Chapter 211: Flat Peaches at the Banquet

"This guy, still unrepentant!"

"Seeing Bian Zhuang staring intently at the palace maid holding the flat peaches, Chijiao Daxian immediately withdrew his gaze; he knew this guy was about to run into trouble again."

"Hmph!"

"Just as the palace maid felt embarrassed from being stared at by Bian Zhuang, suddenly a cold snort rang out, like a great bell, in Bian Zhuang's ear."

"A sudden sharp pain shot through his head, and in Bian Zhuang's soul, a towering figure appeared."

"No, save me!"

"With a startled cry, Bian Zhuang fell from his seat."

"Once his consciousness returned, he immediately realized that all of that had merely been a soul suppression."

"That woman is becoming more and more terrifying!"

"Recalling the scene just now where his soul was crushed by the other's hand, Bian Zhuang still looked frightened."

"Feeling the strange gazes from all around, even though Bian Zhuang was thick-skinned, he couldn't help but blush."

"He quickly withdrew his gaze, Bian Zhuang lowered his head, daring not to look around anymore."

"After all, he was well aware that just now was merely a minor warning from the Jade Pool Golden Mother."

"If he again doesn't know what's good for him, he might end up being thrown into the Heavenly River Water Prison again."

"Having gone through that experience, Bian Zhuang certainly didn't want to go through it a second time."

"But deep down, Bian Zhuang still felt some resentment."

"After all, it's obvious that the Jade Pool Golden Mother and the Vast Heaven Sovereign could be a pair; although they are already divorced, he just can't fathom how the immortals' slight offense could violate heavenly law."

"This is clearly a case of 'only the officials may start fires, but the common folk may not light lamps!'"

"Of course, these protests, Bian Zhuang only dares to mutter in his heart; if he actually spoke them out, given his understanding of the Jade Pool Golden Mother, he would surely be targeted again."

"Ladies and gentlemen, today..."

"Just as the Jade Pool Golden Mother was about to announce the start of the Peach Banquet, suddenly a white figure flew into the banquet."

"Upon seeing the visitor's appearance, everyone's hearts jolted, for the visitor was none other than Taibai Jinxing!"

"And the arrival of Taibai Jinxing needed no explanation as to what it signified."

"That one, he actually came this year? It's been a thousand years since we last saw him attend the Peach Banquet!"

"Chijiao Daxian looked outward from the banquet."

"A dragon's roar sounded, and immediately the immortals saw nine flood dragons pulling a carriage flying in."

"All immortals, greet His Majesty the Vast Heaven Sovereign!"

"Following Taibai Jinxing's landing, all the immortals except the Jade Pool Golden Mother rose and paid their respects."

"How did he come?"

"The Jade Pool Golden Mother couldn't help but frown, thinking: 'Before our separation, you would never come to my Jade Pool dead or alive; after the separation, you actually have the interest to attend the Peach Banquet!'"

"Regarding the Vast Heaven Sovereign, the Jade Pool Golden Mother harbors deep resentment."

"After all, in her view, if it weren't for the Vast Heaven Sovereign neglecting her for over a thousand years, how could that little thief have succeeded?"

"Now, moreover, she is threatened by that little thief, left with no choice."

"In short, it's all the Vast Heaven Sovereign's fault!"

"Just thinking of this, the Jade Pool Golden Mother's gaze toward the Vast Heaven Sovereign grows ever more resentful."

"And the Vast Heaven Sovereign, who had just flown out of the nine-dragon carriage, couldn't help but frown."

"Noticing the Jade Pool Golden Mother's resentful gaze, he couldn't help but shudder."

"Junior sister, what's wrong with you? Even though we're divorced, why do you still hold such a grudge?"

"The Vast Heaven Sovereign muttered to himself: 'Fortunately we're divorced; otherwise, with your temperament, I couldn't stand it.'"

"The newly freed Vast Heaven Sovereign felt his thoughts were all clear."

"Ignoring his junior sister's resentful gaze, the Vast Heaven Sovereign raised his hand and said with a smile: 'Fellow immortals, please be seated, no need for formalities.'"

"Having said that, the Vast Heaven Sovereign naturally flew to the seat beside the Jade Pool Golden Mother."

"But as soon as he saw the dust on his seat, the Vast Heaven Sovereign frowned and glanced at the Jade Pool Golden Mother beside him."

"I haven't come for a thousand years; is it really necessary to be so petty? Indeed, divorcing her was the right move!"

"The Vast Heaven Sovereign thought to himself, then gave Taibai Jinxing beside him a glance."

"The latter understood, and with a light sweep of his whisk, the spot belonging to the Vast Heaven Sovereign instantly became clean as new."

"The Vast Heaven Sovereign took his seat, and shortly thereafter a palace maid brought up flat peaches."

"But upon seeing the appearance of the flat peaches, the Vast Heaven Sovereign couldn't help but frown."

"These withered peaches, are they flat peaches?"

"Thinking this, the Vast Heaven Sovereign glanced at the Jade Pool Golden Mother beside him and couldn't help but ask: 'Junior sister, lately the yield of your peach orchard hasn't been good?'"

"Upon mentioning this, the Jade Pool Golden Mother became even angrier."

"Is that a problem with his peach orchard?"

"No, it's that little thief who keeps coming up from time to time, eating and taking, soon to bald her carefully cultivated peach orchard."

"For this Peach Banquet at present, the Jade Pool Golden Mother has already taken out plenty of stores."

"She doesn't know how to handle future Peach Banquets."

"During this time, the Jade Pool Golden Mother has been considering a plan to have someone take the blame and directly cancel the Peach Banquet."

"Just eat what you can, humph!"

"With a cold snort, the Jade Pool Golden Mother simply didn't want to explain."

"Of course, this also couldn't be explained."

"After all, Ao Yifan each time he comes up, not only eats the peaches from the orchard, but even..."

After being embarrassed by his junior sister, the Heavenly Emperor said no more, picked up the withered peach before him, took a bite, and set it down.

Not only did the Heavenly Emperor notice the problem with the flat peaches, but all the immortals present also realized that this year's flat peaches were far inferior in quality.

This year's flat peach...

Looking at the flat peach in his hand, its obviously withered appearance due to lack of moisture, Zhenyuanzi felt a pang of regret, wondering whether he should really send out the ginseng fruit.

However, Zhenyuanzi eventually waved his hand, and Qingfeng and Mingyue stepped forward with him.

"Heavenly Emperor, Jade Pond Immortal, this is the innate spiritual root ginseng fruit of my Five Zhuang Observatory, specially brought to present to you two, wishing the Heavenly Court great prosperity!"

Zhenyuanzi said.

"Oh? I've long heard of that ginseng fruit: it takes three thousand years to bloom, three thousand years to bear fruit, and another three thousand years to ripen; merely smelling it can extend life by three hundred sixty years, eating one can extend life by forty‑seven thousand years; most precious of all, only thirty such fruits are produced every ten thousand years, making them extremely rare."

The Heavenly Emperor smiled and said: "Great Immortal Zhenyuan, your thoughtfulness is appreciated; today I also have the chance to sample this rare heaven‑earth spiritual root."

To be frank, the Heavenly Emperor had no interest in the withered flat peach before him, but he felt a bit of interest in the ginseng fruit brought by Great Immortal Zhenyuan.

With a wave of his hand, Qingfeng and Mingyue lifted the red silk cloth covering the ginseng fruit.

In the next moment, a burst of dazzling spiritual light flashed, followed immediately by a refreshing fragrance that drifted into the noses of all the immortals present.

"This fragrance is so enjoyable just from smelling it; I wonder what it tastes like when eaten."

Looking at the ginseng fruit entwined with spiritual light, Bianzhuang couldn't help but drool.

He is fond of beauties and good food; seeing this ginseng fruit now truly makes him covet it.

It's a pity that the ginseng fruits are scarce; Bianzhuang knows that, given his status, he is not qualified to enjoy such innate spiritual roots.