The proctors noticed something was off.
Qi Feng frowned and speculated, “Is she… deliberately misleading the Sixth Fairy Maiden’s search direction? Delaying the discovery of the theft? Of course she is.”
“But…” Cheng Yuntian of the Fourth Ministry looked puzzled, “Is such caution necessary? At her speed, she could have picked all the mature peaches before the Sixth Fairy Maiden notices.”
“Could it be…” Mo Xingyuan of the First Ministry sounded uncertain, “She wants to move on to other areas?”
This speculation made everyone gulp.
“Not impossible…” Luo Qiu slowly said, “Based on her previous style and efficiency, after cleaning out the Sixth Fairy Maiden’s area, she’d have time to hit other areas too.”
Cheng Yuntian shook his head in disbelief, “No way, she wants to strip the entire Peachtree Orchard? That greedy?”
Xiao Lingxi analyzed, “If that’s true, the more areas she targets, the higher the risk of discovery. As the saying goes, ‘Walk by the river often, and your shoes get wet.'”
The risk was too great, and her boldness excessive.
While everyone was discussing, Su Fu suddenly stopped on screen.
Everyone wondered what she was about to do.
Within the orchard, Su Fu surveyed the Sixth Fairy Maiden’s area with satisfaction.
All mature peaches were swept clean, leaving only pitiful green immature fruit hanging.
She even left several obvious signs—broken branches, crushed peaches…
So as soon as the red-robed fairy arrived, she would undoubtedly find the peaches stolen.
At that point, all attention would focus here, searching for a thief who didn’t exist.
The scapegoat plan, officially complete.
Though the plan was done, Su Fu still used illusions to delay the Sixth Fairy Maiden’s discovery.
Because she had a bold idea.
Everyone knows the Peachtree Orchard is divided into three zones: Three-Thousand-Year, Six-Thousand-Year, and Nine-Thousand-Year Immortal Peaches.
It’s not just the three-thousand-year peaches that ripen.
Ahem, as the saying goes, “Since I’m here…”
If she didn’t take this chance to check out the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Zone, it would be a waste.
Besides, who knew if she’d have another chance to enter the orchard later?
This was a heaven-sent opportunity she had to seize.
Moreover, she wasn’t the only examinee here.
Maybe others would try sneaking into the orchard too.
If someone else beat her to the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Zone and stripped it clean first, she’d be heartbroken.
So she had to find it.
But the problem was, where was the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Zone?
The orchard was vast, like a small independent world.
With no map or guide, finding a specific zone was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
For others, that might be difficult, but for Su Fu…
The answer was simple.
She moved her right hand slightly, a golden light flashing, and the Golden Cudgel was already in her grasp.
Then, Su Fu raised the Golden Cudgel high and slammed it down onto the earth below.
“Boom!”
The cudgel struck heavily, causing the ground to tremble slightly, and the powerful force rapidly spread outwards.
What to do next?
Of course, summon the Land Deity.
Long ago, the Great Sage had used this method to summon the Land Deity and obtained from him the location of the Nine-Thousand-Year Immortal Peaches.
Now, Su Fu only needed to repeat the method.
One second… two seconds… three seconds…
Soon, the ground began to shake, a golden light rising from the soil, gradually condensing into a humanoid figure.
Finally, it formed into a small, white-haired elderly man holding a cane, his beard snow-white and reaching his chest, radiating an immortal aura.
It was the Land Deity of the Peachtree Orchard.
But—
“Who dares disturb this old man’s rest?” the Land Deity rubbed his sleepy eyes, his tone tinged with displeasure.
When he saw the Golden Cudgel planted before him, his pupils suddenly contracted, his expression shifting immediately as he bowed repeatedly.
“Ah, it’s a female immortal. May I know your orders?”
Su Fu asked straightforwardly, “Where is the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Zone?”
The Land Deity’s expression changed, hesitating.
The Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Zone was a heavily guarded place, not one to be entered casually.
Before he could speak, Su Fu pressed the Golden Cudgel to his neck with slight force, her voice cold.
“Think carefully before you answer. I don’t have patience for your evasions.”
The Land Deity took a deep breath, then quickly said, “The Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Zone lies at the deepest part of the orchard. From here, head northwest, cross three mountain peaks, and pass a golden-glimmering creek. There, you will see a peach forest shrouded in golden mist—that’s where the Nine-Thousand-Year Immortal Peaches grow!”
The speed of his response was astonishing.
Su Fu withdrew the Golden Cudgel, smiling with satisfaction.
“Good. You may go.”
The Land Deity bowed repeatedly, preparing to slip back underground.
But suddenly, two shadows silently appeared from beneath the soil, and the shadows shifted form—
Ah.
They were two Yin Soldiers.
Two Yin Soldiers stood expressionless, chains in hand, silently flanking him on either side.
The Land Deity’s face stiffened instantly, cold sweat breaking out.
Su Fu’s gentle voice came softly from behind, “Come, both of you, escort the Land Deity back carefully. We must always respect the elderly and care for the young.”
Land Deity:Â Â “…..”
A twitch appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Respect the elderly and care for the young?
This was clearly just a way to keep an eye on him, preventing him from complaining.
Though dissatisfied in his heart, he dared not show it on his face—after all, that Golden Cudgel was not to be trifled with.
The Land Deity dared not speak out, forcing out a smile more pitiful than crying as he bowed to Su Fu, “Th-thank you, Fairy…”
“Then… this old man will take his leave.” The Land Deity forced a dry laugh, thinking, fine, be my watcher, just don’t let me see that terrifying fairy again.
He was about to resign himself and return to the underworld.
“Wait.”  Su Fu’s calm voice floated out again.
The Land Deity froze abruptly, cold sweat soaking his back in an instant. Â
This was it, she changed her mind?
Was she going to kill him to silence him? Â
“W-what is it?” He turned with difficulty, his voice trembling.
Su Fu lightly twirled the Golden Cudgel in her hand, speaking casually, “The Peach Banquet is approaching. There must be no mistakes in the Peach Orchard. I’m sure, Land Deity, you would be willing to help me investigate the Peach Orchard’s situation, right?” Â
Hearing this, the Land Deity’s expression truly became more wretched than tears.
What a curse!
How did he manage to offend such a ruthless villain? Â
Help her investigate?
This was clearly to make him the eyes and ears of the entire Peach Orchard.
Not only that, he’d likely have to lead these two Yin Soldiers to scout the entire orchard’s terrain, guard distribution, formation arrays, and even underground tunnels.
If the Seven Fairies obtained all this information…
The Land Deity dared not think further, but could he refuse?
The Golden Cudgel in the Seven Fairies’ hands rotated slightly, crackling with lightning, as if ready to strike at any moment.
If he offended her, he would likely be beaten to a pulp, utterly annihilated.
Snapping back to his senses, he said hastily, “I will definitely obey!”
“That’s good.” Su Fu nodded with satisfaction, “Go quickly. I await your good news.” Â
The Land Deity felt his scalp tingle.
Just as he thought, this Seven Fairy was definitely plotting something.
The Peach Orchard was so beautiful, the peach blossoms fluttering, and the Seven Fairies were so elegant and ethereal, yet he felt an icy chill run down his spine.
This terrifying feeling was even stronger than when facing a Great Fairy.
Time to slip away, quickly.
Watching the Land Deity and the Yin Soldiers disappear underground, Su Fu thought, just as she suspected, the Land Deity was indeed here.
In truth, when she wanted the entire Yaochi map, she thought of the Land Deity as a living map.
As the guardian deity of this land, he knew every inch of the terrain perfectly.
This meant that with him, she could not only locate the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach District but also learn the entire underground layout and secrets.
Especially the truth about the Celestial River.
If her guess was correct, the presence in the Celestial River ultimately nourished the Peach Orchard.
But how?
Most likely through subterranean streams.
If she could explore the underground, she might uncover the connection between the Celestial River and the Peach Orchard, thereby discovering the truth. Â
She hoped those Yin Soldiers would bring her good news.
But for now, she was heading to the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach District.
To see what exactly was different there.
Crossing a small stream, Su Fu finally arrived at the Land Deity’s designated location.
From afar, a golden mist shrouded the peach grove ahead, ethereal and mysterious like a fairyland.
Deep within, a towering giant tree could be faintly seen.
“That’s… the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Tree?”
As she approached, Su Fu noticed this place was completely different from the Three-Thousand-Year Peach District; the other peach trees were mere decorations, while there was only one true Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Tree.
A towering giant, soaring into the clouds like a colossal pillar supporting the sky.
The trunk was so thick that a dozen people holding hands would be needed to encircle it.
The massive branches twisted like dragons and serpents, stretching in all directions. Â
She looked up; the enormous canopy blocked the sun, thick with foliage.
In the very center of the crown hung a colossal peach, bright red and almost bleeding.
Amidst the lush green, the red stood out even more, as if her vision was fixed solely on that single spot of red.
Shen Yan couldn’t wait and immediately showed a prompt:
[“Detected Divine Artifact: Peach Orchard · Nine-Thousand-Year Peach”]
[“Type: Nine-Thousand-Year Peach (Mature)”]
[“Grade: S-Class Divine Artifact”]
[“Effect: Contains vast divine power. Consumption can extend lifespan, cleanse the body, reshape flesh, enhance talent, make one immune to all diseases and poisons…”]
The endless list of effects made Su Fu’s heart race.
She hadn’t expected it to be an S-Class Divine Artifact! Â
But then she frowned and looked around; ‘something was off. Such a precious peach just hanging there? Without any defenses?  No formation arrays, no divine skill protection—completely unguarded, left for anyone to pluck?’Â
That didn’t make sense.
She immediately used True Sight of Heaven to scan the surroundings, but strangely, there were indeed no traps or formations.
However, as her gaze shifted beneath the peach tree, her heart suddenly jumped.
The giant tree’s roots plunged deep underground, soaking in a river that surged unceasingly.
And that river…
“Could it be the water of the Celestial River?!” Su Fu was shocked. Â
At last, it was nourishing this giant fruit.
The Celestial River water emerged from some unknown source, flowing through the tree’s roots, nurturing this Nine-Thousand-Year Peach Tree.
She looked up at the unguarded peach and immediately realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
This was probably the only chance in the entire examination area. Â
She could not afford to miss it.
Su Fu immediately stepped onto her Wind Fire Wheels and soared upward.
Refreshing.
Compared to the previous peaches, this one was several times larger, and its rich fragrance was a hundredfold stronger.
Just smelling it invigorated the spirit. Â
As she approached, she even felt her five senses sharpen unusually, her mind clearer than ever.
If she ate this…
She swiftly plucked the peach.
Unfortunately, it was not the right time to consume it, so she handed it to Shen Yan for safekeeping. Â
Watching the peach vanish, Su Fu immediately used Illusion Transformation combined with the Great Sage’s Seventy-Two Transformations to create a new illusory peach at the original spot.