief.
After five centuries of playing someone else, maybe she could finally live as herself.
Zhongli did not immediately answer Ningguang.
Instead, his eyes swept across the crowd.
His gaze lingered briefly on Hu Tao's puffed-up, angry face—his heart heavy with resignation.
Once Hu Tao joined Mount Shu, peace would no longer be his.
After keeping this secret from her for so long, she was sure to be furious.
But for now, the opening ceremony came first.
Drawing back his gaze, Zhongli said softly:
"You've worked hard. Return to your posts."
"Yes!" Ningguang bowed, then rode her sword back to Bamboo Peak.
Keqing and Ganyu likewise returned to Tongtian Peak.
Zhongli rose tall and straight, bowing his hands toward the heavens.
"The preparations for the Opening Ceremony are complete. We respectfully welcome the arrival of the Sect Master!"
At once, all others followed his lead, faces solemn, hands folded in salute.
"We respectfully welcome the arrival of the Sect Master!"
Within the Grand Hall of the sect, Jiang Yan slowly opened his eyes, gazing downward.
In that instant, purple qi filled the skies for thousands of miles.
Blossoms of golden lotuses sprouted from the ground, heavenly flowers rained down from above.
Boundless visions ignited the skies of Mount Shu.
Gradually, in the heavens above, a pair of eyes appeared—eyes of heaven and earth themselves.
Within them, emotion was hard to read: judgment, perhaps, or gentle benevolence.
Yet under those eyes, everyone felt they had no secrets left.
Furina's heart trembled. She hurriedly lowered her head, but the gaze seemed to come from everywhere, making her body shiver.
"Good."
A warm male voice sounded, and the boundless purple qi converged into a single point.
Without a sound, Jiang Yan appeared upon the high platform.
He sat with a sweep of his sleeve, movements in perfect accord with heaven and earth.
Just by sitting there, it felt as though the weight of the entire world had descended.
Yet when one tried to sense it closely, there seemed nothing unusual.
His face was calm, the golden-violet mark at his brow shining brilliantly.
Handsome features, more like a refined young noble than a terrifying figure.
"Greetings, Sect Master."
Zhongli and the others bowed deeply.
The rest of the crowd quickly followed, imitating them.
"Greetings, Master of Mount Shu!"
Jiang Yan raised his hand slightly, a gentle force lifting everyone to their feet.
He said nothing.
All of Mount Shu fell silent.
Even drifting clouds and mountain winds stood still.
As though heaven and earth themselves were waiting for Jiang Yan to speak.
Finally, face to face with the legendary Sect Master of Mount Shu—the true great cultivator—
the people of Teyvat felt only a strange, almost laughable awe.
They had always wondered how they should act when they saw him, but now, before him, none dared to speak, nor even to raise their eyes.
Even Tartaglia, battle maniac that he was, felt no urge to challenge.
The difference was too vast, an unbridgeable gulf between lifeforms.
Sitting there, Jiang Yan made even the world itself seem to bow.
History itself seemed to circle at his feet.
After an eternity, Jiang Yan finally drew back his gaze.
The preparations for the Opening Ceremony were complete.
Not in vain had he revealed his full might for this first time.
He had shown them the boundless power of cultivation.
Feeling that oppressive gaze withdraw, countless people secretly sighed in relief.
Their backs were drenched in cold sweat.
But still, none dared speak, nor even exchange a glance.
Even those closest to him—Ganyu and the rest—were shaken.
For the first time, they grasped what it meant to stand at the peak of Return-to-Void.
It was the ultimate creation, and the ultimate destruction.
The near-limit of the human path to immortality.
Jiang Yan smiled lightly, his voice resounding across Mount Shu.
"Today, Mount Shu opens its gates. All who are here are people of fate."
"Each of you has different aspirations—immortality, everlasting life, plucking the stars, freedom, reviving the dead, defying fate…"
"Whatever it is you seek, Mount Shu has seen it all."
"But in the end, it all comes down to one—attaining immortality."
"Only by becoming an immortal can all desires be fulfilled."
"Mount Shu is the righteous pillar of the cultivation world. All of its disciples must vow to subdue demons and uphold justice."
"Those who stand here today are not evil-doers."
"But hear this: we will take only one thousand disciples. Most of you will leave empty-handed."
"Still, by coming here, you are fated with Mount Shu."
"This is Mount Shu's first Opening Ceremony in Teyvat. Thus, I will grant you all a chance of fortune…"
"Disciples as well, listen closely."
"Many thanks, Sect Master," Zhongli and the others said solemnly.
The crowd followed suit.
Jiang Yan nodded slightly, and began to recite:
"Human paths are small, the immortal path is vast, the ghost path rejoices, life's gate it guards…"
"The immortal path values life, the ghost path values death. The immortal path tends toward blessing, the ghost path toward calamity…"
…
A scripture of Mount Shu's most classic teachings flowed gently from his lips.
The words washed over everyone like a gentle stream.
Golden radiance flashed across the heavens, as though the world itself rejoiced.
But no one paid attention to that anymore.
The scripture drew all into deep serenity.
Furina's five centuries of anxiety dissolved.
Tartaglia's burning bloodlust calmed.
Collei's creeping Abyssal disease receded…
All across the crowd, hearts were opened.
For Zhongli and the other Mount Shu disciples, the gains were even greater.
In moments, their states of mind had ascended another step.
Jiang Yan spoke slowly, as though afraid they wouldn't grasp it.
But however slowly, the scripture still reached its end.
With a rising voice, he finished the final verse:
"All the heavens resound, my Way flourishes ever strong!"
Boom!
Zhongli and the others surged with spiritual force, rising to their feet.
Auras of Mount Shu cultivators interwove in the sky, radiating dazzling brilliance.
Faces solemn, they bowed toward the heavens.
"All the heavens resound, our Way flourishes ever strong!"
In that instant, the road to breakthrough was shortened once more.
Immortality lay not far, right before their feet.
Jiang Yan nodded in satisfaction.
This scripture had been passed down—not that he expected full comprehension, but even a little enlightenment would smooth their future paths.
And keep them from falling into evil.
His part in this was done.
As Sect Master, he need not linger over mere candidates.
Smiling, he turned to Zhongli.
"First Seat Zhongli, the rest of the Opening Ceremony I entrust to you, to First Seat Venti, and to Elder Alice."
Zhongli nodded.
"The Sect Master may rest assured."
Jiang Yan cast one final glance at the crowd below.
His figure blurred like mist, dissipating into nothingness.
As though all that had just happened was only a fleeting dream.
Many felt a pang of wistfulness.
The legendary Sect Master of Mount Shu—they had seen him, truly.
But only for a brief moment.
Then again, it was as expected.
When did a Sect Master have time to waste on a crowd of mortals?
Even elders needed appointments.
For them, whether or not they even passed the trial was uncertain.
To have seen him even once was more than enough to boast of for a lifetime.
The bearing of a true cultivator—it was breathtaking.
Though perhaps…
That one glimpse would inspire countless "love at first sight with the Sect Master" tales.
Zhongli turned, his voice carrying across the crowd:
"As acting First Seat of Longshou Peak, and as head of the Hall of Discipline, I, Zhongli, hereby declare—
The First Opening Ceremony of Mount Shu… officially begins!"
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