Chapter 257

These words left the Demon Gods in silence.

They had been so focused on becoming the first batch of outer sect elders that they almost forgot it was Jiang Yan who needed them to manage the outer sect, and only then could they have such an opportunity.

To put the cart before the horse would only lead Jiang Yan to revoke this opportunity.

A moment later, a Demon God who appeared as an old man said faintly:

"The Great Elder is absolutely right. No matter how we compete, managing the Shushan outer sect disciples well is our most fundamental goal."

"If we are blinded by greed and fight among ourselves, leading to negligence in outer sect management,"

"I imagine none of you wish to endure the punishment of the Law Enforcement Hall."

The Demon Gods nodded, and the atmosphere between them became somewhat more harmonious.

"The most urgent task is to quickly determine the management methods for the outer sect disciples, as well as the various details of the outer sect."

"The Mountain Opening Ceremony is in one month; we must resolve these issues within these few days."

Yun Qing finalized the most pressing tasks, and the others prepared to return to pack their things before hurrying back to find a cave dwelling.

Suddenly, two figures, one large and one small, appeared in the distance.

The Demon Gods were stunned for a moment, but once the newcomers drew near, they reacted and hurriedly greeted them.

"Greetings, Elder Alice, Disciple Keli."

The person before them was a bona fide Shushan Law Enforcement Elder, their future direct superior.

The person beside her was the only personal disciple of the Shushan Sect Leader.

Not to greet them now would be a sign of losing one's mind.

Alice was taken aback and looked up in surprise.

"This is the Sect Main Hall, right? I thought I had gone to the wrong place. Why are you all here?"

Yun Hua spoke up first:

"We were summoned by the Sect Leader. The Sect Leader ordered us to join Shushan and serve as the Shushan Outer Sect Elder Council to manage the outer sect disciples who join Shushan in the future."

Alice suddenly realized.

"So that's it. I was just wondering who would manage all those outer sect disciples when the Mountain Opening Ceremony arrives."

"It seems the Sect Leader had already planned for this."

Yun Qing glanced lightly at Yun Hua and added:

"Elder Alice, I am Yun Qing, the Great Elder of the Shushan Outer Sect."

"Yun Qing?"

Alice scratched her cheek.

"Is that a Demon God's name?"

"It is the name the Sect Leader just bestowed upon me."

Yun Qing lifted his head with some pride, and Alice understood.

Yun Qing continued:

"The Sect Leader has decreed that the Outer Sect Elder Council will be responsible to the Sect Leader and the Law Enforcement Hall, and the assessment of outer sect elders will be under your charge, Elder Alice."

"In the future, I hope Elder Alice will guide us strictly so that we may make greater contributions to Shushan."

Alice stared at Yun Qing strangely for a long time before suddenly speaking:

"You aren't a Demon God from Teyvat, are you?"

Yun Qing paused, then nodded:

"That is correct. In the past, Yun Hua and I were brought here by the Sect Leader from the Sea of Quanta."

"No wonder..."

Alice curled her lip.

Such bureaucratic, formal speech was indeed not something Teyvat's Demon Gods would say.

Alice immediately waved her hand:

"I understand. I need to take Keli to cultivate first. You can find Zhongli and me at the Law Enforcement Hall later."

"We can discuss your duties and plans then."

Yun Qing hurriedly made way.

"Then we shall not disturb Elder Alice any further."

Watching Alice enter the Sect Main Hall, many Demon Gods quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Back in the Dark Sea, they had been tormented quite severely by Alice.

At that time, Alice was the nightmare in their hearts.

Now, she was an Inner Sect Law Enforcement Elder and their direct superior.

One could only say that the nightmare had begun to continue.

Time slipped by for a few days.

Only twenty days remained until the Shushan Mountain Opening Ceremony.

Yet, miraculously, the number of people coming to sign up for the ceremony only continued to grow.

Among them, those from Mondstadt and Sumeru were the most numerous.

Currently, the number of people who had passed the initial screening had reached two hundred thousand.

And this number continued to refresh every day.

According to the Liyue Qixing's estimates, by the time the official Mountain Opening Ceremony arrived, there might be seven or eight hundred thousand people.

It is hard to imagine what kind of grand spectacle it is for so many people to crowd into Shushan to participate in the assessment.

Regarding this, Zhongli also personally stepped forward to emphasize it.

As for the Rite of Parting, it can be held at any time.

But the opening of Shushan's mountain gate—that is not something one can guarantee how often it happens.

Everything must take the opening of Shushan as the priority.

With this, Liyue's operations have become increasingly grand and vigorous.

Of course, Liyue has also gained quite a few benefits in this process.

People who come to sign up must stay in Liyue for a period of time; during this period, just from various tourism revenues, Liyue's income has tripled.

The General Affairs Office is receiving so much tax revenue that their hands are cramping; this time, they can truly have a prosperous year.

Moreover, not everyone can stay in Shushan; among the remaining crowd, there will inevitably be a large portion.

Considering that Liyue and Shushan have the closest relationship, they certainly want to set up businesses and settle down in Liyue.

These people have all passed the assessment and are of upright character; such people are welcome everywhere.

Uncle Tian has re-understood a saying.

When one person attains the Dao, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.

Now, Liyue can take off just by following Shushan and eating some leftovers.

It is hard to imagine to what extent Liyue will become prosperous when a huge crowd of Liyue people join Shushan by then.

Out of the two hundred thousand people who passed the assessment, one hundred and thirty thousand are Liyue people.

Liyue's conditions are already uniquely advantageous; if they can't get things done with this, they might as well give up.

During this period, Liyue's population has surged massively, but various chaotic incidents have actually become increasingly rare.

Firstly, it is because they are worried that causing trouble will affect their chances of joining Shushan; even the Fatui have been ordered by Tartaglia to go out and do good deeds every day.

Everything must make way for his entry into Shushan.

Secondly, the Millelith of Liyue practice the martial Dao, and their strength is truly terrifying.

Even if a god's kin came to cause trouble, they would be crushed to death in minutes.

Under these circumstances, Liyue is enjoying a period of political stability and social harmony.

But according to the General Affairs Office's projections, the number of people signing up will be massive in the final five days.

After all, it takes time for news to spread and for people to arrive.

Over in Mondstadt, there is Jean's notification; the main force is currently gathering and is on its way.

According to Jean, there are about eighty thousand people.

Inazuma, however, remains locked down with no movement, even if the news has been passed on.

Given the Shogun's rigid pursuit of eternity, she likely would not allow any turmoil.

In Sumeru, the official authorities have not stepped forward to organize, so it is just some scattered individuals.