Liao Zhen said, "What's that? Our Penglai Island has good things too. That withered tree root is a good thing, although it can't compare to the six spiritual roots, it's still pretty good."
Xuan Tian smiled but didn't say anything. The withered tree root was indeed good, as it could increase magical power, but it was fundamentally inferior to the six innate spiritual roots. Each of the six spiritual roots had its own wonderful uses, and they were not comparable to ordinary spiritual roots at all.
The Queen Mother of the West celebrates her sixty-fifth birthday with a grand Peach Banquet (Part 2)
As expected, the Heavenly Court's grand gathering was a major event in the mortal world. Haotian and his entourage were busy for half a day, determined to make the Peach Banquet a grand success.
The Thirty-Three Heavens were decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the fairies and palace maids were busy. Haotian wore a nine-dragon robe, and Yaochi wore a rosy cloak and a phoenix crown. Together with Haotian, they would rise from time to time to welcome distinguished guests from all directions.
Within the Jade Pool, "deep blue, crafted from glass and studded with gold; shimmering bright, adorned with precious jade, with colorful phoenixes dancing before vermilion gates. Covered corridors and winding paths, exquisitely crafted everywhere; three eaves and four clusters, layer upon layer of dragons and phoenixes soaring. Inside the walls are several large pillars, upon which coil golden-scaled, sun-drenched, red-bearded dragons; and several long bridges, upon which soaring, red-crowned phoenixes with colorful plumage circle." Indeed: "Golden palaces and silver halls, purple mansions, rare flowers and jade herbs, and precious blossoms. The Jade Rabbit of the King passes by the altar, the Golden Crow of the Sage flies to the bottom."
The outer chambers were magnificent, but the interior was even more astonishing: fragrant incense swirled, auspicious clouds danced, a jade terrace adorned with colorful ribbons, and a jeweled pavilion exuded a misty aura. Phoenixes and luan birds soared and danced, their forms ethereal, while golden flowers and jade calyxes floated and sank. Above, arranged were nine phoenixes amidst crimson clouds, and eight treasures amidst purple rainbows. A five-colored, gilded table sat, adorned with a thousand-flowered jade basin. On the table lay dragon liver and phoenix marrow, bear paws and orangutan lips. A hundred delicacies, each exquisite, and exotic fruits and dishes, each new and fresh, were laid out. These were truly celestial treasures, unlike anything found on earth.
Haotian and Yaochi sat atop the golden mountain, smiling as they watched the bustling crowd below. They were delighted; though the position of Heavenly Emperor wasn't exactly comfortable, it truly satisfied their vanity. One after another, deities of all ranks from various palaces and halls, earth immortals, celestial immortals, wandering immortals, and sea and mountain gods arrived. The immortals engaged in lively discussions, or enjoyed tea and games. Fine wines and fragrant spirits were served, and joy graced everyone's faces.
There are seven seats opposite Haotian Yaochi, and their positions are higher than where Haotian and the others sit. These seats are for the seven saints.
The hall was divided into two rows, left and right, with other great supernatural beings from the primordial world seated on either side.
As noon approached, a brilliant light filled the sky outside the palace. Haotian was chatting and laughing with Zhenyuanzi and other veteran quasi-sages from the primordial world. Upon seeing this scene, he knew that a sage had arrived. Haotian smiled at Zhenyuanzi and said, "The sage has arrived. Would you like to come along, brother?"
Zhen Yuanzi laughed and said, "Of course I will go with you." He then went with Haotian to greet them.
Upon reaching the edge of the Jade Pool, a strange fragrance filled the air. It was the arrival of the Holy Mother of Humanity, Nuwa, riding a phoenix. Haotian and the others quickly stepped forward to greet her, saying, "Your Majesty's esteemed presence is an honor. We are deeply sorry for not welcoming you sooner. Please forgive us."
Nuwa smiled and said, "I am late for this grand Heavenly gathering. I should apologize to the Emperor. Please forgive me."
Haotian laughed and said, "Your Majesty, how can you speak like this? It was my fault. We are all guests of Zixiao Palace, but Your Majesty is a Primordial Saint. My position as Heavenly Emperor is largely due to the support of my senior brothers and sisters. I should be the one welcoming you, not blaming you."
Nuwa smiled and asked, "Have the other senior brothers arrived yet?"
"They haven't arrived yet. Perhaps the journey is long and they're arriving late," Yaochi said.
Nuwa nodded, knowing that the other sages were concerned with their image; a sage could travel across the three mountains and four seas, throughout the vast universe, with a single thought, so it wouldn't be because of the distance. Just as she was about to enter with Haotian and the others, Nuwa's mind shifted, realizing that Yuanshi Tianzun had arrived. She turned to Haotian and said, "Senior Brother Yuanshi is here; let's go in with him."
Sure enough, soon after, another burst of light appeared on the horizon, and Yuanshi was seen riding in the Nine Dragons Incense Chariot. A boy with a staff led the way in front of the chariot, and twelve disciples guarded the center behind it. On the left and right, Ran Deng and the True Immortal Yun Zhongzi stood to the side, making it a magnificent sight.
Yuanshi Tianzun, beaming with joy, saw Nuwa and the others there and said with a smile, "Junior Sister, you're closer; you arrived a few steps earlier."
Nuwa pretended not to hear and laughed, "That's right, Senior Brother has taken in some good disciples. The Twelve Golden Immortals are very famous in the prehistoric world. I suppose that's why you're late." She still remembered the Three Pure Ones stopping her. Although the Three Pure Ones were her senior brother in name, she didn't forget to make a sarcastic remark.
The others, having heard Nuwa's first sentence, were about to congratulate Yuanshi on taking on such good disciples, but upon hearing the rest, they all stopped. These Twelve Golden Immortals had become famous in the prehistoric world during their battle with Chiyou, though not for a good reason. The Twelve Golden Immortals, disciples of a sage, had even failed to defeat a great witch in a siege, and Nuwa had openly "praised" them. Who would dare to say anything now? Nuwa, being a sage, wasn't afraid, but they weren't. They feared that Yuanshi might become angry and plot against them later.
Yuanshi's face flushed slightly, his brows furrowed, and he turned to glare at the Twelve Golden Immortals. Just as he was about to refute Nuwa, a clear sound rang out from the horizon. It was the arrival of the Shangqing Tongtian Sect Master.
Tongtian was indeed powerful, even more arrogant than Yuanshi. A white ox carried a jade chariot in the sky, with Tongtian residing in the middle. Standing on each side were two people: the Golden Light Holy Mother, the Wudang Holy Mother, the Turtle Spirit Holy Mother, and the Cloud Fairy. Each held a celestial sword in their arms, which were the Four Swords of Zhuxian. There were also Duobao, the chief disciple of the Jie Sect, and Zhao Gongming, Qiongxiao, Bixiao, and others from the outer sect. Under a golden light, there were no less than twenty or thirty disciples, all of whom had cultivation levels above Taiyi True Immortal. Among them, Duobao and Yunxiao were at the peak of Daluo Loose Immortal cultivation, just a little short of entering the Daluo True Immortal realm.
Upon seeing Tongtian's appearance, Yuanshi felt uncomfortable. Firstly, Tongtian's imposing manner overshadowed his earlier prowess. Secondly, none of Tongtian's direct disciples were not demons, and Yuanshi looked down on these acquired spiritual beings. Although most of his disciples were human, they were also acquired spiritual beings. Only Yun Zhongzi and Randeng were considered innate beings, but they were also innate Dao bodies. This was Yuanshi's racial discrimination.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
