When the last heavyweight guest—the West Sea Dragon King representative, a dragon clan prince with aura like an abyss, entered the Dragon Hall—the originally somewhat noisy discussions inside the hall gradually quieted. An invisible, awe-inspiring pressure like a tide slowly spread, covering the entire hall.
Everyone knew—the main character was about to appear.
The melodious fairy music suddenly became solemn and dignified. The golden dragon statues on the eighty-one coiling dragon pillars' eyes suddenly brightened, projecting eighty-one golden beams converging on the Nine Dragon Throne at the hall's front.
Where the light gathered, space slightly twisted. A figure from (illusory to real) sat upon the throne.
That was a middle-aged man wearing nine-section dragon robe, wearing a twelve-drop crown. His ancient features, eyes opening and closing as if days months (sun, moon, stars) circulated within. He had no deliberately emitted spiritual pressure, yet naturally revealed unrivaled majesty commanding four seas, reigning supreme. Simply sitting there, he became the entire world's center, all laws became silent, all spirits prostrated.
Eastern Sea Dragon King, Ao Guang!
"Congratulations on His Majesty the Dragon King's eternal longevity, immortal fortune forever!"
All guests in the hall, regardless of race or noble status, simultaneously stood and bowed. Their voices merged into a torrent, echoing in the vast hall. This was respect for an ancient being ruling endless seas with heaven-piercing cultivation.
"All Daoist friends, traveled far, (). No need for formalities, please be seated." Dragon King Ao Guang's voice was (peaceful) yet grand, clearly entering every guest's ears, carrying a heart-soothing power.
Everyone sat as told. The hall's atmosphere remained solemn yet less tense than before.
The Dragon King's gaze swept across the crowded hall of ten thousand race guests. A faint smile appeared on his face: "Today is My birthday. Thanks to all Daoist friends' unworthiness in coming to the feast, Dragon Palace is honored. Simple banquet, not much to offer. I hope everyone enjoys themselves."
As the Dragon King spoke, Dragon Palace attendants who had long prepared, like butterflies weaving through flowers, began presenting various jade plates and golden cups with delicacies and fine wines to each seating.
Instantly the entire hall was covered with indescribable exotic fragrances.
What was presented were absolutely not mortal world meats and wines. There were spirit soups carefully prepared with thousand-year jade marrow fungus, ten-thousand-year blood dragon ginseng and other top spiritual medicines—crystal clear, spiritual aura dense; "Ice-Crystal Dragon Scale Fish" from deep seas, entirely translucent, containing pure water elemental force—fish meat melted in mouth, extremely fresh; "Dragon Saliva Fruits" grown in dragon clan secret realms, shaped like (peaches of immortality) yet radiating seven-colored light—one bite clarified the soul; also "Coral Wine" brewed with "Fire Coral" unique to undersea volcanoes—the wine was crimson red, tasted like fire entering the mouth, yet warmed the dantian...
Every dish, every cup of wine were extraordinary. All ingredients were rare treasures rarely seen outside. The spiritual energy and Dao rhythms within greatly benefited cultivators. Many guests ate happily, repeatedly saying worthwhile.
Zhao Tiezhu especially ate like a starving ghost, devouring food before him like wind sweeping leaves, juice flowing everywhere. The rabbit spirit also hugged a bigger-than-itself "Moonlight Shell Meat" radiating white light, nibbling happily.
Xiaoqi, though not as exaggerated as Zhao Tiezhu, also carefully tasted these Dragon Palace treasures. Each bite allowed him to feel pure spiritual energy dissolve into limbs, nourishing meridians, stabilizing foundation. Especially the "Ice-Crystal Dragon Scale Fish" and "Dragon Saliva Fruits" greatly helped his water elemental spiritual energy comprehension and soul nourishment.
After three rounds of wine and five courses of food, the atmosphere grew more heated.
Then Dragon King Ao Guang spoke again, voice spreading throughout the hall: "Today My heart is very pleased. I especially grant 'Dragon Blood Wine,' to share with all Daoist friends!"
Dragon Blood Wine!
Upon hearing these three characters, many knowledgeable guests in the hall showed excitement. Even some dragon clan disciples had eager anticipation in their eyes.
Several Dragon Palace workers with powerful auras carried several giant wine jars carved from entire warm jade blocks into the hall. The moment jar mouths opened, an extreme concentrated, faintly pressurized and (scorching) bloody aura mixed with wine fragrance shot skyward! The wine wasn't ordinary color but gorgeous dark gold, as if golden dragon shadows swam within.
"So it's truly Dragon Blood Wine! Though not essence blood, it's still made from ordinary dragon blood of His Majesty the Dragon King's bloodline descendants, brewed with countless precious materials! It has miraculous effects for tempering body and strengthening qi and blood!"
"This wine is overbearing. Only those with strong bodies can drink more. Otherwise there's risk of explosion!"
"Didn't expect His Majesty the Dragon King to be so generous!"
As discussions flew, attendants began pouring for each seating. That dark gold wine, when poured into jade cups, seemed to gently ripple like something alive.
When the wine came to Xiaoqi's seating, the attendant poured half a cup then was about to stop, apparently judging by his Foundation Establishment cultivation.
"Fill it." Xiaoqi said calmly.
That attendant hesitated, seeing Xiaoqi's calm expression not like joking, glanced at Zhao Tiezhu beside him (body cultivator), hesitated, then filled the cup.
Xiaoqi lifted that cup of dark gold Dragon Blood Wine. Before even drinking, he could feel the (mighty) bloody aura and trace of true dragon might within. He didn't hesitate, tilted his head and drained the entire cup!
The wine entering his throat was like a stream of (scorching) magma flowing into his body! Violent yet pure bloody aura instantly exploded, scouring his limbs, every muscle, every bone! That force was overbearing, as if wanting to burst his body apart!
If an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator drank just this cup, they would probably immediately suffer meridian damage, qi and blood reversal.
But Xiaoqi was different!
He cultivated the "Vajra Subduing Divine Ability" introduction, his body far exceeded peers. After realm tempering, his foundation was solid. At this moment, under Dragon Blood Wine's violent bloody aura assault, his qi and blood roared, muscles bulged, skin surface took on faint ancient bronze luster. The Vajra Subduing Divine Ability autonomously operated, fully absorbing and refining this external (mighty) force.
That fiery dragon blood aura and his body power collided and merged, as if conducting intense tempering. He clearly felt his muscle fibers become more tough, bone density increase, qi and blood total steadily rise, his entire body undergoing slow yet steadfast strengthening!
After one cup, his face slightly flushed, qi and blood steaming around him, as if shrouded in faint blood mist, yet his eyes became clearer and brighter.
He put down the cup, feeling the surging power within, praised privately: Truly worthy of dragon clan treasure! The effect is astonishing!
This scene, observed by Crown Prince Ao Qin who had been quietly watching, made his smile deepen. Other guests who noticed Xiaoqi could drink a cup of Dragon Blood Wine calmly also secretly (startled), raising their estimation of this youth.
Dragon clan treasures truly lived up to reputation. Just one cup of wine allowed Xiaoqi's body considerable tempering. And this was only the feast's beginning.