The delicate jade talisman in front of him shimmered faintly, intricate yet restrained. Aether examined it with mild surprise, sighing inwardly—
Indeed, the methods of cultivators were unfathomable.
Lumine, however, paid no attention to her brother's reaction. Checking the time, she reminded him:
"By the way, three days from now, First Seat Zhongli will officially announce his abdication during the Rite of Descension. That event… will trigger the emergence of Osial and Beisht."
Aether blinked, then looked at Lumine with suspicion.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Don't play dumb! I'm telling you to pull your dirty hands away from Osial, fast!"
Rolling her eyes, Lumine glared at him in disappointment.
But Aether could only feel stifled. This monstrous pot being dumped on his head was unbearable.
Heaven and earth as witness—forget that Liyue was now the strongest nation in Teyvat. They had martial cultivators, immortals, and even Zhongli, a late-stage Spirit Transformation powerhouse. On top of that, rumors said Liyue was on good terms with Mount Shu, even gifted the Xuanyuan Mirror that contained the strike of a Return to Void master.
What lunatic courage would the Abyss Order need to meddle in Liyue's affairs?
Even before all this, Zhongli's might as the God of War had been carved deep into the memories of every Khaenri'ahn. Would they really dare stir up trouble for Liyue at such a juncture? That would be nothing short of rushing headlong into death.
Aether scowled at Lumine.
"Just because of that one incident with Dvalin, you think the Abyss Order must be scheming in every nation? Besides, Osial isn't someone we can just move around like a chess piece."
"I never planned to stir him up. Zhongli's abdication has nothing to do with me, and I don't care. You can rest assured. Right now, the Abyss has already acquired martial techniques and vicious beasts. For the time being, we won't be meddling with Teyvat's politics."
"We need to focus on cultivation and beast hunting. We've got no time for trouble."
Lumine eyed him, still skeptical, but gave a reluctant nod.
"It had better be that way. I'm warning you—our Master will also come to Liyue Harbor. With all of Mount Shu's cultivators gathered, if the Abyss Order wants to avoid extermination, you'd best keep your people in check."
"Master… coming to Liyue Harbor?"
Aether's eyes widened in surprise. Lumine gave a slight nod.
"That's all you need to know. Just keep your followers on a leash. Our Master is not some benevolent saint. If you anger him, he'll wipe your entire Order out in minutes."
Aether fell silent, thoughtful. Then he murmured softly:
"I understand. You're heading back to Mount Shu?"
"Mm. I am."
Stretching lazily, Lumine pulled out the Primordial Jade Cutter.
"I only came out for some fresh air and a meeting. Now that it's over, I'm heading back to continue my cultivation. I'll try to recover to late-stage Refining Essence into Qi before the Great Nine Nether Secret Realm Expedition in a month."
There wasn't much Aether could do to help with that. With his current strength, entering would only be a burden. He sighed and nodded.
"Then take care of yourself."
"Save your nagging. I know what I'm doing."
Lumine shot him a disdainful glance.
"Remember—control your people. I'm leaving now."
Without waiting for his reply, she grabbed Paimon and soared away on her sword, heading toward Jueyun Karst.
Watching her vanish into the sky, Aether muttered irritably:
"After all these years, still as infuriating as ever… But… thanks."
His voice trailed into the wind.
A silent figure appeared at his side—the Abyss Herald.
"Your Highness…"
Aether tucked away the jade talisman and strode into a waiting portal.
"We've obtained martial arts, and with the beasts Lumine gave us, it'll last us for a while. For the next few days, recall everyone stationed in Liyue. No one is to cause trouble. Suspend all beast-hunting operations as well."
"Until the situation in Liyue stabilizes, the Abyss Order must remain in the shadows."
The Herald bowed heavily.
"Understood."
Together, they vanished into the portal, leaving no trace.
Because of the upcoming Rite of Descension in Liyue—
The winds of chaos were about to sweep across all Teyvat.
Mount Shu.
Behind the main hall of Tongtian Peak.
Most disciples had left for the outside world, leaving the mountain unusually quiet. But for Jiang Yan, it made little difference.
When disciples were present, he cultivated.
When disciples were absent, he still cultivated.
Especially now, with the Dao-Enlightening Tea Tree and Bodhi of Inquiry, Jiang Yan spent nearly all twenty-four hours in meditation.
He was already brushing the bottleneck of Union with the Dao.
In fact, he was even considering a trip to the Demon-Sealing Tower. His current peak Returning to Void stage was enough for most things, but in Jiang Yan's eyes—until he truly stepped into Union with the Dao, he wasn't worthy of being Mount Shu's Sect Master.
Fortunately, with the Huangting Jade Scripture's comprehension at peak Union level, the breakthrough wouldn't take him long.
Seated cross-legged beneath the sacred tree, his breath rising and falling, Dao rhythm surged with every inhalation. The tea tree and bodhi resonated, gathering spiritual energy around him, their intertwined veins glowing faintly, whispering the essence of Dao.
He seemed both detached from and merged with the world.
Purple mist coiled around him. Floating overhead was the Tricolored Exquisite Pagoda, already advanced to a true artifact. At its tip, the Pure World Glazed Bottle shone faintly. Numerous high-grade spirit tools circled the tower's body, half-step artifacts glimmering.
The scene made Jiang Yan radiate a brilliance almost divine.
At last, with one final surge of Dao rhythm, all returned to calm. The treasures flowed back into his body.
He inhaled deeply, drawing the purple qi into himself. His aura climbed ever so slightly.
Opening his eyes, endless Dao light swirled in his pupils. For an instant, a golden flame flickered across them, followed by countless strange rays, before settling back into plain black.
This session… had borne fruit.
His Samadhi True Fire and Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Arts had both advanced.
Though he still couldn't unleash the full might of Samadhi Fire, he reckoned he could now ignite at least a single thread of flame.
And even a single thread…
Could burn through half the Tree-and-Sea World.
To put it simply—
Jiang Yan had shattered a fundamental law of the cultivation world.
He could now fight above his realm, even slay early-stage Union with the Dao cultivators—
For his Samadhi Fire was the flame of death itself.
Even immortals could not touch it without perishing.
If not for Sun Wukong being a Golden Immortal with a sanctified body, he too would have been reduced to ashes back then.
With this power, if Jiang Yan faced a Union with the Dao cultivator today—
So long as his fire touched them, even the weaker ones would perish. At minimum, the stronger would be gravely crippled.
This newfound strength gave him far more confidence regarding the Demon-Sealing Tower and the Xuanyin Minor world.
The Demon-Sealing Tower spoke for itself: six Demon Emperors were threat enough.
As for the Xuanyin Minor world… truthfully, Jiang Yan had no idea what awaited there.
Perhaps, like the cultivation world, it lay in pieces, its strongest being only late-stage Returning to Void. Or perhaps, like the Nine Nether Secret Realm, it had endured thanks to Mount Shu's remnants, housing even Union-level experts.
Either way—
The stronger he grew, the better his chances.
Just then, a sweet, coquettish voice drifted behind him:
"Master Brother~"
That voice alone—without face or form—was enough to melt the steeliest of men.
Jiang Yan sighed. Even without turning, he already knew.
It was the Divine Fox.
This was his private residence, the Sect Master's quarters, forbidden ground. Not even First Seats or Elders could step here unbidden. Only those closest—Ganyu, or his personal disciple Klee—had free entry.
But the fox… she was always slipping in.
And Jiang Yan had never quite found the heart to punish her. For every visit, she always came bearing "gifts."
Before he could answer, her soft body pressed against his back.
Fragrant breath brushed his ear, a fluffy tail curling around his waist. Her cheek, smooth as jade, nuzzled against his.
"Master, you've finally finished cultivating… I've been waiting so long. Watching you meditate so seriously… it really makes my heart flutter."
Words as sweet as tea, laced with that body's innate charm.
The Heavenly Enchantress Physique in full bloom—every gesture, every glance, enough to topple kingdoms.
But Jiang Yan merely sighed, unmoved. Their realms were worlds apart. Her charms could not sway him.
"Divine Fox," he said evenly, "you've trespassed into my abode again."
"Mm… forgive me, Master Brother. I just missed you so much. Even a short while without you makes my skin feel parched."
Her laughter was low and soft as she whispered in his ear, then added slyly:
"But now that I see you, it's worth it. Whatever punishment you decide… I'll accept it."
"Will you lock me away in the Demon-Sealing Tower? Or perhaps…"
With a boneless twist, she slid onto his lap, arms looping around his neck, her expression pitiful yet coy.
"Would you rather… dual cultivate with me?"
Jiang Yan sighed again, helpless.
"Don't use your charms on me. They don't work across such a gap."
The fox blinked innocently, then feigned grievance.
"So heartless… what, do you want me to use them on other men? Those filthy creatures—how could they compare? Only you are worthy of my enchantments."
Seated in his lap, her every motion was calculated. The plain robes of Tongtian Peak clung to her curves, turning austere garments into a vision of allure.
Bare shoulders gleamed like jade under the light. The depths of her neckline hinted at dangerous temptation. Her robe's hem, altered to reveal her flawless legs, draped carelessly. Pink tails curled around Jiang Yan's face, brushing lightly.
She was the reincarnation of Daji herself.
But Jiang Yan, long accustomed, only remarked dryly—
"Divine Fox, will you never learn to wear your clothes properly?"
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