Chapter 341

Xiao Minghuang nodded in agreement.

Although the environment in the Southern Wilderness is barren, the behavioral logic of most things is not much different from that in the Eastern Pole.

As she spoke, she took out a handful of Top-grade Spirit Stones and filled them into the groove.

"Buzz..."

With a soft sound, the array lit up, shining on the two of them. Then the light gradually faded, the teleportation array returned to normal, and Xiao Minghuang and Shi Hongyu's figures gradually disappeared into the array.

Central Demon City.

"At least here, there's a faint trace of Spiritual Qi..."

As soon as Xiao Minghuang opened her eyes, she sensed the faint fluctuations of Spiritual Qi in the air. Although it was not as strong as the Eastern Pole of Zhongtian, it was already extremely rare in the Southern Wilderness.

"Princess, that's the main gate of the Central Demon City!"

Shi Hongyu pointed to one side.

Following her finger, one could see a massive, pitch-black city gate standing there.

Xiao Minghuang's gaze paused for a moment, then her eyes widened, and she saw a majestic and vast city standing between heaven and earth, like a demonic dragon overlooking all living beings.

The giant city was entirely black, as if cast from steel, exuding a heavy, cold metallic texture, and vaguely revealing a chilling aura of slaughter.

It sits amidst the vast yellow sands, like a sharp sword piercing the clouds, suppressing the netherworld.

This is a magnificent city filled with a sense of antiquity and vicissitude, as if it has existed since ancient times.

"Hiss..."

With just one glance, Xiao Minghuang had the illusion of being swallowed up, as if that city wall was the center of the world, and whoever approached it would be subjected to a strong attack and eventually be completely crushed into nothingness.

"This is the Central Demon City."

Shi Hongyu said in a deep voice.

"Okay, let's go."

Xiao Minghuang focused her mind slightly and let out a soft sigh. She knew that everything just now was just her illusion. This was just a city, and even with the protection of the formation, it would not pose any danger if it was not activated.

Then, the two headed towards the city gate of the Central Demon City.

Normally, the main gate of the Central Demon City is not open unless there are important events, such as the Demon Emperor's tour or the Six Paths Alliance Meeting. Otherwise, the gate is kept tightly locked.

Xiao Minghuang arrived at one of the side gates of the Central Demon City, paid a hefty gate tax, and was then allowed to enter the city.

"I haven't been back for a while, why has the city gate tax gone up again...?"

Shi Hongyu complained softly. In her memory, the city gate tax of the Central Demon City was only one High-grade Spirit Stones each time, but today, it required ten!

Xiao Minghuang didn't pay much attention to this. Perhaps the Central Demon City was short of money and wanted to generate revenue. In any case, it was none of her business, and she didn't need those spirit stones.

After entering the city, Xiao Minghuang's gaze swept across the city, taking in the entire scene.

The city streets are wide, the buildings are magnificent, and there are all kinds of shops, with pedestrians coming and going.

Putting aside the city's size and architectural style, the Central Demon City is not much different from the large city at the easternmost point of the sky.

The interior is filled with inns, Pill Pavilion, weapon-refining shops, and trading houses.

Soon, a simple horse-drawn carriage arrived.

A woman who looked like a maid stepped down from the carriage. Upon seeing Shi Hongyu, her face lit up with joy. She quickly walked over and bowed slightly, saying, "Second Miss, why have you suddenly returned?"

"A friend of mine was coming to Central Demon City, so I came with her."

Shi Hongyu pointed at Xiao Minghuang and smiled slightly, "This sister is my friend. You can call her 'Princess'."

"This servant, Qinglan, greets the princess."

Upon hearing that he was Shi Hongyu's friend, the maid Qinglan quickly bowed and greeted him with respect on her face.

455. Drunken Immortal Residence

Xiao Minghuang smiled and nodded slightly in response.

"Princess, this is the Central Demon City. Where do you want to go? I can show you the way."

Shi Hongyu smiled.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang pondered for a moment, then said, "Let's find an inn to stay in first, and then make further plans."

Upon hearing this, Shi Hongyu quickly said, "Now that the princess has come to the Central Demon City, how can we let you stay at an inn? Please come to my home as a guest and show me some hospitality!"

"I appreciate your kindness, but I'd better find an inn to stay in," Xiao Minghuang said, shaking her head slightly.

"Alright," Shi Hongyu nodded somewhat dejectedly.

Then, she suggested, "I know the best inn in the Central Demon City called 'Drunken Immortal Tower.' It's well-equipped, quiet, and beautiful. As long as you can afford the spirit stones, you can enjoy top-notch service. Even the Saint Realm elders from the Six Paths stay there. If the princess is interested, why not stay there for a while?"

The moment Shi Hongyu spoke, she mentioned the most prestigious restaurant in the Central Devil Palace. She could tell that this "princess" was no ordinary person; if she had suggested a less desirable place, the princess would likely have looked down on it.

"Then let's go take a look."

Xiao Minghuang pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly.

She wasn't concerned about "top-notch service," but rather that she was new to the Central Demon City and unfamiliar with it. She planned to learn about the current situation on her own before contacting the Eastern Expedition.

If she were to go to the delegation now, knowing absolutely nothing about the situation, wouldn't she be handing over the initiative to others?

The city gate is some distance from Drunken Immortal Tower, and it takes about half an hour to get there.

Throughout the journey, Xiao Minghuang remained lost in thought.

The so-called peace talks, to put it bluntly, mean that both sides have reached a point where they can no longer continue fighting and are unable to obtain the results they want from the battlefield, so they lay down their swords.

Therefore, both sides must make compromises based on their respective core interests and the interests they are willing to give up.

Therefore, if she wants to gain the upper hand in the peace negotiations, she must know what the core interests of the Southern Wilderness and the Eastern Pole are, and what interests each side can give up.

Xiao Minghuang frowned in thought.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out.

A group of young men and women appeared ahead, riding flying magical artifacts—swords, boats, or flying beasts—and sped toward the Drunken Immortal Tower Pavilion with great fanfare.

They were all dressed in exquisite robes, and their attire, demeanor, and bearing were completely different from those of the cultivators from the Southern Wilderness, but rather indistinguishable from those of the cultivators from the Eastern Pole.

"It's the Peace Negotiation Envoy Group; they're making a scene again!"

Upon seeing those people, Qinglan gasped softly, her face showing surprise.

The Peace Negotiation Envoy Group, as the name suggests, is there to negotiate peace, but they insist on making a high-profile show of it. Do they think they have the upper hand and can use their strength to intimidate the Southern Wilderness?

After arriving in the Central Demon City, instead of keeping a low profile, they became even more flamboyant, frequently showing off in public.

"Peace Negotiation Envoy Group..."

Xiao Minghuang narrowed her beautiful eyes, a playful smile curving her lips.

On the way, Shi Hongyu and Qinglan started chatting away.

"I've heard that Drunken Immortal Residence has recently launched the Four Symbols Grand Banquet, a feast made with Flame Sand Flood Dragon, Black Desert Azure Sparrow, Crimson Blaze Tiger Beast, and Mysterious Gold Armored Turtle as ingredients. It's an absolute delicacy; one meal here is better than decades of arduous cultivation!"

"Huh? Is that so?!" Upon hearing this, Shi Hongyu licked her lips, as if she was about to drool.

"No, I have to beg my mother to help me get a spot at the banquet."

"Miss, the minimum requirement to participate in the Four Symbols Grand Banquet is the Saint Realm; I'm afraid you have no chance..."

Qinglan smiled faintly.

"Oh no! How could this happen?"

Shi Hongyu pursed her lips.

"Miss, please don't be sad. I heard that this grand banquet is to entertain the Peace Negotiation Envoy Group, and the master and madam have also been invited. It shouldn't be a problem to ask the master to bring some back for you."

Shi Hongyu's eyes lit up slightly. "Really?"

"Absolutely true." Qinglan nodded seriously.

"That's more like it," Shi Hongyu scoffed.

Xiao Minghuang sat quietly beside them, watching the two girls bicker. Her mind calmed down, and she even felt a little relaxed and content.

There was a time when she lived such a life, but that is now a thing of the past, beyond our reach.

Soon, the three arrived in front of a towering, antique-style building with the words "Drunken Immortal Tower" prominently displayed on the plaque.

This building, nearly a hundred feet tall, is magnificent and imposing, resembling a giant python coiled on the ground.

The overall color is pale yellow, and the walls are carved with many intricate patterns, exuding an aura of time.

Xiao Minghuang looked up and saw that the building had five floors, each floor covering an area of over a thousand feet in diameter. The environment was beautiful and quiet, exuding nobility in every aspect.

Upon entering the Drunken Immortal Tower, the first thing that caught the eyes of Xiao Minghuang and her companions was a beautiful maid with a graceful figure.

The beautiful maid looked at the three of them and immediately recognized Shi Hongyu.

"So it's Miss Shi. Are you hosting a dinner party for your friends?"

The beautiful maidservant curtsied gracefully and asked politely.

Shi Hongyu asked, "My friend has come from afar and plans to stay at Drunken Immortal Residence for a few days. Are there any VIP rooms available?"

The beautiful maid shook her head. "I'm sorry, all the top-tier rooms are already booked."

Shi Hongyu frowned, just about to ask if there were any empty rooms in the "Earth" tier, when a strange, sarcastic voice entered her ears.

"Oh my, who am I? What wind blew up today and brought our Miss Shi here?"

Shi Hongyu looked in the direction of the sound and saw two handsome young men in fine clothes standing not far behind her. One of them had dark skin, thick eyebrows and bright eyes, and an arrogant expression.

The other young man was handsome and tall, dressed in exotic attire, and appeared to be a member of the Eastern Pacific Peace Negotiation Envoy Group.

"Li Jie, what are you saying, being sarcastic? Are you asking for a beating again?!" Shi Hongyu said coldly, her pretty face icy.

Upon hearing this, Li Jie showed no fear and sneered, "Oh ho, what's so smug about you? I heard you were infatuated with a kid from the Eastern Pole, but he didn't reciprocate your feelings at all. Now you've slunk back from the Blood Demon Path? You're really shameful. You've completely disgraced the Shi family!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Hongyu was instantly enraged and gritted her teeth, cursing, "Li Jie, shut up!"

Li Jie chuckled and said, "I'm not going to shut up, so what? This is Drunken Immortal Residence, do you think you can lay a hand on me?"

Shi Hongyu was furious and was about to speak when a powerful aura suddenly appeared and enveloped them.

In an instant, the three of them felt their bodies stiffen, as if they were insects trapped in amber, unable to even move.

Immediately afterwards, a soft and melodious voice drifted into my ears, like celestial music from the heavens, full of allure yet carrying an irresistible majesty.

456. A Bewitching Woman

"No noise allowed inside Drunken Immortal Residence!"

As soon as the words were spoken, a graceful and slender figure appeared before them.

This woman had a voluptuous and slender figure, fair skin, and a charming and alluring face; every smile and frown exuded a fatal attraction.

But what's most stunning about her is her appearance.

It was an absolutely beautiful face, with willow-leaf eyebrows, phoenix eyes full of affection, a delicate nose with cherry-red lips, and pink and tender lips that seemed to bleed.

She wore a light gauze dress, which accentuated her curvaceous figure, slender waist, full and firm breasts, and alluring curves, perfectly highlighting her exquisite figure.

"The Drunken Immortal Hermit!"

Shi Hongyu's pupils suddenly contracted, her heart pounded, her cheeks flushed instantly, and her gaze burned as she stared intently at the alluring woman.

The owner of Drunken Immortal Tower, Drunken Immortal Hermit!

Not only her, but almost everyone present focused their attention on the Drunken Immortal Hermit the moment he appeared.

Even Xiao Minghuang couldn't help but look at the Drunken Immortal Hermit the moment she appeared.

Although the Drunken Immortal Hermit wore a veil, it could not conceal her captivating beauty, especially her alluring peach blossom eyes, which were simply impossible to look away from.

A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Minghuang's eyes.

With just a simple entrance and a few casual words, he quelled all the trouble and drew everyone's attention to himself.

"The Drunken Immortal Hermit has some skill..."

Xiao Minghuang sighed inwardly.