In Sichuan, China, a small Taoist temple sat halfway up a steep, remote mountain deep in the wilderness.
A plaque hung above the temple gate, bearing the three large characters: "True Martial Temple."
A red meteor fell from the sky and struck a distant mountaintop. In an instant, the earth shook and the mountains trembled, while the massive explosion sent dust soaring into the sky.
The entire temple shuddered. Every pane of glass shattered with a clatter, and several wooden buildings collapsed.
Once the shockwave passed, the damaged temple quickly returned to peace... because there had not been many people inside to begin with, and the buildings that had collapsed were merely a few long-neglected structures.
After confirming that no one had been injured or killed, everyone recited, "Infinite Celestial Worthy," then returned to their beds... No matter how big the world was, sleep came first. Whatever happened could wait until dawn. Only after getting enough rest would they have the strength to deal with such mundane matters!
One Taoist priest, over fifty with graying hair, did not go back to sleep. He got dressed, walked to the front of the temple, and gazed at the distant peak whose summit had been blown away by the meteor impact.
Somehow, he heard a summons, as though something over there were calling for him to come.
"Mortals don feathers... the Heavenly Gate opens and closes... Ascension, soaring to immortality... the place where immortals ascend..."
"Mortals don feathers... divine punishment descends... heaven and earth become a crucible... the True Dragon serves as the catalyst... only then can the immortal elixir be formed..."
Layer upon layer of whispers echoed by the old Taoist's ears, leaving his mind unsettled. Several key phrases in those indistinct words caught his attention.
Ascension, soaring to immortality, the Heavenly