Blossom Valley Banquet

Across the vast lands of the east continent, there was a consistent phrase apparent no matter what. The east continent was beautiful.

The end result of long eras of peace, prosperity, and the constant stream of Primordial Qi emanating from the mysterious Mt Yujing. While the density was incomparable to the central continent, it was at a perfect balance between comfortably habitable, and yet extremely dense.

Though besieged from both south, east, and north. To this day, the East Continent was peaceful for the most part. The meteoric rise of the two Beast Sovereigns had little impact on the interior areas of the east.

As such, much area was still contested land. Peace was relative after all. The wars occurring between different clans were fundamentally small scale in the grand picture of the primitive world. Even if hundreds of thousands marched to their deaths, it was still barely a blip to the attentions of Great Principle Chaos Immortals.

It was upon one such war that the third and youngest brother of the dragon trinity passed through. Invisible except for the faint trails of starlight connecting many miniature galaxies contained within a serpentine cosmos, Qinglong moved across the sky as if he was a part of the heavenly bodies.

This was his ace movement technique, Stellar Cloud Steps. When in use, Qinglong's body resembled a picture of a cosmic supercluster in the shape of a skeletal dragon enveloped within a thin veil. Every step he took, he left a trail of aurora borealis.

Like this, Qinglong passed through the eastern sky swiftly. He moved unhindered even as a clan of man faced dogs clashed against a clan of fanged lizard demons. He wasn't unused to such a sight after all and he really had no intentions of stopping them.

'You'd think they'd harmonise considering the forces breathing down their collective necks,' Qinglong inwardly scoffed. They said ten thousand distinct clans fought regularly in both big and small conflicts. They said each clan gave birth to many mighty heroes.

The azure dragon didn't put much stock in them. The only reason Zulong hadn't washed over the east continent was because of several factors that prevents the greater empire from focusing their full might.

The first was a constant standoff at the south sea against the avian empire. Then there were the garrisons on the west sea against the devils. The latter included to regularly patrols to stamp out intrusions by their master's enemies.

Then there was Ancestor Hongjun to consider. Tracking Mt Yujing was impossible but its approximate location was known from back before it was hidden by the purple heaven. Who knows how that godfiend might react.

Finally, there was the Sea Eye to consider. Ever since Zulin cursed them with this burden, they've had to contribute many of their experts to look after the Sea Eye. Regular shifts of Chaos Immortals to aid the Heavenly Sea Suppression Needle in plugging that filthy hole.

Just thinking back to the dragon like horse made Qinglong furious. If he could, he'd travel back in time and rip him apart himself. Too bad such an act was far beyond him.

Qinglong glanced down and caught the glimpse of a lizard being torn apart. 'What are they even fighting for? It's much better if they just submit to my brother,' he thought.

The dragon largely faded into the night sky as skipped beyond the war. His destination was among the contested lands, deep within the East Continent. It was fairly secluded all things considered.

A blossom filled valley that bloomed year round. A forest of cherry blossom trees that were very beautiful. A garden even among a land known for its beauty.

This type of valley was suggested by Da Hai when he'd brought up finding a secluded abode for his friends to drink in. He had wanted to gather with his other family and enjoy reunions with them as they were often far apart. He'd never specified who he meant but deep down he knew his master knew.

It took time, but eventually, they've been able to locate something matching Da Hai's description. A temple was constructed deep within the valley atop an intersection of rivers. A home away from home.

Qinglong glanced around the valley and immediately noticed he wasn't the only one who arrived. Four other superclusters were manifesting above the valley, all in the shape of different animals.

Specifically, they were celestial beasts like him. Whilst his own body glowed in a soft azure colour, the others glowed in their own colours. A faint orange for his sister in the south, dark black for his brother in the north, and steel white for his brother in the west.

Qinglong acknowledged the rest. His movement technique faded and his draconic form appeared instead. Then he began rapidly dropping altitude. Unbothered by the velocity, Qinglong assumed his human form as he landed toe first on the forest trail.

He much preferred to walk the way to the temple and enjoy the scenic view. It reminded him of wandering around the forests of Yingzhou when he was much younger.

Though those trees had lost much their lustre, it was still a soothing experience. A relaxation away from the work he does in the north sea. Though better now, sorting through the frigid north sea was still hard work.

Qinglong's current form appeared to be a devilishly handsome man in his mid twenties. He had shoulder length black hair and wore a rippling outer blue coat with a white inner robe completing his hanfu.

With his hands behind his back, Qinglong entered the temple. It was a simple one storey pagoda that only consisted of one room. A dining room where Zhuque, Baihu, and Xuanwu were already sitting with wine cups filled.

"You're the last one as always," Baihu laughed raising a cup towards him. His companion sword lay leaning behind his seat lazily while he wore a silver fur coat that complimented his white hair.

"And you started without me," Qinglong retorted back smiling.

"And wait days for you to finally make your way in here? No way, I've travelled long enough," Baihu chuckled along with the others. His companion sword lay leaning behind his seat lazily.

"And the food will get cold. It's meant to be enjoyed immediately upon release, otherwise, it'll all go bad," Zhuque added with her own chuckle.

"Exactly, if we waited for you, we'd be sitting hungry for a millennia," Xuanwu teased.

"Oh haha very funny," Qinglong said taking his own seat at the eastern end of the table. Though rather than a table, it was more accurate to call it a star chart being used as a table. It contained the diagram of the entire starry skies after all.

Qinglong took a bite out of the chicken presented and smiled. "Not bad," he said. "Where's this from?"

"There's a race of spiritual chicken on the borders of the west continent. Had to sneak in to grab them so you better appreciate it," Baihu chuckled taking a big gulp of wine.

"You wouldn't believe how heavily they've fortified their territory, no ones get in or out without their higher ups knowing. Luckily, I'm not any second rate amateur," he said.

Qinglong grimaced, "That bad huh? Is the Devil Ancestor still in seclusion? I haven't received much news on his moves."

"Far as I know he still is. Though that's the case for most of the first generation," Zhuque said. "Getting any readings from their movements are nigh impossible. Even your aunt master is hard to trace."

"Wait, don't you have one working in your sister's court?" Xuanwu asked innocently.

"He comes and goes, that vulture headed bastard isn't even in the empire a fraction of the time if even that. I don't know why my sister holds his advice at such high value," she grumbled.

However, she didn't expand more. Zhuque wasn't one to share the inner workings of the avians, just as Qinglong won't share the inner workings of the dragons. Their loyalties to both their kin and to each other prevented them.

It was already a tense situation that divided the phoenix and the dragon. There was no need to add even more to the mix. Qinglong had no desire to ruin his current relationships with unnecessary complications.

That was the rule on their gatherings. No talks about government secrets or personal affairs.

However, public knowledge or badly kept secrets that were essentially public knowledge were frequently talked about. Gossip among old immortals was a pretty excitable hobby.

"Speaking of your sister, any news on an emperor-consort?" Baihu asked wiggling his eyebrows.

Xuanwu and Qinglong glanced over with interest. That was an excellent question. Zufeng, known throughout the world as Virtue of Yin and Yang Primal Phoenix Supreme Empress, was a very popular woman.

She was often in the minds of young men who dreamed of taking her hand.

However, subjects of romance and attractiveness weren't prevalent in the minds of connate lifeforms. Although the second generation of innate gods had mentalities closer to postnatal lifeforms, they still held to many instincts of connate lifeforms.

"You have met my sister right?" Zhuque deadpanned. She was met by a flood of laughter from the three. "Seriously Baihu, this is what? The fourth-fifth time you asked? Doesn't it ever get old?"

"It's either that or asking about old birds squabbling about who's prettier. All the youngsters are always talking about who's getting together with who, who's seeing who. Romance seems to be all the rage nowadays," Baihu shrugged.

"Tell me about it, fourth younger sister has charts about big brother's court. Who's interested in who. She's evolved from the imaginary stuff as master would say," Qinglong said in exasperation while eating a roasted duck.

Baihu snorted in amusement. Yi Fei'e and her unwarranted embarrassment was always something fun to tease about. She was the only one more worried about getting discovered than anyone else.

"Cheh, physical attraction between postnatal lifeforms. I don't understand. It's so fleeting," Zhuque said. "It doesn't even seem to have changed when they ascend to immortals."

"Differences in perspective sister," Xuanwu offered his insight. "They were born in a womb whereas we were formed from energy. Perhaps that has some correlation?"

"If that was the case explain Zulong and Gui Daiyu," Baihu said. "How did they get together anyway? And what about Yinglong and all of his mistresses?"

"Something about working together for a long time," Qinglong explained. "I'm not too clear on the details. As for second brother? It's a necessity to calm to minds of postnatal lifeforms. Though only so many dragons are strong enough to have a talented child with him."

"And now we're getting into that talk as well. When was the last time a devil, dragon, or phoenix big shot clashed? Those made fun news," Baihu said.

"Well we are at an era of peace. Relatively speaking of course. Those sentiments are just asking for necessary trouble," Xuanwu verdantly shut Baihu down. "Besides, didn't Leishen and Jian Koilong make a huge splash in the east continent a couple millennia ago?"

"Really, old thunder and old fishy? When did that happen?" Baihu looked over confused.

"Something about rebellious monkeys. Don't know how true it is but one of your princes got hurt pretty bad," Zhuque answered for him. "It was news even in the south continent."

Baihu appeared baffled. "Wounded? They're all exceptional immortals. I don't see that happening easily. Is the prince alright?" he asked.

"He's fine, just in recovery, thankfully it was non life-threatening. Unfortunately, we did lose a few geniuses from the dolphin, shrimp, turtle, and plesiosaur clans. It necessitated a response. They were a pretty potent force and brother would've preferred recruiting them but that was no longer an option," Qinglong sighed.

"Cheh, east continent and their pride," Baihu snorted. "Just because the sovereigns don't turn their full attention that way doesn't mean they can be offended."

"They grew arrogant. It's not strange, my brother and sister Zhuque's elder sister don't come out often. Many clans left alone for too long begin developing as such. I had to put down a group of giants with Qinglong earlier this yuanhui because of this," Xuanwu said while eating.

"Well, I for one prefer the quiet times. Besides, conflicts get tiresome after a while. It's better to peacefully walk around and admire the sights. Less chance of the view being marred," Qinglong said.

"Couldn't agree more, the south continent is much better under proper management than it was previously. Avians of all cultures thrive in the unity of the five virtues," Zhuque said holding up her cup to toast Qinglong.

"Speaking of, did you guys know about…" Zhuque then went on a tangent on the latest gossip regarding the southern avians.

The avian empire, although vast and mighty, was still weaker than the dragons. The amount of experts they could call on still loses out to the dragons and their pool of recourses was lesser as well. This was why they made attempts to push into the east continent.

However, they were superior in their ability to defend themselves. Their lands were concentrated largely on one continent rather than being spread out over four oceans.

But they were also an equally diverse group like the sea folk. When Zufeng announced her presence to the world, birds from all over crossed the universe to serve her. Their population was in fact, even comparable to the sea folk.

Qinglong silently wondered while his friends bantered. How good would it be if Zufeng and Zulong had married?

Don't get him wrong, he loves his sister in law and his nephews. But perhaps much of the tension would be relieved with a union between the Ancestral Phoenix and the Ancestral Dragon.

Then again, neither superior beings would ever tolerate one ruling over the other. They can't exist as equals nor can they accept inferiority.

"…Indeed, and Cinnabar Flame just took another dozen concubines. Seriously, that kid might just draw the ire of his elders soon enough."

Qinglong snapped his attention back to the conversation. 'Cinnabar Flame?' He wondered.

"So another arrogant young prodigy popped up? Those postnatal geniuses show themselves every once in a while. I've even stopped counting by now," Baihu said.

"They do tend to have pretty big egos, don't they? We had one recently in Colossal Shark's newest grandson, can't remember which brother he was though. Soon enough, that bird of yours will get his comeuppance, they all do in the end."

Xuanwu said with a vaguely disinterested look. Zhuque had informed them of a womanising young pheasant who'd earned the attention of Zufeng. This Cinnabar Flame had since began cultivating the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra as he had been gifted by Zufeng.

Phoenix Nirvana Sutra was Zufeng's answer to Zulong's Draconic Dao. It contained the forms and powers of the phoenix and taught one to reach the ideal form of the Primordial Phoenix through unifying harmony in the five elements and virtues.

Zufeng had rejected the idea of a phoenix clan, believing herself to be the only one deserving of the truest bloodline. However, she did allow others who'd proven worthy to be adopted by her and to cultivate her sutra.

Hence those she adopted, began referring to themselves as phoenixes. Their own bloodlines will also carry some traces of the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra. But none will ever be the same as Zufeng herself.

Zhuque was the only one who came close. But even she was an innate god who only shared origin with Zufeng. And even that was up for debate.

Compared to the amount of dragons in the world, phoenixes didn't even come remotely close. The dragons were, after all, a very hardworking clan. Their population across the four seas easily exceeded the quadrillions and made up a large portion of the four sea's total population.

Xuanwu and Baihu, as people who moved around a lot unlike Zhuque and Qinglong, had seen many examples from varying levels. They may or may not succeed but sooner or later, people like them will learn their lesson and evolve.

"Heh, I see those all the time in the west continent. It's like their habit or something. Even old Chenghuang had encountered a few. Young lads mouthing off when they shouldn't."

Baihu began exchanging his own stories about his time in the west sea and his time sneaking into the west continent. The White Tiger was no stranger to these acts being a primary informant to the movement of the devils.

Those talks gave Qinglong some thoughts. He may be busy for now, but eventually, Zulong will descend not the west continent. Through Da Hai, he too knew many things about the devil leaders. Through the west sea, they knew many things regarding their basic culture.

"West continent Devilish Dao," Qinglong suddenly mused rubbing his chin. "You know, we spend so much time worrying about it, but they never actually do anything."

His sudden statement drew nods in his direction. In Qinglong's mind, so much emphasis was put on the Devilish Dao yet what had they actually done? They have big name deterrents but like most ancestors, himself included, they mostly cultivated in stasis.

"Baihu, you're the most familiar with them. What do you think?" Qinglong asked the White Tiger.

Baihu raised an eyebrow. "Devils, 'Mo', hm…you ask a complicated question. I guess there aren't any distinctions between them and cultivators on the outside aside from the distorted path they follow. I wasn't in their sects long enough but I did learn some things."

"They're a tricky lot. Will stab you in the back to advance themselves. See here's the thing, there can only be so many Devils who occupy a position."

He was interrupted by Xuanwu who said, "Well isn't that obvious? Only so many people can work job."

"Not talking about that, I'm talking about cultivation. Their Daos, they all originate from the same source, bestowed on them you could say. You and I Xuanwu, Qinglong, Zhuque and a thousand others can invent a Dao of say soil, Dao of Soil, each came from a unique place of understanding."

"They don't have that luxury. Their understandings were all derived from one place no matter their creativity. Hence there can only be so many similar Daos."

"Wait, you're saying that to advance as a devil, another devil above you has to go?" Zhuque was a bit startled. This was news even to her. Qinglong appeared a bit perplexed as well, he shared a look with Xuanwu and Baihu before he started speaking.

"My brothers and I have theorised on that before but we weren't sure. We've never cultivated the Devilish Dao before and we know none who had," Qinglong said.

"Be thankful you don't, one try is all it takes for you to be absorbed by it. Happened to one of my fellow innate gods a long time ago. They prioritise innate gods who've yet to mature like we were. I bolted the first chance I saw," Baihu sighed in reminiscence. He drank his liquor until there were none left. He was silent afterwards

"Sorry for making you remember," Qinglong said. Baihu returned that with a grateful nod.

"That's fine, I don't like to remember those times. Things are better now, I'm allowed to harass them at my leisure with you guys. You should tag along, our stellar movement techniques are beyond their detection."

Baihu said smiling again. Soon, the four returned to a jovial atmosphere and shared gossip with one another. Qinglong leaned back as the conversations were winding down. There wasn't much to talk about now that stories had been shared.

After a week of dining, they separated again. Zhuque returned to her roost in secret in the south continent. There was no need for Zufeng to find out she was gone.

Baihu and Xuanwu left together, they had roles as employees of Zulong around the west continent. The former due to the greater strength of the sea clans in comparison to the local dragons.

As for Qinglong, he left for the east sea. He'd previously informed his subordinates that he'd be returning eastwards to participate in the strengthening of the Sea Eye seal. That a reunion of the four symbols took place in between was just an extra convenience, definitely not preplanned.

In a rare act of defiance, he didn't tell Zulong about his meeting. There was no need for the elder dragon to know.