Chapter 1268: Chapter 1272: The Divine Beast that Fell from the Dragon Gate

The gift was not seen by Zhu Minglang, but judging by the reactions of the surrounding guests, it must have been valuable.

Nie Qiqi accepted it with a gentle smile.

Unlike her wild kitten demeanor from a few days ago, today she presented herself with the grace of a Moon Fairy’s daughter, modest and polite, serene and elegant. Even while happily chatting with her friends, she deliberately kept herself contained.

Zhu Minglang also brought a gift.

However, this gift wasn’t suitable for public showing. After everyone else presented their presents, he would take Nie Qiqi aside to a secluded spot and give her the gift her late father intended for her.

Zhu Minglang already had his excuse ready.

He would say he caught this box made of divine Xin wood while fishing in a mountain stream, and it felt like there was something very valuable inside, so he decided to give it to her.

Zhu Minglang would absolutely not mention that he had encountered her late father’s remains, nor that he allowed the Chongwang Dragon to absorb them. If Nie Qiqi wished to pay respect to her father in the future, she could simply feed the Chongwang Dragon some tasty treats.

Indeed, Nie Qiqi was the star of the day, and soon a group of young men and women surrounded her. They each brought out their gifts, and their youthful vigor naturally turned into a subtle competition.

Yet, judging by everyone’s reactions, the gift from the white-haired young man was the most expensive.

The social interactions of these youngsters were quite interesting; Zhu Minglang could even discern from their tones and expressions who liked who, who disdained who, and who had secret crushes…

Zhu Minglang felt like an old grandfather watching his grandchildren showing off and vying for attention, feeling jealous and envious.

But he never thought that in the eyes of others, he was just a peer.

“Zhu Minglang, you’re here too,” Nie Qiqi called out to Zhu Minglang, waving at him from across a few people.

Hehe, you clearly saw me a while ago.

The main reason Zhu Minglang did not approach was that he was pondering over a question.

Today is her birthday.

Such a joyous occasion for the girl.

Should he really give her the memento of her deceased father?

Even though it’s a birthday gift, he could give it to her some other day.

“Where’s my gift?” Nie Qiqi stretched out her hand towards Zhu Minglang.

“Aren’t you wearing it?” Zhu Minglang replied.

“Huh?” Nie Qiqi glanced at her clothes and then at the Nine-tailed Dragon on Zhu Minglang’s shoulder. She wanted to criticize Zhu Minglang for being stingy, but there were so many people around, so she suppressed the urge.

I paid for it with my own money!!

What a miser!

“So you’re the one who sent this Nine-tailed Furry Robe, huh? It’s beautiful. Can you make a similar one for me? I don’t want this design; I want a traveling robe…” said the young lady named Dong Yi.

“There isn’t another one, it’s unique,” Zhu Minglang replied.

Dong Yi seemed a bit disappointed, but Nie Qiqi’s smile on her cheeks brightened even more.

Of course, there was someone else whose face showed a trace of displeasure, because he originally had the honor of presenting the grandest gift, only to be completely overshadowed by the Nine-tailed Furry Robe that Nie Qiqi was wearing as her birthday attire.

It turned out that the most satisfying and beloved birthday gift was already being showcased by wearing it, rather than being carefully placed in another room.

“We’re planning to visit Qilong Garden. You should come with us,” Nie Qiqi said.

“Oh… okay,” Zhu Minglang nodded, his gaze sweeping over the guest pavilion once again.

He had intended to meet the Heroic Moon Fairy, but she had not appeared at all.

…

All descendants of Immortals, these young men and women, in addition to their youthful vitality, also carried an air reminiscent of divine cranes and qilins, which was fundamentally different from that of youths in Human Cities–after all, they weren’t really expected to understand restraint at their age.

Most of these individuals had reached the God Child Level.

Two or three of them even possessed the Cultivation Base of a God General.

It was apparent that their starting point for cultivation was essentially the Star God Realm.

Most of them were Dragon Shepherds, but what made Nie Qiqi stand out as a God and Mortal was not only her striking presence in a place filled with Dragon Shepherds but also likely her practice of superior Immortal Techniques, which arguably made her one of the more outstanding figures amongst them.

“Which Immortal Clan do you come from? I haven’t seen you before,” a white-haired young man inquired.

“From the Fang Clan.”

“Never heard of it,” the white-haired young man said.

Seven or eight young men and women walked toward Qilong Garden, wherein many rare species of Young Dragons were raised.

Given the naturally long lives of Dragon Clan members, humans raising these Young Dragons often did so in a nurturing manner, deliberately controlling their growth and transformation to facilitate the signing of contracts with Dragon Shepherds.

After all, it’s much more difficult to tame dragons that have reached their growth or maturity stages, as they are less willing to submit to Human Dragon Shepherds once their minds mature.

“Youth is wonderful indeed, looking at their simple and carefree appearances reminds me of how we used to be–free from cunning and killing, focusing only on showing off to others,” a white-haired Moon Radiance God stood by the railing on the terrace, gazing at the group heading to Qilong Garden, comprised of young masters and princesses from the Immortal’s House.

“Yes, even the Heroic Moon God once traveled the great rivers with us, only to regret what happened later. Nonetheless, she ultimately achieved her goals, regaining the unique Nie Hill and becoming one of the few Immortal Moon Gods!” A middle-aged man in black clothes uttered.

“The past is unbearable to reminisce, but let’s hope the path these kids take is not as full of hardships as ours,” the white-haired Moon Radiance God expressed.

“The Heroic Moon Fairy has arrived,” a server announced loudly.

In a moment, all the guests promptly lined up into two rows, except for the white-haired man and the man in black, who remained in the center.

However, everyone paid their respects, watching the Heroic Moon Fairy walk toward the center of the terrace.

With a smile on her face, the Heroic Moon Fairy nodded to each of the Immortals in greeting.

“What are you two watching?” the Heroic Moon Fairy asked.

“We’re watching the children. They are touring your Qilong Garden. I’ve always heard that Nie Hill’s prized garden is Qilong Garden; I am curious about its unique features. It’s our first visit, so please, Heroic Moon Fairy, enlighten us with its history,” the middle-aged man in black said.

“Dragon Gate everyone would surely know and have climbed the Immortal Stairs within, right?” the Heroic Moon Fairy inquired.

“Naturally.”

“Then you must also know that in Dragon Gate, those whose corporeal forms are destroyed are demoted to Mortals?”

“Aware of it.”

“Apart from our Human Race ascending, in Dragon Gate, there are countless Mythical Beasts and Immortal Dragons also striving upward. Some succeed in entering the Immortal Gate, while others plummet into the abyss. In fact, their fate is much like ours, being demoted to Ordinary Spirits,” the Heroic Moon Fairy explained.

“I’ve heard a little about this,” some guests began to quietly discuss among themselves.