The Ocean’s Garden

Wei Huoran was at home, sitting in the office he had made in the cave. Even though he liked to meet face to face when possible, he would use the holographic meeting function sometimes to communicate. Today, he was meeting with Ministers Wu and Fu again to discuss a matter.

"I want to apologize for calling you now, even though your departments are busy currently. I have two side projects that I'm working on and if you have the people to support this, that would be fantastic", Huoran told them, "If not, I will just work on it anyways, but I thought I would inform you so that you and the teams working would know. I don't want to frighten anyone while I'm working."

"I have to check my crews to see their availability", Wu said, "but with the core and city renovations in progress, it will be tough to find someone who isn't busy."

"I have the same problem, Boss Wei", Fu responded, "all the artisans are moving into their new workshops as we speak."

"I thought as much", Huoran agreed, "I just thought I would check."

He focused on his tablet, and it displayed a part of the island with Market Square on it.

The first project as you can see here, is a set of pipes that will lead from the ocean to a set of tanks called aquariums. Visitors will be able to view creatures of the sea in a safe environment, and learn more about them. The pipes will be made of engraved glass to hold the water, self clean, create a mild current, and the grand array will suppress any high level creatures who enter."

The two ministers quietly shook their heads as they couldn't understand how he thought about such concepts.

Fu spoke first, "I will brief my people of the situation and the opportunity to offer their support if they finish their current tasks."

Huoran smiled, "The second project is the development of two weapon systems meant to protect us from groups with malicious intentions. The first is called a lightning cannon and is capable of firing projectiles at targets up to fifty kilometers away. The system can accurately track hostile targets, and the projectiles will include piercing, explosive, toxic, void, and other types of ammo."

He directed their attention to a video of him shooting at several targets using a miniature version of the weapon.

"The second weapon is for encounters at a shorter ranges, the sunburst beam. Normal light is concentrated into a destructive weapon that can easily burn through most targets", he continued.

He sent another command to his tablet, and the scene changed again, once again displaying Huoran pointing at a thick metal plate and a hole appeared in the center of the target.

"I will send a copy of all the videos to the ministry chat group", Huoran said, "If possible, I hope to create these and never use them, but I heard from the Market Square that a large number of organizations will visit soon. As knowledge of this place spreads, we will most likely face attacks."

Wu was confused and asked, "Why do you think we will be attacked?"

"Tell me, when you lived in a village before, what would happen to merchants that transported goods in and out?", Huoran inquired.

Wu thought about for a second before understanding his point, "Bandits would target merchants or convoys that they deemed vulnerable."

"Exactly, someone or some group will see the people traveling here, and I guarantee that when they receive word of what's available, one of them will decide to test how powerful our defense is", Huoran explained, "With the addition and assistance of these new long range surveillance drones, I will be able to demonstrate to our visitors and potential rivals our power."

He sent all the information, videos, and explanations to the ministry, invited them to view the event when he demonstrates their capabilities, and ended the meeting with Ministers Wu and Fu.

Over the next few days, Wei Huoran used new earth techniques he had created himself to dig large tunnels from Market Square to the ocean. The excess dirt was added to the secret realms, the valuable materials stored, and stones were grinded into sand. He used old infused sand that had been in storage for years now to create miles of large reinforced glass pipes and glass panels that would be used for the aquarium. Next, he engraved everything with arrays that protected it from damage, self cleaned the glass, infused more Qi into the water, and created a slow current when water passed though. He installed everything underground and then proceeded to build the aquarium in Market Square in a large empty plot of land a few blocks away from the city center. After speaking with a few businesses, he routed the pipes in a way that they could take advantage of the view. Finally, he went into the ocean and took large amounts of coral, seaweed, and rocks to decorate the large water tanks. He installed cameras near the pipes and tanks and had the security control room monitor them.

The next day in front of the entrance of the aquarium, Wei Huoran and Minister Song with his staff stood in front of a large crowd of people.

"Welcome everyone, today will be the opening of a new type of experience", Song announced to the crowd, "This 'aquarium' might seem odd now, and even I am not sure what to expect. I have been informed that for people with water attributes, you have the possibility of gaining some enlightenment by viewing it. Others might enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, or the opportunity to view sea creatures and monsters you would never encounter in your lifetime. At this time, please enter and proceed to the large glass tanks to watch as water from the sea fills them."

The people in attendance entered, found their spots, and after fifteen minutes, everything was ready.

Song announced, "As everyone can see all the tanks are currently empty and will take some time to fill, but worry not. If you direct your attention to the walls you will see screens. Cameras have been installed underground with the pipes so that you won't miss spotting a rare creature. Do not worry for your safety, all beings that enter the tank will be suppressed and unable to cause harm. And now the moment you been waiting for, in three, two, one, start."

Minister song activated the array, and all the screens powered on. The arrays stopping water from entering the pipes deactivated and water rushed into the system. A few minutes after the start, water reached the tanks and poured in, filling the tanks. An hour later, the tank was filled and people watched as the coral and seaweed that swayed with the slow current was joined by schools of fish. Most were small, but presented a wide range of colors and patterns such as spots and stripes. The reaction from the observers were varied, the cultivators sensitive to water Qi were excited as they felt a connection here, some were viewing and enjoying the experience, and others were happy to see the opening of the aquarium but were ready to leave. News of the aquarium spread and it never lacked of visitors, becoming the favorite spot for water element cultivation, children, and dao couples. Many even enjoyed the experience of the restaurant located inside the aquarium, where the ceiling and walls were water tanks and you could enjoy a meal while watching a shark swim by or a thorny starfish clinging to the wall. Overall the aquarium was well received by the residents and Wei Huoran hoped that when the next guests arrived, they would enjoy it as well.

This morning found Wei Huoran at the edge of the island as he was installing the lightning cannons and sunburst beam arrays. For the last week since opening the aquarium, Huoran had been working by installing these artifacts and arrays in preparation to defend the island.

"Xiao Ran, where did you get the idea for weapons such as these?", Quanliyan inquired of Huoran.

"They were both reactions I noticed during the process of simulating rune formulas and array formations", Huoran replied, "You are with me watching what I do, it seems weird to me that you asked."

If Quanliyan had a human body, he would looked embarrassed, "It's just that most of what I do is collect information, but I have never had seen someone use simulation space the way you do. Most people just use me to find a few successful refinements and most of the information I collect is through observation and my detection abilities. I never had someone who is as meticulously as you."

What Huoran didn't want to tell Quanliyan was that he based the lightning cannon off the rail gun and the sunburst beam was a laser he had adapted from his previous life. The first few positions took some time to install but as he got used to it, he could install everything quicker over time. Just as he was installing the last position, he got a notification from his long range sensor drone. The guests he had been expecting were about to arrive.