The thunder that had blanketed the skies suddenly dispersed, leaving Inazuma's heavens clear and boundless.
For the first time in what felt like forever, the people of Inazuma beheld such a beautiful, pristine sky.
Yet this sight did not last long.
A wisp of violet qi bloomed above, and in the blink of an eye, it engulfed the firmament. The heavens turned into a vast sea of purple clouds.
Before long, a strange fragrance wafted across heaven and earth—an aroma so perfect it seemed to embody everyone's deepest yearnings.
Unconsciously, people's spirits lifted, their energy and vitality restored.
Then, under countless gazes, a pair of eyes appeared within the heavens.
Only the eyes could be seen; the face remained hidden behind layers of cloud.
And yet, just those eyes alone, gazing down without much emotion—gentle, even—were enough to compel every soul below to lower their head in awe.
Within those eyes seemed to dwell all the laws of heaven and earth.
Chains of order wove together, sacred and eternal.
Higher, nobler than the heavens themselves.
Xiao drew a deep breath, and alongside Kazuha, cupped his fists toward the sky.
"Disciple greets the Sect Master! The Sect Master's Dao is one with Heaven!"
He said nothing further about what Kazuha had just mentioned.
Before Jiang Yan's gaze, no secret could be hidden.
Better to await the Sect Master's judgment in silence.
Others too bowed nervously. Many soldiers, the moment that gaze swept over them, collapsed to their knees, trembling.
If one were to borrow words from Liyue, it could only be called—
The Heavenly Eye of Judgment.
Jiang Yan's eyes scanned across the battlefield.
Everyone touched by that gaze—be they common soldier, or powerful figures like Ayaka, Kokomi, or even the Raiden Shogun herself—felt as though all their secrets had been stripped bare.
Such a level of existence lay far beyond their imagination.
Fortunately, Jiang Yan's gaze did not linger on them.
At last, it circled back and fixed upon Kazuha.
Though the look held no reproach, the sheer pressure of a peak Return-to-Void cultivator—crossing not only space but worlds—was unbearable.
Kazuha's face went pale, his body wavering.
"I have seen through your matter. Though you wielded immortal power in great slaughter, it was for cause—killing to end killing. This is not the work of the demonic path."
"You are not gravely at fault."
The sonorous, majestic voice resounded, and Kazuha's heart trembled. Relief flooded him.
With these words of judgment, his punishment would not be too severe.
"However… this affair marks the first time since Mount Shu's restoration that a cultivator has clashed with mortals, drawing blood.
It must be taken as a warning, and judged appropriately."
"But today is the day of the mountain's unsealing. You need not return immediately.
Settle your own matters first. By fortune, Chief Elder Zhongli is absent as well."
Kazuha was overjoyed, hastily bowing.
"Many thanks, Sect Master!"
Jiang Yan's gaze shifted away, falling upon Xiao instead.
"Xiao, do not leave Mount Shu in the near future. Your tribulation approaches—your focus must be on preparation."
Xiao's face was solemn.
"Yes, Sect Master!"
"If other affairs arise, leave them to Elder Alice and the Law Enforcement disciples. You must prioritize your breakthrough above all."
"Disciple obeys the Sect Master's decree!"
Within the heavens, a trace of satisfaction glimmered in Jiang Yan's eyes, before his gaze slowly dispersed.
The skies returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.
Yet the lingering aura of holiness reminded all that what they had just witnessed was utterly real.
Even the Shogun, who had lived for centuries, had no notion such a being could exist.
What kind of existence possessed that level of strength?
Did such power truly exist on Teyvat?
Or… had she stepped into some parallel version of it?
Raiden Shogun's wandering thoughts broke when her eye caught Kujou Sara's conflicted expression.
Her heart stirred. She spoke lowly:
"You know what this is?"
Sara snapped to attention and quickly bowed.
"Your Excellency, I have heard… it seems Immortal Dao is being spread from Liyue."
"Immortal Dao? Impossible!"
Raiden denied it at once.
She knew the ways of Liyue's Adepti—even Morax himself. None could be so strong.
Even he, progenitor of the Adepti, fought with the authority of a god, not cultivation alone.
Immortal techniques, at most, belonged to that level—no higher than the servants of the archons.
But Xiao's power earlier had already surpassed the realm of gods.
If Immortal Dao could truly reach such heights, she would have sought it herself long ago.
"Your Excellency… they say it was not taught by the Liyue Adepti, but by an outsider cultivator who came from beyond."
"The details are unclear. This subordinate dares not presume too much."
Sara stole a glance at her Shogun.
Strangely, she seemed… calmer, perhaps even easier to speak with.
"Cultivators…"
Raiden fell silent, then at last said:
"Send men to investigate."
Sara blinked, then lit up with joy.
"Yes, General!"
Her Shogun had ordered to send people beyond Inazuma's shores—that meant she was loosening her grip on the Sakoku Decree.
If so, perhaps even the Vision Hunt might be…
Sara herself had never truly supported it.
She had only obeyed as a loyal retainer.
But if the Shogun herself were willing to let go…
Then perhaps all those who had died had not done so in vain.
Perhaps Kazuha's return had been the right choice after all.
Meanwhile, Xiao ignored the complicated gazes around him.
These mortals—none of them Liyue's people, and fleeting in his life—mattered little to him.
His task here was done. With the Shogun surely cowed by what had just transpired, he had no reason to linger.
Just as the Sect Master had said, his priority now was preparing for his tribulation.
Mundane Law Enforcement matters could be left to others.
He turned toward Kazuha, speaking calmly:
"Kazuha, since the Sect Master has permitted you to remain, then stay."
Kazuha bowed gratefully.
"This time I owe it all to you, Senior Brother. I fear I have disturbed your cultivation."
He too had heard Xiao was nearing his tribulation.
Had his elder brother been forced into it prematurely because of this? He would never forgive himself.
Xiao merely gave a final admonition.
"I will return first. When your matters are done, return to Mount Shu and await the First Seat's judgment.
And… should you face foes beyond your strength, pour your true essence into the disciple's token.
Idle Outer Elders will come to aid you."
Kazuha nodded heavily.
"I understand. Thank you, Senior Brother. Safe travels."
Without further word, Xiao mounted his sword and flew straight toward Liyue.
Zhongli was already handling the matter of abdication there, and Xiao had to attend a meeting as a Liyue Adeptus.
His duties were many.
Watching his brother vanish in an instant, Kazuha sighed in admiration.
"Senior Brother Xiao grows ever stronger. When will I ever reach his level of cultivation?"
Turning back, he cupped his fists toward the Shogun and Sara.
"General, today's slaughter was no choice of mine. It was kill to stop killing.
All I have ever sought is a span of peace for Inazuma.
This was my last deed for her.
From this day forth, there will be no Kaedehara Kazuha of Inazuma—only the disciple of Mount Shu."
"General, I know you pursue eternity through isolation.
But look upon your people, suffering in endless war.
Is this eternity truly what you desire?"
"Do you know, in your seclusion, how much Teyvat has changed?"
Kazuha lifted his hands proudly toward the heavens.
"Our Sect Master came from beyond the skies, spreading Immortal Dao. Mount Shu now flourishes, cultivation thrives, and every nation but Inazuma pursues it.
If you desire eternity, that is your choice.
But do not force that path upon all your subjects.
Perhaps your eternity is not the eternity they wish for."
"Withdraw your troops, General. Grant Inazuma a time of peace.
Give yourself a chance to see today's Teyvat with your own eyes.
Perhaps you will find a truer eternity."
Raiden fell into silence. Kazuha's words had struck something in her…
But he and Xiao had also humiliated her before countless eyes.
Her pride smarted.
Her voice grew sharp.
"If you claim you are no longer of Inazuma, why return? Why slaughter my hundreds of Tenryou Commission's guard?"
"This was no choice of mine," Kazuha answered steadily.
"When I return, Mount Shu's Law Enforcement will judge me."
He looked her in the eye, his voice ringing out:
"But, General, ask yourself—what I slew was but a few hundred who defied reason.
How many more Inazumans have died by your decree?"
"You… accuse me!"
Raiden's eyes wavered. Pain flickered there, but she still barked back:
"You think I cannot deal with you?"
At once, the field grew tense again.
But Kazuha only lifted his disciple's token, his eyes firm.
"My cultivation is shallow. I cannot defeat you. But you may test me if you dare.
I am only at the early stage of Essence Refinement. My Senior Brother Xiao is only at its peak.
But Mount Shu has countless powerhouses. One breath of true essence into this token, and an Outer Elder—far stronger than Xiao—will descend.
I stand guiltless. I do not fear Law Enforcement's trial.
But you, General… do you truly wish to plunge us all back into battle?"
Raiden fell silent.
Truth be told, she did not wish to fight again.
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