Mandrill: I Am the Great Sage Who Conquers Demons—Am I Only at the Peak of Refining Energy?
Jiang Yan had already explained much about immortal cultivation, yet now he was introducing even more unfamiliar terms. Zhongli and the others struggled to process everything.
Meanwhile, Gan Yu, resting her chin on one hand, muttered in disappointment,
"I originally wanted to invite you to join Yuehai Pavilion, but I didn't expect that you already have a place of work..."
Jiang Yan chuckled at her dejected expression and replied with amusement,
"A place of work? So that's how you see it."
Gan Yu blinked in curiosity. "Isn't it?"
Jiang Yan shook his head but did not refute her. Instead, he turned to Zhongli and asked softly,
"Do you have any questions?"
Zhongli nodded.
"You mentioned 'Refining the Gods and Returning to the Void'—is this a unique power system among immortal cultivators?"
"That's right," Jiang Yan affirmed. "The strength of immortal cultivators is divided into specific realms."
Zhongli studied Jiang Yan again, confirming that his power was indeed overwhelming.
"So… the realm of 'Refining the Gods and Returning to the Void' is already quite powerful, isn't it?"
Before Zhongli could finish his sentence, Jiang Yan spoke ahead of him, as if reading his thoughts.
Zhongli was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.
Jiang Yan glanced at the others. Though they didn't openly admit it like Zhongli, their expressions showed that they too believed Jiang Yan's strength was formidable.
Jiang Yan sighed.
"Before I explain how the strength of immortal cultivators is structured, let me ask you something—how does Teyvat classify power levels?"
This question left everyone stunned.
Power levels in Teyvat?
There weren't really any strict classifications.
In general, people categorized beings by their sheer strength. Some Vision holders, known as "Original Gods," could rival demons or even immortals.
For example, the Eleven Harbingers of the Fatui were said to be exceptionally powerful. Even Childe, the lowest-ranked Harbinger, could pose a serious challenge to an adeptus like Cloud Retainer, especially since she was not a combat specialist.
As for the higher-ranked Harbingers, some were said to be as strong as the Seven Archons themselves.
Though Jiang Yan found this claim exaggerated—if the Fatui Harbingers were truly as strong as the gods, why would the Tsaritsa still need to negotiate with Zhongli?—the statement still indicated that Teyvat lacked a clear, systematic ranking of power.
After some thought, Zhongli shook his head.
"In all my six thousand years, I have never heard of an official classification of strength in Teyvat," he admitted. "At best, power can be roughly divided into Original Gods, Demon Gods' followers, and Demon Gods themselves."
Jiang Yan chuckled.
"I see. Then let me ask you—both you and Barbatos are Demon Gods, but are you equally strong?"
Zhongli remained silent.
Cloud Retainer proudly lifted her head and declared,
"Of course, the Emperor is superior! He is the oldest Demon God and the most revered War God of Teyvat!"
"This title was earned through countless battles in the Archon War. Even among the Seven Archons, the Emperor is recognized as the strongest."
"Barbatos may also be a first-generation Archon, but compared to the Emperor, he doesn't stand a chance."
Jiang Yan nodded slightly and turned back to Zhongli.
"So, you're saying that while you're both Demon Gods, you're significantly stronger than the others?"
Zhongli was taken aback.
Jiang Yan's words implied something important: If all Demon Gods were classified under the same category, yet some were clearly stronger than others, then was 'Demon God' a power level—or merely a type of being?
For a moment, Zhongli fell into deep thought. But after a while, unable to find a clear answer, he instead asked,
"How are immortal cultivators divided? And where does the realm of 'Refining the Gods and Returning to the Void' stand in that system?"
A faint smile appeared on Jiang Yan's face as he explained,
"In the path of immortal cultivation, power is broadly divided into two stages: the Mortal Stage and the Immortal Stage."
"As I mentioned before—humans possess humanity, while immortals possess immortality. These two stages are distinct, each with its own realms."
"'Refining the Gods and Returning to the Void' is merely one of the realms within the Mortal Stage—it is not even the final stage before ascension."
Now truly interested, Jiang Yan continued,
"Although different cultivation sects may use varying names for their realms, the progression generally follows the same path. The most basic division consists of four main realms:
1. Refining Essence into Qi
2. Refining Qi into Spirit
3. Refining Spirit into Void
4. Refining Void into Dao
"Once a cultivator reaches the final stage of 'Refining Void into Dao,' they can begin preparing to undergo their tribulation and ascend to true immortality."
"As for me—I am currently in the late stage of 'Refining the Gods and Returning to the Void.'"
Zhongli was silent.
Even though he had already suspected that Jiang Yan's cultivation system was far more rigorous than Teyvat's, he had not expected that Jiang Yan, despite his overwhelming strength, had yet to even reach immortality.
If Jiang Yan was merely at the 'Refining the Gods and Returning to the Void' stage…
"Then what about me?" Zhongli asked.
Jiang Yan smiled knowingly.
"You are in the late stage of 'Refining Qi into Spirit.'"
Zhongli looked at him in surprise.
"Can you read minds?"
Jiang Yan chuckled and shook his head.
"For now, I don't have that ability—and even if I did, I wouldn't casually read people's thoughts."
"Your question was simply too obvious."
Zhongli did not argue and instead asked,
"So, according to your system, I am only at the late stage of 'Refining Qi into Spirit'… and what about Tianli?"
Jiang Yan's expression became thoughtful.
"I haven't seen her personally," he admitted. "But based on your descriptions, I'd estimate she is in the realm of 'Refining the Gods and Returning to the Void'—though whether it's the early or middle stage, I can't say."
"Why not the late stage?" Gan Yu asked curiously.
Jiang Yan smiled faintly but said nothing, only glancing up at the sky.
If Tianli were in the late stage of 'Refining the Gods and Returning to the Void'… she wouldn't be avoiding conflict; she would be actively looking for trouble.
Even though the difference between mid-stage and late-stage may seem small, in the cultivation system, each advancement is monumental.
"Then, if I am at the late stage of 'Refining Qi into Spirit,' that means…" Zhongli trailed off.
"In my opinion, Demon Gods are generally at the stage of 'Refining Qi into Spirit,'" Jiang Yan confirmed.
He then turned to Mandrill and said,
"As for the Great Sage Who Conquers Demons, I'd say you are at the peak of 'Refining Essence into Qi.' You're close to reaching the next stage, right?"
Zhongli glanced at Mandrill, who seemed dazed. It made sense—after all, in Liyue, Mandrill was regarded as the strongest adeptus beneath Zhongli, someone closest to the power of a Demon God.
But now, according to Jiang Yan's system, he had only reached the peak of the first realm?
This realization was difficult to accept.
"Mandrill is indeed the immortal closest to Demon God-level strength," Zhongli admitted.
Jiang Yan then turned his attention to another key topic.
"You just mentioned that you are the Headmaster of Shushan?" Zhongli asked.
Jiang Yan smiled and nodded decisively.
After all this conversation, they had finally arrived at the main point.