Upon hearing this result, apart from Mu Yang—who already knew Shenhe's fate—
the calmest one present was Cloud Retainer.
To suffer such a calamity at the mere age of six, yet overcome it through sheer willpower,
and even earn the favor of the divine, receiving a Cryo Vision—
it went without saying that this child's destiny was anything but ordinary.
But the revelation of "Lonesome Destiny and Calamitous Fate" still shocked everyone present.
Similar to astrology, Liyue's method of perceiving fate was through divination.
Moon Carver was a master of this art, and his readings were rarely wrong.
Except when it came to Mu Yang—everything about him was dismissed with the words "cannot be spoken."
For even an adeptus skilled in divination to shake his head at "Lonesome Destiny and Calamitous Fate" spoke volumes about how dire it was.
The name alone offered a glimpse of its nature.
"Lonesome Destiny" – fated to be bereft of kin and companions, living a solitary life.
"Calamitous Fate" – destined for endless misfortune and perilous trials.
And Shenhe… somehow possessed both "the Sleeping Dragon and the Young Phoenix" at once.
The others turned to Cloud Retainer and asked, "Cloud Retainer, what are your thoughts?"
Without hesitation, Cloud Retainer replied, "Naturally, I shall respect her choice. If she wishes to stay on Mt. Aocang, I will take her as my disciple."
"If she wishes to return to the mortal world, I shall grant her that."
Though Cloud Retainer had not asked Shenhe directly,
the child's behavior over the past few days suggested she had no desire to go back.
Cloud Retainer then shared more about Shenhe.
When Shenhe first arrived at Mt. Aocang, she remained silent all day.
The only thing she was willing to do was climb the mountain rocks and gaze blankly at the sea of clouds.
Thankfully, she would sleep when tired, wrapping herself in her clothes,
drink the dew from the mountain when thirsty,
and chew on Qingxin flowers plucked from the summit when hungry.
And throughout all this, Cloud Retainer never disturbed her.
It was this respect that earned Shenhe's trust.
Mountain Shaper remarked, "Though young Shenhe possesses extraordinary talent, her temperament is… unique."
"Cloud Retainer, if you take her as your disciple, it may not be an easy task."
Most adepti had sharp eyes—though they had only just met Shenhe,
they could tell at a glance that her aptitude was exceptional.
If she was willing to stay and become Cloud Retainer's disciple,
it would undoubtedly be a wonderful thing.
Mu Yang understood this well—Shenhe learned things frighteningly fast.
Perhaps this was the compensation granted by her "Lonesome Destiny and Calamitous Fate."
Cloud Retainer still maintained that Shenhe's own wishes came first.
Though, of course, she herself very much hoped Shenhe would remain on Mt. Aocang.
Little Shenhe had woken up at some point without anyone noticing.
She was now staring intently at Cloud Retainer.
The adeptus, caught under such a gaze, was momentarily puzzled.
It was Mu Yang who spoke up first.
"Shenhe, would you be willing to become Cloud Retainer's disciple?"
Little Shenhe nodded firmly, her eyes resolute.
Cloud Retainer was visibly pleased—she had long hoped for this.
She took out a prepared "Jade Hairpin of Emerald and White Jade" and handed it to Shenhe.
This comb was crafted from immortal stone.
Cloud Retainer said, "If you wish to sever your mortal ties and enter the path of the adepti, comb your hair three times with this jade comb as a ceremonial act of apprenticeship."
Without hesitation, Shenhe complied.
With the first comb, her black hair frosted over from top to bottom, as if coated in silver.
With the second comb, her locks turned half black, half white.
With the third comb, her hair had become entirely snow-white.
Shenhe tucked the comb into her new clothes and performed a childlike bow.
"Disciple Shenhe pays respects to Master."
Under the witness of the assembled adepti, Shenhe officially became an apprentice of the adeptal arts.
Moon Carver nodded in satisfaction.
"Mm. Fate is decreed by heaven, but fortune is written by man. This child's temperament is exceptional."
It seemed he greatly approved of Shenhe's decision.
And so, Shenhe began her path of immortal cultivation.
Living among adepti as a mortal was no easy feat, but Shenhe endured.
Coming from an exorcist family, she possessed a unique constitution, extraordinary willpower, and a natural talent for adeptal arts.
With her innate aptitude and comprehension, she quickly mastered Cloud Retainer's techniques, wielding them with remarkable skill.
The first to lose patience was Mountain Shaper.
The old adeptus often came to Mt. Aocang to show off, hoping to pique Shenhe's interest with his own specialized arts before teaching them to her.
Eventually, Cloud Retainer had enough and let Shenhe follow him to Mt. Hulao to learn new adeptal techniques.
The other adepti soon joined in the competition…
By the end of it, Shenhe had learned nearly all the techniques of Liyue's adepti.
Swordsmanship and polearms went without saying, but also mechanisms, talismans, divination…
Truly a case of "many skills make light work."
Mu Yang, of course, also became one of Shenhe's masters.
He primarily taught her swordsmanship, tea arts, and the use of her Cryo Vision.
If asked which master she liked best aside from Cloud Retainer,
Mu Yang would undoubtedly rank highly.
The other adepti had long been detached from mortal customs and had no experience raising children.
Only Mu Yang could somewhat understand Shenhe's thoughts.
——————
On the day of the Moonchase Festival,
Mu Yang arrived at Mt. Aocang—this was his agreement with Cloud Retainer.
Since he couldn't come for the Lantern Rite, at least for the Moonchase Festival, they would have a reunion.
"Master Mu Yang, you're here!"
The moment little Shenhe sensed Mu Yang's presence, she immediately stopped her sword practice and ran over.
Opportunities to see Mu Yang in a year were rare, so she naturally wouldn't let this one slip.
Mu Yang crouched down and asked, "Have you been skipping meals again recently?"
Shenhe answered weakly, "No…"
Mu Yang knew she had resumed her ascetic lifestyle.
Though both he and Cloud Retainer had repeatedly emphasized that cultivation was about tempering one's heart,
and that adepti were not hindered by mortal food—they could indulge in all kinds of delicacies—
this stubborn girl still believed that indulging in worldly pleasures would make her cling to mortal attachments.
So she often resorted to eating bitter herbs, using their harsh taste to ward off such temptations.
It was only later that Mu Yang realized he had somewhat misjudged Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver regarding this matter.
Seeing that her lie couldn't fool Mu Yang, Shenhe forcibly changed the subject,
asking him to evaluate her recent progress in cultivation.
Her swordplay was already quite refined.
With her talent and shared Cryo element, she had easily mastered Mu Yang's sword techniques.
But mastery and practical application were two different things.
Mu Yang casually picked up a long wooden stick, preparing to test her improvement.
"If you can cut this stick in half today, I'll consider you ready to graduate."
"Okay."
Though Shenhe answered confidently, the current her couldn't even shave off the bark, let alone split the stick in half…
As expected, Shenhe's attacks were effortlessly deflected by Mu Yang.
After multiple failed attempts, her breathing grew erratic, and her swordplay became increasingly frenzied.
"Shenhe, your rhythm is off."
Yet Shenhe seemed not to hear him, continuing her assault.
Her attacks came like a storm.
This was no longer what Mu Yang had taught her.
This ferocity came from her nature, from her fate—Lonesome Destiny and Calamitous Fate.
It was the most primal bloodlust and killing intent.
The purpose of cultivation was to temper these impulses away.
But at this moment, Shenhe was beginning to lose control.
"Let's calm her down first."
Mu Yang flicked his stick, sending Shenhe's sword flying, then flashed in front of her and lightly tapped her forehead.
Little Shenhe momentarily lost consciousness…