329: Chapter 329 The Fox Clan's Gift: A Ninth-Grade Longevity Pill

"The treasure-offering segment continued, but the atmosphere had already become somewhat subtle."

"Having learned from the monk's previous lesson, representatives from each clan became more cautious, fearing that their own congratulatory gifts would not be valuable enough, making them the next target to be thrown out."

"But cautious as they were, the treasures that needed to be offered still had to be offered."

"First to take the stage were a few small and medium-sized clans."

"The Water Snake Clan offered an eighth-grade aquatic Spiritual Plant. It was crystal clear throughout, resembling a piece of solidified deep blue amber, said to have been harvested from the depths of a ten-thousand-zhang sea trench."

"The steward glanced at it, recorded it in the register with an expressionless face, and said nothing more."

"The Clan Chief of the Water Snake Clan breathed a sigh of relief and stepped back."

"The Crab Clan offered a pair of fist-sized Water-Avoiding Pearls. They could deflect attacks from water-based Spells. Although their grade was not high, their strength lay in their practicality."

"The steward remained expressionless, recorded it, accepted it, and said nothing more."

"The Crab Clan Chief bowed repeatedly and retreated."

"When it was the Loach Clan's turn, everyone's gaze converged."

"The Clan Chief of the Loach Clan was a gaunt old man with low cultivation, only at the Middle Stage of Sea Opening, his waist slightly bent as he walked."

"He held a wooden box in his hands; the box was small and looked very ordinary."

"He walked to the center of the great hall, took a deep breath as if to encourage himself, and then carefully opened the wooden box."

"Inside was an egg."

"It was grayish-brown all over, about the size of a fist, with some fine markings on the surface, as if they were traces left by some Yao Beast."

"There was no spiritual light, no strange phenomena; it was plain and unremarkable, with even less Spiritual Qi than the spiritual bird eggs sold at roadside stalls."

"The great hall was quiet for a moment, and then someone couldn't help but laugh out loud."

"'What is that thing? An egg?'"

"'The Loach Clan is using this to offer birthday greetings?'"

"'I heard the Loach Clan was poor, but I didn't expect them to be this poor...'"

"The Loach Clan Chief's face turned beet red, but he still braced himself and spoke."

"'Lord Yao Venerable... This... This is a Yao Beast egg that my clan accidentally discovered in the deep sea.'"

"'Although we cannot tell its grade now, we suspect... it might be an ancient exotic species...'"

"His voice grew quieter, as if even he didn't quite believe this statement."

"The old Dragon didn't even glance at it and gave a look to the person beside him."

"Zhu Qing's gaze fell on the egg, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth."

"That smile was not one of appreciation, but a condescending, pitiful sneer."

"'An ancient exotic species? Just based on this egg?'"

"He raised his hand and waved it, a gust of force flipped the wooden box away."

"The grayish-brown egg rolled onto the ground, hit a jade brick, and cracked open, a pale yellow liquid flowing out from inside, emitting a fishy smell."

"The Loach Clan Chief's face turned deathly pale, his legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground."

"'Lord Yao Venerable, spare my life! Spare me! My clan really couldn't bring out a better treasure! This is the hard work of our entire clan accumulated over three hundred years!'"

"His voice carried a sobbing tone, his forehead hitting the ground with a thudding sound."

"No one interceded for him."

"All the Yao Race kept their heads down, as if they hadn't seen this scene."

"Zhu Qing waved his hand, and two Dragon Guards stepped forward, grabbed the Loach Clan Chief from left and right, and dragged him out."

"'Take him down and dispose of him.' Zhu Qing's tone was very flat, as if he were disposing of some insignificant clutter."

"'This kind of trash dares to come to the Dragon Palace to embarrass themselves.'"

"The Loach Clan Chief's crying and screaming faded further and further away, until it finally disappeared completely."

"The great hall fell silent again, as if nothing had happened."

"Having learned from the Loach Clan's lesson, the next few small clans were even more cautious when offering their treasures."

"The Turtle Clan offered a thousand-year-old Mysterious Turtle Shell; the grade was not bad, so at least they weren't thrown out."

"The Shrimp Clan offered a pair of coral jade branches, gleaming with spiritual light; although not top-tier, it was enough to avoid ridicule."

"The steward recorded it expressionlessly and said nothing more."

"Finally, it was the Fox Race's turn."

"Everyone's gaze converged once more."

"The Fox Race had been exterminated for many years, so their sudden appearance at the Dragon Palace's birthday banquet naturally attracted attention."

"Someone whispered: 'The Fox Race? Weren't they wiped out long ago?'"

"'Who is that woman? Her cultivation doesn't look low...'"

"Jiuer's expression remained unchanged as she stepped toward the center of the great hall."

"Following behind her were Chu Sheng and Wan Qiba; the three of them walked steadily, as if they didn't feel the scrutiny and hostility in those gazes."

"Jiuer stood still and raised her hand to take something out from her sleeve."

"It was a jade box, warm and moist throughout, with complex runes carved on the surface, faintly revealing a rich aura of vitality."

"She opened the jade box, and a pale golden light overflowed from the box, making the temperature of the entire great hall seem to rise by a few degrees."

"Lying in the box were three crystal-clear Medicinal Pills, each emitting a Medicinal Pill fragrance so rich it could not be dissolved."

"Ninth-Grade longevity pill."

"One pill could extend life by a thousand years; three pills together could extend life by three thousand years."

"The gazes of the entire hall froze."

"Zhu Qing raised an eyebrow."

"He originally didn't care about the Fox Race's offering, thinking it was just some leftovers; after all, the Fox Race had been wiped out for many years, what good things could they possibly bring out?"

"But at this moment, his expression changed slightly."

"Three Ninth-Grade longevity pills were not things that could be taken out easily, even by the Dragon Palace."

"He glanced at Jiuer, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny."

"Zhu Yu stood beside him, that playboy, seeing Wan Jiuer, his eyes lit up instantly, and he spoke almost instinctively."

"'Yo, the Fox Race still has such good things? You should have said so earlier; if you had said so earlier, this Young Master would have—'"

"His words were not finished."

"Zhu Qing turned his head and glared at him, and Zhu Yu immediately shut his mouth, shrank his neck, and swallowed the rest of his sentence."

"Originally, Zhu Qing wouldn't have cared, but being able to bring out such a precious treasure meant they were guests of honor of the Dragon Clan."

"Zhu Qing withdrew his gaze and said in a flat tone: 'longevity pill, indeed not bad. The Fox Race is very thoughtful.'"

"His voice was not loud, but everyone in the great hall heard it clearly."

"This was recognition."

"At least on the surface, the Fox Race had passed this hurdle."

"However, just as Jiuer was about to close the jade box and step back, a voice came from the side."

"'Slow down.'"

"The voice was very soft, with a feminine, slightly uncomfortable inflection."

"Chu Sheng's heart tightened suddenly."

"He followed the sound and looked over, only to see a figure slowly walking out from the shadows of the side hall."

"The person was not tall, with a thin face, wearing a dark blue robe, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, walking silently as if a wisp of shadow had emerged from the darkness."

"Zhu Yin."

"The old Dragon's second son, half-step Divine Ability, with a gloomy personality and vicious methods."

"His gaze fell on Wan Qiba, paused for a moment, and then moved away, as if he hadn't recognized him."

"But he spoke: 'For Father Venerable's birthday banquet, offering a longevity pill is naturally a good intention. However—'"

"He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping over Jiuer, Chu Sheng, and Wan Qiba, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth."

"'The Fox Race perished many years ago, yet suddenly appeared, and offered such a valuable Medicinal Pill. This sincerity, isn't it a bit too heavy?'"

"His tone sounded like a casual question, but falling into Chu Sheng's ears, it carried a heavy meaning."