Looking at the vast bounty of food, ng Bai took in a deep breath, his eyes widening in awe.
"WHOA!" he gasped, his stomach growling audibly. No one minded; in fact, Daoist Chu chuckled at his enthusiasm. "Now this," Daoist Chu declared, surveying the grand banquet hall with a grin, "is how you throw a feast."
Even Lin Mu, who had attended many lavish gatherings before, had to admit that the sheer extravagance of this spread was sothing else. The scent of roasted ats, fragrant soups, and sweet delicacies mingled in the air, making the atmosphere almost intoxicating.
Little Shrubby, however, had a much simpler reaction. "I'm eating everything."
Lin Mu sighed. "Let's try to be civilized about it."
"I make no promises," the kitten replied with a flick of his tail, already eyeing a particularly large roasted fish.
Just as they reached an empty table, an attendant interrupted them. "Honored guests, your assigned seats are elsewhere," the attendant said with a slight bow.
"Huh? Not here?" Lin Mu was surprised.
Looking around, he noticed that most of the other guests from the Imperial Ocean Quay were seated in this section, so he had naturally assud their seats would be here as well. After all, they weren't nobility or high-ranking officials.
"Your table is further in," the attendant explained. "Please, follow ."
Curious and slightly bewildered, they held back their hunger and followed. Their patience was rewarded when they arrived at an even grander table—one that left ng Bai's jaw nearly on the floor.
The table was ten tis more extravagant than the others they had passed. The dishes laid out weren't just spirit beast als but also immortal beast delicacies, glistening under the soft glow of enchanted lanterns.
"This... this is ours?" ng Bai stamred, barely believing his eyes. "Isn't this a bit too... excessive?"
The chairs looked as though they had been carved from solid gold and inlaid with precious gems. Plush cushions sat atop them, infused with Qi-channeling formations that allowed one to cultivate passively while seated. The table itself was crafted from pure jade, its surface embedded with preservation arrays to keep the food at its peak freshness. A secondary formation allowed diners to summon any dish to their side with a re tap.
Rather than a table for common guests, this seed more fitting for royalty.
Lin Mu glanced at the table directly in front of them and recognized several individuals from the Imperial Court, their robes embroidered with insignias of high status.
"Are you sure this is for us?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"This is indeed your assigned seating," the attendant confird with a polite nod.
"Well, if he says so, who are we to refuse?" Daoist Chu shrugged and plopped into one of the opulent chairs.
Lin Mu and ng Bai exchanged looks before settling in as well, while Little Shrubby climbed onto a chair beside Lin Mu. Imdiately, the cushion beneath the kitten adjusted itself, elevating him to the perfect height for dining.
"This is nice," Little Shrubby purred in satisfaction.
"You may eat at your leisure, honored guests," the attendant said. "Feel free to mingle; this is an open banquet."
With that, the man departed, leaving them to their feast.
Unlike the rigidly structured royal banquets Lin Mu had attended before, this gathering was much more relaxed. There were no formal speeches or ceremonial proceedings. Guests could dine at their own pace and socialize freely.
"Let's eat, shall we?" Daoist Chu said, grabbing the nearest dish—a plate of glistening dumplings filled with minced Dark Forest Warthog at.
Lin Mu reached for a platter of grilled Sword Spine Tuna, savoring its smoky aroma, while also ladling himself a bowl of Rock Shelled Crab soup.
"Uhh... what can I eat?" ng Bai asked, feeling overwheld by the sheer number of immortal beast dishes, which he was unable to consu.
"Here, use this formation." Lin Mu showed him how to operate the array on the table.
TAP TAP TAP.
Within seconds, a selection of spirit beast dishes materialized before ng Bai—stead Snow Pheasant, golden-fried Cloud Fish, and a fragrant plate of Fire Lotus Rice.
"Oh, that's easy!" ng Bai quickly grasped the controls and eagerly filled his plate.
SHUA SHUA SHUA.
Little Shrubby, on the other hand, was much faster, summoning an entire spread in re monts. His small paws worked furiously as he devoured dish after dish.
"Mmmm!" The kitten's eyes sparkled with delight as he inhaled his al at an alarming rate.
Daoist Chu chuckled. "Monk Hushu is really missing out. There are plenty of vegetarian dishes too."
"True," Lin Mu agreed, noting an assortnt of colorful vegetable platters and fragrant herb-infused broths.
Just then, Daoist Chu froze mid-bite, his eyes widening. "No way! They have Five Thousand-Year-Old Red Wedding Wine!"
"Is that sothing special?" Lin Mu asked, intrigued.
"Special? It's legendary!" Daoist Chu exclaid. "This wine is traditionally prepared for noble clans' daughters, buried for at least five thousand years, and only unearthed for their weddings. It's not even sold! It's strictly reserved for special occasions."
"So... is soone getting married?" Lin Mu glanced around, expecting to see a grand bridal procession.
"Doesn't look like it," Daoist Chu mused, scanning the room. "Who cares? This is a rare opportunity! You should try it—you might never get another chance."
"Alright, let's see what the fuss is about." Lin Mu poured himself a cup, its deep crimson liquid shimring with an almost ethereal glow.
As he brought it to his lips, a rich aroma of aged fruit, honey, and a hint of herbs filled his senses. The first sip was smooth yet powerful, a perfect blend of sweetness and warmth that spread through his body like a gentle wave of energy.
"Whoa," Lin Mu murmured, savoring the complex flavors. "That's... impressive."
Daoist Chu laughed. "Told you!"
ng Bai, anwhile, was still busy stuffing his face with a mountain of food, the twins and Ashy perched on Lin Mu's lap under the table, sneaking down food. They had already figured out how to use the array and were summoning food directly in front of them.
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