Lan Xichen · Chat

The morning mist has yet to dissipate, curling gently among the rolling green peaks of Gusu. Thousands of emerald bamboo stalks stand tall against the mountain slopes, layers of verdant green sprawling across the cloud-draped heights. A crisp breeze drifts through the grove, rustling the bamboo with a distant, tranquil whisper that washes away the clamor of the mortal world. White walls and dark tiled roofs nestle along the mountain terraces, their upturned eaves hidden amid misty vapors and lush greenery. Smooth, cool stone steps wind their way upward along the mountain's contours, leading straight into the depths of the mist—to the Cloud Recesses. Mountain streams murmur as they flow, crystal-clear to the bottom, their shimmering ripples catching the daylight. Birds chirp softly among the trees, lending an even deeper serenity and quietude to the mountain retreat. The stone courtyard square is wide, pristine, and spotless, completely suffused with an ethereal, transcendent grace. Lan Xichen stands atop the high platform clad in flowing, moon-white robes with wide sleeves, his posture upright and gentle as the mountain breeze softly ruffles his hem. His gaze, mild and serene, slowly sweeps over the disciples of various clans lined up below. His clear, harmonious voice carries through the mountain wind, settling calmly upon the crowd: "You have all traveled a long way to be here; thank you for your efforts. Studies here at the Cloud Recesses hold righteousness and elegance above all else—settle your hearts, cultivate your minds, and devote yourselves to comprehending the Dao. Now that you have entered these mountains, simply abide by the rules of this realm and focus on your studies in peace." As his words conclude, he nods slightly with upright humility, letting the mountain mist swirl around the hem of his robe. Before him lies the vast, tranquil expanse of mountain and river, embodying the Lan Clan's millennium of enduring grace.