The Land Deity looked admiring. “He is a frequent guest at the Queen Mother’s Peach Banquets and always drinks to his heart’s content.
“That is the Barefoot Immortal, representative of the wandering immortals.”
That was the most enviable immortal — living freely to that extent was the true mark of an immortal.
“Besides these, there are also various mountain, sea, and nature gods…”
Su Fu glanced around. Some deities were recognizable by their clothing — the Mountain God typically wore green with obvious branch decorations, and there were Water and Wind Gods too.
At that moment, a group of monks in saffron robes passed by, all with kind faces, radiating Buddha light.
“Ah, those are Bodhisattvas from the Western Pure Land,” the Land Deity quickly bowed. “In recent years, the Queen Mother has befriended Buddhism and always invites monks to these grand occasions.”
Su Fu’s mind stirred. She knew a bit about this.
In Journey to the West, the Great Sage once rampaged the Peach Banquet, and after havoc in Heaven, the Jade Emperor even invited the Buddha to intervene and suppress him.
Clearly, Buddhism and Daoism have some tacit cooperation on a higher level.
From another angle, the entire Western Journey saga is a contest between the two faiths.
Buddhism aims to spread its teachings and expand influence, while Daoism, though cooperative on the surface, covertly set the Eighty-One Calamities in motion, many originating from the Heavenly Court, unwilling to let Buddhism grow stronger.
All these conflicts converged into the famous Pilgrimage for Sutras.
On the surface, it was about subduing demons and saving beings, but underneath, it was a struggle between the two sects.
Unexpectedly, here at the Yaochi banquet, she saw representatives from both camps — gods and Buddhas gathered. It felt strangely surreal.
Suddenly, the Land Deity changed tone, his smile fading slightly.
“Of course, though the Peach Banquet invites guests from the Three Realms widely, those who break Heavenly Laws or fall into demon paths are absolutely not welcome.”
Su Fu understood this clearly.
It seemed the Peach Banquet’s map was vast — encompassing far more than just the Heavenly Realm, including the Human Realm, Western Ling Shan, various divine continents… even secret places.
For example, the Eight Immortals just now were from the mortal world.
Those Buddhist monks came from Ling Shan.
Others were from the Four Seas’ water tribes, Southern Longevity Island, Beiju Luzhou…
Su Fu pondered. This High School Exam Paper map was truly expansive, beyond her imagination.
Her starting point was in the Heavenly Court, so before the banquet, she had no contact with candidates from other regions.
But recalling the attendees she’d seen, though they were from diverse origins, most were low-level deities.
Those Heavenly Court fairies and Celestial River generals were probably the highest-level anomalies in this instance.
The Land Deity seemed oblivious to Su Fu’s thoughts as he summarized, “But the main participants of the Peach Banquet, naturally, are the Heavenly Court immortals.”
He looked forward eagerly. “When the banquet officially starts, that will be the true spectacle.
“The Blessing, Prosperity, and Longevity Three Stars will bring their sacred pills for fortune and longevity.
“Taibai Jinxing will wave his whisk and sprinkle auspicious signs. Star Lords, the Sun God, and the Moon God will all gather.
“Immortals will ride auspicious clouds, fly on celestial cranes, bathed in rosy light from all directions.
“Together, they attend this grand Yaochi banquet!”
Su Fu watched the Land Deity babble on and sensed something was off.
“Is this Land Deity trying to flatter me?”
“Or is he deliberately leaking information to me?”
Why would he do that?
She raised an eyebrow. Had he recognized her identity and sought protection?
Or was it because he noticed her golden-hued staff?
For some reason, she felt the latter was more likely.
Thinking this over, Su Fu sighed, “No wonder this old guy has survived so long in the Heavenly Court — he’s very adept.”
From the Investiture War to the Western Journey and various myths, the Land Deity appeared repeatedly. Though not powerful, he maintained relationships with all sides, providing help at crucial moments.
Su Fu stared at him and had a thought: “Maybe those who live the longest aren’t the strongest beings.
“All gods have their own survival paths, without hierarchy or judgment.
“Though weak, gods like the Land Deity have existed through countless generations without interruption.
“Perhaps many candidates follow the Land Deity’s path — low-key, smooth, able to get along with all forces, living the longest.”
Su Fu also roughly assessed the Peach Banquet — it was probably just the most basic level banquet, undoubtedly a fabricated feast created by anomalies.
Though it appeared similar to the legendary Peach Banquet — bustling and full of gods — in truth, it was a poor imitation of the real thing.
The true Peach Banquet invited the Three Pure Ones and the Four Sovereigns — the top figures of the Heavenly Court.
These anomalies likely didn’t even know which gods were truly invited.
They constructed this small world based on vague memories and imagination.
Like a child’s mud castle, crude but with its own rules and logic, sometimes even seeming reasonable.
“The operational logic of anomalies is truly peculiar.”
Su Fu watched the fairies busily preparing and felt her understanding deepen.
Anomalies living in this scenario map inevitably and spontaneously tend to hold Peach Banquets repeatedly—
Trying to replicate the true world of gods.
Each time, hoping to get closer to “reality”—
The Peach Banquet—
Gradually approaching the legendary true divine banquet without limit.
She thought of a possibility — or a potential future: if this map were allowed to develop for hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of years, with anomalies having consumed countless Nine-Thousand-Year Peaches, would a few high-level gods eventually emerge?
Perhaps this was the real terror of anomalies.
They were not simply monsters, but beings striving through imitation and replacement to ultimately seize divine authority and complete their ultimate transformation.
Who says this “passing off the fake as real” process isn’t a form of evolution?
Who says this evolutionary method isn’t the optimal one?
She suddenly wondered if any anomaly had ever successfully replaced a god and become the new “orthodox”?
Just then, the Land Deity’s voice brought her back. “This is the Jade Nectar and Qiong Brew brewing place. Seventh Fairy, we’ve arrived.”
Su Fu looked up to see ahead a magnificent jade tower, surrounded by multicolored clouds and mist, translucent as jade.
Even before entering, a intoxicating fragrance wafted through the air.
“Let’s go.”
The group quickly entered the outer area of the brewing place. Pedestrians thinned out and the environment grew quiet.
However, not far away beneath thousand-year-old weeping willows, a few richly dressed figures stood quietly conversing.
“That’s the Seventh Fairy?” A man wearing a dark blue silk robe asked, “They’re responsible for picking the divine peaches?”
A purple-robed woman nodded and looked at the man, Wen Ziheng. “Yes. And the peaches are divine treasures, very beneficial to eat.”
Wen Ziheng smiled, smooth as jade. “In that case, Tinglan, we must acquire them early.”
Yun Tinglan smiled softly. “Don’t worry, everything has been prepared according to plan.
“Do you still not trust me?”
Wen Ziheng smiled upon hearing this. “Of course, I believe in your abilities. But who’s that old man standing next to her? He won’t interfere with the plan, will he?”
Yun Tinglan ran through the list in her mind, then shook her head. “He’s not on the list of formidable deities. Probably just some minor god.”
“Don’t worry, I know exactly who’s off-limits.”
Wen Ziheng nodded. “That’s good… I didn’t expect those people from the Third Star Ring to get the jump on us this time, but fortunately, they know when to hold back.”
Yun Tinglan gave a noncommittal reply. “Do they really have a choice? Anyway, this information is quite useful.”
“More people definitely means more power, but they just need to be stronger than the biggest force.”
“As the saying goes, if the neighbor hoards grain, I’ll hoard guns.”
—
Meanwhile, Su Fu had already arrived at the core area of the Brewing Zone.
Seeing the scene before her, she couldn’t help but gasp softly.
This was the finished product area for the Jade Nectar and Qiong Brew, with rows upon rows of massive glass wine jars displayed.
Each jar was over ten meters tall, crystal clear, filled with brews of various colors.
Some were as radiant as the morning glow, others as cool as moonlight, some as fierce as raging fire, and some as deep as the azure sea.
Not to mention the intoxicating aromas wafting through the air—unparalleled.
Far more fragrant than any fine wine she had ever encountered, neither quite floral nor fruity, yet exquisitely rich and fragrant.
This Jade Nectar and Qiong Brew was top-tier.
The Shen Yan AI appeared again, prompting:
[“Divine Artifact Detected: Jade Nectar and Qiong Brew”]
[“Grade: B-Class Divine Artifact”]
[“Effect: Possesses strong restorative properties for both spirit and divine power, and enhances perception and reaction speed.”]
Su Fu’s heart leapt with joy. She hadn’t expected the difficulty of this high-level exam to be so great, but the rewards inside were equally bountiful.
She carefully controlled her expression, thinking to herself, this is going to be a huge boon.
Although the Jade Nectar and Qiong Brew didn’t rank as high as the matured Divine Peaches, the sheer volume was impressive.
After this exam, using these divine artifacts might even propel her directly to A-Class!
Now it was just a matter of figuring out how to get even more of this Jade Nectar and Qiong Brew.
At that moment, a fairy stepped out. If Su Fu guessed right, this must be the Lingzhi Fairy that the Great Fairy had mentioned.
The fairy bowed slightly. “Lingzhi Fairy here. I’m sent by the Great Fairy to collect the Millennium Jade Nectar and Qiong Brew to entertain the Divine Beasts Qingluan and Cai Feng.”
Lingzhi Fairy gave a nonchalant “Oh?” “What flavor would you like?”
Su Fu blinked. “Flavor? There are flavors?”
Seeing Su Fu’s confusion, Lingzhi Fairy explained knowingly, “The usual order: one portion of mildly warm Xuan Yang Nectar, one portion of icy Ninefold Sweet Dew, one fruity flavor, and one floral flavor.”
The former referred to the base types of the Jade Nectar and Qiong Brew; the latter specified the actual taste.
Su Fu was stunned. These two Divine Beasts really lived in luxury. Goodness, such detailed tastes.
“Then I’ll take exactly as you say.”
Hearing this, Lingzhi Fairy took eight jade bottles and headed toward the jars. Soon after, all eight were filled with the brew.
Returning, she said, “Here are eight bottles of the Millennium Jade Nectar and Qiong Brew.”
She placed all the bottles into a Jin Nang pouch and handed it to Su Fu with instructions: “The first four bottles are warm, the latter four cold—just right for the two Divine Beasts’ preferences.”
Then she added, “Qingluan prefers warmth, Cai Feng likes coolness. Don’t forget.”
Su Fu hadn’t expected Lingzhi Fairy to be so generous—eight whole bottles!
Noticing her surprise, Lingzhi Fairy waved her hand. “I know the Peach Banquet is coming, and those two Divine Beasts are quite temperamental. It’s better to prepare extra. If it’s not enough, just come back and get more.”
Su Fu beamed, accepting the Jin Nang pouch. “Thank you for your generosity, Fairy.”
Jackpot. Eight bottles of Millennium Jade Nectar and Qiong Brew!
Holding the precious brew happily, Su Fu made her way back, taking the time to observe the brewing process.
Far off in the clouds floated seven-colored Auspicious Clouds, from which clear dewdrops continually fell.
The drops landed in a massive White Jade Pool, where various exotic flowers and plants’ extracts were arranged meticulously.
Beneath each pool, a certain divine fire burned. As the flames licked the liquids, the substances condensed and emitted intoxicating aromas.
“So this is how Jade Nectar and Qiong Brew is made…”