This Guga Was the Cleverest!

A few days later, they reached Vast Sea City, the largest seaport on Heaven Dou's western frontier.

The setting sun gilded the sea with scattered gold. Masts stood like a forest along the harbor, and the sea breeze swept in with a salty tang, setting their clothes snapping. Lin Yuan's group of seven, accompanied by seven Gugas, arrived at the city gate in a grand procession. Laborers unloading cargo and fishermen returning from the shore streamed past, while vendors' cries rose and fell.

Xiao Wu was the first to rush onto the waterfront. She spread her arms to the sea breeze, her eyes lighting up. "It's so beautiful! So this is the sea!"

Ning Rongrong trotted after her and gazed across the boundless blue. "It's huge... I can't see where it ends."

Zhu Zhuqing followed behind them. She looked out at the sea, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

"It really is beautiful."

Guga clung to the railing and stood on tiptoe to peer out. Her voice was loud enough for everyone at the harbor to hear. "Oh, sea—you have so much water, Guga!"

Little Moon climbed onto the railing just like her, eyes darting everywhere. "Are there sparkly things in the sea, Guga?"

Golden Mastiff Guga turned her face away, but her eyes kept stealing glances at the water. She muttered, "Hmph. It's just the sea. What's all the fuss about, Guga?"

Lin Yuan stood behind them, watching the girls and the Gugas act as though they had never seen the world. He said nothing, but he couldn't keep the smile off his face.

Beyond the city gate lay a long street beside the sea.

Jewelry shops, seafood stalls, and barbecue stands lined both sides all the way to the end. Glittering gems mingled with the smoky