Black Snake, who had been idly watching, turned his head. The white deer came slowly out of the dense forest.
This time, it appeared in its true body, but kept its distance rather than approaching him, as though it had something to do.
Black Snake watched curiously.
The white deer looked around and found a clearing where the trees grew sparsely.
The spot faced the Azure Cloud Monastery. It lifted its head, its white coat looking even whiter in the sunlight.
Black Snake could not understand why it was deliberately exposing itself.
Then he heard someone shout from the Azure Cloud Monastery. Many people immediately turned toward the little ridge and spotted the white deer with its enormous antlers. For many, this was their first time seeing such a large white deer, and cries of amazement and excited chatter rose at once.
In the monastery courtyard, pilgrims and Daoists alike watched the white deer.
"An auspicious omen! This is an auspicious omen!"
"What a magnificent white deer! Those antlers are enormous. It must be an extraordinary beast!"
"Snow-white all over, without a single speck of another color. Perhaps a spirit beast from an immortal palace has secretly descended to the mortal world. The Azure Cloud Monastery truly is a blessed grotto-heaven."
"When a white deer appears, the mountains find peace. A sign of good fortune!"
Once the excitement had built sufficiently, the white deer ambled down the slope, occasionally lowering its head to nibble tender shoots of grass. Its hooves crossed the stream, and it followed the stone mountain path to the Mountain Gate.
Almost everyone gathered to watch. Many Daoists, unable to contain their curiosity, also came outside to see what the fuss was about.
Inside the great hall higher up the slope.
A young female Daoist hurried over