Seeing that both the Cryo Archon and Arlecchino were convinced Tartaglia would do something only a madman would do, the debt collector felt a pang of guilt.
If Tartaglia ever found out about this conversation, how could he possibly survive?
He quickly tried to explain:
"Your Majesty, truly, you needn't worry so much. I've heard that because of the recent exploration, Mount Shu's Sect Leader has temporarily sealed off the Nine Nether Secret Realm."
"Even if Young Master wished to enter, he likely couldn't for now."
"Besides, that secret realm is exceedingly dangerous. Young Master wouldn't recklessly venture in alone."
"On top of that, doing so would violate Mount Shu's precepts. He'd face punishment from Dragonhead Peak. Young Master has only just joined Mount Shu—it's unlikely he'd take such a risk."
Hearing this, the others finally let out a breath of relief.
If it came down to Tartaglia's own self-control… the Cryo Archon would sooner believe he'd given up fighting altogether.
Given the chance for such intense, unrestrained battle, Tartaglia restraining himself? That would be a miracle.
But if Mount Shu's rules stood in the way, then no matter how much he craved combat, he'd have to hold back.
On matters of great consequence, Tartaglia could still tell right from wrong.
The Cryo Archon took Rosalyne's notebook, its pages densely packed with notes on everything the debt collector had shared.
Though it seemed like a lot, in truth the useful parts boiled down to information about Mount Shu's seven branches, some unique structures, and the true nature of the Heart-Testing Array.
As for the debt collector's endless praise about Mount Shu's scenery—Rosalyne hadn't bothered to write any of that down. She knew what mattered most.
This was no time to care about trivial details.
By tomorrow, the participants of the assessment would surely be loudly spreading such stories.
At that time, they could piece together a rough geographical sketch.
In fact… it might not even take until tomorrow.
The Cryo Archon glanced out at bustling Liyue Harbor, voices rising in waves.
If one listened carefully, the words Mount Shu and cultivation could already be picked out amid the noise.
As for information about Mount Shu's natural environment, they could always send people onto the streets to ask around later.
The debt collector, it seemed, had little more they needed.
Just as she was about to dismiss him, Rosalyne suddenly spoke:
"What about the Sect-Opening Ceremony of Mount Shu? Do we know how often it takes place?"
The Cryo Archon froze, then looked at the debt collector.
He hesitated, uncertain.
"I haven't heard Mount Shu's disciples say directly, but others speculate it's held once a year for now."
"After all, Mount Shu lacks manpower. I've heard the original Mount Shu had disciples numbering in the billions."
"My guess is they'll keep expanding for now. But once they've recruited enough, the ceremonies may be spaced out—once every ten years, fifty, even a hundred. For cultivators, time is the least valuable thing."
He sighed.
The Cryo Archon thought in silence.
Truthfully, she had never pinned her hopes on the Sect-Opening Ceremony.
After all, the majority of Snezhnaya's forces were the Fatui.
And the Fatui… though not by design, were indeed a mixed bag of good and evil.
If the first screening was left to Liyue's officials, then out of a hundred Fatui, she'd be lucky if even one passed.
In the broad or narrow sense, the Fatui's deeds were hardly righteous.
This time alone, over four to five thousand Fatui had gone to the Ministry of Civil Affairs for the preliminary screening.
Only three debt collectors had qualified.
That was harsh, to say the least.
Liyue wouldn't dare target the Fatui directly under Mount Shu's name… but still.
The Cryo Archon knew from the beginning: if Snezhnaya wanted to keep pace with the coming world of cultivation, waiting passively for the Sect-Opening Ceremony was hopeless.
To sit and wait was worse than slow death.
After some thought, she asked softly:
"Tell me—aside from waiting for the Sect-Opening Ceremony, is there any other way to join Mount Shu?"
She hadn't expected much of an answer. Yet, to her surprise, the debt collector nodded.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. I did hear of a few who joined outside the Ceremony."
"Recently, there were Baizhu and Qiqi. Baizhu endured nine layers of the Heart-Testing Array; Qiqi, they say, has a special constitution and was directly interviewed."
"Later, there were Jean and the others from Mondstadt."
"They had no special constitutions, but they were close to Lisa, a highly regarded inner disciple of Mount Shu. With her recommendation, they took the assessment and all passed three layers—staying on as disciples."
"Then there was Yae Miko from Inazuma. She was recommended by Ganyu, secretary of the Liyue Qixing. She also possesses a rare constitution. Though the Sect Leader advised her not to skip the Heart-Testing, but to temper her will instead."
"All of these people joined without attending the Sect-Opening Ceremony."
The Cryo Archon nodded, thoughtful, and jotted a few key terms in the notebook.
After a pause, she raised her head.
"If I understand correctly, the conditions are these: First, at least an inner disciple's recommendation is required, granting a chance to take the assessment outside the Ceremony."
"Second, you must still be able to pass three layers of the Heart-Testing Array."
"And finally, having a special constitution may allow you to skip the test entirely."
The debt collector nodded eagerly, admiration in his eyes—clearly impressed by how quickly she had distilled the path into clear steps.
After a moment, he added:
"Best of all would be to possess a Divine Constitution. Those with such a body not only skip the Heart-Testing Array, but may be taught personally by the Sect Leader. At present, Mount Shu recognizes three Divine Constitutions: Klee, who is the Sect Leader's personal disciple, and the Traveler and Paimon, both taught directly as well."
This left the Cryo Archon and the others speechless.
A Divine Constitution?
Just hearing the term was enough to know how ridiculous it was.
Even with her boundless confidence, the Cryo Archon could at best imagine herself having some rare constitution.
A Divine Constitution? Best not to indulge in such fantasies.
"Your Majesty, if those are the requirements, then it's not impossible for us."
Rosalyne leaned close, whispering with delight:
"Tartaglia can provide the recommendation. As for the three layers of the Heart-Testing—difficult as living three lives sounds, many have done it. Why not us?"
"As for constitutions…"
She pursed her lips. Even with her blind devotion to the Cryo Archon, she dared not boast rashly. Instead, she said tactfully:
"A Divine Constitution is out of reach. But a rare constitution, or strong spiritual roots—you absolutely have no problem there."
"In short, all we need is for Tartaglia to return. Then it will be settled."
The Cryo Archon agreed with a nod, then sighed.
"If only we could know our talents in advance."
"That… we actually can."
Rosalyne gestured toward the floating Jade Chamber.
"On it lies a gift from the Sect Leader of Mount Shu—the Xuanyuan Mirror. It can test aptitudes. Spiritual roots show specific colors and heights of light. Special constitutions give off unique radiance."
The Cryo Archon had heard of the Xuanyuan Mirror before, but had thought it an offensive treasure. Now, it seemed far more versatile.
But—
"Does Liyue offer rentals of the Xuanyuan Mirror? No matter the cost, we can pay."
She had little hope, but asked anyway.
As expected, Rosalyne gave a wry smile.
"Impossible, Your Majesty. It is Liyue's national treasure, and was gifted directly by the Sect Leader. No amount of Mora could rent it out."
The Cryo Archon had already known the answer, but still felt a pang of disappointment.
She nodded faintly and, realizing nothing more needed to be asked, waved the debt collector away.
Once he left, she turned to Rosalyne.
"Note down what he said—especially about the first Heart-Testing Array. Even if you don't believe it, prepare for the worst."
"Also, since he passed the preliminary test and stepped into Mount Shu, though he failed the Formation, at least he entered once. He might still be useful."
"As for the other two debt collectors who stayed in Mount Shu—though they haven't formally joined, they're still there. Keep a close watch."
"Above all, don't assign them to anything they shouldn't do. Let them train this year, and by next year, try to get them into Mount Shu—even just as outer disciples."
"As for us, we wait for Tartaglia's word."
Rosalyne and Arlecchino both nodded firmly.
But after a moment, Rosalyne hesitated, then whispered:
"Your Majesty… Mount Shu despises evil, upholding the Dao of banishing demons. But… our past deeds…"
The Cryo Archon fell silent. A cold gleam flickered in her eyes.
Lifting her gaze, she fixed them with a stare that made both women shudder.
"The Delusion Factory was the work of the Doctor and the Jester. You two were coerced, trapped in their schemes, with no choice but to comply."
"You are remorseful. You have awakened to your errors, and you have made amends."
"Better late than never."
"Do you understand?"
Rosalyne and Arlecchino exchanged a look. Their hearts trembled—but excitement welled within them.
The Cryo Archon's meaning was clear: she would lay all blame on those two unfortunates.
And truthfully, it wasn't far from the truth. The real masterminds behind the Delusion Factory were the Doctor and the Jester. They had only been executors.
"Your Majesty is wise… but will Mount Shu believe it?"
The Cryo Archon didn't answer. She only sipped her tea, then crushed the cup in her hand.
"It is the only way. At worst…"
"You may cut down the traitors yourselves, as proof."
"The dead do not argue."
The two women locked eyes—then nodded heavily.
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