Until they got downstairs, Jiang Yu’s expression was still not very happy.

"I was just babbling... you know I’m not usually like that!"

Zheng Qing hurriedly fastened the cufflinks on his newly changed robe as he walked quickly beside the witch, leaned towards her ear, and explained in a hushed, quick voice.

"Stay away from me!" The witch pushed him away a bit, embarrassed and annoyed.

Zheng Qing watched her reaction.

Her expression was still a bit unpleasant.

He thought she was angry about his little antics earlier, hesitated for a few seconds, and coughed softly.

"After transforming into a cat, many of my actions are uncontrollable... that gesture," he raised his hand in a mock cat paw gesture, making a pushing motion, and explained with a stiff face: "It’s a cat’s nature, it’s done unconsciously..."

"Shut up!"

The witch looked around in panic, her face reddening, seemingly angrier. She glared at him fiercely, halted her steps, and then suddenly furrowed her brows: "Did you also become a cat at Greenhill Mansion?"

Of course!

Before the first word could come out, Zheng Qing instantly realized the deep meaning behind the question, bit his tongue hard, and swallowed those three words back.

"Never, absolutely not!" He solemnly affirmed with righteous conviction: "Over at Greenhill Mansion, I just occasionally visit Poseidon... I only transform into a cat when I’m with you!"

The witch’s expression eased slightly, and she snorted lightly, walking ahead again, but this time her pace slowed a bit, allowing the warlock to easily keep up beside her.

Nearing the first floor.

Jiang Yu pulled out a thick, deep red cloak from her handbag and tossed it to Zheng Qing.

"Put it on quickly, we’re about to enter." She tersely reminded him and simultaneously pulled out another cloak from her handbag, wearing it herself.

Zheng Qing stroked the long plush on the cloak, feeling a familiar yet strange sensation.

"Stop fondling it!"

The witch looked at his actions with irritation and interrupted, but as soon as the words came out, she seemed to remember something, her face flushed again, biting her lip and hurriedly explaining: "This cloak is woven from the long fur of the Haired Dragon, and it’s the long fur that ’Damao’ who brought us to Shanglin Garden shed just before last summer... don’t worry so much, just put it on!"

She rudely snatched the cloak from Zheng Qing’s hands, roughly draped it over him, and tightly cinched the tie at the collar, pulling it forcefully.

Zheng Qing felt his tongue was being squeezed out.

He rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out.

The witch finally couldn’t help but laugh a bit and then gently kicked him: "Learning from Li Meng’s childishness! Do you think you’re still a minor?"

Though she said this, she finally loosened the tie in her hand.

Zheng Qing realized the witch wasn’t that angry anymore.

"Why wear such a thick cloak? Isn’t it for winter?" he tugged at the fluffy edges of the cloak and tried bouncing on the spot twice.

It’s not as heavy as he imagined.

"You’ll need it when entering."

Without much explanation, the witch took his arm again, turned around, and led him toward the direction of the banquet ball, softly reminding him: "Keep your posture straight, I chose such a light cloak for you so you wouldn’t walk like a baboon..."

Her voice stopped abruptly as they finished descending the last staircase.

Zheng Qing understood why she fell silent.

Because on the ground floor of the Ancient Castle, the previously empty entrance hall before he went upstairs was now crowded with guests returning from watching the spellcasting.

Young wizards, dressed in splendid cloaks and walking arm-in-arm, paired up and entered through the grand castle door, heading deeper along the red carpet, most pairs consisting of a warlock and witch combo. However, duos of warlock and warlock, witch and witch, warlock and raccoon, witch and flower sprite, and others formed these unique combinations.

The air was filled with majestic and magical processional music.

Coating the entire hall in an air of solemnity.

The procession moved quietly and dignifiedly.

There was hardly any whispering.

Zheng Qing could discern many young wizards and witches interested in him and Jiang Yu pairing, consistently glancing at them without stopping their steps, continuously flowing forward with the crowd.

A strong force came from his arm.

Jiang Yu pulled him to take a step forward, skillfully merging into the intricately interlocking procession.

Walking in front of them, a witch in a pink cloak turned her head and winked at Zheng Qing.

"Remember to thank me."

Vivian O’Brien silently mouthed a reminder.

Zheng Qing suppressed his curiosity, knowing it wasn’t the time for whispering. He kept his posture straight, synchronized with the witch’s pace, playing the role of a qualified dance partner.

Turning the corner with the crowd, Zheng Qing suddenly noticed the colors around him slowly fading away, the golden tassels gradually turning silver, the bluish-gray slabs becoming pure white marble, everything seemingly turning transparent, even the red carpet underfoot paling more and more.

Quickly, he realized the change was not just about color.

The chill rushed up.

Blatantly eroding the warmth young wizards felt.

Zheng Qing felt as if each step plunged him into the depths of a winter’s heavy snowfall. In a daze, he realized the decorations losing color seemed to be carved from ice.

Upon realizing this, the carpet underfoot transformed into fluffy snow, and the creaking footsteps were endless, the procession officially entering a vast snowy and icy corridor.

"Prepare to take off the cloak."

Jiang Yu whispered in his ear.

No reminder needed, Zheng Qing already noticed a crystal-carved transparent arch at the corridor’s end. Deer with beautiful large antlers emerged from one side of the arch, lowered their heads, using the antlers to collect guests’ cloaks, then trotted to the arch’s other side.

The young wizards walking ahead sequentially untied their heavy cloaks, threw them onto the deer’s antlers, then led their dance partners, stepping insides the arch with chests held high.

It was still a long corridor behind the arch.

Only this time, the corridor’s colors weren’t so monotonous, corners and windows already subtly showing hints of pale green, like sprouts newly emerging in early spring. And the young wizards walking through the corridor seemingly breathed a sigh of relief, the atmosphere gradually thawing, with greetings starting to echo in the air.

"Winter should be quiet and solemn, spring should be noisy and lively."

Jiang Yu’s voice sounded again beside Zheng Qing’s ear, briefly explaining the change in ambiance: "...letting young wizards feel the transition from winter to spring is another ancient tradition of Shanglin Garden... of course, some say the elders arrange this to let us feel the intricate changes between death and life during this transition. I doubt how many can truly grasp it."

"How are you going to thank me!"

Vivian, always walking ahead of them, slowed her pace, tilting her head, her gaze shifting between Zheng Qing and Jiang Yu: "Clearing you a spot wasn’t a simple task..."

Her dance partner was a blond witch, who was similarly studying Zheng Qing with curious eyes.