6 Chapter Six: "The Temperament of Immortal Cultivators"

The next day, Xian Yu wakes up from his training and proceeds to wash up, glancing at himself in the mirror. He notices something different. His sleek hair resembled Zhongli's, and his face, while still as handsome as before, now carried an indescribable quality.

This newfound attribute, often referred to as "temperament," isn't something ordinary people possess. It's typically associated with those who've held high positions for a long time or were born with it. However, the Chosen One has a different tale to tell.

Despite this enhanced appearance, Xian Yu isn't particularly fond of it. This newfound temperament doesn't improve his strength, so he wonders about its purpose. He'd rather avoid drawing too much attention, as it could disrupt his life.

Nevertheless, Xian Yu doesn't dwell on the matter for too long. He simply packs up and heads out.

As he steps outside, he encounters the bustling morning scene at the port. Vendors are calling out to passersby, offering various items for sale.

"Freshly unearthed rough stone! Get it here for only 100 mora! Don't miss out; it's a steal, and you won't be cheated. With a little luck, you could become a wealthy person."

"Our Southern Cross team just caught this fish from the deep sea. Come take a look!"

The port is teeming with activity, creating a lively and dynamic atmosphere.

If he had the money, Xian Yu might have considered opening a Pushi. Winning the lottery could have allowed him to relax a bit. Unfortunately, there were no such ifs, and he could only watch from the sidelines. He vaguely remembered Zhongli's advice, and after contemplating it, he decided to steer clear of such temptations. "No getting involved in gambling or the like," he reminded himself. Strengthening himself was the way forward.

The Adventurers Association, located at the heart of Liyue Port, was easy to find, with a constant stream of adventurers coming and going. Some sought adventure, while others aimed for wealth or power. Xian Yu, on the other hand, sought information.

The Adventurers Association, part of a vast organization spread across the seven nations, was a true behemoth. While it was merely a quest hub in the game, anyone who thought of it that way was, well, a bit foolish.

For Xian Yu, the size of the organization wasn't the focus; it was the information. Information was paramount.

While waiting in line to receive a task, Xian Yu observed the other adventurers. Many wore somber expressions, and their abilities often fell short of expectations. Some even had tattered clothing.

"It seems these so-called adventurers aren't having an easy time," he thought. It made sense; if you didn't have to worry about food and shelter, who would go to such lengths? After all, it all boiled down to the basic struggle for survival.

Certainly, there had to be genuine adventurers here – the kind who thrived on exploring the "unknown." They had a deep passion for it. But how many of those individuals existed here?

These thoughts didn't linger for long, as it was now Xian Yu's turn. To accept a mission, he needed to register, a straightforward process. He was a frequent visitor to the Hall of Rebirth, so he didn't dwell on the formality. After registering, he swiftly expressed his request.

"Excuse me, do you have any missions involving cryo slimes?" he inquired. "If not, I'll accept one regarding Cryo Whopperflower."

The receptionist seemed momentarily taken aback, then quickly responded, "Yes, yes, we have several such missions. You can choose from any of them."

With that, she produced a stack of mission lists. Most of these were from Wanmintang, though a few were from other establishments or individuals. While there were plenty of adventurers in the area, not many tackled elemental-based missions. Tasks involving elemental creatures were often quite challenging. Even something as seemingly mundane as capturing elemental crystal butterflies proved difficult.

This led to a surplus of available missions over time. These elemental creatures posed a genuine threat to ordinary individuals who weren't cautious, and they were difficult to defeat. Moreover, the rewards weren't particularly enticing.

For tasks like these, the average person was reluctant to take risks, and those with the capability often looked down on them. It was akin to being bland and uninteresting, too mundane to merit their attention.

In this context, the receptionist was briefly stunned when she heard Xian Yu's request. As she watched him peruse the mission lists, she patiently waited, refraining from offering advice. Her professionalism guided her actions.

Xian Yu sighed inwardly, thinking, "Oh, such a handsome young man, and yet he still has to embark on these perilous missions. It's truly a pity."

The receptionist, a Catherine-like figure, was a far cry from a biochemist.

When selecting missions, Xian Yu adhered to the principle of proximity and swiftly made his choice.

Cinnabar Cliff, the nearest gathering point for cryo slimes, piqued his interest. According to the information he'd gathered, a cluster of cryo slimes resided under a waterfall. They'd been discovered by a passing hunter and reported to the Adventurers Association. Of course, such reports weren't made out of charity; payment was involved. Otherwise, who would bother?

The Adventurers Association continuously collected information about such wild occurrences.

"Alright, that's the one."

With those words, he officially accepted the mission.

Once a mission was secured, it was time to set out. Xian Yu required no special preparations. As long as one had the strength for this type of mission, there was little cause for concern.

Meanwhile, the adventurers around him began to comment.

"Tsk, tsk, another inexperienced youngster taking random missions. I wonder if he'll make it back in one piece."

"Yeah, I think he's taking a risk. Other cryo slime missions are fine, but he chose this one. It's close, but it hasn't been cleared yet. I can easily imagine there being problems."

"Don't be so quick to judge. That kid doesn't seem like a fool. What if he's genuinely strong? Even if he's not, surviving is possible if he's clever."

"Strong ones? Where do we find strong individuals? How many have you seen in Liyue? Without the Vision, true strength is a rarity!"

This remark hushed the previously lively hall. Indeed, becoming genuinely strong without the Vision was a formidable challenge. No matter how diligently one trained, when facing the Chosen One, they seemed to fall short, all due to the unpredictable and ever-changing nature of elemental forces.

Xian Yu had no way of knowing what transpired after his death, and even if he did, he would likely just scoff at it.

Indeed, the Vision is a significant shortcut to attaining immense power and possibly ascending to godhood. However, the outcome doesn't appear to be as favorable as it might seem.

While others envy those with the Vision, Xian Yu sees through some of the intricacies involved. However, for those who seek to control their destinies and gain power, the Vision remains the most efficient path. Despite the unpredictable elements, it at least offers a chance to achieve one's goals, an undeniable fact.

Xian Yu had pondered acquiring the Vision, but unlike the inhabitants of this world, he possessed other means of obtaining power, free from the constraints that people here faced.

Moreover, not everyone who pursues the Vision can ultimately reach the goal of becoming a god. Considering the entire continent of Teyvat, only a rare few can attain such a status. Hence, the pursuit of the Vision is a common aspiration.

Returning to Xian Yu, the mission is secondary, and the location is primary.

Xian Yu isn't a fool. If the slimes are so close and haven't been dealt with yet, it's almost certain there will be problems.

However, he doesn't genuinely intend to complete a mission. He can simply lure out a slime and catch it when the time is right.

As for the mission itself, it's inconsequential, and nobody would care about it. A few hundred mora would suffice to cover accommodation.

"Slime Power Bank, here I come!" he thought with a wry smile.