"Today was a great day for my household. Ever since my lord gave the order, we've spent a long time preparing..."
Chen Cuo and the others followed Gongsun Jing through a grove of strange plants. Beyond it, the view opened up: a city of many colors stood before them—
Even from afar, Chen Cuo could see that its walls were built of shells and coral in every hue. A thin layer of seaweed covered them, shimmering when the light struck.
"This is Origin City." Gongsun Jing smiled faintly and gestured around the city. "There are many restrictions here. We must enter through the gate; we cannot cross the walls. Honored guests, please descend with me first." With that, he sank toward the ground.
They were underwater, and once they had grasped the trick of moving through it, they could go almost wherever they pleased. Hearing him, they sank after him.
The moment his feet touched solid ground, Zhang Jingbei cried out in amazement.
"Those walls must be a hundred feet high!"
He measured with his hands, clicking his tongue.
Gongsun Jing laughed. "Underwater, we aren't bound by the same constraints. Building walls this high on land would be no easy task. You'd need very deep foundations."
Chen Cuo said, "City walls have always been built to repel enemies and protect those inside. Yet everything we've seen along the way has been peaceful. Whom are these walls meant to keep out?"
Gongsun Jing narrowed his eyes and stroked his beard. "Honored guest, you've struck at the heart of it. My lord now reigns over an entire realm..."
"Wait." Zhang Jingbei could not help interrupting. "Didn't you say your lord was the Great River Water Lord? How did he become the ruler of a realm?"
As he led them onward, Gongsun Jing