"Celestial King!"
The Kitchen God's heart burned with urgency, yet his face remained calm and unruffled. He raised his wine cup and stepped forward in one smooth, natural motion.
Sure enough, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King's gaze was drawn by this sudden gesture, temporarily shifting away from the Seven-Treasure Exquisite Pagoda he had been watching so sharply.
The Kitchen God smiled. "I wish to share a drink with the Celestial King, as a token of congratulations."
"Congratulations?" The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King was puzzled. "Kitchen God, what is there to celebrate?"
Inside the great hall, it was not only the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King who was being warmly entertained. Nezha and his two brothers had not been neglected either.
Although Jin Zha and Mu Zha did not drink, Lord God of Wealth and Star Lord of Water Virtue had drawn them in from either side, and they chatted away merrily.
Nezha, meanwhile, sat opposite the Plague Lord. Neither spoke. They simply drank cup after cup, as though neither would rest until the other had been knocked down.
The Kitchen God's words of "congratulations" instantly drew the attention of every immortal in the hall.
Lord God of Wealth and the Plague Lord exchanged glances, both knowing that something must have happened.
The Kitchen God raised a hand toward Nezha and his brothers, his smile growing ever gentler. "Celestial King Li, seeing the three princes so valiant and spirited, their divine might so awe-inspiring, I was suddenly moved. I could not help but offer the Celestial King my congratulations."
"Oh? I would like to hear more." The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King was clearly intrigued.
"They say the Li family is a house of dragons and tigers, every one of them possessed of divine might that shakes the Three Realms. But when it comes to strategizing behind