Chapter 368: The Grand Peach Banquet Contest

The solemn toll of an ancient bronze bell rang out, its deep, weighty sound filled with reverence and authority.

It echoed mightily from the First City of the Divine Capital, resonating in everyone’s ears.

Soon, a myriad of musical strains, as if celestial music were being played, swept across Jade Plaza, stirring the divine essence of heaven and earth.

The Peach Banquet, the grandest event of the Dajing Dynasty, was set in motion by the mystical Xi Wangmu’s Bizarre Temple of the Sanqing rank, suppressed by the Divine Capital.

Legend has it that the entrance to this Sanqing Bizarre Temple is shrouded in mystery—no one knows its true location.

Not even the temple’s enigmatic barrier can be sensed; all that is known is that to enter the barrier of Xi Wangmu’s Bizarre Temple, one must hold the Peach Branch.

And this Peach Branch can only be distributed by the Empress, the sole authority over the Peach Banquet.

Just where the Empress obtained the Peach Branch remains a secret.

Li Che had been in the Divine Capital for some time now.

Even with his Star Plucking Gaze activated, he couldn’t discern where the Sanqing Bizarre Temple was hidden!

Thus, Li Che eagerly anticipated this Peach Banquet, hoping to finally catch a glimpse of Xi Wangmu’s elusive temple.

After all, by possessing the Peach Branch and triggering Xi Wangmu’s divine essence, one could directly enter her temple.

Moreover, Li Che had left a Feilei Chess Piece in the Divine Temple of Xi Wangmu’s Bizarre Temple; even without the Peach Branch, he could secretly infiltrate the Sanqing Bizarre Temple.

Seated beside Li Che, XiXi sat on her tiptoes, eyes wide with curious wonder.

The lively scene always intrigued her—she was just a mischievous little girl who loved to join in.

Besides, XiXi was also curious about the rumored Great Jing Emperor; after all, she had once studied the way of Divine Talismans under the spell of the Sect Master’s Wife Xuan Qisha, who was nearly her teacher.

And Xuan Qisha’s mother was none other than the elder sister of the Great Jing Emperor—meaning he was her maternal uncle.

Yet when the Sect Master’s Wife spoke with XiXi about the emperor, there was little trace of familial affection in her eyes.

Shortly afterward, a resounding call from the Purple-Clad Diao Si and celestial music filled the air.

Gradually, a magnificent, grand procession emerged from the First City, slowly making its way through the towering city gates, treading on paved white jade stones as they headed for Jade Plaza.

Two splendid golden chariots led the way, their imposing canopies shielding against the spring rain.

In an instant, all eyes were drawn to these gilded chariots; the foremost carriage revealed a towering figure radiating an awe-inspiring presence.

Silent and wordless, he simply sat there as the enormous golden steed—augmented far beyond a common Jiangma—exuded an overwhelming pressure.

It was like the weight of mountains and sky.

The Great Jing Emperor, dressed in a golden robe intricately embroidered with dragons from all four seas, sat upright in his chariot; though his features were obscured by a mystical haze of divine essence and blood energy, his imposing stature could not be ignored.

His very presence made it impossible to judge strength or rank.

At that moment, nearly every gaze converged on the figure who had occupied the imperial throne for centuries.

Under the dome of the Divine Capital, a light drizzle fell.

The entire Second City of the Divine Capital fell into a hushed silence.

The eyes of the patriarchs from top cultivator sects—Lü Taibai, Gu Changqing, Ning Caishen, Xuan Jiu Zhuan, Bai Buyi and others—were all fixed on the emperor.

In addition, figures like King Ping Luan, Ji Mo Li, and a few princely lords cast complex, judging glances.

Officials from the Temple Guardian Division, Imperial Watch, and heads of the three prominent noble families all rose, clasping fists in salute with solemn and dignified expressions.

Following the emperor, the Empress’s procession emerged, graced by countless accomplished palace maids and concubines, who strolled gracefully as if blooming like blue lotuses in the spring rain.

The Empress herself radiated regal charm in her opulent attire and celestial crown, her painted brows and smiling lips exuding a gentle majesty as she scanned the crowd over Jade Plaza.

She seemed to express her delight at seeing so many attend the Peach Banquet she presided over.

Behind her, the concubines—though more modestly dressed—displayed striking beauty, signifying that although the emperor had aged, his refined taste for beauty endured.

Further back were the princes and princesses—

The crown prince, Lü Yousheng, dressed in a serpent robe with a long beard, his hair streaked with grey and eyes clouded;

Second Prince Lü Hengyi, markedly younger with bright, resolute eyes;

Third Prince Lü Litong, also in a serpent robe, whose sorrowful mien revealed his mourning over Consort Ji’s death as he maintained his filial poise;

Fourth Prince Lu Chi, who did not join the formation but quietly trailed behind the National Teacher, head bowed.

Not all princesses came along—some, too young, were left behind.

The procession advanced from the palace and Divine Temple area of the First City.

At the rear, eunuchs and maids carried trays laden with tributes, sacrificial offerings, and ritual implements—

An astonishing array both in number and variety.

There were also diverse wines and sumptuous dishes steaming with heat, as if shielded by an unseen force, untouched even by the cool spring rain.

Li Che scanned the scene, yet not a single peach was in sight.

The Peach Banquet, it seemed, was bereft of any peaches.

When the emperor and empress’s entourage arrived at a grand pavilion set up on Jade Plaza, two figures descended from the chariot

and slowly sat behind two main tables arranged at the central dais.

A purple-clad eunuch then began directing the maids and eunuchs into a flurry of activity.

Items brought out from the palace temple were distributed across every table, bestowing each with the exquisite delicacies of the Peach Banquet.

What had been empty tables gradually came alive, adorned with an array of rare and sumptuous treats.

There was wine, meat, and vegetables, all meticulously laid out in silent obedience by the serving staff.

Li Che sat with XiXi while Zhang Ya shared the same banquet table with him.

Strictly speaking, Zhang Ya had not been formally invited to the main feast; however, the banquet on Jade Plaza was not the main event.

The main feast was held inside Xi Wangmu’s Bizarre Temple.

Thus, Zhang Ya was brought along by Li Che—not only him, as many others had also brought their families.

XiXi’s bright eyes followed as the spread of delectable treats expanded.

“Daddy, can I start eating now?” she asked, swallowing nervously.

The delicacies freshly cooked by the top chefs of the First City exuded an irresistible fragrance and allure.

Though not as exquisite as the dishes prepared by the Boss, they were enough to set XiXi’s mouth watering.

Thinking of the Boss, XiXi’s heart swelled with nostalgia—it had been far too long since she had seen him or tasted his cooking.

Her heart couldn’t help but long for those days.

“Eat up,” Li Che said, patting XiXi’s head.

Glancing around, he noted that many had already started using their chopsticks.

XiXi, not one to be shy, returned to her table and began devouring the feast with gusto.

Reserved for her alone at the pre-feast, XiXi held an exclusive right to her own table.

Li Che smiled gently as he and his wife Zhang Ya tasted the delightful food.

As for the pressure of the Peach Banquet, Li Che was unperturbed—even if he had wagered with Jin Mao, it hardly mattered.

After all, even without the bet, Li Che would spare no effort to seize that Nine-Thousand-Year Peach, so the wager was merely a side matter.

Away at a distant table, Jin Mao feasted heartily, though his sharp gaze was fixed on Li Che and on Jin Taisui of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, his expression darkening with anger.

“A good-for-nothing disgrace who dares to sully the honor of Witch God Mountain!” he fumed.

The wager now weighted heavily on him—he was determined to drag the shameful Jin Taisui back with him!

After three rounds of the banquet, the Great Jing Emperor slowly set down his golden chopsticks; his presence, as formidable as a mountain, seemed to make the hazy visage of his face lift as he glanced toward the Empress.

The graceful Empress acknowledged with a nod before instructing the elderly, greatly stooped eunuch from the Purple-Clad Diao Si to listen intently to some matters.

After a moment, the purple-clad eunuch stood tall, his divine essence and vigor surging as his booming voice filled the air:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the Peach Banquet is now officially underway.”

His resounding words rippled through the crowd, instantly changing the expressions of cultivators from all factions.

“Round One – The Young Dragon Banquet.”

“Now, let me announce the rules laid down by Her Majesty the Empress for this Young Dragon Contest.”

“At the Pre-Feast, a total of sixty young prodigies will participate. In the first round, each young dragon will expend a wisp of Xi Wangmu’s divine essence from the Peach Branch—matching up against an opponent. Victory in the first round will bestow upon the winner a Thousand-Year Peach.”

“A victorious young dragon may choose either to continue and transform the Peach into a Three-Thousand-Year Peach or to withdraw and keep the Thousand-Year Peach, thereby ending his participation.”

“Likewise, winners in subsequent rounds may continue to challenge—the age of the peach increasing each time.”

“Ultimately, the final victor will be awarded the coveted Nine-Thousand-Year Peach.”

“Each pairing in the Young Dragon Contest is random.”

The Purple-Clad Diao Si declared in a loud, commanding voice.

As his words fell, many young prodigies, mid-bite of their sumptuous treats, suddenly lost their appetite; eyes narrowed as they began to ponder the rules.

This tempting rule…

…was a trial to test whether the young dragons truly understood how to know when to push forward and when to hold back.

One could only wonder: if a peach were risked in a victory, what if it ended up facing a formidable opponent and was squandered?

The personal cost and the likelihood of facing an opponent who hadn’t yet expended his inner strength—

These quandaries only deepened the inner turmoil, making it hard for many to decide whether to continue or withdraw.

This contest was not just a display of skill; it was a test of one’s resolve and decision-making.

Many shared this inner dilemma.

Lü Taibai’s silvery hair swayed as he arched an eyebrow and remarked,

“It’s quite interesting—this is a mental tempering for these young dragons. If one wins continuously all the way to the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach, his resolve must be extraordinarily firm and his self-confidence sky-high.”

At a distant table, Jin Mao lowered his chopsticks and squinted,

“I wonder if even the eunuch knows that the rules of the Hero Banquet are different?”

In response, the purple-clad eunuch shook his head,

“No, they are not the same. The rules for the Hero Banquet were devised by Her Majesty and His Majesty together—different tests, but the final reward remains a Nine-Thousand-Year Peach.”

As his words faded, many heroes present began to breathe more rapidly.

Nine-Thousand-Year Peaches…

Who wouldn’t desire one?

After all, these rare peaches could extend one’s life!

Even if their effects were more pronounced on mortals, before achieving the status of Martial Saint or Divine Embryo, everyone remained but human—thus, such peaches greatly increased their future prospects of cultivation.

Then the purple-clad eunuch continued, his voice rising sharp:

“Now, I ask all Pre-Feast dragons to take out your Peach Branch and draw out a wisp of Xi Wangmu’s divine essence to begin the first round of matching!”

With his command, XiXi wiped her mouth and retrieved her Peach Branch,

while other prodigies—like Lü Qingxuan, Yang Yi, and Tian Dan Divine Sect’s First Prodigy Gu Jiang, not to mention Shi Ming from True Martial Divine Sect—did the same.

In the first round, no one opted to forfeit; any who did would leave empty-handed, not even securing a single peach.

Remember, even a Thousand-Year Peach was already a prized treasure.

At that moment, XiXi’s Divine Perception stirred, and her Divine Vision rippled; a wisp of Xi Wangmu’s divine essence surged forth from her Peach Branch.

With a resounding hum, that wisp shot out with incredible speed.

Other young dragons also sent forth their divine essences, which danced like streams of light, weaving and chasing one another in the open center of Jade Plaza.

Gradually, two streams of divine essence collided and merged before many others dissipated back to their owners.

Yet in the heart of Jade Plaza, two distinct trails of divine essence remained.

After clashing in mid-air, these streams transformed into the image of a child!

The purple-clad eunuch suddenly appeared at the center as if by teleportation, his solemn face declaring,

“Now, the two young dragons, please step forward and engage!”

At his cue, the two prodigy figures, outlined by divine aura, leapt from behind the tables, their energies erupting—whether from blood vitality or divine essence—

as if performing a dazzling display of martial arts right in the center of Jade Plaza.

Cultivators from all regions in the Third City watched with gleaming eyes, surprised to witness the Young Dragon Contest’s thrilling showdown!

After all, these young prodigies were the treasured disciples of the top sects, each far from ordinary in the world of cultivation.

Only through the Pre-Feast selection and subsequent main banquet could one truly appreciate the brilliance of these divine prodigies!

With sixty prodigies taking the stage, the first round featured thirty matches.

Each duel was brief—a mere ten breaths—and the first match of round one concluded in an instant.

At the moment of victory, as if summoned by an ethereal peach tree, a colossal illusion of a peach tree swayed, releasing a single peach into the victor’s grasp.

It was a Thousand-Year Peach, its intoxicating aroma blooming instantaneously and filling the entire Second City of the Divine Capital.

Li Che sipped his wine, his gaze fixed on the peach tree’s fleeting image after it shed its lone fruit.

“That peach tree—surely it emerged from the Bizarre Temple! But how could it manifest here in the mortal realm alone?”

“Where on earth is this Sanqing Bizarre Temple of Xi Wangmu…”

Li Che furrowed his brows.

Lü Taibai, as if reading his mind, smiled and said,

“Stop guessing—the Dajing Royal Family, custodians of the Sanqing Bizarre Temple of Xi Wangmu, will never easily reveal its entrance.”

“All the prominent sects are curious, for even other Sanqing Bizarre Temples have not displayed such secrecy in the mortal realm.”

“That is why the Dajing Royal Family only releases peaches during the Peach Banquet to entice the world. No one knows what age the peaches inside Xi Wangmu’s temple truly are…”

“Currently, the most ancient peach known is the Millennial Paotao,”

Lü Taibai explained to Li Che.

Li Che’s eyes narrowed slightly, “The Immortal Peach—like a Longevity Fruit?”

Lü Taibai shrugged as he savored his dish and wine, smiling:

“Perhaps. Besides the Dajing Royal Family, no one has trodden inside Xi Wangmu’s Bizarre Temple—who can really say?”

Li Che then questioned, “So why does the Dajing Royal Family still host the Peach Banquet? Isn’t hoarding wealth enough? Can’t they simply pick the peaches themselves?”

Lü Taibai took a sip of wine and replied via telepathy,

“Ah Che, do you recall the Temple Spirit Resonance at Jin Guang Mansion’s Third Prince Bizarre Temple?”

“This Peach Banquet might just be the Dajing Royal Family’s imitation of the Immortal Peach Feast held within Xi Wangmu’s temple,”

he continued, “We are nothing more than tools for them to achieve a higher level of Temple Spirit Resonance.”

“Only by reaching that exalted state can one obtain peaches of even greater years and delve deeper into the mysteries of Xi Wangmu’s temple.”

“The Sanqing Bizarre Temple remains so mysterious—the Dajing Royal Family’s intentions are perhaps not yet fully realized.”

Lü Taibai’s voice dropped as he revealed his speculation.

Li Che shuddered, feeling as though a veil was lifted from his mind.

It made sense now—

That was why the Dajing Royal Family so selflessly offered their peaches as rewards for the Peach Banquet—

It was the philosophy of sacrifice to gain greater rewards.

All for the promise of acquiring peaches of even older years, hence the contest was held!

Li Che’s eyes shimmered as his curiosity about Xi Wangmu’s Bizarre Temple deepened.

While others could not enter its sacred halls, he, Li Che, could.

A spark of ambition ignited in his heart.

In the midst of the contest, a victorious young dragon now faced a dilemma.

The gentle eunuch approached him and asked kindly, “Child, will you take the Thousand-Year Peach and leave, or continue your challenge?”

Sniffing the tantalizing aroma of the peach, the young dragon gritted his teeth and declared, “I choose to continue!”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the peach in his hand seemed to reverse time.

In a flash, the illusion of the swaying peach tree reappeared, and with a shake, the peach re-hung from the branch.

The young dragon took a deep breath, his eyes filled with both hope and anxiety as he returned to his table, retrieving a Divine Crystal to restore his state for round two.

Meanwhile, the eunuch continued to oversee the matches.

Divine energies intertwined above Jade Plaza as round after round of duels among the prodigious young dragons commenced.

All fought without any reservation to win the peaches—each duel a dazzling display of divine weapons and mystic arts.

Spectators from the Third City were enthralled by the spectacle!

On the side of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, the main table featured six prodigies—XiXi, Lü Qingxuan, Yang Yi, Yun’e, Zhou Peng and Jin Taisui—while other sects had only one or two representatives.

For instance, the Southern Dao’s Zizhulin had only a fourteen-year-old maiden; the Purple Mansion Divine Sect had three guaranteed spots; and Xiao Lingyin Temple, decimated by the Underworld, was left with only Huang Mei sitting alone.

Moreover, elite heirs from ancient nobility and foreign powers like the Dragon God Clan, Witch God Mountain, and the Buddhist lands of the Western Regions—all sixty prodigies in all—competed.

In the sixteenth match, XiXi faced an old rival—the Third Prodigy of Qingyun Dao-Xuanfu Divine Sect.

That battle was nothing short of a breathtaking display.

XiXi unleashed her Xiangong Gatling while her opponent hurled a burst of explosive Divine Talismans!

The resulting explosion sent shockwaves and bursts of fire across the scene!

It was an epic showdown: Spirit Wood Muduya clashed vividly against the explosive talismans.

XiXi’s mastery of Mechanical Art gave her a clear advantage, as her opponent’s explosive technique drained his divine energy and perception.

Inevitably, exhausted of divine essence, her foe conceded defeat under XiXi’s relentless assault.

Victorious, XiXi won a peach and couldn’t help but salivate at its enticing aroma.

A Thousand-Year Peach’s fragrance soared to new heights—so intense that XiXi almost devoured it on the spot.

But with steely resolve to secure a Nine-Thousand-Year Peach for her mother, XiXi chose to press on!

When the luscious peach vanished from her hand, tears nearly welled in her eyes.

Is this what it feels like to lose?

Lü Taibai then added sharply, “XiXi, if you lose in round two, you’ll lose even the Thousand-Year Peach…”

Startled, XiXi trembled, worry and determination mingling in her eyes.

Lü Taibai smiled and asked, “If you win the next round, will you continue your challenge?”

XiXi’s eyes hardened, “Absolutely! I won’t fail—I’ll secure the peach for Mother!”

With a clenched fist and indomitable will, XiXi’s determination blazed like never before.

Zhang Ya was deeply moved, and Li Che’s gaze softened.

Round One encompassed thirty matches, wrapping up in about an hour.

Each duel was brief—a mere clash of skills.

Among the Qianyuan Divine Sect’s young dragons, XiXi, Yun’e, and Jin Taisui advanced to round two, while Lü Qingxuan, Yang Yi, and Zhou Peng fell in the first round.

Lü Qingxuan’s misfortune was apparent: he had been pitted against three prodigies from the Purple Mansion Divine Sect—though as a third prodigy, he was easily defeated due to the vast difference in cultivation.

As for Yang Yi and Zhou Peng, they too succumbed to raw power disparity.

The matchups were purely a matter of luck.

In round two, many young dragons opted to withdraw—for instance, Yun’e chose to leave after seizing her Thousand-Year Peach, content with her prize.

Meanwhile, in round two, XiXi faced an old rival from the True Martial Divine Sect—Shi Ming—and once again, Shi Ming was defeated by the glaring gap in strength.

Victorious, XiXi earned a Three-Thousand-Year Peach, whose intensified aroma nearly shattered her resolve as she almost took a bite.

But determined to win a Nine-Thousand-Year Peach for her mother, the little girl pressed on.

At that moment, XiXi sprinted into Li Che’s arms, tears streaming as she celebrated her hard-fought victory.

Round Two ended with the Qianyuan Divine Sect’s XiXi and Jin Taisui still in the contest.

In that round, three prodigies opted to withdraw, one of whom was Jin Taisui.

Aware of his own cultivation lag—practicing the esoteric arts of Witch God Mountain—Jin Taisui knew he had little chance and wisely chose to step back.

Round Three saw only the true powers, leaving twelve spots open instead of the original fifteen, as many withdrew.

Holding a Three-Thousand-Year Peach, Jin Taisui joined XiXi at the table, offering it with both hands.

“You won this peach by your own merit—eat it yourself,” he said earnestly.

Though XiXi craved it, she restrained herself.

After all, even though Jin Taisui had lost a wager and become a servant, she considered him a close companion,

for how could XiXi possibly take a bite of her little brother’s reward?

“I am your servant; what is mine is yours,” Jin Taisui insisted with genuine sincerity.

Before he could finish speaking, Li Che gently tapped his head,

“No need—for if you really want to eat, your father can go pick some for you.”

“You keep what you win, but if you don’t replenish your strength, you might lose your place as XiXi’s companion in the future.”

Li Che said softly.

Immediately, XiXi’s eyes lit up, “Daddy, will you take me to pick peaches?”

“If my daughter desires, I will take you without hesitation,” Li Che replied, patting her head affectionately.

After all, he had left a Feilei Chess Piece in Xi Wangmu’s Bizarre Temple, allowing him to enter at will.

After hearing from Lü Taibai that the Dajing Royal Family might still be engaged in Temple Spirit Resonance, Li Che understood that the peach grove within Xi Wangmu’s Bizarre Temple was accessible to him as well.

With a deep thundering boom shattering the spring rain,

and under the watchful eyes of the crowd,

the third round of the Young Dragon Contest began.

As the contest progressed, the cultivators of the Third City grew increasingly tense.

Who would ultimately emerge as the one to claim the coveted Nine-Thousand-Year Peach?

Everyone was filled with unbridled curiosity!

In round three, with only twelve spots left, the remaining prodigies were primarily the first young dragons from each major sect and the top heirs from the three eminent noble families.

Twelve young dragons battled for six spots—each winner earned a Five-Thousand-Year Peach!

The competition grew even more brutal!

A howling wind swept by as twelve streams of divine essence intertwined fiercely above Jade Plaza.

In the end, ten streams receded, leaving only two luminous trails that slowly unfolded like a scroll, revealing the intertwined image of the young dragons.

It was as if a gigantic screen had flashed with their portraits!

XiXi, wielding her pink Xiangong Gatling and flashing a radiant dimpled smile, appeared on the display.

Instantly, a murmur swept the Third City:

“She’s Li Bansheng’s daughter!”

“Is the first match of round three about to begin?”

“The remaining prodigies in round three are all fierce competitors—each one incredibly strong. I’ve even placed a hundred Sixfold Divine Essence Crystals on her!”

Even Lü Taibai and Li Che couldn’t help but fix their gaze on her, their wine cups poised near their lips.

Across from XiXi’s display, divine essences intermingled intensely,

slowly coalescing into a single figure.

Both Lü Taibai and Li Che stared in shock.

Many cultivators from the Third City who had wagered Sixfold Divine Essence Crystals on XiXi gasped in despair.

“The Third Prodigy of Zifu Divine Sect of the Heavenly Master’s Dao!”

“This is the prodigy from the premier Zifu Divine Sect of Dajing!”

“It’s over, it’s over…”