As more guests started to arrive inside the tavern, it was time for the Innkeeper to start collecting entrance fees. He could have opted for an automated system and have the system collect the resources, but then they would be converted into MT or something of that sort, and these resources were much too difficult to come by to waste in converting to MP.

Fortunately, Lex had already planned things out. After all, he wasn't the only one who needed to get paid. For a brief time, he considered letting Wu Kong collect the payments on his behalf, but Lex stopped himself.

No matter what, he mustn't forget that he was a Dao Lord, and couldn't be treated like a lackey. Also, due to his inclination for theft, Lex didn't want to risk putting him in close proximity to all his treasure. If could even fake attempting to join the Inn just to get out of trouble with Ventura, who knows what he would fake with the Innkeeper?

"I see more and more guests are arriving to our humble little gathering," said the Innkeeper, which attracted a strange gaze from Ventura. "Before the guests get too involved in the festivities, I think it would be best that we introduce them to Eclipse, so that they may present their flowers."

Although it seemed like the Innkeeper only spoke among his group, all the Dao Lords heard his words. The matter of fact was that besides a very few people, most did not know the venue that this tea party would be taking place in.

When the Dao Lords arrived, they immediately swept their surroundings with their spirit sense to identify their location. After all, the Primordial Garden had a seal around it, isolating it from the rest of the universe, meaning that they could not immediately identify their location. That was even more so because none of them had been to the Primordial Garden before.

It did not take too long for them to understand, though. The Innkeeper did not need to specifically spell it out for them. It was clear at a glance that the tavern was surrounded by a primordial land, filled to the brim with primordial beings. While that, in itself, could point to a few other places in the universe, when they heard the Innkeepers words, they immediately realized where they were.

There may be many who go by such a name in the universe, but when accompanied by a primordial expanse… nay, a Primordial Garden, there is only one. The Primordial Queen!

Although the likes of Nuwa and Ventura knew much about her, for most of the Dao Lords alive, the Primordial Queen was a mysterious and distant entity - one about whom they knew very little!

They had long heard legend of her magnificent power, and a few of them were even lucky enough to witness some of the monuments of her power she had left behind before her self imposed seclusion within her garden.

Now, to be able to enter her garden and meet her in person… how had the Innkeeper achieved such a thing?

Ballom seemed to take the events in his stride, but the lady accompanying him seemed stunned, which seemed to please Ballom quite a lot.

"It is an excellent idea!" Wu Kong exclaimed, before the conversation had a chance of turning on him again. "Allow me to start first. Lady Eclipse-"

"You may refer to me as Primordial Queen," said Eclipse, looking down on Wu Kong. "Even now, I can sense that your intentions have not changed. Just so you know, I've informed the Innkeeper beforehand that if anyone messes with my garden, I reserve the right to kill them."

Wu Kong dropped to his knees, though the Innkeeper could not quite tell if it was because he was afraid, or if he was in a rush to present his flower and run away.

"Yes, of course! As soon as I was informed of your requirements, I knew exactly what to get for your garden. I present to you the Jade Lotus from the garden of the Jade Emperor."

Though he was on his knees, which was a strange position for a Dao Lord, it did not feel unnatural at all. In fact, it seemed just right when he held up his hands and revealed a flower seemingly made of jade, floating in a small pool of Void Essence gathered within Wu Kong's hands.

The Innkeeper and Eclipse weren't the only ones who were attracted by the sight of the flower - so were the other Dao Lords.

Lex had done his research and knew who the Jade Emperor was now. He was an extremely fearsome Beast Dao Lord who ruled over the Jade Palace realm - an extremely prominent Major realm. Although its size was considered small for a Major realm, the smaller size only made the concentration of energy and resources more concentrated.

The Jade Emperor was an extremely powerful Dao Lord who had a very fearsome reputation, and not many could bear to cross him. Unfortunately for the emperor, that list did not include Wu Kong.

"Your offering is very nice," Eclipse said, suddenly putting on a smile. "As long as you behave, you can stay in my garden."

Eclipse wasn't the least bit concerned about any danger attached to the offering, or about offending the Jade Emperor. Although in terms of titles, an emperor was above a queen, in this situation, the reality was reversed.

After presenting the flower to Eclipse, Wu Kong turned and looked at the Innkeeper with a fond smile. Just as he was about to offer his payment to the Innkeeper for attending the party, he received a message from the Innkeeper.

"If your payment to me has 'the Jade Emperor's' as a descriptor, then perhaps I might just send him a key to attend this party. After all, I haven't really arranged for any entertainment."

It was strange. Mentally, Lex knew that he shouldn't mess with a Dao Lord. He absolutely should not, and should remain respectful and reverent. For some reason, though, he just couldn't help it when it came to Wu Kong. With Eclipse and Ventura by his side, he felt even more emboldened.

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