Michelle Topham 
While the Chinese anime World of Immortals (aka Chang Sheng Ji) has been one of my favorites throughout the current donghua season, I immediately fell in love with it right from the first episode when I heard the World of Immortals ending theme song.
A song we hear as each episode plays out, and we watch protagonist Xiao Chen with Ruo Shui, the love of his life. The woman he is now separated from, as she is back in the Nine Provinces and he is stuck in the immortal realm.
What is the World of Immortals ending theme song then, and who sings it?
若水 by Ye Xuanqing – World of Immortals ED
As you might have guessed, the World of Immortals‘ ED is called 若水 or ‘Ruo Shui’ in English as, yes, it is an homage to the love Xiao Chen feels for his first love Ruo Shui.
The title can also be translated to ‘Like Water‘, which is the way the relationship between Xiao Chen and Ruo Shui has become — flowing away like water, as he remains trapped in the immortal realm and she has been left behind — while all he can remember is her shadow — like water.
The song was released via The Sound Times Entertainment Media on Spotify on October 27th, along with an almost-instrumental version of the track.
Two months later, YOYO Rock released the track via its YouTube channel (listen below) although, unfortunately, not with a music video.
The song was written by Hear the Times (聽見時代), with the operatic section sung by 雲九Qusky（周心語).
Lyrics of the World of Immortals ending theme
The gorgeous English lyrics for the World of Immortals‘ ending theme song go like this:
Heart unstained by dust, leaving the past behind
Old wounds have been quietly hidden by the passage of time.
Through twists and turns, fate’s long forgetfulness remains,
Yet I still remember your faint silhouette.Thinking of your gentle smile, like a breeze, your shadow like water, echoing no more
You promised me we’d brave the snow and wind together, admiring the moonlight till the end of time.
One glance back, and it feels like our first meeting, your touch still burning hot.
The wanderer returns, seeking a love that was never regretted.If tender feelings grow long, nurturing beauty to look back upon
I hope the vast seas remain unchanged, and my heart stays as it was, free from overthinking.
That year, before the jade zither, I listened to the falling flowers, ripples forming in the center of my tears.
This love awaits, fading like yellowed pages, that one chapter.
Through endless time, I wander the vastness with you.Heart unstained by dust, leaving the past behind
Old wounds have been quietly hidden by the passage of time.
Through twists and turns, fate’s long forgetfulness remains,
Yet I still remember your faint silhouette.Thinking of your gentle smile, like a breeze, your shadow like water, echoing no more
You promised me we’d brave the snow and wind together, admiring the moonlight till the end of time.
One glance back, and it feels like our first meeting, your touch still burning hot.
The wanderer returns, seeking a love that was never regretted.If tender feelings grow long, nurturing beauty to look back upon
I hope the vast seas remain unchanged, and my heart stays as it was, free from overthinking.
That year, before the jade zither, I listened to the falling flowers, ripples forming in the center of my tears.
This love awaits, fading like yellowed pages, that one chapter.
Through endless time, I wander the vastness with you.(Operatic section)
I ask the world, how can love be whole?
Remembering the past, there’s always regret.
When can we meet again?
Once side by side, we spoke a thousand words.(Translation via Deep Seek, who also says : “This translation aims to preserve the poetic and emotional essence of the original lyrics” – to which, I would say, it did a lovely job).
Listen to Ye Xuanqing’s ‘Ruo Shui’ (Like Water) in the video, and via the Spotify player down below.
All 26 episodes of Season 1 of World of Immortals are now streaming on Tencent’s WeTV, although Episodes 23 through 26 are still locked behind a paywall for the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, if you’re as enamored of the art style in the donghua as I am, these newly-released stills from Episode 23 should float your boat as well.
About the Author
Steven Reynolds