Chapter 856: Somewhat Upstaging the Host

They had only expected to watch a spectacle, but it turned out to be quite an event. None of the surrounding aquatic creatures planned to intervene now. At the Dragon Transformation Feast, apart from paying respects to the Tongtian River Dragon Palace and getting acquainted with various aquatic clans, the rest was merely a symbolic meal. A bit of entertainment was certainly welcome.

Everyone outside was enjoying the show, especially Xiezhi. Inside the small, designated barrier, Hu Yun was terribly nervous, too preoccupied to complain about his opportunistic master or appeal for help from his surroundings.

Subtly, Hu Yun had come to realize that his opportunistic master's cultivation was certainly far superior to that of the surrounding aquatic creatures. The barrier he had set would not be lifted unless Hu Yun met the stipulated conditions. Therefore, his best option was to hold out long enough, or perhaps even attempt to defeat the demon opposite him.

Indeed, Hu Yun had never raised a hand against anyone, and he certainly wouldn't dare to confront a formidable demonic man. However, in his current predicament, simply evading was proving too exhausting.

Hu Yun was very flustered. He had never believed he could defeat the monster before him, so when he acted, while not unleashing all his capabilities, he opted for what he perceived as his most potent techniques.

The result was a display of exquisite and unique divine illusion. His phantom instantly morphed into golden armor, and the explosive power startled the charging demon.

Thud...

The golden-armored divine general immediately seized the demon's hands. In the instant the demon was stunned, the general's formidable power erupted. A knee strike forced the bile from the demon's stomach, followed by an elbow strike to his face, dislodging several teeth.

Thud...

The demon crashed against the edge of the small barrier, shook his head, and immediately regained his senses. He looked up, his eyes meeting a colossal, golden-armored fist rapidly closing in.

“Stop! Wait—”

Thud...

The demon spoke a moment too late, taking a direct punch to the face that dislodged several scales before he was sent flying again. At that instant, Hu Yun also made his phantom halt.

Huff... huff... huff...

The expenditure of demonic power was secondary; Hu Yun's entire body was currently in a state of extreme exhilaration, as he steadily regulated his breathing.

“Are you done fighting?”

“You scoundrel... I...”

The man, now fully alert, felt his demonic energy fluctuate wildly. He desperately wanted to tear apart the fox demon, but seeing the four tails behind his opponent and sensing the fearsome aura of a true divine guardian general emanating from the golden-armored, red-faced figure, his heart pounded with trepidation.

“Hahahahaha... Excellent, excellent! Much faster than I anticipated! Remember this: you are perfectly capable of handling demons of this caliber. How can my disciple be afraid to even lay a hand on someone?!”

Xiezhi burst into laughter as he stood up, setting his wine flask on the table behind him. Without any discernible movement from him, the small barrier confining Hu Yun and the demon vanished.

Xiezhi took a single stride and was beside Hu Yun, patting his head before turning with a smile towards the resentful demon.

“It's nothing, nothing. Getting hit a few times will actually benefit you. You can go to the Tongtian River Dragon Palace, find the Ying family, and explain what happened between you and this little fox today. You're guaranteed to receive compensation; you won't be at a disadvantage.”

The demon snorted coldly but remained silent. He couldn't possibly agree to everything the other party said, yet it was clear he couldn't overpower them at the moment. A wise man knows when to bide his time, so he decided to temporarily suppress his anger.

Xiezhi, grinning, pulled the excited Hu Yun, ready to depart. Hu Yun collected himself, made an apologetic bow to the beaten demon, and then followed Xiezhi away.

“Come on, let's go find another easy target to pick on!”

Xiezhi completely disregarded the thoughtful or angry gazes around him, leading a mortified Hu Yun as if they were passing through an empty space. The beaten demon behind them simply glared viciously at their retreating backs, contemplating how to exact his revenge.

It was then that a prolonged dragon's roar suddenly echoed from afar.

“Roar—!”

The dragon's roar carried a powerful draconic might that traveled along the currents of the Tongtian River, causing countless aquatic creatures along its banks to tremble.

“It's Lady Ying!” “Lady Ying is returning!”

“A Chi Dragon in its true form!”

“We are fortunate enough to behold Lady Ying's dragon form.”

All the aquatic creatures instinctively looked into the distance; even the one who had just been beaten set aside his temporary anger.

The currents of the Tongtian River surged, and even beneath the surface, the river swayed. The true dragon arrived faster than any of the aquatic creatures had anticipated.

“Roar—!”

The second dragon's roar was extraordinarily loud, as if celestial thunder had detonated in their ears. Then, a streak of crimson, draped in a glassy sheen, parted the boundless river water overhead and swam by. A magnificent Chi dragon, shimmering with brilliant hues, twisted its body and swayed its tail as it passed over the heads of all the aquatic creatures.

At that moment, all the aquatic creatures spontaneously cupped their hands and bowed to the passing dragon. Even Hu Yun hastily bowed in salute. Xiezhi, however, did not bow, making his presence particularly noticeable.

“Heh, the Dragon Transformation Feast is truly about to begin now! Come on, let's go. Next time I'll take you to find an opponent; we need to get to the main hall of the Dragon Palace right away!”

At this point, Xiezhi had lost his playful mood. He grabbed Hu Yun's hand, leaped out of the riverbed's bubble barrier, and swiftly moved through the water outside, heading directly towards the Dragon Palace.

The beaten demon glared resentfully at the two figures receding into the river currents outside, muttering under his breath about not pursuing the matter for now out of respect for Lady Ying, and that he would never let it rest.

As the Chi dragon passed, thousands of aquatic creatures bowed in reverence. Carrying immense draconic energy and boundless might, Ying Ruoli swam into the Dragon Palace in her true form. Only upon reaching the main hall did she transform into a woman clad in an ornate red brocade gown and a golden silk crown. It was Ying Ruoli, more radiant and dignified than ever before.

“Greetings, Lady Ying!”

The Yaksha and fish maidens outside the main hall all bowed. After Ying Ruoli nodded, she entered the main hall. All the Dragon Clan of the Four Seas, except for the Dragon Sovereigns, rose and offered a grand salute.

“Greetings, Lady Ying!”

Ying Ruoli first bowed to her father, then one by one to the surrounding Dragon Sovereigns. With the exception of Old Dragon Ying Hong, all other Dragon Sovereigns returned her salutations with equal courtesy.

“Father, I succeeded!”

“Hahahaha, excellent! Please, have a seat here!”

The dragon maiden was the guest of honor today. Beside the Old Dragon's table, an empty table had been prepared for her. Without hesitation, the dragon maiden approached the table, gracefully swept aside the sleeve of her long gown, and settled generously into her seat.

The Old Dragon smiled, clapped his hands, and addressed those around him.

“The Dragon Transformation Feast may now begin! All honored guests, please take your seats!”

The Old Dragon's voice resonated throughout the Tongtian River Dragon Palace, both inside and out, signaling the official commencement of the Dragon Transformation Feast. Far more aquatic creatures from the Dragon Palace than before appeared in various areas of the palace and beyond the bubble barriers of the riverside banquet, all bearing fine wines and delectable dishes. Additionally, numerous Dragon Palace creatures went to invite guests who had been resting to take their seats.

With the feast officially underway, the main hall of the Dragon Palace was no longer solely a place for the Four Seas Dragon Clan to converse. All guests of significant status and position would be invited to the main hall.

Meanwhile, at the Dazhen diplomatic mission's quarters, a Yaksha knocked on the door and then respectfully announced from outside.

“Lord Yin, Lady Ying has returned, and the Dragon Transformation Feast has begun. Please, everyone, follow me to the main hall of the Dragon Palace for your seats!”

The officials and Heavenly Masters inside the room instantly became tense. Zaoniang, who had been holding her sword and reading one of Yin Qing's personal books, also rose upon hearing the news.

“There's no need to be afraid. Sir will also be there. Just sit next to him.”

“Oh, Fairy Zaoniang, these seats aren't something we can choose.”

“Indeed.”

“Alright, alright, quickly tidy up your attire. Let's not keep the Dragon Sovereign waiting.”

Yin Zhaoxian gave the command, and everyone began to adjust each other's attire. As they opened the doors to the resting hall, their nervousness and unease were suppressed, and they resumed the solemn, dignified appearance of Dazhen imperial officials.

Zaoniang and Yin Qing emerged together, and Zaoniang immediately addressed the Yaksha.

“Can we sit with Sir? Sir Ji, that is.”

“Uh, well... all seats are pre-arranged. Sir Ji is designated for the seat of honor on the right... Please, Fairy Zao, don't make things difficult for this humble servant.”

Zaoniang frowned slightly and could only join the others for now.

Upon reaching the main hall of the Dragon Palace, they encountered numerous guests arriving for the banquet. Some were resplendent with divine light, others exuded an ethereal aura. Among them were immortals from Jade Embrace Mountain, immortal cultivators from the Qianyuan Sect, City Gods from the surrounding capital prefecture, and even some ghost cultivators who, though appearing spectral, possessed a remarkably clear Yin energy, such as ghostly civil officials and generals...

For some reason, in this particular setting, it seemed even mortals could perceive the auras of the guests. The Dazhen officials felt their backs grow warm, forcing themselves to maintain composure. Little did they know, however, that many of the surrounding guests were also paying close attention to the Dazhen delegation. Yin Zhaoxian's aura of righteous might shone brilliantly like a full moon, impossible to overlook, while Yin Qing's aura shimmered with a myriad of colors.

“Sir!”

Zaoniang exclaimed in surprise, drawing the attention of many to the direction she was looking. On one side of the main hall's exterior, Ji Yuan was slowly approaching with a Yaksha.

A significant portion of the guests who had been steadily entering the hall stopped abruptly upon seeing Ji Yuan, their faces alight with either joy or excitement.

Ji Yuan walked closer to the entrance of the main hall. Dazhen officials, Jade Embrace Mountain immortals, Qianyuan Sect cultivators, righteous ghost cultivators from the Underworld Hall, various City Gods and ghost deities, water gods from Dazhen's waterways, high-level aquatic cultivators from inland, righteous land gods attending the feast, true mountain deities...

All of them, without exception, instinctively bowed towards Ji Yuan.

“Sir Ji!” “Greetings, Sir Ji!”

“This humble deity greets Sir Ji!”

“Hello, Sir Ji!”

This spectacle astonished those who didn't know Ji Yuan, surprised those who had only heard his name, and even slightly startled Ji Yuan himself. It was almost as if he were upstaging the host; fortunately, the Ying family were his own people.

Naturally, Hu Yun, who had arrived just then with Xiezhi, was also utterly dumbfounded.

‘Sir Ji is truly incredible!’