The Heavenly Altar of Da Liang is a triple-eaved circular pavilion, crowned with a gilded treasure dome and roofed with azure glazed tiles. Within, a sumptuous Nine-Dragon coffered ceiling dazzled all who beheld it.
But now, a giant Bronze Tree pierced through the blue-glazed roof, thrusting straight into the sky. Around the altar's eight ritual platforms, bronze-masked Taoists bearing double vertical eyes gazed heavenward, sitting cross-legged and awaiting the Astronomical Bureau's command.
Further beyond, dense crowds of White Lotus Sect followers encircled the altar. Every person wore white garments with solemn faces, and many hands trembled with excitement.
A light breeze passed by, setting the white bands tied around the devotees' foreheads gently swaying. The undulating bands merged into a vast sea of white.
At this moment, every eye was fixed on Bai Lingmiao upon the heavenly altar, their focus only worsening the turmoil already roiling within her heart.
