Chapter 188

The dream was right before his eyes; how could he let it slip away completely because of such a factor?

Baizhu clenched his fists tightly, drops of blood falling.

"I beg the Sect Leader for mercy! Although Baizhu's talent is not great, my heart for seeking immortality is firm. No matter what, Baizhu will do his utmost to cultivate."

"I beg the Sect Leader to give Baizhu a chance!"

"Everything Baizhu has sought in his life is right before my eyes. If I give up now, I might as well be dead!"

Hearing this, Jiang Yan sighed, feeling somewhat moved.

If one were to talk about who in all of Teyvat had the firmest heart for cultivating immortality and longevity,

Baizhu would definitely be number one.

But unfortunately...

his talent could not be called poor, but it was definitely not good either.

Truly, fate plays tricks on people.

Baizhu is single-minded about cultivation but lacks talent, while Qiqi beside him might not even understand cultivation, yet she possesses a special constitution that cannot be seen through.

Fate is truly unpredictable.

"I have understood your intentions, but you must know that the Immortal Dao of Shushan is different from the Immortal Dao of Teyvat."

"The Shushan Immortal Dao is indeed cultivated by humans, and one can achieve immortality, live as long as heaven and earth, and be free and unfettered."

"However, the requirements for talent in cultivation are too high."

"Your talent is average; even if you cultivate, your progress will not be fast."

"Cultivators face a hurdle at every step. If you cannot break through within the limits of your lifespan, you can only die with lifelong regret."

"This feeling of having longevity in sight but missing it by a hair is the most desperate of all."

"If you only want to cure your illness, considering your persistence in seeking immortality, I can help you recover your health."

"If you want longevity, you can also wait for the martial arts from Liyue later."

"Martial arts were created by your Liyue's Geo Archon after joining Shushan, combining the cultivation system."

"When martial arts reach their peak, one becomes a celestial being and can also live for three hundred years."

Baizhu lowered his head, his gaze extremely complex. After a long while, he said in a deep voice:

"Sect Leader, may I ask, what is the starting lifespan of a cultivator?"

Jiang Yan was silent for a moment, then said faintly:

"Five hundred years."

Baizhu smiled and asked again:

"Sect Leader, after a cultivator becomes an immortal, what is their lifespan?"

"Living as long as heaven and earth, youth never fading."

Baizhu gave a carefree smile, but his gaze held incomparable persistence.

"If I were to practice martial arts instead of cultivation, how would that be any different from wasting my time?"

"Baizhu has no other requests, only asking the Sect Leader to give Baizhu a chance."

"If I cannot achieve longevity in the future and fall on the path of seeking it, it will only be because Baizhu did not work hard enough."

Longevity was what he had craved most when he visited the immortals in the past, but it was also what the immortals hated most.

Because of his pursuit of longevity, Baizhu was viewed with suspicion by Liyue's high-ranking officials, but he did not regret it. He did not want to finish his life like a fleeting horse passing a crack.

Now, only Shushan openly accepted longevity and could even bestow it.

If he couldn't grasp this opportunity, Baizhu felt it would be better to die.

Jiang Yan stared at Baizhu. Although they were separated by an immense distance, the firmness in his eyes did not waver.

Jiang Yan did not answer directly but asked in return:

"Are you the only one who wants to seek immortality this time?"

Baizhu felt a surge of joy in his heart and hurriedly said:

"Qiqi and Changsheng are also here to seek immortality!"

As he spoke, Baizhu hurriedly looked at Changsheng and Qiqi.

Changsheng nodded hurriedly. Having looked around Shushan Cave Heaven just now,

she had long been convinced by Shushan's foundation.

If she could join Shushan, her problem would no longer be a problem.

"Qiqi and Changsheng..."

Jiang Yan re-examined their talents, and after confirming he hadn't misjudged, he said faintly:

"Qiqi and Changsheng have excellent talent, especially Qiqi. With her innocent heart, if she cultivates, she will surely advance by leaps and bounds."

Hearing Jiang Yan's praise, Baizhu looked at Qiqi and Changsheng with some envy.

It seemed there would be no problem for Qiqi and Changsheng to join Shushan.

Talent...

Baizhu wavered for a moment but soon became firm again.

Although his talent was not high, he believed that man can conquer heaven!

"Since that is the case, except for Qiqi, you and Changsheng may enter the preaching plaza before you."

A purple cloud appeared out of thin air under Qiqi's feet, lifting her up and sending her to the other side.

"This plaza is inscribed with many Heart-Questioning Arrays."

"If you pass through the array, you can become a disciple of Shushan, practice the method of longevity, and pursue the Immortal Dao."

"If you cannot pass the array, then leave."

Although he said it like that, in reality, Jiang Yan had no doubts about whether Baizhu and Changsheng could pass the array.

Baizhu's pursuit of longevity was almost to the point of obsession.

Now that he had grasped this straw, he wouldn't let go even if he died.

As for Changsheng...

With double superior spirit roots, plus her own identity as an immortal and the long years she had lived,

the Heart-Questioning Array was not difficult for her.

To be honest, Jiang Yan even felt that Baizhu could go very far after cultivating.

Although his talent was average,

his mindset was simply too persistent.

The Dao heart is far more important than talent.

Talent can be changed later, but the Dao heart is truly a matter of personal will.

"Changsheng, everything I have sought in my life is right before my eyes."

Baizhu took a deep breath and looked down at Changsheng.

The latter was silent for a moment and said slowly:

"Your obsession is too deep, Baizhu."

"I understand."

Baizhu nodded and smiled:

"But this obsession is the greatest motivation for me to live on. I will not give up."

"You are the same... Changsheng, if I can join Shushan today, the contract will be completely terminated."

"If I cannot join Shushan, Baizhu's life will end here."

As he spoke, Baizhu stepped into the array.

Changsheng opened her mouth, but in the end, she didn't say anything and followed him into the array.

Soon, Changsheng passed Baizhu, looked back, and said softly:

"I will wait for you in Shushan."

Baizhu's mouth curled up, and he smiled:

"Good."

Taking a step, Baizhu stood completely inside the array.

Everything went black before his eyes, and it seemed as if some memories in his mind were blurred.

His whole body felt as if he were falling into a bottomless abyss, falling and falling.

After an unknown amount of time, Baizhu suddenly felt someone pat his shoulder.