Within the Fangtai Sect garrison, Zhang Yu sat cross-legged on a soft couch in the inner chamber. A cup of fragrant tea rested on the table before him as he gazed through the glass wall at the deep, boundless plains outside.
Though the New Year had not yet arrived, rolling explosions sounded from every direction from time to time, blossoming into clusters of dazzling, magnificent fireworks high in the sky.
Because it was New Year's Eve, every Radiant Transmission sent out in today's reports came with fireworks and firecrackers specially made by the Celestial Mechanism Institute. The originally silent, frigid wilderness now seemed extraordinarily lively.
He watched the Desolate Domain flickering beneath the fireworks. The year was already drawing to an end, yet Patriarch Yuan Tong had never appeared. Perhaps he was still waiting for a better opportunity.
But there was another possibility.
Perhaps even evil fiends celebrated the New Year.
He lifted his tea and took a sip. The fragrant, scalding tea flowed into his lungs and viscera, clearing his mind somewhat.
Yu Fu had brought these tea leaves from the Mystic Profound Realm and specially gifted him two tins. He found the flavor quite good and thought that next time, he could ask Tao Dingfu to bring some over as well.
Speaking of which, after Tao Dingfu had seen that giant vessel in Frost Continent this time, he had already agreed to build one for him. He likely would have no spare time for the next year or so.
As he pondered this, another burst of fireworks and firecrackers rang out, and a brilliant radiance flashed once more beyond the glass wall.
Another year was about to arrive.
Amid the rumbling, an elderly cultivator entered, bowed, and said, "Profound Rectifier, the Celestial Mechanisms Bureau just sent word. Half