Halfway up the mountain.
A grand villa stood atop the sheer cliff.
White jade paved the ground, and spiritual wood formed the pillars.
Halls and pavilions rose and fell in succession, with Water-Repelling Night-Luminescent Pearls hanging from the eaves; their intertwined radiance illuminated the entire manor with crystal clarity.
The manor was bustling with noise.
As Jiang Yuechu and her group stepped inside, they immediately drew many gazes.
The Xu Family was not unknown in the Fifty Thousand Li Great Marsh.
Furthermore, the destruction of the Canglang Sect over a month ago had severed the Xu Family's backing, causing quite a stir in the area.
Today, the Xu Family's arrival to offer birthday congratulations naturally attracted attention.
However, the scene that met everyone's eyes was somewhat eerie.
Uncle Xun, one of the Chess-Player Four-Piece, was slightly hunched over, intentionally trailing half a step behind the person in the lead.
The young master of the Xu Family was even more withdrawn, following behind like a small chick.
The two of them were extremely uneasy and restrained.
All because of the Girl in Black Robes walking at the very front.
The girl's steps were composed and her expression cold as she strolled ahead with leisure.
What ordinary member of the Human Race would dare act like this here?
She was just like those arrogant demons.
Sensing the inquisitive gazes from all directions, cold sweat faintly broke out on Uncle Xun's forehead.
He knew such behavior would inevitably attract attention.
But how could he dare to neglect the girl beside him?
While he was feeling anxious.
An Elder in Brocade Robes approached with a smile.
"Fellow Daoist Xun, this is..."
Uncle Xun's face tightened as he looked at the newcomer, who was from a family that had long-standing ties with the Xu Family...
He shook his head repeatedly. "Not saying, not saying."
This response.
Left the Elder in Brocade Robes stunned in place, and he withdrew resentfully.
Uncle Xun wiped the cold sweat from his brow, only wishing to quickly find a secluded corner to settle down.
A flowing banquet had already been set up within the manor.
The seating arrangement was strictly demarcated.
The demon side was entirely close to the main hall.
The tables were all carved from red sandalwood, laden with rare treasures and exotic fruits, and the wine pots overflowed with dense Spiritual Qi.
The Human Cultivators, on the other hand, were sent far away to the side tables in the outer courtyard.
The tables and chairs were ordinary, and the wine was weak.
Uncle Xun led Jiang Yuechu to a side table at the edge.
The elder was full of apologies and was about to speak to beg for forgiveness.
Jiang Yuechu raised her hand, stopping the elder's words, and her gaze swept across the rows of tables, landing directly at the very front.
A massive main table was set at the front, surrounded by demons, their Demonic Qi soaring to the heavens.
Yet, three figures were seated at the main table, appearing exceptionally out of place.
Although the surrounding demons looked indignant, not one dared to approach them.
It was the three people she had seen earlier at the ferry crossing...
She hadn't expected them to actually get a seat at that table.
Although she couldn't be bothered to care about others' business.
This behavior, however, diminished her interest in visiting the Dao Sect later.
Noticing the girl's gaze, Uncle Xun leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Senior, those three are from the Jieqing Sect."
"Reasonably speaking, the Nine Great Dao Sects and Yunmeng Palace are like fire and water. Why would the Jieqing Sect send people to celebrate the birthday of a demon affiliated with the Southern Immortal Palace?"
Uncle Xun sighed, his expression filled with loneliness.
The Loose Cultivators of the Great Marsh already survived by relying on the whims of the Dao Sects; for the Dao Sect to act this way was truly a needless blow to the Human Race's integrity...
Jiang Yuechu remained noncommittal.
She silently picked up the cup of weak wine from the table.
Her gaze drifted over the rim of the cup, quietly scanning the many tables.
Yunmeng Township was indeed a place of profound heritage.
Among the hundreds attending the banquet, demons accounted for a full forty percent.
And within that forty percent.
There were nearly ten great demons who had entered the Chess Player Realm.
Jiang Yuechu took a sip of the wine.
Deep within her dark, profound eyes, a faint trace of excitement flickered.
If she could slay all these demons.
How satisfying that would be...
No, no!!!
Jiang Yuechu suddenly shook her head.
Being a newcomer, she couldn't be so flamboyant.
One must be low-key and reasonable; one cannot just kill every demon on sight.
Jiang Yuechu desperately tried to persuade herself, forcibly suppressing that impulse.
Her stunningly beautiful face remained cold and aloof.
Before long.
The sounds of string and wind instruments drifted from the depths of the main hall.
Immortal Lord Guanlan stepped out.
This Carp Demon, rumored to have risen to power by living off a woman, had changed into a Great Red Python Robe today, his face beaming with joy.
Beside him was a woman with a graceful figure.
The woman wore a light veil, her features obscured, and her steps carried a sense of lethargy.
Immortal Lord Guanlan walked to the main table, his gaze sweeping over the three Jieqing Sect Sword Cultivators.
The smugness in his eyes grew even more intense.
The Jieqing Sect had come to offer birthday greetings.
What other demon in the Fifty Thousand Li Great Marsh could have such prestige?
He raised his wine cup and spoke loudly, "I am honored by your presence today at my birthday banquet. The Great Marsh Aquatic Tribe and Cultivators from all sides gathering together is truly..."
His polite clichés went on and on.
Yet the banquet was surprisingly quiet.
No one chimed in.
The Human Cultivators all kept their heads bowed.
After all, although they had some complaints about the Jieqing Sect's actions.
With the Dao Sect's people seated right at the main table, who would have the nerve to flatter a demon in front of them?
And the demons' minds were not on Immortal Lord Guanlan at all.
Pair after pair of eyes glinting with Demonic Qi were staring fixedly at the veiled woman beside the Immortal Lord.
Sensing the awkward silence, Immortal Lord Guanlan's expression stiffened slightly, and he glanced at the woman beside him.
His hand, hidden within his sleeve, silently clenched into a fist.
Fine... just endure a bit longer.
Now that the Jieqing Sect's people had come to his birthday, in time, he might be able to turn the tables and become the master... and trample this woman from the Southern Immortal Palace underfoot.
"Look at my memory."
Immortal Lord Guanlan turned slightly, yielding half a step from the main seat with a respectful demeanor.
"At today's banquet, the Fairy also has a few words she would like to share with our Fellow Daoists."
Hearing this.
The demons quickly pricked up their ears and assumed an attentive listening posture.
Compared to the Dao Sect's attitude toward Loose Cultivators, the Southern Immortal Palace was different...
For them, the loose-cultivating demons, they really helped when things happened!
Moreover, if a mere carp spirit could catch the other party's Dharma Eye... it wasn't impossible for them to win her heart as well.
Hearing this.
The woman simply waved her hand casually, her gaze lazily scanning the room.
"Actually, there's not much to say. You've come a long way, which shows your sincerity. Just eat and drink well."
As soon as she finished speaking.
The demons at the tables rose with a roar.
"May the Little Palace Mistress live for a thousand autumns!"
"To be granted wine by the Little Palace Mistress is truly a blessing from eight lifetimes!"
"If the Little Palace Mistress has any commands, we will not hesitate even in the face of death!"
The sounds of flattery echoed throughout the manor.
The demons looked fanatical, their words earnest.
One who didn't know better would think all the demons present were dog demons...
And among the demons.
There was also a figure that seemed out of place.
Seated opposite the three from the Jieqing Sect, a massive figure was perched there.
It had the head of a catfish, with two long, thick fleshy whiskers hanging over its chest, and its body was covered in slippery black scales.
Its size was so hulking that it occupied two large red sandalwood seats all by itself.
Facing the fanatical cheers of the surrounding demons.
This Catfish Demon was completely oblivious.
Its hands held a bloody animal leg, which it bit and chewed expressionlessly.