Liuyun, You Are an Immortal Cultivator. Let's See How I Cultivate.
Hearing Jiang Yan's question, Liuyun chuckled, slightly amused, and pointed at herself.
"You stand before an immortal and ask what an immortal is?"
Jiang Yan's expression remained unchanged as he observed the impending thunder tribulation.
There was still time—enough time.
"What, in your mind, is immortality?"
Jiang Yan patiently repeated his question.
Liuyun frowned slightly, a hint of irritation flashing across her face.
At first, she thought he was joking. But seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she realized he was asking in earnest.
Had Jiang Yan not left a good impression on her over the past few days, she might have already unleashed her innate talent for sharp, sarcastic remarks.
"Why do you ask that?"
Suppressing the amusement in her eyes, Liuyun looked at Jiang Yan calmly.
"It has been more than 3,700 years since the emperor founded Liyue. Over these millennia, many have sought out the immortals."
"They desire wealth, power, and strength. That is human nature."
"But do you know what the most distasteful request is to the emperor—and to us, the immortals?"
Jiang Yan's gentle smile remained unchanged.
"To become an immortal means to have a lifespan as long as the heavens themselves."
"Hah! Your tone is more arrogant than that of any immortal seeker I've encountered in thousands of years."
Liuyun looked surprised, while Gan Yu, standing nearby, watched Jiang Yan with a mix of curiosity and unease.
From their previous interactions, Jiang Yan had never shown a desire for immortality—perhaps due to his status as an outsider to this world.
Because of this, Liuyun and the others had been relatively accepting of him.
But now, why had he suddenly said this?
Was it because of the purple energy earlier?
Gan Yu glanced at Liuyun worriedly, fearing that Jiang Yan might say something that would anger her—something that would make her throw him off the mountain in a fit of rage.
Yet, Jiang Yan spoke again, his voice calm and unwavering.
"Yes, I seek immortality. That is my path."
Gan Yu felt a headache coming on. This was exactly what he shouldn't have said.
Liuyun's expression darkened, a flicker of disappointment flashing in her golden pupils.
Even Zhongli, observing in secret, seemed to share that disappointment.
For a hundred days, Jiang Yan had listened to the recitations of the Huangting Sutra.
It was profound—so much so that even Zhongli had gained insights from it.
Combined with what had happened today, he had become curious about Jiang Yan's intentions and had planned to reveal himself.
But now, Jiang Yan's words left him disheartened.
It seemed…
He was no different from the many mortals who had sought immortality before him.
However, Jiang Yan continued:
"Zhenjun Liuyun, you misunderstand me."
"My path to immortality is different from yours."
"My immortality is something I will seek from within myself, from the heavens, from the Dao—but never from others."
Liuyun frowned, surprise flickering in her eyes. Zhongli, still hidden, found his interest piqued once more.
Jiang Yan went on:
"The Huangting Jade Scripture, in the Ziqing chapter, states: 'To cultivate is not to rely on merit, but on sincerity and dedication.'"
"Zhenjun Liuyun, I believe this passage is quite clear."
"The Huangting Jade Scripture begins with the cultivation of the heart, spirit, lungs, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and kidneys. It progresses through the Lingtai, Sanguan, Zhongchi, Baigu, Xuanyuan, and Huangting."
"In the end, one reaches the state of action without action, becoming pure and attaining immortality."
"My path has never wavered since I first embarked upon it a hundred days ago."
"Now, to return to my original question..."
"In the eyes of the people of Teyvat, what is an immortal?"
Liuyun studied Jiang Yan intently, as if trying to see through him.
But his eyes were no longer as clear as before.
A dense, swirling purple energy covered their depths, concealing much within.
Yet, Liuyun could sense that Jiang Yan was different from those who had sought immortality before.
At this moment, he seemed to be... discussing the Dao itself.
After a brief silence, sensing Gan Yu and Shen He's curiosity, Liuyun nodded slightly and muttered:
"This immortal was originally a crane. After being tempered by elemental energy and refined by time, I officially became an immortal."
"Later, under the emperor's guidance, I mastered many immortal arts."
"For over a thousand years, many remarkable individuals have risen in the world, yet none have ever truly become immortals."
"Indeed, immortals are born destined to be immortals."
Jiang Yan's gaze was deep and enigmatic, like a bottomless well.
"First comes destiny, then comes skill, then comes law—but there is no path..."
He shook his head, a hint of regret in his eyes.
"This is not the immortality I seek."
"Oh? Are you denying my existence?"
Liuyun's tone grew sharp, her eyes narrowing.
"I have cultivated an immortal body for nearly three thousand years. You are barely in your twenties—what could you possibly understand about the immortal path?"
Jiang Yan offered a polite smile.
"All laws under heaven are valid, yet all definitions differ."
"I may not fully understand your form of immortality, but tell me, Zhenjun Liuyun—how did you cultivate yours?"
Liuyun scoffed.
"As I said, immortals are born, not made. Even those who attain immortality later in life are destined for it from birth."
"Take Gan Yu, for example. She carries the bloodline of immortals and thus, with time, she naturally became one. But Shen He, despite being raised by immortals, is not one herself."
Jiang Yan's expression remained calm.
"I see. So if one's blood is not that of an immortal, they cannot become one?"
Before Liuyun could retort, Jiang Yan asked another question.
"I've heard that the Geo Archon, Morax, is the ancestor of all immortals. How does he differ from you?"
Though Jiang Yan's gaze remained on Liuyun, Zhongli—hidden nearby—felt as if Jiang Yan was truly looking at him.
Liuyun, however, took pride in this topic.
"The emperor is the ancestor of all immortals. Even if we were not immortals, he certainly would be!"
"He was born with divine power. Unlike us, who must cultivate elemental energy and accumulate immortal force, he was an immortal from the moment of his birth."
"Through his control of rock, gold, jade, and the authority of contracts, he rapidly grew even stronger."
Jiang Yan nodded and spoke softly.
"So... could the immortality of the Geo Archon be cultivated?"
Liuyun hesitated for a moment before snapping:
"That is outrageous! The emperor is a primordial deity, the most powerful ruler of the world, known as the God of War!"
"Only he can wield such authority! You keep asking whether immortality can be cultivated, but you have fallen into a delusion!"
"I thought you wanted a discussion, but I see now that you are merely stubborn!"
Jiang Yan did not refute her words.
Instead, he looked up at the sky.
The thunderclouds had grown heavy, ominous.
It was almost time.
Jiang Yan smiled and lowered his gaze.
"Zhenjun Liuyun, what I seek is not to be granted immortality, but to forge my own."
"An immortal is not born, nor gifted by fate."
"An immortal is one who cultivates, who defies the heavens."
"Now—watch as I challenge the sky itself!"
As purple energy surged around him, Jiang Yan ascended, his figure standing alone against the storm.