Chapter 4

As expressionless as ever.

Jiang Yan smiled inwardly and continued:

"My repayment is actually already hidden in the *Huang Ting Jing* that I chant every day."

Cloud Retainer realized, and smiled.

"This *Huang Ting Jing* sounds profound, but it does indeed have the power to bring peace of mind. If this is what you mean, I think it is a good repayment."

Jiang Yan paused and said softly:

"I have quietly chanted the Huang Ting for a hundred days, and you have listened for a hundred days. Although the *Huang Ting Jing* is complex, its main theme has always been clear."

"Seeking immortality, longevity."

Hearing this, Cloud Retainer subconsciously frowned.

Jiang Yan knew that Cloud Retainer was a sharp-tongued person; she frowned now, and in the next second, she could open her mouth to spray people.

After all, the matter of pursuing longevity has always been something immortals resist and dislike.

Therefore, before she could speak, Jiang Yan said:

"Then, allow me to ask one more question: in your hearts, what is an immortal?"

3. Cloud Retainer, you've cultivated the wrong immortal path; watch how I cultivate.

Hearing Jiang Yan's question, Cloud Retainer laughed dumbly, pointing at herself, her gaze slightly playful.

"You are asking what an immortal is in front of an immortal?"

Jiang Yan's expression remained unchanged, feeling the situation of the Thunder Tribulation.

There was still some time, enough.

"In your hearts, what is an immortal?"

Jiang Yan asked again, tirelessly.

Cloud Retainer frowned slightly, feeling a bit displeased.

She thought he was joking, but didn't expect him to be seriously asking.

If it weren't for the good impression Jiang Yan had left on her during this period, she would now be using her talent as the "Adeptus Who Loves to Chat" to use her poisonous tongue skill.

"Why ask this?"

Cloud Retainer restrained the smile in her eyes and looked at Jiang Yan calmly.

"Since the Geo Archon founded Liyue, it has been about three thousand seven hundred years. In these thousands of years, there has been no lack of people visiting immortals."

"The things they seek include wealth, power, and strength; this is human nature."

"But do you know what kind of request the Geo Archon and we immortals dislike the most?"

Jiang Yan remained expressionless, his smile as gentle as ever.

"To become an immortal and attain the Dao, to live as long as the heavens."

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

Cloud Retainer looked displeased, and Ganyu, who was on the side, also looked at Jiang Yan with some entanglement.

From their previous interactions, they couldn't see Jiang Yan's craving for immortality at all, and because of this, plus his identity as a visitor from outside the heavens.

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

But now, why did Jiang Yan suddenly say this? Could it be because of the sky full of purple Qi just now?

Ganyu looked at Cloud Retainer with some worry, fearing that Jiang Yan would say something to stimulate Cloud Retainer later.

Making Cloud Retainer throw Jiang Yan down in one go.

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

But what gave Ganyu a headache was that Jiang Yan did indeed say the words that should not have been said.

Cloud Retainer's face became very ugly in an instant, and even Zhongli, who was hiding in the dark and paying attention to this side, had a trace of disappointment flash in his golden pupils.

Jiang Yan had descended for a hundred days, and he had also come to listen to the *Huang Ting Jing* for a hundred days in secret.

It was indeed profound and unfathomable; Zhongli asked himself that he had gained many insights from it.

Coupled with today's events, he was curious about Jiang Yan's situation and intended to appear in person.

But now, Jiang Yan's words made him a bit disappointed.

It seemed...

He was just another one of the many vulgar people in the world.

But suddenly, Jiang Yan said calmly:

"Cloud Retainer seems to have misunderstood."

"My immortal path is different from yours."

"My immortal can be sought from oneself, can be sought from heaven, can be sought from the Dao, but only..."

"Cannot be sought from the outside."

Cloud Retainer frowned tightly, looking at Jiang Yan with some surprise, and Zhongli, who was hiding in the dark, also became interested.

Jiang Yan continued:

"The *Jade Scripture of the Inner Court* Purple Clarity Chapter says: 'Accumulating merit and refining is not natural; it is due to sincerity and also due to focus.'"

"Cloud Retainer, I think this chapter is clear enough."

"The *Huang Ting Jade Scripture*, from the heart, spirit, lungs, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and kidneys, from the Supreme Spirit Platform, Three Passes, Middle Pool, Hundred Valleys, Mysterious Origin, and Yellow Court."

"Finally, it reaches the state of having action and no action, clearing the top and flying as an immortal."

"My Dao, from a hundred days ago to now, has never wavered."

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

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

Cloud Retainer gazed deeply at Jiang Yan, seeming to want to see the deep meaning in the depths of his eyes.

But Jiang Yan's eyes were not as clear as before.

A pool of purple Qi was flowing, covering up a lot.

But Cloud Retainer could feel that Jiang Yan didn't seem like the immortal-seekers of the past.

He now...

Seemed to be discussing the Dao?

After a moment of silence, feeling that Ganyu and Shenhe also seemed to be looking over curiously, Cloud Retainer nodded slightly and pondered:

"My body is an immortal crane, and after being tempered by elemental energy and washed by time, I formally became an immortal."

"Later, under the guidance of the Geo Archon, I mastered many immortal arts."

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

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

Jiang Yan's eyes were deep, like a pool of bottomless clear spring water.

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

Jiang Yan shook his head, feeling a bit regretful.

"This is not the immortal in my heart."

"Oh? Are you denying me?"

Cloud Retainer was a bit angry, staring at Jiang Yan quietly.

"I have achieved an immortal body for nearly three thousand years, and you are only in your early twenties; do you have such insights into the Immortal Dao?"

Hearing Cloud Retainer's displeasure, Jiang Yan gave an apologetic smile.

"The myriad laws of the heavens all have their capabilities, and the definitions of each are naturally not the same."

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

"Cloud Retainer, how do you cultivate your immortal path?"

Cloud Retainer snorted.

"I have said it! An immortal is born to be one, and even if it is achieved through acquired cultivation, it is destined from the moment of birth."

"Just like Ganyu, due to her bloodline, she will naturally grow up to be an immortal, while Shenhe, although she was raised by me like Ganyu, is ultimately not an immortal."

Sure enough, Cloud Retainer's talent for chatting was activated.

If it were someone else, they would be a bit sad, but Shenhe...

Her current mentality was continuing to deteriorate into coldness; perhaps she didn't care.

Or perhaps she cared, but didn't want to show it. ===== CHAPTER 5 =====