Chapter 660: Night Banquet and Mastering (Supplementary Update)
Lolan Hill and Aitexi sat on the roof for a long time, discussing the differences between the Eastern and Western continents before reluctantly parting ways.
To Aitexi, although there were some fellow elves here, most treated her with excessive respect or had little to talk about among themselves. Now, she had found someone with whom she could relax and converse freely, without worrying about the other person not keeping up, and they could talk about all sorts of things.
Why does this Miss Lacy seem more knowledgeable than me, an elf? She looks around seventeen, maybe even younger if she appears more youthful, but she seems very impressive. After Lolan Hill left, Aitexi remained seated in the rooftop garden, watching the sunset and the golden twilight.
As time passed, an elf with ice-blue hair approached. This was the same elf maid who had previously brought juice to them, though now she had changed clothes and her demeanor was completely different.
“Aerin has come too,” Aitexi waved when she saw her.
This ice-blue haired elf was dressed elegantly, exuding grace like a true princess. In fact, her status was not low at all.
“Mm, there’s a banquet in the city later. The Rumbling Fortress has sent out invitations,” Aerin said after sitting down, also looking towards the distant purple-red twilight. Her graceful neck was bathed in the hazy, dreamy gold of dusk.
Compared to Aitexi, Aerin looked more mature, her appearance roughly equivalent to a human in their mid-20s.
“Already? It seems the visit from the Yanhang Gate must have something important.” Aitexi stretched, her graceful figure on full display.
“You should stay in the shop. Don’t go wandering around; otherwise, if your identity is exposed, it will be troublesome. After all, the sea routes are cut off, and we can’t get support and protection from the Emerald Forest,” Aerin glanced at the elf girl extending her legs.
“I understand, Sister Aerin.”
Aitexi nodded and leaned against Aerin’s shoulder.
“How long have you been here, Sister Aerin? I’ve never seen an Ice Elf before.”
“It’s been a few years now. I’m slowly getting used to it.”
“Are you not going back? I heard that the Northern Continent is the homeland of the Ice Elves.”
Aitexi took Aerin’s ice-blue hair in her hand, examining it, then picked up a strand of her own golden hair, comparing them.
“Homeland isn’t always better. Sometimes, you need to consider what others think around you. It’s freer here,” Aerin shook her head.
“Really? I heard from Paralsha that you, Sister Aerin, come from a certain sect within the Ice Elves.”
“High Nobility, don’t you feel disheartened doing servant work now and then?”
“There’s no reason to feel disheartened; it’s just work. Besides, isn’t it something to be proud of earning some pocket money?” Erin tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“It’s you, the proper princess, who plays around every day. How will you support yourself in the future?”
“I don’t have to worry about that. As long as I go home, Mother will cover for me, and my sisters dote on me the most.” Aitexi smiled.
“Besides, there’s still the future. If I want to, it’s easy to earn some pocket money. Don’t judge me so rigidly.”
Aitexi’s legs in white stockings swayed slightly in the air, her hands pressing against her thighs as she turned her head to look at Erin beside her.
They conversed in the glow of the twilight. Soon after, seeing the sky turn deep purple, Erin stood up.
“I’ll head to the banquet first. You stay at the shop.”
Then, this ice elf in full dress descended the stairs and walked out of the store, where a carriage was already waiting.
—
That night, Lolan Hill returned to her residence and rested for a while. Inside the official residence of Reng Lei Mansion in the city, it was quite lively today, with representatives from many nearby factions invited, and other notable figures from the city also received invitations, including the ice elf Erin.
Unlike in the West, there were no guest dances at Eastern banquets, but instead, several tables were set up, and below the stage, dancers and musicians from local music halls were invited to perform.
When Erin sat down, she saw several guests from Yanhang Gate sitting above.
“It’s been a long time since we last met, Lin Zhizhou. How have you been recently?” A man in his forties warmly greeted the representative from Yanhang Gate next to him. He was a high-ranking official at Reng Lei Mansion.
“There’s no need for such formalities, Sir Lei.” The man named Lin, who seemed to be in his thirties, did not seem to care much for these pleasantries.
Several people chatted about old times and recent odd news.
“At your suggestion, does your sect wish to establish a branch hall in the Seven States of Ji Lei?” It was only halfway through the banquet that the official at Reng Lei Mansion gradually understood the intentions of this representative.
“Yes, we hope to gain support from the local factions,” the representative said after drinking the wine in his cup before starting to talk about the main topic.
Erin listened quietly among the crowd below, finally understanding the intentions of the Yanhang Gate representative.
It was roughly that Yanhang Gate would establish a branch hall in the Seven States of Ji Lei, informing the local factions beforehand. This matter seemed insignificant, but it had different implications. Originally, the Seven States of Ji Lei did not have any upper-class sects (the Crimson Immortal Sect lost its status as an upper-class sect several hundred years ago). The three factions and Reng Lei Mansion divided most of the territory there.
Just.
But if the Yanxing Sect were to establish a branch here, many outstanding newcomers would certainly prioritize joining the Yanxing Sect rather than other factions. After all, the resources, talents, power, and cultivation methods of an upper sect would surpass those of ordinary factions.
In this way, excellent geniuses would be harvested, and in the new era, there would be a lack of fresh blood and talent to pave the way. The other three factions of Ji Lei Seven Continents might gradually decline.
No wonder the previous momentum was so great; it was to establish prestige. Erin analyzed in her mind, then shook her head slightly. This matter had little to do with her as an elf. In a few years, once sea routes were restored, these few elves could return home. Besides, they numbered less than a hundred and wouldn’t attract the attention of other factions.
As she gradually stopped paying attention and began to enjoy some of the fruits at the banquet, a commotion arose from outside the main hall.
A young man entered the hall. He wore dark clothes and appeared to be around 20 years old, with a stern brow, giving off an impression of stubborn determination.
“Why have you come?” An elder dressed in black asked from a nearby table.
This young man did not reply but walked straight to the center table and knelt on one knee. “I am Ying Canxiao. I admire the style of the Hanshan Yanxing Sect and humbly request to be accepted as a disciple.”
As he spoke, his aura radiated, standing out among his peers.
The scene suddenly fell silent. Many wondered why this young prodigy was so rash, showing such disrespect to the Black Robe Palace, wasn’t this a direct slap in the face?
He was the grandson of the previous head of the Black Robe Palace. Not joining the Black Robe Palace was one thing, but now openly joining another faction in such a grand manner—wasn’t this implying that the Black Robe Palace was incapable and unworthy of admission?
As the crowd exchanged glances and buzzed with discussion, a hearty laugh echoed.
“Hahaha, Cousin Ying, there’s no need for this.” The representative of the Yanxing Sect stepped forward and helped the young man up.
“I have met your grandfather a few times before, we are old acquaintances, why must you kneel like this?”
“But since you have such ambition and desire, I cannot obstruct or refuse you. Although the mountain master is currently absent, it is not difficult for you to learn within our sect. I will speak on your behalf afterward.”
“In this way, a good deed is accomplished.” After saying this, the representative surnamed Lin invited Ying Canxiao to sit beside him, and they continued with the dinner. The hall again filled with noisy discussions.
P.S.: Little Lolan’s destination sect is about to appear, no need to rush 0 0,
Today’s chapter is 8K words, excluding the regular 4K update, with an additional 4K words, counted as two chapters (4/60) 0 0/
(End of Chapter)
