The Great Toad King soon recovered, however, and could not help looking toward Old Pine, who sat among a crowd of "children." This tree demon had actually persuaded the Immortal Venerable to attend his feast. Little Broad South Mountain truly harbored crouching tigers and hidden dragons!
He struggled to contain his excitement rather than rashly approach Yi Shuyuan at once. Instead, he considered what he had brought with him, then rummaged inside his robes.
Before long, the Great Toad King rose with his plump body and walked over to Old Pine. When the latter looked his way, he spoke with a genial smile.
"While passing through, I, Chanshang, saw the pure rise and the murky disperse, and knew this was no ordinary place. I came down to beg a cup of wine, but brought no suitable gift of congratulations. This, however, is at least presentable. I hope you will accept it!"
A slightly crystalline layer of something appeared in his hand. He supported it on one palm, then gave it a gentle push, sending it floating toward Old Pine.
Old Pine reached out to receive it and found it almost weightless. Nearby, Huang Hongchuan and even Lady Yao E turned to look. It drew Yi Shuyuan's attention as well.
Hui Mian, who had been eating with Jiang Zhuer, was also drawn by the sight. Beside her legs, he could not resist looking up and asking a question.
"What is that thing?"
Just then, Old Pine gave his hand a gentle shake. The crystalline substance unfurled into a large, translucent canopy, like sheer silk or an enormous lotus leaf, with traces like droplets of dew lingering upon it. It was beautiful and extraordinary.
Jiang Zhuer was, after all, one of the aquatic folk, and had spent a long time at Lady