Chapter 0422: The True Dragon Banquet

Young people always have endless things to talk about.

Even if they were strangers before, through casual conversation they quickly grew familiar. The circle around Bai Yang was no exception. It too had drawn in a large number of people—all village chiefs—who found plenty to talk about: their own villages, local customs and traditions, and the various fearsome beasts and monsters they'd encountered.

With everyone making an effort to connect, the conversations were lively and enjoyable.

Before long, they had all sat down together.

There were no special distinctions made—village chiefs sat among village chiefs, gathering at shared tables. Likewise, younger people like Bai Lang clustered in groups of three to five, each seated at one of the many chairs.

When they saw the rotating tables before them, curiosity turned to delight as they tried spinning them. The convenience was undeniable, and everyone was immediately taken with it.

"Unbelievable! These fruit platters are something else. The watermelons alone are enormous. They look incredibly fresh and juicy," exclaimed Jiang Yuxuan, a young man from Jiangxia Village, seated near Bai Lang.

Ordinary watermelons couldn't grow this large, yet these still brimmed with juice. One could faintly sense a trace of spiritual energy within them.

"Mmm, this crystal pear is so sweet and refreshing. It melts in your mouth like crystalline ice. There's even a subtle cooling aura to it," said Bai Xiaoyu, picking up a pear as transparent as crystal and taking a bite. Her eyes immediately narrowed with satisfaction.

In the past year, they'd all been struggling on the edge of life and death—never knowing if they'd survive to see another day. As long as they could fill their stomachs, they hadn't cared much about taste or presentation. Fruits? Out of the question.

Things were different in Xuanhuang City, where all kinds of fruits and vegetables were cultivated. Even inside Yi Tianxing's Dantian Life Aperture, several fruit trees had been planted. Even the most common trees—apple, pear, etc.—benefited from the spiritual soil within, allowing for rapid maturation and a trace of spiritual essence to develop within the fruits. With time, some of these ordinary trees might even evolve into spiritual trees.

"This is truly delicious. The watermelon is sweet and moist—it refreshes the lungs and soothes the heart."

"And this apple—crisp and fragrant. The best I've ever tasted. As expected, Xuanhuang City is in a league of its own. They have far more than we could ever hope for in our villages."

Others around them joined in, freely helping themselves to the fruits.

No one dared touch the main dishes yet, but these fruit platters were appetizers—and thus fair game. After tasting them, everyone nodded in approval and admiration.

The young people's conversation grew even more spirited. Some young men, spotting girls they liked, boldly approached and tried their best to show off their strengths—whether through words or demeanor.

Bai Xiaoyu, naturally, had no shortage of suitors gathered around her, trying to get close.

But she seemed uninterested.

"Look over there—that's General Yang Ye, the head of the Military Intelligence Pavilion. And those are his two sons, both battlefield veterans. One even commands the Divine Mechanism Battalion. Their future in Xuanhuang City is limitless."

When the trio entered the banquet, many were visibly shocked.

The Yang family's influence in Xuanhuang City was beyond question. They were a key power within the military. Anyone who could form a connection with them would certainly benefit immensely.

"General Yang!"

"Greetings, General Yang!"

Voices rang out one after another with warm respect.

Yang Ye only nodded slightly in return, his smile courteous yet subtly distant—enough to deter anyone from getting too close. His sons, Yang Yanping and Yang Yanding, behaved the same way. Even when engaging in small talk, they remained politely neutral—neither warm nor cold.

Before long, more key figures from Xuanhuang City began to arrive one after another: Huang Chengyan, Master Lu, Zhang Yue, Jia Xu, Jia Yucun, Wang Dahu, Feng Yumo, Fu Hongxue, Lu Zhishen, Ye Zhiqiu... not a single one was missing.

Their attitudes toward the gathered village chiefs varied—some were warm, others merely polite, neither embracing nor rejecting.

But a careful observer would notice that Yang Ye, Wang Dahu, and Feng Yumo all sat at the same table. Their friendly conversation and laughter formed a subtle circle of influence, implicitly closed off to outsiders.

No matter how eager others were, they could hardly find an opening.

Before long, the front courtyard was filled with guests. Laughter and conversation filled the air, a jubilant atmosphere blooming like spring flowers. In this era of chaos on the Eternal Continent, such a grand gathering was almost unheard of—a rare moment of celebration in a world torn by strife.

Many guests found themselves wondering if they were, somehow, in an age of peace rather than war.

"The Lord of the City and the Lady arrive!!"

Cao Zhengchun stepped forward and announced the arrival.

Instantly, all the noise vanished.

Not a whisper remained. Even a needle falling to the ground could be heard. Every gaze turned toward the entrance.

Clack. Clack.

Crisp footsteps echoed through the silent courtyard.

Yi Tianxing appeared, dressed in a long black robe, his long black hair flowing freely down his back. It added an aura of wildness and ease. Though he wore no crown, his face radiated the natural authority of a ruler. The moment he appeared, the very atmosphere of the banquet centered around him.

"The Lord's aura has grown stronger again," Huang Chengyan, Master Lu, and Jia Xu exchanged glances, each showing a trace of surprise in their eyes.

In just a few hours, his presence had strengthened noticeably. What had Yi Tianxing gone through during that time? No one could say.

"That must be the Lady of the City. So beautiful. Such elegance and refinement," murmured many guests—especially the young ones.

Cai Yan stood beside Yi Tianxing, stunning everyone. She had shed her girlish innocence and now radiated the mature charm of a noblewoman. Dressed in a light blue palace robe, she exuded elegance. A phoenix hairpin adorned her head, adding the final touch to her stunning appearance.

The couple walked side by side like immortals descending from the heavens, leaving all who beheld them awestruck.

"Sister Zhaoji looks amazing tonight," praised Mu Guiying, seated beside her father. Her tone carried a trace of admiration she herself may not have noticed.

"Greetings, My Lord and Lady!"Huang Chengyan and the others rose to their feet and offered respectful salutes.

"Greetings, Lord of the City and Madam!"The village chiefs and their kin followed suit.

"No need for formalities," Yi Tianxing replied with a gentle smile. "Tonight, we celebrate two things: the successful promotion of Xuanhuang City, with minimal casualties, and the decision of many village chiefs to join us. This banquet is both a celebration and a welcome feast."

He scanned the guests with a relaxed smile. "There are no rigid ranks tonight. Let's all eat and drink well. Food is the people's first priority, and what we have before us is the result of Chef Lai's hard work—don't let it go to waste."

"This isn't just any banquet—this is the True Dragon Banquet!!"

With that, he took Cai Yan's hand and made his way to a specially prepared table.

Cao Zhengchun came forward to guide the honored guests: Huang Chengyan, Master Lu, Jia Xu, Yang Ye, Wang Dahu, Qiu Weiming... each took their seat.

"Let the banquet begin!!"

Maids stepped forward to each table.

With delicate fingers, they lifted the massive bamboo domes covering the dishes—each one masterfully crafted.

As they were uncovered, radiant light burst forth from the dishes, dazzling everyone.

"Heavens! These dishes... they're glowing!"

"And that smell! I've never smelled anything like it! Just the aroma alone is overwhelming my senses!"

"I can't control myself anymore. Why is my mouth watering like this? I'm a grown man!"

"This is insane—I'm hallucinating. Why do I hear roars of beasts and see birds soaring? My eyes must be broken."

"Glowing food... is this the legendary Celestial Feast?"

"I swear I just heard a dragon's roar."

Even the most composed guests couldn't help themselves. The scents alone seemed to hold a mystical allure, awakening their most primal appetites.

In that moment, even Yi Tianxing forgot where he was—his sole desire was to taste these divine delicacies.

"This time," said Chef Lai He, stepping forward in a pristine white chef's coat, "thanks to the Lord's gift of True Dragon meat, and the bounty of the recent beast tide, we've used select ingredients to craft twelve gourmet dishes."

"Steamed Man-Eating Fish, Glutinous Rice Crab Pot, Crab Roe & Dream Mushrooms, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Three-Delicacy Blood Porridge, Kung Pao Chicken, Minced Meat Eggplant, Tomato Egg Soup, Mapo Tofu, Lamb-Vegetable Broth, Braised Beef, and—Nine Heavens Dragon Roar."

"Each dish uses only the finest ingredients. The Glutinous Rice Crab Pot is made from a river-dwelling spiritual beast crab—massive in size, its roe unimaginably rich. The flavor is sealed in with glutinous rice and secret spices."

"The Crab Roe & Dream Mushrooms combines top-grade roe with illusory mushrooms, inducing a dreamlike state that brings about one's most blissful visions."

"As for Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, it includes various beast meats—snake, predatory birds, and more—slow-cooked with alternating high and low flames. The result speaks for itself. None of you will leave disappointed."