Great Mystery Mountain.
Green Mountains towered majestically, and the vast lake lay like a mirror.
The mountain stretched beyond sight, forming a realm of its own. Vegetation flourished, mist and clouds drifted, and scarcely a trace of human habitation could be seen. Two small courtyards stood apart within the mountain: [Seize Court] and [You Court].
On the summit behind these two courtyards stood a Daoist abbey, built of blue bricks, plain and ancient. Its dark plaque bore only the words [Harmonious Union Abbey].
The daylight outside the mountain suddenly dimmed, as though some enormous creature had swept past, clearing ten thousand miles of clouds in one stroke. Dark golden Yang talismans flickered in its wake, while Weakwater from a shadowy sea gathered and churned.
The phenomenon vanished in an instant, and a young man in dark robes descended onto the mountain. His features were striking, his bearing lofty and ancient, and his golden pupils were flecked with silver, brilliant as the light of the Sun and Moon.
"Rotten luck."
He carried a bamboo basket, within which something seemed to be thrashing, trying to escape.
"Still trying to cause trouble!"
The young man shook the basket fiercely. From inside came the roar of surging rivers and seas and the mournful cries of dragons and serpents, before everything finally quieted
down.
He was about to follow the mountain path upward when a woman appeared in the bamboo grove ahead.
"Great Azure, you've brought wild creatures back to the mountain again, spreading bloodshed everywhere. Eldest Senior Brother won't let you off."
The woman had gentle features and a pure white cloud pattern between her brows. Even in reprimand, her voice was exceedingly tender, though her brows creased when she saw the bamboo basket in his hand.
"You asked me to weave you a