"You heard what my attendant said," Severin said calmly.
"Yaoyao, do you still want me to hold you?"
Yaoyao puffed out her cheeks, blowing her bangs upward, and giggled.
"I'm not afraid, Your Highness!"
"I always hear my Masters talk about the Geo Archon, but I've never seen him."
"Grandmaster says you're just as powerful as the Geo Archon. I just… wanted to be held once."
In Liyue, reverence for Morax ran deep—through adepti and common folk alike.
It was no wonder Morax had hesitated to oppose the Heavenly Principles.
His bond with Liyue was too profound to gamble lightly.
Yaoyao's thought process was simple and romantic.
In her heart, if Severin held her, it would be as though Morax himself had done so.
What she did not know—
To Severin, cherishing her carried meaning far beyond that.
"A gentleman fulfills good wishes, not harmful ones," he murmured softly.
"Though Morax is stubborn beyond reason… I will grant the little girl's wish in his stead."
Under the stunned gaze of the Mirror Maiden, Severin lifted Yaoyao into his arms.
"Exquisite as carved jade. Born with immortal bones."
He offered the evaluation casually and walked forward with steady strides.
The Mirror Maiden had intended to remind Yaoyao to thank His Highness properly—
But when she saw the girl clinging to Severin's shoulder, golden eyes brimming with tears of joy, her heart nearly melted.
The words died on her lips.
No wonder this little adeptus disciple was Liyue's beloved treasure.
Inside the Serenitea Pot
Within the realm of the Serenitea Pot,
Madame Ping stood with five adepti arranged in a line to welcome Severin.
"Your Highness," Madame Ping said, stepping forward,
"I feared attracting too much attention, so I invited only five representatives of the adepti."
To Severin, the explanation sounded less like prudence and more like caution.
She was wary.
If this so-called True Immortal art proved false, her reputation would suffer greatly.
Still, these five were more than qualified to represent the rest. Teaching them would suffice.
"We greet Your Highness."
The five True Lords bowed in turn.
Yet inwardly, they were doubtful.
When Severin stepped into the realm, they had instinctively probed his aura.
Nothing.
No elemental fluctuations.
No Vision.
He seemed like an ordinary mortal.
Could Madame Ping have misjudged him?
How could such a man teach "True Immortal arts"?
Still—Morax had met him.
That fact alone forced them to suppress their skepticism.
"Are the materials prepared?" Severin asked.
"One hundred billion Mora, along with all required materials, are ready," Madame Ping replied.
She hesitated slightly before adding:
"Before you begin formal instruction… could you perhaps forge a treasure for us to witness?"
Realizing how direct that sounded, she hurried to soften it.
"My fellow Daoists have grown idle over the centuries. If they witness the marvels of the True Immortal Path firsthand, their enthusiasm will surely be stirred."
Severin nodded. "Very well."
"Yaoyao—lend me your Yuegui."
Yuegui, the mechanical rabbit in Yaoyao's arms, had been crafted by Cloud Retainer.
It could fire jade radishes in combat and had become Yaoyao's treasured companion.
To everyone's astonishment, she handed it over without hesitation.
Normally, she refused even to let her Masters touch it.
The Eight Trigrams Furnace
Severin raised his hand.
A furnace materialized.
"This is the Eight Trigrams Furnace," he said calmly.
"Inscribed runes attract and condense surrounding elemental energy, refining whatever lies within."
He placed Yuegui inside.
"Inject Mora to activate it."
He began feeding Mora into the furnace.
Golden light flared.
"Control the elemental transformations with will and spirit. Each variation grants distinct attributes. There are tens of thousands of permutations—mastery of them is the key to artifact forging."
Ten minutes passed.
The furnace opened.
Yuegui hopped out.
It ran straight toward Yaoyao, leapt into her arms—
And kissed her cheek.
"Yao… Yao… hug…"
The rabbit spoke.
Yaoyao froze.
"You can talk now?!"
"I… can…"
Shock rippled through the realm.
"To grant intelligence to a lifeless mechanism…" Cloud Retainer gasped.
Even Tubby, the teapot spirit, stared in disbelief.
He had created a spirit.
This was no mere enhancement.
This was the gifting of life.
Moments earlier, they had doubted him.
Now they felt ashamed.
"Your Highness," Madame Ping said solemnly,
"Please begin formal instruction."
The True Immortal Path – Foundations
Severin spoke evenly.
"Artifact forging produces flying swords and treasures—"
"They may kill, defend, fly, or burrow."
"Alchemy refines immortal pills—"
"Extending lifespan, strengthening the body, healing wounds."
"Talisman crafting produces seals—"
"Dispelling corruption, suppressing demons, granting invisibility or water-walking."
"And all of it consumes Mora."
He paused.
"Mora is not mere currency."
"It is a magical catalyst—the most essential material."
Silence fell.
"In theory," Severin concluded calmly,
"As long as you possess infinite Mora…"
"You may produce infinite pills, artifacts, and talismans."
The five adepti exchanged glances.
For the first time—
They understood.
And they were completely convinced.
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