White mist spread like gauze, its reach unknown, stretching tens of thousands of miles. As far as the eye could see, only vast, rolling fog remained, dew clinging to one's hair.
Three figures appeared in the mist without warning.
Half a step ahead, seemingly leading the way, stood a man in a scholar's robe and ink-black boots, holding an ivory tablet. He was none other than Tai Tu.
Behind him stood Pei Ling, dressed in a dark robe with a saber on his back, and Mogui, in resplendent embroidered robes.
Tai Tu gazed calmly at the boundless mist around them. Turning slightly, he extended a hand in invitation. "Please!"
As his voice fell, the mist ahead roared into motion!
Crash...
The mighty sound of water came from every direction, surging like a storm-tossed sea, with towering waves rising in a sudden fury.
A vast, towering city emerged little by little from the mist, as if a giant whale were breaching the sea.
Its walls were deep blue-green and massive. Every brick and tile held an ancient, weathered aura, as though they had endured uncountable ages and borne witness to ten thousand aspirations. It was simple, yet profound.
At that moment, golden-armored soldiers stood in ranks atop the walls, their long halberds like a forest, cold light woven together like a waterfall as they guarded every direction.
The towering city gates were shut tight. Carved above them in ancient, rugged strokes were the figures of colossal beasts: Bi'an, Ya Zi, Ba Xia, Qiu Niu, Chi Wen, Suan Ni, Chao Feng, Pu Lao, Fu Xi. The nine beasts bared their fangs and claws, soared into the sky, stamped down with massive feet, coiled and danced, or crouched high above to gaze down... Their images covered the entire gate.
Every beast carved there