Golden Talisman Declares the Way, Descending Cloud Peak; Crane Rides the Wind Towards Chu River

In the heartland of the Chu State, Azure Cloud Mountain.

This mountain stretched across the southwest of Chu, its peaks like swords thrust straight into the heavens.

Above the mountainside, clouds and mist lingered year-round, while fierce astral winds howled. Even tigers and leopards could scarcely climb it, much less ordinary mortals.

The occasional herb gatherer who strayed deep within heard only the cries of apes and the calls of cranes, with no path in sight. In the end, they could only wander in circles through the mist at the mountain's foot and return empty-handed.

Yet atop that towering peak stood a Daoist temple.

Its gate was not large, allowing only two or three people to pass abreast. The bluestone steps had been worn smooth and warm as jade by a thousand years of wind and frost.

But the moment one crossed that threshold, one could sense an utterly different air.

Though the temple had only three courtyards, faint purple qi flowed amid its upturned eaves and bracket sets. Bronze bells at the corners of the eaves chimed without wind, their clear, melodious notes seeming capable of cleansing the soul.

The plaque above the main hall bore the three words "Yunxiao Temple," written in bold, vigorous strokes that contained the rhythm of the Dao. They had been left there by Guangchengzi himself.

The temple had a sect master, Daoist Qingxuan, whose cultivation had reached the Spirit Transformation stage.

Beneath him were three elders, all at the Spirit Transformation stage as well.

Further below, more than a hundred disciples occupied the side chambers and quiet rooms in the rear mountain. Their auras, ranging from Qi Refinement to Nascent Soul, intertwined, shrouding the entire summit of Azure Cloud Mountain in an almost imperceptible spiritual pressure.

At this moment, Daoist Qingxuan sat upright