NOVEL NEXT Chapter 104: Chapter 104
By the time of the Lantern Rite, Hu Tao was still pestering Jiang Ning, trying to learn how to give the ghosts physical form.
Jiang Ning could finally empathize with his master Zhongli's helplessness.
He now understood why Master Zhongli always said that Hu Tao was beyond him.
Jiang Ning had explained repeatedly that the ability was part of his divine authority and couldn't be taught, but Hu Tao refused to listen.
On the day they set off for Mount Aozang, the group spent the journey chatting about various interesting tales from Liyue's history.
However, because Hu Tao clung to Jiang Ning so persistently, Ganyu couldn't get close to him.
Her plan had failed, and she could only hope that the adeptus wouldn't notice anything.
As the conversation turned to stories of demon gods defeated by the Geo Archon, Hu Tao suddenly had a realization.
"Wait, Jiang Ning, you said this was a divine authority, right?"
Jiang Ning sighed, exhausted. "Yes, so there's no way I can teach you. Just give it up."
But Hu Tao became even more excited. "So, does that mean you're a demon god? Or maybe… the reincarnation of one?"
Her words caused the others, who hadn't paid much attention until now, to freeze in place.
Now that they thought about it… it did seem plausible.
Hu Tao continued, speaking faster and faster:
"So, imagine this: a demon god, once defeated or even slain by the Geo Archon himself, reincarnates and returns to this world. But instead of seeking vengeance, he just wants to live a quiet life. So, he pretends to be harmless and starts dating one of the Archon's adeptus disciples… Could it be true?"
Jiang Ning couldn't hold back his retort. "Your imagination is wasted if you're not writing novels."
Hu Tao grinned proudly. "Naturally! If I weren't so busy managing the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I'd be a literary giant by now!"
Yanfei interjected, "Let's put aside your dreams of literary fame for now. Hu Tao, that's an absurd theory. Jiang Ning can't possibly be the reincarnation of a demon god."
Xiangling chimed in, "Exactly! Ask Master. If Jiang Ning were a demon god reborn, there's no way Master wouldn't have noticed."
Madame Ping chuckled warmly. "That's right, little Jiang Ning is just little Jiang Ning. He's no demon god reincarnate. And as far as I know, demon gods don't reincarnate at all."
"See?" Xiangling said triumphantly.
Hu Tao giggled. "I was just curious!"
Yanfei shifted the conversation back. "Still, Jiang Ning, why do you have divine authority?"
Jiang Ning shrugged. "It's not exactly a secret. You know about my unique constitution, don't you?"
"Yes," Yanfei, Xiangling, and Yaoyao all nodded.
They had heard from Master Zhongli that Jiang Ning's special constitution allowed him to absorb and utilize any element he encountered. It was practically a cheat code, sparing him from the usual effort of learning new techniques.
Hu Tao, on the other hand, was shocked. "Wait, what kind of constitution is this? Why don't I know about it?"
"You don't? I thought Mr. Zhongli had already told you," Xiangling said, surprised.
Although Zhongli's true identity as the Geo Archon was only partially revealed, the younger generation suspected he was at least an adeptus.
After all, what kind of god renowned for wealth would dine out without carrying any Mora?
"What's this constitution? Tell me!" Hu Tao pressed eagerly.
Jiang Ning explained, "Simply put, I can absorb elemental energy and use it, even inheriting some of its original traits."
As he spoke, he conjured two clusters of Cryo energy.
"See? This one, infused with Qilin power, is from Senior Sister Ganyu. And this one, tinged with solitude and frost, is from Senior Sister Shenhe."
"Then there's this…" Jiang Ning dismissed the Cryo orbs and summoned a dark, ominous sphere. "This is part of the authority I absorbed from a fallen demon god's resentment."
"Oh, that's amazing!" Hu Tao exclaimed, reaching out to touch it.
"Don't touch that!" Jiang Ning warned, startled.
"Stingy," Hu Tao muttered, withdrawing her hand.
Xiangling sighed. "Seriously, Hu Tao, you're brave enough to casually touch demon god resentment?"
Hu Tao simply grinned cheekily.
Yanfei turned to Jiang Ning. "Hey, why don't you try absorbing our Pyro energy? You'd be your own counter to Cryo then."
Jiang Ning nodded. "Sure, I was just worried you might not agree, so I didn't bring it up."
Yanfei smiled. "Why wouldn't we? Go ahead and try. I'm curious to see how it works."
She conjured a small flame imbued with a faint trace of adeptus energy, though much weaker compared to Ganyu's.
Jiang Ning placed his hand into the flame, which gradually shrank and disappeared.
"That's it? Nothing spectacular?" Hu Tao pouted, stroking her chin thoughtfully.
"What were you expecting?" Jiang Ning asked.
"You know, like…" Hu Tao stretched her arms dramatically, waving them around. "Boom! Pow! Something grand and epic!"
"Hu Tao, I'm serious. You should write novels," Jiang Ning sighed.
Ignoring Hu Tao, Yanfei urged, "Come on, let's see the Pyro element you absorbed!"
Jiang Ning nodded and summoned a fiery orb. Yanfei examined it intently.
"It really does carry traces of my adeptus energy…"
At this point, Xiangling and Hu Tao couldn't hold back their excitement.
"Try mine! Try mine!"
"Guoba, fire-breath!" Xiangling ordered.
"Hold on! One at a time!" Jiang Ning pleaded.
Watching the group's playful antics, Madame Ping smiled fondly.
Such wonderful children. Truly heartwarming.
---
[Host.]
As the group played around, a voice suddenly spoke in Jiang Ning's mind.
"What's up?"
[It's the Lantern Rite, right? Our System Academy is holding its year-end gathering. Can I take some time off and come back after the festival?]
"Sure, go ahead. Consider it a vacation."
[Yay! Thank you, Host!]
Jiang Ning could vaguely hear other voices in the background:
"Your host is so nice. Not like mine—I have to level up the system for seven days just to sneak out."
Jiang Ning chuckled, finding it amusing that the excuses in all those novels were apparently true.
"Jiang Ning! What are you doing back there? Hurry up!" Hu Tao called, waving him over.
"Coming!" Jiang Ning replied, quickening his pace.
----
The group finally arrived at Aozang Mountain, where Cloud Retainer sat alone at a stone table. However, instead of her usual crane form, she had assumed her human form.
Her human appearance was striking—her figure even more curvaceous than Shenhe's, dressed in dark and teal-patterned attire, with an open back revealing her jade-like skin.
She wore gloves and fingerless rings adorned with small ornaments.
Her exquisitely beautiful yet subtly alluring face featured lips painted with teal lipstick, adding a unique charm.
A high ponytail, black on the outside and teal within, framed her red eyes and high nose, giving her the appearance of a dignified yet elegant teacher.
"Truly, it's the Lantern Rite, yet none of them thought to visit me. Clearly, they've been blinded by the allure of the mortal world. Their cultivation is far from sufficient," Cloud Retainer remarked.
She was mildly annoyed, as she had intended to invite her old friends, Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver, to join her in their human forms for a leisure trip to Liyue Harbor.
However, both of them had left without a word, likely to explore on their own, leaving Cloud Retainer behind.
As a result, she was left sipping tea and conversing with herself in the solitude of Aozang Mountain, the quietness making her feel a bit lonely.
"Hmm? Someone's ascending the mountain? Who could evade my—"
Before she could finish, a group of familiar faces appeared, staring at her with a mix of bewilderment and surprise.
"Who… who are you?" Jiang Ning stammered, startled by a wild guess forming in his mind.
"Master?" Shenhe tilted her head, surprised by the change in her teacher's form.
Ganyu, on the other hand, widened her eyes. "Cloud Retainer? Why have you taken on this appearance?"
"You must have mistaken me for someone else. This immortal is certainly not your—"
Before she could finish denying it, her gaze landed on a smiling Madame Ping standing behind the group, and her words faltered.
"So that's how it is. I should've known only you, Ping, could bypass my formations so effortlessly," Cloud Retainer remarked awkwardly.
"Heh, it's been a long time since I've seen you take this form. Truly nostalgic. Little ones, behold—this is the true human form of Cloud Retainer," Madame Ping said, her tone brimming with mirth.
"Whoa! As expected of an adeptus!" Xiangling and Hu Tao gawked in awe, secretly marveling at how such beauty could exist.
Even Yaoyao greeted politely, her usual composure intact.
As for Yanfei… her inner lawyer was screaming, I'm embarrassing myself in front of an adeptus.
"Enough about this. How exactly did you recognize me?" Cloud Retainer turned her gaze toward Ganyu and Shenhe.
"After so many years under your care, Master, your aura is unmistakable," Ganyu answered with confidence.
Shenhe tilted her head in confusion. "Why wouldn't I recognize my Master at a glance?"
Cloud Retainer's expression softened, a rare warmth touching her heart. "How considerate of you two."
Then her gaze turned to Jiang Ning. "And you, little one? Why didn't you recognize me?"
Jiang Ning, ever the charmer, blurted out, "Master, you're stunningly beautiful."
"You… Ahem, this child… such shameless flattery! I do not recall teaching you to speak this way," she scolded, though her joy was evident as the corners of her lips practically reached the heavens.
"Are you planning to explore the mortal realm under this form?" Madame Ping inquired.
Cloud Retainer replied, "The thought has crossed my mind. Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver frequently venture into the mortal world, Emperor Rex himself often enjoys mortal company, and even you, Ping, have spent years amidst humanity…"
"Now, Ganyu resides in Liyue Harbor, Shenhe and Jiang Ning have yet to return since leaving… This immortal grows increasingly curious about what makes the mortal realm so captivating."
"Then go and see for yourself," Madame Ping said gently. "After the Lantern Rite, join the mortals. An adeptus is both immortal and mortal, after all."
Cloud Retainer fell silent, her gaze lowered. It was clear she had taken the suggestion to heart.
"Master, why not stay with us?" Jiang Ning chimed in. "Ganyu's house still has plenty of empty rooms."
Cloud Retainer nodded. "Very well. But, Ganyu…"
Her piercing gaze made Ganyu tense, her mind racing with worry. She couldn't possibly have noticed, right?
Instead, Cloud Retainer said, "From now on, you may refer to this immortal as Xianyun. If I am to reside in Liyue Harbor, it would be prudent to adopt a more subdued name."
"You may want to start by adjusting your self-reference," Madame Ping quipped, exasperated.
Xianyun coughed awkwardly. "This immortal… I mean, I… will keep that in mind."
Hu Tao, ever the trickster, teased, "Xianyun? Is that because of the phrase 'Xianyun, wandering crane'? Since your original form is a crane?"
Xianyun raised an elegant brow, her reprimand on the tip of her tongue. But seeing Hu Tao's impish grin, and recalling Rex Lapis' fondness for the girl, she merely huffed and turned away, sulking.
Meanwhile, Jiang Ning was ecstatic. System, your aesthetic choices are impeccable. Who would've guessed my master's human form would be this stunning? Absolute win.
"By the way, what brings you all to this immortal's domain today?" Xianyun inquired.
"It's the Lantern Rite! We figured it was high time to visit you, Master," Jiang Ning replied warmly.
Xianyun's eyes softened as she gently patted Jiang Ning's hair, her affection for her youngest disciple evident.
Jiang Ning presented her with a collection of books and notes. "I compiled some stories and knowledge from my original world, Master. You might find them interesting during your leisure time."
"You're thoughtful as always," Xianyun said, her curiosity piqued.
"But not during the Lantern Rite!" Jiang Ning protested. "Otherwise, what's the point of us coming here?"
"Ahem… This immortal merely wished to take a quick glance… Very well, this immortal won't look," Xianyun relented, though her tone betrayed her eagerness.
"Xianyun, won't you invite us inside? Or do you intend for us to stand here in the wind?" Madame Ping teased.
"Come in and make yourselves at home," Xianyun said, leading them inside. But as they entered, both Xianyun and Madame Ping sensed two familiar presences drawing closer from the mountain base.
"Could it be…?" They exchanged curious glances.
---
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