The auspicious time arrived. The melodious, grand dragon roar bell resounded through Crystal City, nine continuous tolls, announcing the Eastern Sea Dragon King Ao Guang's longevity celebration officially began!
The Dragon Hall's two gates, dozens of zhang high, carved with patterns of ten thousand dragons paying homage, slowly opened inward. Revealed was a golden, magnificent, boundless internal scene. Guests from all sides, guided by Dragon Palace ritual officials and arranged by identity and status, orderly entered the hall.
Xiaoqi, Zhao Tiezhu, and the rabbit spirit followed the flow into the hall. Upon entering, even Xiaoqi's temperament couldn't help being (shocked) by the scene before him.
The hall's internal space was far larger than appeared from outside, clearly employing extremely profound spatial expansion formations. The vaulted ceiling hung high, like an independent night sky, dotted with countless luminous pearls radiating soft starlight, like real stars. Supporting the hall were eighty-one coiling dragon golden pillars. Each pillar wound with lifelike golden dragon statues emanating faint dragon might. Dragon eyes inlaid with precious rubies, glittering.
The floor was paved with smooth-as-mirror warm jade, reflecting the vault's "stars" and hall's brilliant light. Walking upon it felt like strolling through the Milky Way. Countless palace lanterns made of seven-colored corals and giant pearls floated mid-air, illuminating the entire hall bright as day yet with soft, non-dazzling light.
The air (permeated) with refreshing dragon amber incense and various rare spirit fruit aromas. The concentrated spiritual energy nearly condensed into light mist. One breath made one's spirits lift.
And more dazzling—those already seated, (of varied forms), with ten thousand different auras!
Near the front, most honored area, naturally were the four seas' dragoneers themselves. Though Eastern Sea Dragon King Ao Guang hadn't yet appeared, the Dragon Queen, various dragon princes and princesses, and representatives from West, South, North Sea Dragon Kings or princes were already seated. Some with human bodies and dragon horns, some partially revealing dragon features. All dignified, dragon might hidden yet present. Simply sitting there made them naturally become the entire venue's focal point.
Adjacent to the dragon area were representatives from top human powers. Xiaoqi saw a prince-like figure in python robes, dignified and authoritative, sent by Central Plains Imperial Dynasty; several elders or core disciples from sects like Crimson Star Sacred Land and Bureau of Heaven's Secrets, their auras profound, Dao rhythm naturally formed; also several renowned hermit experts who came alone.
And more were various demon and sea tribes!
There were demon kings from Southern Frontier's Ten Thousand Mountains. Some retained partial beast-head features, fangs exposed, (fierce) gazes; some had completely transformed, handsome yet demonic, secretive auras. Their tribute gifts were bizarre—some with intense life aura thousand-year vermillion fruits, some with colorful centipede pearls containing deadly poison yet precious for pill refinement, some strange ore flickering with thunder light.
Sea tribes were even more varied, breathtaking. There were deep-sea giants several zhang tall with skin like rock; beautiful mermaid clan with ethereal voices and lightveil (silk) clothing; wise elder spirit tortoises with massive shells moving slowly; massive crab generals covered in hard shells like moving fortresses; also various colorful fish-people, shrimp soldiers, crab generals' aristocratic representatives.
Some rare races Xiaoqi had never seen, only heard of in ancient texts.
For example, the "Ice Spirit Clan" entirely composed of crystal ice, emanating extreme cold—they seemed related to Mu Xue's Crimson Star Sacred Land, seats close.
The "Flower Fairies" with transparent cicada wings, small and delicate like spirits, naturally surrounded by fragrant flower scent and vibrant life.
Several "Shadow Clan" representatives shrouded in vague shadows, as if not existing in this space, auras uncanny and unpredictable.
Xiaoqi even saw a spiritified "Seven-Colored Coral Tree" with swaying branches flowing with rainbow light, carefully tended by several water tribe members, placed in a specific area—clearly also a guest with intelligence.
Truly a scene of ten thousand races paying homage, heroes gathering!
Zhao Tiezhu's eyes spun wildly, mouth never closed, constantly pulling Xiaoqi's sleeve, whispering in amazement: "Little Seven brother, look over there! That one's head is an octopus! Wow! That beauty has a fish tail! And that one... is that a rock that became a spirit?"
The rabbit spirit also hopped excitedly on the table, its little nose constantly twitching, seemingly very curious about the countless exotic scents in the air.
Xiaoqi's heart was also full of emotion. Before this, his activities mainly in southeast regions and Central Plains, his experiences were ultimately limited. Today at Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, only then did he know the world's vastness, the variety of races, the grandeur of Dao paths! Humans were merely one member of this vast cultivation world. Compared to these varied races with bizarre natural talents, humans might not have advantages in body, lifespan, or certain special talents, but excelled in comprehension and creativity, and tireless exploration of the Great Dao.
He saw different races' subtle relationships—some friendly, some distant, some quietly confrontational. He also felt Dragon Palace as host, able to invite so many different races, even some with grudges against each other, their prestige and power were terrifying.
This wasn't merely a feast, but a grand exhibition of various powers in the cultivation world, a silent game and exchange.
Xiaoqi and Zhao Tiezhu were guided to a seating not too forward, yet not at the end either. This position was obviously arranged according to his Heavenly Axis Conference third place ranking and Cleanness Void Sect's status.
He had barely sat when he felt several gazes upon him. Some jealous glares from drake clan, some smiling nods from Crown Prince Ao Qin in the dragon area, also some curious observations from other powers.
Xiaoqi accepted them calmly, pouring himself a cup of Dragon Palace's unique "Azure Tide Wine." The wine was amber-colored, tasted mellow, gentle spiritual energy dissolved, nourishing his limbs.
He knew—the good show was just beginning. Under this grand scene of ten thousand races paying homage, who knew how many undercurrents hid. And he, since coming here, was destined to no longer be a bystander.