Chapter 376 361: Winds and Clouds of the World, All Within the Lake

The images scrolling across the water screen in the center of the lake not only changed scenes with incredible speed, but they were also completely silent.

Normally, it would be difficult to glean any concrete, coherent information from such fragmented scene changes.

But the Demon Ape was born with four ears and possessed an unnaturally keen sense of hearing. This ability allowed him to hear the sounds behind the silent images on the water screen. He could hear not only what was happening within the scenes themselves but also sounds from much farther away!

The four-eared Demon Ape: one ear to hear the present, one to hear the past, one to hear the distant, and one to hear the hearts of men!

Yin Xuan Yi gripped his wine cup so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Upon hearing that Dingfeng Abyss had been breached, the shock that rippled through him was nearly identical to what Song Ciwan had felt earlier.

In fact, the shock Yin Xuan Yi felt was even greater.

He lowered his voice. "Brother Demon Ape, by your account, doesn't that mean Demon Suppression Pass is in danger? Why hasn't the Court issued any orders?"

On the small island in the lake's center, the Bear Demon was still drumming and laughing maniacally.

THUMP THUMP THUMP!

Amidst the frantic drumming, the scenes on the water screens flashed by even faster.

The guests in the garden began to murmur amongst themselves. "Was that the Golden-winged Roc just now? To think the Golden-winged Roc would personally lead a charge into Dingfeng Abyss!"

"Look, the Xun Wind Grand Array!"

"Who's that?"

"It's the Human Race's Celestial Pride, Su Baiyi!"

"Su Baiyi has run into the Golden-winged Roc... Who will win?"

"Ah, I can't see! The scene changed again. What a shame!"

"This Niekong Lake is truly marvelous. We came for the Third Princess's wedding feast, but to be able to witness the affairs of the world from the banquet... it's quite fascinating."

"Indeed. What we've seen today surpasses a journey of thousands of miles."

"It's a shame Niekong Lake can't be controlled. We can't see the full picture of so many things."

"This is killing me! Who's stronger, Su Baiyi or the Golden-winged Roc?"

"It has to be Su Baiyi. He's fourth on the Celestial Pride List, while the Golden-winged Roc is ninth. In the top ten of the Ten Thousand Spirits Celestial Pride List, the gap between each rank is beyond comprehension. The difference between fourth and ninth is probably several tiers. Even with its extraordinary bloodline, the Golden-winged Roc surely can't compare to Su Baiyi."

"But the Golden-winged Roc is empowered by Wind Spirits in Dingfeng Abyss, giving it a huge advantage. It also brought a horde of Demon Soldiers and Generals, whereas Su Baiyi is somehow all alone. Besides, he's injured. Did you notice?"

The guests gasped. "That's right! Su Baiyi is half-covered in blood and looks drained. He's injured!"

"In that case, the outcome is hard to predict."

"Hiss! Could it be that after tonight, the Ten Thousand Spirits Celestial Pride List will have to be revised?"

...

The guests continued their heated discussion, but no one could reach a definitive conclusion.

In response to Yin Xuan Yi's question, the Demon Ape simply tilted his head as if listening intently. After a long moment, during which the scenes on the water screen had shifted time and time again, the image of Su Baiyi's confrontation with the Golden-winged Roc was long gone.

Even the various scenes from within Dingfeng Abyss had long since vanished from the water screen.

Now, the water screens were filled with a scene from the Great Zhou Capital: a "Flying Snow Dance" being performed in some unknown venue.

On screen, dozens of graceful Dancing Girls clad in colorful silks flew and leaped through a blizzard of artificial snow. At times they soared into the air, at others they dipped and wheeled.

Their silken ribbons fluttered and crisscrossed in the flurry as the enchanting beauties would occasionally cast a flirtatious glance over their shoulders with a smile.

A true vision of spring's warmth amidst a world of snow.

Occasionally, the screen would also show figures of richly-dressed, carefree spectators enjoying the performance.

It was a picture of peace and prosperity, a stark contrast to the desolate, brutal battle scenes from Dingfeng Abyss shown earlier.

But evidently, the guests at the feast were much more pleased to see this peaceful spectacle than the brutal fighting.

The Bear Demon's drumming grew even more enthusiastic. He roared, "Excellent! Excellent! Hahaha! Niekong Lake, you really know what I like! Fine wine and good food are best enjoyed with beautiful women to liven things up! Hahaha!"

Yin Xuan Yi set down his cup and let out a dry, mirthless chuckle. "Generals face life and death on the front lines, while beauties still sing and dance in their tents. Heh, this Niekong Lake certainly understands human nature."

He drained his cup in one go, then turned to the Demon Ape. "Brother Demon Ape, to think Dingfeng Abyss is in peril... If I hadn't found out, it would be one thing. But now that I know, and since I have nothing better to do, I have to go join the 'fun' over there. Forget it. This wedding feast..."

Just as he was about to say he was leaving the feast, the Demon Ape, who had been listening intently all this time, suddenly spoke. "Brother Yin, there's no need to rush off. In the battle between Su Baiyi and the Golden-winged Roc, Su Baiyi was victorious!"

"What?" Yin Xuan Yi exclaimed.

The Demon Ape said calmly, "The Golden-winged Roc lost. Both its wings were severed, and the Demon Race army has retreated. However, the Roc did not die. It escaped at the cost of its wings."

Yin Xuan Yi's mouth hung open. After a moment of stunned silence, he blurted out, "Holy hell! That pretty boy Su Shun is that damn fierce?"

Su Shun was Su Baiyi's formal name.

After cursing Su Baiyi, a broad, cheerful smile returned to Yin Xuan Yi's face.

He immediately refilled his own cup and the Demon Ape's, then roared with laughter. "My good brother, your talent is extraordinary! To have such a fascinating ability and so few friends... it can only mean everyone else is just being polite. They must be intentionally leaving you for me, Yin Xuan Yi, to befriend! Hahaha!"

When Yin Xuan Yi put his mind to it, every word he spoke was captivating.

Hearing this, the Demon Ape couldn't help but smile as well.

A pair of furry, ape-like hands lifted a cup and tapped it against Yin Xuan Yi's with a soft CLINK.

The pair of brothers from different races raised their cups together and drained them in one go.

On the island in the center of the lake, Song Ciwan and the Great Cyan God had already finished two pots of wine together.

When she had first started drinking, Song Ciwan had made a subtle move.

The very instant the liquor passed down her throat, she had siphoned a single drop into her Heaven and Earth Scale.

The Heaven and Earth Scale provided an analysis: [One mace of Stealth Race Jade Immortal Brew. Barterable.]

Jade Immortal Brew: Brewed from honey collected by the Heaven and Earth Alien Race, the Stealth Race. When consumed by mortals, it can extend one's lifespan. When consumed by Cultivators, it can increase energies such as True Qi or Qi Blood.

Note: The amount of Energy gained is limited by the Cultivator's aptitude.

The Heaven and Earth Scale's explanation was simple, but it contained a great deal of information.

From this, Song Ciwan deduced that the Eldest Princess and the Third Princess were most likely members of the Stealth Race!

Unfortunately, Song Ciwan had never heard of the Stealth Race before. The Heaven and Earth Scale only explained the Jade Immortal Brew, not the race itself.

The Jade Immortal Brew was unquestionably a fine treasure. Song Ciwan drank with relish. Although she remained wary of the Eldest Princess and the Third Princess, she couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude.

'What exactly is the value of those one hundred and twenty-eight Ancestral Dragon Coins I gave them,' she wondered, 'to be worth a seat at a feast like this?'

Unfortunately, the Heaven and Earth Scale's explanation of the Ancestral Dragon Coins' specific effects was equally vague.

After drinking two whole pots of Jade Immortal Brew, the True Qi Sea in Song Ciwan's Dantian was already thirty percent fuller.

As she started on the third pot, the torrent of True Qi from the Jade Immortal Brew began to dwindle to a trickle. Song Ciwan knew she had reached her limit for now.

So, she set down the pot, pouring just one last cup for herself, and clinked it against the Great Cyan God's.

'This whole encounter has been truly bizarre,' Song Ciwan thought. 'When I first came upon this Xizhai, I thought I was about to face some strange crisis. I assumed entering this place would inevitably lead to a dangerous battle, but... have I really just come to attend a wedding feast? And it's not just a feast. There have been tons of benefits, and I've even overheard shocking news that would be impossible to learn in the outside world.'

Amidst the lively drumming, the Great Cyan God seemed to be getting a little drunk.

She clinked her cup against Song Ciwan's, her voice hazy as she called out, "Little sis, let's drain this cup!"

Song Ciwan smiled. "After you, Sister Cyan God."

The Great Cyan God slurred, "Little sis, drinking with you is a real pleasure. After this is over, we have to see each other often, alright? Sound good?"

"Of course," Song Ciwan said. "I'd like that."

The two of them drank another cup together.