Past the main gate was the Upper Palace of the Wanxiang Daoist Palace.0

The main gate was connected to a long, straight bridge that was as wide as the steps outside, with waist-high railings on either side. Leaning against the rail and looking down, one could see a stretch of rooftops and treetops, along with roads laid out like a chessboard, where tiny figures could be seen walking—that was the Lower Palace.0

The bridge was about 30 meters high. From below, it resembled a celestial bridge in the sky. This was also why Qi Xuansu had never been to the Upper Palace before; he simply could not get up there.0

The Daoist Order preached equality (at least on the surface), so the terms “Upper Palace” and “Lower Palace” did not denote rank but actually referred to their literal elevation. The Upper Palace was built at a higher level, while the Lower Palace was on flat ground, hence their names. It was straightforward, with no deeper symbolic meaning.0

In the past, Qi Xuansu could only stand below and look up at this bridge. Now, he was finally walking across it.0

As such, the complex emotions—nostalgia, awe, melancholy, and countless others—stirring within him at the moment...0