"Demonic cultivator… controlling the dead…"
Not only did Neuvillette and the others hear this, but Kokomi's group next door caught it loud and clear as well.
Kazuha had already mentioned that Mount Shu harbored many demonic, unorthodox, and beast cultivators. They knew these people were still disciples of Shu.
But when such a person appeared before them in the flesh, their feelings couldn't help but turn complicated.
After all, from what they understood, anyone associated with "demonic" or "unorthodox" cultivation was rarely a benevolent soul. Or rather, their arts were rarely benevolent.
The prime example was Lisa — her Soul Burning Hellfire Art., fueled by consuming her own spirit, made her a clear representative of demonic cultivation.
Now looking at Hu Tao's ability to command souls of the dead, it clearly wasn't far off.
For a moment, Neuvillette and the others regarded her with conflicted expressions.
Who would have thought that this bright, cheerful girl was one of those dreaded "demonic cultivators"?
And she could even control wandering souls.
The contrast was simply too great.
Still, Shu itself said nothing against her path, so they had no right to comment.
Besides, judging by her attitude, she clearly didn't care.
"Another thing worth noting: the former Geo Archon, now acting Head of Dragonhead Peak, is a guest elder of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"In other words, Master Hu has very close ties with Elder Zhongli. According to Senior Sister Cloud Retainer and the others, Elder Zhongli watched her grow up."
Taking advantage of Hu Tao's distraction, Clorinde slipped in another introduction.
The group nodded in unison.
Understood.
Not only powerful, but well-connected too.
That made her all the more worth befriending.
Who didn't know? In Shu today, Zhongli was the number one under the Sect Master himself.
As Head of Dragonhead Peak and overseer of the Disciplinary Hall, his authority was immense.
But the thought passed quickly.
"Oh, right!"
Hu Tao suddenly clapped her hands, looping her arm through Furina's with excitement.
"I just saw Lumine and Paimon eating over at Wanmin Hall. Why don't we go find them and hang out?"
"They've got the Northland Bank's purse on them now — eating, drinking, playing, all on the house. If we tag along, I'm sure Lumine won't mind."
Furina didn't stop to wonder why Lumine would be carrying the Bank's money.
Her relationship with Lumine and Paimon was already close. After all, they were all of a kind — lively, mischievous girls.
If anything, Lumine was even more shameless.
The three of them could play together endlessly.
They were practically Mount Shu's "Three Musketeers."
"Come on, hurry! If they leave, we'll miss them!"
Hu Tao tugged Furina along at a run.
Neuvillette's group stopped their chatter and quickly followed.
Compared to Hu Tao, Lumine and Paimon's names carried even greater weight.
Furina and Kazuha had both emphasized them when introducing key figures from Fontaine and Inazuma.
Two bearers of divine physiques — naturally, they demanded attention.
Focalors couldn't help but sigh inwardly: all of Furina's friends were extraordinary.
Soon enough, Hu Tao and Furina caught up to Lumine and Paimon, who had just finished eating and were about to leave.
Seeing the two approach, they immediately linked hands just as they did back in Shu, with Paimon perched on Lumine's shoulder, rubbing her round belly.
The four of them strolling down the street together made for a dazzling sight.
Yet those who knew even a little of their identities quickly kept their distance.
In Mount Shu, these three girls were said to be second only to Klee in destructive power.
And to make matters worse, each had formidable backing.
As they walked, Hu Tao enthusiastically took charge of guiding Furina's group around Liyue Harbor.
When she learned Furina wanted to study martial arts development for national fortune and negotiate with Ningguang, she slapped her flat-as-a-board chest proudly, promising to handle everything.
After all, wasn't her social network the best in Liyue?
Besides, Zhongli himself felt guilty toward Hu Tao for past misdeeds.
When Hu Tao asked him for a martial arts manual, he simply handed it over.
But Furina insisted on paying the proper contribution points. A precedent could not be set.
Of course, they didn't have the points yet — she and Clorinde would need to complete some missions first.
It was, in essence, an interest-free loan, though not a large one.
Kokomi and the others could only sigh in admiration.
Truly — in Shu, having connections made everything easier.
And another thought struck them.
Hu Tao, Furina, Lumine, and Paimon played so well together — perhaps it was also because they were, well… flat.
Strictly speaking, aside from Paimon, the other three weren't completely flat. Lumine wasn't bad.
But compared to the awe-inspiring figures of Ningguang, Lisa, Yae Miko, or Ganyu, calling them "flat" wasn't unfair.
Maybe that was its own kind of kindred spirit.
Aside from sightseeing, under Hu Tao's lead they also visited martial practitioners in their daily training — and even managed to taste a few pieces of beast meat.
The flavor was superb, and the strengthening effects were obvious.
The visiting delegation was overjoyed, their urgency to find Miko growing ever stronger.
Before long, they noticed the crowds on the streets had begun flowing toward Yujing Terrace.
Checking the time, it was about when the Rite of Descension would begin.
Hu Tao and the others abandoned any further detours.
After notifying Neuvillette's group, they led everyone toward Yujing Terrace.
The grand terrace, already vast, had been expanded once again. It could now hold seventy to eighty thousand people at once.
Yet even so, it was packed.
The stairways and rocky slopes nearby were crowded with onlookers as well, with more still arriving.
Most were Liyue locals, but people from all seven nations could be spotted.
Only Inazumans and Natlans were relatively few.
Hu Tao and the others had no intention of squeezing with the masses. As disciples of Shu, they flew straight to the section reserved for their sect.
From the spacious pavilion, overlooking the sea of people below, everyone felt relieved they had come with cultivators.
Otherwise, they might not have even gotten in.
Lumine scanned the scene. At the very center of Yujing Terrace stood an offering table, ringed by Millelith soldiers, creating a broad open space amid the crowd.
But Ningguang, Keqing, and the others had not yet arrived.
"Hehe! Looks like we're the first ones here today!"
Lumine flashed a victory sign with a smug grin.
"How is that worth celebrating? Who knows how long we'll have to wait now!"
Paimon planted her hands on her hips in exasperation.
"Ghosts?"
Hu Tao blinked, then smirked mischievously:
"Shall I summon one to have a word with you?"
"Geez! It's just an expression!"
Paimon stomped the air in protest.
Just then, countless streaks of light streamed in from the horizon.
So many that for a moment, it seemed like a meteor shower had fallen over Yujing Terrace.
For Neuvillette's group, it was their first time seeing so many cultivators flying together. They were stunned.
Clorinde, acting as guide, explained:
"Those are outer disciples and menial disciples of Shu."
When the streaks of light landed, they first glanced toward the pavilion.
Seeing Hu Tao and the others, they stiffened, quickly bowed in greeting, and then scrambled back to their own seats as though fleeing plague gods.
Focalors glanced at Furina meaningfully.
"Seems your reputation in Shu isn't exactly graceful."
Furina only snorted proudly, wearing her notoriety as a badge of honor.
Before long, more streaks of light began to descend.
Clorinde resumed her introductions.
"Mondstadt's Diluc and Kaeya — both inner disciples of Dragonhead Peak, admitted early on."
"Jean and Barbara from Mondstadt — one a Dragonhead Peak disciple, the other of Little Bamboo Peak. They're sisters."
"From Liyue, Chongyun and Xingqiu, also inner disciples."
"Beidou, Yelan, Alhaitham, Tighnari…"
Each name she listed was another inner disciple.
The ordinary folk below, aware of their status, whispered excitedly. Artists sketched furiously, though none dared use a Kamera.
Moments like this — seeing so many cultivators at once — were rare. None wanted to miss a single one.
Kokomi and her group were left reeling.
The sheer number of cultivators in Teyvat, especially Liyue, far exceeded their expectations.
Then, a green streak of light descended. It resolved into a kindly man with a white snake coiled around his neck.
This one seemed special. The outer disciples rose at once, their eyes shining as they bowed in greeting.
He returned the courtesy with gentle grace.
"That's Senior Brother Baizhu, second disciple of Great Bamboo Peak. He's only at mid Refining Essence into Qi, but in alchemy he's unmatched."
"A skilled alchemist is someone every cultivator must maintain good relations with."
Clorinde's voice was low, but everyone nodded fervently.
In the cultivation world, an alchemist's status was immense, not measured by cultivation alone.
Baizhu…
They all made sure to remember the name.
Soon after, a crimson streak alighted on the pavilion. It was none other than Childe, with the Cryo Archon, Rosalyne, and Arlecchino.
Childe stretched lazily, waving to Diluc.
Their friendship was well-known.
"Snezhnaya's Fatui Harbinger, Tartaglia — mid Refining Essence into Qi. But…"
Clorinde lowered her voice:
"His art is a brutal demonic technique. Once he fights, it's either kill others, or kill himself."
"My advice: keep your distance. He loves to fight."
A demonic cultivator indeed…
Kokomi's group nodded solemnly, storing the warning away.
But before long, an even greater host of streaks approached together.
Clorinde straightened slightly, voice hushed.
"They've arrived… Liyue's former adepti, now inner disciples — among the strongest fighters."
"Senior Sister Cloud Retainer and Senior Sister Mountain Shaper are masters of forging. Senior Brother Moon Carver commands arrays. Senior Brother Hundred Lives excels at beast-taming. Senior Brother Water Manipulator… well… specializes in cultivating spiritual herbs."
"In short, each of these brothers and sisters is late Refining Essence into Qi, with unique talents of their own."
"If you wish to thrive in Shu, it's best not to cross them."
The visitors all nodded vigorously.
No kidding…
Against a group of late-stage cultivators, who in their right mind would pick a fight?
To read 220+ future chapters, head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/WhiteDevil7554