Li Qi's reaction seemed to surprise the Great Shaman and the Deputy Minister of the Honglu above, but since the banquet had already begun, they didn't say much more.
Everyone still remembered what had happened before, with even video recordings available, but everything had been 'reset'.
Apart from memories, it was as if nothing had happened.
The official banquet began, and everyone ate normally.
Everything that had transpired was recorded, and Li Qi had already seen corresponding news on his terminal.
The headline read: "Young Masters of Wu Deity Mountain Engage in Friendly Sparring with Imperial Academy Students; Both Sides End in a Draw, Demonstrating Gentlemanly Conduct"
There were videos and photos of them, but none showing the three versus hundreds scenario. Only the moments where Liu Junyi clashed evenly with the trio were included.
The scene of three against hundreds existed only in text records; that segment had been edited out of the footage.
Although the truth wasn't hidden, there was still some bias involved.
They started eating, setting aside other matters for now, as this was considered a diplomatic state banquet, and the Deputy Minister of the Honglu himself was present, so minor issues didn't need attention.
However, while eating, Li Qi also used some means to communicate with Yan Ke and Bo Yue sitting not far away.
The three of them maintained expressionless faces while eating and chatting.
"Did you guys feel anything unusual?" Li Qi asked first.
"Yes, I felt a peculiar temporal light, but... it was different from what I control," Yan Ke replied, his tone somewhat puzzled, seemingly unsure how to explain.
Bo Yue then said, "It was peculiar temporal light, but different from Yan Ke's. It was more like... me?"
"You?" Li Qi exclaimed in surprise.
But he immediately recalled that Bo Yue indeed had similar abilities.
Bo Yue's Dao Resonance, 'Demon Seed'.
"Wait, if it's similar to your Demon Seed, does that mean time was rewound?" Li Qi recalled and realized what he had experienced.
Bo Yue's Demon Seed could 'cut off' a segment of time's possibilities and allow natural development within it. If the development met Bo Yue's expectations, he could confirm that segment as real, making everything that happened within the Demon Seed become reality.
If the development didn't meet his expectations, he could cut off everything that happened, turning it into an illusion, as if nothing had ever happened except for the memories.
Back then, Li Qi had been hit by a Demon Seed, and if not for Shen Shuibei's reminder, he might not have woken up.
"So, the refresh just now was similar to a Demon Seed technique, meaning we were all rewound?" Li Qi sought the opinions of the other two.
"I wasn't. I sensed danger and opened the world barrier of my small world. This thing couldn't rewind peculiar temporal light, but... the setup was somewhat damaged and will take about half a year to recover," Yan Ke answered.
"I was rewound, but that's fine. I use Demon Seed every day to rewind myself," Bo Yue said.
Li Qi added, "I also used some techniques to prevent myself from being rewound. I felt it was very dangerous."
"Personal feeling, let's ask the Great Shaman later and see what he says. After all, it should be their doing," Bo Yue responded while chewing meat.
"By the way, did you use Demon Seed on Liu Junyi?" Li Qi suddenly remembered another matter.
The activation of a Demon Seed was instantaneous, and its end was also instantaneous. Others wouldn't have any special sensations apart from memories.
"I used it, but it was ineffective. His Dao heart was flawless, and he didn't detect the existence of the Demon Seed. He remained steadfast until the end, and even afterward, I couldn't rewind him," Bo Yue said, sounding somewhat helpless.
"There are such people? I've heard of your Demon Seed, and someone can be strong enough to resist it?" Yan Ke was astonished.
"How do you know so much? Can you stop acting like a gossiping old woman?" Bo Yue growled angrily.
Yan Ke laughed awkwardly and fell silent.
Li Qi chuckled and stopped talking, simply memorizing Liu Junyi's appearance.
This person should be Tang Kingdom's true genius.
All this occurred in their minds, while in reality, the three sat at their respective places, enjoying the delicious feast.
Indeed, it was a feast, extremely luxurious.
The main courses alone included five types: millet, foxtail millet, rice, sorghum, and yellow millet.
There were also delicacies such as gorilla lips, badger roasts, the emerald feathers of beautiful swallows, the limbs of Shudang beasts, the tendons of real dragons, and more. Layer upon layer of rare treasures filled the table.
Seasonings included pickled meats, roasted meats, mustard sauce, real pepper, ginger, salt, fermented soybeans, maltose, honey, and so on.
It was much more luxurious than what Li Qi would buy for himself.
However, Li Qi didn't quite understand.
Humanism seemed to have a special fondness for enslaving or tormenting real dragons.
Whether it was the dragon carriages they rode in or the dragon tendons they ate now, it all stemmed from this fascination.
Was it because of the war with the Eastern Sea?
But even if they were in conflict, why would they hate them to this extent? Wu Deity Mountain and Tang Kingdom had their conflicts, but they didn't eat each other's flesh.
Moreover, these things reminded Li Qi of something.
About... after he was attacked in Baiyue, the young dragon soul he found on the attacker.
Was there a connection?
He decided to note it down for now.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, the banquet swiftly progressed.
After a full meal and various ceremonies, the banquet ended late into the night, and everyone dispersed.
Li Qi and the three others joined up with the Great Shaman and left together.
They returned to their carriage, where the Great Shaman naturally opened his small world, blocking any possible probing.
Before Li Qi and the others could ask questions, he nodded: "Young Master Qi, Young Master Ke, you two did well."
Li Qi and Yan Ke exchanged glances and simultaneously bowed, asking in unison, "What do you mean?"
"Today's temporal rewind, both of you resisted it using your techniques. That's good," the Great Shaman said, finding a place to sit and addressing the four.
Bo Yue immediately looked serious.
What was peculiar about this temporal rewind?
"Don't worry; it won't harm you. As for Young Master Yue, since he often rewinds himself using Dao Resonance, he already has resistance," the Great Shaman casually remarked, then reached out and grabbed something from Li Qi and Yan Ke.
Li Qi and Yan Ke immediately felt something being extracted from their bodies!
While extracting, the Great Shaman explained: "This kind of temporal rewind is usually very dangerous, similar to Young Master Ke's peculiar temporal light. If you're not adapted and get caught in it, many strange things will happen, making it easy to encounter accidents. So when encountering such things, try to avoid them or resist like today."
"But since it was performed by the Deputy Minister of the Honglu, it was within a controllable range, so it wouldn't harm you. For Young Master Yue, he already has resistance."
Li Qi listened, confused, and interjected: "Then why did you say we did well?"
"Being vigilant is a good trait, so I commend you."
"Especially Young Master Yue, even if your own Dao Resonance allows you to rewind, you must still take unknown temporal rewinds seriously, or you might not even know how you died."
"And it prevented his technique from fully succeeding, leaving traces that allowed me to trace back and understand the origins of his spell."
"He had to show his hand but didn't expect you Eighth Rank juniors to have means to resist, catching him off guard, giving me an advantage against him later."
The trio suddenly understood.
So, this was also part of the high-level officials' game?
Were they merely pawns in the Great Shaman's struggle with the Purple-Robed Duke?
Then, the Great Shaman continued: "One more thing, consider it a reward."
He finished extracting two... half-damaged Dao Resonances?
He took out two divine talismans, introduced the Dao Resonances into them, and sealed them with incantations, carving intricate patterns.
Mysterious waves emanated from them, forming unknown yet dizzying symbols, ultimately becoming two new talismans.
He handed one to Li Qi: "Since it's just residual power, it can only be used once. Using it will rewind your body for about a quarter-hour, allowing you to retain your memory and restore your physical state to before that time. The effect is equivalent to the Deputy Minister of the Honglu performing it himself. I've set two trigger modes: one active and one triggered when near death."
"Consider it a life-saving item, perfect for you two." The Great Shaman distributed the two talismans.
One for Li Qi, one for Yan Ke.
"What about me? What about me?" Bo Yue raised his hand.
The Great Shaman ignored him.
Bo Yue awkwardly withdrew his hand, pretending he hadn't spoken.
But Li Qi, examining the talisman, asked: "Great Shaman, was Zhong Minglou rewound?"
He glanced at Zhong Minglou beside him.
He maintained his usual enigmatic smile, not saying a word all night.
The Great Shaman spoke for him: "Don't worry about him; he has his ways."
Then, the Great Shaman produced three iron tokens: "Apart from Young Master Qi, you three come here. I'll give you Humanism terminals. Instructions are inside; use them yourselves. Young Master Qi should already have one, so I won't bother with you."
"Now, with over twenty days until the Imperial Academy starts, feel free to do as you please during this time. I have some matters to attend to and will be away from Chang'an. Contact me through the terminal if needed. It uses Dragon Vein power, so use it freely without worrying about wasting it."
Listening, Li Qi suddenly became alert.
Wait, Dragon Vein.
Previously, he hadn't thought much about the term "Dragon Vein."
But now, having eaten dragon tendons and seen the dragons pulling the carriage, and recalling the young dragon soul he encountered, everything tied back to Humanism.
Now, one of Humanism's foundations was called a Dragon Vein?
Why not call it a Human Vein?
Was there deeper meaning?
Fortunately, the Great Shaman was right there. After distributing the terminals, Li Qi approached and asked: "Great Shaman, may I ask a question?"
The Great Shaman, who had finished his instructions, paused and replied: "Hmm? What is it? Go ahead."
To the Great Shaman of Wu Deity Mountain, all the Young Masters were their juniors, so unless there was a deep-seated grudge between their masters, they wouldn't be too distant.
"Young Qi wants to ask, why is one of Humanism's foundations called a Dragon Vein?" Li Qi asked, bowing.
The Great Shaman was momentarily stunned, then laughed heartily: "Haha! Good question. Looks like you noticed. Not bad, not bad."
But after laughing, he shook his head: "However, this matter cannot be explained clearly. You're still too young to know too much. Just remember that the name is correct."
Li Qi felt a chill hearing this but nodded in agreement.
Though no details were given, it gave him much to ponder.
After speaking, the Great Shaman pondered for a moment, seemingly making a decision.
After a few seconds, he seemed resolved and told Li Qi: "Since you've thought this far... then tonight, don't go off on your own. Come with me. I'll take you somewhere to broaden your horizons. I see you're well-read in classics and able to summarize information quickly. Seeing more will aid your growth."
"Yes," Li Qi immediately bowed, accepting.
If the Great Shaman said it would help, it definitely would!
Without hesitation, Li Qi agreed.
"Alright, let's do that. Everyone, go about your business. Li Qi, follow me later. Others, feel free. Do you need money for accommodations?" the Great Shaman asked.
From Li Qi's perspective, the others wouldn't lack money, as evidenced by their quick acceptance.
Except for Zhong Minglou.
Zhong Minglou simply nodded slightly, not explicitly agreeing.
Honestly, Li Qi was curious about this enigmatic figure's daily life—how he managed his basic needs.
But tonight, he'd be following the Great Shaman, so he'd have to save those curiosities for another time.
After a while, the dragon carriage arrived at their destination.
After arranging some trivial matters, everyone bid farewell, preparing to find their own accommodations in Chang'an since the Imperial Academy didn't provide dormitories.
Four people parted ways.
Only Li Qi followed the Great Shaman.
The Great Shaman waved: "Come on, follow me. I'll explain the details along the way."
"Oh, Young Master Qi, Senior Yunfang mentioned you, saying you resemble his disciple."
Upon hearing the name, Li Qi immediately recalled who it was.
Senior Yunfang, who had come with his master to Baiyue to fetch him.