The snow-capped peaks of Mount Kunlun sparkled under the midday sun like jagged shards of white jade.
Four months ago, this mountain had been the isolated fortress of the ancient Kunlun Sect.
Back then, cold-hearted elders guarded the peaks behind murderous killing arrays. They looked down on ordinary mortals with disdain, treating human lives like dust.
Today, the entire mountain was the flagship Taichu 5A Scenic Immortal Tourist Park.
Paved sightseeing walkways of polished quartz wound around the cliff sides. Glass observation platforms hung over the clouds. Cable cars powered by gentle breeze runes glided smoothly between the snowy summits.
Thousands of happy tourists in colorful parkas snapped photos of snow leopards. They ate hot candied hawthorn berries and purchased commemorative spirit-jade keychains from automated vending stalls.
Near the central plaza of the Jade-Void Peak, an electric cotton candy cart was surrounded by a dozen laughing children.
Behind the cart stood a man wearing a puffy white snow-yeti mascot suit.
