After a brief conversation, in which Kai prepared the ground for a favourable start, the company advanced again towards the large black doors.
- Listen, how is this feast for the new Personal Apprentice going to be organised? - Kai asked with interest.
- Hehehe... You'll see for yourself soon... - Brood replied with a smile.
- Actually, everyone in the Shadow Sect is quite busy. And they are mostly busy with research and cultivation. It's rare to have a moment of relaxation... That's why rare events like this were once set aside for it. Everyone needs to relax once in a while. This tradition has been around for many decades. - Elder Ovian spoke contentedly.
At this moment, he seemed unusually cheerful. He seemed to be looking forward to this feast as well.
- You're very cheerful... - Kai said teasingly.
- Of course! We are all happy! This evening we are all really allowed to relax! - Caius said with expectation in his voice.
'What is it with these old people... What's going to happen at this so called banquet?' - Kai thought without understanding.
- ''Kai, I have never participated in this feast before, as only Personal Disciples and Elders can get in. But everyone in the Shadow Sect has heard about it...' Iris said with a strange expression on her face.
- What have you heard Iris? - Kai asked calmly.
- Hm! - the girl grumbled unhappily, - It's just a drunken party, where even the Elders are drinking themselves unconscious! It's disgusting! - Iris said irritatedly.
- Foolish girl! You just don't understand anything yet! When you're relentlessly cultivating in isolation or constantly immersed in martial path research... One can simply go insane! You need days like this to blow off steam and socialise with old friends! And for you young ones to make new ones! - Solemnly said Elder Brood.
- Aha-ha-ha! That's a good excuse! Do you believe what you said?! - Iris said wryly.
It was obvious that she didn't like the whole drinking and drinking thing. In fact, Iris was quite a delicate and aesthetic girl. This sort of thing was definitely strange to her. She simply didn't understand... How could one enjoy such a pastime!
Just as she opened her mouth again to say something, she was instantly interrupted by another voice!
- Hahaha! Elder, you are incredibly wise! I agree with every word you say! - Running forward, shouted Kai, -As an older and experienced person, you should give me some lessons in drinking! Except I'm not bad at it either! Hehehe... - Kai said provokingly.
- Are you a puppy?! You want to fight with that old man?! - Elder Brood said arrogantly.
- I wouldn't dare do that if we were talking about fighting power. But here in alcohol... Hehehe. - With a sly smile, Kai said.
At that moment, excitement gleamed in the old man's eyes. Looking at Kai, he suddenly smiled evilly.
- Alright puppy... Let's see how fast you beg for mercy! If you can't drink any further, then I'll force it into you! That'll teach you how to sass your elders! - Brood said angrily.
- You?! I'll have you drunk in no time! You boast too much, you senile old fool! - Caius said mockingly.
- Elder Caius, why don't you join us? Hehehe. - Kai asked with a laugh.
- Gladly! It would be a pleasure to trample that fool again! - Caius replied proudly.
- Again? Are you already getting senile dementia? When have you ever defeated me! Hahaha. - Elder Brood laughed arrogantly.
- Since it's such a party, I'll join you! - Elder Ovian said good-naturedly.
- You're all just...' Iris started to say, but realising that she was going to say it in the direction of the Elders, stopped, 'You're rude bastards! Hm!' She looked up and stopped looking at them with a snort.
But it seemed that the four of them didn't care at all about Iris' words... They were already drooling in anticipation. It seemed that even these venerable old men had turned into ordinary gambling men. I guess such things are just in the nature of men.....
The door was getting closer, a few more metres and they would reach their destination.
- Kai, they're waiting for us inside. First of all, behave with dignity and don't treat us like you did before. Normally such things are not allowed... - Elder Ovian explained, looking at Kai strangely.
It seemed that at that moment he himself wondered why they had allowed such frivolous treatment of themselves. But what was surprising was that it didn't bother them at all. They were even having fun having a dialogue with Kai. It was as if they all, had known each other for a long time. As he thought about it, he came to the conclusion that he could simply sense Old Man Mo's familiar aura in Kai.
- I understand you Elder! - Cai said politely and bowed deeply.
- ''Stop this! You're doing this too soon! - Irritatedly, Ovian replied. He realised that Kai was just mocking him.
- Listen Elder Ovian... How can they expect us already? - Suddenly thoughtful, Kai asked.
- Ahem...' the old man coughed awkwardly, "We already knew beforehand that Iris could become a Personal Apprentice... We warned everyone and prepared everything..." Ovian explained, lowering his voice slightly.
- Were you just using me as an excuse to get drunk?! - Iris suddenly swore! It seemed like the girl just erupted with anger!
As soon as the old men saw this, their faces instantly changed. It seemed like they were feeling a whole range of different feelings.....
- Everyone, calm down. If you don't scream, I'll show you one interesting array later. The likes of which you've certainly never seen before! - Interrupting her indignation, intriguingly Kai gave out.
As soon as these words came out of his mouth, the girl's mood was as if switched in a second! She instantly forgot about what happened a second ago and flew towards Kai!
- Really?! What's that array?! Tell me! Tell me! - Iris started shouting.
- You haven't fulfilled your promise yet. You need to behave calmly all evening, and then I'll fulfil my part! I'll only say that I don't fully understand it myself... But the individual elements will definitely be interesting to you! Do you understand me? - Looking into her eyes, Kai asked seriously.
He remembered that complex array from the Astral Grad. Its property was to transfer information directly into your memory. Kai couldn't replicate it or realise its mechanisms. But it wasn't that difficult to reproduce parts of it.
- I got it! I got it! I'll do as you say! - The girl shouted out with a smile and nodded her head approvingly. She looked like a little kid who had been tricked by a candy bar.
Looking at this, the old men exhaled with relief. This girl was very energetic and willful. They didn't want to admit that they had their own personal, selfish motives as well.
- Thank you... - Caius said quietly, winking at Kai.
- Ahem. - Kai... Don't be alarmed, but there are about three hundred people inside... It's not all Personal Apprentices and Elders, but it's everyone who is in the City of Shadow and could come. This... Ahem... Feast... In general, it's not something anyone likes to miss. - The old man said dryly.
- Wow... So many... - Kai said a little surprised, - Come on, shall we go? I can't wait to drink Elder Brood! Hehehe. - Laughing evilly said Kai.
- You little puppy! Just you wait, I'll show you! - Brood shouted angrily.
- Okay. Let's go in! - Elder Ovian said solemnly and pushed the huge black doors forward!
At the same moment, a bright light struck Kai's eyes!
As soon as he opened them again, he saw a huge hall with luxurious tables in a semicircle. These semicircles were on different tiers, gradually rising upwards. On each tier there were already a large number of people. And the tables themselves were bursting with various viands and jugs of water and other drinks.
As soon as the company of five people entered inside, it was as if they were on a stage. They were now the centre of everyone's attention. At this moment, all the Personal Disciples rose from their chairs and shouted out loudly:
- Greetings to the new Personal Disciples! Let's celebrate your arrival! - A chorus of unconcealed, joyful intonation rang out!