The entire town was gathered together, every seat was taken, and the tables were laden with fine wine and food, making one's mouth water at first glance.

Qinghe wasn't one to join in the fun, but she had no choice but to participate in today's excitement. So, as soon as she entered the garden, she pulled Qirong to a secluded corner. The location was remote, but the view was excellent, allowing them to see right through the entire hall.

Qi Rong raised her hand and poured her a glass of wine. "I still remember the way you looked when you were slightly tipsy from drinking at the restaurant under Moon Mountain."

Qinghe took a sip and smiled faintly, "Your alcohol tolerance isn't bad either, how about we drink until we're completely drunk today?"

Qi Rong clinked glasses with her, saying, "It is an honor to be invited by such a beautiful lady."

The two men drank and chatted, getting quite carried away, while the restaurant owner was only just beginning his toast.

He stood in the center of the hall and said loudly, "In this great calamity, we were able to survive the clutches of the demonic beasts thanks to the Grand Tutor, Sect Master Qi, and the renowned cultivators from Imperial Mirror Manor and Heavenly Revelation Academy. To repay their kindness, we have decided to host a private banquet for our saviors. We are just ordinary people, and the dishes are simple. Please do not find them offensive."

The Grand Tutor declined, saying, "Not at all. As righteous people in the human world, it is our duty to slay demons and eliminate evil. We should not accept this favor."

The boss expressed his gratitude and said warmly, "Grand Tutor, you are too modest. As the saying goes, a drop of water in need should be repaid with a spring of water, let alone a life-saving grace. Grand Tutor, please do not refuse."

Other people chimed in, "Yes, yes."

Seeing this, the Grand Tutor turned his head to look at Qi Changfeng. Seeing him nod, the Grand Tutor sighed softly and said with a smile, "In that case, please take your seats and let's begin the feast."

A toddler babbled, "Let's begin! Let's begin!"

"Let the feast begin!"

The hall immediately became lively and bustling.

It had been a long time since we had such a grand gathering. Everyone was genuinely happy and excited. The tense and suppressed emotions suddenly snapped, and everyone was immersed in the fine wine and delicious food, not wanting to leave.

The Grand Tutor looked at the vibrant garden, his eyes filled with a smile. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Qi Changfeng not touching his chopsticks and remaining silent. His eyelashes fluttered, and he said, "Are you leaving?"

Qi Changfeng replied, "Yes, this meal is both a banquet and a farewell."

The Grand Tutor didn't speak, but picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

After a long silence, she said, "The next time we meet will probably be during the Battle of the Five Gates."

Qi Changfeng also finished his wine. "At that time, we were not only friends, but also rivals."

"Friends?" The Grand Tutor looked at him, a strange light flashing in his eyes. "In your heart, we are just friends?"

Qi Changfeng coughed lightly, "Didn't you say that before we become gods and prove our Dao, we can only be friends?"

He spoke softly, with a hint of grievance in his voice, leaving the Grand Tutor speechless.

A moment of silence fell over the room.

After a long pause, Qi Changfeng broke the silence, saying softly, "Time flies, it will pass in the blink of an eye. Our cultivation will reach its peak, and becoming gods and proving our Dao will be only a matter of time. At that time, we..."

As he spoke, his hand gently moved, touching the Grand Tutor's fingertips, soft and cool.

"Master, Uncle-Master Lu Chang has come again to urge us to return to the sect."

Li Jiang suddenly appeared and interrupted the two. Qi Changfeng quickly withdrew his hand, sat up straight, and said, "Ah, is that so? I understand."

Li Jiang nodded in agreement, turned around and returned to his seat. He felt strange, wondering if he shouldn't have come at this time. He felt that his master's gaze was somewhat cold towards him.

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became. He couldn't help but look back and see Qi Changfeng still staring at his back. He immediately turned back and walked away quickly, as if he had just escaped the brink of death.

He didn't see the road ahead clearly and bumped into the corner of a table. He looked up and saw that it was a small table that Qing and Qi Rong had made. The two of them were enjoying their food and drinks.

Seeing Li Jiang in a panic, Qing He asked, "What's wrong? You don't look well."

Li Jiang sat down opposite the two and whispered, "I feel that the atmosphere between Master and Grand Tutor is a bit strange."

Qinghe glanced ahead and joked, "It's really not easy for even you to figure it out."

Li Jiang said unhappily, "What do you mean by that?" It sounded as if he were stupid.

Qinghe smiled and ignored him, continuing to drink with Qirong.

When Li Jiang's questioning yielded no results, she turned her gaze to Shen Xun standing to the side, "Do you know what she means?"

Shen Xun glanced at him, shook his head, and said, "Straight men are really scary."

"Straight man?" Li Jiang had never heard of this term before and asked, "What does it mean?"

However, Shen Xun continued drinking his wine and ignored him.

"It seems I won't get anything out of you today." He sighed deeply, filled his cup with sake, and drank it all in one gulp.

Someone walked over, and Li Jiang looked up to see Yuan Xiu and Miao'er.

The two of them sat down casually as if they were old friends, holding wine glasses in their hands, like a newlywed couple toasting each other, their faces full of smiles and high spirits.

Sometimes, Li Jiang couldn't quite understand this little girl. She felt that she was always happy and content, just like now, looking down at her hand clasped with Yuan Xiu's, she was as happy as a child.

He greatly admired such people, who knew nothing of troubles, whose minds were pure and innocent, as precious as flawless jade. Moreover, he knew more than one such person.

"Young Master Li, Little Page, Senior Brother, and beautiful Sister-in-law, I toast you all!"

Ever since Shen Xun appeared, Miao'er felt something was off no matter how she called him, so she simply gave him the nickname "Little Page," which was quite fitting.

Shen Xun initially tried to correct her, but later he simply let her be.

As for the title "pretty sister-in-law," Qinghe's feelings were completely different from Shenxun's. She accepted it readily without the slightest hesitation.

Seeing her offer a toast, the group picked up their glasses to return the toast. Although they didn't know the reason for the toast, on such a happy day, they didn't care and just drank.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere reached its peak.

The moon was high in the sky, and it was already late at night. Although the banquet was not over, it was already coming to an end.

Many of them were drunk and helped each other back to their homes. Qinghe and Qirong had drunk several rounds without a clear winner, both with flushed cheeks but clear minds.

The only one who was unusual was Qi Changfeng.

He used to enjoy fine wine, but today he only drank a few cups, clearly not thinking about the wine. As for where his mind was, perhaps only he himself knew.

On the way back, the Grand Tutor only glanced at Qi Changfeng from afar before turning around and leaving with his disciples. Their figures disappeared into the darkness in the blink of an eye.

The moonlight was bright, but the light couldn't reach Qi Changfeng. No one could see his expression, but they all tacitly refrained from disturbing him.

The night wind was a bit chilly, and a soft sigh drifted away with the breeze, its whereabouts unknown.

The figure standing there looked somewhat desolate.

After a long while, he turned and left with a flourish, catching up with the others.