The congratulatory announcement from outside instantly startled everyone present.
"Damn, he actually dared to come to the City Lord's Manor. Doesn't he know we're all here?" the minotaur said fiercely, rubbing his horns.
The others also looked grimly at the three people walking in from outside. Even Elder Mu, seated at the head, looked toward the newcomers. The red-robed girl pouring wine for Elder Mu raised her head to look at them, her eyes brimming with curiosity.
The leaders of the many smaller factions below also began discussing among themselves.
"Those three are from the Demon Sect that ascended from the lower realm!"
"I heard this man crippled Lord Long Chang with a single move. Who knows how high his cultivation must be?"
"He actually dared to come here. Isn't he afraid of dying?"
"Keep your voice down. Are you courting death, letting him hear you say that? One look tells you he's no righteous cultivator. How could people like us afford to provoke him?"
Zhou Qiong and his two companions quickly entered the hall. He cupped his hands and said,
"I am Zhou Qiong, sect master of the Demon Sect. Hearing that today was your birthday, Elder Mu, I came especially to offer my congratulations. I wonder whether you welcome me!"
Elder Mu nodded with a smile. "Anyone who comes is a guest. Take a seat!"
The minotaur at the side said mockingly, "There are no seats left up here. Sect Master Zhou will have to find a seat down below!"
The others also watched Zhou Qiong and his companions with mocking expressions.
Zhou Qiong did not reply. He led the two straight to Long Chang's former seat and sat down, while Liansheng and Xuan Yi stood behind him.
Once seated, he said in a deep voice, "This should be that one-eyed freak's seat. From now on, it belongs to me. Does anyone object?"
As he spoke, boundless might radiated from Zhou Qiong, and endless Demonic Qi swirled around him, as though an ancient demon god sat there. For a moment, no one dared answer.
"Ahem." Elder Mu coughed softly from the seat of honor, and the oppressive pressure in the hall instantly dissipated. "Since Sect Master Zhou wishes to sit there, let him!"
Seeing that Elder Mu had spoken, the others said nothing more. On Zhou Qiong's left sat Shangguan Yun, whom he had met last time, while on his right sat the chief of the Red Fox Clan.
Shangguan Yun smiled and raised his wine cup toward Zhou Qiong. Zhou Qiong also picked up his cup, took a sip, and nodded with a smile.
The red-robed girl pouring wine beside Elder Mu stood and announced clearly, "Since all the guests have arrived, let the presentation of gifts begin!"
A clansman behind Lan Yukong stepped forward and called out loudly, "The Blue Rain Clan presents one Profound Yang Golden Pill. May Elder Mu enjoy boundless longevity!"
A member of the Red Fox Clan also called out loudly, "The Red Fox Clan presents one piece of ten-thousand-year azurite. May Elder Mu retain his youth forever!"
The minotaur presented~~~~~~~~
The Sword Sect presented~~~~~~~~~
The Great River Gang presented~~~~~~~~
The seven major factions went first, followed by the smaller factions, all beginning to present their gifts. Every gift was a rare treasure, yet Elder Mu wore a smile from beginning to end, as though not a single thing could catch his attention!
Just then, the Ghost Clan chief opposite them, wreathed in eerie Ghost Qi, laughed sinisterly. "Kekeke, did Sect Master Zhou come to Elder Mu's birthday celebration without even bringing a gift? You're looking down on Elder Mu!"
Hearing this, the others all turned their gazes toward Zhou Qiong. They were very happy to see someone step forward to make things difficult for him.
Zhou Qiong ignored them and instead raised his head to look at Elder Mu. The silver-black lightning between his brows began to emit wisps of light, which then vanished.
Elder Mu looked at Zhou Qiong in surprise. When Zhou Qiong had looked at him just now, he had actually felt a trace of being seen through. He was a True Martial Realm cultivator, after all. It seemed this Demon Sect master really did have some tricks up his sleeve!
Zhou Qiong lowered his head in silent thought. Elder Mu's true form is actually an immortal peach tree. Light radiates from his body, but there's also a sense of confinement. He should be on the verge of a breakthrough, but the limitations of his true form prevent him from breaking through!
System, is there anything that can help an immortal peach tree break through the limitations of its true form?
Yes, host. Immortal Spirit Marrow is a supreme treasure of the plant race. A single drop can help him break through the limitations of his true form! One hundred thousand Villain Points per drop.
System, how many Villain Points do I have left?
Host currently has eighty thousand Villain Points remaining!
System, exchange for half a drop of Immortal Spirit Marrow for me.
All right. Half a drop of Immortal Essence Marrow successfully exchanged. Fifty thousand Villain Points spent. Thirty thousand Villain Points remaining!
A porcelain bottle instantly appeared in Zhou Qiong's hand. He casually passed it to Xuan Yi and gave him a few instructions.
Holding the porcelain bottle, Xuan Yi walked to the center of the hall, faced Elder Mu, and called out loudly, "The Demon Sect congratulates Elder Mu on his birthday and presents half a drop of Immortal Spirit Marrow. May Elder Mu make great strides in cultivation and ascend another level."
"What?" The usually composed Elder Mu rose straight to his feet. With a wave of his hand, the porcelain bottle in Xuan Yi's hand instantly appeared in his own. He slowly opened it, and a delicate fragrance instantly filled the hall. The others had little reaction, but the members of the plant race present seemed to feel an irresistible temptation, all turning toward the porcelain bottle with longing in their eyes.
Elder Mu replaced the stopper, waved away the fragrance in the hall, and carefully put the porcelain bottle away. Turning to Zhou Qiong, he cupped his hands. "Thank you for your gift, Sect Master Zhou. You've been most thoughtful!"
Although no one present had heard the name Immortal Spirit Marrow before, Elder Mu's reaction made it clear that it was anything but ordinary. After all, when they had presented their gifts, Elder Mu had not even nodded!
Lan Yukong's gaze toward Zhou Qiong brimmed even more with the desire to plunder. Had this not been Elder Mu's birthday celebration, he probably would have charged straight up, seized Zhou Qiong, and plundered everything he had. But wanting to do something and being able to do it were two different things.
The red-robed girl beside Elder Mu gave Zhou Qiong a long look. He was even more interested in this mysterious Demon Sect master now. When Elder Mu had opened the porcelain bottle, she had been closest, and the fragrance alone had given her true form the sensation of breaking through. She truly had no idea what sort of treasure this Immortal Spirit Marrow was.
The red-robed girl stood. "The rules remain the same. Each major faction will send two Profound Understanding Realm cultivators to compete. Eight people will ultimately be selected to qualify for entry into the Kongtong Secret Realm. Each of the eight major factions will select one person to advance directly to the finals."
After speaking, she glanced at Zhou Qiong again and added, "The Demon Sect will take over the One-Eyed Clan's former qualification. Let the competition officially begin! Serve the banquet!"
Countless maids immediately came up from both sides, carrying trays laden with all manner of rare and exotic fruits, which they placed on the tables of the leaders of the major factions.
Two maids carried fruit platters to Zhou Qiong's table. One specifically pointed to an immortal peach placed alone on a plate and said softly, "Elder Mu prepared this especially for Sect Master Zhou."
Zhou Qiong looked at the immortal peach, light flickering ceaselessly over its surface. It was clearly different from the other fruits. He turned to look at Elder Mu, then could not help laughing. "Elder Mu really is willing to part with something precious!"