Chapter Sixteen: The Celestial Crane Pavilion

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Although Feng Huyuan, Xu Linlin, and others suffered a severe backlash last time, after some time to recover, the two of them stubbornly made a comeback. During this period, Yang Yue’s body endured continuous attacks by dark sorcery, with assaults coming relentlessly from their side and constant countermeasures from Teacher Xing. The endless back and forth caused Yang Yue’s already fragile condition to relapse once again, forcing Teacher Xing to take her to Nanjing for medical treatment.

It was said that in Nanjing there was a place called the Crane Immortal Pavilion. While waiting for the test results, Teacher Xing and Yang Yue decided to take a stroll there.

That day, Yang Yue was video-calling me on her phone, describing as she walked: “They say Crane Mountain got its name because the shape of the mountain resembles a celestial crane poised to take flight. During the Han dynasty, there was a Crane Immortal Pavilion built on the mountain — the earliest Taoist temple in Nanjing, dedicated to the Supreme Lord Laozi. Unfortunately, the pavilion was destroyed in a great fire in the 1950s and ceased to exist.”

Through Yang Yue’s phone, I saw a large standing stone halfway up the mountain inscribed with the characters “Xianlin.” Previously, in front of that stone was a lush, ordinary forest. But after Yang Yue and her companions passed the stone and walked a few steps, as if in a fleeting vision, a palace-like Taoist temple stood atop the mountain. The plaque on the temple bore three faintly golden characters: “Laojun Hall.” Along the winding mountain path were other halls arranged in elegant disorder. Amid swirling immortal mists, celestial cranes danced gracefully, and the mountains exuded the majestic aura of divine dragons.

“…But didn’t you say the pavilion was burned down?” I exclaimed in surprise on my side of the line.

Teacher Xing and Yang Yue were equally startled. After a moment, Yang Yue figured out the reason and explained to me: “It must be the Crane Immortal Pavilion from a parallel dimension. The one in the mortal realm was destroyed in that fire, but in another dimension, it still exists—just invisible to ordinary human eyes. Only because the three of us have returned in our spiritual true forms and possess certain divine powers can we see it.”

The Crane Mountain in this parallel realm was serene and boundless, with layered peaks and verdant forests, each step revealing picturesque scenery. Not only did Yang Yue and the others find themselves dazzled, but even I, watching through the phone, was overwhelmed and kept exclaiming in admiration.

Climbing the gentle stone steps to the summit’s temple, they encountered a green-clad young boy with finely drawn features, diligently sweeping the courtyard. Upon seeing them, he immediately set down his broom, smoothed his robes, and cupped his hands in greeting: “Greetings to the Kunlun Divine Lord and the Third Princess.”

“Who are you?” Yang Yue hesitated.

“The Supreme Lord Laozi informed me early that the Third Princess and the Kunlun Divine Lord couple would arrive today and instructed me to wait here,” the green-clad boy replied, leading them into the guest hall. The hall was simple yet elegant, furnished with a tortoiseshell stone tea table, two bamboo-carved chairs, and an ancient bronze censer shaped like a mythical beast, from which fragrant smoke gently curled.

The boy brewed tea for them, explaining that the water was drawn from the medicinal well used by Laozi in his alchemy, capable of healing the Third Princess’s wounds.

Soon after, a little boy with antlers like those of a deer entered, carrying a tray of fresh rare fruits. He respectfully said, “Crane Mountain grows rare and exotic fruits. Please, try them.”

The fruits were unlike anything I had ever seen, their appearance making my mouth water. Yang Yue and Teacher Xing each ate a few, confirming their extraordinary sweetness and freshness.

After finishing tea and fruit, they planned to pay respects at the temple halls.

The tranquil temple retained the appearance of the Han dynasty. Inside Laojun Hall, a statue of a white-bearded old man riding a blue ox stood—the incarnation of the Supreme Lord Laozi.

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Besides Laojun Hall, there were also the Three Pure Ones Hall and the Jade Emperor Hall. After paying respects at each, they left the temple.

Ahead stood an octagonal Crane Pavilion. Through the phone, I saw a kindly yet wise old man dressed in ancient blue Taoist robes holding white chess pieces, engaged in a game against another elder wearing a formal crown and robe. Several other similarly dressed elders intently watched their match.

I asked, puzzled, “Who are these old men? And why are they all dressed in ancient clothes? Yang Yue, why aren’t you saying anything...”

Then I heard Yang Yue’s excited voice through the phone: “That is the Supreme Lord Laozi—the revered Laojun Grandpa...”

It turned out the kindly and wise player was the famous Supreme Lord Laozi. However, Yang Yue recognized only Laozi and did not know the other immortals. She knelt respectfully beneath the pavilion and performed the Taoist triple kneeling, nine kowtows ritual.

At that moment, dozens of dragons and cranes flew down from the mountains, circling Yang Yue and Teacher Xing. The leading divine dragon and crane expressed their wish to follow and cultivate alongside them. Teacher Xing initially hesitated to accept, but seeing their persistence, he had no choice but to accept them.

They had arrived as two, but when they left Crane Mountain, a flock of celestial cranes and divine dragons accompanied them. Passing through an ancient, solemn stone archway at the mountain’s base, the air seemed to ripple and shimmer. They had returned from the Crane Mountain of a parallel dimension to the real-world Crane Mountain.

On the phone’s screen, I noticed a small, blue-green insect crawling on Yang Yue’s white clothing. The insect’s color was translucent blue-green and quite beautiful.

I warned Yang Yue about the insect on her clothes. She looked down, gently pinched it between two fingers, and held it up to her eyes. “Huh, this insect seems unusual.”

The little insect nodded repeatedly, as if bowing politely.

Teacher Xing also recognized the insect’s uniqueness, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully. “It’s spiritually aware—an insect already cultivating, which came down with us from the Crane Immortal Pavilion in the parallel dimension. Are you trying to follow us?”

The insect nodded even more vigorously.

“We can’t take you with us. Find a good place to cultivate on your own,” Yang Yue said gently and kindly.

Because this physical insect was not convenient to bring along, Yang Yue carefully placed it on a high leaf of a large tree.

After leaving Crane Mountain and returning to their temporary hotel, Yang Yue asked me about my recent blind dates.

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I sighed. “If nothing unexpected happens, I’ll be married by the end of the year.”

“So soon?” Yang Yue exclaimed in surprise.

“My mother’s eager to pack me off right now,” I said with a mixture of frustration and helplessness.

“Do you like the person you’ve been set up with?” Yang Yue asked with some concern.

“I’ve gone on a few dates with him. I neither like nor dislike him. I’m at that age, so I figure I might as well settle down,” I considered before adding, “You know, I’ve never been in love before. I’m naturally uninterested in romantic relationships, and I probably won’t develop feelings for anyone in the future.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a relationship. I checked your fortune—you have strong romantic luck,” Yang Yue furrowed her brows, seeming to suspect something was wrong with me. “Have you never liked any member of the opposite sex?”

I was straightforward: “I’ve liked male celebrities. Does that count?”

Teacher Xing overheard our conversation and leisurely commented, “Her heart is locked by someone. When the heart is locked shut, it cannot be moved.”

Yang Yue’s sharp insight came into play. She gasped, “There really is a lock on your chest! No wonder you never fall in love.”

I covered my chest in confusion. If my heart was locked, who put the lock there?

I vaguely guessed at a name but instinctively refused to admit it.

That night, I saw Yang Jian’s solitary figure standing beneath the Tianzhu Pillar on Kunlun Mountain—the place where we once pledged our love. He took a small copper lock from his bosom, stared at it for a long moment, and finally reached out and twisted off the lock’s clasp.