Immediately afterward, the woman led Nangong Jingyin through eight flower buds of similar hues. After the flowers turned for the final time, the entire bud flew out from among the hundred flowers, carrying Nangong Jingyin and the woman as it plunged into the sea of blossoms.
"Puff..." The flowers tore apart like clouds. Nangong Jingyin's eyes lit up, and he was already standing upon the steps of a palace.
"Reporting to Your Majesty..." The woman landed upon the steps and immediately bowed. "Nangong Family Young Master Nangong Jingyin requests an audience..."
"Admit him..." A clear voice, like an oriole's song, rang out from within the palace. Then, amid the surging auspicious clouds, a lawn woven from lush grass appeared inside the hall and stretched straight to Nangong Jingyin's feet.
"This minister, Nangong Jingyin, pays respects to Your Majesty..." With a solemn expression, Nangong Jingyin stepped onto the lawn and bowed.
As Nangong Jingyin's words fell, the lawn withdrew into the palace, and the auspicious clouds slowly dispersed. His vision blurred once more, and he found himself standing within a palace ablaze with splendid flowers. At the head of the hall stood another golden throne, upon which sat a woman in court robes, her figure a full thousand zhang tall. Her features were dignified, and a kindly smile rested upon her face. Countless auspicious signs clustered around her court robes. Most notably, near the golden throne, innumerable armor inscriptions condensed into the form of phoenixes, soaring proudly through the air. Fine strands of fortune, like wisps of cloud, continuously emerged from the void with the beating of the phoenixes' wings, flowing either into the woman's court robes or into the golden throne. A faint rumbling sound could also be heard.
This woman was none other than Empress Dongmian, mother to all