Top Hundred on the Overall Rankings, Teaching the Dao and Imparting Knowledge (Part Two)

In the east lay an upper realm called Penglai Heaven.

Auspicious clouds billowed around towering palaces and pavilions. Phoenix pools and dragon groves glowed with rosy light; cranes cried through the clouds, parting their waves, while deer called softly beneath the clear sky.

The disciples looked around in wonder. Across the magnificent star seas, they saw immortals with Dao wheels hovering behind their heads riding the six energies beyond the heavens, and Mysterious Crane Clan members whose wings blotted out the sky cleaving through the stars toward the cloud-wrapped peaks. Beneath the sun and moon, Golden Crows and Jade Rabbits darted past. Among the halls and towers, immortal light rippled and vast energies surged.

That fleeting glimpse of an immortal realm left an impression on the disciples that nothing could erase.

As the Dharma Boat drew closer to the paradise of their dreams, excitement became hard to contain. Could True Lord Lingyuan be taking them into the legendary Penglai Heavenly Realm?

The little Dharma Boat threaded through the star sea. Stars tens or even hundreds of thousands of miles across hung overhead; beside them, the boat, barely a hundred zhang long, was like a mayfly, too small to mention. It was the disciples' first time seeing stars so close. Though the meteors of every size lay far apart, their sheer, endless number made the disciples feel adrift in a boundless sea, as insignificant as a single grain. Awe rose in every heart.

"Heaven has nine levels. Beyond this star sea, one may ascend to its highest reaches, but this is only the lowest layer of the Three Realms Star Sea."

"Higher still are stars millions, tens of millions, even hundreds of millions of miles across. Some hang like continents, stretch across the river of stars, and shine across the heavens."