Decades had passed, yet Qiqi's appearance remained unchanged—still that of a little loli.
Still the same as always: vacant, bewildered.
"Qiqi…"
Baizhu's clouded eyes suddenly lit up.
Qiqi turned her head blankly. After staring at Baizhu for a long while, she fretfully picked up a yellowed notebook.
"Mister Bai…"
"Your memory is still the same as ever, Qiqi…"
Baizhu gave a bitter smile, but then he couldn't help coughing several times.
He knew—his time was almost up.
Raising his withered hand, covered in age spots, he gently stroked Qiqi's head.
"Qiqi… I should be leaving soon…"
"Mister Bai… are you going out to gather herbs?"
Qiqi looked at him, utterly innocent.
"Yes…"
Baizhu smiled faintly.
"This time, I'm going to a place very, very far away to gather herbs. I probably won't be coming back."
"Take Qiqi along…"
Qiqi replied instantly. Baizhu, however, shook his head with difficulty.
"Forgive me, this time… I can't."
"I've entrusted Miss Ganyu to look after you. After I'm gone, she'll come pick you up."
"Miss Ganyu… she'll surely care for you better than I ever could. After all, she's… closer to what you are."
Baizhu gazed at Qiqi with quiet sorrow.
His life—like a fleeting steed passing by—gone in the blink of an eye.
In less than a century, he had done many things. Great deeds, enough to be recorded in history. His name would be remembered.
Such a life was already more than what countless people could ever dream of.
And yet… why… Why was there still so much unwillingness in his heart?
When he died, how long would his memory endure?
Would his existence be nothing more than a flash of brilliance in Qiqi's endless life?
These decades together—how much color would they truly hold in her long, long years ahead?
It felt like there was still so much left undone.
But his time had already come.
The world laments the plainness of life, yet most lives are, in truth, plain.
The world laments the brevity of life, yet every life is, in truth, brief.
"Time slips away; the years shine relentlessly."
Baizhu lifted his head toward the heavens. That vast sky—how many corners of it had he seen?
"Qiqi… what a pity…"
"There are so many places I've yet to see, so many people I've yet to meet, so many things I've left unfinished…"
"Qiqi, I don't want to leave."
"I really don't want to leave…"
"I envy you so much. Even in your confusion, even without memories—you can stay here, for so very long…"
"I truly don't want it to end like this…"
Tears slid from the corners of his murky eyes.
The crushing weakness of his body told him clearly—he had reached his limit.
He had saved so many, prolonged so many lives.
But facing himself… he knew not what to do.
"Mister Bai… if you don't want to go, then why not stay?"
Qiqi's voice was full of innocent puzzlement.
Baizhu fell silent. After a moment, his eyes slowly brightened.
"Stay…"
"Mister Bai, if you don't want to go, why not think of a way to stay?"
Qiqi looked at him curiously. He forced himself upright.
"How do I stay?"
"Qiqi doesn't know…"
Qiqi shook her head, then added:
"But Mister Bai once said—if there's something you wish to do, you must always persist. Even if everyone says it's impossible, you cannot give up."
"Dreams must not be forgotten."
Baizhu's mind roared, waves surging.
"Dreams… my dream…"
"Immortality! Immortality!"
Baizhu staggered to his feet, stumbling up the steps, raising his head to the heavens.
That obsession, sealed away long ago, burst through its shackles.
Youthful vitality surged back into his veins.
His hunched figure straightened; wrinkles vanished; his face returned to the bloom of youth.
That warm, confident smile once more graced his features.
"Immortality! Immortality!"
Baizhu cried toward the sky.
"My dream was never merely to heal the sick or leave my name in history—it was immortality!"
"With immortality, I can save more lives! Accomplish more deeds!"
"With immortality, I shall live without regret!"
"I will remain! I will remain forever! I will see every landscape of this world!"
"I will live, long and unending, to savor all that life offers!"
Baizhu suddenly clasped his hands toward the heavens, facing that boundless, surging firmament, and declared:
"Mortal Baizhu offers thanks for the Sect Master's grace. Today, I have seen through myself."
"What I seek has never wavered—immortality!"
"Mortal Baizhu humbly beseeches the Sect Master to grant me the chance at eternal life!"
"From this day forth, I shall never turn back!"
As his words fell, the world before him shattered like glass.
From the unseen void, a voice filled with approval rang out:
"Good."
Baizhu's heart trembled. He returned to the great formation. Beside him, Changsheng had already slithered to Qiqi's side, looking at him anxiously.
Baizhu raised his hand. His body was vibrant, brimming with youthful vigor once more.
Having lived through decades of old age in but a fleeting illusion, his obsession with immortality now burned hotter than ever.
It was engraved into his very bones.
"A whole lifetime in an instant… Was this the work of an immortal? Truly miraculous!"
In but a moment, he had lived an entire life. A trace of vicissitude lingered in his gaze.
The medical experience he gained in that illusory life—he retained all of it.
The illness in his body had been completely washed away by the spiritual energy of the Heart-Testing Array. With his current medical skill, he could easily root it out entirely.
With such medical prowess, he could shock all of Teyvat the instant he left.
But that was not what he desired.
What he desired… was immortality!
That craving only blazed brighter.
"Baizhu, are you alright?"
Changsheng called out, worried.
Having endured the trial herself, she knew how terrifying it was.
She had relived the tale of Yaoguang —of the Mountain King and the Jade Immortal. This time, without tragedy.
She had nearly been lost in it, and if not for a sudden clarity, she would have failed.
Baizhu raised his head, staring at her, and softly said:
"Changsheng… wait for me."
Changsheng froze. She didn't answer.
It felt as though those words… weren't really spoken to her.
Baizhu began to walk forward, step by step.
Illusions surged before his eyes—immortals berating him for daring to seek eternity as a mortal. Memories of his childhood he least wished to recall. The tragedy of failing in his pursuit, wasting a lifetime. Even visions of success, only to perish before true immortality.
Yet none of it shook his stride.
Step by step, steady, unwavering.
Until at last, drenched in sweat, he stood beside Changsheng.
Witnessing such fanatical determination from beginning to end, even Changsheng couldn't help but feel awe.
"Congratulations, Baizhu… you have passed the most painful path of your life."
Baizhu smiled, relieved. Turning, he gazed back at the vast plaza.
All he had endured in illusion surfaced in his mind—but soon faded away.
Facing forward, he lifted his eyes toward the peaks of Mount Shu's Seven Peaks.
"Mortal Baizhu offers thanks for the Sect Master's mercy. Today, I have laid bare my heart. From now on, I shall press ever forward!"
"Mortal Baizhu comes to Mount Shu… in pursuit of immortality!"
At his words, a radiant rainbow bridge descended from the sky, falling swiftly beneath their feet.
"Step upon the bridge, ascend to Mount Shu—and immortality shall be within sight."
Baizhu did not hesitate. He took Qiqi and Changsheng with him onto the bridge.
The rainbow path contracted rapidly. Countless breathtaking sights unfolded around them.
But Baizhu never spared them a glance—his eyes remained fixed on the Seven Peaks above.
The heavens vast, the earth magnificent, scenery as a painting.
All of this…
Once he gained immortality, he would have endless time to behold it.
Now, in his heart, there was only the path of cultivation.
He knew nothing of how much time had passed before the three finally reached the summit.
Before them loomed an immense grand hall.
Beneath the hazy glow of the great sun, framed by drifting clouds, it exuded both grandeur and immortal grace.
Baizhu straightened his robes, bowed with clasped hands, and prostrated before the doors.
"Mortal Baizhu, here to seek the Way of Immortals!"
The doors opened wide. Jiang Yan's voice drifted faintly out:
"Enter."
Baizhu, carrying the deepest reverence of his life, first wiped his shoes clean before cautiously stepping inside—
as if afraid to sully this true immortal sanctuary with mortal dust.
Within the hall were seven meditation cushions. Behind them, a colossal character: Dao.
But for now, the hall was empty.
Baizhu raised his eyes to the character.
In an instant, a thunderous resonance crashed through his mind.
When he came back to himself, a dark-robed figure sat upon the central cushion.
Young in appearance, long hair cascading down, a violet-gold sigil glowing at his brow.
He sat smiling at Baizhu—as though he had been there since the dawn of time.
Baizhu bowed deeply.
"Mortal Baizhu greets the Sect Master of Mount Shu."
Changsheng slithered onto the floor and lowered her head.
"Changsheng greets the Sect Master of Mount Shu."
Qiqi stared vacantly at Jiang Yan, already lost in her own little world.
Changsheng panicked slightly and quickly explained:
"Sect Master, Qiqi is… a zombie. She is…"
"No matter."
Jiang Yan shook his head faintly, then shifted his gaze to Changsheng.
"You—do you come to Mount Shu under the name Changsheng, or under the name Medicine Sovereign?"
It was no surprise to her that he had seen through her origin. She replied softly:
"The past is gone. Now, there is only the white serpent, Changsheng."
Jiang Yan nodded gently, and turned his gaze upon Baizhu.
"I witnessed all that you showed within the Heart-Testing Array."
"To speak plainly—your will and your obsession are the strongest I have ever seen."
"Though your talent is mediocre, with such determination, it is not impossible to achieve great things."
"For Mount Shu, talent is secondary. What matters most is will."
"Talent can be altered. But will… can never be imposed by outside force."
Baizhu's heart leapt with joy. He hurriedly bowed.
"Many thanks for the Sect Master's recognition."
"To pass a single Heart-Testing Array is enough to enter Mount Shu as an outer disciple. You, however, passed nine."
Even Jiang Yan could not help but sigh.
"Such obsession… is a rarity across the ages."
"Thus, I shall make an exception—promote you directly to the rank of inner disciple of Mount Shu."
"From this day, I congratulate you in advance—you are stepping upon the immortal path. In the future, you must uphold the rules of Mount Shu: seek the Way, slay demons, defend the mortal realm."
"Break them, and heaven and earth shall destroy you."
"Should you ever use the arts of immortality for evil—even if you flee to the ends of the world—Mount Shu's Hall of Discipline will cut you down."
Baizhu was overjoyed, hastily bowing.
"This disciple shall always remember!"
Jiang Yan nodded slightly.
"Do you have any questions?"
Baizhu hesitated. After some thought, he softly asked:
"Sect Master, the cultivation of Mount Shu… is it the same as the immortal cultivation spoken of in those popular tales spreading through Liyue these days…?"
At that, Jiang Yan chuckled.
He knew of Liyue's tales of cultivation, of course. Ningguang must have asked him before spreading them.
He nodded.
"That was the handiwork of your senior sister, Ningguang."
"Ningguang… fourth senior sister?"
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