Beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, clouds and mist lay like wisps of cotton, spilling over jagged cliff faces and half-concealing Mount Lingtai Fangcun within.
From outside, the mountain appeared no more than a few fathoms high, but only upon entering its gates did one discover a hidden world within.
Before them, a waterfall plunged from the summit of a thousand-zhang peak, shattering into ten thousand silver stars. The spray it kicked up against the green jade steps had somehow condensed into a faint seven-colored halo.
Below the waterfall lay a crystal-clear emerald pool. Several golden-scaled koi swished past, their scales reflecting the sky like drifting fragments of gold.
Ancient trees towered on both sides of the mountain path, and immortal birds occasionally settled among the pine branches.
When the Azure Luan spread its wings, it shook sunset radiance from the trees. White cranes stretched their necks and cried long, their calls piercing the clouds and soaring straight to the Ninth Heaven.
Now and then, a black deer bearing lingzhi in its mouth emerged slowly from the woods. Morning dew gleamed upon its antlers. Even at the sight of people, it showed no alarm; it merely tilted its head for a glance, then stepped across moss steeped in immortal qi and vanished into the depths.
At the mountainside, Taoist palaces gradually unfolded. Vermilion walls were roofed with glazed tiles, while bronze bells hanging from the eaves chimed softly in the wind, their clear notes able to cleanse the mind and spirit.
Before the main hall, Three Pure Ones Hall, twelve stone pillars coiled with dragons stood supporting heaven and earth. Purple qi seemed to flow amid the auspicious-cloud carvings upon them.
The square before the hall was paved with White Jade bricks. An Eight Trigrams stone platform stood at its center, and