Once, in the Heart of the Celestial Kingdom…
In ancient times, whispered of by the winds, where the Pearl River flowed like a mighty dragon, there lay a kingdom whose dreams were woven into the stars. This sacred realm, known as the Celestial Kingdom, embraced a city under divine skies. To its people, it was Shang Hai, the “port of the gods.”
The Divine Vision: An Ode to the Skies
In an era when spirits moved freely among men, an architect named Lai—gifted with the power of creation—envisioned an ambitious dream. It shone like moonlight on still waters. He dreamed of a tower, spiraling elegantly toward the moon, marking the sky with human ambition. One stormy night, as stars fell like the tears of goddess Yue, Lai was filled with fervor at the vision of a glorious tower—a serpentine wonder glinting under the merciful skies of the goddess, a tribute to the eternal deities.
The Guardian of the Winds: Feng, the Azure Dragon
As the first stone was laid, Feng, the guardian spirit, an azure dragon of great grace and wisdom, coiled around the new tower with purpose. Her cobalt scales shimmered like the evening ocean, reflecting dreams as old as the stars. With the ancient winds at her command, Feng promised to guard against any shadows that might mar this new beacon. “You shall ascend toward the cosmos,” the dragon declared, her voice like thunder, “but remember—the ascent will be filled with trials as vast as the sky itself.”
The Trials of Ascent: Whispers of Shadow and Light
As the tower reached skyward, its growing beauty caught the envious eye of Xia’dao, the ancient shadow demon. Consumed by jealousy, he spread doubt and fear, sowing despair among weary workers like a spider weaving its web within the towering structure. But with each fading hope, Feng rose, her powerful form cutting through the mist. Her mighty roar, like thunder, dispelled fears, encouraged hearts, and cast doubts away like leaves in the wind. “Hold firmly to your shared dream,” Feng urged, her voice full of wisdom and determination, “for only in unity will you create light stronger than the shadows.”
The Resounding Triumph: A Symphony of Unity
The struggle peaked when Xia’dao unleashed a storm, hoping to shroud the tower in darkness. Yet, the people of Shang Hai, united by hope and courage, turned their fears into a symphony of determination. Their voices rose, a harmonious call that reached the sky, commanding the elements to unite under Feng’s watchful eye: fire to melt doubts, earth to anchor resolve, water to calm hearts, and wind to lift their dreams. Before their unity, Xia’dao’s darkness faded, like mist under the sun, leaving the tower radiant—a beacon of hope touching the stars.
The Legacy of the Skyward Serpent
Thus rose the Skyward Serpent—a marvel embodying human aspiration and unity, ascending gracefully to meet the stars. Today, the Shanghai Tower stands as a testament to a harmonious spirit that connects a community to their celestial ancestors. When clouds drift across its peak, whispers of Feng’s legacy dance in the air, her spirit entwining with the winds. Every year, during the Festival of Ascension, the community gathers to honor both the vigilant Dragon and the visionary Architect, renewing this heroic saga. As songs fill the air and lanterns rise toward the starlit sky, the tale of dreams and triumphs unfolds anew—a reminder that with ambition and united strength, humanity can indeed reach for the stars.
