Hearing this,
Jiang Yuechu raised her eyebrows slightly.
To live off a woman to such an extent, this Immortal Lord Guanlan could be considered a rare talent.
As Uncle Xun reached this point, his voice gradually trailed off.
After what had just happened, he no longer had any desire to offer birthday congratulations.
If the top beam is crooked, the lower ones will be as well; if the lake-patrolling imps under him dared to suck people dry so blatantly, how could the high-and-mighty Immortal Lord Guanlan be any good?
But now that the flying boat had reached this point, they weren't far from Guanlan Island.
Firstly, this was a strict order from the head of the Xu Family; if they turned back halfway, how could he explain it to the family?
Ultimately,
he was just a servant... how could he make decisions for his masters?
Secondly...
Uncle Xun quietly looked up, glancing at the girl with conflict in his eyes.
Her intent... she was clearly quite interested in this so-called Immortal Lord's birthday celebration.
If they turned the boat around now...
Forget it.
It's just a Beast's birthday, what is there to fear!
If we go, we go!
With that thought,
Uncle Xun swallowed hard and, bracing himself, moved half a step closer.
"Senior..."
"This old Man knows that your background is extraordinary, Senior, so you naturally wouldn't fear that Immortal Lord Guanlan."
"It's just..."
"Immortal Lord Guanlan is backed by the Southern Immortal Palace after all. For today's banquet, all sorts of great demons will surely gather on the island; it's truly a dragon's den."
Uncle Xun was all smiles, his tone bordering on pleading.
"If you accompany us onto the island, Senior, I hope you can restrain your sharp edge a little."
"If you encounter any blind fools on the island or hear any unpleasant nonsense, please endure it for a moment, Senior, and do not be in a hurry to settle scores with them."
After the old Man finished speaking, a layer of cold sweat had already broken out on his back.
He was terrified that some part of his speech might be too blunt and provoke this living ancestor.
Jiang Yuechu tilted her head.
Seeing the old Man's trembling state,
she naturally understood what he was afraid of.
It was nothing more than fearing she would lose her temper, go on a killing spree in someone else's territory, and implicate the Xu Family.
However,
she wasn't some Long Aotian.
As long as no one provoked her,
why would she take the initiative to trouble others?
"Understood."
Jiang Yuechu looked away, her tone indifferent.
Hearing this answer,
Uncle Xun felt as if he had been granted a grand pardon and bowed repeatedly.
"Thank you for your understanding, Senior, thank you..."
The old Man wiped the sweat from his brow, turned to walk quickly to the bow, and continued to perform hand seals to drive the flying boat.
The flying boat cut through the thick mist,
heading deeper into the Great Marsh.
...
Deep within the Great Marsh, the mist gradually thinned.
A massive island lay across the myriad waves; a solitary isle standing in the current, its lush greenery touching the clouds.
Pavilions were scattered about, and water pavilions were linked together.
Glazed roof tiles shimmered under the daylight.
Waterfalls cascaded from sheer cliffs, crashing into deep pools.
From time to time, streaks of light pierced the sky.
Some were sharp Flying Swords carrying people on the wind, others were hundred-zhang treasure ships crushing the clouds.
There were even ferocious-looking birds and strange Beasts whistling by on vibrating wings,
all converging toward Guanlan Island.
Driving the flying boat, Uncle Xun slowly landed at a white jade ferry outside the island.
The ferry was decorated with lanterns and streamers.
Red silk was laid out all the way from the foot of the mountain to the pavilions halfway up.
Every ten steps along the way, a fist-sized Water-Repelling Night Pearl was hung.
Radiance intertwined, and auspicious Qi spiraled.
The sounds of chime bells and string and wind instruments drifted with the water breeze.
The scale of the event was truly grand.
Uncle Xun stowed the flying boat and turned to look behind him.
"Senior, we have arrived."
The old Man's voice was low, his words tinged with nervousness.
Xu Linmiao followed behind, his previous liveliness long gone.
He wished he could pull his head into his chest,
not even daring to look around.
Jiang Yuechu stepped off the deck.
Her black robes brushed against the white jade floor tiles.
She looked up, her gaze sweeping over the bustling ferry ahead.
The ferry was crowded with people.
Cultivators and demons from all walks of life gathered together,
yet they were clearly separated.
Those responsible for welcoming guests were all aquatic demons under Immortal Lord Guanlan's command.
Clad in armor and wielding weapons, their Demonic Qi surged to the heavens.
At the head was a Carp Demon with golden scales, sitting boldly in a grand armchair.
Beside him, two Clam Girls were holding a ceremonial umbrella for him.
This Carp Demon only had a cultivation of Denglou Perfection, yet facing the long line of birthday well-wishers, he didn't even bother to lift an eyelid.
"Great Marsh Profound Ice Sect offers one piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Marrow to congratulate the Immortal Lord on his longevity!"
An old Taoist with white hair and beard was all smiles as he handed over a chilling jade box with both hands.
The aura emanating from this old Taoist was surprisingly that of a Chess Player with three stones.
The Carp Demon picked at his nails, his peripheral vision sweeping over the jade box: "Put it there."
His tone was stiff and full of contempt.
Yet the old Taoist didn't dare show the slightest anger.
He bowed and scraped repeatedly, carefully placing the jade box on the gift stand to the side.
Only then did he receive permission to lead his group up the mountain path paved with red silk.
"Great Marsh Chen Family offers..."
"Enough, enough, stop the noise."
The Carp Demon waved his hand impatiently.
"You have the nerve to bring out such trash and embarrass yourselves... If it weren't for the Immortal Lord's kindness, how could you be let in? Leave the items and get up there."
As the head of a prominent family, his face stiffened for a moment upon being scolded like this.
He immediately switched to a fawning smile.
"Yes, yes, thank you for your trouble, My Lord."
Such scenes were constantly playing out at the ferry.
The demons were bossy and overbearing.
The various experts and Sect masters who came to congratulate were all submissive and wore apologetic smiles.
No one dared to show even a hint of anger.
Uncle Xun led Jiang Yuechu and Xu Linmiao, lining up at the back of the queue.
He stole a glance at the Girl in Black Robes beside him.
"Senior, when we reach the front, I will handle the negotiations... please, Senior, do not say a word."
Jiang Yuechu tilted her head, looked at the old Man, and said nothing.
She simply nodded slightly.
The line moved forward slowly.
Powerful auras descended from the surroundings from time to time.
A massive black-feathered goshawk dropped from the sky.
The moment it landed, it transformed into a sinister-looking Man.
This Man didn't even look at the people in line.
He went straight past the long queue and strode up to the Carp Demon general.
The Carp Demon's previously arrogant expression was instantly replaced with smiles.
He stood up abruptly from his armchair.
"So it is Immortal Lord Blackfeather!"
"My Immortal Lord has already given orders that if Immortal Lord Blackfeather arrives, he should be shown directly to the inner hall for a seat of honor!"
The sinister Man snorted and casually tossed a Storage Pouch: "Fine, how could I not know the rules? Take it."
With that, he swaggered up the mountain path.
Uncle Xun watched this and sighed deeply in his heart.
Demons and the Human Race.
Their status in Yunmeng Township was clearly distinguished.
Even though they were both here to offer congratulations,
demons could go directly to the inner hall for seats of honor,
while these Human Cultivators could only stand in the outer courtyard and brave the wind.
However, there were exceptions.
Right at that moment,
high in the sky, a sharp radiance suddenly broke through the clouds without warning.
The aura surged.
The melodious sounds of string, wind, and chime bells around them were cut short by this sharp edge, coming to a sudden halt.
Everyone looked toward the source of the sound.
Three figures descended indifferently from the clouds.