[Noticing your gaze, the middle-aged scholar immediately bowed slightly, a warm, refined smile on his lips. You withdrew your gaze as well and returned calmly to your seat.]
[Clear Void Sword Immortal and Goodman Bloodpine regarded the scholar behind the Holy Maiden not as an ordinary servant, but as her friend.]
[The two went straight to the table and took their seats.]
[Only after Gu Changze walked slowly back to the seat of honor did the guests throughout the hall sit down in turn.]
[After a round of courteous greetings, the atmosphere at the banquet gradually quieted.]
[Gu Rui raised his wine cup and asked in a clear voice, "I heard that you passed through the Celestial River and entered Colorful Cloud City, Holy Maiden?"]
[At those words, every gaze at the banquet converged on her.]
[The Celestial River stretched between north and south, a wondrous realm born naturally of heaven and earth.]
[Its waters were heavy, making it difficult for boats to float. Its waves surged magnificently, and flight was impossible as well.]
[It forcibly severed the northern and southern territories, with only a handful of crossings allowing passage.
[Colorful Cloud City was built upon the Celestial River, commanding the vital route between north and south.]
[Everyone said that a fruit status belonging to this world lay hidden in the depths of the Celestial River. Yet for ten thousand years, no one had ever managed to explore those depths. It was one of the most mysterious forbidden lands in this world.]
[Colorful Cloud City, standing upon the Celestial River, was likewise a remarkable force unlike any other in this world.]
[Although the city lay within Southern Shu Territory, it was neither governed by the demon race nor affiliated with the Demon Sect. It stood on its own.]
[Its lord