“To see your king,” Liu replied.  No more words were needed.

The water parted at the warrior’s command to reveal a pathway leading to the bottom of the lake.  “Close your eyes, please!” said the warrior as he led Liu Yi down to the road.  “We will be there soon.”

Liu did so and followed him down.  Soon they arrived at a grand palace with many towers and pavilions, thousands of gates and doors, marbled arches, and exotic trees and plants, as well as countless decorations and treasures.  Liu Yi felt clearly that he had entered another world.  Hesitating at the gate of a great hall, Liu Yi asked, “What place is this?”

“The palace of the Divine Void,” replied his guide.

Looking about him, Liu saw that he was surrounded by things he had never seen in the real world.   The whole unearthly environment gave an impression of fantasy and unfathomable depth that defied exaggeration.

After waiting for a long time at the gate, Liu Yi asked, “Please tell me where the lord of Dong Ting is.”

"His Majesty is in the Pavilion of Dark Pearl," replied the warrior.  “He is talking with the priest of the sun about the fire cannon, and is just about to finish.”

“What is the fire cannon?”  Liu was curious.

“Our Majesty is a dragon,” the warrior said, “so water is his magic weapon.  He can flood valleys and mountains with one drop of water.  However, the priest is a human being and fire is his weapon. He can turn a palace into a burning hell with a torch.  Because the properties of their weapons differ, they negate each other.  They are discussing how they can reach a compromise and harmonize with each other, in order to establish a fair control over the human world.”

As they finished talking, the palace gate was opened.  A man clad in a purple robe and holding a jasper scepter, entered, surrounded by a gathering mist.

“This is our king,” the warrior whispered to Liu Yi, then stepped forward to report Liu’s arrival.