Stars wheeled through the boundless heights.
Pale white streams of light spilled and flowed, while a full moon hung across past and present.
From afar, golden osmanthus wafted its fragrance, and lunar elms formed forests. Up close, terraces and towers, pavilions and jade seats etched with mystic patterns stood in graceful arrangement. Amid the vast clouds and mist, pure white cascaded like a waterfall.
Several jade pools and mystic flowers, Immortal Mountains and Palace Pavilions exuded solemnity and nobility, their orderly, unhurried arrangement presenting a magnificent immortal vista.
—[Cave-Arcane Heaven]!
The moonlight shone brilliantly, filling the empty chambers of every hall with white light and making them seem especially cold and deserted.
Before the hall, a white-robed female cultivator approached at a measured pace, her expression serene. Her trailing robes disappeared into billowing white vapor.
She stepped forward and bowed beside the doorway.
"Zhen Qing has come to pay her respects to the Immortal Maiden."
"Come in."
"Yes."
Following the voice from within, the female cultivator entered the hall. An Immortal Maiden occupied the seat of honor, dressed in sumptuous robes bearing silvery-white patterns, with pure light circling her body.
She was petite, with a moon-white mark between her brows and eyes of clear, luminous white. Her delicate, fair hands rested one over the other before her abdomen. Though her features possessed the stately grace of the Immortal Deities, she looked every bit a young girl.
Despite her petite appearance, her voice was clear and resonant. The moment Zhen Qing entered, she heard her say:
"What a grand task you took on, only to bring the difficulty to me!"
"Why do you say that, my lady?"
Zhen Qing froze at her words. Only when the other woman pointed toward the jade platform in the side hall did understanding dawn on