The Banquet Begins

By evening, the banquet preparations were nearly complete.

Medusa gently knocked on Old Yao's door and asked in a low voice.

"Senior, how are you resting? The banquet is about to begin."

Old Yao was currently meditating in his room, preparing to give the batch of recovery pills he had refined last time to Medusa and her kin, as injuring them had truly been a last resort.

"Hmm, come inside. This old man has something to gift you all."

"Very well, Senior."

Medusa then pushed the door open lightly and entered Old Yao's room.

Seeing Medusa enter, Old Yao stood up to welcome her and retrieved a small jade bottle from his storage ring, handing it to her.

"Senior, what is this?"

Medusa looked at the small jade bottle Old Yao had handed her and asked, puzzled.

"This is the Tier 5 healing medicine, the Jade Blood Recovery Pill. There are five inside; it should be enough for you all to recover from your injuries."

Upon hearing that they were Tier 5 medicinal pills—and five of them at that—

Medusa gasped, her hands subconsciously covering her mouth to stifle a scream of astonishment.

One must know that there were almost no alchemists among the Snake-People Tribe; for many years, the tribe had only possessed one who reached the level of a Tier 4 alchemist.

Medusa usually treated him like a treasure, and the tribe's resources were always prioritized for him.

"Senior, this is too precious. Any one of these Tier 5 pills could cause quite a stir in the Jia Ma Empire. I truly feel embarrassed to accept such valuable medicine."

"It is nothing. This old man can produce these pills with a mere wave of his hand."

Old Yao spoke with a calm and indifferent expression, as if he had merely given Medusa a few sugar candies.

Hearing Old Yao treat these pills so casually, Medusa stopped declining; after all, Tier 5 pills were indeed highly desirable.

"Then, Senior, I shall accept your kindness."

"Senior, the banquet is about to start. Please accompany me."

"Very well."

Old Yao followed Medusa toward the plaza to attend the banquet the Snake-People Tribe had prepared for him.

In the central plaza of the Snake-People Tribe's settlement, a grand and lively banquet was in full swing.

The plaza was brilliantly lit, with countless torches and colorful lanterns illuminating the area as if it were daylight.

The ground was covered with soft animal hides and gorgeous brocade, forming a magnificent, colorful carpet.

Tables laden with delicacies were arranged in an orderly fashion, emitting an enticing aroma.

Queen Medusa sat in the seat of honor, her peerless beauty even more striking and moving under the lights.

She wore a crown of brilliant gemstones and a magnificent robe sewn from rare animal hides and golden threads, her gaze filled with majesty and nobility.

Seated on either side of her were the important figures and distinguished guests of the tribe.

As a specially invited guest, Old Yao sat near Queen Medusa, a smile on his face and his eyes filled with anticipation for the banquet.

In the center of the plaza, a group of graceful Snake-People beauties were dancing to their hearts' content.

Their slender waists twisted like supple snake bodies, and as their arms waved, the colorful ribbons in their hands fluttered and soared.

Their dance steps were light and rhythmic, accompanied by cheerful drumbeats and the melodious sound of flutes, as if they were recounting the ancient and mysterious stories of the Snake-People Tribe.

Amidst the music, attendants wove through the crowd, carrying trays laden with various delicious dishes.

There was roasted beast meat, golden and crispy, overflowing with fragrance; meticulously prepared fruit desserts, colorful and vibrant; and fine wine brewed with precious medicinal herbs, mellow and sweet.

Children laughed and played among the crowd, holding small lanterns in their hands, their faces glowing with innocent smiles.

The adults sat together, raising their glasses to drink, laughing loudly, and sharing the small joys of life.

In a corner of the banquet, several Snake-People Champions were testing their strength.

They were bare-chested, their muscles bulging, displaying their strength and bravery.

Each contest drew bursts of cheers, pushing the atmosphere of the banquet to a climax.

In the night sky, brilliant fireworks bloomed, lighting up the entire tribe.

At this moment, Medusa raised her wine glass and said respectfully to Old Yao.

"Senior, regarding the previous incident, my Snake-People Tribe failed to host you properly."

"This is a unique wine special to our Snake-People Tribe; please, you must have a taste."

"Very well. This old man has long heard that the wine brewed by the Snake-People of the Tagor Desert is among the finest on the Dou Continent. I shall certainly savor it."

Hearing Medusa say it was a specialty wine of the Snake-People, Old Yao couldn't wait to have a drink and see for himself.

Because cultivators usually have their bodies automatically dissipate alcohol, they generally do not drink—especially someone like Old Yao, who possessed a Heavenly Flame; the moment the wine touched his lips, it would usually be evaporated.

To properly taste the wine, Old Yao used his own cultivation to suppress his body, allowing himself to actually savor the liquor.

Of course, by suppressing his entire body like this, even a cultivator like Old Yao could become intoxicated.

At this moment, Yao Chen raised the cup filled with the Snake-People Tribe's special brew with one hand.

Under the glow of the lamplight, the fine wine shimmered with a captivating luster, as warm and smooth as amber.

The liquid emitted a strange, mellow aroma, a blend of desert spices, precious herbs, and the mysterious fragrance imparted by the unique brewing techniques of the Snake-People Tribe.

Yao Chen took the cup, sniffed the intoxicating scent, and a hint of anticipation flickered in his eyes.

He slowly raised the cup to his lips, tilted his head back slightly, and took a small sip.

As soon as the wine entered his mouth, the mellow flavor instantly spread across his tongue; first came a fiery, burning sensation, like a raging flame sweeping through his mouth, but this was immediately followed by a sweet aftertaste, like a spring gushing forth in the desert, soothing his parched throat.

Yao Chen couldn't help but close his eyes, savoring the complex and wonderful texture.

His throat moved gently as he swallowed the wine, and he immediately felt a warm current spread from his throat down to his abdomen, as if every limb and bone in his body were being nourished by this warm power.

He slowly opened his eyes, which were filled with intoxication and admiration.

He raised the cup once more, drained it in one gulp, then set it down gently and let out a long sigh of relief, smiling as he said to Medusa beside him, "This wine is fit only for the heavens; how often can one taste such a thing in the mortal realm?"

Hearing Yao Chen's high praise for the wine, Medusa beamed with joy and chimed in from the side.

"Senior, I am glad you like it. Come and watch the dance of our Snake-People women; it is a rare sight in the Jia Ma Empire."

With a cup of wine already in his belly, a slight flush appeared on Yao Chen's face, and seeing the beautiful Snake-People women dancing in the center, his spirits soared.

"What a beautiful dance! What an intoxicating wine! This old man is very happy today!"

Yao Chen raised his cup again and again, the flush on his face becoming increasingly prominent.