Hearing Jiang Yan's question, Cloud Retainer let out a faint, amused laugh. She pointed at herself, her gaze carrying a trace of playfulness.
"You're standing before an immortal, and you're asking what an immortal is?"
Jiang Yan's expression didn't change. He took a moment to sense the state of the brewing tribulation.
There was still time — enough for this conversation.
"In your hearts, what is an immortal?"
He repeated the question, persistent.
Liuyun's brows knitted ever so slightly in displeasure. She had thought he was making a joke, but to her surprise, he was asking in complete seriousness.
If not for the favorable impression he had left on her over the past days, she might already have unleashed her infamous sharp tongue, for which she was well-known even among her peers.
"Why do you ask?"
Liuyun's smile faded. Her eyes grew calm as she regarded him.
"Since the Geo Lord founded Liyue, roughly three thousand seven hundred years have passed. In all that time, there has been no shortage of mortals seeking out the immortals.
"What they ask for varies — wealth, authority, strength. Such desires are part of human nature.
"But do you know what request Rex Lapis and we immortals despise the most?"
Jiang Yan's expression remained unchanged, his gentle smile as constant as ever.
"To ascend to immortality, to join the Dao, and live as long as the heavens."
"Ha! Your tone is more arrogant than any mortal seeker I have met in thousands of years."
Liuyun's face grew slightly stern. Off to the side, Ganyu looked conflicted as she glanced at Jiang Yan.
From their past interactions, she had never seen in him any particular craving for immortality — and because he was a traveler from beyond this world, she and Liuyun had been more willing to accept him.
But now, why would he suddenly say something like this? Could it be because of that strange violet aura earlier?
Ganyu glanced worriedly at Liuyun, afraid Jiang Yan might provoke her further and get tossed off the mountain in a fit of temper.
"Yes, I am walking the path toward immortality," Jiang Yan said,
promptly voicing the very words Ganyu had hoped he wouldn't.
Liuyun's face darkened instantly. Even Zhongli, quietly watching from the shadows, felt a flicker of disappointment in his golden eyes.
For a hundred days since Jiang Yan's arrival, he had secretly listened to Jiang Yan's recitations of the Huangting Scripture.
It was profound, even enlightening — Zhongli himself had gained much from it.
And after the events earlier today, he had been curious enough to consider revealing himself.
But now, Jiang Yan's words made him feel as if this man was no different from the countless common mortals of the world.
Then, Jiang Yan spoke again, his tone calm:
"Cloud Retainer, you seem to have misunderstood.
"My path to immortality is not the same as yours.
"My immortal path can be sought from oneself, from the heavens, from the Dao — but one thing… it must never be sought from without."
Liuyun's brows furrowed. She looked at him in surprise, and in the shadows, Zhongli's interest returned.
Jiang Yan continued:
"As written in the Purple Clarity Chapter of the Huangting Inner Landscape Jade Scripture: 'The refining of virtue into essence is not of nature — it comes from utmost sincerity and focus.'
"You know this text well, True Monarch. Its meaning should be clear enough.
"The Huangting Scripture describes the journey from the cultivation of mind, spirit, and organs, to the spiritual platform, the Three Passes, the Central Pool, the Hundred Valleys, the Profound Origin, and the Yellow Court.
"In the end, one reaches the state of having both action and non-action, ascends to the Upper Clarity, and becomes an immortal.
"My path has not wavered once in these hundred days.
"So, back to the original question — in the eyes of the people of Teyvat, what is an immortal?"
Liuyun studied him intently, as if trying to peer into the depths of his eyes.
But they were no longer as clear as before — swirls of violet mist obscured much within.
Still, she could sense that Jiang Yan was not like other seekers of immortality.
It seemed… he was debating the Dao.
After a pause, noting that Ganyu and Shenhe were also watching curiously, Liuyun inclined her head and said slowly:
"My true form is a crane. After ages of tempering by elemental energy and the erosion of time, I formally became an immortal.
"Later, under the Geo Lord's guidance, I mastered many immortal arts.
"In a thousand years, countless mortals of talent have arisen, yet I have never heard of one becoming immortal through cultivation alone.
"Therefore — an immortal is one born to be an immortal."
Jiang Yan's gaze was deep, like a spring whose bottom could not be seen.
"First comes fate, then technique, then law — but never the Dao itself…"
He shook his head slightly, regret in his eyes.
"That is not the immortal I seek."
"Oh? Are you denying my immortality?"
Liuyun's voice carried a faint edge. "I achieved my immortal body over three thousand years ago. You — barely in your twenties — dare to claim such insight into the immortal path?"
Hearing her displeasure, Jiang Yan gave a faintly apologetic smile.
"All paths have their virtues, and definitions differ.
"I may not fully understand your immortal way, but…
Cloud Retainer, how did you cultivate yours?"
"Hmph. I've said it already! Immortals are born to be such. Even if one becomes immortal later, it is only because from the moment of birth, that fate was already set.
"Ganyu, for instance — her bloodline ensures she will live forever as an immortal. Shenhe, though raised by me just as Ganyu was, will never be an immortal."
True to form, Liuyun's blunt tongue struck without pause.
Most people might feel stung, but Shenhe…
Her heart was growing ever colder. Whether she truly didn't care, or cared too much to show, was anyone's guess.
"An immortal by blood is no immortal at all."
Jiang Yan shook his head, unshaken in his view. Before Liuyun could respond, he asked suddenly:
"I have heard that Rex Lapis, Morax, is the progenitor of all immortals. In what way does he differ from you, True Monarch?"
Though Jiang Yan's eyes were on Liuyun, Zhongli felt an odd unease — as if those words were directed at him.
Liuyun's neck straightened in pride.
"The Geo Lord is indeed the progenitor of immortals. Even if we were not immortals, he would be without doubt an immortal!
"The Geo Lord was born knowing all things. While we lesser immortals must cultivate elemental energy and accumulate immortal power to claim the title, the Geo Lord could do so from the moment of his birth.
"And as he came to command stone, jade, and the power of contracts, his growth was unmatched."
Jiang Yan did not press her further, saying softly:
"Then… can the Geo Lord's immortality be cultivated?"
"This…" Liuyun faltered, then her tone hardened.
"Mind your words! The Geo Lord is a god by birth, the mightiest ruler of the age, famed as the God of War!
"His power is his alone to wield. By asking again and again whether an immortal can be 'cultivated,' you fall into the same tiresome trap as countless others!
"I had thought you wished to sit and discuss the Dao — but you remain stubbornly misguided!"
Jiang Yan gave no answer to her rebuke.
He lifted his head; thunderclouds had already thickened above. To Liuyun and the others, it might have seemed a reflection of her anger — none of them yet noticed that the heavens themselves were stirring.
"It's almost time."
The words left him in a soft murmur. Then he lowered his gaze to the women before him.
"If immortals are but the favored children of heaven and earth, then forgive me — I do not acknowledge that as true immortality.
"To be born destined for the immortal path, to be sacred at birth, to be a god raised by nature itself — none of these are immortals.
"To cultivate technique, art, and even fate, yet never cultivate the Dao itself… such immortals fall far short of what I imagine.
"You speak of Teyvat's immortal cultivation — thousands of techniques, ten thousand methods. I have but one question:
Can they grant true longevity?
"Can they grant eternity?
"Can they grant immortality?"
His barrage of questions only stoked Liuyun's ire further. Ganyu, flustered, shot him a pleading look, silently begging him to stop before he was hurled off the mountain.
"So much talk! In the end, you just want to become an immortal, don't you? Ridiculous! I care not what 'immortal' means in your world — here in Teyvat, an immortal is as I have said.
"It has always been so, and always will be so."
Liuyun snorted and set down her teacup.
"Ganyu, Shenhe — see our guest out."
"True Monarch, Jiang Yan, he—"
Ganyu tried to smooth things over, but Jiang Yan shook his head and rose. His black Daoist robe stirred in the wind, exuding a mysterious air.
"True Monarch, my words today may have been rash — but this is my path. It will not be hidden, nor will it be changed."
"Hmph! Then go chase your dream of immortality! Perhaps tonight you will dream you've become one — and your wish will be fulfilled. Farewell!"
Jiang Yan's smile remained serene.
"Thank you for your blessing, True Monarch. But you are mistaken — immortality is not dreamed, nor granted by birth.
"Immortality is cultivated.
"To defy the heavens, to wrestle with fate; to replace heaven's will with my own; though heaven and earth perish, I remain. Though heaven and earth decay, I endure.
"To transcend the Three Realms, to stand outside the Five Elements.
"This is my immortal path — the Huangting Immortal Path.
"To never fight nor strive, to go only where heaven leads — such a one will never become a true immortal."
He slowly spread his hands. Violet mist coiled beneath his feet, his long black hair billowed in the wind. He looked utterly at ease, as if he might soar away in the next breath.
Liuyun's pupils contracted. She stared at him in disbelief, mulling over his words, then frowned deeply.
"Such blasphemy — defiance of the heavens!"
"Is it? Then I am reassured."
A grin, faintly wild, curved Jiang Yan's lips as he lifted his gaze to the storm-wracked sky.
"If I were to obey like a house-broken dog, I would never become an immortal. Everything I am will be won in struggle against the heavens.
"To go against the current — that is my destiny."
He rose slowly into the air, speaking softly:
"Morax, my friend — if you are curious, join the True Monarchs here and watch.
"Observe how I… wrest my fate from the heavens!"
Flowers bloomed in the void as sword-light flared beneath his feet. Jiang Yan's figure, wreathed in violet mist, cut upward as if slicing through space itself, reaching the boundless heights above.
Against the black clouds that threatened to crush all of Teyvat, his lone form seemed fragile indeed — a solitary figure defying the world entire.
And yet, he radiated exhilaration.
The very skies over Jueyun Karst seemed to celebrate him.