Chapter 157

Counting the many divine incantations Jiang Yan had inscribed, it was hard to put an exact value on them.

"Heave-ho!"

Klee excitedly leaped off Jiang Yan’s flying sword; before she even touched the ground, a cloud of fire erupted from the Qian-Heaven Fire-Mystic Bead at her waist.

It carried Klee gently to the ground.

"Mommy!"

Klee threw her arms around Alice.

"Master said Klee is going to explore other worlds with Mommy and everyone else!"

Alice gathered her thoughts, smiled, patted Klee’s head, and said softly:

"Other worlds are very dangerous, Klee. Are you afraid?"

"Klee isn't afraid!"

Klee raised her hand high, straightened her little face, and pretended to be serious:

"Master said! Cultivators must face difficulties head-on! We cannot fear danger!"

"Master said Klee is going to become a super-duper expert in the future, so I can't back down!"

"And besides..."

Klee giggled and spread her hands to show off her spatial ring.

"Master gave Klee lots and lots of good things; Klee will protect herself well!"

After Klee’s little performance, everyone’s worries about the Nine Nether Secret Realm eased quite a bit.

Jiang Yan and Ganyu also landed quietly.

Ningguang and the others bowed slightly.

"Sect Master."

Jiang Yan nodded with a faint smile, glanced at Ningguang, and said softly:

"It seems you’ve spent quite a bit of wealth."

Ningguang said softly:

"It doesn't matter. The Sect Master has said that Shushan disciples must work together when facing external enemies."

"The trip to the Nine Nether Secret Realm is not without risk; since I have the ability to provide resources for support, I naturally cannot stand idly by."

"Moreover, spending some contribution points can help everyone obtain more resources in the Nine Nether Secret Realm."

"It is both helpful to Shushan and allows everyone to accumulate more cultivation resources."

"Besides, it is only lending everyone some contribution points; I will not suffer a loss."

Jiang Yan nodded in satisfaction and said warmly:

"Having such a mindset is for the best."

"Help, not handouts; support, not charity."

"Cultivators must have their own dignity, and they must respect the dignity of others."

"If one loses their backbone, they will surely achieve nothing."

Hearing this, everyone nodded in deep agreement.

Cultivators themselves go against the heavens; a spine of unyielding pride is the foundation for continuing on this path.

If one were to just hand out charity for no reason, the cultivator's backbone would be shattered.

What qualification would they have left to face the Heavenly Tribulation with pride?

As for Klee being fully armed by Jiang Yan...

She is the Sect Master’s true disciple; in the cultivation world, the master-disciple relationship is even as important as the parent-child relationship. A master giving treasures to a disciple is perfectly normal.

If Ningguang were to give everyone treasures unconditionally, that would be charity.

Jiang Yan giving Klee magic treasures and pills is called inheritance.

The meaning is different.

A true disciple of the Sect Master is someone who may inherit the Sect Master's mantle in the future.

"Alright, since you are all prepared and the time is about right, get ready to officially begin your first secret realm exploration."

Jiang Yan didn't continue to lecture them with long-winded principles.

There was no need; as they cultivate slowly, they will naturally understand more and more.

The most urgent matter is...

The Nine Nether Secret Realm must be visited immediately.

From the Nine Nether Secret Realm, one can obtain treasures to fill the Shushan sect treasury.

Such as spirit herbs, spirit materials, and so on.

These things are impossible to obtain here in Teyvat.

Although spirit fields can be used to cultivate Teyvat's own herbs, who knows how long that stage will take?

Moreover, the effects of the cultivated spirit herbs would still need to be tested slowly.

It’s too much of a waste of time.

As for spirit materials, it's even harder to say.

The materials Jiang Yan currently uses for artifact refining were all collected by Alice from the outside.

To be honest, it's hard to make anything good from Teyvat's own materials.

Zhongli's weapon easily transformed into a spirit weapon because those weapons had existed for too long, washed by human faith and the power of the ley lines for thousands of years.

Essentially, it caused these weapons to undergo a transformation.

But relying solely on materials provided by Alice is not a long-term solution.

Although there is still quite a lot, they are ultimately non-renewable resources.

Alice also spent a long time collecting these things.

One cannot just cut expenses without finding new sources of income.

More importantly, Jiang Yan has many doubts that can only be answered by going to the Nine Nether Secret Realm.

"Let's go, head to the Nine Nether Secret Realm."

Jiang Yan didn't waste time and decisively led everyone toward the Nine Nether Secret Realm.

Not long after, they arrived beneath the gate.

During this time, everyone had observed the Nine Nether Secret Realm from up close many times.

But back then it was just observation, and now, they were going to enter it personally.

Perhaps this is a secret realm formed from a broken demon world, but for everyone, this can also be considered their first personal contact with the vastness of the cultivation world.

Looking at the deep, dark vortex light gate for a long time can give one a sense of fear from the bottom of their heart.

It seems to hide many vicious monsters.

In fact, this feeling is not wrong.

The Nine Nether Secret Realm is indeed full of vicious monsters.

Standing before the gate, Jiang Yan turned to look at the expectant crowd.

He paused and said softly:

"For the upcoming secret realm exploration, I will only follow you with my divine sense; for specific actions, listen to the arrangements of Head Seat Zhongli."

"The Head Seats and Elders must protect the disciples well, seek advantages and avoid harm, and try to avoid the territories of great demons."

"If you encounter an existence at the peak of Qi Refining and Spirit Transformation, do not think about fighting them just because you have numbers."

"Flee if you can; your strength is completely unable to cope with an existence at the peak of Qi Refining and Spirit Transformation."

"If you are seriously injured and sent to the entrance, do not continue to go deeper; just turn back."

"You can explore the secret realm again later, but you only have one life."

"Do you understand?"

Zhongli nodded solemnly and said earnestly:

"Sect Master, rest assured, I will protect the disciples with my life."

Jiang Yan nodded slightly, his divine sense probing out and attaching to Ganyu.

"My divine sense has already attached to Ganyu; once you enter, I will be able to communicate with you remotely."

"But remember, avoid special areas; in such areas, my divine sense may be temporarily blocked and unable to prompt you..."

"Although my divine sense will follow you throughout this exploration, it can ultimately only serve as a prompt."

"How to proceed specifically still depends on your own planning."