Chapter 557

As soon as the words fell, Ei had already crossed the eighth level of the Heart-Questioning Array, but she lacked the strength to continue forward and left the array.

"General!"

Kujou Sara hurriedly supported Ei, but the latter shook her head, looking at Furina with a complex gaze.

Yae Miko had told her about Furina some time ago.

Now that she had personally stepped through the nine levels of heart-questioning, Ei could understand what Furina had faced back then.

She was only a human...

"In terms of will, I am not her equal..."

Ei sighed and also expressed her admiration for Furina.

"Acting with divine authority in a human body—her will has surpassed the Seven Archons."

"If Fontaine is in trouble, I will help her without reservation. She is worth it."

Hearing this, Alice smiled and shook her head.

"That will likely not be needed. Furina is not only firm in will, but her talent is also peerless."

"The technique she mastered is called the Heavenly Son God-Sealing Art, a technique derived from the incarnation of the Kingly Way in the Immortal Realm."

"At its peak, one can even use this method to contend against the Taiyi stage."

"In other words, Furina is the incarnation of the Kingly Way. As for Fontaine's crisis, it can be perfectly resolved once she reaches the peak of Essence-Refining and Qi-Transforming."

"Even now, if Elders Focalors and Neuvillette take action, it can be resolved."

"Fontaine is already safe."

"By the way, you should know about the Investiture of the Gods, right?"

Ei nodded, and Alice smiled:

"The Investiture of the Gods is something born from the Kingly Way. It can be said that Furina herself carries a portion of the Investiture of the Gods."

"And it is not just a top-grade spiritual artifact like the Investiture of the Gods; if Furina can reach her limit, she can confer titles upon gods at the Immortal level."

Ei was immediately filled with longing.

"Do not think about it. The Heavenly Son God-Sealing Art only chooses one master; unless Furina falls, it will not be born again."

"And as for letting Furina fall... the Sect Master would not allow it."

"You might not be suited for the Heavenly Son God-Sealing Art either."

Alice shook her head and said softly:

"Let us go to the Sect Main Hall; the Sect Master is still waiting."

"After you finish converting, let the Sect Master go back to go into seclusion and heal."

"I will tell you about the rest. Hurry up and familiarize yourselves with the power of immortality so you can have more gains at the upcoming Nine Nether Secret Realm Exploration Assembly."

Hearing this, everyone nodded decisively. After taking one last look at the names on the stone tablet, they followed Alice to the Sect Main Hall.

In the Sect Main Hall, Jiang Yan happened to have finished chatting with everyone about his experiences in the Demon-Locking Tower over the past dozen years.

It sounded like there were no twists and turns, except for the final battle with the consciousness of the Evil Sword Immortal.

But this was precisely the daily life of a cultivator.

A life of thrills and chills was not what a cultivator craved.

Although fighting and gaining experience were unavoidable, for a cultivator, fighting was not a necessity, but a supplement.

The daily life of most cultivators was the dull and tasteless bitter cultivation in seclusion.

Jiang Yan was no exception.

Most of his life was spent in cultivation; only occasionally would he do things to regulate his state of mind.

"Sect Master, everyone has passed the Heart-Questioning Array."

Alice said softly, then added:

"Gorou, three levels of heart-questioning; Yoimiya, four levels."

"Kamisato Ayaka, Sangonomiya Kokomi, and Kujou Sara, five levels of heart-questioning."

"Murata Himeko, seven levels of heart-questioning; Raiden Ei, eight levels."

Hearing this, Jiang Yan nodded gently.

"Their talent is indeed good."

After saying this, Jiang Yan straightened his expression slightly and looked at Ei and the others.

Everyone immediately understood that the most important moment was next.

They were finally going to join Shushan.

Sure enough, Jiang Yan then began to arrange the destinations for Gorou and the others.

To be honest, at first glance, this group of people all felt like they should belong to Dragon Head Peak, but now...

The number of disciples on Dragon Head Peak had already seriously exceeded the limit.

It was time to distribute some to the other seven branches.

After a slight ponder, Jiang Yan said slowly:

"Gorou, enter Sunset Peak."

"Sangonomiya Kokomi, you are skilled in techniques and once served as a military official for the Inazuma resistance army, so enter Morning Sun Peak to study arrays."

"Yoimiya, enter Wind-Return Peak to practice the side-path of artifact refining."

"Kamisato Ayaka and Kujou Sara, enter Small Bamboo Peak."

After speaking, Jiang Yan looked at Zhongli and chuckled:

"Head Seat Zhongli, your Dragon Head Peak has too many disciples now; it is time to give the other seven branches some foundation. Do you have any objections?"

Zhongli shook his head and said softly:

"The Sect Master's decision is immediate; I have no objections."

Although Dragon Head Peak needed more disciples to monitor Shushan, the current number of disciples was truly enough.

Moreover, there were still the two elders, Neuvillette and Alice.

Dragon Head Peak could indeed slow down for a while.

Jiang Yan looked at the remaining Himeko and Ei, thought for a moment, and said softly:

"As for you, Himeko, although you focus on the sword, I observe that you are not skilled in the sword path itself. Which one do you want to go to, Dragon Head Peak or Wind-Return Peak?"

Himeko sighed inwardly; as expected, she could not be admitted to Heaven-Reaching Peak.

However, these two branches were also quite good.

After a moment of thought, Himeko said:

"I leave it to the Sect Master's decision."

Jiang Yan smiled silently, shook his head, and said:

"In that case, you shall enter Wind-Return Peak. Studying artifact refining is more suitable for you."

"Yes! Thank you, Sect Master."

Artifact refining was not bad; Himeko still liked weapons quite a bit. Moreover, entering Wind-Return Peak did not mean she could only refine artifacts.

"Stay behind later; I have something to tell you."

Jiang Yan gave another instruction and then looked at Ei.

Himeko was stunned for a moment and nodded. Although she was puzzled, she did not intend to ask right now.

Everyone's gaze converged on Ei.

As the strongest genius among all those joining Shushan this time, everyone was curious about where Ei would be assigned.

After converting, with Ei's strength, she would certainly not be an ordinary disciple.

Heavenly Spirit Root, late-stage Qi-Refining and Spirit-Manifesting cultivation.

This was not much different from Zhongli and the others back then!

Therefore, what everyone was curious about was whether Ei would become an elder, or...

The long-awaited third acting Head Seat.

Jiang Yan pondered slightly, sized up Ei for a moment, and said slowly:

"Ei, you possess the Heavenly Spirit Root. After converting, you will be a late-stage Qi-Refining and Spirit-Manifesting cultivator, your will is firm, and you have passed the eight levels of heart-questioning."

"You also have a talent for forging."

"Are you willing to become the acting Head Seat of Wind-Return Peak?"

Hearing this, everyone was immediately shocked.