Back in the temple courtyard, Zhao Ye wept. "His soul alone cannot sustain him—his body is lost!"
Master Ma and Cui Shensi conferred: only a complete body could restore Xu Yi Fei. Newly forged vessels must be shaped from qi—but they needed a perfect mould. Cui recalled ancient lore: "Huangshan's divine clay, the very earth Nuwa used to create humankind, might serve."
Lan Xuan's eyes shone. "A brilliant thought—yet Huangshan spans countless peaks. Who knows where that clay lies?"
Zhao Ye's voice trembled with resolve: "We will scour every ravine if we must to save my brother!"
Lan Xuan laid a calming hand on his shoulder. "No need to hurry. We came prepared to leave for Huangshan at dawn. Tonight, rest—tomorrow we search in earnest."
That night, Qi Ziegler and Jiang Hui debated in their guest quarters until late. At first light, the five set out: Lan Xuan, Qi Ziegler, Jiang Hui, Ou Zhengqing, and Cui Shensi. Each received a jade container for the fabled clay.
By midday they stood at Huangshan's foot. Though famed for its twisted pines and sea of clouds, they bypassed well-trodden paths, weaving among lonely ridges. Higher still, they reached the venerable Five Elders and Guanyin peaks, where no tourist trod.
Atop a windswept summit, the world lay spread beneath their feet. After a brief rest, they split into pairs, plunging into hidden hollows to seek the legendary divine clay that might rebuild a lost body and reunite a shattered soul.