Tuohuo narrowed his eyes, “Weren’t you the one who stole the peach? And now you’re acting innocent?”
Yuan Yang looked furious, “What nonsense! I came when I heard the explosion. Stop spreading baseless accusations! Is it you who stole the peach?”
“Trying to run now?”
Tuohuo and Gu Yan Feng exchanged looks and used divine power to scan Yuan Yang, finding no jade box on him.
Their expressions changed—if not him, then who?
Yuan Yang kept demanding answers, but Tuohuo suddenly shifted tactics, “We also discovered the peach missing and have been tracking it. I suspect the thief wants us to accuse each other to buy time.”
“Don’t fall for it.”
Yuan Yang froze for a moment, then pretended to inspect them carefully before changing expression and suggesting, “We should lock down the area quickly. We cannot let the thief escape!”
This was a sensible proposal, and both agreed.
The three silently each took a direction, ready to claim the prize if found first.
Watching this farce, Su Fu was amazed.
Yuan Yang was wasted not acting on stage—his speed and intelligence were impressive.
If he had kept the jade box on him earlier, he would have been discovered in no time.
Now, he was pretending to search because he knew Gu Yan Feng’s water mirror would monitor him closely, so he avoided any signs that he had the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach.
Su Fu thought, for now, this sly old dog was the hardest to deal with.
Under normal circumstances, he would likely be the final winner.
But unfortunately… the peach was a fake.
Just then, the treasure presentation finally concluded.
The Great Fairy announced loudly, “The treasure presentation ceremony has ended. Fellow immortals, please enjoy this year’s Peach Banquet!”
“Here come the peaches!”
Instantly, cheers erupted from the crowd, a chorus of excitement.
Countless fairies gracefully approached from afar, each holding a jade plate cradling plump, round peaches that exuded an irresistible fragrance.
They swiftly weaved between tables, distributing the peaches, and soon the entire Yaochi was filled with the sweet scent of peaches.
The Great Fairy smiled as she introduced, “These are the Three-Thousand-Year Immortal Peaches. Fellow immortals, please savor them to your heart’s content.”
Upon hearing this, the guests could not resist tasting this rare delicacy.
“So delicious!”
“One bite and my entire body feels refreshed. I swear my cultivation just improved a few levels!”
“No wonder these peaches from the Peach Garden are famed, they truly live up to their reputation!”
“Thanks be to the Queen Mother’s grace!”
Soon, everyone began spontaneously composing poems and couplets, praising the Peach Banquet.
More fairies dressed in colorful robes flooded into the banquet hall, playing lively immortal music.
The fairies danced gracefully, ribbons flying with every twirl.
Whether singing or dancing, the atmosphere was vibrant and joyous.
Yet amid the celebration, one immortal suddenly noticed, “Hey, where did the Great Fairy go?”
The person beside him wiped the juice from his mouth, “Isn’t it obvious? She’s probably gone to taste the Nine-Thousand-Year Peaches!”
“Wow, if these Three-Thousand-Year Peaches are this delicious, just imagine what the Nine-Thousand-Year ones taste like!”
The other smiled, “What are you thinking? Those aren’t something we can afford to taste.”
“By the way,” he suddenly became curious, “there should be a display of auspicious beasts soon, right?”
Everyone instinctively looked upward, spotting two divine birds perched leisurely on the railing, pecking elegantly at small peach pieces from a jade plate held by a maid.
“Look at that, truly worthy of being divine beasts.”
“Even eating peaches so elegantly—it’s like they’re used to it.”
“You think divine beasts are like us?”
“Hmm, where have the Seven Fairies gone?”
“Probably preparing for the upcoming performance.”
Just then, a new dance tune started at the banquet’s center.
Numerous fairies stepped forward, dancing gracefully while the celestial officials played zithers and lutes with exquisite melodies.
The two men were immediately captivated, clapping and cheering along with the other immortals, all immersed in the joyous atmosphere.
Su Fu had indeed slipped away.
The Great Fairy’s departure confirmed the moment had arrived.
Through a bird’s-eye view, she saw the three generals scattered across Yaochi, searching for suspects who had stolen the peaches.
However, their dispersion gave Yuelun Yuan and the others the perfect opportunity.
They were silently approaching Gu Yanfeng, clearly preparing to strike.
She thought, ‘The timing is just right.’
At the same time, the Great Fairy finally arrived at the Treasure Pavilion.
The palace doors stood wide open; inside, items lay scattered, but no one was there.
The three suspects had clearly fled.
“Just as I thought.”
The Great Fairy’s expression darkened like still water.
The peaches had been stolen.
Just then, a hurried maid came to report, “Great Fairy, the three generals are searching throughout Yaochi.”
“General Tuohuo is on the west side, God General Yuan Yang is in the peach grove, and General Gu Yanfeng is on the east side.”
The Great Fairy sneered coldly, “What else could they be looking for? It must be the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach.”
Her voice laced with mockery, “Such a grand spectacle—it’s clear they don’t take me seriously at all.”
If she weren’t worried those three would gang up on her later, she would have eaten that peach long ago.
Why bother pretending with them?
Now she would just let the three of them fight amongst themselves, creating chaos.
Just then, she caught sight of a purple figure flashing in the distance.
Her expression tightened, “Sixth Sister? Why would Sixth Sister be here?”
To be honest, ever since the Peach Garden event, she noticed Sixth Sister acting somewhat different from usual.
She originally planned to investigate after the Peach Banquet ended, but now… appearing here at this moment?
Her expression suddenly changed, “Could it be… she’s also here for the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach?”
No, she had to follow and see for herself.
***
Elsewhere, Gu Yanfeng was searching around Yaochi when he suddenly furrowed his brow, sensing something off.
Wait… the scenery around him seemed to be repeating?
That silver-leaf Lingzhi Herb—he felt like he had seen it three times already.
Or was it just common here?
But that protruding stone…
“Something’s wrong…” alarms rang in his mind, but it was too late.
Silvery threads of Divine Power had already infiltrated his brain.
His momentary awareness came too late.
His eyes immediately glazed over, movements slowed by half a beat.
Sharp light before his eyes seemed veiled by a thin mist, making everything blurry.
When masters duel, even a moment’s lapse can be fatal.
“Now!” Yuelun Yuan shouted sharply.
Zhou Tianhao, Chu Mingyuan, Lin Xuanye, and Lin Yaowei struck simultaneously from all directions!
Apollo’s holy bow was fully drawn; a solar arrow shot through the air, aimed straight at the Celestial River General’s throat.
The Hephaestus Fire Ring activated, unleashing scorching flames that surged forward.
The Lin siblings combined the Holy Light Sword and Judgment Eye to swiftly restrain his Divine Power and lock down his vital points.
Meanwhile, Yuelun Meng deployed an environmental Illusion Technique, creating a barrier that blocked all external perception.
The team’s coordination was flawless; almost simultaneously, they launched their assault.
Holy light, fire, judgment beams, and golden arrows intertwined, bursting into dazzling radiance.
But this was only the first wave; more attacks came surging forth.
By the time Gu Yanfeng finally reacted, water light rippling over his armor as he tried to form a shield, it was too late.
Several strikes had already hit his vital spots.
“No… impossible!” he stared at the wounds in shock and disbelief.
“I actually…”
With a bang, he collapsed, blood staining the ground around him.
Zhou Tianhao’s hands trembled, disbelief evident as he said, “Did we… really take him down? An A-Rank Divine General?”
Chu Mingyuan panted heavily, “It’s just that he focused all his spirit searching for peaches, paying no attention to his surroundings. My brother’s Moonlight Transformation depends on the environment; it infiltrated his senses without him noticing. Controlling his mind for even a moment was enough.”
Lin Xuanye sheathed his Holy Light Sword, “But it wasn’t easy. Even with our combined effort, he almost recovered consciousness.”
Yuelun Yuan nodded understandingly, “This is the gap between A and B ranks. Even with environmental advantages, meticulous preparation, and more… If not for our caution and relentless multiple attacks, it might have backfired.”
Multiple people combined still couldn’t achieve a one-hit kill.
Zhou Tianhao walked to Yuelun Yuan’s side, giving a thumbs up.
“The biggest credit goes to you. Your pre-set illusion was incredible. Amplifying the divine skill’s effect several times by manipulating the environment. Without your Illusion Technique, we wouldn’t have gotten close.”
Yuelun Yuan did not indulge in the joy of killing an A-Rank general.
He immediately placed his hand on Gu Yanfeng’s body and closed his eyes to sense.
After a moment, he opened his eyes, a smile curling at his lips, “It’s done.”
“Moonlight Transformation!”
The Divine Skill activated.
Moonlight shimmered around him as his form began to change; his shoulders broadened, height increased, and facial features slowly merged with those of the Celestial River General.
In a flash, Yuelun Yuan transformed directly into Gu Yanfeng’s likeness.
He quickly ordered, “Chu Mingyuan, destroy the body immediately!”
Chu Mingyuan nodded and stepped forward, “Hephaestus Flame, burn!”
A roaring fire instantly engulfed the Celestial River General’s body.
But at the same time, a sharp gasp sounded from behind.
Everyone turned sharply to see the Great Fairy standing not far under a peach tree, her face full of shock at the scene before her.
One “Celestial River General” stood there, while another was dissipating on the ground!
She immediately understood, fury blazing in her eyes.
“You fiends! How dare you infiltrate my Yaochi and kill a Celestial River General!”
The group exchanged glances, realizing their situation was dire—caught red-handed by the Great Fairy herself.
Just as they stepped forward, ready to fight, Yuelun Yuan’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkened, and he quickly put two and two together.
He did not look at the Great Fairy but scanned the surroundings with a grim expression, “Su Fu, I know you’re here, come out!”
How could the Great Fairy appear here in this remote part of Yaochi and just happen to witness their crime?
Someone must have lured her here.
But who?
It could only be Su Fu, one of the Seven Fairies.
Yuelun Yuan and Su Fu had kept their distance before; he had no interest in her little schemes.
But unexpectedly, she chose this moment to cross him.
“Come out!” Yuelun Yuan barked sharply, “Hiding won’t help!”
The Great Fairy looked confused, ‘Who was Su Fu? She had been following the Sixth Sister here…’
Wait!
She looked around warily, but only the sound of wind brushing through peach blossoms filled the air.
Just as everyone thought Yuelun Yuan had been mistaken, a figure suddenly stepped out from behind a peach tree.