Lord of the Earth

【United Hearts Gu Pill (Quasi-Liuli)】

【Characteristics】Extraordinary Treasure of Heaven and Earth

【Characteristics】 Devouring (can devour all things, absorbing their essence, spirit, and Daoist principles and fragments of rules), Feedback (can be transformed into 'glass treasures' after being refined in a special way), Unity (Gu worms possess the power of unity; when Gu worms are nurtured on the body, the power of unity can be activated, allowing 'military formations' and other coordination to reach a higher level)

[Explanation] This is a "quasi-true god" that was transformed into after the "Supreme Gu Worm" that devoured tens of thousands of living beings further transformed after devouring the peaches of immortality of the human race died. It is itself in the realm between life and death!

[Note] Special methods are required to directly "tame" these Gu worm pills.

Although the "eye of insight" is gone.

However, with his current perspective as a "quasi-god," Xia Tian can directly see some of the profound essence of this item from the level of rules!

"This thing can actually absorb the essence and spirit of all kinds of living beings in the world, thereby making itself stronger... After being processed in a special way, it can become a peerless medicine to improve one's realm... Truly, the vastness of eternity is full of wonders."

Summer felt a slight stirring in her heart, sensing the immense yet bound vitality and strange laws contained within the "Five-Colored Spirit Egg".

"However, I seem to have seen this thing before..."

This was because it wasn't the first time he had seen a pill that possessed the quality of "life".

Summer couldn't help but glance at Yaochi, who had now grown into a graceful young woman, exuding a pure and vibrant life force!
She herself was the embodiment of the highest-grade elixir of immortality, which seems somewhat similar to this "Heart-to-Heart Gu Pill".

"Well, a few of us will go explore next... You all rest here, clean up the mess, and reinforce the defenses..."

However, Xia Tian did not delve into the matter. After thinking for a while, Xia Tian decided to leave the main force behind to guard this dilapidated but priceless peach orchard, clean up the battlefield, and collect the spoils of war.

Simply because of the core area of ​​Yaochi Palace ahead.

Unspeakable dangers lurk within, and the presence of many people can easily lead to unforeseen events.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to follow..."

Aside from Huang Rong, who carries the legacy of the "Guanghan Palace," can draw upon the power of the true gods, and is determined to travel with them.

Summer chose to travel with only Xiao Yaochi, who had the deepest connection with the origin of Yaochi, and Wu Song, who possessed unparalleled strength.

"Hey, look, there are still some peach tree remnants in there..."

After walking a short distance, passing through a devastated battlefield, the group discovered something delightful.

The reason was that a relatively intact peach orchard had appeared before them. Although the peach trees were somewhat withered, they still radiated a shimmering, precious light.

The peaches hanging from the branches were shrouded in a misty, Taoist atmosphere, though their skins still bore a slight hint of unripe green...

"Hmm, the most crucial 1,200 peach trees that matured 9,000 years ago were not completely destroyed... This is quite an unexpected surprise..."

Summer fills me with exhilaration.

However, this seems to be the correct approach.

After all, the peaches of immortality are one of the "Ten Great Innate Spiritual Roots" in mythology, and are even controlled by the supreme true goddess, the Queen Mother of the West!
Even if that "insect demon" possesses the power of a quasi-true god or even a true god, it would be extremely difficult to completely destroy the core of such a spiritual root of heaven and earth.

Although some faint traces of insect bites can be seen on these green, nine-thousand-year-old peaches, as if they have undergone some kind of erosion, they ultimately failed to damage their core.

Summer observed it with the "eye of a near-god" and discovered that its immense medicinal power and core "immortal" divinity had not disappeared.

"Fortunately, this 'insect demon' is merely a 'true god incarnation'... therefore, it does not possess a complete 'true spirit'... otherwise, if it had consumed the mature 'nine-thousand-year peach' and gained the characteristic of 'immortality of the true spirit,' it would have been even more troublesome."

Summer pondered in her heart.

"However, it was precisely because it absorbed some of the power of the peaches of immortality that this insect demon underwent a mutation, ultimately forming this special alien creature that is somewhere between a 'peach' and an 'insect'. It is hard to say whether this act of drinking and eating is a blessing or a loss for the human race."

"Hmm! Look, that seems to be... the mother tree of the peaches?!"

Then, Xia Tian's gaze sharpened again, simply because when he looked at the very center of the peach grove with his "quasi-god's eye,"
Summer suddenly discovered an ancient peach tree that was not tall, but seemed to support the heavens and the earth, with its roots penetrating into the endless void. Its trunk was as vigorous as a dragon, its leaves as green as jade, and it was surrounded by six incomparably clear, dazzling divine halos that seemed to be formed from pure life and the rules of creation!
This means that its own status is clearly at the level of a top-level true god, even surpassing the laurel tree in the Moon Palace!
On the treetops, a few peaches, fully ripe, with purple-gold veins running across their skin and exuding an enticing fragrance, hung scattered about.
"This Mother Peach Tree is of too high a status to approach, let alone pluck, with our current abilities..."

Although he is able to "see".

However, this Peach Mother Tree is theoretically probably located above the sixth heaven!

Such a treasure of heaven and earth is clearly not something that even "quasi-true gods" have not yet truly attained, and therefore cannot be easily accessed.

"Advanced Jade Pool..."

So, after trying without success, the four continued on, bypassing the core peach grove, and officially entered the inner palace area of ​​"Jade Pool".

Although the palaces and pavilions showed occasional signs of battle, they were far better preserved than the surrounding area. The glazed tiles, white jade pillars, and carved beams and painted rafters still retained the splendor of the past.

"I can feel it, it's inside... It's so familiar, so very familiar..."

The young girl Yaochi became visibly agitated. The closer she got to the core, the more active the aura of the elixir of immortality emanating from her became, creating a strong resonance with the entire Yaochi Palace.

She felt a sense of trepidation, as if she were getting closer to home, and her steps quickened at times and then faltered at others.

"Don't worry, take your time to perceive it, don't rush..."

Huang Rong gently grasped her hand, conveying encouragement and urging her to bravely move forward.

"Strange, there don't seem to be many remaining 'divine marks' in the entire inner palace of Yaochi Palace... Could it be that even these marks were devoured by that insect demon?"

Wu Song sensed his surroundings with some confusion.

As one of the "Thirty-Six Palaces," Yaochi Palace should, in principle, retain a large amount of the aura of the ancient immortals and gods, just like Guanghan Palace.

"It's over there..."

As if summoned by some force, the maiden Yaochi quickened her pace, leading the group through several corridors to a magnificent palace bathed in the glow of countless rays of light.

"Hiss, what's going on?"

They had assumed that the core area would also be in ruins, but the scene before them made them gasp in shock.

Inside the enormous palace gate, instead of the ruins one had expected, a dreamlike, ethereal light shone through, accompanied by ethereal music and a fragrant aroma, as if another complete world lay beyond the gate!

"Halt! Who are you?"

Just as the four were about to approach the palace gate that was bathed in radiant light, a shout suddenly rang out!
Beside the massive palace gate, light and shadow swirled and coalesced into a divine general clad in golden armor, with a resolute face and an extremely robust and imposing physique!

He held a demon-subduing staff in his hand, and a radiant glass lamp that seemed to see through reality hung at his waist. The aura emanating from his body had reached the peak of the supreme deity, and he even had one foot in the threshold of a quasi-true god! His divine might was awe-inspiring, and his gaze was like lightning, firmly locking onto Xia Tian and his companions.

"Above the Jade Pool's 'Lingxiao Palace,' Her Majesty the Queen Mother of the West is hosting the 'Peach Banquet,' inviting all the celestial beings. Those without a golden invitation are not permitted to enter!"

The god's voice was like thunder, carrying the imposing aura of a strict enforcer.

The glass lamp in his hand tilted slightly, and a soft yet probing light shone down on the four of them. The light flowed, as if discerning their origins, fortunes, and karmic connections.

When the divine light swept over Wu Song, the glass lamp suddenly brightened a bit. A look of surprise flashed across the divine general's face, and he became solemn and respectful.

"Hmm? So it's the newly appointed 'Lord of Mount Tai'! My apologies for my disrespect, Lord Lord, please come in!"

His attitude instantly became respectful. He stepped to the side, and with a flick of his demon-subduing staff, he personally rolled up the shimmering curtain woven from the essence of stars for Wu Song.

"The Peach Banquet? Lord Taishan..."

Upon hearing these two words, the bewilderment on the girl Yaochi's face intensified, intertwining with clear fragments of memory, and her eyes shifted uncertainly.

Summer, however, had a bright look in her eyes and her mind was racing!

"Has this activated the old 'mark' within the Jade Pool Palace? And it's even activated the 'Peach Banquet' mark..."

The Peach Banquet!
This was a resounding name for anyone familiar with Chinese mythology, and it was the most prestigious banquet in the entire Heavenly Court!

According to some legends, the "Peach Banquet" at Yaochi was so grand that it invited Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Taoist Ancestors, Heavenly Venerables, God, and other powerful beings from all sides. Ordinary celestial officials couldn't even get a chance to attend.

Unless one is a high-ranking official in the central government of the "First Immortal Court of the Human Race," or an outstanding deity or a celestial being of great prominence, ordinary people are simply not qualified to participate.

However, although Wu Song is currently only at the peak of divine cultivation, the divine position of "Lord of Mount Tai" that he inherited is one of the highest officials in the underworld!

His divine position, within the Heavenly Court system, is that of a high-ranking official or a regional lord, making him fully qualified to participate in such a grand event!
"He's actually the ruler of the newly established dynasty in the lower realm, his aura already showing signs of taking on a seven-clawed form... Hmm, with such flourishing human power, he does indeed qualify to attend..."

The radiant light lingered on Xia Tian for a moment before the divine general spoke again, his tone much calmer.

Then, he looked at Huang Rong, a hint of doubt on his face: "This fairy... her aura is ethereal and cold, surrounded by moonlight, could she be from the Guanghan Palace lineage? It seems she wasn't on the Queen Mother's invitation list for this Peach Banquet..."

"She travels with me."

Xia Tian spoke calmly, his imperial aura naturally revealed.

"No wonder. Since you are from Guanghan, you are also imbued with the imperial dynasty's fortune... In that case, you may enter and accompany us to observe the ceremony. The three of you, please come in!"

The god suddenly realized what was happening and stopped trying to stop them.

As for the maiden Yaochi, he didn't seem to care much. Perhaps it was because Yaochi's aura blended perfectly with the place, and the glass lamp didn't issue any warning.

Immediately, the divine general solemnly circulated his inner energy and spoke aloud into the hall, his voice booming and resounding throughout the entire palace:
"Lord of Mount Tai, the immortal Wu Song has arrived!"

"In the lower realm of the Qianxia Dynasty, Emperor Tianxia, ​​accompanied by the fairy maiden of the Guanghan Palace, has arrived—!"

Good guy!
A supreme deity at the peak of their realm, a half-step quasi-true god, whose status would be enough to rule over a great world in all the heavens and myriad realms.

But at the Peach Banquet in the "Jade Pool Palace," there was only a gatekeeper responsible for announcing things and rolling up the curtain!

"The Curtain-Rolling General... Hmm, could this person be...?"

Summer already had a guess in her mind.

First there was the Heavenly River General Manager, who was suspected to be "Marshal Tianpeng," and now there's this divine general guarding the gate and lifting the curtain at the Peach Banquet, plus the 108 Fiends of Liangshan receiving their inheritance here...

He couldn't help but speculate more about the connection between this "First Celestial Court of Humanity" and later legends.

However, he had no time to think about it further.

When the dazzling curtain was rolled up, the scene before him instantly captivated his entire being—for behind the door was not the dilapidated, ordinary palaces of the outside world, but a vast and boundless fairyland in the clouds!

Beneath my feet are swirling, colorful auspicious clouds, soft yet stable.

In the distance, the Milky Way hangs upside down, starlight cascades down like a waterfall, mingling with the pervasive celestial aura, transforming into a shower of light.

Countless magnificent palaces and celestial islands float above the sea of ​​clouds, with glazed tile roofs and white jade steps, resplendent and magnificent.

Amidst the swirling mist, rows of jade tables adorned with dragons and phoenixes were neatly arranged, laden with rare delicacies such as dragon liver and phoenix marrow, bear paws and orangutan lips. Furthermore, exquisite nectar was served in crystal goblets, exuding an alluring aroma and boundless spiritual energy.

A variety of figures, each with an air of otherworldly grace, sat there. Some wore Taoist robes and feathered garments, some radiated Buddhist light, some were awe-inspiring, and some exuded demonic aura yet remained dignified and upright. Even the weakest among them possessed the aura of a supreme deity…

Cranes carry lingzhi mushrooms, and auspicious beasts perform dances.

Fairies held various musical instruments and played heavenly music. The musical notes transformed into colorful phoenixes, which circled and danced above the heads of the immortals.

The air was filled with a refreshing and unique fragrance, the aroma of thousands of celestial flowers and herbs blooming at the same time. The scent made one feel refreshed and invigorated, and one's cultivation seemed to improve subtly.

This is the legendary Jade Pool Peach Banquet!
The scene was peaceful, sacred, and magnificent to the extreme, forming an extremely strong contrast with the desolate and dilapidated ruins outside, as if time had frozen here at the most glorious moment of the Celestial Court!
"Is this truly a banquet at the Jade Pool?"

Summer was somewhat surprised.

Originally, it was thought that this was merely a manifestation of the "divine mark" within this "Jade Pool Palace".

But once he arrived here, even with his "eye of the true god," he couldn't see through the illusion; it seemed he had truly arrived at the legendary "Peach Banquet"...

"Hmm? His aura has transformed into a dragon and a tiger, the Purple Star is faintly visible, and he is even imbued with the power of humanity... I never expected that after ten thousand years, another human emperor would travel here in spirit to celebrate the Peach Banquet?"

A clear and gentle voice, yet with a touch of carefree and unrestrained spirit, rang out from the side.

Xia Tian turned his head and saw a middle-aged Taoist priest sitting behind a jade table not far away. He was dressed in a blue Taoist robe, wearing a Chunyang scarf on his head, with a handsome face, clear eyes like stars, and a smile on his lips.

He was surrounded by pure energy, with a faint, restrained pure Yang sword energy within him, and his aura was clearly at the level of a "quasi-true god".

"Since King Mu of Zhou rode his eight steeds to the Jade Pool in his divine journey, it has been a long time since any human emperor descended to the mortal realm to participate in this grand event..."

The Taoist priest's gaze fell on Xia Tian and the other person, and he clapped his hands and chuckled.

He then stood up and gave a graceful bow in the direction of Xia Tian and Wu Song.

"This humble Daoist is Lü Yan, courtesy name Dongbin, Daoist name Chunyangzi... Greetings to both of you fellow Daoists!" (End of Chapter)