As the banquet reached its midpoint, the clusters of people who had gathered began to disperse.
Xiao Meng, alone, squatted by the barbecue grill, roasting rows of apples.
Xiao Xue and Long Yi, the mount duo, sat nearby, sipping wine and discussing their beastly lives.
Chen Lingyi and Chen Lingxin, the sister duo, were at the grill, feeding each other.
Meanwhile, Lin Xueyan, Bai Xiaoxiao, and Fang Zhiwei were together, discussing plot points for their novels and events that had transpired between themselves and their master.
As for Xu Ning, she stayed by their side, listening to the explosive stories.
Though confined to a small circle on a secluded part of the beach, the scene was lively and imbued with a palpable atmosphere.
Watching these scenes unfold, Ye Yun's face involuntarily broke into a gentle smile.
As the night breeze swept across the sea, a chill enveloped him, momentarily clearing his dazed thoughts.
Of course, the alcohol was primarily responsible; after all, for the sake of enjoyment, no one would use their internal energy to filter it out, lest it be no different from drinking plain water.
"It seems you are all having a wonderful time."
Just as Ye Yun was lost in thought, a clear, cool female voice drifted from beside him.
Ye Yun's head snapped up, and his gaze froze.
Standing before him was Ning Qianqin.
"You... you this..."
Ye Yun was momentarily speechless.
The reason for his astonishment was the utterly unexpected attire of the person before him.
Ning Qianqin, who had previously favored ethereal white gowns, had changed.
She was now clad in a white swimsuit, her long hair dancing in the night breeze.
Her skin, like flawless white jade, her stunning figure, coupled with her unique aura, was a fatal charm to any man.
If one had to describe her in a single word, she was simply... a swimsuit fairy.
As if noticing his gaze, Ning Qianqin extended her wine glass and gently tapped it against his forehead.
Then, with a hint of playful reproach, she said,
"Where are you looking, you scamp?!"
The cool touch of the wine glass instantly sobered Ye Yun.
He coughed awkwardly, trying his best to maintain his composure.
"My apologies, my apologies, it's merely a man's instinct..."
Realizing the words might not be appropriate, Ye Yun quickly changed the subject, asking,
"By the way, isn't today Sea God Festival? Why are you here, Miss Ning? And in such attire?"
Even now, Ye Yun couldn't fathom that someone of her esteemed status would truly appear before him in a swimsuit.
If he hadn't had so little to drink, he might have suspected he was dreaming.
Hearing his question, Ning Qianqin took a sip of her wine and looked at him, smiling faintly.
"Is there any rule stating that an island master cannot celebrate a festival?"
"Uh... I just didn't expect it."
Ye Yun offered a helpless smile.
He clearly couldn't imagine someone as transcendent and ethereal as her participating in common festivals. Perhaps she was joining in the revelry with her people?
At this point, Ning Qianqin smiled at him and asked,
"It's been half a month. How is your mission progressing?"
"Uh, so-so. It's incredibly difficult."
Ye Yun spread his hands and sighed involuntarily.
Ning Qianqin remained unfazed by his words.
"No need to rush. Complete it at your own pace. For us, time is never an issue."
Ye Yun sighed again, not quite grasping her point.
Normally, time wouldn't be a problem for them. The issue was their current peculiar circumstances.
As such, after recovering from his surprise, Ye Yun's first question was,
"Miss Ning, do you know Xiao Meng's origin?"
Ning Qianqin slowly raised her head, glanced at Xiao Meng, who was alone not far away, and nodded slightly.
"Yes, I suppose I do."
This brought a flicker of hope to Ye Yun's heart, and he blurted out,
"Then you know..."
But his words were cut off before he could finish.
Ning Qianqin looked at him and said calmly,
"Have you forgotten our agreement? All of this, you must accomplish on your own."
"Uh... alright."
Since she had said so, Ye Yun had no choice but to let it go.
Ning Qianqin then smiled and slowly continued,
"Besides, I am not here to help you this time."
"Then you are..."
Ye Yun was taken aback.
To be honest, he had initially thought she had come to offer assistance, seeing his struggles.
Ning Qianqin smiled faintly.
"Naturally, as the representative of this place, I've come to have a drink with our esteemed guest during the festival."
Her words seemed utterly simple.
With that, she extended her hand and raised her wine glass.
Ye Yun smiled helplessly at her words.
"Alright, cheers."
Ye Yun drank the wine in his cup.
Ning Qianqin, however, only took a few sips. She then glanced at Lin Xueyan and the others in the distance.
With what seemed like a sigh, or perhaps a touch of sarcasm, she remarked,
"Young Master Ye truly has quite the fortune with women."
"It's alright."
Ye Yun glanced over as well, shrugging.
"Having a group of disciples like this can be quite troublesome at times."
Ning Qianqin's delicate eyebrows arched slightly.
"Troublesome? Are you sure it's not a case of pain mixed with pleasure?"
"Uh... I truly wish they could all be a bit more well-behaved."
"That is likely impossible."
"Huh? Why?"
Her words left Ye Yun momentarily confused, not quite understanding her meaning.
Subsequently, Ning Qianqin stopped him from pursuing the topic.
"Alright, I wish you a happy Sea God Festival. Enjoy the rest of your evening."
With that, she touched her wine glass to Ye Yun's, then drank the contents in one gulp.
Finally, she gave Ye Yun a radiant smile and vanished as silently as she had appeared.
Ye Yun shook his head at this sight.
"Sigh, another strange woman..."
But what troubled him most was her final remark.
Did she mean that Lin Xueyan and the others could not be well-behaved?
But... what was the reason? Simply because they liked their master?
As he pondered this, something amusing occurred not far away.
"Mas~ter~"
Fang Zhiwei, seemingly intoxicated, her cheeks flushed and her steps unsteady, stumbled towards him.
Well, to be precise, she was heading towards a large rock next to Ye Yun.
"Mas~ter~"
Her eyes were filled with adoration as she gazed at the boulder, her voice becoming languid and charming.
This immediately drew the attention of everyone present.
"Master, do you like me or not~"
Under the gaze of the crowd, Fang Zhiwei walked step by step to the boulder.
Then, pointing at the rock before her, she said with feigned indignation,
"Master, why aren't you speaking? Do you like me or not? Speak!"
There was still no reply.
Then, she directly reached out and embraced it.
Soon, Fang Zhiwei let out a surprised cry.
"Master, why are you so cold~"
"Let me warm you up~"
"Why aren't you still speaking~ Do you not like me?"
"I don't care~ I'm giving you my first kiss right now~"
Saying this, she hugged the rock and moved to kiss it.
This scene truly stunned everyone present.
Especially Ye Yun, whose expression was, to put it mildly, rather spectacular.