White Pond.
Azure waves stretched into the distance, the vast sea without end. This pond commanded the junction of the Southeast and served as a subordinate palace of Dragonkind.
No practitioners of the Immortal Dao dwelled nearby, only several Demon Kings who acted under the edicts of Dragonkind, each stationed along the bordering seas as a guardian.
At that moment, a glance into the sea would have revealed an extraordinary sight.
Patrolling Yakshas held banners high, attendant clam maidens gently carried cloud fans, and thousands of aquatic demons crowded together, each bearing ritual artifacts. Their treasures glittered like drifting banks of colorful rosy clouds spread beneath the azure waters.
There were also countless exotic creatures that had assumed their original forms to welcome the royal arrival: Tiger Flood Dragons circled, Hook Snakes appeared and vanished, Rosy Cloud Rays shimmered, and Sea Horses leaped. Every aspect of the ceremonial escort followed the highest standard.
An avenue paved with azure sea jade wound westward. Seen from afar, thousands of purple and crimson bolts of lightning were slowly approaching from the horizon.
The one overseeing everything was none other than the Turtle Minister. His face was half anxious, half fearful, and he repeatedly scolded the servants, ordering them into formation lest they breach etiquette.
Amid his surging emotions, even the heavy shell on his back took on a deep, inky hue, making it look even more like he was carrying a black cooking pot.
Violet Lightning writhed like dragons and serpents, tearing through the sky. Inky thunderclouds bore down on the borders of White Pond like dark blades cleaving all before them, only to stop abruptly, displaying restraint and courtesy.
Then, from amid the layers of black clouds, an ancient, imposing Thunder Chariot slowly emerged and hovered before the avenue.
The entire chariot