Chapter 435: Preparing to Serve the Meal

"Since we're outside, let's address each other as old friends. Please come inside and sit, Daoist Friend Shen. I'll handle the treasure ship."

Shen Yi gave face, and Liu Qianyun naturally wouldn't slack off either. She stood politely at the bow and began introducing Hongze to Shen Yi.

Wang Yang has the Hidden Dragon, leading the aquatic tribe and controlling both the waters and lands of Hongze.

But this place still falls under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Court.

Therefore, an immortal from the Heavenly Court descended, carrying a divine decree to oversee Hongze. However, the immortal had no interest in mortal affairs, so this place maintained its original state, with the aquatic tribe held in reverence.

The Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong are local titans, protected by seven Greater Dao Earth Immortals, passed down through generations, almost never severed, transcendent and unworldly.

Liu Qianyun is an executor of the Qingyue Sect.

In her words, the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong naturally held a revered status, commanding one region.

Shen Yi and Li Qingfeng listened quietly, occasionally exchanging glances.

Neither was a greenhorn.

It was easy to peel away the exaggeration in Liu Qianyun's words.

No matter how flowery the boasting, it couldn't change the fact that water demons reigned supreme here. Calling it transcendent and unworldly, yet confined to the Yu Nanhong region — it would be more accurate to say they had more than enough to protect themselves, but lacked the strength to expand.

Yet Shen Yi didn't show the slightest hint of contempt.

One had to know that Liu Qianyun had once again mentioned the Heavenly Court, and even spoken of immortals and deities.

She was no mortal, but a formidable cultivator at the third layer of Killed Fanxu.

The "immortal" in the other party's mouth was most likely real.

Being able to have more than enough self-protection in a place overseen by an immortal was already an especially outrageous feat.

"Immortal..."

Shen Yi withdrew his gaze and looked down beneath the treasure ship.

With the augmentation of the Golden Eagle Divine Ability, he finally saw clearly the land below the mist, half water and half land. Verdant and lush, yet one could rarely see any signs of human habitation.

He guessed most lived in Greater Dao treasured lands like the Qingyue Sect.

Even the beings wandering outside found it hard to form any massive faction.

If such an existence truly existed, like a nation such as the Great Qian, able to openly remain outside without being infringed upon, the strength behind it would probably need to be a level higher than the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong.

"The birthday banquet we're attending today is for a rather famous nearby rogue cultivator, called Lingyun Shangren."

"His cultivation is similar to mine. Almost every time he holds a birthday, he sends us an invitation, but no one has ever paid him any attention."

Liu Qianyun covered her mouth and laughed: "It happens that we're free this time, so let's just bring Daoist Friend Shen... Daoist Friend Shen along to take a look."

To be honest, the reason she invited Shen Yi was partly to show off the strength of the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong. Otherwise, given Elder Yang's performance yesterday, she truly feared this group would look down on them.

"..."

Li Qingfeng sat in the corner of the treasure ship like a little quail, not daring to participate in such a conversation at all.

No matter how familiar he was, he didn't dare casually voice his opinion.

Cultivation similar to hers... that meant the third layer of Killed Fanxu.

Within the General Nanyang Sect, an old dog of this cultivation had bullied the human race for nearly a hundred thousand years.

But in Liu Qianyun's mouth, Lingyun Shangren seemed more like a pitiful rogue cultivator, licking his face trying to climb up the branches, yet being completely ignored.

Shen Yi quietly digested this information.

Aquatic tribe reigning supreme... no matter how nicely it was phrased, weren't they still demons? It meant that as long as his strength rose, he would never lack for food.

Still, he had to keep a low profile, make money quietly.

He stared at the waters and lands below, quietly memorizing the route in his mind, so that after a successful hunt in the future, he could find his way back to the General Nanyang Sect.

It had to be said, Yu Nanhong was a bit larger than Shen Yi had imagined.

Also traveling by treasure ship, previously going from the General Nanyang Sect to the Qingyue Sect took only the time of one incense stick, requiring the Killed Fanxu realm to cross. Yet now, two full hours had passed, and they still hadn't reached their destination.

Such a distant place was actually called "nearby."

Just then, Liu Qianyun suddenly interrupted Shen Yi's thoughts, smiling as she pointed to a sapphire-blue lake below: "Daoist Friend Shen, look there. This place is called Zilan Lake, where Baohua Xianzi bathes."

"Next time the day comes, I'll invite you to watch Baohua Xianzi bathe. That's a rare sight indeed."

Suddenly remembering that Shen Yi came from the General Nanyang Sect, Liu Qianyun hurriedly added: "Baohua Xianzi is not of the human race, but of the Hongze aquatic tribe. Now fully grown, she is already a cultivator comparable to Bai Yujing."

"Mm, thank you."

Shen Yi was indeed quite interested. If he could observe it in person, it might deepen his comprehension of the Dragon Leaping Heavenly Female.

As they spoke, the treasure ship suddenly descended.

"Daoist Friend Shen, Lingyun Cave has arrived."

Liu Qianyun tidied her clothes, nodded to Shen Yi, and immediately put on an indifferent expression.

Slowly stepping off the ship, she took out a gilded invitation from her sleeve and tossed it toward the figure at the cave entrance: "A friend and I have come to visit."

Li Qingfeng watched and even felt that if it weren't for the two of them, the other party couldn't even be bothered to say these few words.

But what stunned him even more was the figure at the door — a deer demon over a zhang tall, wearing a Daoist robe, its aura no weaker than his own: "We're... here to celebrate a demon's birthday?!"

Shen Yi also fell silent for a moment, but said nothing more.

Though he was skilled at killing demons, he wasn't a fool. Perhaps out here, the way humans and demons coexisted was different from within the General Nanyang Sect.

He'd better keep observing.

Just then, the deer demon flusteredly bent over to catch the invitation. Hearing Li Qingfeng's muttering, its eyes narrowed slightly, barely concealing the malice within, yet its face still showed immense delight.

It raised its voice and roared: "The immortal of the Qingyue Sect has graced Lingyun Cave with her presence! Quickly, come welcome her!"

Saying so, it had already unhesitatingly knelt on the ground and performed a grand kowtow.

As the deafening shout echoed into the stone mansion — a place of gathered spiritual beauty, adorned with all manner of rare treasures — hurried footsteps sounded one after another, and figures of all strange shapes poured out.

They beamed as they cupped their fists in greeting to Liu Qianyun: "We didn't know the noble Qingyue Sect was arriving. Our welcome fell short, our welcome fell short!"

At the very back of the demon crowd, an even taller sika deer demon stretched its long neck out from its Daoist robe, looking rather comical, yet meticulously tidied its sleeves before cupping its fists: "Executor Liu has arrived. Please, come in."

Liu Qianyun's face was calm, her gaze fixed straight ahead, and she merely gave a faint sound of acknowledgment from her nose: "Mm."

Only then did she step into the Lingyun Cave Abode.

Once she had walked fully inside, the tall sika deer demon wore an expression that seemed to want to laugh yet didn't dare to, its gaze sweeping over the gathered demons as it gave its hem a most dignified pat.

"It's still Brother Lingyun who has the most face. For your birthday celebration, not only did the Hongze Water Clan come to the feast, but even an immortal of Qingyue Sect could be invited—it's simply the envy of us all."

The demons all began to flatter in unison, clustering around it as they followed inside together.

Li Qingfeng counted on his fingers... a full six demon-monsters; aside from the one guarding the door, the rest were all powerhouses on the same level as his master.

In his eyes, those figures chatting and laughing merrily were like gaping maws ready to devour a man, making his scalp crawl.

"I'm suddenly regretting coming here..."

Li Qingfeng forced himself to stand straight, not daring to embarrass Shen Zongzhu.

How could it be that General Nanyang Sect had only one Return-to-Void demon-monster for all these years, yet out here they were swarming in groups?

Of course, complaints were just complaints.

He actually understood clearly that without Steward Liu, these kindly-faced great demons were not existences he could ever have come into contact with.

Just that little deer guarding the door alone could swat him, True Person Qingfeng, dead with a single slap.

Just as he was thinking, that "little deer" had already walked to the treasure ship's side, and though a touch stiff, still politely said on the surface: "You two, please go ahead as well."

According to protocol, once Steward Liu went in, it would certainly have to introduce these two fellow daoists to Immortal Lingyun.

Clearly, the word "demon-monster" Li Qingfeng had just uttered had left it somewhat displeased, which was why it had deliberately ignored the two of them.

"Your esteemed sect's treasure ship can be left to this little cultivator to watch over."

"..."

Shen Yi nodded and stepped toward the cave's interior.

He wasn't used to dealing with people, let alone demons.

Li Qingfeng followed closely behind, trotting with tiny steps, not daring to leave Shen Zongzhu's side by even an inch.

"Tsk."

The little deer demon's paw had only just extended halfway when it saw the two had already stepped into the cave abode; its expression froze for a moment, and it somewhat awkwardly drew its paw back.

Where did these country bumpkins come from—they don't even know this basic etiquette.

A Qingyue Sect steward naturally didn't need to be shown courtesy, but these two—one had just entered Return-to-Void, the other was mid Soul Transformation—and neither wore sect robes, yet they actually looked down on him.

The moment they stepped into that resplendent stone mansion.

Li Qingfeng hadn't yet had time to observe the gorgeous coral furnishings around him when he instinctively sensed something was off about the atmosphere.

He secretly peeked out half a head from behind Shen Yi to look.

He saw Liu Qianyun, as expected, seated in the place of honor, while Immortal Lingyun stood beside her with a face full of ingratiating smiles, asking solicitously after her.

Judging from their expressions alone, one couldn't tell at all that the two were actually cultivators of the same realm.

But the atmosphere was off in another place.

There, a particularly broad stone chair had been specially placed, and squatting on it was a fat toad, draped in a dark green great robe, its rough skin covered in ugly, bumpy pustules.

It clutched a raw lamb leg in its hand; with a slight flick of its tongue, it rolled the meat—skin and all—into its mouth.

It chewed the delicacy with an expressionless face.

Beside the stone table before it sat several wine cups, scattered haphazardly across the surface.

Clearly, someone had just been toasting it.

But now only the cups remained, with no sign of those who had offered the toasts; those figures were all waiting somewhat uneasily behind another table.

Li Qingfeng swept a glance and understood what was going on.

Clearly, this toad was the Hongze Water Clan the demons had mentioned earlier.

Even in Liu Qianyun's mouth, the Water Clan ranked above the Seven Sons of Nanhong... but so it was that the magistrate on the spot outranks the one in the capital.

Being demon-monsters near the sect, they naturally leaned more toward currying favor with Qingyue Sect.

"..."

Shen Yi led Li Qingfeng to sit in a corner, his expression calm, saying nothing.

Watching a whole pile of demon-monsters' lifespans waving right before his eyes, yet unable to reach out his chopsticks to pick any, his mood naturally couldn't be good.

Fortunately, no one paid them any attention.

It saved a lot of trouble.

To make a name in a new place, figuring out the lay of the land was something that had to be done.

Shen Yi picked up his wine cup and silently began observing his surroundings.

"Steward Liu certainly can hold her liquor!"

Amid the clinking of cups, Immortal Lingyun finished offering Liu Qianyun a cup of wine with a beaming smile, and the moment he stood up, his gaze fell on the neglected toad—only to see that seven or eight lamb leg bones had already been messily tossed in front of it.

It suddenly froze, then a cold sweat broke out along its spine—clearly it had realized something.

It had originally assumed that whether it was the Hongze Water Clan or the Seven Sons of Nanhong, whichever side sent someone, it would be enough to give him face before this group of brothers.

It didn't know whether today was lucky or unlucky.

Both sides had actually come.

Looking again at that group of brothers, each and every one wanted to climb Qingyue Sect's tall branch.

Bad, bad, bad... Immortal Lingyun wiped at his sweat, suddenly recalled something, and hurriedly said: "Venerable Bihai, Steward Liu, this little cultivator invited the two of you here not only for the birthday celebration, but mainly because I've newly obtained a jar of fine medicinal brew, and I'd like to ask the two of you to sample it."

"Please, follow me upstairs."

Immortal Lingyun cupped his hands in salute to the two, then hunched his waist and walked toward the stone staircase to lead the way.

Liu Qianyun casually shot Shen Yi a glance.

If it really was good wine, she would certainly have to bring a gourd back for this sect master.

He immediately rose and followed.

When the two reached the second floor, Lingyun Shangren lifted the bead curtain and was about to step inside, but when he lowered his gaze, he saw the toad hadn't moved at all and was still sitting where it was.

"Uh… Senior Bihai…" it stammered, calling out once more.

"You lot go ahead, I'm not interested."

The Bihai toad licked another bite of lamb leg meat, too lazy to even lift its head; its voice was hoarse, yet one could faintly tell it was a female toad.

"What, I can't drink your fine brew alone?" Liu Qianyun glanced sidelong at Lingyun.

If the toad won't drink it, all the better—more left for Shen Yi.

Just as she had said earlier, the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong don't stir up trouble, but they absolutely don't fear it either.

Even the Hongze waterfolk couldn't do anything to her.

But it was a good thing they'd discussed it in advance; otherwise, if Shen Zongzhu had shown up wearing the General Nanyang white robe, that piece of news really would have spread today.

"Look at what you're saying."

Lingyun Shangren sighed, led Liu Qianyun through the bead curtain, into the stone passage, and headed toward the storeroom.

A moment later.

"Tch."

The toad finally let out a cold snort, tossed the lamb leg in its hand onto the table: "Eat, eat, eat—nothing but fat spirit-lamb. Bringing this junk to a birthday banquet and still daring to invite me here—aren't you ashamed to show your face?"

Hearing this, the other four great demons all glanced over with some awkwardness: "After all, we did send an invitation to Qingyue Sect; we can't really serve up a few cultivators. Please be lenient, Senior."

They were all Lingyun Shangren's sworn brothers, so naturally they had to help him explain a little.

But no one expected that once these words were spoken—

Li Qingfeng suddenly clenched his fist and instinctively glanced at Shen Yi beside him: "…"

Only to see Shen Zongzhu's expression unchanged, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

The small movement of the youthful boy, however, drew the toad's attention.

It stared at that fair, rosy-cheeked little face and smacked its lips: "Who's this?"

Hearing the toad's question, the demons exchanged glances and said hesitantly: "Seems like he came with Steward Liu, but he's not wearing sect attire—probably a rogue cultivator."

Steward Liu?

The toad glanced at Shen Yi, and upon sensing his Return-to-Void cultivation, indifferently shifted its gaze away, merely tapping a claw tip toward Li Qingfeng: "Bring him over."

"This…"

Under normal circumstances, the four great demons wouldn't have paid any mind to two rogue cultivators.

But these were people brought by Steward Liu; even if they weren't sect disciples, there was still some connection involved.

"Have you all forgotten what this place is called?"

The Bihai toad seemed to be seizing the pretext, having long been displeased with their earlier action of putting down their cups and turning to leave.

Now it sneered repeatedly, its gaze sweeping over them, sending a chill down the demons' backs.

Yu Nanhong… that was still Hongze.

They slowly rose and walked over to the two rogue cultivators: "Young friend, go over and keep Senior Bihai company—you won't be short on rewards."

Hearing this, Li Qingfeng's face flushed red.

He had no idea how things had suddenly turned into this.

What do you mean, keep it company? That's a goddamn toad!

But looking again at the great demons before him—all Return-to-Void powerhouses—and Steward Liu wasn't here either, he couldn't exactly cause trouble for the Sect Master.

With trembling breath, he stood up… fine, keep it company then, just don't lay a hand on me.

"…"

Shen Yi gave Li Qingfeng a strange glance.

Casually, he reached out and yanked him back.

Before Li Qingfeng could react, the burly bull demon beside them was already getting impatient: "Hey! What's it got to do with you?"

Saying so, it reached straight out toward Li Qingfeng.

The other three demons also closed in around the two of them.

In an instant—

Shen Yi finally set down his wine cup. The instant that thick, sturdy arm reached down, he suddenly spread his five fingers and seized the demon's flesh.

With the augmentation of the Heaven Phoenix Undying True Body, even the golden flame wasn't revealed.

The bull demon's burly body, under that sudden, overwhelming force, staggered—and slammed thunderously onto the table!

Boom—

Shen Yi pressed one hand down on the bull demon's head, pinning it hard against the table.

Even now, he still maintained his earlier calm seated posture; not even the hem of his robe had stirred.

Watching the old bull struggle desperately, the three demons instinctively took a step back.

"…"

The Bihai toad froze for a moment, then stared coldly at Shen Yi.

It finally rose from its stone seat, waddling over like a small mountain of flesh, then waved a hand and yanked the old bull off the table.

It sat itself straight down on the stone table, looking down at the two from above in its hoarse voice:

"What, you planning to swap places with him?"

Augmented by its Return-to-Void third-layer cultivation—

Before Li Qingfeng could react, his entire face had been lapped once by a crimson tongue.

The wet, sticky liquid soaked through his lapels.

He suddenly raised his eyes and glared, gasping for air in great heaving breaths: "Hah... hah..."

But the toad's face was full of greed: "Sweet enough. Come back with me to Bihai Pool as a guest. Once I'm in a good mood, I'll naturally send someone to notify you to come pick him up."

Li Qingfeng gripped his fist tightly, while his other hand could no longer restrain itself and reached toward his waist.

Just then, he was grabbed by Shen Yi and shoved toward the doorway.

Li Qingfeng staggered to his feet, stunned for a moment, and only when he saw Shen Yi also rise and walk toward him did he suddenly realize.

That's right... with the Qingyue Sect here, they actually didn't dare do anything at all. As long as they temporarily avoided the sharp edge and waited for Steward Liu to return, it would be fine.

Truly worthy of being Shen Zongzhu—facing so many demons and monsters, he can still keep his composure, his mind calm.

"Try stepping out of this cave dwelling and see what happens?"

Venerable Bihai the Toad did not rise to give chase, but instead stared at the two with a half-smile.

"..."

Li Qingfeng stared blankly at Shen Yi, only to see the other walk to the cave entrance and then stop.

The Sect Leader didn't seem to want to leave?

Under his gaze, Shen Yi stirred his qi, gripped the two bronze rings, and expressionlessly shut the stone door.

Rumble rumble rumble.

He had thought something would be different, but in fact it was still the same.

Since it was the same, he was far more used to it.

"..."

The corner of Shen Yi's lips curved up in an arc, and he reached out to tear open his collar.

He slowly turned to look at the stunned crowd of demons.

The next instant, a streak of spiritual light darted out from between his brows, transforming into a big yellow dog with a black back, which stalked toward the demons with a fierce grin.

At the same time, golden flames also overflowed from Shen Yi's body, transforming into flowing-gold feathered wings that spread open.

After drinking wine for so long, it's time to eat.

(End of this chapter)