Chapter 127: True Dragon Longevity Banquet

The question Ying Ruoli asked seemed to no longer require Ji Yuan's answer; the automatic reaction of the Azure Vine Sword was enough to explain it.

Ji Yuan looked at the River God Maiden and still politely replied.

"It is indeed a celestial sword."

Ji Yuan wasn't surprised by the dragon maiden's question. Demonic creatures rarely paid attention to external objects, and the birth of a spirit within a celestial artifact was incredibly difficult. Sentience and full spiritual embodiment were two different concepts. Even true cultivators of the Dao rarely had opportunities to fully grasp its principles, let alone others. Even the dragon maiden herself had seldom genuinely seen a true celestial artifact.

"Uncle Ji, how did you and my father meet? It's rare that he would insist on inviting you here without reservation. With so many aquatic demons, aren't you, as a cultivator, a bit uncomfortable?"

The dragon maiden was different from ordinary demons. As the true deity of Tongtian River, she held a revered divine position, which was likely why she was seated at the table next to Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan listened to the dragon maiden's words, noting the subtle glances directed his way around the hall, and nodded in profound agreement.

"It is indeed a bit uncomfortable, but not out of dislike. It's the pressure! My presence here feels like it's taken nearly half the attention away from your father, the guest of honor. Eating with so many people staring at you – how could it not be awkward?"

The term "gaze of attention" was novel but easy to understand. Uncle Ji's blunt honesty was amusing, and the dragon maiden found it quite funny, realizing he was right.

"As for how we met, it was just a chance encounter in the rain where we chatted for a bit and shared some dates."

"That's it?"

The dragon maiden looked at Ji Yuan in surprise, and he simply smiled.

"That's exactly how simple it was!"

Having said that, Ji Yuan focused on the delicacies. Eating food underwater was a first for him in both his lives. As his chopsticks touched a floating meatball, it immediately became encased in bubbles. When he brought it to his mouth, the bubbles detached and rose with the current, making it look as if Ji Yuan was blowing bubbles underwater. The meatball itself, as he chewed it, was tender, flavorful, and steaming hot. With the added novelty of the setting, it was both delicious and entertaining.

Pouring a cup of wine from the pot was a similar experience. While it contained a trace of spiritual energy upon close taste, Ji Yuan still felt that, purely in terms of its essential flavor, it wasn't as good as Qianrichun. Of course, it was certainly stronger than ordinary wine.

The music in the palace was played by water chimes, their "ding-dong, ding-dong" melodies accompanying the graceful singing and dancing in the center of the hall. The demonesses' dances were highly artistic and visually captivating, exhibiting a rich sense of rhythm and beauty in their movements. Several of the dance pieces left Ji Yuan deeply impressed, much like when, in his previous life, he, originally uninterested in classical dance, first saw "The Jade Maiden Dance" online and realized for the first time how stunning classical dance could be.

It was the combination of strength, grace, and beauty in these dances, with every movement perfectly timed to the music, that kept the banquet from being dull. While enjoying the performances, aquatic creatures around them were also toasting each other and chatting. Some emboldened guests even approached the main table to offer the old dragon a private toast and congratulations. The old dragon accepted every toast, drinking with anyone who offered and smiling at anyone who flattered him.

Meanwhile, the dragon maiden quietly introduced each toasting guest to Ji Yuan, including various lake gods and river lords from the Great Zhen territory, as well as water spirits and demons from other lands. Throughout the banquet, large fish swam among the dancers, delivering new dishes or collecting empty plates.

Prince Ying Feng, on behalf of his father, went to toast various aquatic creatures and liven the atmosphere. When he reached the table of the Heavenly Water Lake Flood Dragon, four or five transformed water demons were already gathered there, drinking and chatting. Upon seeing Ying Feng, they quickly called him over.

"Prince Ying Feng, you've come at the perfect time! Come, come, quickly join us!"

The Heavenly Water Lake Flood Dragon, who had taken the form of a middle-aged man with a handsome beard, pulled Ying Feng to sit down. Several demons gathered in a semicircle around two conjoined tables.

"Your Highness, we dare not ask the Dragon Lord, but please tell us, who is that person sitting next to the River God Maiden?"

Ying Feng instinctively glanced back at Ji Yuan, who was calmly drinking and picking food from a distance, seeming out of place amidst the lively singing and dancing in the hall. He only responded when his sister occasionally spoke to him. Ying Feng then looked at his father, who was watching the dancers in the center and nodding in appreciation, before turning back to his familiar friends and saying:

"This person is named Ji Yuan. I don't know where he cultivates, but he's one of my father's closest new acquaintances from recent years. His whereabouts are incredibly elusive; my father searched for him for three full years just to invite him to this banquet!"

The demons exchanged glances, some in disbelief.

"The Dragon Lord himself searched for him for three years before finding him?"

The Heavenly Water Lake Flood Dragon, named Gao Jue, looked towards Ji Yuan and asked another question.

"Your Highness, do you know the depth of this person's cultivation?"

Ying Feng looked at the six or seven faces around him and drained his cup.

"My father told my sister and me to call him 'Uncle Ji.' What do you think that means?"

At this, the few seated guests were truly speechless. Looking at Ji Yuan again, although he still seemed entirely like a mortal scholar, the more they looked, the more unfathomable he appeared.

Ying Feng seemed to have had a bit too much to drink today, as he quietly beckoned for a few of them to lean closer.

"Alright, pay attention and keep your minds clear, then look carefully at that person's back!"

Hearing the prince's warning, the aquatic demons settled their minds and carefully observed the area behind Ji Yuan again. Upon closer inspection, a faint, ethereal outline hovered there, which, after a few more breaths, revealed itself to be a long, sheathed blue sword. What was particularly remarkable was that the sword's hilt resembled intertwining green vines, lush and vibrant.

Crucially, this sword had no magical or spiritual connection to Ji Yuan himself, yet it would occasionally turn and move on its own, as if observing the strange and wonderful birthday banquet.

"Is this... a celestial sword?"

Ying Feng nodded and said:

"It barely leaks any sword intent and conceals its spiritual presence on its own. On the eve of the banquet, my father privately mentioned that this sword, once unsheathed, would wield earth-shattering power."

With things explained to this extent, there seemed to be no further need to elaborate on the cultivation level of the only non-demon guest. Furthermore, being able to be so intimately acquainted with the Dragon Lord and invited to his banquet certainly implied that he was a true Daoist cultivator who did not discriminate against demons. This sparked other ideas among several of the seated demons.

Seeing the flickering glances of some of them, Prince Ying Feng seemed to understand what they were thinking.

"Hehehe... are some of you perhaps hoping to seek 'the Immortal's Guidance'?"

"The Immortal's Guidance" refers to an occasion when cultivators — whether demons, ghosts, humans, or deities — encounter a true immortal of profound Daoist attainment, allowing them to "seek the Dao" and receive valuable insight. If successful, such guidance often proves immensely beneficial for their future cultivation. In reality, such highly accomplished individuals are often quite approachable; if they are in a good mood, offering a word of guidance isn't impossible. The biggest challenge is simply encountering them.

Transformation is not the end goal for demonic creatures; rather, it's merely a beginning, providing a better foundation for cultivation but not guaranteeing a smooth path thereafter. Therefore, even high-level demons, given the opportunity and absence of conflict, would wish to inquire about the Dao. However, the perceived "immortals" vary among demons based on their cultivation levels, with the "immortals" seen by untransformed spirits possibly being insignificant to some greater demons.

Seeing that no one spoke, Ying Feng said with a hint of seriousness:

"I advise you all to put that thought aside for now. If you're fated to meet him later, that's your business. But now, it's my father's birthday banquet, and it's simply not appropriate..."

"Haha, Your Highness is right!" "Indeed, Prince Ying Feng is absolutely right!"

"How could we be so presumptuous, hahaha..." "Let's drink, let's drink!"

"Look at the dance, look at the dance! These dancers are still so beautiful!"

As the birthday banquet progressed, Ji Yuan had long since relaxed. Thankfully, no one tactlessly jumped out to question "what right this human had to sit there," as the true dragon's might was no laughing matter. He was slightly curious that he hadn't seen the Dragon Queen throughout the long celebration, but he wouldn't ask about something if others didn't bring it up.

Apart from enjoying the singing, dancing, and food, a large part of Ji Yuan's attention was on a person in the corner of the main hall. This individual sat there with a solitary expression, drinking alone, neither eating nor engaging in conversation with others. Even if someone spoke to him, he showed little reaction, at most offering a perfunctory reply. He wasn't watching him because of his uniqueness, but because Ji Yuan recognized him: he was Bai Qi, the River God of Chunmu River.

This old flood dragon's cultivation was definitely among the top in the main hall, second only to the true dragon. His depression from two failed attempts at dragon transformation was likely especially pronounced at a true dragon's birthday banquet, causing him to withdraw completely. Combining the contents of "Legends of the Heterodox Dao" with the scene he witnessed earlier in Chunhui Prefecture, Ji Yuan had his own assessment of the old flood dragon.

The dragon maiden's task for the day was to look after Ji Yuan, so she naturally paid close attention to "Uncle Ji." Following his gaze, she found the seat of the white flood dragon.

"Mr. Ji, do you know the River God of Chunmu River?"

The dragon maiden asked. Ji Yuan considered that Chunmu River was a major river with many temples dedicated to its god, so saying he knew him seemed fine. He nodded without hesitation.

"Dragon transformation is arduous. This white flood dragon serves as a cautionary tale for those of us who are flood dragons. If I ever reached his state, I'd certainly feel worse than death..."

The dragon maiden spoke from the heart. As her cultivation deepened, she even felt a sense of dread towards dragon transformation.

Ji Yuan's spiritual sight widened, allowing him to perceive the changes in the dragon maiden's aura. Her state of mind was clearly not right. As the daughter of a friend, a word of encouragement was necessary.

"Heh, everyone knows dragon transformation is perilous, yet everyone covets the freedom of a true dragon. Nothing in this world is perfect; it's true for mortals and for cultivators. If one doesn't have the heart to bravely advance and commit fully, what's the point of desiring the body of a true dragon?"

As Ji Yuan spoke, he looked towards the white flood dragon.

"This white flood dragon has abundant spirit, but he used the wrong methods. In my opinion, even now, his condition is not incurable. River God Maiden, if you don't even have the heart to challenge yourself, how can you be worthy of being a true dragon's daughter?"

Ying Ruoli, the dragon maiden, looked at Ji Yuan with a hint of surprise, not because of the profound wisdom in his words, but because "Uncle Ji" seemed to believe the old white flood dragon still had a chance.