Such an opponent… his heart sank.
As Yuelun Yuan pondered, he didn’t notice Yuan Yang glance back at the devastated scene.
Squinting, his expression turned grave, ‘The Great Fairy’s words must be true—such a commotion likely meant a demon invasion.’
For demons to break into Yaochi and cause such fierce fighting meant they were formidable and prepared enemies.
Yet something felt off.
The atmosphere was too mixed.
Not only traces of Gu Yanfeng’s divine energy but also several other divine power fluctuations, including one from his subordinate Zhou Tianhao.
All converged here…
‘Could Zhou Tianhao have just passed by and helped out by chance? What a coincidence.’
His expression was unsettled.
This was definitely more complicated than it seemed.
‘The Great Fairy… Gu Yanfeng… What exactly were they up to?’
Though full of doubts, the most urgent matter remained the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach.
Just as they were about to return to the banquet platform, a maid rushed over hurriedly.
Seeing the Great Fairy, she immediately saluted, “Great Fairy—”
She hesitated, unsure if she should announce it in front of everyone, but Su Fu interrupted, “Just say it.”
“Yes, Great Fairy. According to the schedule, it’s almost time for the Auspicious Beast performance.”
The Auspicious Beast display was the highlight of the entire Peach Banquet.
Qingluan and Cai Feng would perform under the guidance of the Seven Fairies, showcasing Yaochi’s charm and bestowing blessings upon the immortals.
Following the show was the crucial moment of tasting the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach.
Therefore, this segment required the Great Fairy’s personal confirmation before proceeding.
Hearing this, Yuelun Yuan’s heart skipped a beat; he almost forgot about this.
He didn’t care much about Su Fu’s act, but since they were now on the same side, if she messed up, he would suffer too.
The Seven Fairies had been Su Fu’s previous identity, but now that she was gone, how would the performance go?
Would they be exposed?
No, he reconsidered—still not that bad, ‘As the Great Fairy, she could find reasons to cancel this segment.’
Yet just then, Su Fu said calmly, “All immortals have gathered; naturally, we may begin.”
Her gaze swept the banquet below and she suddenly frowned, “Huh? Where did my seventh sister go?”
She turned to the maid, looking somewhat displeased, “Quickly find her, don’t delay the Auspicious Beast performance.”
“Yes!” The maid replied and hurried off, calling others to help search.
Yuelun Yuan was puzzled, ‘ What was Su Fu up to?’
Where could the missing Seventh Fairy be?
Surely Su Fu wouldn’t have failed to kill the real Seventh Fairy?
No, with Su Fu’s mind, calculating every step, she wouldn’t leave such an obvious hole.
Could it be she had other allies?
No sign of any…
Of course, Su Fu had no allies—she relied entirely on the nine-tailed fox’s gift of illusion.
The Auspicious Beast performance didn’t demand much from the Seven Fairies, as they weren’t the main performers.
She only needed to slightly guide the focus onto the Auspicious Beasts, diverting attention from herself.
Thus, the requirements for the puppets were greatly reduced; just a few movements would suffice to deceive everyone.
As for how the puppet would exit…
Suddenly, a sharp command cut through the air.
It was General Tuohuo, suppressing his anger: “Great Fairy, there are no peaches here as you claimed!”
He had impatiently gone up to the banquet platform and found no peaches on the table—only ordinary fairy fruits and fine wines.
He even searched around but found nothing.
Tuohuo’s face darkened.
He was already irritated about being tricked with a fake peach, and now even the “real” peach was a sham—how could he not be furious?
General Yuan Yang checked as well, finding nothing, and looked at Su Fu with a calm but chilling voice.
“Great Fairy, you said the real peach was already placed at the banquet. Where is it?”
Yuelun Yuan’s scalp tingled, and he involuntarily felt panic for Su Fu.
This madwoman!
So all her confidence earlier was just nonsense?
There was no Nine-Thousand-Year Peach at all?
His temples throbbed fiercely, his vision darkening.
He was stunned, truly.
From then until now, his heart never normalized, racing wildly.
Su Fu’s audacity was astonishing—she dared to lie to two generals?
No, three, counting himself as a fake Celestial River general.
Was she not afraid at all?
Not afraid they’d get angry and kill her on the spot?
This was the end.
What lie would Su Fu spin now to cover this?
Could these two generals believe her?
Just as he nervously waited to see how Su Fu would respond, she walked calmly onto the banquet platform and took the seat of honor.
“Why panic?” she said lightly, “Didn’t I just say? The Auspicious Beast performance must finish before the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach is served.”
A smile curved her lips as her eyes scanned Tuohuo and Yuan Yang.
“Or could it be you two generals can’t even wait that long?”
Yuelun Yuan felt suffocated, ‘Was this an explanation? No, it was adding fuel to the fire.’
“No choice,” Su Fu continued with a hint of helplessness, “If I put the peach out early, I’m afraid not a single bite will be left.”
Why not?
Because these three have prior offenses.
Su Fu wasn’t afraid of angering them—so long as they thought the peach was still in her hands, they wouldn’t act rashly.
Besides, it was they who did wrong, so why should she fear?
Sure enough, their expressions shifted subtly.
They exchanged looks then quickly looked away, clearly understanding the hint.
The Great Fairy truly knew what they had done—this was open hostility against them.
Yuelun Yuan watched closely, cold sweat dripping from his brow.
‘Su Fu, you really dare to gamble like this?’
He didn’t know if she truly had the Nine-Thousand-Year Peach ready, but for now, he had no choice but to play along.
“Great Fairy’s reasoning is sound,” Yuelun Yuan feigned calm.
“I can wait.”
He then sat down first, pretending nonchalance.
But his temples throbbed uncontrollably.
It was too intense—if Su Fu really couldn’t produce the peach, they were all doomed today.
Tuohuo glanced at Gu Yanfeng’s imposing demeanor and immediately shifted his gaze, changing his tone: “Great Fairy, you’ve misunderstood. Of course we’ll wait.”
He promptly sat down as well to show his stance.
There was no use in getting angry; confronting the Great Fairy now would only play into Gu Yanfeng’s hands—and that absolutely could not happen.
Seeing this, Yuan Yang had no choice but to sit down too.
Su Fu gave a subtle glance to the surrounding maids, who immediately filled everyone’s cups with Jade Nectar and Qiong Brew.
The crystal-clear nectar rippled in the jade cups, emitting a delightful fragrance.
Su Fu lifted her cup with a smile and said, “Rest assured, soon everyone’s wishes will be fulfilled.”
Everyone raised their cups in unison, silently hoping this would indeed be the case.
At that moment, some of the Immortals at the banquet below were beginning to lose their patience.
A few of them started shouting excitedly: “Auspicious Beasts! Auspicious Beasts!”
They were obviously eager to see the Auspicious Beasts’ performance, unaware of the turmoil beneath the surface.
They only knew that according to tradition, the Auspicious Beasts were to bestow blessings and good fortune.
Su Fu’s expression remained unchanged as she calmly sipped the nectar.
Yuelun Yuan, witnessing this, also unconsciously picked up his jade cup and drained it in one gulp.
‘So Su Fu had planned all this in advance? Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so composed.’
He grew curious—’what kind of plan could it be?’
Looking down, he saw the banquet platform brimming with joyous and harmonious atmosphere; celestial music flowed gently, and the gods chatted and laughed.
‘Wait……’
His gaze suddenly halted as he spotted familiar figures.
“Isn’t that Third Star Ring’s Chen Jing and Lin Mo?”
At the same time, Chen Jing and Lin Mo were whispering to each other, their moods evidently grim.
“Where has Su Fu gone?” Chen Jing frowned, lowering his voice, “At such a critical moment, how is she missing?”
“Could it be… that she ran off?”
Lin Mo shook her head, “That doesn’t seem like her style.”
Chen Jing sighed: “It’s a shame our best scout and surveillance teammate was taken out by Su Fu; otherwise, with his land-monitoring skills, we’d have found her for sure.”
“This woman is just too cunning and quick to react.”
Lin Mo looked regretful as well: “But according to the last reports, the Great Fairy went after Su Fu. Our people dared not follow the Great Fairy, so we lost track of Su Fu.”
At this, her expression suddenly changed: “You don’t mean… the Great Fairy discovered Su Fu’s true identity and eliminated her, do you?”
Chen Jing was stunned, then grew grave: “Don’t say it… but that’s actually possible… With the Great Fairy’s strength, doing such a thing is as easy as turning her hand over.”
The two fell into silence.
After a long moment, Chen Jing sighed, “Speculation was pointless without concrete evidence; this was the disadvantage of being powerless. However, according to our people’s guess, the big shots seem to be looking for something.”
“Something?”
“Unknown, but it seems extremely important to them.”
“Don’t worry,” Lin Mo whispered, “we’ll know soon enough.”
“If Su Fu doesn’t appear on time, we’ll start with those high-ranking examinees.”
“The results will be the same.”
Chen Jing was already impatient: “This time, let everything fall apart.”
Time ticked by second by second.
Meanwhile, atop the high platform, Yuan Yang pondered, ‘What exactly did those Demons want by infiltrating this Peach Banquet? Was it for the Nine-thousand-year Longevity Peaches, or something else…?’
As he glanced toward Su Fu, suddenly celestial music erupted below, accompanied by waves of cheers: “The Auspicious Beasts have arrived!”
Everyone instinctively looked over to see a fairy descending from the clouds, draped in flowing purple robes, ethereal like a goddess—it was one of the Seven Fairies.
Behind her, Qingluan and Cai Feng spread their wings, gliding left and right around her.
She gently waved her hand, and both Auspicious Beasts called out in clear, melodious voices that echoed across Yaochi.
Then, the blue and golden beasts danced and weaved through the air.
Qingluan flew high, suddenly diving downward, while Cai Feng circled upward, wings stretched wide and tail feathers flowing like tassels.
The two Auspicious Beasts spiraled and chased each other, sometimes separating only to merge again in an instant.
“Wow!” The Immortals could not help but burst into awe-struck applause.
“Absolutely breathtaking!”
“This year, Qingluan and Cai Feng seem especially energetic!”
Just then, Qingluan suddenly froze midair, wings fully extended, while Cai Feng spun rapidly above, forming a perfect fiery ring.
In an instant, the fire ring contracted sharply, merging with Qingluan to erupt a dazzling blue-golden radiance that illuminated the entire sky.
“Incredible!”
“Qingluan and Cai Feng, you’re simply the best!”
“No wonder the Seven Fairies can command the Auspicious Beasts so perfectly!”
However, some were puzzled.
In past performances, the fairies danced alongside the beasts, but this time, the Seven Fairies merely stood below, directing.
Suddenly, the music surged to a crescendo as many fairies flew out from around the banquet, ascending to the high sky.
Their robes fluttered, ribbons trailing behind them like clouds and mist.
Qingluan and Cai Feng weaved through them, sometimes leading, sometimes following, drawing gasps and cheers from the crowd.
Everyone was entranced, completely absorbed by the breathtaking performance.
Tuohuo and Yuan Yang watched the Auspicious Beasts with bright eyes, nectar sliding down their throats and celestial music filling their ears.
But their thoughts diverged from the crowd’s.
This performance was nearly over; the Great Fairy had no more reason to delay.
She had to present the Nine-thousand-year Longevity Peach.
At this moment, the atmosphere soared to its peak.
Celestial music drifted softly, fairies danced gracefully, Qingluan and Cai Feng twirled in the clouds, scattering golden light.
The golden glow settled on the Immortals, symbolizing blessings bestowed by the Auspicious Beasts.
Someone shouted joyfully, “The Auspicious Beasts have bestowed their blessings!”
The Immortals couldn’t help but raise their cups and drink together.
As the music quickened, Qingluan and Cai Feng called out together in melodious harmony, their lingering voices filling the air.
After the final twirl, the fairies scattered like petals.
Just as the performance seemed to conclude, the Great Fairy gracefully descended from the high platform.
She wore flowing red robes, light and elegant like a crane, her long skirt fluttering like fire.
Landing at the center of the banquet, a rosy glow spread around her.