Zhan Biyun's Bamboo Retreat

An endless expanse stretched around them, with no distinction between above, below, or any direction.

"Ahem, ahem."

The Daoist guiding them cleared his throat twice, rousing everyone from their shock, then chuckled. "Young lay practitioners, follow me forward. There is no need to be afraid."

The Daoist uncorked the gourd at his waist. An azure cloud flowed out, and before everyone's astonished eyes, he stepped forward and planted his foot firmly upon it.

Standing on his cloud ten feet beyond the cliff, the Daoist looked back. "Please step forward, young lay practitioners. Clouds will form beneath your feet."

Everyone exchanged glances. The mountain wind moaned, and fine rain swept into the hall and brushed their faces. Their cheeks chilled and their hearts froze; no one dared move.

Cheng Yunqi was still lost in the world of white clouds and mist, his spirit swaying with wonder. When the Daoist called out, he mistook the words for his own name. Without thinking, he instinctively took several steps forward, then suddenly stepped into empty air. The abrupt sensation of falling jolted him completely awake. His heart leaped into his throat, and he was about to cry out when something solid met his feet just in time. He breathed a sigh of relief, his heart settling back into his belly.

Looking down, he saw an azure cloud beneath his feet.

Perhaps everything had happened too quickly for Yunqi's expression to keep pace with the swift changes in his heart. He still wore the same entranced look of someone absorbed in immortal scenery. To everyone else, however, that expression carried a certain air of calm composure.

The Daoist stroked his beard and smiled. "Everyone, someone has already taken the lead. Why are you not coming?"

With that, the Daoist said no more. He turned toward the immortal mountains, and the cloud beneath his feet carried him into the distance, seeming slow but moving swiftly. As though drawn along, the cloud beneath Cheng Yunqi's feet followed him.

Those in the Hall of Immortal Ge grew anxious now. Several hurried forward, shut their eyes, and took that step. Startled cries rose one after another, but as azure clouds gathered beside the cliff, their cries soon turned to cheers. A few of the younger children even shouted:

"I can fly!"

"Father! Mother! I've become an immortal!"

The Daoist's voice drifted back from ahead. "You may converse, but do not shout."

At his words, everyone fell silent again, not even daring to converse.

A hundred or so clouds formed a line, quickly leaving the Hall of Immortal Ge and the few who had not dared take that step far behind as they plunged into the boundless sea of clouds.

Only later did Yunqi learn how extraordinary it was for their guide, at his cultivation realm, to conjure so many cloud mounts and carry so many mortals freely through the sea of clouds.

Cheng Yunqi was closest to the Daoist just then, and heard him ask, "How old are you this year, young lay practitioner? And when did you first partake of Pure Spirit Qi?"

Yunqi first bowed with his hands clasped, then answered, "Immortal master, I will turn fifteen in September. If I remember correctly, it was when I was five that I suddenly felt as light as a swallow. Ever since, I have worn a single layer year-round, fearing neither cold nor heat."

A flicker of surprise crossed the Daoist's eyes. He asked again, "What is your name, young lay practitioner? Where do you live? Are your parents still in good health?"

"My surname is Cheng, the Cheng of Bofu, and my given name is Yunqi, meaning the clouds beneath our feet. My home lies south of Golden Sand Creek, in a place called Camphor Fragrance Town. My parents were advanced in years and passed away without illness."

"You have an uncommon bearing, young lay practitioner: unruffled in the face of events, modest and courteous. In my view, your name need not mean the clouds beneath our feet. It could mean clouds that float above the world and gaze upon it."

The youth replied, "You flatter me, immortal master. But my parents bestowed this name upon me, and I ask only that I spend my life living up to their hopes."

The Daoist nodded and said nothing more.

Cheng Yunqi looked above, below, and all around, but as far as his eyes could reach, there were only white clouds and nothing else. He could not tell how high the heavens were, how thick the clouds were, which direction they were traveling, or where the boundaries lay.

They traveled through the clouds for a full hour before the view suddenly opened up.

Green filled their vision.

It was as though they had stepped straight from a boundless winter snowfield into the lush realm of summer.

Layer upon layer of peaks filled their eyes, a thousand mountains towering above ten thousand winding ravines. Green pines clothed the mountains, and thin mist draped them like gauze scarves. Multicolored deer strolled among the pines, white foxes leaped, yellow cranes danced through the mist, and golden butterflies spread their wings.

The magnificent rocky peaks formed a vast painted scroll amid the rain and mist.

Palaces and temples nestled among the sky-piercing summits. Highly accomplished Daoists flew on clouds and cranes, calling to their friends across the mountaintops.

Everything displayed the splendor of immortals, a veritable dwelling place of the divine.

So, beyond that boundless sea of clouds, Three Pure Ones Immortal Mountain lay just behind the walls of Rainfall Temple. Yet through the ages, countless devoted seekers had roamed all of Graceful Splendor Mountain without finding any trace of the immortals of Three Pure Ones Mountain.

Every boy and girl was captivated by this magnificent immortal realm.

Having nearly embarrassed himself when he lost focus earlier, Yunqi recovered his senses very quickly this time. He surveyed his surroundings and soon noticed something. While traveling through the clouds, he had felt that their unfathomable thickness blocked the blue sky and hid the earth. Looking back now, however, they seemed no more than an ordinary layer of clouds.

Looking ahead again, he saw another layer of clouds above the immortal mountains, distinctly higher than the clouds behind them. How strange.

The Daoist was a kindhearted man. As they sped through the ink-wash landscape, he gazed upon scenery he could never tire of seeing and began explaining it to the boys and girls of his own accord.

"Everyone, our Three Pure Ones Mountain combines the grandeur of Mount Tai, the wondrous beauty of Mount Huang, the precipitous heights of Mount Hua, the misty clouds of Mount Heng, and the quiet seclusion of Azure City. It is the foremost immortal mountain of our age.

"Young lay practitioners, look. The mountain before us is called Gathered Spirit Mountain. It shares a root with Graceful Splendor Mountain and houses the entrance to our Three Pure Ones Mountain. The peaks to the left are called Ten Thousand Scepters Facing Heaven Peak, or Little Ten Thousand Mountain. They are where our registered disciples reside. If you pass Master Su Kong's examination today, you will find a cave dwelling there in which to cultivate."

As he spoke, they passed through another stretch of white mist. When they emerged, Cheng Yunqi was startled to see an enormous python rearing its head before them, as large as a mountain. Flying past it, they were no bigger than ants. He had no idea what terrifying spirit creature it might be.

The people behind him saw it in turn and cried out in alarm. Some nearly fell from their cloud mounts.

Seeing this, the Daoist hurriedly reassured them. "Do not panic. Lord Kui Mountain has been in meditation for thirty years and has not moved. We need only go around."

They skirted the eastern side of the giant python. Cheng Yunqi could not help stealing a few more looks. The one called Lord Kui Mountain remained utterly still, with a thick layer of dust accumulated over its body. Plants had even sprouted upon it, vines hung down, and passing birds perched there. In places left uncovered, he could see dark purple scales, any single one larger than a grown person.

"Ahead lies a wondrous sight called Three Dragons Emerging from the Sea. When the sea of clouds churns at sunrise, this place resembles an ocean, with dragonlike rocks vying for a crimson pearl."

"Daoist Brother Ji Hu, are you bringing new disciples into the mountains?"

As everyone drank in the scenery, Daoists riding clouds and flying swords occasionally swept past and greeted their guide.

The Daoist addressed as Ji Hu answered each of them. "Young lay practitioners I have just brought in from outside the mountains. I am taking them to Bright Governance Mountain."

"Oh, Bright Governance Mountain!"

Someone exclaimed in surprise.

After another seven or eight minutes of flight, the peaks grew more densely clustered, and a peculiar long ridge appeared before them. Stretching from southeast to northwest with few rises or dips, it resembled an immense stone screen without end. Green pines and red cedars adorned both sides of the ridge, as though carved from red and green jade.

But the ridge was far too high, towering even above the clouds, so Daoist Ji Hu had to steer their azure clouds higher still to cross it.

Once again they broke through the clouds, only to find countless rainbow bridges over the white expanse, their iridescent light flashing ceaselessly.

When Yunqi looked closely, he realized they were no rainbow bridges or shimmering lights at all. Countless sword immortals were racing through the sky on flying swords, trailing endless streams of brilliant color!

Daoist Ji Hu said, "Our sect has rules limiting flight speed below the clouds. All practice of riding arts, movement arts, and other techniques takes place above them. Stay still on your clouds, and you will be safe."

Everyone nodded repeatedly, wishing they could curl into balls to avoid brushing against any sword light.

The ridge's summit was exposed yellow rock. A yellow stone road stretched over the sea of clouds, its end nowhere in sight.

They now flew along the yellow stone road, much faster than before. Looking down, they could see Daoists in robes of many colors walking along it. Palaces and temples stood on either side, like a marketplace in the heavens.

"This mountain is called Eastern Screen Mountain, and this road is Eastern Heaven Road. Our sect also has Western Screen Mountain and Western Heaven Road, which are much the same. On Eastern Heaven Road, one watches the sunrise over the sea of clouds; on Western Heaven Road, one enjoys the sunset and evening glow. These two mountain roads lie above the sea of clouds and are excellent places for our sect's disciples to breathe in vital essence, practice techniques, and cultivate."

So Daoist Ji Hu explained.

They flew along Eastern Heaven Road for another quarter of an hour before their cloud mounts slowed. The clouds descended, passing through the cloud layer once more, but this time they spent much longer within it than they had during their ascent.

"Hm?"

Yunqi felt a force pressing up against his feet. He looked down and discovered that he had landed.

Yet he was still within the clouds.

"Follow me, young lay practitioners. Do not get lost."

And so everyone walked through the clouds.

After roughly a hundred steps, the white clouds dispersed.

Cheng Yunqi looked around and found himself on a narrow path deep in the mountains. Green bamboo lined both sides. As the mountain wind swept through, the bamboo sea surged and rustled.

"Follow me."

Everyone followed Daoist Ji Hu through the bamboo sea. Spring shoots were everywhere beside the pebble path. Nourished by the sweet rains of Grain Rain, the bamboo grew greener still, filling their eyes with emerald hues. With the mountain breeze brushing their faces, they felt refreshed from head to toe.

After a quarter of an hour, the view opened up. The first thing they saw was a tall, narrow stone tablet bearing seven large characters:

"Zhan Biyun's Bamboo Retreat."

Everyone stopped beneath the tablet. Behind it stood a bamboo pavilion, with rolled bamboo blinds hanging on all four sides. Inside sat a Daoist nun cross-legged, dressed in purple robes patterned with bats. Her face was lovely, but her expression rather stern. She could have been in her twenties or her thirties.

A Red-Yellow Glazed Ruyi rested in the crook of the nun's arm. Light flowed over it like water, as though it were alive.

Daoist Ji Hu stepped forward. "Master, I have brought the people from outside the mountains."

The nun opened her eyes, glanced at Daoist Ji Hu, and nodded. "Thank you for your trouble. Go and wait outside the mountains for now, and return here in two hours."

Daoist Ji Hu immediately bowed with clasped hands and withdrew.

As the nun's gaze swept over them, everyone grew nervous, though they forced themselves to remain composed.

"Lay practitioners, I will conduct a trial of the arts. Those who pass may become registered disciples under me. You should all be aware of this."

Everyone nodded. No one dared open their mouth.

"I will draw out your shuangling-yes, the earth soul, as it is commonly known among the three souls and seven spirits in the mortal world. But this will do no harm to your bodies."

The seemingly tranquil nun spoke words that chilled them to the bone.

"I intend to scatter your earth souls throughout the surrounding area. Through their connection to your human souls, you will naturally be able to find your way back here. I will select my registered disciples from among those whose souls return.

"But remember this well: you possess mortal flesh, and your earth souls must not remain outside your bodies for more than two hours, or your souls and spirits will scatter into nothing. While your earth souls are outside, your five senses will be keen. You may ascend to heaven or descend into the earth and witness all manner of wondrous sights, but you must not linger over them."

The boys' and girls' faces paled at her words.

"If any of you are unwilling to take the trial, you may say so. You can receive a Cao Shen Pill from me and be sent back to the mortal world."

Sukong's words clearly carried an element of testing. Cheng Yunqi remained unmoved, as did some of the older youths. But several children of seven or eight immediately looked hesitant.

So even the entrance examination for Daoist cultivation was this terrifying?

Though fear arose in these children's hearts, they saw that no one stepped forward and dared make no move themselves. Their feet faltered as countless thoughts tumbled through their minds.

Seeing this, the nun changed her approach. She pointed, and smoke began to rise from the incense burner beside her.

"The timing begins now. When the incense burns out, two hours will have passed. If your earth soul has not returned to your body by then, even immortals will be unable to save you. Those willing to try may step forward and sit cross-legged on the mat."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Cheng Yunqi stepped forward first and sat down on a large pale green bamboo mat before the pavilion.

A trace of a smile flickered in Daoistess Sukong's eyes, but she acted without the slightest hesitation. Holding the ruyi, she pointed it at Cheng Yunqi. His head immediately slumped, dropping so sharply that it was frightening, as though his last breath had left him.

Everyone jumped in fright. Those who had been preparing to step forward were scared stiff and no longer dared move.

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