Mellow and rich, fragrant with herbs and trees.
From far away came a rich, distinctive scent, carrying a deep herbal freshness that soothed and relaxed the senses, while hinting at a hidden vitality.
The mountains rose grand and imposing, their cinnabar walls sheer and perilous.
Through halls and chambers, past pavilion after pavilion, they soon arrived.
The female cultivator leading the way carefully explained that this was Yu Zhao Hall, where True Person Qing Si usually refined pills and cultivated in seclusion. She then lowered her head, begged leave, and slowly withdrew.
Zhiyang looked up and surveyed the place before stepping into the hall.
Arriving at the Elixir Chamber, Zhiyang raised his hand and knocked. Qin Siwei's voice soon came from within:
"Fellow Daoist Jiang, there's no need to stand on ceremony. Please come in."
"Sorry for the intrusion."
At her invitation, Zhiyang dispensed with further formalities and pushed the door open.
Qin Siwei was seated before the Fire Pit, with three furnaces suspended above its blazing spirit flames. She was tending three batches of pills at once, truly unable to be in two places at once; otherwise, she would have come out to greet him long ago.
She sat nearby with her flowing robe draped over her knees, the lotus petal between her brows rippling with a halo of light. She smiled and said:
"Please forgive me for not coming out to welcome you, fellow Daoist."
"You're mistaken, Fellow Daoist Qin. I'm the one who came uninvited. Your esteemed abode is bustling with people, and medicinal fragrance fills its gardens. The Cinnabar Cliffs and Azure Walls certainly live up to their reputation."
"You flatter me."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the atmosphere warmed.
Qin Siwei rose and invited Zhiyang to sit. She controlled the Pill Furnaces with her divine