I was once told that Genghis Khan spent a significant amount of time near the end of his life seeking eternal life. I know there's few (maybe one) primary source about the early Mongols, but can anyone shed more light on this? Was this a common motif of the steppe people of the time, or was this more likely something he picked up on from the people he conquered? Thanks!
The Taoist monk Qiu Chuji of the Quanzhen school was recorded as having been summoned by Genghis Khan. The journey was recorded in the "Travels to the West of Qiu Chang Chun" by his disciple, available here: https://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/texts/changchun.html
Chinghiz invited him to sit down, and ordered a meal to be set before him. After this he asked: "Sainted man, you have come from a great distance. Have you a medicine of immortality?" The master replied: "There are means for preserving life, but no medicines for immortality." Chinghiz lauded him for his sincerity and candour. By imperial order two tents were pitched for the master east of the emperor's tents. The emperor gave him the title of shen sien (the immortal).