Night, April 8, Year 10034 of the Yulan Calendar.
Stars shone like great ladles above the Energy Special Zone. The sprawling courtyard was ablaze with lights and filled with voices. Of all the family banquets held since the founding of the Xunzhen Republic Empire, this had the most complete gathering of its core members.
Barker and his four brothers occupied a large table with their families, shouting at the tops of their lungs as they competed at drinking.
Sessler was also there with his two disciples. The Undead Grand Magus, who had lived for who knew how many years, still liked to smile sinisterly, but the curve of his lips was far gentler than before.
Linley's family sat at one table. Delia was quietly telling Sasha something, and Sasha kept nodding. It was nothing more than urging Sasha to look around for a boy she liked. But with her older cousin Xini setting an example, how could ordinary men catch Sasha's eye? The people pursuing her throughout the empire could form a line from the main city to the Dark Forest.
Wharton and Mia sat at another table with Xini and their daughter-in-law. Mia held Wharton's arm, occasionally glancing toward Loa. Whenever her gaze met his expressionless face, she guiltily looked away.
Bob had returned as well. This fellow, who had been sightseeing all over the Yulan Continent, still knew to come home. He was talking quietly with Wuzhui.
Haeru crouched in his own spot in the corner, head lowered and silent, doing nothing but eating.
Three enormous Saint Realm Magical Beasts also lay in the courtyard. One was a Saint-level Golden Dragon, covered in golden scales, lying there like a small mountain of gold.
One was a Saint-level Tyrannosaurus, even more heavily built than the Golden Dragon, its short