Four hundred li west is Mount Xiaoci, rich in white jade at the summit and red copper at the base. A beast resembling a monkey with a white head and red feet, called Zhuyan, lives here. Its appearance signals a great war.
Three hundred li further west is Mount Daci, rich in chalk on the sunny side and blue-green minerals on the shady side. The mountain is home to many Niuza sheep and Luyan goats.
Four hundred li west is Mount Xunwu, devoid of vegetation but rich in gold and jade.
Four hundred li further west is Mount Yang. It is abundant in millet, catalpa, and camphor trees. The mountain is also home to rhinoceroses, buffaloes, tigers, wild boars, and Niuza cattle.
Two hundred fifty li west lies Mount Zhoushou, where the summit is rich in jade, and the base is filled with sandalwood and elm trees, as well as gold. The mountain is also inhabited by many rhinoceroses and buffaloes.
Five hundred li west is Mount Huangren, where the summit is abundant in gold and jade, and the base is rich in blue realgar. The Huang River originates here and flows west into the Chishui River, where it is rich in red millet.
Three hundred li west is Mount Zhonghuang, where the summit is rich in gold, and the base is filled with fragrant orchids and crabapple trees.
Three hundred fifty li west lies Mount Xihuang, where the sunny side is abundant in gold, and the shady side is rich in iron. The mountain is home to elks, deer, and Niuza cattle.
Three hundred fifty li further west is Mount Lai, where sandalwood and elm trees grow in abundance, and many Lorolo birds live. These birds are known to eat humans.
In total, from Mount Qian to Mount Lai, there are seventeen mountains, spanning four thousand one hundred forty li. The ten gods associated with these mountains all have human faces and horse bodies. The seven gods also have human faces, but with the bodies of cattle, four legs, and one arm, and they carry staffs to walk—these are the gods of the flying beasts. The rituals for them involve offerings of a small sacrificial animal, with white rushes used as mats. For the ten divine beings, the ritual involves sacrificing a male rooster without grain offerings, using a hair-colored mat.
The third section of the Western Classic begins with Mount Chongwu, located south of the Yellow River. Looking north, one can see the Tombs of Sui, and to the south, the Marsh of Min. To the west lies the hunting hill of the emperor’s beasts, and to the east, the deep pool of Yuan. A tree grows here with round leaves, white calyxes, red flowers, and black veins. Its fruit resembles a bitter orange, and eating it ensures prosperity for one's descendants. A strange beast called Manman lives here, resembling a wild duck, but with one wing and one eye. When a pair meets, they can fly. Its appearance foretells great floods.
Three hundred li northwest is Mount Changsha. The Cici River originates here and flows north into the You River. The area is barren of vegetation but rich in blue realgar.
Three hundred seventy li further northwest is Mount Buzhou. To the north, one can see Mount Zhuan, and to the east, the You Marsh, where the Yellow River submerges. Its source bubbles and flows out. The area is abundant with fine fruits resembling peaches, with leaves like jujube trees. The flowers are yellow with red calyxes. Eating the fruit prevents fatigue.
Four hundred twenty li northwest is Mount Mi. Its summit is covered with red trees, which have round leaves and red stems, yellow flowers, and red fruits that taste like honey. Eating them prevents hunger. The Dan River originates here and flows west into the Ji Marsh, where it is rich in white jade. The mountain also contains a spring called the Jade Cream Spring, which bubbles with boiling water. The Yellow Emperor himself consumed and enjoyed it. It produces black jade. The jade cream nourishes the red trees, which after five years produce vibrant five-colored hues and sweet fragrances. The Yellow Emperor harvested the jade blossoms from Mount Mi and placed them on the sunny side of Mount Zhong. The best jades, such as Jingyu and Jinyu, are firm and smooth, with a clear and rich color. Their five colors emanate a gentle and firm texture, and they are enjoyed by both the heavens and the spirits. Nobles who wear them enjoy good fortune. From Mount Mi to Mount Zhong, it spans four hundred sixty li, with the area rich in marshlands. It is filled with rare birds, strange beasts, and exotic fish, all of which are extraordinary.
Four hundred twenty li further northwest is Mount Zhong. Its offspring are called Gu, and they resemble humans with dragon bodies. They once killed Baojiang with Qinpi at the northern side of Mount Kunlun, and the emperor executed them at the eastern cliff of Mount Zhong. Qinpi transformed into a giant osprey, resembling an eagle with black patterns, a red beak, and tiger claws. Its cry sounds like that of a morning crane, and its appearance signals great warfare. Gu also transformed into a Zhun bird, resembling an owl with red feet, a straight beak, yellow markings, and a white head. Its cry sounds like that of a crane, and its appearance foretells severe drought.
One hundred eighty li west lies Mount Taiqi. The Guan River originates here, flowing west into the Flowing Sands. The area is rich in ornamental fish resembling carp, with fish bodies and bird wings, blue patterns, white heads, and red beaks. They usually travel between the Western and Eastern Seas, flying at night. Their sound is like that of a Luan chicken, and their taste is sour and sweet. Eating them prevents madness, and their appearance foretells a great harvest.
Three hundred twenty li further west is Mount Huaijiang. The Qiushi River originates here and flows north into the You River. The area is rich in golden-green realgar and white jade, as well as bamboo arrows. The sunny side is filled with red millet, while the area is also rich in gold and silver. This place is known as the emperor’s peaceful garden, where the divine Yingzhao oversees it. Yingzhao resembles a horse with a human face, tiger patterns, and bird wings. It patrols the four seas and makes a sound like pomegranate seeds. To the south, Mount Kunlun shines brightly, and to the west lies the Great Marsh, where the god Houji is submerged. The area is abundant in jade, and the shady side contains many strange Yao trees. To the north, the area is home to the ghost spirits of Zhu and Bei, where eagles and falcons reside. To the east, one can see Mount Heng, where the souls of the dead linger in the four stages. Strange waters flow here, clear and bright. A heavenly god, resembling an ox with eight legs, two heads, and a horse tail, resides here. Its sound is like that of a rolling drum, and its appearance foretells military conflict in the region.
Four hundred li southwest is Mount Kunlun, which is the emperor’s capital, overseen by the god Lu Wu. This god has the body of a tiger, nine tails, a human face, and tiger claws. This deity oversees the nine divisions of heaven and the emperor’s garden. A beast called Tu Lou, resembling a sheep with four horns, lives here. It preys on humans. A bird resembling a giant bee, as large as a mandarin duck, called Qin Yuan, also resides here. It stings birds and beasts, causing death, and stings trees, causing them to wither. Another bird called the Quail Bird, which oversees the emperor’s hundred garments, also lives here. A tree resembling a crabapple with yellow flowers and red fruits, called the Shatang, grows here. It tastes like a plum and has no pit. Eating it prevents drowning. A herb called Pincao, resembling a sunflower and tasting like green onions, grows here, and eating it prevents fatigue. The Yellow River originates here, flowing south into Wuda. The Chishui River also originates here, flowing southeast into Fantian. The Yang River flows from here, traveling southwest into the Chutu River. The Mo River originates here and flows through the four seas into Dagan. The area is filled with strange birds and beasts.
Three hundred seventy li west lies Mount Leyou. The Tao River originates here and flows west into the Ji Marsh. The area is rich in white jade, and the river is home to Bogu fish, resembling snakes with four legs. They feed on fish.
Four hundred li further west lies the region known as the Flowing Sands. Traveling two hundred li beyond, one reaches Mount Yingmu, where the deity Changcheng presides. This is one of the nine virtues of Heaven. The god appears in the form of a human with a leopard’s tail. The summit is abundant in jade, while the base is rich in green stones but has no water.
Three hundred fifty li northwest lies Mount Yushan, where the Queen Mother of the West resides. The Queen Mother appears in the form of a human with a leopard’s tail, tiger’s teeth, and the ability to roar. Her hair is wild, and she wears a headdress. She governs the heavenly plagues and the five calamities. A beast known as the Jiao, resembling a dog with leopard-like spots and horns like a bull, lives here. It barks like a dog, and its appearance foretells a bountiful harvest in the kingdom. A bird called the Shengyu, resembling a red pheasant, also lives here. It feeds on fish, and its call sounds like a recording. When seen, it foretells great floods in the kingdom.
Four hundred eighty li further west lies Mount Xuanyuan, which is barren of vegetation. The Xun River originates here, flowing south into the Black River, where there is an abundance of red millet and green realgar.
Three hundred li west is Mount Jishi. At its base is the Stone Gate, where the Yellow River bursts forth and flows westward. This mountain contains all types of living creatures.
Two hundred li west lies Mount Changliu, where the god Baidi Shaohao resides. All the beasts here have patterned tails, and all the birds have patterned heads. The mountain is rich in patterned jade and stones, and it serves as the palace of the god Weishi. This deity is in charge of reflecting light.
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