Chapter 3

As expressionless as ever.

Jiang Yan gave a wry smile in his heart and continued:

"My repayment is, in fact, already hidden within the *Huangtingjing* I recite every day."

Liuyun realized, and smiled.

"This *Huangtingjing* sounds profound and mysterious, but it truly has the power to put one's heart at ease. If this is what you mean, I think it is a fine repayment."

Jiang Yan paused, then said softly:

"I have recited the *Huangting* in silence for a hundred days, and you have listened for a hundred days. Although the *Huangtingjing* is complex, its main theme has always been clear and simple."

"Seeking immortality, seeking eternal life."

Hearing this, Liuyun subconsciously frowned.

Jiang Yan knew that Liuyun had a sharp tongue; if she was frowning now, she would be spitting venom the next second.

After all, the pursuit of eternal life has always been something immortals resist and dislike.

Therefore, before she could speak, Jiang Yan said:

"Then, forgive me for asking one more thing: in your hearts, what is an immortal?"

3. Liuyun, your path to immortality has gone astray; watch how I cultivate it.

Hearing Jiang Yan's question, Liuyun was dumbfounded, then laughed, pointing at herself with a playful look in her eyes.

"You ask what an immortal is in front of an immortal?"

Jiang Yan’s expression remained unchanged as he sensed the state of the lightning tribulation.

There was still some time; it was enough.

"In your hearts, what is an immortal?"

Jiang Yan asked again, tirelessly.

Liuyun frowned slightly, feeling somewhat displeased.

She had thought he was joking, but she hadn't expected him to be asking in earnest.

If it weren't for the good impression Jiang Yan had made on her during this time, she would have already unleashed her "True Monarch of Chatting" talent for poisonous tongue.

"Why do you ask this?"

Liuyun withdrew the smile from her eyes and looked at Jiang Yan calmly.

"Since the Emperor founded Liyue, it has been about three thousand seven hundred years. In these thousands of years, there has been no shortage of people seeking immortals."

"What they seek is wealth, power, and strength; this is human nature."

"But do you know what kind of request the Emperor and we immortals despise the most?"

Jiang Yan’s expression did not change, his smile as gentle as ever.

"To become an immortal, to attain the Dao, and to have a lifespan equal to the heavens."

"Ha! Your tone is more arrogant than all the seekers of immortality I have seen in thousands of years."

Liuyun looked displeased, and Ganyu, standing to the side, also looked at Jiang Yan with a conflicted expression.

From their previous interactions, it was impossible to see any thirst for immortality in Jiang Yan, which, combined with his status as a traveler from beyond, was why...

Liuyun and the others had a relatively high level of acceptance for him.

But now, why would Jiang Yan suddenly say such a thing? Could it be because of the purple Qi that filled the sky earlier?

Ganyu looked at Liuyun with some worry, fearing that Jiang Yan might say something else to provoke her.

And cause Liuyun to throw Jiang Yan down in one go.

"Seeking immortality... indeed, I am walking on the path of seeking immortality."

What gave Ganyu a headache was that Jiang Yan had indeed said the one thing he shouldn't have.

Liuyun’s face turned ugly in an instant, and even Zhongli, who was watching from the shadows, felt a flash of disappointment in his golden pupils.

Jiang Yan had arrived a hundred days ago, and he had also come to listen to the *Huangtingjing* for a hundred days.

It was indeed profound and mysterious; Zhongli himself admitted to gaining much insight from it.

Coupled with today's events, he had been curious about Jiang Yan's situation and had intended to reveal himself.

But now, Jiang Yan’s words left him disappointed.

It seemed...

He was just another one of the many worldly people.

But suddenly, Jiang Yan said calmly:

"True Monarch Liuyun seems to have misunderstood."

"My path to immortality is different from yours."

"My immortality can be sought from within, from the heavens, or from the Dao, but only..."

"It cannot be sought from without."

Liuyun’s brows locked tight, and she looked at Jiang Yan with surprise. Zhongli, hidden in the shadows, also became interested.

Jiang Yan continued:

"The *Huangting Neijing Yujing Ziqing Chapter* says: 'Accumulating merit and refining is not natural; it comes from sincerity and focus.'"

"True Monarch Liuyun, I think this passage is clear enough."

"The *Huangting Yujing Jing* moves from the heart, spirit, lungs, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and kidneys, through the Supreme Spirit Platform, the Three Passes, the Middle Pool, the Hundred Valleys, the Mysterious Origin, and the Yellow Court."

"Finally, it reaches the state of 'having action' and 'no action,' ascending to the clear heavens to become a flying immortal."

"My Dao has not wavered for a hundred days, not even now."

"So, returning to the original topic..."

"In the eyes of the people of Teyvat, what is an immortal?"

Liuyun stared deeply at Jiang Yan, as if trying to see the hidden meaning in the depths of his eyes.

But Jiang Yan’s eyes were no longer as clear and bright as before.

A pool of swirling purple Qi flowed within, obscuring much.

But Liuyun could feel that Jiang Yan did not seem like the seekers of immortality from the past.

He was now...

Was he discussing the Dao?

After a moment of silence, feeling that Ganyu and Shenhe were also looking over with curiosity, Liuyun nodded slightly and mused:

"My true form is that of a crane. After being tempered by elemental energy and washed by the passage of time, I formally became an immortal."

"Subsequently, under the guidance of the Emperor, I mastered many immortal arts."

"In the past thousand years, many talented people have emerged in the mortal world, but I have never heard of anyone becoming an immortal through later cultivation."

"Therefore, an immortal is one who is destined to be an immortal from birth."

Jiang Yan’s gaze was deep, like a bottomless clear spring.

"First there is fate, then there is technique, then there is law, but there is no Dao..."

Jiang Yan shook his head, feeling some regret.

"This is not the immortal in my heart."

"Oh? Are you denying me?"

Liuyun was somewhat angry, staring quietly at Jiang Yan.

"I have attained the immortal body for nearly three thousand years, and you, with a bone age of just over twenty, have such insights into the immortal Dao?"

Hearing Liuyun’s displeasure, Jiang Yan gave an apologetic smile.

"The myriad laws of the heavens all have their capabilities, and naturally, definitions vary."

"I may not understand your immortal Dao, but..."

"True Monarch Liuyun, how do you cultivate your immortality?"

Liuyun snorted.

"I have said it! An immortal is born as one. Even if attained later, it is destined from the moment of birth."

"Just like Ganyu, by bloodline, she will naturally live forever and become an immortal. And look at Shenhe; although she was raised by me just like Ganyu, Shenhe is, after all, not an immortal."

Sure enough, Liuyun’s "True Monarch of Chatting" ability was activated.

If it were anyone else, they would be somewhat sad, but Shenhe...

Now that her mindset was continuing to deteriorate into coldness, perhaps she didn't care.

Or perhaps she did care, but didn't want to show it. ===== CHAPTER 12 =====