"It hardly counts as a heavy loss."
Zhongli shook his head gently and said,
"After all, it's the Sect Master's first visit to Liyue Harbor. I had little else suitable to offer in hospitality. This golden roc meat is simply the finest ingredient I possess."
Jiang Yan smiled faintly and carefully sampled the three dishes.
The boost in strength that had just erupted across everyone else's bodies—
on Jiang Yan, there wasn't the slightest trace.
No one was surprised.
He was, after all, a cultivator at the peak of Return to Void. For someone of his level, only the flesh of a Unity of Void and Dao beast could bring improvement.
But Unity of Void and Dao beast meat… throughout the entire history of the cultivation world, such a thing had almost never appeared.
Because no one dared to attempt it.
Just as beasts would never dare eat cultivators of that realm, cultivators too would never challenge the dignity of other peak Unity of Void and Dao experts.
Ningguang and the others gazed expectantly at Jiang Yan, hoping he would give his approval of the dishes infused with Liyue's flavors.
After a moment of silent savoring, Jiang Yan nodded with a small smile.
"Not bad."
Since Liyue's cuisine matched his palate, the flavor was indeed quite agreeable.
Ningguang and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But Yae Miko blinked and teased with a soft smile,
"The Sect Master's evaluation is rather sparse—just one 'not bad.' I fear that might wound those who worked so hard to prepare these dishes."
Ningguang quickly shook her head.
"Not at all. Gaining the Sect Master's approval in so few words is more than enough. Even telling today's chefs of this much would be the highest honor for them."
Jiang Yan's expression didn't harden at the jest. He remained warm as ever.
"I've never been one to indulge in taste. Fine food, to me, can hardly be called an enjoyment. Were it not necessary, I could go my whole life on fasting alone—no food, no sleep.
But that doesn't mean I've lost the basic ability to taste.
These three dishes balance color, fragrance, and flavor, and while preserving the maximum spiritual essence, still bring out their aroma. That speaks volumes of the chef's skill.
But if you asked me for a detailed critique beyond this… I would truly be at a loss."
Lishui nodded vigorously, flattering,
"Just the Sect Master saying 'delicious' is proof enough of perfection in these dishes!"
Zhongli cast him a sidelong look, expression complicated. This fellow brewed pills like an average man, but when it came to flattery, he was unrivaled. Since when had he been this slick?
"The Sect Master lives such a way… it feels like losing many of life's joys."
Yae Miko's gaze softened with a touch of heartache as she looked at Jiang Yan.
No interest in food, no taste for leisure, only relentless cultivation and the revival of Mount Shu on his shoulders.
He bore too much. He had lost too much.
"How can you know the joy of a fish if you are not one?"
Jiang Yan chuckled and shook his head.
"To me, all things in the world are but fleeting—passing like a white colt's shadow across a crack.
Scenery, cuisine, wealth, power… these are merely slogans by which mortals flaunt their desires.
When a century of splendor flashes by, how much of it remains?
My lifespan stretches endlessly, and once I ascend, I'll share the years of Heaven itself. In such a vast eternity, everything becomes dull.
Only cultivation remains a pursuit worthy of eternity—becoming stronger, fulfilling every dream of one's weaker years.
That way, I won't lose myself or fall to the heart-tribulation of endless time.
You all must remember this—never lose your obsession with cultivation.
For a cultivator, the greatest calamity is always the tribulation of the self."
He paused, then smiled faintly.
"That said, there's nothing wrong with enjoying fine food. The Dao of Heaven is infinite, the paths to enlightenment countless.
In the cultivation world, there's even the Devouring Spirit Sect. Its disciples all possess supreme cooking skills. Their specialty is to use their own bodies as the furnace, refining all things of heaven and earth into pure cultivation resources.
Even in the Celestial Court of the Upper Realm, there are deities of cuisine—the Food God, the Stove God. The culinary path is no mere triviality."
As he spoke, he noticed the others listening intently. With a sigh, he realized he had once again drifted into a long lecture.
He shook his head with a wry smile.
"Enough. Today is supposed to be Head Zhongli's celebration, yet here I am again waxing philosophical, spoiling the mood."
"Not at all!"
Paimon waved her hands energetically, resting her cheeks on her palms.
"Paimon loves hearing the Sect Master talk about these things!"
"That's only because you're greedy!" Lumine muttered.
"Eat, eat, eat! Who can out-eat you? Let's see—when you've been eating for ten thousand years, will you finally get sick of it?"
"Hmph! Even if it's not just ten thousand years, but a hundred thousand years, Paimon will still love eating delicious food!"
Paimon raised her chin proudly.
Everyone burst into knowing smiles, though inside they were pondering Jiang Yan's words.
In a short mortal span, there are countless desires. But in the endless lifetimes of cultivators, the pursuits… are actually few.
Food, scenery, wealth, power…
In time, all of it would fade to dust, emptied of allure.
At last, they understood why Jiang Yan so often said: cultivation requires the patience to endure loneliness.
Time itself is not what cultivators fear. What is terrifying is letting that time slip by in vain.
Even this meal tonight had carried a touch of enlightenment, leaving each with private reflections.
But for Neuvillette and the others… Jiang Yan's words might as well have been scripture. They could barely grasp them.
The only thing they truly understood was:
Cultivators… live.
For tens of thousands of years. Hundreds of thousands of years.
When they thought of it like that, perhaps even the greatest gourmand would grow tired of food someday.
"Enough of this. Let us speak of business."
Jiang Yan smiled as he turned to Zhongli.
"Head Zhongli has at last fulfilled his wish—retiring from the seat of Geo Archon. From now on, he is only Zhongli.
He can focus solely on Dragonhead Peak's affairs, and calmly cultivate."
At this, joy flickered in Zhongli's eyes. He nodded.
"Indeed. Now I can devote myself to cultivation, no longer burdened by Liyue's concerns."
Jiang Yan set down his teacup, his eyes holding a trace of playful teasing.
"Can you truly cast it aside?"
Zhongli was silent for a moment, then gave a bitter smile.
"Of course it cannot be done in a day. But I believe in Liyue. With its present foundation, there is no force in Teyvat that could truly threaten it."
Jiang Yan inclined his head.
"Just as I cannot lay down Mount Shu, I understand Head Zhongli's heart.
After the Rite of Descension, you should make a trip to the Demon-Sealing Tower."
Zhongli's head snapped up, joy shining in his eyes. He nodded heavily.
"My thanks, Sect Master!"
The Demon-Sealing Tower he had yearned for so long—at last, it was open to him.
Xuanyin's death… he would avenge it.
"The Demon-Sealing Tower of Mount Shu… the place said to imprison endless demons that plagued the world, even six Unity of Void and Dao demon emperors at their peak…"
"The forbidden land of Mount Shu…"
The Cryo Archon whispered softly, her gaze on Zhongli complex and troubled. She couldn't fathom why he insisted on venturing into such a perilous place. To her, it was sheer suicide.
"I must break through to the peak of Spirit Transformation in the shortest possible time."
Zhongli's voice was steady as he glanced at the worried Xiao and others.
"The reopening of the Nine Nether Secret Realm will draw countless Shu disciples. Turmoil in the Nether is inevitable. The Seven Kings already know of Shu's revival.
They are waiting for us to enter.
This is crisis, but also opportunity. The Nether is dangerous, but the strongest within is no more than Spirit Transformation peak.
If I break through to Spirit Transformation peak, with my cultivation method, I can contend against one or two.
With the supreme spirit weapon Profound One Sword bestowed by Senior Brother Xuanyin, I will behead the Greenwind OX and comfort my senior brother's spirit in Heaven.
More importantly, Shu cannot always rest upon the Sect Master's shoulders. The sooner I advance, the sooner I can protect our disciples.
The Nine Nether is perilous beyond compare. I must advance swiftly.
If I truly fall within the Demon-Sealing Tower, it only proves my arts too shallow, unworthy of being Head of Shu.
As Zhongli, this is the first thing I must do."
Once a cultivator's will was set, nothing could sway it.
The others could only offer blessings for his journey.
As for the Cryo Archon and her companions, the Nine Nether, the Demon-Sealing Tower—they were things they had only heard whispers of. The world of cultivation was still far from their reach.
"Indeed, the Demon-Sealing Tower is perilous beyond words. Even Unity of Void and Dao cultivators can fall there if reckless.
But if you strictly adhere to its rules of conduct, basic safety can be ensured."
Jiang Yan's tone was calm as he looked at Zhongli.
"When you are ready to go, come to me. This time, I will accompany you.
But you must not pass beyond the fifth level."
At his words, everyone froze for a heartbeat, then their faces paled in shock.
"The Sect Master himself, risking danger?"
Even though Jiang Yan now stood at the peak of Return to Void, with unfathomable might, the Demon-Sealing Tower was still home to Unity of Void and Dao demon emperors.
But Jiang Yan was unmoved, his voice serene.
"This was a decision I made long ago.
Now that I've reached this peak, I am but one step from crossing my tribulation and entering Void-Fusion.
I am confident that, even following the usual path, it would not take me long.
But if there is a way to hasten that step, why wait?
Since coming to Teyvat, I've yet to fight a single battle to my heart's content. My cultivation abounds with killing techniques, yet I've had no chance to wield them. That itself is sorrowful.
The tower left by our forebears—this too is my opportunity.
So, no need to dissuade me. I will go."
Seeing him unshakable, the crowd could only close their mouths with heavy hearts.
But when Ganyu's gaze turned faintly wounded, Jiang Yan's resolve softened just slightly. His voice gentled.
"Do not fear for me. As Mount Shu's Sect Master, if I were so easily slain, I would be unworthy of this post.
Besides, I have my means. Even should I meet a Unity of Void and Dao demon, I can still kill it."
Ganyu blinked, then, meeting the warmth in his eyes, realized he was trying to comfort her.
Her lips curved into a smile once more as she nodded firmly.
"Yes, Sect Master!"
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