Chapter 255: Colorful Fairy Palace

Before the Dragon Mother Banquet began, a minor disturbance occurred in the Sea Kingdom.

The disturbance was related to the multi-deck ship they had previously taken, named Sea Moon. The Revolving Heaven Sect, one of the Eight Divine Sects of the Central Land, claimed that a batch of important goods had been lost on the Sea Moon ship and demanded an explanation from the Sea Kingdom. The Sea Kingdom, however, denied that such valuable goods had ever been on board. A conflict was about to erupt, but fortunately, a prominent figure from the Ancient Spirit Sect was in the Sea Kingdom and intervened to mediate the dispute.

The Dragon Mother Banquet proceeded as scheduled.

The Central Land was vast, with thousands of miles separating each major sect. This world seemed to be designed for powerful cultivators who could fly with their swords; it was incredibly difficult for ordinary people to travel between places. Although the Central Land was far more developed than Southern State, it still contained countless untouched cliffs and deep valleys. The four Divine Towers were located within four 'No Entry, Violators Die' forbidden areas.

As Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia walked out of the inn, large goose-feather snowflakes began to fall again.

Qiu Yue, wearing a brand-new padded jacket, followed closely behind them.

The Sea Kingdom was bustling with activity. Its prosperity was incomparable to any nation in the Southern State. Even far from the heart of the Sea Kingdom, luxurious silk fabrics were draped like screens. The streets were filled with fragrant carriages and sedan chairs. On large dance floats, beautiful women with bare arms and slender waists sang and danced, seemingly oblivious to the swirling snow. From tall buildings, flowers were scattered continuously, blanketing the heavy snowfall. Higher up, countless interwoven streaks of light darted and danced, bright and dazzling—these were the flying swords or magic artifacts thrown by cultivators, crisscrossing the sky and making it shine brilliantly.

Ning Changjiu had considered avoiding the Grand Dragon Mother Banquet, but when he prepared to head towards the Ancient Spirit Sect in the east, he found that the nearest roads were blocked by heavy snow. Furthermore, due to the loss of valuable goods, the Revolving Heaven Sect had activated its Immortal-Blocking Tower, prohibiting cultivators from crossing their territory through the air without permission. The Revolving Heaven Sect was adjacent to the forbidden cliff area of the Luo Book Tower, and taking a detour would be extremely troublesome.

What was more troublesome was that, due to the Grand Dragon Mother Banquet, all inns were fully booked. While it didn't matter much to them as Purple Court realm cultivators, Qiu Yue was still a child, and forcibly transferring spiritual energy to keep her warm was not a long-term solution. However, for the inner banquet of the Grand Dragon Mother Banquet, every invited guest was provided with a private VIP chamber.

Left with no choice, Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia rode their swords to the banquet.

At the center of the Sea Kingdom was a vast inland sea pool. In the middle of the expansive sea pool, towering buildings stood in clusters. The surrounding high-rises were all painted pristine white, resembling a forest of jade-like legs belonging to a beauty wading in the water. The most central building was the Dragon Mother's residence, the Palace of Ethereal Glories.

Ning Changjiu presented two invitations. They entered the Palace of Ethereal Glories smoothly. A servant handed them a key, and Qiu Yue faced no difficulties, accompanying them into the grand palace hall.

Above the sea where these tall buildings seemed to float, mist and smoke swirled, creating an illusion akin to a mirage, evoking the feeling of an immortal palace isolated from the mundane world.

"Daddy, the shadows in the water are all going in different directions," Qiu Yue suddenly looked up and asked curiously.

Ning Changjiu also noticed this anomaly. He looked up and saw that each towering building was encircled by a luminous pearl. These pearls shimmered brightly, moving at varying speeds, and cast different shadows for their respective buildings.

Qiu Yue's eyes widened as she gazed at this magnificent world, her face filled with longing, looking as if she wished to acknowledge the Dragon Mother as her own mother.

Lu Jiajia sighed, "As expected of the Sea Kingdom of the Central Land, its luxury is truly unparalleled."

Ning Changjiu nodded, "For the Dragon Mother to possess such a great nation and achieve such renown, she must be more than just a Half-Step Five Dao cultivator."

Lu Jiajia hummed in agreement, her steps slow, her gaze lingering.

Ning Changjiu smiled, "In the future, I will give you an even grander and more beautiful kingdom."

Lu Jiajia smiled faintly, "Your promises are certainly getting grander."

Qiu Yue nodded in profound agreement.

Having passed through the misty, vast waters, the Palace of Ethereal Glories unveiled its mysterious facade. The immense palace appeared translucent and light, like a colossal cloud floating on the sea, constantly shifting and transforming.

Those invited were either renowned local merchants and magnates, or distinguished cultivators. Sect members were also invited, arriving with their teams, crossing the waves to reach the ethereal jade realm of the immortal palace.

Lu Jiajia did not conceal her face that day. As they approached the Palace of Ethereal Glories, her reflection mingled with the palace's glazed tiles, resembling blooming flowers piled in snow, creating a naturally beautiful aura that drew the eyes of many cultivators. However, upon seeing the girl held by the sword immortaless, they could only lament that such a beauty was already married.

Ning Changjiu and Lu Jiajia entered the immortal palace together. Inside the immortal palace was a world unto itself: continuous jade mountains, drifting white clouds, leaping sea carp, cranes circling beams, water screens with shifting scenery, and cloud platforms suspended high, rising and falling. This place did not resemble a maritime world at all; it was more like an otherworldly immortal peak. The Dragon Mother's main hall stood majestically at the center, while the surrounding pavilions, when viewed from above, were shaped like crescent moons, scattered in all directions, creating a magnificent sight.

Even Lu Jiajia was captivated by this scene, lost in thought for a long time. A young girl like Qiu Yue, visiting such a place for the first time, was utterly mesmerized.

Ning Changjiu checked the inscription on the key and led them to their pre-arranged chamber. The chamber itself was impeccably exquisite and elegant.

"The Dragon Mother is so rich!" Qiu Yue exclaimed, pouncing onto the jade bed covered in cloud brocade and rolling around in the blanket.

Lu Jiajia also remarked, "Such ostentatious beauty truly seems beyond the mortal realm."

Ning Changjiu said, "Actually, in terms of architectural grandeur alone, the Dragon-Winding Pillars of the Four Peaks are no less impressive."

Lu Jiajia smiled slightly, "While the Dragon-Winding Pillars project was massive, it didn't have much practical use."

Ning Changjiu countered, "And isn't this Palace of Ethereal Glories, despite its beauty and luxury, also without much practical use?"

Lu Jiajia sensed a hidden meaning in his words and waited for him to elaborate.

Ning Changjiu recalled, "When I first entered the peak, I asked Martial Uncle Yazhu why things like the Dragon-Winding Pillars were built. Martial Uncle Yazhu told me that most cultivators had no hope of achieving the Great Dao, so in their spare time from cultivation, they thought of creating other things to change the world."

Lu Jiajia nodded gently. Thus, the grand and intricate Dragon-Winding Pillars, capable of controlling an entire large peak, came into being.

Ning Changjiu opened the window, his gaze falling upon the scenery outside. He said, "The Palace of Ethereal Glories is indeed beautiful, but perhaps excessively so. This kind of beauty cannot be created by mortal artisans; it must have been personally overseen by the Dragon Mother herself. But why would a Half-Step Five Dao cultivator waste her precious time on such things?"

Listening to his words, Lu Jiajia also furrowed her brow. She had never considered that such information might be hidden behind the dazzling and enchanting scenery.

"Are you saying... there's a problem with the Dragon Mother's cultivation?" Lu Jiajia discerned his underlying meaning.

Ning Changjiu nodded slightly, "Only when cultivation cannot lead to greater strength do cultivators try to beautify themselves with external objects, to feign power. The more beautiful this immortal palace is, the greater the problems the Dragon Mother currently faces... Of course, these might just be my conjectures; perhaps Her Ladyship is simply born with a love for beauty."

Lu Jiajia, however, believed his words. While it was natural for women to love beauty, it was indeed abnormal for a grand cultivator at the Half-Step Five Dao realm.

Qiu Yue, however, paid no attention to what they were discussing. She kept bouncing around the room, curious about everything. The small objects here were too beautiful, holding boundless attraction for a little girl.

Lu Jiajia asked, "Is our purpose in coming here to win first prize?"

Ning Changjiu nodded, "Of course."

Lu Jiajia said, "As you must have seen on the way here, almost none of those invited are ordinary individuals."

Ning Changjiu smiled, "While they are powerful, there's a limit to that power. True grand cultivators who have entered the Five Dao realm would not come. If they did, Her Ladyship would not only not feel honored, but she would probably feel frightened."

Lu Jiajia nodded gently. Beauty often signifies fragility, and someone as extraordinarily proud as the Dragon Mother would likely not allow others to steal her thunder.

She suddenly asked, "Among zither, chess, sword, or the Way of cultivation arts, in which category do you have confidence to win first prize?"

Ning Changjiu smiled, "Isn't Master going to compete for the sword master title?"

Lu Jiajia said coolly, "You don't want to exert any effort?"

Ning Changjiu began to ponder, "I'm definitely not good at the zither. I'm not as good as you with the sword. As for chess... I have a slight understanding."

"A slight understanding?" Lu Jiajia knew these two words were not simple and asked, "How 'slight' is 'slight'?"

"I can defeat Zhao Xiang'er!" Ning Changjiu's voice carried a hint of pride and certainty.

Lu Jiajia asked curiously, "And Xiang'er? What's her level?"

Ning Changjiu hesitated, "She... she can defeat the national chess master in the Zhao kingdom's palace!"

"..." Lu Jiajia now had a rough idea of their skill level.

"Daddy, Daddy, I think you should go for the Dao," Qiu Yue, who was beside them, suddenly interjected.

Ning Changjiu asked curiously, "Why?"

Qiu Yue replied, "Because Daddy often says he respects his teachers and the Dao, so I assume his understanding of the Dao is quite profound."

Lu Jiajia smiled silently from the side.

Ning Changjiu sighed, unsure if the mischievous girl was doing it on purpose.

"The Way of cultivation arts..." Ning Changjiu muttered softly.

Two days later, the Dragon Mother Sea Banquet officially commenced.