Chapter 148.2: Fish-Dragon Banquet

For prodigies like them, the banquet was important. It was a prime chance to build connections.

Just then, Luo Cha whispered in Qi Yuan’s ears, "Fellow Daoist, associating with that kind of person will only ruin your reputation. On the boat, Gao Jien was drained dry by a demon girl.

Haha

, utterly pathetic."

Sneering, Luo Cha walked away laughing.

Qi Yuan looked at Gao Jien and sighed. "Didn’t expect you to look so plain and still catch a demon girl’s interest. You must be well-endowed."

Gao Jien froze.

Is that praise or an insult?

Rogue Immortal whispered, "Senior Brother, Qiyuann Sovereign is very direct. Don’t mind him."

Gao Jien’s mouth twitched. "N-no, it’s fine... let’s go."

The three left for the banquet. Along the way, Gao Jien complained nonstop, mostly about Luo Cha.

Qi Yuan couldn’t help but think of him as a vindictive man.

Must avoid offending someone like him. If you do, you’d better kill him quickly, or he’ll curse your ancestors for generations.

Rogue Immortal kept glancing at Qi Yuan. He hadn’t been online while restoring his senior brother’s qi, so he wasn’t aware of the forum chaos. Curious, he finally asked, "Are you participating in the Eastern Lands Prodigy List?"

Clearly, Iceberg Empress said Qiyuann Sovereign was a top-tier expert. What kind of bigshot joined a young prodigy contest?

Qi Yuan replied casually, "

Mhm

. Of course. My senior brother joined and he’s attending the Fish-Dragon Banquet with someone else."

Rogue Immortal wanted to ask,

Aren’t you a Violet Palace?

Still, knowing Qi Yuan’s brain circuit, he’d probably answer with something like,

I’m a Heavenly Dao class or Immortal Golden Core.

He gave up questioning and simply treated Qi Yuan as a friend he met online.

Qi Yuan sighed. "Pity the Great Sun Flame Emperor and the Iceberg Empress aren’t here. With the Iceberg Empress’s Heavenly Dao class, the Four Divine Flower Emperors would become famous tonight."

He had tucked all traces of killing aura and eerie temperament under his robe.

Rogue Immortal quietly asked, "So, where’s the Blood-Robed Sword God?"

Qi Yuan pointed at himself. "Right here."

Rogue Immortal fell silent, deciding not to think about it anymore.

After half an hour, the three finally arrived near the entrance of the Fish-Dragon Banquet. The banquet was held within the Cloud Court, at the heart of the three hundred li Cloud Lake.[1]

Crossing the lake on immortal boats, they saw a magnificent island and a towering palace. Painted boats glided across the waters, accompanied by songs drifting from afar.

Qi Yuan couldn’t help but exclaim, "Truly a great city, vast and bustling!"

Though he was overlord of the Flowing Wind World, he had stayed cooped up in the City of No Return, rarely traveling elsewhere.

Gao Jien lifted his chin. "Compared to Purple Thunder City of Thunderwalk Continent, it’s nothing. But the scenery is elegant, it is quite good for seclusion."

Cloud City wasn’t even among the busiest in the Cuiyun Continent, hence it naturally couldn’t compare.

Qi Yuan looked at him with admiration. "As expected of someone from a major region. Such great insight."

Gao Jien felt quite pleased.

He's much more agreeable than Luo Cha

.

I must interact more with low-status people. They really know how to flatter someone.

The immortal boat docked. They walked toward the main hall of the Cloud Court.

Qi Yuan looked around curiously. Though there were many young prodigies, there were no seniors or his beloved white moonlights.

Led by attendants, the three entered the palace. Thousands of people stood inside the grand hall.

Rogue Immortal suggested, "Qiyuann Sovereign, let’s find a quiet corner."

While he was talkative online, he was socially anxious in person.

Gao Jien sighed, not forcing Rogue Immortal to mingle. "Don’t cause trouble. I’m going to greet some acquaintances."

Qi Yuan sat in a corner, casually picking up a spirit fruit to eat.

Rogue Immortal relaxed. At this moment, Qiyuann Sovereign felt no different from him. Just another newbie.

Rogue Immortal murmured, "

Haa

... when will I ever enter the Eastern Lands Prodigy List?"

"That’s easy," Qi Yuan replied casually. "If I kill everyone in this hall, the list will be full of vacancies. By the rule of eliminations, you’ll automatically be in. Although I might not be able to kill the Heavenly Dao class cultivator, the rest are no problem."

He sounded so earnest, as if he was helping a friend.

Rogue Immortal blanched. "Qiyuann Sovereign, don’t say things like that out loud! Use transmission! People will misunderstand!"

Qi Yuan sighed. "Too bad they bear no grudge against me. Otherwise, I’d really kill them all. Then I wouldn’t need to participate in the Prodigy Battles at all."

Rogue Immortal felt the urge to cover Qi Yuan’s mouth. Either that, or ran far away. He felt like any moment now, some prodigy would overhear and smash Qiyuann Sovereign.

An hour passed.

Qi Yuan and Rogue Immortal had eaten quite a few spirit fruits. A few others had joined their table, likely people who also disliked socializing.

Rogue Immortal asked, "Qiyuann Sovereign, where’s your senior brother?"

"He should be inside." Qi Yuan guessed that Kang Fulu was being led around by Jiang Ya to meet other prodigies.

He wasn’t interested because they were nothing compared to his white moonlight.

"Inside?" Rogue Immortal blinked. "The hall has an inner and outer section. Only the top hundred prodigies can enter the inner hall."

Those at the table were startled. Top hundred meant near-assured Violet Palace in the future. The cream of the crop.

"Indeed. The one who brought my senior brother in is among the top hundred."

Just then, a woman sitting with them asked, "Could you ask your friend to take us into the inner hall?"

The others looked at Qi Yuan with anticipation.

Qi Yuan glanced at them but didn’t answer. He didn’t know them. If Rogue Immortal asked, he’d have considered it, though.

Seeing his silence, the woman seemed awkward. The others exchanged mocking glances.

Qi Yuan ignored them, happily eating fruits with Rogue Immortal.

Suddenly, a phoenix cry echoed through the hall.

Dozens of prodigies emerged from the inner hall. At their head was Huang Tu. Though not the highest ranking, he was the host here, thus the others gave him face. His expression was full of brightness and flattery, showing none of the grief someone who had lost a master should have felt.

He strode forward with reverence. "Heaven Soul Fairy! It is an honor, please follow me this way!"

The phoenix cry signified the arrival of a top-ten prodigy. Heaven Soul Fairy entered in tight-fitting black attire that accentuated her curvy and striking figure.

All eyes in the outer hall turned to her. Ranked eighth on the Eastern Lands Prodigy List, she was an existence they could only look up to.

Rogue Immortal stared at her in awe. "Heaven Soul Fairy is an Immortal class Foundation Establishment. If her clan had a Yin Spirit ancestor, she might’ve achieved Heavenly Dao class."

Qi Yuan’s gaze grew serious. "So, talent alone isn’t enough. One must also have a background."

Everyone at the table was mesmerized.

A woman whispered, "That is a true prodigy, someone who can shape the future of the Eastern Lands. Give her ten thousand years, and she might become another Blood-Clothed Sword God."

Someone warned, "

Shhh!

This is the Cuiyun Continent, do not mention that name!"

Rogue Immortal froze.

Even these prodigies knew about the Blood-Clothed Sword God?

1. E/N: Have you ever been to the Cloud District? ☜