A massive archway, five zhang tall, spanned the mountain pass, draped in vines and worn by the passage of time. Upon the giant plaque, the three characters for "Avalon Mountain" soared like heavenly generals wielding weapons in flight.
Behind that plaque stretched stone steps straight into the clouds, climbing toward towering peaks.
This range of mountains stretched for ten thousand li, with no end in sight. Everywhere, peaks pierced the clouds, standing like colossal pillars holding up the sky.
Majestic and awe-inspiring—this was the Monkey's first impression of Avalon Mountain.
Four Daoist disciples, clad in gray robes and wielding flying swords, stood at the mountain gate, dignified in appearance.
The leading disciple reached out to stop the three visitors.
Skylar Loft hurriedly pulled out the prepared visitation card from his pocket and handed it over: "We have come from Spirit Peak, Crescent Cave of Enlightenment, under orders from our master, Master Sage Subhuti, seeking an audience with Jade Cauldron Immortal and Taiyi Immortal."
The disciple accepted the card, examined it closely, then returned it to Skylar Loft with both hands, bowing: "So it is Uncle Sky Loft—I have long heard of your reputation. Jade Cauldron Immortal has already instructed us not to neglect you upon your arrival."
Skylar Loft smiled and nodded, glancing back at the Monkey with pride, as if showing off his renowned status.
But then the disciple added, "You two may follow me into the mountain at once, but as for this demon monkey..."
The Monkey leaned on his Cloudwalker Staff, turning his face to glance at the disciple. The disciple's expression remained calm, as if what he'd said was only natural.
Skylar Loft coughed twice and spoke in a low voice, "This is an old friend of mine. I hope you can make an exception, young one."
The Monkey's brows immediately furrowed.
Why not introduce me as Master Sage Subhuti's disciple? Wouldn't that be more convincing? he wondered.
The disciple frowned in slight embarrassment, saying, "Then please wait here a moment while I report and seek permission."
"Thank you."
They waited at the mountain gate for about an hour. Bored, the Monkey began practicing staff techniques from memory with his Cloudwalker Staff.
Skylar Loft found a flat spot, sat down cross-legged, and closed his eyes to rest.
Anna Yang stood quietly to the side, gazing into the distance, lost in thought about something unknown.
After about an hour, the disciple finally returned along the stone steps, bowed, and said, "Please, come in."
The group walked step by step along the mountain path, while the Monkey looked around, taking in the sights.
When people at Spirit Peak, Crescent Cave spoke of Avalon Mountain, they didn't mean a single peak, but an entire range of mountains.
By comparison, Spiritridge Mountain and its Crescent Cave were utterly insignificant in scale.
This was the sacred land for mortal cultivators.
After the War of Investiture, the Sundered Sect dispersed, and the Celestial Sect relocated here. Over the following millennia, it flourished even more than before.
Though Lord Lao is the actual ruler of the Heavenly Court, Lord Genesis has long since retired. Lord Lao's direct disciples are few, and his influence among mortals is limited; only scattered Daoists among the common folk claim to be his students. Meanwhile, most high-ranking officials in the Heavenly Court hail from the Celestial Sect, and among the remaining Twelve Golden Immortals, several still hold positions here...
Nowadays, Avalon Mountain's status is unmatched by any other terrestrial immortal sect.
Ancient, rugged pines lined both sides of the stone path. When they reached a sheer cliff, looking out over the mountain face, they could see scattered lights dotting the slopes.
Those were all sects that had developed from the Celestial Sect.
Besides the Daoist temples founded by the first-generation disciples of the Celestial Sect, there were also those established by second-generation disciples and various branch sects—countless disciples under their command.
Its sheer scale was enough to leave anyone speechless.
Before coming, Skylar Loft had claimed that Avalon Mountain had five million followers; the Monkey had thought he was exaggerating. But seeing it today, five million was no lie.
In this era of cultivation, Avalon Mountain was renowned not only in the mortal realm but also held great prestige in the Heavenly Court. It was said that the Heavenly Court's million celestial soldiers originated here.
It took them a full hour to climb over three low hills—only halfway to their destination.
The Monkey glanced up at the endless stone steps and couldn't help but ask, "Why not just fly across?"
The disciple replied calmly, "Within Avalon Mountain, powerful arrays prevent the use of flying techniques or artifacts. I ask for your understanding, fellow Daoist."
"Flying is forbidden too?"
"It's to ward off external threats," Skylar Loft muttered quietly from the side, though he didn't elaborate on who those 'external threats' might be.
Unable to fly, they had no choice but to keep climbing.
...
A hundred li east of Spirit Peak, Crescent Cave, atop a mist-shrouded mountain, Lord Lao sat cross-legged beneath an ancient pine, eyes closed in meditation.
A purple-robed youth arrived, riding the wind from afar, panting as he bowed, "Master, your disciple has returned."
"Hmm. Did you gain anything from this journey?"
"I did not meet Master Sage Subhuti this time."
"Oh?" Lord Lao opened his eyes slightly, the corners of his mouth lifting in a smile. "That is hardly surprising. Subhuti is proud and eccentric; even if I went myself, he might not agree to meet."
"His disciple guided me through the temple, and along the way, as you instructed, I used the Heaven's Eye Pearl to sense any hidden presences, but saw no golden light. However..."
"However, what?"
The youth hesitated, then answered, "Upon entering the temple, the Heaven's Eye Pearl emitted a faint blue glow."
With that, the youth presented the Heaven's Eye Pearl with both hands.
"Blue light—what does that signify?"
Lord Lao took the Heaven's Eye Pearl, holding it in his hand. He squinted and pondered for a long time, but found no answer.
"Could it be that Subhuti used a secret technique to interfere? If he did, it would mean the Stone Monkey is currently inside the temple. But Subhuti has never seen the Heaven's Eye Pearl—even if he interfered, it shouldn't completely hide the golden light. Yet if the Stone Monkey isn't inside, why bother with such secrecy?" After a long silence, Lord Lao sighed, "Just what kind of game is he playing?"
"Master, could it be that the Stone Monkey was never in the temple?"
Lord Lao raised a finger, as if about to speak, but paused to think before saying, "Subhuti is clever to the extreme. If he wants to avoid trouble, he surely wouldn't keep the Stone Monkey in the temple. But if he's truly moved by some thought... he must have guessed I'd come."
"So, no matter what, the Stone Monkey isn't in the temple?"
"No!" Pocketing the pearl in his sleeve, Lord Lao said, "Truth and illusion are intertwined. Whether the Stone Monkey is in the temple remains uncertain. Besides, under heaven, where could be safer than his Crescent Cave?"
After another moment of careful thought, Lord Lao continued, "I will return to Tusita Palace for now. You are to remain here and keep watch over Crescent Cave day and night. If anyone comes or goes, observe closely and do not let your guard down. If anything unusual happens, report to me immediately—do not alert them. Even if the Stone Monkey isn't in the temple, as long as Subhuti is, there's no need to worry. Without someone who understands the workings of heaven by his side, a mere Stone Monkey can't stir up much trouble."
With that, he took out a yellow cloth bag from his waist and handed it to the Daoist youth.
The youth accepted it, bowed, and said, "I will obey your instructions."
...
No one knew how long they had walked. Only when the sky began to lighten did the Monkey and his companions finally reach the mountain summit, where a palace-like Daoist temple awaited them.
On the tall red gate hung a massive plaque—Primordial Radiance Hall.
That was the original name of Taiyi Immortal's cultivation site. Though it had moved to Avalon Mountain, the name remained unchanged.
A Daoist disciple stood guard at the entrance, leaning against a pillar, half-asleep.
The disciple leading the Monkey's group hurried forward and shouted, "Wake up! Go inside and report—the guests from Crescent Cave have arrived!"
The drowsy disciple blinked awake and, upon seeing Anna Yang, sprang to his feet, one hand already on the hilt of his sword.
Once he realized the situation, he relaxed, bowed, and slipped inside through a crack in the door.
The Monkey shot Anna Yang a sideways glance and asked, "You don't have a good reputation here?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Anna Yang snorted coldly.