North of the city, Qiongju Peak.
Yan Xiu and his party climbed the stone steps winding up the mountain.
Qiongju Peak was the foremost sacred mountain of the Deathless Kingdom, towering amid swirling clouds. Above its halfway point lay Jade Pendant City-a city suspended on the mountainside, home to generations of royalty and nobles. Layer upon layer of sweeping eaves and jade palaces rose there, their vermilion towers and golden roofs flickering through the sea of clouds like celestial halls.
The higher they climbed, the more imposing their surroundings became. Gold-armored guards stood at every hundred paces along the mountain road, their armor gleaming, their eyes sharp as lightning.
Ancient pines grew lush beside the road, among jagged, fantastical rocks. Clear springs spilled from crevices, becoming waterfalls and flowing streams that scattered shimmering rainbow light in the sun.
A crisp spiritual qi permeated the air, refreshing their spirits as they breathed it into their lungs.
Halfway up, they came upon a magnificent residence built against the mountain. Above its vermilion gates hung a gilded plaque bearing the words "Prince Heng's Residence" in bold, sweeping calligraphy. Backed by a sheer cliff and facing the sea of clouds, the estate was flanked by verdant spirit bamboo. Two guardian beasts cast in darksteel bared their teeth and claws before the gates, radiating menace.
Yan Xiu straightened his robes, concealing some of the dishevelment caused by the bandages wrapped around his face, before stepping forward to present his calling card.
When the household guard at the gate saw the banner of Eastern Yu's Sweetwood Estate and heard that the visitor was Yan Xiu, his expression immediately sharpened.
Everyone knew that Yan Xiu was Eastern Yu's next sovereign. Even the prince's household dared not slight him. Unwilling to decide the matter himself, the guard hurried