"Although the Violet-Gold Dragon Ancestor Ao Run engraved his Dao into the heavens, allowing his descendants the potential to climb to its end—"
"You must remember, bloodline inheritors walk behind the master of that Dao. And they must walk it."
"They have no choice."
"Receiving a bloodline means being bound by it. Bloodline inheritors grow strong easily, yes—but they are not enviable."
"If the end of Ao Run's path were truly reachable, wouldn't there be countless Violet-Gold Dragons at the Taiyi Realm by now?"
"But in truth—not even Golden Immortals are common. As for Taiyi? None."
"Still, becoming an immortal with a Violet-Gold Dragon bloodline… is not difficult."
Neuvillette exhaled softly.
He felt no disappointment.
After witnessing even a fragment of Ao Run's existence, he fully understood what a Taiyi being represented.
He had no confidence—none at all—that he could reach such a realm.
He didn't even think he deserved to.
Golden Immortal? That was a distant star he didn't dare reach for.
Becoming an immortal at all… would already be more than he dared hope.
A person must know their limits.
If it were Jiang Yan, merely becoming a Golden Immortal would be an embarrassment to his aptitude—Taiyi wouldn't even be a proper end point.
But Neuvillette?
If he became a Heavenly Immortal, his life would already be fulfilled.
"So Neuvillette, as a Violet-Gold Dragon bloodline inheritor, was born with the ability to cultivate—is that correct?"
Ganyu asked gently.
Jiang Yan nodded.
"I activated his bloodline. Within the next few days, he will naturally comprehend the cultivation methods inherent to the Violet-Gold Dragon Clan."
"That really is enviable," Ganyu sighed—though her tone lacked conviction.
Mount Shu's resources were more than enough for her. What bloodline could compare to trying very hard and giving her future children Jiang Yan's talent?
"Now that you understand your situation," Jiang Yan turned to Neuvillette, "I will ask again."
"You already possess the ability to cultivate independently. Do you still wish to join Mount Shu?"
Neuvillette didn't hesitate for a second.
"Yes! Please accept me, Sect Master!"
"Besides… I can cultivate at all only because you awakened my bloodline. I wish to join Mount Shu and contribute to its revival."
Indeed, he could cultivate.
But cultivate what? Alone?
He had no knowledge, no foundation. He needed guidance. He needed peers. He needed a place where great cultivators gathered.
Shutting himself away to grope blindly would be idiocy.
Mount Shu was a thigh far thicker than the Violet-Gold Dragon Clan.
The dragons were ultimately a race built by Ao Run alone.
But Mount Shu was formed from the collective wisdom of countless unmatched geniuses and mighty ones.
Only by following Mount Shu could he truly become strong.
Jiang Yan's eyes flickered with appreciation.
"Then I will not refuse."
"You five are qualified to break the rules and enjoy special privileges."
"As I have said, Mount Shu has always granted exceptional treatment to exceptional talent."
"You will travel to Mount Shu, undergo the Heart-Questioning Formation, and upon passing the third stage, you will be disciples of Mount Shu."
"For all of you, passing three stages should not be difficult."
Rosalyne instinctively glanced at Childe—her confidence rising.
If he passed six stages, how could she not pass three?
She had suffered far more than he ever did.
"We obey the Sect Master's decree!"
The five responded happily.
Jiang Yan nodded, then looked meaningfully toward Rosalyne.
"You are not yet disciples of Mount Shu, but still—you should keep our Nine Paths and Ten Precepts in mind."
"If a cultivator commits what should not be committed… if one uses immortal power for what should not be done…"
"Mount Shu's Enforcement Hall will purge them—heaven or earth cannot hide them."
Rosalyne's face drained of color.
He was warning her.
Her secrets meant nothing before Jiang Yan.
If he wished, he could see what she ate three meals a day five hundred years ago.
Nothing could be hidden from him.
Including her involvement in the Doctor's Delusion experiments…
She immediately dropped to her knees, trembling.
"Sect Master… this disciple knows her wrongs."
Diluc glanced at her, expression neutral.
Because of Alice and Lisa, Rosalyne hadn't harmed Mondstadt.
But her cooperation with the Doctor left a bad taste.
Still, she had once saved Mondstadt five hundred years ago, and she hadn't committed atrocities afterward.
So Diluc let it pass.
But if the Doctor dared try to join Mount Shu?
Diluc would draw his blade on the spot.
"Sect Master… Rosalyne acted out of necessity."
The Cryo Archon stepped forward, uneasy.
Truthfully, she bore more responsibility.
She had known about the Doctor's experiments.
She had not stopped them.
Yes, the Doctor's power was overwhelming back then.
But her inaction helped him rise.
Rosalyne's sins were—most strictly speaking—hers to bear.
She clenched her teeth.
"Sect Master, every mistake Rosalyne made… was under my orders. She bears no blame."
"Your Majesty…"
Rosalyne's eyes reddened.
Then Alice sighed and added her voice:
"Sect Master, whatever wrong Rosalyne did later… five hundred years ago, she truly saved countless lives in Mondstadt."
"Even if merit does not erase fault… that deed still stands."
"Perhaps—observe first, and judge later?"
Rosalyne could have kissed Alice on the spot.
Alice had become her guardian angel.
Zhongli and the others remained silent—
a lifelong habit of "not my business" carved into their bones.
Xiao had already rested his hand on his weapon.
If Jiang Yan gave the word, he would capture Rosalyne instantly.
But after a pause, Jiang Yan spoke calmly:
"Rise. I never said I would punish you."
"But you must act properly from here on."
"Mount Shu is not a sect of benevolence. We kill plenty."
"But we do not bully the weak."
"Whether you shed blood or not, you must be able to face your own heart."
"Otherwise, you insult Mount Shu's rules—your Dao-heart becomes unstable—you will never achieve greatness."
"From today on, conduct yourself properly. If you err again… I assure you, you do not want to experience the Enforcement Hall's judgment."
Rosalyne exhaled like she had been pardoned from execution.
"Thank you, Sect Master. If I break Mount Shu's rules again, I will take my own life before the Enforcement Hall need act."
Jiang Yan nodded.
He didn't dwell on it.
He disdained cruelty and arrogance, yes.
But—
He was a cultivator.
Not a mortal.
And the Sect Master of Mount Shu besides.
If the choice came down to millions of mortal lives versus a single cultivation genius—
The mortal lives did not outweigh the genius.
Rosalyne's deeds, viewed through mortal morality, bore guilt.
But within the tolerance of the cultivation world.
As long as she had not fallen into demonic corruption—she could be forgiven.
She possessed the Lihuo Meridian.
A resource too precious for blind morality.
Cultivation sects… even the righteous ones… were strong above all else.
Mount Shu was no exception.
Everyone had slowly begun to understand this.
They were no longer mortals.
Their morality had shifted.
As long as one did not fall into demonic ways—
Everything else was negotiable.
Cultivators were always two-faced.
Sects even more so.
When the Rite of Inviting Immortals ended, Mount Shu gained five geniuses at once.
Three of them were at least early Spirit Transformation.
Jiang Yan was very satisfied.
With the five confirming their desire to join Mount Shu, the atmosphere became festive.
Everyone welcomed them.
Five geniuses joining meant five more pillars for Mount Shu.
Everyone was tied to Mount Shu now.
Its prosperity was theirs; its downfall theirs too.
Naturally, they wanted Mount Shu to grow powerful.
Especially since the Hydro Archon, Focalors, and Neuvillette were already strong.
After switching to the immortal path, they might not reach late Spirit Transformation like Zhongli.
But early Spirit Transformation?
More than likely.
Not enough to become Peak Masters—
But becoming Elders?
Absolutely possible.
And with such potential…
everyone rushed to build good relations.
Furina was even more direct—leaning close to Focalors and Neuvillette, whispering repeatedly:
"Remember to give me spirit stones once you're Elders!"
Neither refused.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yan and Zhongli began discussing the Lock-Demon Tower.
After the Rite ended, they would be entering the tower.
Zhongli had confidence he would not stop at the Lock-Demon Tower…
But confidence alone did not keep one alive.
He needed information.
This would likely be Liyue Harbor's last period of peace for some time.
A good time to talk.
To prepare.
Seeing the mood lighten, Kokomi and Ayaka exchanged glances.
It was time.
They approached Yae Miko.
Ayaka bowed earnestly.
"Lady Guuji… may we speak with you?"
"Oh?"
Yae Miko smiled with clear amusement.
She already knew what they wanted.
She didn't mind helping them—
But if things were solved too easily…
How boring.
With a fox's grin, she tilted her head.
"I thought you girls might hold it in a little longer."
To read 220+ future chapters, head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/WhiteDevil7554