Chapter 594: “Welcome Banquet” |
"Alright."
Ning Qi only needed to take a look to understand the situation.
This place was clearly arranged for people to appreciate the garden scenery.
The layout was quite thoughtful.
"Young Master Ning, we'll come call for you later."
The maidservant gave Ning Qi a brief introduction, then took her leave and departed.
Ning Qi then stored away the token she gave him before leaving; it was obviously used for exiting this place.
"Master, this place really is quite nice."
"Compared to the Fang Sword Sect, it's much better."
"Indeed, sometimes what we see may not be real."
"And what we believe is definitely bad may not truly be bad."
Ning Qi nodded, also admiring the beautiful scenery here.
Occasionally, he could see maidservants cleaning the garden through this bronze mirror.
Each one appeared quite busy.
"Master, but we also need to think of a way to pass their information to Miss Xu and the others."
"Otherwise, wouldn't we have come here for nothing?"
The Pill Spirit thought of something and reminded him.
"You've reminded me."
Ning Qi snapped back to attention. "We need to think of a method, otherwise we really can't get out."
"Exactly, they want to keep you protected, that's the troublesome part."
"We showed too much strength from the start."
The Pill Spirit spread his hands, then continued, "But if we hadn't done that, we might not have been able to gain their attention either."
"Similarly, we wouldn't be able to gather any information and might have been treated as Death Servants instead."
This was a dilemma. Ning Qi hadn't expected that he would possess this kind of Demonic Race talent and supernatural ability.
It actually ended up stirring Heaven and Earth Strange Phenomena.
"Truly strange, I only stimulated a bit of Demonic Power."
"How did it trigger Heaven and Earth Strange Phenomena?"
Even now, Ning Qi still hadn't figured out exactly what happened.
"Master, could it be your Chaos Flame?"
The Pill Spirit thought of something and couldn't help but ask.
"Chaos Flame? That's an Immortal Realm flame."
"How could it be connected to the Demonic Race?"
Upon hearing this, Ning Qi shook his head and said, "Regardless, we've successfully infiltrated."
"Next, we'll see how they plan to arrange things."
"If there's an opportunity, we'll find a way to send the message out."
"Right."
"We'll take the lead."
The Pill Spirit nodded vigorously, speaking with conviction.
"I wonder how Xu Qingqiu and the others are doing, whether they've taken this matter seriously."
Ning Qi sighed, shifting his attention forward.
"Master, look, someone is coming."
The Pill Spirit pointed at a bronze mirror and spoke to Ning Qi.
This particular bronze mirror faced the necessary path leading to the pavilion.
Anyone passing by could be seen clearly.
"Oh? It's Lei Shan, but who's that behind him?"
Ning Qi focused his attention on the bronze mirror.
The first person he saw was Lei Shan. Beside him was a young girl.
She appeared graceful and elegant, wearing a light green long dress.
Her long, dark hair fell naturally, her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, resembling a fairy maiden straight out of a painting.
"Wow, I never expected there to be beauties among the Demonic Race."
The Pill Spirit couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"The more beautiful they are, the more careful we must be."
Ning Qi said solemnly.
"Master, they're coming up, I wonder what they want."
The Pill Spirit watched them arrive at the pavilion door, then asked curiously.
"That remains to be seen, we'll just observe quietly and adapt."
Ning Qi shook his head, then snapped back to attention. "Let's see what the chambers here are like."
"Alright!"
After agreeing, the Pill Spirit followed Ning Qi into a chamber.
Inside the chamber, besides the bed, there was also a wardrobe.
Opening it, they found some clothes thoughtfully placed inside, clearly for guests to wear.
In the center, there was also a meditation cushion, obviously for cultivation and seated meditation.
After leaving this chamber, they came to the main hall area.
This place could be used to receive guests.
Further inside was a chamber specifically used for cultivation.
In the center, there was a bronze furnace.
Inside this bronze furnace, Demonic Energy surged from time to time.
"Master, where does the Demonic Energy they cultivate come from?"
The Pill Spirit became curious instead, wanting to check the situation after coming over.
"This is likely refined by their Golden Immortal-level Experts."
"Similar to our pills."
Ning Qi also came over, carefully observing for a while before analyzing.
"That really is possible."
The Pill Spirit nodded, deeply convinced. "They cannot absorb spiritual energy, that's the hardest part."
"We can enhance our strength by absorbing spiritual energy."
"What's so difficult about that?"
"Have you forgotten the Realm Sea is filled with Evil Energy?"
"As long as they go into the Realm Sea, they can refine that Evil Energy at will!"
Ning Qi glanced at the Pill Spirit. "You haven't been to the Realm Sea for a long time, have you forgotten about this?"
"It's the same as us being unable to absorb the Evil Energy within the Realm Sea; we have no advantage there."
"But for Demonic Race people, entering the Realm Sea is like fish entering water."
"Right! How could I forget that!"
Upon hearing this, the Pill Spirit suddenly understood.
"Someone's coming."
Just as Ning Qi was about to say something, he suddenly sensed movement at the door.
"It should be Lei Shan."
Seeing him go out, the Pill Spirit quickly followed.
With just a flash, he directly merged into his dantian, hiding once more.
Meanwhile, Ning Qi had already arrived in the courtyard.
"Creak."
With a sound, the courtyard gate was opened by a maidservant.
Ning Qi looked toward the entrance and indeed saw Lei Shan.
The girl from before was walking beside him.
"Brother Ning, let me introduce you."
Lei Shan entered with a smile first, then proactively introduced, "This is our Clan Leader's daughter, Zhao Zhirou."
"Young Master Ning."
Zhao Zhirou stepped forward, proactively greeting him.
"Miss Zhao."
Ning Qi also politely greeted in return.
The two were now acquainted.
"Brother Ning, we've come to invite you to the banquet."
Lei Shan invited him in a straightforward manner.
"Oh, prepared so quickly."
Hearing this, Ning Qi was somewhat surprised.
They had just arrived not long ago, and it was already prepared.
"Indeed, after our Clan Leader finished handling matters, he wanted to host a welcoming feast for Brother Ning as soon as possible."
Lei Shan laughed heartily, then made way. "Come on, let's talk as we walk."
"Young Master Ning, please."
Zhao Zhirou also stepped aside, proactively inviting Ning Qi to follow.
This was clearly also Zhao Yunze's arrangement, specifically sending his daughter to welcome Ning Qi.
This also counted as giving him plenty of face.
"Please."
Ning Qi didn't hesitate either. After agreeing, he proactively followed.
The three of them left the Sumeru Courtyard together like this.
They soon arrived outside the pavilion, passing through the garden together, heading toward the front courtyard.
"Brother Ning, our Clan Leader actually gave up his seclusion time specifically to feast you."
"This lets us benefit too."
Lei Shan spoke teasingly as they walked. "Usually, we almost never see the Clan Leader."
"Right, it's been a long time since I've been with my father."
"Let alone sharing a meal."
Zhao Zhirou added as well.
Her tone sounded more like a complaint.
"Is that so? Then I am truly honored."
Hearing them play off each other like this, Ning Qi couldn't very well reject their gesture.
Naturally, he had to echo their sentiment.
"Brother Ning, don't be polite later, we're all one of our own now!"
Lei Shan continued, "Tonight, we won't stop until we're drunk."
"Alright, it's also been a long time since I've tasted delicacies."
Ning Qi nodded, then continued forward with them.
Along the way, they chatted and laughed. After passing through the backyard corridor, they soon reached the front courtyard area.
From here, the aroma of food could be smelled from afar.
Ning Qi followed them further and soon arrived before a main hall.
Inside, the sounds of talking and laughter could already be heard.
"Clan Leader, Brother Ning is here."
As soon as Lei Shan stepped forward, he said respectfully.
"Good, good, please come in quickly."
Zhao Yunze's voice soon followed.
He personally came to the door to welcome Ning Qi.
This made Ning Qi feel somewhat overwhelmed by the favor.
"Senior, you are too kind."
He hurried forward, adding.
"Ah~ You are a distinguished guest, we naturally must entertain you properly."
Zhao Yunze waved a hand, then pulled Ning Qi into the main hall.
At this moment, a dining table was placed in the center.
Steaming hot dishes were arranged on top.
Several people were already seated at the table, clearly all trusted confidants of the Zhao Family.
"Let me introduce you, this is Zhao Tianlei, my eldest son."
Zhao Yunze directly introduced to Ning Qi.
Before him was a burly youth with a face full of rough features.
Although he bore some resemblance to Zhao Yunze, he appeared fiercer.
"Brother Zhao."
Ning Qi nodded in acknowledgment, simultaneously clasping his fists in greeting.
"Brother Ning."
Zhao Tianlei also stood up, responding.
"This is my second son, Zhao Tiancang."
Zhao Yunze introduced again to Ning Qi.
"Brother Ning, I've long heard of your great name."
Zhao Tiancang also stood up, greeting Ning Qi.
"Everyone, you flatter me."
Ning Qi simultaneously clasped his fists, saying with a smile.
"Come, let's not stand on ceremony, sit and talk."
Only after Zhao Yunze finished the introductions did he invite everyone to sit down.
After Ning Qi also took his seat, Zhao Yunze raised his wine cup once more.
Everyone else followed suit.
"Come, let's drink a cup with Young Friend Ning."
"Welcome him to join us."
Zhao Yunze raised his cup, then invited everyone to toast together.
"Brother Ning, welcome."
"Welcome."
...
Several people raised their cups one after another, then drank a cup with him.
After downing his cup, Ning Qi said with a smile, "Thank you, everyone. Being able to come to your esteemed place is an honor."
"That's not right."
"This will be your home from now on too."
Zhao Yunze said with a smile, "From now on, we are one of our own."
"Right, we'll be one of our own from now on."
Lei Shan added as well.
If not for Ning Qi, he would have no place at this dining table.
Now, because of Ning Qi, he had this opportunity.
Naturally, he had to thank Ning Qi.
As Ning Qi's guide, his contribution was indispensable.
"Young Master Ning, I offer you a toast."
At this moment, Zhao Zhirou proactively raised her cup, speaking to Ning Qi with a smile.
"Alright!"
Ning Qi didn't hesitate either, following up by downing his drink in one go.
"Brother Ning, impressive capacity."
Zhao Tianlei also raised his cup simultaneously. "Come, I also offer you a toast. From now on, we are brothers."
"Alright!"
This time, Ning Qi still accepted all comers. He raised his cup and then downed it in one go.
"Young Friend Ning, come, don't just drink, try our delicacies."
"These are all rare delicacies you can't taste outside."
Zhao Yunze proactively served dishes to Ning Qi while boasting, "These are all delicacies we obtained from the Immortal Realm, transported back after a long and arduous journey."
"Oh? These are Immortal Realm Spirit Vegetables?"
Only then did Ning Qi focus his attention on the food.
Previously, he had been busy with toasts and hadn't paid attention to these Spirit Vegetables.
Now he finally had time to investigate.
"Indeed, try how they taste."
Lei Shan also added.
"Truly delicious, unique and different."
Ning Qi took a bite and praised.
"Then eat more."
Zhao Yunze laughed heartily, then continued, "Everyone, eat, don't stand on ceremony."
"Alright!"
"Then I won't be polite either."
Several people began tasting the delicacies like this.
Everyone raised cups and exchanged toasts, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Young Friend Ning, what are your plans next?"
When everyone had eaten their fill, Zhao Yunze suddenly thought of something and asked with a smile.
"I plan to continue venturing into the Realm Sea."
"Only by doing so can I continuously improve my strength."
Ning Qi thought for a moment and said directly.
This was a good opportunity, at least a chance to connect with the outside world.
Otherwise, it would truly be as the Pill Spirit said: they would be trapped here.
Then this trip would have been completely meaningless.
"Oh, going to the Realm Sea?"
"You're going to the Realm Sea Battlefield?"
Hearing him say this, Zhao Tianlei immediately became interested. "We're also going there, but we won't depart for a few more days."
"You're also going to the Realm Sea Battlefield?"
Ning Qi snapped back to attention, showing a curious expression.
It was also the Realm Sea Battlefield. The people from the Myriad Swords Sect and the Immortal Realm would go there.
Didn't that mean they might engage in battle?
"Indeed, we need to contain the Immortal Realm people while also clearing out our own battlefield."
"Additionally, there are ancient inheritances there; we can't leave them all for the Immortal Realm people."
"After going, we'll have to snatch them from each other."
Zhao Yunze nodded, saying meaningfully, "If we can encounter an ancient inheritance, especially one from our Demonic Race, then this trip won't be in vain."
"However, the chance of encountering such inheritances isn't high. Over so many years, they've already been thoroughly scavenged."
"Some might not even have a chance to emerge before being destroyed."
"So that's how it is."
Ning Qi suddenly understood.
Actually, their purpose in going anywhere was the same: for inheritances and resources.
Otherwise, who would take such risks?
"Brother Ning, if you want to go, we can go together when the time comes!"
Zhao Tiancang looked at Ning Qi and continued, "As long as we go, we'll definitely have a chance to obtain an inheritance."
"Master, what should we do? Your words have gotten us into trouble."
Hearing their invitation, the Pill Spirit couldn't help but feel nervous.
If they went with them, how would they act if they encountered people from the Immortal Realm and this realm?