14. The Theory of Talent for Cultivating Immortal Spiritual Roots
Jiang Yan had no intention of dwelling on past events.
Sensing this, Zhongli smoothly shifted the topic.
"So, you plan to rebuild Shushan here and reopen the mountain gate?"
Jiang Yan nodded. "I will, as long as you permit it."
Zhongli and the others had no objections—far from it.
Regardless of anything else, keeping Jiang Yan in Liyue was now a top priority. With someone of his caliber—who spoke casually about creating worlds—Liyue would truly become an impenetrable fortress.
"Of course, it is possible. In the name of Morax, I can sign a contract with you," Zhongli said solemnly.
"Thank you," Jiang Yan replied with a smile. "If Liyue ever encounters a problem beyond its ability to resolve, I will help as well."
Hearing this, Zhongli, usually composed and reserved, allowed a rare smile to form beneath his hood.
With Jiang Yan's presence, even if Zhongli himself were to perish, Liyue would remain safe. Jiang Yan had an incomprehensibly long lifespan, and his power was not subject to decay.
This was the ultimate ally.
And...
Zhongli couldn't stop thinking about what Jiang Yan had just revealed—the existence of higher realms, the art of resurrection, the vast multiverse.
Perhaps...
He could also seek the path of true immortality—the one pursued by cultivators across countless worlds.
No longer bound by the limits of Teyvat, no longer trapped beneath its false sky.
The thought filled Zhongli with an indescribable yearning. He couldn't help but blurt out, "Regarding Shushan's recruitment of disciples..."
Hearing this, Liu Yun and the others brightened, barely restraining their excitement.
Cultivation.
Who wouldn't want to grow stronger? To extend their lifespan?
To become a true immortal and witness the world beyond?
As it happened, recruitment was exactly what Jiang Yan wanted to discuss.
"I was about to bring this up," Jiang Yan responded. "I plan to accept disciples from Teyvat. I may need some assistance from you when the time comes."
Zhongli smiled. "Of course. I see no reason to refuse the opportunity to cultivate immortality."
"If you are willing to pursue the path, that would be a great thing for me as well."
Jiang Yan's expression grew serious as he addressed them.
"The cultivation of Taoism is not a solitary path. Learning from and teaching others is also an essential part of practice."
"More importantly, you are divine beings, naturally blessed by the world. Your potential for cultivation must be quite high. And given your existing strength, if you commit to this path, your achievements should be extraordinary."
Hearing Jiang Yan's praise, Zhongli and the others were pleased, though they remained composed.
"You flatter us," Zhongli said humbly.
However, Jiang Yan's tone shifted slightly.
"But there is something I must tell you in advance."
"Cultivation is indeed the road to transcendence, a path of infinite sublimation."
"But because of this, talent is of utmost importance."
"Those with strong aptitude progress rapidly, while those without may never even set foot on the path."
"You must be prepared for this."
"In the end, true talent is rare."
At these words, Gan Yu and the others exchanged worried glances.
"Are you saying..." Liu Yun hesitated before asking, "There's a chance we might not have the talent to cultivate immortality?"
"No, that's not what I meant."
Jiang Yan shook his head and reassured them.
"None of you need to worry. Though I haven't examined your aptitude in detail, I can already tell that it's exceptional."
"What I mean is that, even if Shushan opens its doors, only a handful of people in Liyue will likely qualify."
Hearing this, Liu Yun and the others let out a breath of relief.
As long as they were qualified, that was enough.
From the beginning, they never expected everyone to be capable of cultivation.
Even the ability to wield a Vision was reserved for a select few. Immortality was bound to be even rarer.
"Everything follows fate," Zhongli said thoughtfully. "Your willingness to establish Shushan here already provides an extraordinary opportunity. That alone is a great gift to the people of Liyue."
Jiang Yan, however, seemed lost in thought before he spoke again.
"If one only seeks extraordinary power, that is not difficult to obtain. In the cultivation world, not everyone is born with the talent for immortality."
"In fact, most are not."
"Ordinary people, unable to tread the path of true cultivation, have instead developed martial arts. While these arts are ultimately inferior to even the earliest stages of immortal cultivation, they do grant some extraordinary abilities."
"Though martial artists do not gain longevity, at the very least, they plant the seeds of the extraordinary."
Zhongli was intrigued by this.
It sounded similar to the martial arts practiced in Teyvat.
However, Jiang Yan referred to them as "extraordinary seeds."
If even a cultivator acknowledged them as extraordinary, then these martial arts must far exceed the techniques currently used in Teyvat.
Zhongli himself had no use for them, but if he introduced them to the army...
Perhaps Liyue could train an army of true warriors with extraordinary strength.
However, he set this thought aside for now and instead asked, "You mentioned that immortal cultivation requires aptitude. How exactly is it determined?"
Jiang Yan nodded.
"There are many ways to assess aptitude, but after analyzing countless cultivation systems, one method has been deemed the most accurate and universal: spiritual roots."
He traced his hand across the stone table, and a shimmering mirror of energy appeared.
"The so-called spiritual root is the foundation of one's talent. The stronger the spiritual root, the greater the potential for cultivation."
"While spiritual roots do not define everything, they are the primary standard for assessing a cultivator's potential."
"There are five common spiritual roots: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—the Five Element Spiritual Roots. Most cultivators possess these."
"Beyond them, there exist rarer spiritual roots such as wind, thunder, ice, and dust. These 'variant roots' do not necessarily surpass the Five Elements but simply grant different abilities."
"For example, someone with a Thunder Spiritual Root will find it easier to master lightning techniques than others."
Jiang Yan's explanation introduced an entirely new, yet rigorously logical system to Zhongli and the others.
It was unlike anything they had ever heard.
But it was fascinating.
New questions surfaced in their minds, and Liu Yun, suddenly inspired, asked excitedly, "If someone possesses multiple spiritual roots—perhaps all Five Elements along with variant roots—wouldn't that make them incredibly powerful?"
Jiang Yan's answer was immediate.
"They would be a waste body."
"...What?" Liu Yun's excitement froze.
"I said, if someone possesses multiple spiritual roots, they would be considered one of the most hopeless cases in the cultivation world," Jiang Yan stated flatly.
"Even with immense opportunities, they would struggle to progress beyond the early stages of cultivation."
"In all my knowledge, I have never seen such a case succeed."
"Those born with multiple spiritual roots are typically abandoned, sent back to live as mortals, and fade into obscurity."
Liu Yun was stunned.
"How could that be..." she murmured, unable to accept it.
Jiang Yan sighed.
"Spiritual roots are not about quantity, but quality."
"As the saying goes in Liyue—'you can bite off more than you can chew.' The principle is the same."
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