At the end of The Corridor of Spring, the passage gradually widened.
The surrounding light also changed from pale white to a slightly yellow hue, and the walls on both sides began to reveal so abstract bas-reliefs that seed to depict scenes of the ancestors hunting monsters, each stroke filled with an ancient barbaric aura.
Through certain features of the statues—like fangs, bat wings, exaggerated skulls, charcoal droppings, and so on—Zheng Qing could vaguely determine the identities of those monsters.
But only just.
The true identities of the Hunters he could not ascertain.
Because the hunters on the mural looked very much alike, with one head, two arms, and two legs, the difference being that so hunters were extrely large, comparable to small hills, yet distinct from Giants. Most hunters were small, clustered around the big ones, reminding Zheng Qing of the little figures that clung to the Buddha in temples.
After crossing an archway decorated with bright red drapes and two Eply Fairy Fires, along with Jiang Yu, he officially reached the main venue of tonight’s ball.
It was a very spacious hall, yet it did not possess much of the luxurious style Zheng Qing had imagined, but rather carried a sense of simplicity and antiquity.
On the ceiling wandered slender strands of light, emitting a hazy yet clear starlight, like dragons soaring in the distant sky; there were also bud-like structures hanging suspended like long umbrellas, gently blooming as guests passed, with bright light flas nestled within the overlapping petals, scattering brilliance along the way.
On one side of the venue was a long buffet table set with various dishes for tonight’s banquet, appearing to be in buffet style, though it was complented by unevenly arranged small tables for guests to rest and dine.
Suspended above the opposite wall were assorted monster heads, alongside yellowed portraits and brief introductions, narrating to each guest the identity of these monsters, their wicked deeds, and the great exploits of the Hunters who captured them.
Zheng Qing found it hard to imagine what ntality the ancient Wizards might have had to choose to dine while looking at those grotesque heads across from them—wouldn’t they suffer indigestion?
The dance floor was located in the center of the venue.
Surrounding it were shoulder-high white marble columns, exuding a style reminiscent of ancient Greek Corinthian columns; the columns were slender, though the capitals were not adorned with acanthus leaf motifs, but rather entwined with layers of Bold Hemp (an herb filled with Magic Power) interspersed with edelweiss, creating a flower basket-like appearance.
The light descending from the ceiling fell upon the flower baskets, sparking visible dazzling Magic Power that rose like a rainbow, converging over the dance floor to form a hazy yet dreamlike do of light.
Between the stone columns was a row of weapon racks.
From axes, halberds, knives, forks, to various Magic Wands and Law books; from bamboo talisman boards to jade Amulets, they were displayed within glass cabinets for guests to admire—interestingly, Zheng Qing even spotted two standing open coffins among them, one wooden, one stone, naturally empty, revealing only burgundy velvet padding and pillows, indicating that the Vampire who once lay within must have been quite a hedonist.
Occasionally, there were also one or two archaic suits of Armor, holding heavy iron swords, standing solemnly in the corners, emitting an eerie aura that warned people to stay away.
Zheng Qing’s appearance under the archway imdiately drew many attentive gazes from the venue.
Faced with those either challenging, curious, or eager eyes, Zheng Qing felt impulsive to bolt. But with his arm entwined by Jiang Yu, he could only suppress the unease in his heart and quietly ask:
"Shall we eat first?"
"If you’re hungry."
The Witch straightened her back, wearing a standard smile, calmly enduring the surrounding gazes’ scrutiny, her lips moving slightly as she quietly answered in a voice almost inaudible to Zheng Qing: "Although it’s nominally a dinner, no one cos here truly to eat...It’s more like an exhibit of those dishes on the table. I guess everyone just wants to observe the handiwork of each clan’s young won."
"Very reasonable."
Thinking of Shanglin Garden Spring Hunt’s ’matchmaking’ attribute, Zheng Qing nodded with understanding, then with firm steps drew the Witch, who wanted to enter the dance floor imdiately, toward the dining tables.
This greatly disappointed Vivian, who was following alongside.
"Which dish did you make?" Zheng Qing scanned the peculiar-looking dishes arranged on the table, eventually passing the choice back to Jiang Yu.
The Witch released the boy’s arm.
"I’ll get it for you, just stay here, don’t move." Her gaze casually drifted over those nearby figures who subtly approached, a light chuckle escaping her lips before she turned away.
...
...
"Now’s the ti."
Balash·Sasan watched Jiang Yu depart, taking a gentle breath.
"Is it now?" Louise Cody showed so hesitance, her gaze pausing slightly in other directions, causing her sight to retract sowhat: "Do we go together? I an..."
Following Louise’s gaze to another direction, Balash let out a cold laugh.
"This is Shanglin Garden, today is a hunting day...and hunting is a fair competition." The Witch tugged her collar, revealing a cleavage no less impressive than others, turning her face slightly to her companion:
"You have hunting experience, right?...In hunting, it’s taboo to face the prey one-on-one recklessly, as it easily pushes both parties to the extre. The best hunting thod is to encircle three sides and leave one open, repeatedly giving the prey ’leeway,’ letting it continuously turn and flee until eventually the avenues close in, it becos increasingly exhausted, finally rolling over to expose its belly...and the direction it finally exposes it, to whom, is quite a test of luck and skill...that’s both the fun and the essence of hunting...just like now."
She did not continue speaking.
For two other Witches were already close at hand.
"Very insightful views," Betsey Black’s glance swept across Balash and Louise, eventually resting on Balash: "I rember you, the daughter of the Sasan family...I thought your partner tonight would be Miss Barnes."
Linda Barnes, like Balash, was also from the First University’s campus newspaper, having always shared a good relationship. Though one was in the editorial departnt, and the other in the Ethics Committee.
"Barnes has a boyfriend."
Balash stopped walking, her eyes landing on the red-haired beauty beside Betsey, pausing montarily, speaking directly: "Without greeting the prey, hunters should not have internal strife...how about fair competition?"
"Very good."
Betsey tipped her hat slightly, barely nodding, in agreent towards a mutual goal, they could sign a devil-witnessed contract with just one glance.
Such was the unique tacit understanding among the Witches.
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