"Oh?" The Devouring Emperor's expression froze for a moment. He slowly turned his head, his gaze fixed on Hou Tu and Yu Kai. He had never met the Jade Emperor before, and he couldn't quite grasp the Jade Emperor's intentions behind this invitation. A hint of doubt crept into his heart.
The ancient witches such as Dijiang had just arrived in the world and were completely unfamiliar with the affairs of the Heavenly Palace. They all turned their inquiring eyes to Houtu and Yu Kai, waiting for them to make a decision.
Hou Tu's eyes turned, and she was about to speak when Yin Ziling had already taken Yu Kai's arm affectionately, and her gentle voice rang out: "Yu Kai, let's go. You have just been seriously injured, and I think you haven't recovered yet. Come with us back to heaven to heal?" She blinked her big watery eyes and looked at Yu Kai expectantly.
Yu Kai, mindful of Yin Ziling's life-saving grace, could not bear to refuse her kindness. Furthermore, he had been hoping to meet with the Jade Emperor to ask for his assistance in finding the Qiankun Soul Gathering Furnace and his child, as well as the whereabouts of the Golden Hoop Immortal and avenge Liu Ling.
Yu Kai nodded, looked at the Great Emperor Zhenwu, and said, "Okay, it just so happens that I also have something I would like to ask your Majesty for help!"
"Then please!" The Great Emperor Zhenwu immediately summoned the warships of Heaven, and made way for a passage with the Five Great Emperors including Xuanyuan, signaling the Emperor Shi and the others to board the ship.
The Devouring Emperor and the others didn't hesitate and boarded the warships one after another. The warships rushed towards the Heavenly Palace like a meteor chasing the moon...
At this time, the Heavenly Court had received the news. The Jade Emperor was leading the Taishang Laojun, the Demon-Subduing Heavenly Lord and other civil and military officials, waiting outside the South Heaven Gate.
Auspicious clouds swirled across the heavens, and celestial palaces and pavilions were scattered among the mist. Golden light emanated from each palace, seemingly dyeing the entire sky a brilliant hue. The South Heavenly Gate was towering and majestic, forged from an unknown immortal stone. Lifelike dragon and phoenix carvings adorned the gate, making it seem as if it could soar into the sky at any moment.
Wen Zhong, Li Jing, the Four Heavenly Kings, and the others, though secretly discontented, dared not show it, and could only stand there respectfully, waiting. After all, Yu Kai was no longer someone they could easily bully, and with the support of the Twelve Ancestral Witches and the Devouring Emperor, they dared not offend him lightly.
Soon, the warship arrived at the South Heaven Gate. Emperor Shi flashed and flew down first. Looking around, he couldn't help but sigh, "Is this the Heavenly Palace? It's truly magnificent and extraordinary!"
"The Jade Emperor leads the civil and military officials to respectfully welcome the Queen Mother Hou Tu, Lord Shi Di, and all the ancient witches to the Heavenly Palace!" The Jade Emperor was extremely respectful and polite, and he quickly stepped forward with all the civil and military officials to pay their respects.
"Is this the Heavenly Palace today? Compared with the demonic palace of Emperor Jun, it is much more magnificent. It is indeed a blessed land for immortals!" Zhu Rong strode forward, looking at it carefully and commenting sincerely.
"Everyone, please come in!" The Jade Emperor made a gesture of invitation, and the civil and military officials on both sides immediately made way for a wide passage.
Hou Tu and Emperor Shi walked side by side, while Yu Kai and many ancestor witches followed closely.
Yin Ziling spotted the ancestor Yin Chengxiu and the master Ma Fang among the other immortal officials and playfully made a face at them. She pretended not to hear their voice transmission and continued to walk inside, holding Yu Kai's arm affectionately.
Yin Chengxiu and Ma Fang were helpless, and hurriedly urged Yin Wuji to bring Fairy Shui Ling over quickly through voice transmission, secretly planning in their hearts that they would discipline Yin Ziling properly when they got back.
Before long, the group arrived at the magnificent Yaochi Lake. Above it, a myriad of colors shimmered and shimmered, creating a dreamlike scene. The surrounding pavilions, each built of fine jade, radiated a gentle glow. The table was laden with delicacies, each dish exuding an alluring aroma, curling like celestial mist.
The fairies, with graceful figures, led everyone to their seats one by one. Yin Ziling had been sitting close to Yu Kai all the way, so naturally she sat with him.
As soon as the Devouring Emperor sat down, he devoured the food without restraint, devouring it with a gusto and without a trace of decorum. At the same time, he shouted at the top of his voice, "Queen Mother, why don't you pick some peaches for everyone to taste?"
Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother was immediately embarrassed. She was about to explain the theft of the peaches, but when the words came to her lips, she felt that speaking out would be too embarrassing, so she looked to the Jade Emperor for help.
The Jade Emperor and Taishang Laojun simultaneously locked their gazes on Yu Kai. Then the Jade Emperor slowly spoke, "A few years ago, a strange incident occurred in Heaven. The peaches in the Peach Garden and the elixirs in the Tushita Palace were all stolen!"
"Is this really true? Who is so bold as to break into the Heavenly Palace and steal all the peaches and elixirs?" The Devouring Emperor was full of suspicion. He felt that what the Jade Emperor said was untrue, and a hint of displeasure appeared on his face.
Yu Kai's heart tightened, and he secretly struggled. He felt uncomfortable and extremely embarrassed at being stared at by the Jade Emperor. He quietly sent a message to the Devouring Emperor, "Senior, this is absolutely true. Please don't ask any more questions!"
"What do you mean? Did you do it?" The Emperor looked at Yu Kai's embarrassed expression and suddenly became suspicious.
Yu Kai had no choice but to nod gently. The Devouring Emperor suddenly became anxious and shouted, "Boy, your actions are really inappropriate. You have such a wonderful treasure, but you don't even know how to share it with me, the Devouring Emperor!"
"Senior, I was in an illusion at that time, how could I have imagined that those were real!" Yu Kai also looked helpless.
"You thought it was an illusion and ate all the peaches?" The Emperor looked heartbroken, as if he had suffered a great loss.
Yu Kai's face flushed red, and he was just feeling embarrassed when he heard Zhu Rong slam his wine glass onto the table and shout angrily, "Who is so wicked? The peaches are innate spiritual roots, and they were all stolen!"
"Yeah! This guy is too much. I finally got to participate in this Yao Chi event, but in the end I can't even eat the peaches!" Yin Ziling also hugged Yu Kai's arm, pouting and complaining softly.
Yu Kai hurriedly sent a message to them quietly, suggesting that they should not mention it again, as it was most likely his doing.
When Yin Ziling heard this, her eyes widened instantly. She secretly stretched out her hand from under the table and whispered, "Give me one to try!"
"It's really gone. I thought it was fake at the time and used it all to improve my strength!" Yu Kai lowered his head and responded in a low voice.
Zhu Rong finally realized that it was his own apprentice who had done this. He quickly laughed it off and said, "It's okay without the peaches. Thank you, Queen Mother, for your hospitality. The wine is quite good too!" He then led the toast to the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother. Hou Tu and the others seemed to have guessed something and stopped talking about the matter.
Zhang Daoling secretly calculated. Although he knew Yu Kai had powerful backing, he was confident in his numerous allies in Heaven, and the Jade Emperor's uncertain stance. If he could use this opportunity to suppress Yu Kai, he would surely establish his own authority within Heaven. So, he untimely set his wine glass down heavily and sarcastically addressed Yu Kai, "Hmph, this thief is incredibly bold! If I catch him, I'll make sure he's utterly utterly dead!"
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