What level was the Huangting Jade View Classic, that legendary scripture of the Immortal Dao?
Even after reciting it for a hundred days, Jiang Yan still couldn't quite grasp its true depth. He only knew one thing—this was a path that led to becoming an Immortal, and not just any Immortal.
Even merely chanting it in meditation could bring a deep, soul-level sense of peace and comfort.
As for what level "Minor Attainment" in the Huangting Jade View Classic meant… that, at least, Jiang Yan could see clearly from his system panel:
Late-Stage Spirit-Refining, Return-to-Void Realm.
This was a realm just a single step away from the pinnacle of humanity in the Daoist cultivation system—on the verge of breaking through to Unity of Void and Dao, ready to prepare for ascension and become a true, undying Immortal.
And such an Immortal was very different from what "Immortal" meant in Teyvat.
Immortality. Undying, indestructible. Unassailable by any law or force, untouched by all evil. Capable of plucking the stars and moon from the sky, moving mountains, overturning seas. Sharing the lifespan of heaven itself, existing alongside the Dao.
The extreme of technique is law; the extreme of law is Immortality.
It sounded as though the Archons of Teyvat could do such things—but Jiang Yan knew the truth.
Right now, he already possessed the ability to transcend this world entirely.
Strictly speaking, someone at the Return-to-Void stage truly belonged in the Quantum Sea—at the very core of the multiverse, alongside the Imaginary Tree.
Where he would ascend to after achieving Unity of Void and Dao, Jiang Yan did not know—the system hadn't said. But he was certain of one thing: he already had enough power.
Lifting his gaze, he looked up at the sky. The sea of purple qi from earlier had given way to a heavy, storm-like pressure.
The laws of a higher world had pierced through the Quantum Sea and Imaginary Tree, descending upon this one.
Jiang Yan knew exactly what this meant—
The lightning tribulation, the inevitable trial that came with a cultivator's breakthrough.
Teyvat had no concept of heavenly tribulation, but since he had set foot on this cultivation path, he could not escape the universal rules that bound all worlds.
He didn't expect to be the exception.
By his reckoning, he had maybe ten minutes before the tribulation was ready.
There was no running.
Fortunately, the system could at least help him suppress the tribulation's destructive range. Otherwise, the accumulated lightning from three major realm breakthroughs wouldn't just flatten Teyvat—it could wipe Liyue off the map with ease.
His method of facing the tribulation was… blunt.
The Divine Sword and Heavenly Thunder Art.
Fight poison with poison.
He would have liked to prepare a set of defensive treasures like other cultivators, but… he had neither the time nor the skill for that.
Not that he doubted his chances.
As for whether the descent of the tribulation would stir a reaction from Celestia's Heavenly Principles—he didn't care. If they showed up, he'd just see if his Golden Light Mantra could smack them into submission.
Return-to-Void wasn't the pinnacle of cultivation, but against the Heavenly Principles? He figured he could manage.
Right now, the more pressing matter was preparing for his next task.
This system was colder than any Daoist of the Ruthless Path—never speaking, never offering explanations, only issuing missions on the panel for him to read.
And his next mission was:
"Establish a sect. Found a cultivation school. Spread the true path of cultivation throughout Teyvat."
In other words, Jiang Yan was about to become the Sect Master of a cultivation sect.
All these thoughts passed in the blink of an eye.
At the Return-to-Void stage, his Pure Yang True Soul was forged, yin and yang in perfect harmony, his body flawless and without leakage.
Spirit, nature, life, and form united with the Dao.
In simpler terms—he was now the most perfect lifeform possible short of true Immortality.
And in all of Teyvat—perhaps in the entire multiverse of the Quantum Sea—the only entity most likely to have reached the true Immortal Dao was the Imaginary Tree itself.
As for Unity of Void and Dao… that was the step where one transformed from human toward Immortal—no longer fully either, but something between.
"Jiang Yan, you…?"
Cloud Retainer's gaze was tinged with doubt. For some reason, he now felt… more like an Immortal than she did.
The thought flashed and faded, and she almost laughed at herself. Just yesterday, he'd been an utterly ordinary mortal—could someone truly become an Immortal overnight?
Come to think of it, she had never actually seen someone ascend after birth into true Immortality.
"Jiang Yan, about what just happened—and the mark on your brow…"
Ganyu's expression was full of concern.
"It's nothing, just…" Jiang Yan trailed off, glancing toward a certain hidden corner where the Geo Lord, Morax, was quietly watching.
"'The tide of the Qiantang River brings word—only today do I know I am truly myself…'"
He murmured the line in quiet reflection.
Ganyu looked puzzled. Jiang Yan had always been fond of saying incomprehensible things, but it felt like this tendency had gotten worse since the purple qi had entered him.
Since he clearly didn't want to explain, she chalked it up to some kind of awakening. Outlanders were always strange in their own ways—and sudden awakenings were hardly unheard of in Teyvat.
"How mysterious…" Ganyu muttered, scratching her cheek before smiling warmly.
"In any case, I'm glad you're all right! Oh, and I actually came here today for a reason."
Jiang Yan's eyes glimmered. The intuition of a cultivator kicked in; a quick mental calculation was all he needed.
"You want to take me to Liyue Harbor, right? That's fine—but not right now."
"Eh?"
Ganyu tilted her head.
"Am I really that obvious? Well, fine. Do you have something urgent? We can wait a bit. But the sooner the better—the Rite of Descension is in two months, and I'll be swamped. I was hoping you could help me… will you?"
With a faint smile, Jiang Yan's gaze slid toward the concealed Zhongli, giving him a subtle nod.
"I will. But first, let me take care of something."
"By the way, what was that just now? All that purple qi going into your body…" Ganyu asked, curiosity finally winning over restraint.
Before he could answer, Cloud Retainer spoke up:
"Never thought this one could misjudge—who would have thought the boy I casually picked up would possess such fortune? Is this the extraordinariness of an outlander?"
"But what exactly… is your situation?"
Jiang Yan chuckled softly. "As for me… allow me to explain later."
"For now…"
He tapped the stone table before him, and five steaming cups of tea appeared in an instant.
Ganyu blinked, glancing around in confusion. There were only four of them—why five cups?
Jiang Yan noticed her puzzlement but offered no explanation. The fifth guest wasn't ready to reveal himself yet. But Jiang Yan knew the conversation to come would draw him out.
"Is this your newfound ability?" Cloud Retainer asked casually, eyeing the conjured tea.
Jiang Yan only smiled warmly in silence.
Taking a sip, he said softly:
"It has been a hundred days since you brought me to Jueyun Karst. Such a debt of life-saving grace must be repaid. But a gift without fate or connection, I imagine, is something you would not accept."
He glanced at their faces—Cloud Retainer serene, Ganyu looking conflicted as though overthinking his words, Shenhe as impassive as ever.
"The truth is, my repayment has already been hidden in the Huang Ting Jing I recite each day."
Cloud Retainer's eyes lit in realization, and she smiled.
"This Huang Ting Jing is indeed obscure and profound, yet it does carry a calming power. If this is the repayment you speak of, I would say it is a fine one."
Jiang Yan paused briefly before continuing:
"I have chanted the Huang Ting Jing for a hundred days, and you have listened for a hundred days. Though the text is complex, its main theme has always been clear—"
"Seeking Immortality. Pursuing Longevity."
At that, Cloud Retainer's brow furrowed slightly.
Jiang Yan knew her quick tongue well enough—if she frowned now, she would be ready to scold him in the next breath.
After all, seeking longevity was something most Immortals instinctively disliked.
So before she could speak, he asked:
"Then, allow me one more question—
In your hearts, what is an Immortal?"