The year 483 of Ming, Awakening of Insects.
Yuyang, Fragrant Mountain Commandery.
The western shore of the Lingding Ocean, Cloud Ladder Mountain, Heavenly Ladder Peak.
Clearheart Hall.
The sea breeze swept ashore, stirring the forest into oceanlike waves.
At the cliff's edge atop the mountain, a burly man sat cross-legged, immovable as a mountain.
He looked about forty, with a black beard, a purplish face, a broad forehead, thick brows, curling whiskers, and leopard eyes. Though seated cross-legged, he held his back straight as a mountain or pine. He had a tiger's back and a wasp's waist, broad shoulders and a wide chest. A purple jade crown sat on his head, and a purple-and-silver robe draped his body. His imposing presence was truly overpowering.
This man was none other than Three Pure Ones Mountain's Altar-Guarding Marshal, Lord Kui Mountain, Kui Lingguan.
In the autumn of 477 of Ming, after the mountain's Scripture Master formed his fetus here, entered the Fourth Realm, and returned to the mountain, he had naturally assumed the position of deputy Sect Leader and taken charge of all sect affairs. Kui Lingguan had therefore laid down his seal and left the mountain with every justification. He came here to guard the Pearl River's mouth and had now sat in meditation for six years.
The weather was poor that day. The sea wind howled as it swept ashore, whipping Marshal Yuan's long hair into the air. Huge waves battered the cliffs, rolling up a thousand heaps of snow. Storms raged over the sea, and black clouds surged ashore with the hurricane, blotting out the sky and sun as purple lightning streaked across the heavens.
Crack!
Thunder exploded, and bean-sized raindrops began to fall.
Marshal Yuan sat quietly atop the mountain, rain parting around him of its own accord.