Eastern Origin Way, Stone Arch Bridge Hall. Zhang Yu sat cross-legged in meditation upon a broad stone platform. At his side stood an incense burner wisping faint green smoke, while overhead rose a hollowed, translucent stone wall, through which shafts of light poured down like Heavenly Stars scattered across the earth.
Before him lay a wide-open gap in the view, from which he could directly see the extraordinary cliffs and cascading waterfalls outside. The daylight here was gentle and bright, the surrounding grass and trees lush with the vigor of spring. Birds occasionally flew past, making the place seem wrought by divine craftsmanship without losing its natural charm.
Below the arch bridge was a bottomless abyss, shrouded in rolling mist that drifted backward with the fresh breeze. The vines clinging to the stone arch bridge swayed and fluttered as well, giving one the feeling of crossing the void in midair.
He reached for a teacup from the low table beside him, lightly brushed away the icy mist upon it, and drank it in one gulp. A thread of sweet, crisp, clear spirituality surged up to the crown of his head before sinking down to suffuse his entire body, refreshing his spirit and vital energy.
He had been here for several days already, yet no one had come to inquire after him. However, he had grown used to Origin Xia's manner of receiving guests. They would not speak of business the moment one arrived, so he waited patiently.
Yet as he sat observing the scene today, he suddenly felt something stir within him and judged that someone would surely arrive before long.
Sure enough, after he had finished three cups of tea, Yan Yuming came up onto the platform and bowed. "Teacher, True Person Cai Xing has arrived."
Zhang Yu said,