Inside the Sect's Grand Hall.
After watching all the chaos unfold in the Sutra Pavilion, Jiang Yan shook his head helplessly.
"These disciples… their affinities truly are peculiar."
Zhongli raised a brow and spoke softly:
"It seems this batch of new disciples are not easy to handle."
"Rather, none of Mount Shu's inner disciples are ever easy to handle," Jiang Yan replied with a chuckle. Then he continued:
"First Seat Zhongli, summon all the inner disciples. I happen to have something to discuss with everyone."
Zhongli gave a slight nod, rose to his feet, and left the hall to transmit his summons. He had matters of his own to arrange anyway—nothing major, and he'd planned to report to Jiang Yan afterward. Now that everyone would be gathered, he could handle it in front of Ningguang and the others, saving himself some trouble.
Jiang Yan watched him go, then slowly raised his hand.
In his palm appeared a wondrous, resplendent little pagoda.
The Tricolored Exquisite Pagoda.
Among all his spiritual artifacts, this was the one Jiang Yan favored most at present.
This treasure could even nurture other artifacts.
It had a touch of the legendary Primal Chaos Exquisite Pagoda about it—though of course, it was far from comparable.
With a casual toss, the pagoda floated above Jiang Yan's head.
At once, auspicious clouds billowed forth from its tip.
Within those clouds, countless artifacts soared and wheeled.
A scroll spread itself wide, lazily drifting in circles.
Several ornate swords turned into streaks of light, darting to and fro.
A great cauldron hovered serenely, drawing in the cloud's essence.
There were also strange banners, blades, jewels, seals, inner armors…
All kinds of treasures, so many and so dazzling that the Grand Hall blazed with radiance.
Their forms were varied and wondrous—but one thing was the same:
Every single one was, at minimum, a top-grade spiritual artifact.
The Tricolored Exquisite Pagoda itself was half a step into the realm of treasure artifacts. With proper nurturing…
Thinking this, Jiang Yan extended his palm again.
A jade-like vase appeared, a fresh green branch placed in its mouth.
Vigorous vitality radiated out, stirring the other artifacts into liveliness.
Several flew down, drawn toward the vase—
But when the Purifying Glazed Bottle trembled, brilliant light bursting forth, the swarm of artifacts panicked, scattering back into the clouds.
Jiang Yan let out a laugh and tapped the vase lightly.
"Arrogant little thing."
The vase quivered as if declaring: it had the right to be arrogant.
And Jiang Yan did not argue. After all, this was the only treasure artifact he possessed—and not just any, but a top-grade treasure artifact.
Just one step short of becoming an Immortal Artifact.
Arrogant or not, it was fitting. In the past, such a treasure would only be wielded by cultivators at the Union of Void and Dao Realm.
It was only Jiang Yan's innate Dao Body that made it submit.
Even a peak Divine Physique at the Return-to-Void stage would not have been acknowledged by it.
Outside the Grand Hall came the sound of countless footsteps.
Soon, Zhongli arrived with all the inner disciples.
Venti and Alice also came along to join the fun.
Today, the Grand Hall was livelier than ever.
"Master…"
The disciples bowed in greeting—but the sight before them made every pair of eyes widen, dazzled by Jiang Yan's display.
"Good heavens… am I seeing this right?"
Tartaglia rubbed his eyes, muttering under his breath:
"So many artifacts? Is the Sect Master really this wealthy?"
Baizhu, after an initial pause, accepted it with calm understanding. He gave a small nod and said matter-of-factly:
"Strictly speaking, these are spiritual artifacts—and from the looks of them, all top-grade at the very least. For the Master of Mount Shu to have such a foundation is only natural."
Yae Miko blinked, eyes fixed on Jiang Yan, her mind burning with a heretical thought.
If she could somehow "conquer" Jiang Yan…
Wouldn't she strike it rich?
Just the scraps slipping through his fingers were spiritual artifacts!
Jiang Yan noticed their arrival, inclined his head slightly, and said:
"One moment."
Then he plucked out the willow branch set in the Purifying Glazed Bottle. A few crystalline drops of water followed.
The instant they appeared, the entire hall was flooded with overwhelming vitality.
Verdant essence, almost tangible—just one breath made everyone feel incomparably refreshed, as if their lifespans had been lengthened.
All eyes followed Jiang Yan as he waved the willow branch toward the hovering artifacts.
Most of the drops flowed into the delicate pagoda; the rest landed precisely on each artifact.
At once, the artifacts' spiritual aura surged, their brilliance shining even brighter.
Hu Tao swallowed hard and muttered:
"What is that stuff…? It feels like just a sip could grant immortality."
"It's not just a feeling."
Alice, who once survived her tribulation thanks to the vase, smiled knowingly.
"That water extends life, heals all illnesses, erases even wear and curses. A single drop works miracles."
"That is one of the top divine waters of the cultivation world—Heavenly Primordial Water. To revive the dead and regrow flesh and bone is trivial for it."
"Back when Venti and I faced our tribulation, lightning nearly killed us. But with this divine water, we instantly returned to full strength."
Eyes widened all around.
"So powerful? Then that vase must be…" Hu Tao gasped.
Ganyu's eyes curved with pride.
"A top-grade treasure artifact—the Purifying Glazed Bottle."
"Treasure artifact?" Furina tilted her head, confused. She hadn't even heard of this rank.
"The hierarchy of magical tools is: implements, spiritual artifacts, treasure artifacts," Ganyu explained patiently.
"And top-grade treasure artifacts are the ultimate goal of most cultivators."
"Beyond that lies the legendary Immortal Artifacts."
Even though they had long suspected Jiang Yan's wealth, the truth still shocked them.
A top-grade treasure artifact…
That was equivalent to the ultimate weapon of a Union-of-Void cultivator.
Jiang Yan's foundation was simply absurd.
But he ignored their awe, quietly watching as his artifacts absorbed the Heavenly Water.
Especially the Tricolored Exquisite Pagoda.
Having taken the lion's share, its might now swelled immensely.
It was as though it were about to take that first step into becoming a true treasure artifact.
"Just a few rare materials to reforge it… and it can become a treasure artifact."
Jiang Yan nodded with satisfaction.
The vase deserved his praise.
It didn't just save lives—it was also unparalleled in evolving artifacts.
If even this replica was so formidable, one could only imagine how terrifying the true vase in Guanyin Bodhisattva's hand must be.
No wonder it was once said to revive the Ginseng Fruit Tree.
Even if that tale had its controversies, it still proved the vase's might.
Jiang Yan put the Purifying Glazed Bottle away, leaving the artifacts overhead to continue basking in the divine water.
How much they absorbed was their own fortune.
Then he lowered his gaze to Furina and the others below, smiling lightly.
"Disciples, be seated."
They all collected their thoughts, bowed, and replied:
"Thank you, Master!"
They quickly found their seats.
Jiang Yan swept his calm gaze across the hall, finally settling on Furina.
"Your harvests in the Sutra Pavilion were impressive… especially you, Furina."
"Do you realize you found the greatest opportunity on the first floor?"
The hall fell silent.
Ganyu and the others looked at Furina in disbelief.
They hadn't known this—when Furina emerged, Zhongli had immediately summoned everyone here. There hadn't been time to ask.
But if Jiang Yan himself called it the greatest opportunity, then it was unimaginable indeed.
Furina's heart leapt, but she composed herself and bowed.
"Master flatters me. But indeed, this disciple has many questions I wish to ask."
Jiang Yan chuckled softly.
"About the Heavenly Mandate: God-Sealing Art, no doubt."
"Yes, Master. Your insight is unmatched."
Her eyes shone as she gazed at him. What exactly lay behind them—mere curiosity, or something else—was hard to say.
Jiang Yan pondered briefly, then spoke:
"The Heavenly Mandate: God-Sealing Art chooses only a single master. So long as you live, it will never appear again."
"As for why…"
He closed his eyes, recalling the information from the jade talisman, then said slowly:
"In truth, the art is not a technique at all, but the embodiment of Royal Dao."
"Royal Dao?" Furina blinked, feeling she had stumbled upon something extraordinary.
Jiang Yan continued:
"The so-called Heavenly Mandate: God-Sealing Art originates from the Upper Realm—it is a Spirit Transformation, a manifestation of the Royal Dao."
"It can be called a divine ability, or even an immortal art. But at its core—it is Royal Dao incarnate."
With just those few words, everyone understood the treasure Furina had acquired.
In an age where not even immortal arts were found outside Jiang Yan's hands, she had gained a manifestation of Royal Dao from the Upper Realm.
Even Ganyu felt a twinge of envy at her luck.
"Master, if this art is truly the embodiment of Royal Dao, why would it appear on the first floor of the Sutra Pavilion?"
Ningguang frowned, regretting her countless visits to the pavilion where she had never once found it.
Jiang Yan caught her thought and laughed softly.
"The Heavenly Mandate: God-Sealing Art cannot be cultivated by just anyone. Without the mandate of a king, it cannot even be found."
"It is a formless art, without rank. At its peak, it surpasses Golden Immortal divine abilities, brushing the level of Taiyi. At its lowest, it may not even reach Yellow Rank."
"Royal Mandate is rare beyond compare. Countless emperors of the cultivation world never possessed it."
"The art was left behind precisely to be inherited. Were it placed higher in the Pavilion, it might never find its destined master."
"You all have entered the Pavilion many times without encountering it—proof you lacked the mandate, and were not chosen."
"But when Furina appeared, bearing the Royal Mandate, the art revealed itself. It even called to the others present—so there would be witnesses when a new King was born."
Everyone clicked their tongues in amazement, casting astonished glances at Furina.
The Hydro Archon of Fontaine—fated to become Fontaine's King.
Strange as it sounded, her will made it believable.
She bore the mandate, after all.
"Master, then… is this art the strongest technique on the first floor?" Keqing asked curiously.
Jiang Yan gave a small nod.
"Even placed on the second floor, it would still be the strongest."
"The Heavenly Mandate: God-Sealing Art has growth that surpasses Golden Immortal divine powers, approaching Taiyi itself."
"But for that very reason, it is also the most difficult to cultivate."
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