Fengtai Observatory (Chinese: 凤台明堂 “Phoenix Terrace Observatory”) is an ancient observatory located in the spirit realm of Fengtai on Taoist Temple Mountain in Guancheng, Dongguan City. It was home to the Fengtai Poets Society, the predecessor of the Dongguan Spirit Animal Association. The observatory housed the ancient spirit item “Fengtai Loong Ball,” which transformed Leiting into a spirit loong upon contact.
However, due to reconstruction in the city’s historical downtown, the building has been demolished and the spirit realm has collapsed with it.
Legend
According to folklore, a phoenix once visited Guancheng‘s Taoist Temple Hill, leading to the naming of “Fenglai Alley” (Chinese: 凤来里, Phoenix Come Alley) and establishing the phoenix as Guancheng’s symbol. Fengtai Observatory is located within a spirit realm hidden in this alley.
The Fengtai Loong Ball Leiting found at Fengtai Observatory belonged to Feng the Spirit Loong of the Nüwa tribe from the Age of Desolation. Qiuye suspects that the legendary “Phoenix” actually refers to Feng (Chinese: 凤 “Phoenix”). Feng was part of the Nüwa tribe, which aligns with the legend of Nüwa the Goddess patching the sky—now thought to symbolize the renewal of an ancient astronomical calendar.
Qiuye hypothesizes that Feng’s Loong Ball and her astronomical knowledge were passed down through generations of spirit animals, brought to southern China during the ancient migrations of scholars amid the turmoil of the late Western Jin Dynasty (circa 320). Eventually, the ball and related literature were obtained by the spirit animals of Fengtai Poets Society. To honor Feng’s contribution, they built their clubhouse in an observatory style.
Architecture
The outer gate of Fengtai Observatory was located in a branch of Fenglai alley, and it was locked with spells to prevent humans from entering. The main building is not adjacent to the outside road; instead, the outer gate leads through a narrow passageway between buildings to a traditional Guangdong-style house. The mural in the house’s main hall serves as the entrance to its spirit realm, which can only be opened with spirit power.
The spirit realm was spacious, several times larger than its actual grounds. Its central area features the observatory’s main architecture, which houses various ancient astronomical observation facilities and a library.
The observatory’s buildings are severely damaged, and all the furniture has rotted away. It is clear that it has been abandoned for a long time.
Artifacts
The legendary Fengtai Loong Ball remained in the observatory, Leiting was transformed into a spirit loong after touching it. Alongside the ball, there were ancient book fragments and inscriptions, primarily works from the Fengtai Poets Society. Qiuye describes them as “The legendary Fengtai Loong Ball remained in the observatory, Leiting was transformed into a spirit loong after touching it. Alongside the ball, there were ancient book fragments and inscriptions, primarily works from the Fengtai Poets Society. Qiuye described them as “amateurish and overly eager to display nonexistent talent.”
Qiuye collected these fragments and made rubbings of the inscriptions. The rescued artifacts have been sent to the Dongguan Spirit Animal Association for preservation. Qiuye is currently studying on these materials.
Demolition
The district containing Fenglai Alley was slated for demolition as part of the city’s renewal project. When Leiting and Qiuye visited the observatory, nearby demolitions had already disrupted the spirit realm, causing various anomalies to appear. Shortly after they left, the entire district was demolished, along with the observatory and its spirit realm. However, the strong fluctuation of spirit power indicates that a new spirit realm is forming nearby.
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