The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, and host and guest alike were thoroughly at ease.
Bearing the traveling palace, the Azure-Backed Softshell Turtle Beast descended three thousand meters into the deep sea. Layer upon layer of coral reefs glowed softly, and countless converging paths surrounded a Water Palace, a Dragon Palace.
A golden plaque hung high above palace gates over thirty meters tall. Their bronze knockers were cast as coiling chi dragons holding pearls in their mouths, radiating light like a halo around the moon. Sea-Raising Yakshas stood beside the gates, several meters tall, imposing and fearsome.
The old yao Yuanzhu soon led Jiang Yang out of the traveling palace, then turned and said:
"The Dragon Prince has already prepared a welcoming banquet in the high pavilion behind the hall. All that remains is for Your Highness to attend. Please follow this old man."
"In that case... sorry for the trouble, Senior Yuan."
Jiang Yang cupped his hands in reply and followed him.
Naturally, the Dragon Prince would not hold her banquet in the main hall. Following much the same route as last time, they passed through a long gallery and crossed a passageway, bringing Jiang Yang back to the high pavilion where he had met Yuan Jun.
Here, thick mist spilled across the ground beside a clear pool of emerald water. Yuanzhu stopped and extended a hand with a smile:
"Please go in, Your Highness. This old man will not accompany you farther."
"Take care, Senior."
Jiang Yang nodded politely to him before stepping inside.
Dragonkind certainly placed great importance on pomp, but this Dragon Prince evidently did not number among them. Her private chambers were as quiet as ever.
Once inside, Jiang Yang could not see a single soul at first glance. Only after parting the gauze