Wait! Tidy yourselves up... and wait at the hall entrance. This King will board the dragon ship with you!" Ao Jing's dragon roar shook the entire Spring Bud Hall. Azure radiance blazed from the hall's four walls, and fine strands of light seeped from the Hundred Beasts Under Dragon Reins painting, slowly falling into the pool at the center. The entire pool churned violently as Ao Jing's excited voice rang out from within its waters.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Yong shouted. He cupped his hands toward the deep pool, swept an arrogant glance over Xiao Hua and Chong, then strutted away with his head held high.
Chong did not dare delay either. He tugged Xiao Hua along, and the two demons likewise bowed in thanks before hurriedly leaving Spring Bud Hall.
Outside Spring Bud Hall, the heavy fragrance still lingered, but the earth-shaking sounds had vanished, and Yong, who had left the hall before them, was nowhere to be seen. Xiao Hua looked at Chong and bowed. "Many thanks, immortal friend. Had you not explained things for me, I fear I would have offended His Majesty the moment I met him."
"Heh, it is nothing. You and I are both going to pay respects to the Dragon King, and we are both members of weak races from the Sacred Realm of a Thousand Demons. Naturally, we ought to support one another." Chong smiled and bent down to help Xiao Hua up.
Xiao Hua nodded, looked around, and said again, "I do not know the way out. Could immortal friend lead the way?"
"What are you going out for?" Chong asked strangely.
Xiao Hua found this even stranger and asked in return, "Didn't His Majesty tell us to..."
At this point, Xiao Hua came to his senses. He gave an embarrassed