The commotion on Mount Shu ultimately had to do with Jiang Yan's private matters. Aside from those who harbored feelings for him, people like Zhongli didn't really have much to say.
It wasn't the sort of thing one could spectate for fun.
No matter what happened, the wisest course was to pretend nothing had occurred.
But what happened in Liyue Harbor—that was something that shook all of Teyvat.
Through the deliberate spread of word by Ningguang and others, the news that the legendary Mount Shu Sect Master himself would attend this Rite of Descension spread like wildfire.
Mount Shu Sect disciples out in the world naturally rushed to be present.
For three days straight, the skies above Liyue Harbor glittered with streaks of flying swords, dazzling to the eye.
Over a thousand outer disciples, plus several thousand servant disciples, all poured into the city.
To the common folk of Teyvat, there was no difference—outer or servant, they were all Mount Shu Sect people, all cultivators.
But to those disciples themselves, this was a rare chance. Since joining Mount Shu Sect, they had perhaps seen Jiang Yan only once or twice. In the future, such chances would be rarer still. After all, he was the Sect Master—an existence at the peak of Nascent Soul Returning-to-Void stage. Even inner disciples could not simply meet him at will.
A living legend, the highest tier of cultivator. If in this brief encounter they could receive even a word of guidance, wouldn't that be a great fortune?
A few sharp-minded individuals also noticed that Jiang Yan seemed to have especially close ties with Liyue.
Some lone wanderers had already begun reaching out to Liyue.
Of the Seven Nations, Liyue clearly had the strongest relationship with Mount Shu Sect. While mundane states could not provide cultivators with spirit stones or techniques, Jiang Yan's teaching still rang true:
Wealth, Partner, Method, Ground—these four were indispensable to the path of immortality.
Wealth meant spirit stones—beyond the reach of mortals.
Method and ground—only Mount Shu Sect had those.
But partners? Those could be fellow cultivators, people walking the same road, supporting one another.
And wouldn't you know—Liyue had the most cultivators. Inner disciples, even a Peak Seat.
By that logic, joining hands with Liyue was a good move.
Especially with the Great Nine Nether Secret Realm Expedition only a month away—how could those who hadn't even formed Qi hope to explore alone? Teaming up was the safest path.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs of Liyue was delighted. Whether outer disciples or servant disciples, they welcomed them all warmly with generous incentives. They understood well: the future of Teyvat would be decided by who held the most cultivators.
Mount Shu Sect itself stood aloof from mortal struggles, disinterested in worldly rivalries. Which meant Liyue could rightfully contend for the title of the greatest mortal nation under Mount Shu Sect's shadow.
Today's Rite of Descension was already the grandest in memory, even grander than any recorded in the annals.
The streets were ablaze with lanterns, the city thrumming with festive cheer.
Partly, it was because Rex Lapis—the current Mount Shu Sect Dragon-Head Peak Seat, Zhongli—would appear.
But above all—
the Sect Master himself would come.
The celebration surpassed even Lantern Rite.
How would the people of Liyue feel, knowing this magnificent festival was actually Zhongli's abdication ceremony?
In the past few days, countless others also hurried toward Liyue Harbor. Not just Mount Shu Sect disciples eager to glimpse Jiang Yan, but people from all nations, drawn by curiosity about this "strongest cultivator of legend."
In just three days, Liyue's visitor numbers reached unprecedented heights.
Meanwhile, activity by Fatui, Treasure Hoarders—even the Abyss Order—had all but vanished. After all, with the Sect Master of Mount Shu Sect attending, anyone who tried causing trouble risked annihilation.
As for the Tsaritsa, if Zhongli hadn't asked her to release Osial, she might have spent these days Mount Shut in the Northland Bank herself.
At the gates of Liyue Harbor—
Furina and Clorinde descended on their swords, bringing Neuvillette and Focalors at last.
For Neuvillette and Focalors, it was their first time riding flying swords. The speed and sensation astonished them—it was truly exhilarating.
The only drawback: their swords were being controlled by Furina and Clorinde. Not true freedom.
Focalors couldn't help but look forward to learning sword flight herself. She could already fly, of course, but sword flight was faster—and far more stylish.
"At last—we're here. Ugh, this god is exhausted," Furina yawned, stretching.
Neuvillette sighed.
"Removing your… preparations, Furina, it took us less than an hour. I wouldn't call that exhausting."
"You don't understand—it wasn't you guiding the sword!" Furina shot him a look.
He chose not to argue.
Furina quickly sobered.
"Let's go. The Rite of Descension isn't for a while yet. First, we'll take a look at Liyue's development. You should feel for yourselves how strong Liyue has grown. Especially pay attention to its martial cultivation—that's the key to strengthening national destiny later."
"Also—keep a low profile. Today, Liyue Harbor is swarming with powerhouses. Every inner and outer Mount Shu Sect disciple will be here, plus two Peak Seats, one inner elder, dozens of outer elders. And most importantly—the Sect Master himself. Practically all of Mount Shu Sect will be present. If you stir up trouble, I won't be able to protect you."
Clorinde coughed lightly, speaking seriously:
"Lady Furina, Lord Focalors and Sir Neuvillette do not strike me as the type to cause trouble."
"…"
Furina glared at her.
"But what if? You never know!"
"So you're actually hoping we cause trouble?" Focalors asked with a smirk.
Furina huffed, refusing to answer.
"Come on! Inside. Remember what I said—listen, watch, and if there's time, I'll take you to meet Senior Sister Ningguang. We can also discuss cooperation—she may not have the Heaven's Mandate God Sealing Art, but she's excellent at boosting national fortune."
The others nodded.
Just as they were about to enter—another streak of swordlight landed nearby.
Furina grinned.
"See? I'm not the last one after all."
As the light faded, the figure became clear.
"Kazuha?"
Furina blinked, startled.
"Your sword-flight… has improved so much already?"
She and Clorinde had each only guided an extra sword. But Kazuha—
He flew his own sword, carrying Gorou on his back. One sword bore Kujou Sara and Kokomi, another Ayaka and Yoimiya.
Furina was impressed.
No wonder—an extraordinary spirit root, a sword genius. He was already managing three swords, carrying five people. Remarkable.
"Furina… long time no see…" Kazuha panted, weary. After all, he was only at the early Qi Refining stage, hardly a master of sword-flight. Carrying so many at once was taxing.
He glanced at the strangers behind Furina, puzzled. He'd never heard the Hydro Archon had a twin.
"Lady Furina, these two are…?"
She waved it off.
"Introductions. This is the true Hydro Archon, Focalors. And this is our Chief Justice, Neuvillette."
Kazuha froze, baffled.
"It's complicated—I'll explain another time." Furina brushed it aside, eyeing his entourage curiously.
"And you?"
Kazuha hesitated, but before he could speak, Kokomi stepped forward with a polite bow.
"Lady Hydro Archon, I am Sangonomiya Kokomi of Inazuma. This is General Kujou Sara. We have come at the Shogun's order to observe the Rite of Descension."
Furina wasn't bothered by her formalities. Instead, she studied Kokomi thoughtfully.
Her intelligence network had said Inazuma was mired in war—Kokomi and Kujou Sara the opposing leaders. Yet here they were, arriving together.
So… Inazuma had finally realized?
A bit late, perhaps. But acceptable.
Furina smiled and nodded.
"Judging from this, you're not here just to observe, are you?"
Ayaka inclined her head, speaking plainly:
"Kazuha has told us of Mount Shu Sect. Inazuma is far too late to this path. We've come to seek opportunities in cultivation. Inazuma cannot afford to be drowned by the tide of the age."
Kazuha smiled wryly.
"Inazuma's situation was… complicated. Anyway, I brought them to find Senior Sister Miko."
"Miko?" Furina chuckled, pointing toward the harbor.
"Your news is behind. Not just her—the Sect Master himself will be at today's Rite."
"The Sect Master?!"
Kazuha and the others stiffened in shock.
"He's attending?"
"Of course. It's Zhongli's abdication ceremony. He personally invited the Sect Master—naturally, he'll give face. Not only him, but Peak Seat Venti, Elder Alice, and dozens of outer elders will be present. Practically all of Mount Shu Sect is here. So—you'd better not make waves. It would be dangerous."
She reminded Kazuha seriously. He nodded heavily, turning to Sara and Kokomi:
"You heard her. Later, when we meet Senior Sister Miko and the Sect Master, no disputes, no disruptions. Offending the Sect Master would be disastrous."
Kokomi nodded thoughtfully.
"Don't worry. General Kujou and I aren't unreasonable people. Only… if possible, could you introduce us to the Sect Master?"
Kazuha didn't promise outright. After a pause, he gave a strained nod.
"I'll try. But don't get your hopes up—the Sect Master isn't someone you can simply 'meet.'"
"We understand," Kokomi said softly.
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