Winds stirred in the middle heavens; clouds parted over the hollow valley-
The icy moon stirred, swaying starry pendants; jade towers slowly opened, scattering cassia fragrance.
Above the starry clouds of the boundless sky.
Suddenly, space bulged and sank, revealing an utterly unfamiliar scene, as though a splendid painting had been embedded there by force.
Cassia blossoms floated like jade, green clouds formed clipped leaves, dragons sprawled proudly, and frostlight carpeted the ground-
Within a crystal palace, a purple-robed youth reclining on a jade bed suddenly tossed aside his book and looked over with a hint of a smile.
The maidservants flanking him were graceful and exquisitely beautiful: golden hairpins in cloud-dark hair, loose robes and light attire, bathed in orchid fragrance and scented with sweet herbs. Seen from afar, they resembled divine maidens of a celestial palace.
"True Lord Song..."
Seeing the purple-robed youth look over with a smile,
Elder Xun, who had been about to reach into his sleeve, and the female cultivator and the others, who had already raised their spiritual intent to its peak, were all startled and hurriedly bowed.
"Greetings, Master of Spirit Treasure Hall."
Aboard the Bronze Sparrow Chariot.
The Daoist with a vermilion-red face and three strands of long beard rose and offered a Daoist salute together with the elders around him, but used a different form of address.
"Senior Brother."
The Daoist in the dark cloak did not salute, merely nodding slightly.
The purple-robed youth shot him an irritated glare. His lips moved faintly, though no one knew what curses he muttered under his breath...
"Enough. Surviving the Three Calamities is difficult enough already. Lately, they've had me washing my face with tears in my Grotto-Heaven every day, unable to find peace of mind. Yet you had to come making trouble and