At the summit of Dragon Mountain.
The white jade palace complex looked as though it had been meticulously polished by a master sculptor.
Built with divine power in imitation of imperial palaces and the Heavenly Court, the main hall had nine jade pillars coiled with dragons and Auspicious Clouds. Soft white was the dominant color; even the roof ridges used jade tiles. The ground was level, spotless, and free of a speck of dust.
Clouds and mist curled about like an immortal realm, except it lacked flowers, grass, trees, and all signs of life.
The main hall could be described as lavish without losing elegance. Gold accumulated over two thousand years was paired with jade, revealing beneath its refinement the heavy air of a rustic nouveau riche—especially the imperial seat at its center.
Dragon claws supported the imperial seat, fashioned into a soft couch that could be sat upon or reclined upon at leisure, while its backrest proclaimed unparalleled dignity.
A certain white dragon lounged sideways with one leg crossed, utterly lacking decorum, cured meat in one hand and a silver wine flask in the other.
She took a deep gulp of sweet fruit wine.
"Whew~ So comfortable~"
Sweet wine trickled down her chin to her collarbone, soaking her white dress.
Outside the hall, a pristine Auspicious Cloud approached the palace, rapidly shrank, and landed. With a shake, it transformed into a young girl resembling Bai Yujun. Her long hair draped over her shoulders as her wide, innocent eyes looked around in bewilderment. She stumbled as she walked, struggling to adapt. Only after seeing the Creator God had she conceived the thought of taking human form.
A cloud-shaped mark lay on the girl's forehead, and a faint haze swirled around her.
A sudden crackle exploded in the distance. A bolt