"Not the Water Manor, but the Water Palace? Could it be that the banquet isn't being held in the Water Manor at all?"
Chen Cuo and the others had arrived much as the attendant had described: a beam of light descended from the sky, connected with the ice crystals in their robes, and brought them here.
There seemed to be something hidden in that guiding light, too. I couldn't investigate it openly then, but I've already left word for my fellow disciples through the White Jade...
Chen Cuo pondered this as he looked around.
Pitch-black currents flowed on every side, lapping against the bubble. Under the surrounding water pressure, its outermost layer gave off a faint sound.
At that sound, Lingya and Ling Mei's expressions changed, worry showing on their faces.
Zhang Jingbei rose curiously and peered out of the bubble.
As he watched, the scene ahead suddenly changed!
The water below had been pitch-black, but a glimmer appeared in an instant. As Turtle swam closer, the light grew brighter and burst into a riot of colors.
Beneath that shifting radiance, waterweed drifted and shoals of fish darted past. Unnamed aquatic plants swayed gently in the current, standing like towering trees on land, row upon row forming a Jungle.
Creatures of every size and shape moved through the Jungle, all with human upper bodies, fish tails, scales, and fins.
Some noticed Turtle carrying the group. They stopped, waved their arms, and cheered toward it, their voices rising and falling in what was clearly some form of language.
Chen Cuo and Dianyunzi's expressions shifted. Even Lingya looked startled.
This was a people distinct from humanity, seemingly with a society of their own!
Zhang Jingbei, on the other hand, was thrilled. He shouted and waved back; if the bubble had not separated