That night, the Dragon Palace held a banquet to celebrate Ao Qian’s safe return and the arrival of the guests.
Spiritual wine and spiritual fruits were enjoyed without restraint.
Bamboo flutes and stringed instruments played, dances performed without pause.
Although the entertainment was very ancient and traditional, since it was the first time for everyone, they still found it extraordinarily novel.
There were also the attendees at the banquet.
Though not a grand clan-wide event, those who came were all direct lineage of the Jade Dragon clan with very close ties to Ao Jin’s family.
In status, appearance, cultivation, and attainment…
Every one was of the highest calibre. Any single one taken to tour the Central Plains would be an honoured guest of the major sects.
Now, however, they served as accompanying guests below, making the group feel both apprehensive and immensely proud.
Fortunately, everyone present had seen the world.
First, both sides shared a deep connection through little Ao Qian, so the dragon clan’s attitude was warm. Amid the clinking of cups, the atmosphere was excellent.
Second, with Lu Zheng seated at the head, quoting classics, chatting wittily, and even casually discussing various spells and cultivation practices, he drew the most attention.
“The Central Plains truly abound in outstanding talents. Young Master Lu is young yet profoundly cultivated, broadly learned. Worthy indeed of being the leading figure of White Cloud Temple’s generation.” An elderly man with white beard and hair stroked his beard and smiled.
This was an old dragon. Though his innate talent and comprehension were average, he had accumulated several thousand years of cultivation, with profound magical power.
“The senior overpraises. This junior is merely a lay disciple of the temple, not daring to claim preeminence.”
A beautiful matron in palace attire observed Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying beside Lu Zheng, then praised, “Young Master Lu is elegant and dashing. The two ladies are also truly extraordinary. A match of talent and beauty, made in heaven.”
Hearing her words, several younger dragon maidens glanced over, but they could not discern anything special.
One was a fox spirit, the other a charming ghost.
They had just heard the Dragon King introduce them. One ran a medical clinic in the mortal world, saving lives. The other was an incense deity officially enshrined by the Central Plains dynasty.
Though their cultivation was not weak and their beauty peerless, they could hardly be called extraordinary, could they?
Because of the Dragon King and Ao Qian’s connection, the crowd naturally would not view them with prejudice, but neither could they offer empty praise.
“You few have shallow cultivation and cannot perceive their foundations. In terms of true potential and origins, though you possess true dragon blood and the Jade Dragon inheritance, your ultimate achievements may not necessarily surpass these two ladies.” A mature woman in a blue dragon-scale fitted silk skirt remarked.
The dragon maidens grew very curious upon hearing this, but politely refrained from questioning. After all, these two were dragon clan experts. There was no need for them to collude with outsiders to deceive them.
As for pressing to know why…
That would not be something a refined dragon lady would do.
“The seniors overpraise. If truth be told, this is thanks to Lu Lang’s efforts. We are undeserving.” Liu Qingyan rose slightly to express thanks, then spoke softly.
Shen Ying also curtsied lightly, then picked up the wine pot from the table, filling the cups for Lu Zheng, Liu Qingyan, and herself. Only then did she raise her cup in a distant toast to the two dragon women who had spoken on their behalf.
Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying were graceful and composed. Du Yueyao and Wang Xiaowan dared not put on airs, sitting lower down and merely chatting with younger-generation dragon maidens about interesting tales from the East Sea and the Central Plains.
Old Master Liu hit it off immediately with an elderly dragon skilled in medicine.
Madam Liu found much in common with several dragon mothers whose children were not yet grown.
Ao Qian led Liu Qingquan to mingle with a group of young dragon clan members. Her various stories and novel games proved very popular.
As for Yue Honghai…
He did not join the main table. In a side hall, Turtle Prime Minister and Crab General naturally accompanied him for drinks.
Yet Yue Honghai was already very content. He decided that upon returning to the Central Plains, he would visit He Dingshan at the Lushui River God mansion to brag.
…
The banquet ended with hosts and guests thoroughly delighted.
Lu Zheng’s group was arranged accommodation in the core area of the Dragon Palace, in a specially prepared luxurious palace.
The floor was green jade, the walls white jade, with carved beams and painted rafters, gilded flying eaves.
Spiritual wood formed the pillars, gems inlaid the doors, pearls served as curtains, coral as ornaments.
Paired with the bright surrounding seawater, it truly shimmered with rosy clouds and auspicious vapours, a grand immortal scene of jade palaces and pearl pavilions.
By the way, the dragon palace complex spanning dozens of miles did not entirely repel water. Some buildings repelled it, others did not.
For example, the hall where they had just dined, along with its surrounding area, was a guest zone and thus fully water-free.
For instance, a nearby tall tower was fully submerged, with a flood dragon dozens of zhang long coiled around it.
From afar, it looked like massive bubbles embedded in the undulating mountains, scattered like stars on a chessboard, magnificently beautiful.
The palace assigned to Lu Zheng’s group was, of course, water-free.
Upon entering, they saw luminous pearls embedded in the ceiling, pearl curtains hanging on the walls, white jade tables in the main hall, and coral beds in the bedrooms.
Lu Zheng reached out to touch the cloud-patterned hundred-flower brocade silk quilt on the bed. It was soft and smooth, with exquisite texture, no inferior to the silk quilt he had brought from the modern world.
Lu Zheng breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, something comparable.
Then he sensed faint fluctuations from the brocade quilt. It actually contained threads of spiritual silkworm silk, refined with incantations for calming the mind, soothing the spirit, nourishing essence, protecting the body, and even healing wounds.
Lu Zheng: Õ_Õ
Too much. He really wanted to stuff everything into his gourd and take it home!
Moreover, it was not thoughtful enough. The preparations were incomplete.
Everything focused on calming and nourishing. What if a young couple checked in, wanting some intimate fun, only to be lulled into sage mode by these incantations?
No wonder the Jade Dragon clan had few offspring. So that was the reason. Case closed!
Lu Zheng huffed lightly, then pushed the quilt farther away.
Hmph! I do not want it!
Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying glanced strangely at the suddenly tsundere Lu Zheng, then continued their enthusiastic exploration.
“So beautiful!”
“I wonder if the Great Jing imperial palace is this luxurious.”
“I doubt it. Great Jing has only been founded for six hundred years. How long has this dragon palace existed?”
“But the Central Plains dynasties control the whole land…”
“That is still not as vast as the East Sea!”
Du Yueyao and Wang Xiaowan were especially excited, touching here, looking there, their exclamations unending, which also pleased the dragon maidens guiding and introducing them.
Once the introductions were complete and the hosts departed, Ao Qian also left with Ao Jin and Ao Yi. Only Lu Zheng’s group remained in the palace.
“Truly an eye-opener!” Old Master Liu beamed, sighing repeatedly. The old dragon he had clicked with had invited him to go fishing tomorrow.
Madam Liu nodded in agreement. Her schedule for the next few days was already arranged.
Liu Qingquan would naturally play everywhere with Ao Qian and the young dragons.
As for Lu Zheng and the others, the Dragon King himself would personally accompany them.
