In an instant, Jianmu swelled at the sound of the command, expanding a hundred zhang across and piercing the skies. It towered majestically at the center of heaven and earth like a pillar supporting the heavens, as steady as a rock.
The Heavenly Dao responded, sending down vast merit. Half of it flowed entirely into Jianmu. In the blink of an eye, clouds churned and auspicious mists billowed. When they looked again, Jianmu had transformed into an illusory passageway resembling emerald-colored glass. It seemed to exist and yet not exist, imperceptible to mortal eyes. Only those who had attained immortal bodies could sense the flow of its aura.
The remaining merit was divided into three portions. Fuxi alone took half of it, the South Sea Dragon King received thirty percent, and although the Jade Emperor took only ten percent, he stroked his beard and laughed heartily. Now that the Way Out between immortals and mortals had been established, the immortal court would naturally grow more prosperous with each passing day. This was precisely what he had always cared about.
From that day onward, cultivators throughout the world could come and go freely through this passageway. They could ascend to Yao Terrace above or retreat into the mountains and forests below.
In the northwest of Nanzhan Buzhou, beside the Yellow River and along the banks of the Wei River, stood the towering Lie Mountain. At its foot dwelled a clan bearing the Jiang surname. Its people were simple and honest, with warm and gentle hearts. Among them lived a young girl of the Youjiao Clan named Nü Deng. She had often heard her elders speak of Huayang Mountain beside Lie Mountain, with its unmatched peaks and intoxicating scenery. She had secretly sketched it countless times in her heart. At last, one