Farther ahead, a broad lake came into view.
Its blue waters lay smooth as a mirror, with an island resting quietly at its center. Green trees screened the island, revealing occasional glimpses of buildings with upturned eaves.
The crown of the Tree of Life soared skyward from the island.
Azure-green and pale gold light flowed through its leaf veins, bathing the entire lake in a warm, gentle spiritual glow.
Cai Mei'er pointed to Sea God Lake before them and began explaining to the arrivals from the Sun Moon Empire.
"Before you lies Sea God Lake, which Shrek built to commemorate Lord Sea God.
And you students will spend the next two years cultivating here. Everyone, please board the boats."
With that, Huan Hongchen helped Yun down from the carriage.
The thirty exchange students also disembarked in turn, standing by the lake and looking around curiously.
Several ferries waited on the water, their hulls broad enough to accommodate the entire party.
Once everyone had boarded, the ferries slowly headed toward the island. The closer they drew, the richer the life energy became.
Yun stood at the bow and took a deep breath, feeling the exhaustion of days of travel washed away little by little by that spiritual glow.
The thirty students also reached out to catch the pale golden motes drifting above the lake, their eyes shining.
The ferries reached the shore, and everyone stepped onto the island, with the Tree of Life standing right before them.
Its trunk was sturdy and weathered, its foliage luxuriant. Threads of green light slowly descended from the veins of its leaves, nourishing the whole island like spiritual rain.
The air carried the fresh fragrance of vegetation. One deep breath seemed to cleanse every internal organ.
The thirty exchange students stood beneath the ancient tree,