181: provocative

Gu Yuchuan had intended to help receive the guests and share the burden of external pressure, but he had to admit he had underestimated the Black Tortoise Demon General. The other party managed everything perfectly. Although the noise level was high, it was mostly the sound of social interaction; in reality, everything was well-organized and pleasant to witness. Clearly, handling such matters required talent, a talent he lacked.

A Clam Maiden personally led him to his seat, which was located right next to the host. This was fitting; whether considering his relationship with the Ink Scale Demon General or his own strength and status, he was the standout figure of today's banquet.

Even though the Ink Scale Demon General had become a Mutated Beast with immense potential—even having the possibility of becoming a Nascent Soul Demon Emperor, leading many Demon Kings to wait for a chance to establish a relationship with him—as long as he had not broken through to the Demon King Realm, no Demon King would appear at such an event. They cared about their reputation; if word got out that they were sucking up to a Foundation Establishment Stage Demon General, where would their Face go? They might never be able to hold their heads high again. Therefore, only Demon Generals would be present today. As the first-place winner of the trial, Gu Yuchuan sitting in a high seat was appropriate, and no one dared to object.

As for the Black Tortoise Demon General, he sat to the right of the Ink Scale Demon General. Although he was only a Cultivator at the Eighth Layer of Foundation Establishment, he was the head of the four major steward Demon Generals of the Cloud Sea Marsh's outer perimeter. Given that the Demon Kings stayed high in the clouds only to oversee the big picture, it could be said with great responsibility that the Black Tortoise Demon General was the grand manager of the Cloud Sea Marsh's outer perimeter. Dealing with a Demon General was easy for him, so everyone maintained a basic level of respect toward him.

As time passed, the guests took their seats one after another. Finally, it was time to begin, and the Ink Scale Demon General emerged. He stood at the top, high-spirited; this was undoubtedly the happiest moment of the first half of his life. With countless people flattering him, he was the undisputed center of attention.

"I, the Ink Scale Demon General, am very happy that you all could attend my banquet to congratulate me on becoming a Mutated Beast. Today, do not be formal. Eat and drink well, and enjoy yourselves to the fullest. I declare the banquet open."

As he finished speaking, several fireworks appeared in the sky, and maidens began to dance in the air. Their graceful movements were intoxicating. Gu Yuchuan and the Black Tortoise Demon General glanced at each other, and the Black Tortoise Demon General stepped forward.

"Second Brother, today is your big day. As your Eldest Brother, I cannot do nothing. This is a Grade 2 Spirit Stone Mine, my private property; I am gifting it to you today. You have a large household now, and your resources are surely insufficient. Take it."

Such a grand gesture was something even the Ink Scale Demon General hadn't expected, causing him to stutter slightly. The output of a Grade 2 Spirit Stone Mine was higher than five Grade 1 Spirit Stone Mines combined. Neither he nor Gu Yuchuan held even five Grade 1 Spirit Stone Mines. He didn't even dare to accept such a congratulatory gift.

"Eldest Brother, this is too precious. As your younger brother, I truly dare not accept such a valuable gift from you. Please, take it back."

However, since the Black Tortoise Demon General had brought it out, there was naturally no reason to take it back. He firmly gave the other party the location and the Formation for the Spirit Stone Mine. With this, the gift-giving segment began. Seeing the Black Tortoise Demon General's massive gift, many Demon Generals secretly began to change their own gifts. There was no choice; ordinary things simply couldn't be presented here anymore.

Gu Yuchuan took out his jade box: "Second Brother, there are thirty thousand Spirit Stones here. Although it can't quite compare to Eldest Brother's gift, it is a token of my heart. I hope Second Brother won't find it lacking."

Unlike Gu Yuchuan, the Ink Scale Demon General did not possess the skills of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation; he focused solely on his own cultivation and was completely unskilled in such crafts. Therefore, the Spirit Stones in his hands were truly not many, barely enough for his own cultivation. These thirty thousand Spirit Stones were quite a lot.

He patted Gu Yuchuan's shoulder: "Good brother, when you hold a banquet next time, Second Brother will definitely give you something good."

With the two of them leading the way, the gifts from those below were also very good. This banquet could even increase the Ink Scale Demon General's net worth tenfold, which was simply exaggerated. However, an accident occurred.

A man and a woman walked in from outside. One wore green robes and the other a red dress; their attire was very vibrant, even a bit exaggerated. The smiles on Gu Yuchuan's and the Ink Scale Demon General's Faces vanished instantly. Everyone else was also quick to read the room, and the atmosphere suddenly turned cold. The newcomers were the Crimson Mandarin Duck and Azure Mandarin Duck couple, who had formed a grudge with them during the trial. Clearly, they had come with ill intent.

Uncontrollable resentment burned in the Crimson Mandarin Duck's eyes: "The Ink Scale Demon General holds such a grand banquet but doesn't invite us. Is it because you look down on us, or did the events in the Secret Realm leave you with a grudge against us? Or do you intend to violate the decree of the Lord Yao Sovereign?"

The Black Tortoise Demon General stood up first: "Since you two have come, please take a seat. On such a happy day, if things get ugly, it will be hard to settle."

However, they were clearly there to make things ugly, showing no regard for the Black Tortoise Demon General: "What kind of thing are you, to dare speak to me like that?"

As soon as the words fell, Gu Yuchuan slapped the table and stood up: "Presumptuous! Who allowed you to spout such nonsense here?" As he spoke, he released his Aura. His cultivation and Bloodline were now much stronger than they had been during the trial. This sudden pressure forced her back two steps, and her husband quickly supported her.

"We of the Yao Race compete through strength. We came today to crash this party and see if you, this Mutated Beast, are truly worthy of your reputation."

Now that the goal was stated, things became much easier to handle. Gu Yuchuan didn't back down at all: "What kind of things are you to be worthy of fighting my Second Brother? You aren't even qualified to fight me. How about this, to save people from saying this seat bullied you later, both of you come at me together right here. Let this seat give you a proper lesson."

Gu Yuchuan's casual attitude made them uncomfortable and even enraged.

The Crimson Mandarin Duck puffed out his chest again, looking full of momentum: "Do you really think you're invincible just because you took first place in a trial? Back in the trial, there were many techniques we couldn't use. You only won once by a stroke of luck, and you really think you're someone important? This time, we'll show you."

Gu Yuchuan couldn't be bothered to talk. Such defeated opponents weren't worth wasting his breath on. He reached out his hand in an inviting gesture, ready to strike.