Chapter 233

Outside the Heart-Questioning Array, the gazes everyone turned toward Jean were filled with solemnity.

Regardless of success or failure, Jean had already earned everyone's admiration.

It is unknown how much time passed before Jean collapsed to the ground, unable to take another step.

Zhongli raised his hand and sent Jean out of the Heart-Questioning Array.

"Jean, having passed the seventh layer of the Heart-Questioning Array, is now a Shushan inner sect disciple."

Having said this, Zhongli's voice softened slightly, and he said gently:

"Your mental fortitude is tenacious, your heart of protection has turned into an obsession, and your talent is excellent. I bestow upon you a bottle of Heart-Nourishing Pills and one hundred low-grade spirit stones."

With a thought from Zhongli, a stream of light streaked across the void and landed beside Jean.

Jean barely managed to open her eyes, looked at Zhongli with some weakness, and said slowly:

"Many thanks, Sect Leader Zhongli."

Zhongli did not express further, saying calmly:

"The assessment is over. All participants are now Shushan inner sect disciples. Proceed to Heaven-Piercing Peak as soon as possible to report to the Sect Master."

Having said this, Zhongli rode the Profound One Sword and left the place instantly.

Lisa hurried to help Jean up and fed her a Heart-Nourishing Pill; only then did Jean manage to gather a bit of spirit.

"Congratulations, Jean."

Lisa said happily:

"You crossed the seventh layer of heart-questioning; you are the disciple currently second only to Junior Brother Baizhu."

"Coupled with your high-grade Wind Spirit Root talent, you will surely be able to go very far."

Jean smiled happily, the lingering trace of paleness on her face making her appear somewhat tragically beautiful.

"I can... better protect everyone now."

"Sister..."

Barbara suddenly hugged Jean tightly, calling out to her with a hint of a sob in her voice.

Jean was stunned for a moment, then immediately hugged Barbara back tightly.

The distance that had originally existed between them was suddenly shattered at this moment, and the two returned to the intimacy they had shared as children.

Lisa was also happy for Jean from the bottom of her heart.

"Ehe!"

Venti blinked his eyes and looked at Diluc with a grin.

"How about that? I said that handing Mondstadt over to Jean was the most correct decision, didn't I?"

Diluc curled his lip, but still acknowledged:

"With such mental fortitude, it is indeed the best choice. Once she sheds the immaturity of her methods, she can absolutely become the best leader for Mondstadt."

"To have you say such things, it seems you experienced quite a lot in the Heart-Questioning Array yourself."

Kaeya said with a chuckle. Diluc glanced at him and said softly:

"The scale of human life is like a white horse passing a crack in the eyes of a cultivator. Many things... after experiencing the Heart-Questioning Array, one gains more understanding, I suppose."

Ningguang and the others were also smiling and clapping on the side.

They had no intention of asking about the experience of the Heart-Questioning Array again.

The Heart-Questioning Array asks about personal character, it asks about the heart of seeking the Dao, and it asks about the obsession and pursuit one holds while standing in the world.

Living a lifetime, how could there be any reason to borrow someone else's experience?

There are no shortcuts to the Heart-Questioning Array, and even if there were, one could not use them.

If one even hopes for others to provide experience for the Heart-Questioning Array, then one might as well not cultivate at all.

"Congratulations, Jean."

Seeing that Jean and Barbara had finished expressing their apologies for these past years, Ningguang spoke up:

"The seventh layer of the Heart-Questioning Array is already a very shocking achievement. The Sect Master will surely be very pleased."

Jean smiled shyly.

"I just wanted to persist in my own beliefs and keep walking forward."

"Besides, Senior Brother Baizhu walking through nine layers is even more extraordinary. I still need to continue tempering my mental fortitude."

"However, Ningguang, I may not be able to provide the experience of the Heart-Questioning Array you wanted."

"Everyone's life and pursuits are different, and beliefs and will cannot be borrowed or referenced."

Ningguang nodded slightly and said softly:

"I understood this point as soon as Barbara and the others came out. The Heart-Questioning Array does not need experience."

"Don't overthink it. For now, hurry to Heaven-Piercing Peak to see the Sect Master; don't keep the Sect Master waiting."

Hearing this, everyone hurriedly tidied their clothes and boarded the Rainbow Bridge to ascend Heaven-Piercing Peak once more.

The sect's main hall was not closed, and everyone saw Jiang Yan sitting cross-legged in meditation within the hall at a glance.

Slowing their pace, the group surged into the sect's main hall together.

Seeing Jiang Yan again, Jean and the others suddenly felt as if a lifetime had passed.

Not long ago, their meeting was that of a visitor and a host; now, it had become the relationship of true disciples and a Sect Master.

But thinking of the fact that they were about to truly step onto the path of cultivation, Jean and the others quickly set aside these stray thoughts and looked toward Jiang Yan with anticipation.

Jiang Yan slowly opened his eyes and first glanced at Ganyu, which immediately made her feel a little excited.

Immediately after, Jiang Yan said slowly:

"Congratulations to you all for successfully passing the Heart-Questioning Array assessment."

"From this day forth, you are disciples of Shushan."

146. Paimon opens a new realm, hundred-day foundation establishment.

"Jean, you adhere to the path of protection, and your mental fortitude is excellent. From now on, you shall enter Dragon Head Peak and practice the exclusive technique of Dragon Head Peak, the Finger-Profound Scripture."

"Barbara, you are not skilled in close combat, but your talent for techniques is acceptable. You shall enter Small Bamboo Peak and practice the Universal Qi Circulation Method."

"Diluc, your heart for punishing evil is firm, and your actions are for the sake of upholding the righteous path. You shall enter Dragon Head Peak and be taught the Finger-Profound Scripture."

"Kaeya, you are casual on the outside, but your mind is meticulous. If I let you enter Dragon Head Peak, it might not necessarily suit you. Sect Leader Venti's personality is similar to yours, so you shall enter Wind-Return Peak."

"As for Lumine and Paimon..."

Jiang Yan paused, carefully observed the two for a moment, and said softly:

"Your aptitudes are supreme, but you also require specialized cultivation and guidance. You shall enter Heaven-Piercing Peak and be personally instructed by me."

This decision was one Jiang Yan had thought of long ago.

Jean and the others were easy to handle; they did not possess any special constitutions, nor did they need guidance, as long as they were given an opportunity.

They could realize the principle that a master leads one through the door, but cultivation depends on the individual.

But Lumine and Paimon, these two possessed divine bodies; besides cultivation, they also needed to develop and guide the abilities of their divine bodies.

For the time being, only Jiang Yan in all of Shushan had this ability.

Thus, naturally, one could not waste the talents of Lumine and Paimon.

Everyone naturally had no objections to Jiang Yan's arrangements and immediately bowed in unison.

"We respectfully follow the Sect Master's decree." The final step had ended, and next...

It was time to properly embark on the path of cultivation.

Jiang Yan pointed his finger, transmitting the core techniques into everyone's minds.

Immediately, Jean and the others naturally closed their eyes and sat cross-legged, transforming their strength into the cultivation system.

Jiang Yan casually set up some Spirit-Gathering Arrays for them and then turned his gaze to Ningguang and the others.

Among those converting their cultivation this time, there was no one who could directly undergo the tribulation, which saved a lot of worry.

"I have been in seclusion for these past few days to break through, so I haven't paid much attention to the affairs inside and outside Shushan. I promised to lecture on the Dao more, but I have broken my word."

Jiang Yan said softly, and Ningguang hurriedly said:

"The Sect Master's seclusion to break through is the most important event for Shushan; the Sect Master need not worry."

Jiang Yan smiled and said:

"I am also aware that the work inside and outside Shushan during this period, especially the task system of the Merit Hall, etc., has been the responsibility of Elder Alice and you, Ningguang."

"Shushan has always rewarded merit and punished faults; organizing the task system is vital to the prosperity of the Merit Hall."

"Therefore, I will reward each of you with thirty thousand contribution points."

Hearing this, Ningguang and the others were overjoyed and hurriedly said: