Seeing Furina looking a little puzzled, Jiang Yan simply explained:
"After the fall of the Great Flame, many other dynasties rose in succession.
These dynasties fought endlessly, and after the chaos, it was Shang Tang who finally won the world.
But as for the Way of Kings, no one ever walked that path again.
Later generations of emperors styled themselves Human Sovereigns, rulers of the human race.
The Human Sovereign was merely the emperor of mankind, not in conflict with the Dao of the Heavenly Emperor, Haotian Shangdi.
Besides, the Three Ancient Sovereigns had origins no less exalted than Haotian Shangdi himself.
The Heavenly Sovereign, Fuxi, was the incarnation of Great Luo Fuxi—who once drew a single line that opened the heavens, creating countless worlds.
The Earthly Sovereign, Shennong, was likewise an incarnation of some Great Luo entering the human race—though which one remains uncertain, though rumor ties him to Houtu.
The Human Sovereign, Xuanyuan, was the first to take the title, and remains the only one recorded to have ascended to the rank of Great Luo after birth.
Still, the ancient mighty ones with deep roots never accepted this claim.
For those who attain the Dao of Great Luo—if they desire to become Great Luo, then with but a single thought, they are.
Great Luo has neither past nor future, only the eternal present of the Dao.
Thus, the identity of the Human Sovereign Xuanyuan is shrouded in mystery.
It seems these three mighty beings reached a tacit agreement with Haotian Shangdi, to bring order to the Immortal Realm.
Of course, for the truly supreme beings, the state of the Immortal Realm mattered little—for them, reshaping it in an instant was nothing at all.
But…"
Jiang Yan gave a wry smile, shaking his head.
"…It's like how Ningguang wouldn't want the thousand-year chessboard of Liyue she's carefully tended to suddenly be overturned.
They too do not wish their playground thrown into disorder.
So, the Human Sovereign governs humanity, while the Immortal Realm was divided among them, giving rise to the current structure.
Haotian Shangdi sent his incarnation as the Jade Emperor to preside over the Celestial Court, controlling one faction of the Immortal Realm.
From then on, the Way of Kings bowed its head, becoming a vassal of the Emperor's Way of Haotian Shangdi."
Jiang Yan's gaze turned slightly teasing as it fell on Furina.
"So, even if you succeed in the Way of Kings, you won't truly count as Haotian Shangdi's enemy.
More likely, you'll be registered in the Celestial Court's records—considered an official vassal."
Hu Tao scratched her cheek, spreading her hands.
"In other words… basically just being someone's little brother, right?"
Jiang Yan chuckled.
"You could put it that way. But remember who you'd be serving.
Besides, Great Luo won't care what you do.
In their eyes, the Way of Kings is nothing but a rebellious child throwing a tantrum.
They give you a beating, and you fall back in line."
Hu Tao pouted. She couldn't wrap her head around these lofty Great Luo beings, nor did she expect to ever interact with them in her lifetime.
An ant should have an ant's awareness.
Better to pin her hopes on Jiang Yan.
"So, Master," Furina asked softly, "if I cultivate the Heavenly Mandate: God-Sealing Art, could I also expand my power, divide the land, and rule the world—like the sovereign of Great Yan once did?"
Jiang Yan gave a small nod.
"You needn't worry too much. Even if you truly ascend and bring Fontaine into the Immortal Realm, your foremost identity will always be as a disciple of Mount Shu. That means yours is the obedient Way of Kings.
And besides, after the Immortal Realm was divided, it became exceedingly stable. Even if you reach the rank of Taiyi, you'll only be able to rule over one portion.
The path taken by the sovereign of Great Yan—you cannot imitate, nor will you meet the same end.
I know you find the idea of an 'obedient' Way of Kings puzzling, but the world is what it is.
No matter what Dao one follows, strength alone is the true Dao.
And Great Luo represents absolute strength and authority."
Though the group still felt some complicated emotions, they could only accept his words.
Furina, unwilling to dwell further on the Great Luo, asked:
"So then, to cultivate the Heavenly Mandate: God-Sealing Art, I must divide the world among vassals?"
Jiang Yan nodded.
"At your current level, that's not possible. Fontaine's national fortune is not especially strong.
To divide and enfeoff the heavens, at the very least you'd have to rule over an entire world. But as for Teyvat…"
His gaze slid toward Zhongli and the others.
Their faces remained calm, but Furina understood.
If Fontaine truly sought to dominate Teyvat, Zhongli and the rest would be the first to turn against her.
Her expression fell.
"Then if I can't rule Teyvat, how am I supposed to cultivate this art?"
Jiang Yan shook his head, pointing toward Dragonhead Peak.
"Do you know how many minor worlds lie attached to Mount Shu's domain?"
Furina froze.
"But… those are Mount Shu's worlds, I…"
"Mount Shu is a sect of cultivation. We have no interest in ruling the world." Jiang Yan shook his head again.
"Most of those small worlds attached themselves to Mount Shu of their own accord. Others, like the Nine Nether Secret Realm, were severed by our ancestors and preserved as training grounds.
In ages past, there were others who cultivated the Heavenly Mandate: God-Sealing Art. Those worlds served as their foundation.
Mount Shu has always supported its disciples in climbing higher. A few small worlds are nothing—if you can rule them, so be it.
To us, only strength matters. No matter how mighty a small world, wasn't it ultimately subdued by Mount Shu's forebears?"
Furina's eyes lit up with understanding.
Jiang Yan smiled.
"I place high hopes in you, Furina. Your talent and Dao-heart are among the strongest in generations.
Thus, your cultivation goal is this: suppress the Nine Nether Secret Realm, and rule it.
By then, your strength will be at least at the peak of Nascent Soul transformation.
With the might of the Heavenly Mandate: God-Sealing Art, your word alone could alter the very laws of Teyvat.
Remember this well: the stronger the nation, the stronger the art. The stronger the art, the stronger you become.
And furthermore…"
Jiang Yan paused, fixing Furina with a meaningful look.
"…The Heavenly Mandate: God-Sealing Art is also a method to reverse the acquired into the innate.
If you can elevate it to the Heavenly Rank, you can transform your very constitution into the Kingly Sacred Body.
A physique no weaker than the Divine Bodies themselves."
Everyone was stunned.
Jiang Yan had mentioned before that such cultivation methods existed—ways to reverse the acquired into the innate, granting special physiques.
But in their minds, such arts were exceedingly rare. Even if Mount Shu possessed them, they wouldn't appear until at least the third or fifth floors.
Yet Furina…
She'd found one on the very first floor?
And not just any special physique, but one comparable to a Divine Body—the Kingly Sacred Body.
True, she'd still have to reach Heavenly Rank to trigger the transformation, but the fact remained: Furina had already secured such an art.
The rest was merely a matter of steady progress.
For the others, even if they reached the fourth floor someday, finding such a method would be no simple task.
Fate was not equal.
Among them, Ningguang, Keqing, and Jean felt the keenest envy.
The Heavenly Mandate: God-Sealing Art was indeed steeped in great and mysterious origins—perhaps even tied to unspeakable existences, and not entirely auspicious.
But for cultivation now, it was harmless. Otherwise, Mount Shu would not have kept it.
This was an art that grew stronger with the nation, a perfect cycle—nation strengthens, Furina strengthens; Furina strengthens, nation strengthens.
She could even directly enfeoff Fontaine's people as powerful cultivators. Such an outrageous method…
Who wouldn't want it?
Didn't they all have their own nations to govern?
But as Jiang Yan had said, none of them had the King's Mandate.
With a sigh, Ningguang and the others gave up their envy.
The Heavenly Mandate: God-Sealing Art was not for them.
Liyue valued human governance, not kingly rule. Zhongli, the closest thing to Liyue's king, was already stepping down. Could Ningguang then simply replace him as king? Absurd.
As for Mondstadt, even less so—it thrived on freedom, soil where the Way of Kings could never take root.
Only Fontaine, though not ruled by kingship, still had Furina, whose identity and status could support it. Fontaine's people would not resist her claim to the throne.
Thus, compared to other nations, it was far more suitable ground.
Perhaps realizing this—or perhaps as a way to console themselves—Ningguang and the others let the thought go.
Better to set their sights on the trove of spiritual artifacts hovering above Jiang Yan's head.
But before Ningguang could steer the conversation, Hu Tao timidly raised her hand.
"Um, Master, I have a teeny, tiny question…
Really—it's super small.
It's just that…"
Seeing her hemming and hawing, Zhongli suddenly felt a bad premonition.
From Jiang Yan's earlier words, it was clear that many of these new disciples had chosen cultivation methods that weren't entirely wholesome.
He had already worried Hu Tao might be among them.
Though Zhongli had never spoken much to her, nor openly commented on her joining Mount Shu, deep down he had been pleased.
He himself had joined the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor long ago. Hu Tao's grandfather had known his identity, and they had been on good terms.
And Hu Tao… he had watched her grow up.
After her grandfather's passing, Zhongli had originally intended to change his identity and move on, as human lifespans were short.
But he couldn't quite leave her alone.
Orphaned young, Hu Tao had shouldered the Funeral Parlor by herself. After much thought, Zhongli chose to stay—partly to look after her, to honor her grandfather, knowing how mischievous she'd always been.
Partly because he had grown used to life at the Funeral Parlor—and it covered his daily expenses, after all.
Over time, Hu Tao had become as much his junior as Xiao.
But now… judging by her expression, she had chosen something outrageous.
The thought left Zhongli unsettled.
What if Hu Tao had chosen the path of a demonic cultivator?
How would he face her grandfather then?
Jiang Yan, glancing at Zhongli, easily read the worry in his eyes, and secretly chuckled.
"You're asking about your cultivation method, aren't you?"
"Hehe… sharp as always, Master."
Hu Tao scratched her cheek, lowering her voice.
"It's just… I don't really understand my Ten Thousand Ghosts Codex..."
"???"
Zhongli's ears were sharp, and when he caught her words, he froze.
For a long moment he could only stare, dumbfounded. Then, incredulous, he asked:
"What did you just say your cultivation method was?"
"The Ten Thousand Ghosts Codex. Is that a problem?"
Hu Tao puffed out her chest, looking quite proud.
"So… you're a ghost cultivator now?"
Zhongli's gaze grew unbearably complicated. Hu Tao's choice was beyond anything he had anticipated.
And he could not help but feel troubled at how he would answer to her grandfather.
After a long silence, his voice was heavy with mixed emotions:
"Hu Tao… have you thought about what your grandfather would think of you becoming a ghost cultivator?"
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