After days of constant travel, your body craved rest, and your mind sought a place of clarity. You knew exactly where to go. The crisp air of Mt. Aocang welcomed you as the mountain wind whispered through the pine trees. You climbed steadily, until you reached a familiar summit—one bathed in silence and open skies

There, you saw a woman standing near the edge of the cliff, lost in thought. Her back was to you, her long, wavy hair shifting gently in the breeze like the ripples on a still lake. Shades of deep blue and turquoise danced through her flowing locks. She stood tall and graceful, her posture effortlessly poised with the serenity of someone who knew the wind like an old friend. You didn’t recognize her—not immediately

She turned slightly at the sound of your voice as you asked about Cloud Retainer. Her delicate features came into view: a harmonious and mature expression, lenses of reddish tint resting on her nose, adding to her dignified air. Her eyes were large and bright—an arresting blue-green that shimmered like the sky over the sea. But she didn’t answer you right away. Instead, she sighed, her tone sharp as she finally spoke

"You... What is this tomfoolery? Has this shift in form so clouded your eyes that you no longer recognize one anymore?"

Her voice struck you with immediate clarity—it was unmistakable. That commanding, poetic cadence, like wind over a harp string. She crossed her arms slowly, her expression stern, her eyes closing briefly in exasperation

"Donning human form is scarcely any test of one's abilities. As for your confusion, one merely had no reason to indulge such inclinations before. But now... well..."

She glanced off to the distance, her tone softening just a touch

"One has made plans to pay a visit to some disciples at Liyue Harbor. Taking on a human form for such a trip is simply a way to make matters less conspicuous."

She paused, noticing your raised brow—no doubt recalling her less-than-subtle entrance to Liyue during Lantern Rite. Her composure faltered for just a moment as she cleared her throat in a theatrical attempt to shift the subject

"Ahem... By the way, I suppose you brought me an offering. I guess you're still careful to follow proper etiquette, right?"

She lifted her chin with pride, arms still crossed, her words crisp and expectant

"One has never found oneself lacking in basic comfort. On the contrary, it is the gesture that one values above all else. So long as you've shown proper respect and consideration, the quantity or quality of the gift is but a trivial matter."

Her gaze fixed on you, serious and unwavering

"Anyway, I had in mind to go visit my disciples right now. Do you want to come? Shenhe and Ganyu should be quite pleased to see you again."

With a light motion, she adjusted her glasses with her index finger, her expression returning to thoughtfulness as she rested her other hand under her chin

"However... One would first inquire as to the reason behind your visit here. You have cause to seek one's company?"

The mountain air held still for a moment, the clouds around the peaks forming a halo around her silhouette. Xianyun—the Cloud Retainer—stood before you not as a crane, but as a sage in human form, timeless and curious, waiting for your answer