The celebration was thoroughly informal, with little attention paid to seating arrangements. Only Old Pine sat at the head; everyone else, Yi Shuyuan included, sat wherever they pleased. The tables were all formed from plants, and children transformed from spirit birds and beasts were everywhere, passing fruit and serving wine.
It was hardly a banquet or a proper feast. Rather, it was a carefree celebration in the way the mountain's creatures preferred: eating, drinking, and making merry.
Although most of those present were minor demons and spirits from across the mountain who had yet to amount to much, the atmosphere was undeniably lively.
Yi Shuyuan had attended plenty of grand gatherings. At those lofty affairs, most guests had their own agendas, but here on Broad South Mountain, most of those who had come to offer congratulations were expressing heartfelt gratitude.
After all, the thousand-year-old pine had released the Essence of Plants and Trees, making all things burst with vitality and stirring rolling waves of spiritual energy. It had bestowed blessings upon an entire region—a tremendous act of grace!
Naturally, others could also see the radiance of that essence. In Yuanjiang County and the surrounding counties, and within Moon City, earth deities appeared one after another, looking toward Broad South Mountain.
The Moon Province Great City God stood atop the City God Temple, gazing toward Broad South Mountain. To a deity of his stature, the ancient pine's blooming essence appeared as wave after wave of spreading green light, causing even the boundless spiritual energy to change color.
"Lord City God, what has happened? Is this Elder Huang's doing on Broad South Mountain?"
At the question from the ghost deity beside him, the City God smiled and shook his head.
"No!"
"There is a thousand-year-old pine on Broad South Mountain. Though kindly