NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: chapter 13
13. What Is the Lesson for the People of Teyvat?
Hearing Jiang Yan's answer, Zhongli and the others were not surprised. If they were in his position, they would likely feel the same way.
Still, there was a hint of regret in their hearts—regret that they couldn't tie Jiang Yan to Liyue's cause.
A true immortal cultivator, one capable of infinite growth, and already at the stage of refining the gods and returning to the void—a powerhouse who could challenge even the very laws of heaven...
What a pity.
However, their relationship with Jiang Yan was already on solid ground. Perhaps, in the future, things could change.
Moreover, Jiang Yan wanted to rebuild Shushan, and he couldn't do it alone. He would need disciples, followers, and support. When the time came…
Maybe they, too, could witness the power of true immortal cultivation firsthand.
With this thought in mind, Zhongli couldn't help but look forward to the future.
---
"Haven't You Thought About Revenge?"
Out of nowhere, Liuyun broke the silence with an unexpected question.
Zhongli's face darkened, and he shot her a warning glare.
Jiang Yan, too, was momentarily stunned.
How could she ask something so blunt?
Not to mention that everything he had said was fabricated—hypothetically speaking, even if it were true, did she really think he could seek revenge?
Against Da Luo?
How could he even dare to consider it?
Jiang Yan let out a helpless sigh and shook his head.
"Revenge…? I haven't thought about it. I don't dare to think about it. I can't think about it."
"Shushan was indeed destroyed by Da Luo, but how could I claim revenge against beings like them? I don't even dare to hold a grudge."
"In the past war, countless worlds across the universe were annihilated. Shushan was merely one of the many insignificant victims of that catastrophe."
"Perhaps some Taiyi-level beings survived… but do you think they would dare hold grudges against Da Luo?"
"Everything Da Luo does is right. Whatever they say is the truth."
"We were destroyed by Da Luo because we weren't strong enough. We deserved it. Whatever they decide is the natural order."
"This is the common understanding of anyone who truly comprehends Da Luo's existence."
"If you are wiped out by Da Luo, then you—without a doubt—were in the wrong."
---
"That's Cowardly!"
Liuyun's face twisted in frustration, and she snapped at him.
"How could you say something so cowardly?"
"If what you say is true, then the blood feud of thousands of Shushan disciples is on your shoulders."
"Your ancestors, your master—they fought with everything they had and sacrificed themselves to send you away. And yet, you're afraid of Da Luo? You speak as if you're resigned to your fate!"
"I thought you had more pride than this!"
Perhaps it was her memories of the Archon War—of comrades who had fought to protect Liyue, of the vengeance taken for fallen friends.
Or perhaps it was just her own sense of justice.
But she couldn't accept Jiang Yan's words. She refused to.
Gan Yu, sensing the rising tension, tugged on Liuyun's sleeve, trying to calm her down.
---
"What Can I Do?"
Jiang Yan simply looked at her and let out a small sigh.
"I know my words must sound weak and pitiful to you."
"But tell me—what else can I do?"
Jiang Yan's voice was calm, but the weight of his words carried a deep, inescapable despair.
"Do you even understand what Da Luo is?"
"Teyvat belongs to the Sea of Trees, a mere fragment in the grand tapestry of existence. The Sea of Trees is just one small world among countless others in the infinite cosmos."
"And Da Luo…?"
A shadow passed over Jiang Yan's eyes. He took a deep breath before continuing:
"Forget Da Luo for a moment—even a Golden Immortal can create infinite small worlds with a single thought."
"But Da Luo… Da Luo was there at the beginning of the Dao, and they will be there at the end of the Dao."
"To them, all of existence is nothing more than a sandbox—a game they observe from above."
"They do not care for mortals. They do not care for worlds. The only ones who can hold a conversation with Da Luo… are other Da Luo."
"The war has long ended, yet not a single myth, legend, or record mentions even one Da Luo ever perishing."
"Do you understand what that means?"
"Da Luo is immortal."
"Even their enemies cannot kill them."
"They can erase and rewrite all of existence with a single thought. Reality itself bends to their will, depending solely on their mood."
"Da Luo has no past. No future. Only the eternal now."
"Once they ascend, they exist forever, free and unshackled across time and space."
"Tell me, how do you avenge yourself against such a being?"
"What does it matter if I hold hatred in my heart? Da Luo wouldn't even notice it."
"No matter how much I struggle, I am still nothing more than an insect that does not belong on their stage."
"Da Luo cannot be seen, heard, conceived, or understood."
"We cultivators seek the Dao, but how many of us will ever truly attain it?"
"And Da Luo?"
"They are born enlightened."
"I can only let go of my past… and focus on surviving."
"Only by surviving can I rebuild Shushan and ensure that its legacy does not perish completely."
---
A Heavy Silence
For the first time, Zhongli and the others felt the true weight of Jiang Yan's words.
This was not simply a tragic tale.
This was despair made manifest.
Against such enemies… what could one do?
Nothing.
If what Jiang Yan said was true, then Shushan's destruction was not an act of war. It wasn't even an execution.
It was nothing more than a passing whim.
A ripple in the vast river of existence.
Even if the entire Shushan Sect had fought together… in Da Luo's eyes, were they anything more than dust swept away by the wind?
Liuyun lowered her head, her fists clenched tightly.
Guilt began to creep into her heart.
"I… I'm sorry," she whispered.
---
"It's Fine."
Jiang Yan waved his hand dismissively.
"It's fine. You didn't understand what Da Luo truly is, so I don't blame you."
"But in the future, I ask one thing—do not speak of Da Luo so carelessly."
Zhongli furrowed his brows. "...Why?"
Jiang Yan exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable.
"Their names echo across the heavens. If you speak of them, they will hear you."
Zhongli's pupils shrank in shock.
"Then… just now…?"
Jiang Yan nodded.
"They know."
A chilling silence spread across the room.
For a moment, Zhongli and the others felt as if the very air had turned solid, as if something vast and incomprehensible loomed over them.
Like an unseen gaze that could erase them in an instant—if it so desired.
"...Do not be afraid," Jiang Yan finally said with a faint smile. "I told you—Da Luo does not care for anything beneath them. Their names are spoken across infinite worlds every moment. If they reacted to every utterance, the multiverse would have collapsed long ago."
"Just… be mindful."
Zhongli and the others nodded in silent understanding.
The topic was never brought up again.
Jiang Yan took a deep breath and clenched his fist.
"The past is behind me. I am the last remnant of Shushan's bloodline."
"And as long as I live… Shushan will not perish."