The Astonished "Outsiders"

As they passed through the final gateway between Ta Lo Village and the outside world, the view before them suddenly opened up, as though they had stepped into an entirely different world in an instant.

Gwen, Peter, and Harry were all deeply stunned by the dreamlike scene before them, nearly forgetting to breathe. Even Lin Hai, who was visiting for the second time, could not help losing himself in it.

The first thing that flooded their senses was the incomparably fresh air, carrying the clean scent of bamboo leaves, the faint fishy smell of lake water, and the rich fragrance of distant flowers, refreshing their hearts and minds.

Completely unlike the desolation of winter outside, the Ta Lo Mystic Realm seemed to be eternally bathed in a mild spring. The climate was pleasant, and the light was soft yet bright.

Next, they saw distant mountains dark as ink, range upon range of peaks, with clouds and mist wrapping around their waists like soft ribbons. At the mountaintops, faint multicolored lights flickered, mysterious and unfathomable.

At the foot of the mountains lay a vast, tranquil lake. Its waters were crystal clear, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and surrounding wonders. Whenever a breeze passed by, ripples of light spread across its surface. Having heard Lin Hai's introduction, the three of them knew that the miraculous guardian Azure Dragon should be somewhere within it.

By the lakeside stood vast, dense bamboo groves. Unlike the bamboo forests outside, the bamboo here was an even richer, more vibrant green, and a faint glow seemed to flow between the nodes. When the breeze stirred, the leaves rustled like an ethereal melody played by nature itself. Deeper in the grove, more strange creatures seemed to be moving about in the shadows.

Farther away, they could see