On the towering, mist-shrouded Kunlun Mountain, wisps of cloud played like mischievous spirits among the bizarre peaks and grotesque rocks. Some swathed the mountain waists like light gauze, while others drifted in clumps over the summits. All around, strange pines and verdant cypresses assumed diverse shapes: some had twisted trunks like coiling dragons rising from the sea, while others flourished with foliage like giant green umbrellas. Laozi sat in serene stillness within a tranquil Daoist temple. The architecture of the temple was archaic and elegant, featuring flying eaves, bracket sets, and carved beams that radiated a profound classical charm. Exotic flowers and rare herbs swayed gracefully nearby—some red as fire, some pink as rosy clouds, and others white as snow—releasing a faint, refreshing fragrance that cleared the mind and invigorated the senses. Sunlight filtered through the dense leaves, casting mottled light and shadow as though draping a golden gauze over the landscape. The interplay of light and shadow shifted gently in the breeze, creating a dreamlike illusion.
Laozi gently stroked his beard, which felt like silver threads gliding slowly through his fingertips. A subtle, unfathomable smile played upon his lips as he instructed the boy standing beside him: "Go and summon Xuandu to me." The boy, dressed in a cyan Daoist robe and wearing a hair-securing crown, cupped his hands in a bow upon hearing the command and replied respectfully, "Yes, Master." He then…
Chapter 169